STIHL is the world’s top-selling chainsaw brand, and for good reason. With reliable performance, easy-starting technology, dependable design, and simple maintenance it’s no wonder STIHL chainsaws are considered the best in the world.
Not only is STIHL the best-selling chainsaw brand, but they’re also the largest and oldest chainsaw producer in the world. Andreas Stihl developed the first electric chainsaw in 1926 and his first gasoline-powered saw in 1929. STIHL has been making top-quality chainsaws ever since. In addition, STIHL is the only chainsaw manufacturer in the world to design and produce their own chains and guide bars for their gasoline-powered saws.
But even if you decide to get a STIHL chainsaw, you still need to choose which one. STIHL manufactures a variety of chainsaws. These include battery saws, homeowner saws, farm and ranch saws, professional STIHL saws, electric saws, in-tree saws, and rescue saws. So which of these types of saws is the right one for you? And how do you find out which model is the best fit for your needs?
Choosing A STIHL Saw
There’s an interactive product selector on STIHL’s website that can help you find the perfect chainsaw to fit your needs. It asks four simple questions about your preferred power source, how often the saw will be used, the type of cutting tasks you’ll do, and the largest size of wood you’ll be cutting. This narrows down the selection to a few specific models, which you can then compare to get a better idea of what you’re looking for.
As already mentioned, STIHL manufactures a variety of chainsaws. In today’s article, we’ll focus on five of these categories: homeowner saws, farm & ranch saws, STIHL professional saws, in-tree saws, and electric and battery-powered saws. To easily compare the different chainsaws, click here to view STIHL’s comparison chart.
Homeowner Saws
STIHL designed their homeowner saws for cleanup around the house and cutting firewood. Most of these saws come with anti-vibration technology to minimize vibrations and help reduce fatigue. Many also include STIHL Quickstop® Chain Brake for additional safety and a Master Control Lever™ to make start-up easy.
Homeowners’ needs vary and sometimes you have no need for STIHL professional saws , so STIHL offers a variety of saws in this line. Smaller saws like the MS 170 work great for fallen limbs, pruning, and light cutting. Mid-range saws like the MS 251 are great for tree felling, cleanup, and firewood cutting.
Farm & Ranch Saws
The farm and ranch saws offer more power to handle more demanding jobs. Like the mid-range homeowner saws, they’re great for tree felling, cleanup, and firewood cutting. The farm and ranch saws, however, are designed for more frequent use. STIHL engineered these saws for hard work, day in and day out.
Homeowners with lots of firewood cutting or tree felling to do around their home, as well as professionals who don’t need the tougher STIHL professional-grade saws, can find a lot to like in the Farm & Ranch line.
Professional Saws
STIHL’s professional saws are tough enough to handle extensive frequent use and demanding tasks. They’re perfect for logging, farming, land clearing, tree service, and big firewood cutting jobs.
If you need power and reliable cutting performance for large jobs, then you’ll want to get one of STIHL’s professional saws. These are saws you can use regularly for the toughest cutting jobs without worrying about them giving out on you.
In-Tree Saws
In-tree saws are lightweight yet powerful for cutting while high above the ground. Also called “top-handle saws” or “arborist saws,” these chainsaws are designed specifically for professionals who have to use a chainsaw when doing off-ground, in-tree cutting.
These saws are typically used for tree service and surgery, landscaping, and public maintenance projects. They’re not recommended for homeowner use, so if you just want a chainsaw to use around the house for pruning and firewood cutting this isn’t what you’re looking for.
Electric and Battery-Powered Saws
STIFH’s battery-powered and electric chainsaws offer quieter operation and no engine emissions. They’re not as powerful as the professional-grade gasoline-powered saws, but they can be a great choice for homeowners and for lighter cutting tasks (including professional in-tree work if you get the top-handle battery-powered saw).
Electric saws are comfortable, lightweight, and hardworking. They work great for trimming jobs and firewood cutting as long as you have an electrical outlet nearby. If you want cordless power, turn to the battery-powered saws. These portable, light-weight saws deliver strong, consistent power thanks to their 36-volt Lithium-Ion technology.
How To Read The Model Names
Every chainsaw model name starts with the letters MS. These letters stand for Motorsäge which is German for “motor saw.” STIHL’s chainsaws are German-engineered and built in America, so it makes sense that the model names would reference the German word for chainsaw.
In addition to MS model chainsaws, you’ll also see the letters MSA and MSE. MSA in the model number indicates that it is a battery chainsaw and MSE tells you that it is an electric model. Other letters in the model name help you quickly identify key features:
- B = Quick Chain Adjuster
- C = Comfort feature
- E = Easy2Start™
- M = STIHL M-Tronic™
- Q = an additional chain braking system
- R = wrap handle
Outstanding Parts and Accessories
In addition to chainsaws (and other outdoor equipment), STIHL also sells parts and accessories, filing tools, forestry tools, and protective gear. Some of the most impressive of those parts and accessories are the chains and bars. As mentioned in the intro, STIHL is the only chainsaw manufacturer in the world that designs and produces their own chains and guide bars for their chainsaws.
When combined with STIHL’s Ematic Bar Lubrication System, their Oilomatic chains reduce bar oil consumption by up to 50 percent while still providing lubrication precisely as needed to extend the life of the chainsaw. STIHL’s guide bars are designed to match the unique properties of STIHL cutting chains and keep them running smoothly.
All STIHL chains, from homeowner to top of the line STIHL professional chainsaws, are pre-stretched to reduce maintenance time and wear during the break-in period. The individual cutters on each chain are covered with chrome to keep them sharp longer. They are also marked with an angle indicator to make them easier to file when they need to be sharpened, and a wear indicator so you know when to replace the chain.
Getting the Best Deal
One of the frequently asked questions we get is, “What is the best STIHL chainsaw for the money?” The answer to this question involves striking the right balance between what you need the saw to do and how much money you want to spend.
It’s not always as simple as just purchasing the cheapest STIHL saw you can find. Currently, the least expensive STIHL chainsaw listen on our website is the MS 170 Chainsaw. It’s a great little saw and the 16” bar makes small tree trimming and woodcutting jobs a breeze. But it’s not going to be the best saw for you if you want to fell large trees, for example.
If you have questions about getting the best deal when selecting a STIHL chainsaw, we’d be happy to help. You can also check our current prices for STIHL chainsaws by clicking here. At the time of this writing, several models are on sale for fall, and we periodically have sales throughout the year.
Where To Buy STIHL Saws
STIHL products are only available through independent dealers, including Richardson Saw & Lawnmower. You won’t find this dealer-exclusive brand at typical home improvement stores because STIHL values service above all else. They only sell their products through authorized dealers who service what they sell. That means you can be sure the person you’re buying a STIHL chainsaw from is a professional who really does know what they’re talking about.
Richardson Saw & Lawnmower is a STIHL Platinum® Dealer, which is the highest level you can achieve as a STIHL dealer. It’s reserved for select dealers who have a history of superior customer satisfaction, which includes offering maintenance from highly-trained technicians. Our technicians have passed all four levels of training at STIHL’s state of the art facility in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As masters of their craft, our technicians can provide efficient repairs and maintenance, as well as offer expert recommendations for the care of your equipment.
You can check out Richardson Saw’s selection of STIHL chainsaws by browsing online or by stopping in at our location on 802 South Central Expressway in Richardson, Texas. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about choosing the best STIHL chainsaw for your needs.
