Stihl vs Husqvarna...

Now that I have your attention, meet Yin and Yang.



These saws are direct competitors and I'll be giving my honest opinions and views of both because there are no jugs of saw brand Koolade at my place.

 

Cool. I've owned both, but not at the same time. Will be interesting to hear your opinions.

 

Following.


Mike in Okla

 

I just received the new Husqvarna yesterday. I've had the 241 for close to two years now. I ran it for 10 tanks stock and then had Kevin port it. I'm on his list to have the 543 ported come spring. So far I've only heat cycled the Husqvarna a few times. I need to get a chain as I bought it power head only. Anyway....

I like how the Husqvarna feels in my hands better than the Stihl. The Stihl isn't uncomfortable or anything, but the instant I picked up this Husqvarna, it felt "better" and familiar. I think it's because the rear handle is shaped and feels like my Makita dcs401. I've told friends if all my saws could feel like that Makita in my hands I'd be happy. I also think the angle is slightly steeper on the Husqvarna handle and the grip area is almost an inch closer to the handlebar.

Looks.....

The Stihl is a nice looking saw but it looks pregnant compared to the Husqvarna despite factory specs claiming nearly the exact same weight. The power heads feel identical in weight but I'll weight them to see where they fall. The Stihl is just fat looking in comparison. Like a handle on a orange and white pumpkin. Take it easy Stihl guys, I'm just adding humor to this. Lol

 

The Husqvarna aluminum handlebar vs the Stihl polymer handlebar....

I'm not one to get hung up on "a real pro saw has an aluminum bar" hype but, I do like the grippy rubber covering on the Husqvarna bar better than the sthils hard plastic feel. None of my plastic handlebar saws have been an issue with breaking or being slippery but the rubber feels "better " to me.

Fuel caps...
I prefer the Stihl flip caps over the traditional screw in caps on the Husqvarna. I also like the larger fill holes on the Stihl and the fact I can see how much fuel is going in the translucent tank. The Husqvarna tank is dark and hard to see in because the hole isn't much larger than the spout on my fuel jug.

 

Other tidbits I've noticed to compare...

Captive bar nut on the Stihl vs the loose versions on the Husqvarna. Win Stihl. The Husqvarna has two bar nuts, Stihl has one. I don't think it matters on saws that might see an 18" bar at the longest.

Clutch...

Stihl has an inboard unit and I prefer that over the Husqvarnas outboard clutch. The Husqvarna does have a rim drive vs the Stihl spur. I like the ability to change just that part if need be so that nod goes to the Husqvarna. In actual usage I have no preference as they both move the chain around the "blade".

 

Lastly, until I have more time with it...

I prefer the access to the Husqvarna air filter as it requires no tools and you don't have to remove the whole top cover to get to it or the plug. I'll know how much "stuff" gets into the filter box once I run the Husqvarna. The Stihl seems to collect a fair amount. Enough so that I put an outerwear pre filter over the oiled red beard foam filter to keep it from getting covered.

I'll get into the whole Mtronic vs manual carb deal after some run time on the 543.

 

I may have a 12" bar and some chains for the Husq. Let me check on that.

 

I must add something here. The obvious reason I like the inboard is ease of chain installation and removal but there is a downside if you like to keep your saws clean after usage like me. That area behind and around an inboard clutch likes to fill up with oil soaked debris. It can be a pain to remove. I call that a small negative but others probably care less. Lol

 

Oh, I almost forgot an interesting observation. I noticed when you trigger the husky to full throttle it moves the powerhead away from the rear handle. Flexing the rubber mounts. The Stihl doesn't do this but, it rotates the carb a noticable amount when you trigger it to wot. Just an oddity I noticed.

 

Great review and comparisons, thanks. My Dad has a 543. We both like it.

 

The 543 is a neat saw, I’ve never ran a 241, what makes this a pretty decent comparison is Stihl dropped the 241 and Husky is dropping the 543…

 

Can you swap the 241 to a rim drive ?

 

The 241 is still available over here:

 

There is more to come. I can nitpick all sorts of stuff lol.

Example, although they both use Torx head fasteners, the Stihl fasteners look to have deeper pockets therefore, in theory, harder to strip if you get ham fisted tightening them.

The Stihl felling dogs are traditional looking and super sharp but pretty short and the front of the saw can rub the log on occasion if that bothers you. No surprise to those that know me, it does. The Husqvarna dogs are but ugly but large enough to look like they will be effective. I may have to make one because...... ugly.

 

From what ive read and watched on YouTube, the are kind of a dog until broken in and they take many tanks. Ive read as many as 20. My 241 was a ripper stock and it will be nice to see that comparison first hand. I've seen them both ported and running against each other at two different GTGs now. Both huskihl ported. They are pretty well matched even when both are running .325 chain. The ms241 comes standard with 3/8 lp, the 543 is .325.

 

That's a little bar for a "big' saw.

 

They are? Dang it! That was going to be one of my plusses for the Husqvarna. Still available here. The 241 is in other parts of the world but not North America.