"Homeowner" saw choice? The eternal question.

Please choose only one of the above. These are what is available at our only local and reputable small engine shop. Our Husq/Jred/Dolmar, etc. dealers are terrible. My neighbor asked me about what chainsaw to buy. Well... He asked the right person and he asked the wrong person at the same time. Me, I would always chose the high-end "pro" saws, because I love quality tools, even if I never get to use them to their extremes of abilities. However, my neighbor has never owned a chainsaw, but just moved to a 6 acre wooded lot and by-the-way, his new house has a freakin' Blaze King Princess! So, he asked me for advice on a chainsaw to "clean up around here and make a little firewood for the stove." Legitimately, he'll be cutting 2-4 cord / year max. So, to me, a clamshell like the MS250 might make sense, especially with the $60 off running right now. Ultimately, any of these choices would be fine for his needs

 

Make sure to tell that BK stove won't work for chit without dry wood. He might struggle this year without dry wood. That fancy new saw might used for pallet dismantling.

 

Such a tough choice. I have no experience with any of those, but as a prior new chainsaw owner and still fairly newb at cutting wood, I'd opt for the best power to weight as long as it has enough guts to do anything I need.
Need is extremely subjective and a total unknown to a newb.
There's always the choice of CAD in the future. Oh yeah, he sucks for getting a BK in the house deal.

 

A new ms250 for 300 is a great deal. It's also a great saw that can be used as a great back up or smaller lighter saw if he gets into bigger tree cutting needing a larger saw later.

I again used my parents new this season ms211alphabet just yesterday. While it's a different saw than that 211, as impressive as that saw is, the 250 is much more capable, and still very light.

 

The 5yr warranty on a new echo is hard to beat.

 

Yep, they suck for getting the Princess!!!!! The former homeowner left about 1/2 cord of well-dried oak, but that's it. They watched me all spring and summer as I was sweating my b*lls off to C/S/S wood to get my 3 yr plan started.

 

P.S. I have an MS361 and a Mastermind Ported MS461, so if they ever get in over their heads, I can swoop in and save the day with these beasts. As such, the on-sale MS250 is looking like a good starting point. If/when they feel the need for a bigger saw, they can always buy another... Just like we all do.

 

MS-362 Big and strong enough for a big bar and the occasional bigun, and small enough for an everyday home firewood saw.

 

Yeah, that's what I said!!!! I like your thinking. I specifically said, "If money were no object, I'd chose the Stihl MS361/MS362cm or Husq 562." However, that is probably out of their price range. That's why my first thought was, "Echo 590." I'm a firm believer that the ultimate 1-saw plan is a 60 cc. saw. However, I did very well for myself with a 50.2 cc. MS260 for many years. I even bucked up a couple 25+" red oaks in two passes with it. It wasn't pretty, but it got the job done!

 

Same for me, except my saw was the Echo CS400, and I tood bucked some 25 to 30" red oaks after Sandy hit. And it was two passes with the little 18" bar on it. Actually, it was often 3 passes (aka first cut on side A, 2nd cut on side B, then third cut to cut the middle part because I missed the other two cuts!). Took me a long time.... now the 362 cranks thru it with one had on the saw.

But I do hear ya on the $$. To the OP, try to extend the scratch if at all possible...

 

Our local small engine shop owner's service is golden. If he sold it to you and you didn't abuse it egregiously, he'll take care of it, no questions asked, no matter what the manufacturer's warrantee says. That's why I buy from him and not the internet. That kind of service is worth a couple extra $'s.

 

That's a stihl dealer? If so a new ms250 seems like a no brainer.

 

I have run a MS250 for 4 years now. Within reason operation it is a tough saw to beat. I wouldn't use a hatchet to cut a redwood nor would I use a samurai sword to butter my bread. Use the saw as it is built for and let it rip. My call is it is the perfect home owners saw. Only thing I have needed to do is a yearly tune up kit installation and keep the chain sharp.

 

I voted for the 250 but wouldn't hesitate to jump up to the echo if what they'd normally be cutting has any size. Who knows if they really want to put in the work to heat with wood.

 

My first "real" chainsaw was a 25c- did light work for 5 years or better and was an entirely satisfactory saw. I purchased 28 mostly wooded acres about 7 years ago at about the time the 25c was starting to need repairs in excess of its value. Ended up buying a 260pro. The first project was clearing an acre of pines and gums in the 2-5 inch range. No problem.

Eventually, I "needed" a bigger saw and got a 441. I heat 100% with wood and still do some additional cutting for land clearing beyond my firewood needs. The 260 probably does 75% or more of my total work. When I choose the 441 it is as often for fun as for the need for a bigger saw. The 260 will do what he needs a 50cc saw to do and last a good long time while reliably doing it.

 

I run a Stihl AV-240 Wood Boss. I have had it over 15 years, bought it used. I have been cutting wood with saws since 1975 and can't even remember all the saws I've had. But I have'd never loved a saw as much a as this one, Probably over fifty cords through it, or more. Love the low weight to power ratio. Most of my cuts are under 18". But I've done 40" rounds with it as well. Two kids in community college, that means a bigger saw for dad was off the table

 

If it were me, I'd let him run the 361 of yours with supervision. If it isn't too big for him, start looking for a used 036 360 361 considering the budget.

If the only options are the ones listed, 250.

 

I have owned an 026 for a long time and it is a nice little 50 cc saw but recently I got my hands on a newer 60 cc saw and that is the only size I would go with for a single saw plan for firewood. It is big enough to handle the 20 inch bar with ease while being light enough to use for extended periods of time.

 

I would say the 590. In firewood collection it will keep right up with a husky 562 or stihl 362 and keep some $ in your pocket. Built better than the 250 and will out cut the 260

 

590