Real world 357XP/MS361 comparo

[kah68]

Has anyone ever done a real world evaluation/comparison of the MS 361 and 357 XP, for all around performance?

 

[Cut4fun]

My 357 wasn't stock and the 361 was. But both saws are great IMO and they both had likes and dislikes. Either would be a good choice IMO.

 

[clearance]

I ran 'em both, the Stihl is ok but over rated, the Husky is a screamer but the Stihl is better in bigger wood. These kind of talks quickly degenerate into hair splitting gabfests. What do you really want to know? And all around performance, WTF does that mean, exactly? I used them both for cutting down little trees on the r.o.w., the Husky was better, if I was bucking firewood I would take the Stihl. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

 

[SawTroll]

I actually never ran a 357xp, but the 361 is lighter and has a tad more power + an inboard clutch.....

...and mine revs up faster than any Husky I have used.


Admittedly, the 361 I refer to is the German made one, never used a VB one.

I agree that either one is a great choise, if the application is right.

 

[Cut4fun]

In real word conditions with the same style bar and chain filled up ready to use they weigh the same as in pic below. I never seen anyone try to use a empty PHO to try and saw a tree yet, just to save 2 ounces.

 

[Cut4fun]

Price and dealer support would come into play if you need it. The 361 is still over priced IMO when you can get a 70cc or 75cc saw for the same money. But to each their own.

Good post clearance.

 

[kah68]

Looks like the weigh the same full of fluids and with bar and chain. I bought it mostly for fire wood, and the odd brushing / clearing duty.

 

[stihlaficionado]

I ran the 357xp yesterday in wood 12-20"...granted the saw is new...only 2 tanks worth...I'd say my 361 is definitley smoother in the cut. Both have 20" bars full chisel. I'm not into timing cuts so a couple seconds here or there wouldn't matter to me. Easy starter, 2-4 pulls versus 3-6 with the stihl.


mark

 

[SawTroll]

In real word conditions with the same style bar and chain filled up ready to use they weigh the same as in pic below. I never seen anyone try to use a empty PHO to try and saw a tree yet, just to save 2 ounces.

Just makes me wonder what exact bar models were on those saws - as there is no doubt that the 361 empty powerhead weights at least halv a pound less than the 357xp one.

Different bars can make a lot of differense for the weight, feel, and balanse, even if they are the same length....

 

[Cut4fun]

I still have the bars in hand. I will weigh them someday to put you at rest ST. The chains were the same type so it wouldn't matter and DL count.

Real world weights don't lie with witnesses at hand that day. Manufactures do lie in their specs and I don't believe book specs as gospel like some do, I only use them for reference.

If you wanted to go by factory specs............

357
Cylinder displacement 3.45 cu.inch / 56.5 cm³
Power 4.4 hp / 3.2 kW
Maximum recommended engine speed 14 000 mm
Fuel tank volume 1.44 US pint / 0.68l
Oil tank volume 0.80 US pint / 0.38l
Oil pump type Adjustable flow
Cutting equipment
Chain pitch .325 / 3/8"
Recommended bar length 13-20" / 33-50 cm
Ergonomics
Sound level 101 dB(A)
Noise emissions, LWA 114 dB(A)
Vibrations, front/rear handle 3.9 m/s² / 4.2 m/s²
Overall dimensions
Weight excl. cutting equipment 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg

361
DISPLACEMENT 59.0 cc (3.6 cu. in.)
ENGINE POWER 3.3 kW (4.4 bhp)
WEIGHT (powerhead only) 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs.)
FUEL CAPACITY 685 cc (23.2 oz.)
CHAIN OIL CAPACITY 325 cc (11.0 oz.)
OILOMATIC® CHAIN 3/8" RSC3
RECOMMENDED RANGE
OF GUIDE BAR LENGTHS 40 to 63 cm (16" to 25")

 

[Lakeside53]

I've seen three 357's with busted crankcases -the bottom of the case on the clutch side break off. Probably abuse, but... I have one here right now to swap out.

 

[Cut4fun]

I've seen three 357's with busted crankcases -the bottom of the case on the clutch side break off. Probably abuse, but... I have one here right now to swap out.

Guy in central Ohio from the site says he sees alot of 359's like that or something similar. Homeowners pulling them out of a pinch maybe? What do you think Andy?

 

[hornett22]

both good saws.

i loved my 357 but i love my 372 more.as for the 361,for that kind of money ,i'd buy a 372 first.

dealer location and attitude would be my deciding factor i guess.

put stihl RSC chain on the 357,it will be smooth.the husky (oregon) chain isn't smooth.

 

[Lakeside53]

Guy in central Ohio from the site says he sees alot of 359's like that or something similar. Homeowners pulling them out of a pinch maybe? What do you think Andy?

I think it's crappy design - way too thin metal in that area. Saws shouldn't break like that.

 

[SawTroll]

i loved my 357 but i love my 372 more.as for the 361,for that kind of money ,i'd buy a 372 first.

dealer location and attitude would be my deciding factor i guess.

put stihl RSC chain on the 357,it will be smooth.the husky (oregon) chain isn't smooth.

That is in the US, over here the 361 cost a lot (like 300USD) less than the 357, and even less (like 150USD) than the 346 as well, and that is when the Huskys are on "campaign".

That is without heated handles, heated ones cost more than 100USD more on the Stihls here, maybe 150, and that evens it out a bit - as that is a highly desirable feature here.

 

[Cut4fun]

In your situation over there Sawtroll it is definitely a no brainier on your choice.

 

[SawTroll]

-----
If you wanted to go by factory specs............

357
....
Weight excl. cutting equipment 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg
....

Trouble is, that weight statement is a big lie, the truth is more like 5.9kg/12.9lbs...

Source is DLG/KWF test reports, and Dave Neiger...

The 361 numbers are as adverticed, 12.3lbs/5.6kg, confirmed by the same sources.

 

[dpcutter]

I have owned a 357xp for about a year now, great saw! I run an 18" bar on it, and it's great for all around use. Sure, it's slower then my 7900 and my 575xp, but it's soo nimble and light, I find it to be my go to saw. I primarily am cutting mid size oak(15"-24"), and mixed hardwoods. Unless I'm cutting a lot of big bulky wood, I find the 357xp more comfortable and easier to use.. I never tried a 361, was a toss up when I bought the two, the 357xp was $50.00 more, and was recommended to me. I do have a stihl o34av, not sure it that is a comparison to the 361 or 357xp??

 

[SawTroll]

.... I do have a stihl o34av, not sure it that is a comparison to the 361 or 357xp??

Not really, it is an old design with more vibes and a pretty bad air filter system - and less power for the weight - but still a pretty good saw....

 

[hornett22]

OUCH! that sucks.

That is in the US, over here the 361 cost a lot (like 300USD) less than the 357, and even less (like 150USD) than the 346 as well, and that is when the Huskys are on "campaign".

That is without heated handles, heated ones cost more than 100USD more on the Stihls here, maybe 150, and that evens it out a bit - as that is a highly desirable feature here.

but,you have royalty to pay for don't you? i never understood why you guys over there like kings and queens and ugly princes with big ears.