357XP: Where Does It Fit In Between The 346XP and 385XP?

[ropensaddle]

So it's come down to either replacing the 490 or else getting something bigger. Looking at it from a different viewpoint, what would a 55-75cc saw give me as far as filling in a gap? 55-65cc saws are sort of a farmer/rancher type all-purpose "one-saw plan" saw, whereas the 65-75cc saws are getting into the realm of a larger bucking/falling saw. What would you suppose does a 372 bring to the plate in its world besides being lighter than the 385? It really isn't a saw for smaller trees, honestly it seems a good amount use it for their larger saw. Yet it really is overkill to be put into the farmer/rancher realm to, isn't it?

Well nice point I use the 372 for everything but I have done tree work professionally all my life. I would feel the 357 was underpowered in the weight it wags. However the 346 is different as I would use it quite often climbing and in the bucket. I likely would mod it but it is quite capable imo for what you describe. But 357 why bother I would get a 372.

 

[angelo c]

. Yet it really is overkill to be put into the farmer/rancher realm to, isn't it?

Sorry ProMac, there is no such proof the word "overkill" exists on AS. We do not accept "excessive" either. Bigger is better, more OOOMPH is never enough. can't decide on a saw ? buy them both and sell the one you like least. And you won't like the least powerful saw ...trust me.

I'm going with Troll and suggesting the bigger power head and smaller bar. I also happen to think the best saw in the size your looking for is an 044. but like you said..."it's too old school" for you.
A

 

[barnumb]

The 346 is lighter and will be more handy for limbing and small wood, it is a screamer. The 357 weighs a lot less than the 385 and is also a great cutting saw but is not a lot of fun holding it in the air cutting tops all day. The 385 is good for the big stuff. In our cutting group we have 2 338xp's for limbing a 257, 350, 254xp, 2 357xp's' a 372xp (soon to be two I'll have my new one before christmas) and a 394xp. One of my best friends has a 346xp also. If you allready have the 385 you could get a 338xp or a 339xp to limb and a 357xp to do most of your sawing then use the 385 for the big stuff.

 

[ProMac1K]

I also happen to think the best saw in the size your looking for is an 044. but like you said..."it's too old school" for you.
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Sorry man, they just feel bulky and old-fashioned to me. I say that, then I have a bunch of Macs, but i've told you my story on them. I suppose if I had used the 0##-series saws when they were in there prime, I would be more attached. But the Macs are all the heft and grunt that I need, for a backup saw mind you.

 

[ProMac1K]

The 346 is lighter and will be more handy for limbing and small wood, it is a screamer. The 357 weighs a lot less than the 385 and is also a great cutting saw but is not a lot of fun holding it in the air cutting tops all day. The 385 is good for the big stuff. In our cutting group we have 2 338xp's for limbing a 257, 350, 254xp, 2 357xp's' a 372xp (soon to be two I'll have my new one before christmas) and a 394xp. One of my best friends has a 346xp also. If you allready have the 385 you could get a 338xp or a 339xp to limb and a 357xp to do most of your sawing then use the 385 for the big stuff.

Thank you for your input. That's a good thought, on getting a dedicated limbing saw then a 60cc saw for general work. But now we've come to the conclusion that it would be beneficial to step up to the 372 (I really wasn't intending on spending that much, but it's a heck of an upgrade for the dollar compared to a 357). But if I would step up to the 372, where would that put the 385? I wouldn't want to get rid of that. Yet, i'm not looking for a big saw, and a 372 would honestly be overkill for what i'm trying to accomplish.

 

[mdavlee]

I have a 390xp, 372xpw, Dolmar 7900, and an old 044. The 372 with the wrap handle and bigger dawgs doesn't feel much lighter to me than the 390 is.
If you only use a 20" the 372 would do all you need to do and cut about the same speed. If you port it will outcut the 385 in smaller wood. I haven't got the bug to get a small saw. The 044 is what I use as my small saw with a 24" bar.

 

[ropensaddle]

Thank you for your input. That's a good thought, on getting a dedicated limbing saw then a 60cc saw for general work. But now we've come to the conclusion that it would be beneficial to step up to the 372 (I really wasn't intending on spending that much, but it's a heck of an upgrade for the dollar compared to a 357). But if I would step up to the 372, where would that put the 385? I wouldn't want to get rid of that. Yet, i'm not looking for a big saw, and a 372 would honestly be overkill for what i'm trying to accomplish.

Put a big bar on the 385 32" 372 20" thwen get the 346 nothing else ever needed unless you climb then in all honesty stihl 200T takes that class right now.

 

[ropensaddle]

I have a 390xp, 372xpw, Dolmar 7900, and an old 044. The 372 with the wrap handle and bigger dawgs doesn't feel much lighter to me than the 390 is.
If you only use a 20" the 372 would do all you need to do and cut about the same speed. If you port it will outcut the 385 in smaller wood. I haven't got the bug to get a small saw. The 044 is what I use as my small saw with a 24" bar.

Yup my ported 372 smokes my 395xp!

 

[J.Walker]

I've been using my moded 357xp for racing in the 4 cube class. I feel a little out gunned so I just bought a Husky 365 for the 4 cube class.

 

[ProMac1K]

Put a big bar on the 385 32" 372 20" thwen get the 346 nothing else ever needed unless you climb then in all honesty stihl 200T takes that class right now.

Hahaha, my intent was to just get one more, not two!

I've got a ported and muff modded 70cc saw, in the Mac Titan-series, being the Titan 70. I've yet to cut with it since i've purchased it, it looks too good and sounds too mean to ever break it in.

Then again, i've yet to need it, since I have the 385xp.

 

[mdavlee]

Yeah mine was about 5 seconds faster than the 390 and 10 sec. faster than the 7900 in red oak that was about 22". I finally got the squish tightened on up on the 372 and the compression up to 150. The 390 pulled 140 at the same time the 372 got 150.

 

[ropensaddle]

Hahaha, my intent was to just get one more, not two!

I've got a ported and muff modded 70cc saw, in the Mac Titan-series, being the Titan 70. I've yet to cut with it since i've purchased it, it looks too good and sounds too mean to ever break it in.

Well friend just trying to help ya with your cad lol<a href="http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&lpver=3&ref=11" target="_blank"><img src="http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/000203F1.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." ></a>

 

[computeruser]

385 and 346xp would be a nice combo. 16" or 18" with 3/8" chain on the 346xp, and you'll be good to go for the small stuff. Similar to my 7900/5100s combination, which works great for the sort of use you have in mind. 357xp is a nice saw, but really doesn't have a niche unless you NEED a 60cc saw for some reason or another.

 

[barnumb]

You allready have a 385 You really dont need a 372. The 357 will handle anything in between the small saw and the 385 with authority. I am not knocking the 372 that and the 254xp are my alltime favorite saws. The extra pound+ the 372 weighs over the 357 will show up in added fatigue by the end of the day.

 

[ropensaddle]

You allready have a 385 You really dont need a 372. The 357 will handle anything in between the small saw and the 385 with authority. I am not knocking the 372 that and the 254xp are my alltime favorite saws. The extra pound+ the 372 weighs over the 357 will show up in added fatigue by the end of the day.

But the 346 modded is lighter and better imo.

 

[ProMac1K]

Well friend just trying to help ya with your cad lol<a href="http://www.sweetim.com/s.asp?im=gen&lpver=3&ref=11" target="_blank"><img src="http://content.sweetim.com/sim/cpie/emoticons/000203F1.gif" border="0" title="Click to get more." ></a>

Thanks man!

Ya, I was going to invest in a wood splitter. But then I thought, either a wood splitter or a saw. I've been getting along good with the 6lb Collins Maul, and it seems i'm always looking for a good reliable saw (especially a lighter and smaller saw). I figured I could keep splitting with a maul until it decides to give out, so that pretty much meant a splitter isn't in my future for awhile, and it is time to shop for a saw.

 

[ECRUPPRECHT]

Ive had and used and owned many huskys and stihls and have no loyalty to either brand first you need to find a good local dealer who is close by no matter what brand/s they carry, personally IMO the best power to weight to price ratio saw would be the MS361 it cant be beat never heard one bad comment from anyone who has owned one. if you are leaning towards husky or if that is your only local dealer I would go with the 346 since you already have a big saw, some people consider their 60-70 cc saw as their big saw so there is no need to get the 57 cc 357 the 346 is also 200 bucks cheaper than the 357 and the 346 is a super fast saw it rips may i also recommend the 242xp if they still make them its .3lbs lighter has .3 less hp but revs to 15,500 its a beast for its size. hope this helps out a little all of the previous posts are also very valid so take it all in weigh it out and make your own decision try to see if you can test each of the saws too before deciding.

 

[barnumb]

But the 346 modded is lighter and better imo.

Were gonna have the poor guy bankrupt before this is over.:greenchainsaw:

 

[ProMac1K]

385 and 346xp would be a nice combo. 16" or 18" with 3/8" chain on the 346xp, and you'll be good to go for the small stuff. Similar to my 7900/5100s combination, which works great for the sort of use you have in mind. 357xp is a nice saw, but really doesn't have a niche unless you NEED a 60cc saw for some reason or another.

That's what i've been thinking all along. I've been waiting for someone to come along and say that the 60cc saw is sort of in a one-saw world, or a dead-nut$ gap-breaker for someone who wants a saw specifically for general firewood duty. I've been drawn to the 357xp for along time, since I saw that it came from the factory with a dual-port muffler. I thought to myself that the factory must have considered it to be a performance saw. But then the realization came to me that it leans more towards a one-saw firewood saw plan, which i'm beyond. Maybe like someone said, it is something to invest in after I would get the 346xp.

 

[ProMac1K]

But the 346 modded is lighter and better imo.

Do we have a good resource for someone to mod them at request? Or are they all keeping busy? Or is that something that I will have to learn?