MS 381 sees some action 'finally'

OK, so I have had the saw for a little while now but due to work I haven't had the chance to use the bloody thing yet.

Fortunately a mate found a farmer that wants all his shelter belts GONE. Don't ask me why, I really don't care why, I just get the cut it all up and on sell to those need the wood for winter.

I have posted a few pics which is the second day of action for the MS381.

You can see some of the mess that we needed to clear off the trunk before ringing it (thats what we call it in NZ). These trees won't allow you to limb from one end to the other, it's easier to start about halfway and just hack through the crap to clear some room and work outwards from there.

Anyway, a few hours later and an aching back, i was proud of the new saw and my lone efforts. Thats one of the 12 that are on the ground at the moment.

And some more

Will add some more when the wife lets me go and cut some more.

She is expected to go into labour anytime now so i am not allowed to go out to play.

looks like it did alright for a south american stihl. how do you find the filtration?

I still think they are a better saw than the 390/391

masculator said:

looks like it did alright for a south american stihl. how do you find the filtration?

I still think they are a better saw than the 390/391

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You will have to excuse me for being a little green. By filtration you are meaning what exactly? lol

It did really well to be honest, have just ordered a 24" bar with full chisel chain. The 20" did fine but there was no signs of struggle through the soft pine and could have done with a few more inches at times.

Found another

This is about 3/4 of the tree. I tend to make more work for myself and stack/clean up my work area as I go so there is a bit of wood missing in this pic.

Very nice pictures. The MS381 is a very good saw. It's way better than a 390/391. The 381 is a pro saw and the 390/391 is not.

Yea, I'd compare the 361 and 362 to the 390/391. With the 361/362 being a little better.

The 381 is a 70cc class saw. They will almost hang with a 440. Pretty much a newer 038 magnum. I think it would give a 440 a good run in big wood.

Arrowhead said:

Very nice pictures. The MS381 is a very good saw. It's way better than a 390/391. The 381 is a pro saw and the 390/391 is not.

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The 381 is not a PRO saw, but it is better than the farm bosses. it is somewhat intermediate and is based on the old 038 which was always the bigger cc little brother to the 044 which was truly a pro saw and despite having less ccs was way more saw. The 381 Is made in brazil and as such is cheaper, though I am led to believe a lot of the parts come out of germany. The filtration on the 381 is "old school" and is not in the same league as the newer saws, it is not a hard revver and in many cases an 036 or 361 will out cut it however due to its 72ccs it will pull a bit bigger bar.

A 391 is no comparison to either a 361/2 or a 381, and is really a plastic fantastic saw when looked in a realistic comparison.

I consider any saw with a closed port system and a non-clamshell design jug to be a pro saw. I feel most here do. Sure, there are other variables to a pro saw, but that's 90% of it.

masculator said:

The 381 is not a PRO saw, but it is better than the farm bosses. it is somewhat intermediate and is based on the old 038 which was always the bigger cc little brother to the 044 which was truly a pro saw and despite having less ccs was way more saw. The 381 Is made in brazil and as such is cheaper, though I am led to believe a lot of the parts come out of germany. The filtration on the 381 is "old school" and is not in the same league as the newer saws, it is not a hard revver and in many cases an 036 or 361 will out cut it however due to its 72ccs it will pull a bit bigger bar.

A 391 is no comparison to either a 361/2 or a 381, and is really a plastic fantastic saw when looked in a realistic comparison.

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A can't make any of my 036s outcut/run with any of my 038Ms, unless maybe 4" limbs, in the big stuff the 036 is not even close

I outran the stock 044 at work with my modded 036. Haven't done anything at all to mod my 038 Mag2so I suspect that the hot-rod 036 will still take it. However, both the 044 and the 038 respond well to mods, so my 036 only gets the pass against bone-stockers.

Meanwhile, I'd love to get my hands on a MS381. I have no doubt that it would be dependable and powerful.

The wood here in New Zealand is pretty easy going on saws. Only cutting pine at this stage but getting it into some Mac or Gum will be something to see I guess.

The saw wasn't working that hard at all and with all the mod threads I have seen here I am actually beginning to wonder if it is at all needed in my neck of the woods. The 381 simply chewed through what i threw it at. I am a firm believer of letting the saw do the work as it needs to, I simply point and shoot. (excuse the army term but thats my main job)

It will be interesting to see how it handles the 24" bar with full chisel chain. I really only bought that for ringing the bigger stuff we get on the ground but the bar of choice will no doubt be the 20 for the most part.

I have all the gear at work to make up my own chains so looking to buy a 100ft roll soon to make some spare for both bars. I also have a bench mounted chain cutter (if thats what they are called) so anytime I get a damaged chain that can still be repaired it will be at no cost.

I am a mechainc by trade currently working as an instructor at our Army trade school where we also teach small moters which covers full saw rebuilds and maintenance. I have everything at my disposal.

madhatte said:

I outran the stock 044 at work with my modded 036. Haven't done anything at all to mod my 038 Mag2so I suspect that the hot-rod 036 will still take it. However, both the 044 and the 038 respond well to mods, so my 036 only gets the pass against bone-stockers.

Meanwhile, I'd love to get my hands on a MS381. I have no doubt that it would be dependable and powerful.

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Mate from what I understand the MS381 is old tech in a new looking body. Simply a rebadge 038 Mag or something. While it doesn't rev as hard as a mates Johnserd turbo it does seem to handle the bigger stuff better. Slightly weighty but thats the way I like it. Nothing worse than doing a hard days work and not feeling it lol I'm a sucker for punishment. Maybe when I get old I'll be looking for something lighter but for now, give me the boat anchor to swing.

I just now have to learn to stop pinching the bloody bar so often, damn thats annoying. I'm slowly learning the correct way to cut branches that are under tension. The smaller ones I don't mind smacking me in the shins but the bigger ones i take a little more care and try to read what it will do and get the bar out before it pinches.

That saw looks a little big , maybe you should start with a MS170 LOL !


Nice looking saw and thanks for posting !

manwithav8 said:

Mate from what I understand the MS381 is old tech in a new looking body. Simply a rebadge 038 Mag or something.

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Quite so, and I wish we could get 'em here!

Growth rings!

manwithav8 said:

This is about 3/4 of the tree. I tend to make more work for myself and stack/clean up my work area as I go so there is a bit of wood missing in this pic.

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Wow, those are some huge growth rings. Not every day you can count the age of a tree from 30' away!

Cute kid!

MS260 Fan said:

Wow, those are some huge growth rings. Not every day you can count the age of a tree from 30' away!

Cute kid!

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Thanks, he looks just like his dad lol

Now, talk to me about these growth rings. How do you read them and determine the age? Sounds bloody interesting

madhatte said:

Quite so, and I wish we could get 'em here!

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I understand you can't get them because of the EPA rules. Could you import one somehow??

Why do you wish for one of these though? I know there are plenty better stihls available. A few have posted in other threads wanting the ms381. Why?

madhatte said:

I outran the stock 044 at work with my modded 036. Haven't done anything at all to mod my 038 Mag2so I suspect that the hot-rod 036 will still take it. However, both the 044 and the 038 respond well to mods, so my 036 only gets the pass against bone-stockers.

Meanwhile, I'd love to get my hands on a MS381. I have no doubt that it would be dependable and powerful.

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They are cheap as chips on alibaba, and delivery is usually free.

manwithav8 said:

Thanks, he looks just like his dad lol

Now, talk to me about these growth rings. How do you read them and determine the age? Sounds bloody interesting

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Count the number of rings from the heart to the bark and you have the number of years old the tree is.