Best chainsaw stihl made?

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What the best Stihl is is a very subjective question. It depends on what you’re doing with it and how old you are.
My choice would be an 044.
I would have liked my 044 if it didn't kick the crap out of me every time I tried to start it. My pick right now is the MS361 but I've yet to use an 066...
 
Well... Since it was asked, I’m going with the MS 461. Plenty of balls (more than the 044, which is second) to handle a lot of trees with a bar long enough to do it safely. Not too heavy. Built well enough to take a beating but not heavy like a tank. Way smoother than its predecessor.

The sight parallel to the bar is pretty slick too, which I hadn’t seen before it. Really nice for judging where your tip is buried in the wood.
 
I think the best quality Stihl saws came imported from germany just like the best Husqvarna saws were made in sweden. Time will tell when outside vendors are making this relabeled saws on whos the best.

I have some older stills and older huskys which I cherish because back then they were the best.
 
I think the best quality Stihl saws came imported from germany just like the best Husqvarna saws were made in sweden. Time will tell when outside vendors are making this relabeled saws on whos the best.

I have some older stills and older huskys which I cherish because back then they were the best.
Don’t agree.
I love my ported 026......but the 261 walks all over it.
And remember........the Model T was more accurately made than a Rolls Royce of the same era.......
 
The Chicoms are getting more experience at building "Stihl" chainsaws than Stihl is. Before long they'll be the ones to beat...
Naaaaaaa.......their quality takes a dump on a regular basis.

2 batches of parts spot on.......and the next one in the terlet......as Archie Bunker would say.
 
By my standards it’s the saw that gets the job done fastest, minimal operator fatigue, and does it over and over.

I’d bet they haven’t made it yet.
Anything with a 0xx doesn’t have good enough AV.
Smaller than a 360 is too small to do it.
Right now it’s probably a 461
If the 500 is proven reliable it may be the one.
 
Some may scoff at the idea of the 009L being a great little saw. But I love it. So small and gutsy for a little homeowner saw.
41cc's of reed valve grunt stuffed in a compact 9 pound package.
20181225_090353.jpg

But I'd love to have an old 200T in great shape. Seems to be the one saw that the masses consider unequivocally the best. So without ever using one, I'm going to say the 200. But a new 201TCM would be ok by me.

Then probably a second gen 241. All the pro builders around here seem to revere these saws.
 
Some may scoff at the idea of the 009L being a great little saw. But I love it. So small and gutsy for a little homeowner saw.
41cc's of reed valve grunt stuffed in a compact 9 pound package.
View attachment 773297

But I'd love to have an old 200T in great shape. Seems to be the one saw that the masses consider unequivocally the best. So without ever using one, I'm going to say the 200. But a new 201TCM would be ok by me.

Then probably a second gen 241. All the pro builders around here seem to revere these saws.
Run that little **** for more than 5 minutes and yer hand won’t stop vibrating for 1/2 an hr. The 200t is unsurpassed as the best Stihl ever built. The 044 is my go to for medium sized wood.
 
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