I love me some 390 Husqvarna. I also way prefer the wrap handlebars on the Husqvarnas. The 390 in stock form is, at least on my mind, the ideal faller’s saw for second growth/older regen. It’s a great hardwood saw too, probably the best on the market to run a 32 in hardwood. I’m not much on a 390 longer than a 36 in any wood either.
With that said, the 460/461 Stihls aren’t far behind at any bar length despite being 11 cc down. Those saws are not as fast, but still plenty fast enough. The 461 especially seems to be the better long bar saw of the two, albeit not by a ton (if it mattered that much I wouldn’t have the 32 on the 046 and a 28 on the 461). If weight matters to you, especially if you have a health problem where it actually matters, the pound and a half difference will probably make your decision. I’m usually a pretty big hardass, but over the last month or so my knees have been barking and I’m finding ways to lighten what I have on me all day.
