Why are Stihls regarded as the "best"

[fossil]

Yes we do, yes...we...do...

Basically what it boils down to on the low end saws, Stihl is re-badging the Poulan Wild Thing and selling it for $200.

Is this the Wild Thing you are referring to? If so $200 doesn't look to bad to me.

 

[Whitespider]

… Stihls are more solid and dependable Huskys are lighter and faster is all.

That’s interesting because I was told the same thing from the logging boys “up north” around the family lake home. Several years ago they were all switching to Husqvarna saws for various reasons like faster cutting, supposedly better air filtration and less filter maintenance, etc., etc. But over the last few years they’re switching back to Stihl… according to them the reliability and longevity just ain’t there.

Just sayin’… I have no dog in the fight, just repeating what I’ve been told (and some of it has been second-hand). Personally wouldn’t buy a Husqvarna for two reasons…

1. I don’t care for the Husqvarna sales strategy of selling in big-box stores and cutting the throats of their full service dealers. Clearly, the strategy is to compete through sheer sales volume rather than provide an overwhelmingly superior product. That doesn’t necessarily mean a lesser quality product on the short-term, but it certainly raises concerns for the long-term as they attempt to remain competitive with other big-box store offerings. Various other companies (many once highly regarded) have tried that strategy… and for the most part it has destroyed what they once were. I tend to look at anything from a “Big-Box Store” as a “throw-away-when-broke” item (no parts department, no service department… buy cheap and buy another when it breaks).
   
2. There ain’t any Husqvarna “full service” dealer close to me (probably fallout from the first reason), but I have several Stihl dealers to choose from.

 

[Jwalker1911]

I always ran Stihl....until someone talked me into buying a 346xp.....now I want a 372xp pretty bad. I still like Stihls....they all have good and bad models....People forget that the same company that brought you the Corvette also made the Chevette,Ford made the Boss and the Escort...Mopar made some of the most impressive muscle cars on the market...they made the gremlin as well.....

 

[lone wolf]

I always ran Stihl....until someone talked me into buying a 346xp.....now I want a 372xp pretty bad. I still like Stihls....they all have good and bad models....People forget that the same company that brought you the Corvette also made the Chevette,Ford made the Boss and the Escort...Mopar made some of the most impressive muscle cars on the market...they made the gremlin as well.....

I think AMC made the gremlin not Mopar if that's what you meant?

 

[fossil]

That’s interesting because I was told the same thing from the logging boys “up north” around the family lake home. Several years ago they were all switching to Husqvarna saws for various reasons like faster cutting, supposedly better air filtration and less filter maintenance, etc., etc. But over the last few years they’re switching back to Stihl… according to them the reliability and longevity just ain’t there.

Just sayin’… I have no dog in the fight, just repeating what I’ve been told (and some of it has been second-hand). Personally wouldn’t buy a Husqvarna for two reasons…

1. I don’t care for the Husqvarna sales strategy of selling in big-box stores and cutting the throats of their full service dealers. Clearly, the strategy is to compete through sheer sales volume rather than provide an overwhelmingly superior product. That doesn’t necessarily mean a lesser quality product on the short-term, but it certainly raises concerns for the long-term as they attempt to remain competitive with other big-box store offerings. Various other companies (many once highly regarded) have tried that strategy… and for the most part it has destroyed what they once were. I tend to look at anything from a “Big-Box Store” as a “throw-away-when-broke” item (no parts department, no service department… buy cheap and buy another when it breaks).
   
2. There ain’t any Husqvarna “full service” dealer close to me (probably fallout from the first reason), but I have several Stihl dealers to choose from.

I would love to see stats on the sales $ and contribution to the bottom line on pro saws vs consumer saws but they are hard if not impossible to find without getting some detailed financial reports. I guess Electrolux feels there is considerably more to be gained by pushing as many consumer saws as possible to get that profit number. Stihl likely feels that having a closed market where they sell on their name and quality and keep their parts market largely to themselves is working for them.
Two different strategies that may or may not be working for both of them. Didn't I read in a post on this site a while ago that Stihl was now peddling their homeowner saws a some larger hardware stores in the US? If that’s a fact it may give credit to what Husky is doing.

These days it's all about holding and growing market share. If Husky pro saws showed a continuing financial loss Electrolux would either sell or close that division which would be a crying shame.
I certainly have respect for the Poulan saws of the 70’s through the early 90’s but there was sure no regard for those saws when Electrolux bought Poulan in the 90's. Same said for Pioneer & Partner.

I guess we will never like these types of changes but we have to expect them.

 

[Whitespider]

...Didn't I read in a post on this site a while ago that Stihl was now peddling their homeowner saws a some larger hardware stores in the US?...

Hmmmmm.... I haven't heard or seen that one... not saying it ain't true.
Our local lumber yard became a Stihl dealer, but had no service or parts departments to speak of... it was short lived, just over a year. Someone told me they "lost" the "dealership" due to not following the Stihl dealership requirements, but I can't verify. I'd be interested in seeing evidence of "Hardware Store" Stihl (less than full service) dealers.

 

[fossil]

I read it in the last 3 months on here but can't remember which thread or what area the author was from. In Canada I have not seen it.
I will say that I have 2 dealers close to me. I had to run the first one through what rim sproket I needed and get him the part number which put him close to a Home Depot service level. The other is fantastic. Knows his stuff inside out and stocks a good supply of parts. If he doesn't have it, he bends over backwards to get it next day and will order with no deposit.

 

[Jwalker1911]

Hmmmmm.... I haven't heard or seen that one... not saying it ain't true.
Our local lumber yard became a Stihl dealer, but had no service or parts departments to speak of... it was short lived, just over a year. Someone told me they "lost" the "dealership" due to not following the Stihl dealership requirements, but I can't verify. I'd be interested in seeing evidence of "Hardware Store" Stihl (less than full service) dealers.

Theres an Ace Hardware close to me thats a Stihl dealer,but there's a real Stihl dealer about ten blocks from it that is a true parts/service dealer....dont know of any husqvarna dealerships close to me...the bad dealer here is an echo dealer...but that man is just impossible to deal with,I cant blame the brand.

 

[Whitespider]

Ace Hardware stores are privately owned… Basically the owner holds an Ace “dealership” charter. As far as I know, Stihl doesn’t distribute to nationally owned and operated chains (as in selling a boxcar load to Home Depot and allowing Home Depot to do the “distributing” to the individual Home Depot Corporation owned stores). Every Stihl dealer I’ve ever visited also sold something else; my local dealer sells Snapper, Polaris and a couple others (I forget which)… he’s a “Power Sports” store. There wouldn’t be anything stopping an Ace Hardware store owner from also becoming a Stihl dealer, as long as he meets, and keeps, the Stihl requirements for holding the dealership charter (and, of course, he can’t break any agreements with Ace). That’s how our local lumber yard got the charter… but (supposedly) didn’t keep the service mechanic, so lost the charter. Not all “nationally” recognized brand names are corporate owned stores; many have privately owned and operated stores holding charters… I’m thinkin’ this is where the confusion is.

 

[Fedaburger]

I got my experience with stihl at work and my friends weedeaters. Everything ran perfect smooth and powerful I was very impressed. My first powersaw (wood shark) ran awesome till the p/c scored up from lean factory settings. From that i thought poulan was junk and would never own another since i found this site I've learned about epa and how to tune. It wasnt poulan's fault about my wood shark. But I am glad I got the stihl saw its a little ms180 but it cuts my firewood. My boss has a 75cc husqvarna concrete saw and that thing is a monster!! I'm goin crazy. I also love my 1975 super ez. I want to have all the saws in the whole world!!!!

 

[Fedaburger]

I was used to that wood shark when I got my new 180. I was buckin this prolly 13 or so inch log and I was thinking this stihl ain't all that what's all the hype. I noticed my finger wasnt pulling the trigger tight. So I tightens up on that trigger and that thing come unglued. I sayed hell yeah out loud and it was on. I just can't wait till I can get a big stihl. I love the ms460 that's the saw I want for my big saw!!!GO STIHL!!!

 

[jczv]

... I guess Electrolux feels there is considerably more to be gained by pushing as many consumer saws as possible to get that profit number. Stihl likely feels that having a closed market where they sell on their name and quality and keep their parts market largely to themselves is working for them.

... If Husky pro saws showed a continuing financial loss Electrolux would either sell or close that division which would be a crying shame.
I certainly have respect for the Poulan saws of the 70’s through the early 90’s but there was sure no regard for those saws when Electrolux bought Poulan in the 90's. Same said for Pioneer & Partner.

...

Six years ago and still those that refuse to believe.

Prospectus Husqvarna | Electrolux Group

 

[wobbedennis]

That is often the case, but not always.

Many brands make some very good models - but also some that is not - the brand name alone tells you next to nothing! :wink2:

Nailed it on the head!!!! I May prefer Stihl over Husky or any other brand, but Like Ford Chevy and Dodge (fill in the other makes and all models), sooner or later, they are gonna break! Then they all fall into the same boat, junk.

 

[fossil]

Six years ago and still those that refuse to believe.

Prospectus Husqvarna | Electrolux Group

Interesting to note that Husky's European sales are the lion's share of their market and almost all growth occurred there.
The consumer product % of sales has grown 4% over the three years reported.
Too bad we can't get some current sales figures.

 

[jczv]

Interesting to note that Husky's European sales are the lion's share of their market and almost all growth occurred there.
The consumer product % of sales has grown 4% over the three years reported.
Too bad we can't get some current sales figures.

I'll be less obtuse - the numbers are from 2006 because that's when Electrolux spun off husqvarna to a separate independent company. If you want current husqvarna info go to Investor Relations | Husqvarna Group.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Don't see to many 20-30 year old husky's.

Nope, but I have a bunch of 30 year old Poulans, McCullochs, and a couple or three 40 year old Homelites. I also have a handful of Stihls and Husqvarnas but not very old.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I always ran Stihl....until someone talked me into buying a 346xp.....now I want a 372xp pretty bad. I still like Stihls....they all have good and bad models....People forget that the same company that brought you the Corvette also made the Chevette,Ford made the Boss and the Escort...Mopar made some of the most impressive muscle cars on the market...they made the gremlin as well.....

I think the Gremlin was AMC. Mopar made the Valiant, the Cordoba, and a long list of others.

 

[fossil]

Six years ago and still those that refuse to believe.

Prospectus Husqvarna | Electrolux Group

Here's what it says in the 2012 Husqvarna annual report. This is at the end which lists milestones in Husky's past

1978 Part of Electrolux
Electrolux acquires Husqvarna, and chainsaws
become the core of the Electrolux
operation in outdoor products. The operation expands steadily
through organic growth as well as acquisitions

 

[REJ2]

Don't see to many 20-30 year old husky's.

Just wait 20 or 30 years

 

[fossil]

Just wait 20 or 30 years

All this Husky talk has got me curious. I can find that they started chainsaw production in 1959 but when did they start selling saws in North America?