661 / 395

[Rough Hewn]

If you look after your saws barring accidents, you won't need to have them looked at for years.
Regular maintenance.
661 for me, good solid workhorse for big wood.
Videos of the 395 look good too.
[emoji106]

[Mr. Squirrel]

It'll be rare that anybody but me uses it, so it won't be abused. I've heard don't great things about the 661 and on paper it looks more appealing.

There's a great deal to be said for a time tested solid saw, without all of the electronics in there though... 

[MattyF]

My 395 is my oldest saw , it’s been a good saw, can’t fault it!

[Rough Hewn]

For solid get a stihl 051.
90cc torque monster.
Can be upgraded to 111cc quite easily.
All magnesium body etc.
I had one from the early 80's. Bit of tinkering and brrrrm.
It will be around for a long time to come.
The only reason I sold it is,
It weighs about 10+kg and it pulls 6-7k tom in the wood.
My 661 will do about 10k rpm in the wood and weighs about 7kg.
It may be dead in 5-10 years time, but it will have earned me a lot.
[emoji106]

[MattyF]

661 won’t give you white finger either !!

[Blah]

I have a 661 and rate it. Faster, lighter and all round nicer to use than work's 660. Can't compare with 395 as never even seen one in the flesh.

[chrism3513]

I used a clients 395 a fair bit in Aus and was close to buying my own...

Then I used another clients 661 on a huge dead red gum. 36inch bar, and it wouldn't bog down. Yes the chain slowed down but it kept cutting. So I bought a 661 instead. Very happy with my choice too!

[chrism3513]

The only photo I could find... but I was super impressed with how it performed on this tree [emoji106]

[Stubby]

6 hours ago, Blah said:

I have a 661 and rate it. Faster, lighter and all round nicer to use than work's 660. Can't compare with 395 as never even seen one in the flesh.

Here is one .

[Mr. Squirrel]

You like that picture eh Stubby? I came across it numerous times when searching 661/395 haha!

I spoke to a few pals and went with the 661 in the end, although that 395 makes me regret the choice slightly. It's a different beast though, if I already had a larger mid range saw, like a 372, I'd probably go for it. I kinda need something big, but practical from spikes at the same time though...