Stihl 500i full wrap handle

[Ledburyjosh]

I have one on my 500i..

 

Stihl Full Wrap Handles

BELLEBROOKARB.CO.UK

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Stihl Full Wrap Handles For control and handling

 

 

I asked my stihl dealer to get one initially. They just said they aren't available in the EU. Which is wank to not supply that for one of the best arb saws available when you can readily get one for a 462.

 

 

[Mik the Miller]

15 hours ago, Fatboy2017 said:

Try 

Security Verification

LOGSANDSAWS.CO.UK

 

 

 

Thanks.

I contacted Ian and ordered one.  

[Mik the Miller]

I had a slightly more sensible response from Dan @ Stihl GB.

Still doesn't make a huge amount of sense and I think it shows how much 'out of touch' Stihl GB is from it's customers.

\\

Good morning Mr Bartlett,
 
Thank you for your further email.
 The part you are enquiring about is used on the Rescue Saw version of the MS500i which is not supplied or brought into the GB market for numerous reasons.
 
I am sorry for any disappointment caused, however should our ongoing market research deem a need for this specific machine in the future, we are happy to review it's introduction at a later date.
 
Kind regards,
 
 Dan

STIHL GB 
Andreas Stihl Limited
//

[spudulike]

On 04/11/2025 at 19:03, AHPP said:

I've been having a right laugh dealing with a German manufacturer of a thingy for my widget. National stereotype wholly deserved. Was it car cars or supply chain you used to work for spud? A name we'd know?

No, consumer electronics of the computer type manufacturing for 20 years then spent 10 years in sales working with major PC manufacturers, distributors and resellers.

[spudulike]

23 hours ago, Mike Hill said:

A million years ago when Husky released their first top handle,they went around giving them out. Shortly after a Stihl rep turned up after work and over a few beers asked us at Baumdienst Junge what improvements that could be made to the 020.

 

Grippy handles :Nein if its too slippy you should stop work.

 

sawdust chute : Nein use it vertically if the wind blows

 

bigger fuel tank: Nein spoils ze balance

 

More power: Nein. Use ze groß sage 

 

In short it was perfect and we didn't know that.

That is EXACTLY how it is working with them...no joke!

[AHPP]

2 hours ago, spudulike said:

No, consumer electronics of the computer type manufacturing for 20 years then spent 10 years in sales working with major PC manufacturers, distributors and resellers.

 

Right o. No idea where I got automotive from then.

[Stihllymok]

22 hours ago, Mik the Miller said:

 

Thanks.

I contacted Ian and ordered one.  

What's lead time ? Thanks 😊

[Mik the Miller]

15 hours ago, spudulike said:

That is EXACTLY how it is working with them...no joke!

 

And they still are ...

here's the latest from Stil Customer service.

Basically - we won't sell you a full wrap handle because you don't need one.

You should only fell trees in zis vay !!!

\\

Good afternoon Mr Bartlett,
I have further consulted with our Training Team Manager and Field Trainer who advise as below in relation to your comments:
Wrap-around handles are a feature most commonly found on chainsaws sold in the United States and Canada, particularly on larger professional saws designed for forestry work. These handles are not available or supplied by STIHL with chainsaws in the UK, largely because there has been no (historical) demand for them. Forestry practices and the types of trees commonly worked on in the UK have not required the wrap-around handle.
In North America and Canada, wrap-around handles are often used for felling very large trees, especially on steep or uneven terrain where cutting techniques such as the Humboldt cut are preferred over more common British methods like the standard fell, split-level, dog tooth, or Danish pie cuts.
However, it’s worth noting that the wrap-around handle is only beneficial during the felling stage. Once the tree is on the ground and needs to be processed the extra handle can actually become cumbersome, getting in the way and making the saw bulkier to manoeuvre. For this reason, most UK operators prefer the standard front and rear handle configuration, which offers better balance and simplicity for the majority of tasks typically performed in British forestry and arboriculture.
There are no plans to import the wrap-around handle into GB and as such I'm afraid that it's not something that would be available through STIHL GB.
I trust this provides further clarification into the reasons we do not supply this in the STIHL GB market.
Kind regards,
Dan

STIHL GB 
Andreas Stihl Limited
//

 

46 minutes ago, Stihllymok said:

What's lead time ? Thanks 😊

 

Ian did say that they aren't easy to source, he quoted approx 4 to 5 weeks.

I think @Stihl123 is right, it would be quicker and easier to import one from a US reseller.

 

 

I did get back to Dan at Stihl GB and said that his Training and Field Manager sounded like a 'right pair of textbooks' (which is from my 'How to win friends and impress people book') and asked if Stihl would sell me 100 pieces.

Which I fully expect them to say "NO" to, after all all, who wants £10K's worth of business handed to them on a plate ?

Edited 6 hours ago by Mik the Miller

[Stihllymok]

17 minutes ago, Mik the Miller said:

 

And they still are ...

here's the latest from Stil Customer service.

Basically - we won't sell you a full wrap handle because you don't need one.

You should only fell trees in zis vay !!!

\\

Good afternoon Mr Bartlett,
I have further consulted with our Training Team Manager and Field Trainer who advise as below in relation to your comments:
Wrap-around handles are a feature most commonly found on chainsaws sold in the United States and Canada, particularly on larger professional saws designed for forestry work. These handles are not available or supplied by STIHL with chainsaws in the UK, largely because there has been no (historical) demand for them. Forestry practices and the types of trees commonly worked on in the UK have not required the wrap-around handle.
In North America and Canada, wrap-around handles are often used for felling very large trees, especially on steep or uneven terrain where cutting techniques such as the Humboldt cut are preferred over more common British methods like the standard fell, split-level, dog tooth, or Danish pie cuts.
However, it’s worth noting that the wrap-around handle is only beneficial during the felling stage. Once the tree is on the ground and needs to be processed the extra handle can actually become cumbersome, getting in the way and making the saw bulkier to manoeuvre. For this reason, most UK operators prefer the standard front and rear handle configuration, which offers better balance and simplicity for the majority of tasks typically performed in British forestry and arboriculture.
There are no plans to import the wrap-around handle into GB and as such I'm afraid that it's not something that would be available through STIHL GB.
I trust this provides further clarification into the reasons we do not supply this in the STIHL GB market.
Kind regards,
Dan

STIHL GB 
Andreas Stihl Limited
//

 

 

Ian did say that they aren't easy to source, he quoted approx 4 to 5 weeks.

I think @Stihl123 is right, it would be quicker and easier to import one from a US reseller.

 

 

I did get back to Dan at Stihl GB and said that his Training and Field Manager sounded like a 'right pair of textbooks' (which is from my 'How to win friends and impress people book') and asked if Stihl would sell me 100 pieces.

Which I fully expect them to say "NO" to, after all all, who wants £10K's worth of business handed to them on a plate ?

OK , had on on my 461 for years and fancy one on 500i before i flog my 461..

anyone fancy a tidy 461 with full wrap ? 🙂

[Mik the Miller]

22 minutes ago, Stihllymok said:

OK , had on on my 461 for years and fancy one on 500i before i flog my 461..

anyone fancy a tidy 461 with full wrap ? 🙂

 

Yes .... No .... i've just bought a used 500i (and spent £250 on bits - inc the full wrap - to get it up to spec)