Dead Stihl, time for a new one :(

[spudulike]

357XPs are good midweight machines, not too heavy, AVs are pretty good, will take an 18" bar.

 

They do have their own issues but tell me a saw that doesn't!

[Redleicester]

don't overlook the Dolmar/Makita and Echo saws!

 

Ah but do they have heated handles?

[Adamam]

Can't go far wrong with a good condition MS260 I reckon. Loads about.

 

357xp is good, but it's sort of neither fish nor fowl if you're going to end up with a bigger saw as well since it isn't all that light (5.7kg? Something like that).

 

I'm quite partial to an Efco/Oleo Mac. The 147/947 or 152/952 (45cc and 50cc) are good value new; fairly light 'farmer' saws (oxymoron!). Parts easy to come by, in production for ages, fast enough, well made...

 

Just a thought.

 

[Redleicester]

And a very fair thought too. I'm not up to the level of you chaps, so I suppose I was thinking if the 357 was enough of a step up from the MS280 then it'd date my desire for something a little larger and then further down the line I could add something much smaller and lighter for limbing / tidying work.

 

Please do shout if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

[billpierce]

357 is a good all rounder...how much is second hand?

[Adamam]

I think most people prefer the MS361 to the 357xp, which would be happy on an 18" bar which I missed and rules out a 260 and in fact anything I just recommended!! Very hard to find a 361 in good condition though...

[Redleicester]

Id certainly not want to go smaller than 18" on the "main" saw which is what I've been used to. Happy to have an ickle 12-14" for limbing though.

[felixthelogchopper]

I think most people prefer the MS361 to the 357xp, which would be happy on an 18" bar which I missed and rules out a 260 and in fact anything I just recommended!! Very hard to find a 361 in good condition though...

 

I don't, for one.

[Redleicester]

[MattyF]

Been looking at the efco 156 that looks a lot of saw for the money and light.