There shouldn't be any comparison. The 361 is 3.6ci, 4.4bhp. The 55 is 3.4ci, 3.4bhp. The 455 is far different than the 55 with 3.9bhp and automatic decompression. The Husky 357 is apples to apples comparable to Stihl 361 for about $500 less because Stihl won't let dealers discount much off retail price if they want to keep their franchise. I know both dealers here and Husky has taken a lot of the pro market from Stihl, firewood cutters and loggers, because of pricing. Most of the older loggers here and in Idaho stay with Stihl (the big pieces) because they can use parts from their old saws in the newer ones. Younger guys and mill yards (the ones that are left) have all gone to Husky because of price. Most consumers go with Husky and others purely because of price.

 

we have 3 stihl chainsaws most of them are too old to read the labels but they are all very good runners and i can get any parts for it i want.

 

$500 less? I only paid $535 for my MS361. What exactly does the 357 cost?

 

My error, there's only $100 difference.

 

homelite 45cc 18" love it, does wonders, my last homelite ran great for 10 years. looking foward to 10 more with this one.

 

A couple years ago I purchased a Stihl 036 Pro with 20" bar and have never looked back. I vote Stihl!

 

oooooo a chainsaw thread!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

I own over 100 chainsaws...everything from two man saws from the 50's to modern day beasts...homelite...mcculloch stihl poulan and o yea husky...the 108cc saw that you are talkin about is the 3120xp and its more like 9.1hp it is one of the only saws ever made that can handle a 72" cuttin bar...and yes it does rock your world...I have one with the 72 titanium bar and its all i can do (im 6'1 and weigh 220) to keep that thing steady using it...the saw and bar together weigh about 75lbs and with the torque that motor puts out its a handful...i am partial to huskys because i own 3 husky dealerships...if anyone wants a saw let me know i sell them through ebay at 10-20% off the retail price..brand new!! shhh dont tell husky on me lol email me ryan@kaballero.com if ur interested...i have over 300 saws in stock all models [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

My brother is still using my dad's old Stihl 028 from the 70's. I bought a Husqvarna 55 and ruined it by not paying attention to a leaky gas line. Replaced it with a Shindaiwa 488. If the Husky was still running I could do a more accurate comparison, but going from memory I'd say the Shindaiwa 488 is like a Husky 55 that went to charm school and lost a little weight. A very pleasant saw. A little more expensive, but worth it.

 

I use a 1950's Homelite super XL with a 18" bar. (back when Homelite was true Homelite) Threw a carb kit at it this year, and got the chain sharpened.....I would put it up against any 18" on the market today!!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I own a small Husky and one medium sized husky, Both bought in 1998, I believe. Both suffered from oil and gas leakage, within about a year. Took them both back to the dealer and received some new caps. Didn't help. Bought a new small Sthill in Feb. of this year and it leaks oil. Will be taking it back after hunting season. I don't abuse these saws either. I've had McCulloughs years back, one for 20 years, with only one problem, on/off switch broke.