Recommend me a used Stihl saw

I had a 290 with a 20" bar and it served me well for 3 years until I decided I "needed" a bigger saw so I bought a 391 with 20" bar. I sold the 290 to my boss with case and 4 chains for $300 but I've seen them on CL for alot more. The 391 handles the 20" bar much better, whereas the 290 would sometimes run out of power with a new chain and hard wood. Just my .02

I've got two 026's and really think they are a great price/value. If they have been used correctly, they will last forever. It's pretty easy to replace piston, rings, etc. if you need to. I use mine with an 18" bar, 20" might be a bit much if you are pushing through tough hardwood.

You want at least 60cc to pull 20" with authority. 036, MS360, MS361, 357xp, 562xp to name a few. Expect nice running ones to sell for $300 on up depending on condition.

I agree with Clyde, a quality 60-ish cc saw is what you want for a 20" bar, or maybe 50-55cc for an 18" bar. Good Stihl models to look for would be the 026, 034, 036, MS260, MS360 or MS361. These models were all targeted at professional users, but are not uncommon amongst homeowners that had a little extra cash when they went saw shopping.

Sellers seem to ask a wide variety of prices in my area. I have acquired several of these saws over the last year or so. Often when they show up on Craigslist they are overpriced, and the sellers get preemptively defensive and post stuff like 'No lowballs, I know what it's worth!!' Those just sit there with no takers, sometimes for months. The reasonably priced ones and the good deals disappear quickly, so the price of getting one of those is that you have to monitor Craigslist very closely and be ready to jump. So, what you should pay depends on how valuable your time is, and how much of it you're willing to spend on the search. I don't buy unless it's a great deal. The price points on my great deals have been as follows:

Free: an 034 that I hoped to repair but which turned out to be unrepairable.
$50: a filthy, broken MS260 that only needed minor repairs.
$50: a filthy, abused and broken but salvageable MS361.
$150: a nice 034 Super that needed little but a cleaning and chain sharpening
$225: a practically mint 036 Pro.

These are unusual prices of the sort that make a buyer feel lucky (or guilty), and they don't present themselves often. In case you don't feel like bargain hunting to quite this degree, I'd say you could feel good about price points a little over $200 for an 026/MS260 in nice condition, or around $300 for an 036/MS360/MS361. They go for considerably more on eBay, but local sellers don't have access to that national market and generally have to accept less.

I've got an 034 that I picked up used from the local Stihl dealership. It runs a 20" bar really well. Paid $225 for that one. Had a Mac 10-10 before that and replaced it with the 034. The Mac was a good saw, just had alot of miles on it.

These type of questions are best answered when you state what your price range is.

I would suggest a used pro line saw that has been refurbished by someone reputable rather than rolling the dice on CL unless your are a proficient saw mechanic.

I'm also w/ Clyde but I think you will be spending closer to $400 for one of those pro saws used that is in good shape.

036 ms361 can be had for $3-400.

Like may have said, you’ll want something larger like an 036/360 or 390 to pull a 20” bar. My dad has a 310 with a 20”, and it does OK but I think the saw would be happier with an 18”. An 026/260 might do ok with an 18” but it’s really a screamer with a 16” on it. Same with a Husky 346xp if you aren’t opposed to getting a non-Stihl, it’ll do fine with an 18” but better with a 16”.


One of the best bangs for your buck is to find a Makita 6421 that a Home Depot tool rental is getting rid of. I just picked one up this past summer for $220. They had the price listed for $290, I simply asked the guy at the counter if he could do any better on the price and he immediately knocked $70 off. It’ll come with a 20” bar and a crappy chain. Put a good chain on there and never look back. It’s a pro-grade saw at a homeowner price. And if you ever need more saw down the road, a $200 factory kit will bump it from 64cc to 79cc.

My MS260 with 18" will do everything I need it to do, just slower. I used it for 5 years cutting 12 cords a year, some of it large oak and it still is going strong. I finally bought a MS362 last year and it is now my go to saw. Cuts fast and is still not too heavy, although the 260 is as light as a feather to use for smaller stuff. I wish I had bought the 362 first.

I would recommend a MS360/361/362; they are durable and will pull the 20" bar. This is an $800 saw new, so it still will likely be around $500 to get a good used one. You will like the power getting through big stuff and if you have to noodle large pieces, there is power to do that easily. You would still have the 250 for small stuff when you don't need a heavier saw.

A MS260/261 or MS290 might be easier to find used at a good price. Both have similar power, but the 260/261 is lighter and will last longer. They don't have much more power than your 250. I would not use a 20" bar on a 260/261 or 290.

My 036 is everything that has been mentioned above and then some. Bought it used and paid 300 I think -worth every penny. Runs a 20" no problem and I have a 24" that is available in the event I need it.

My Husky 350 may be the best homeowner 50cc saw ever offered and pulls an 18" without trouble. They have draw backs but price for power and light weight it is really tough to beat(search here and Arborist for reviews)

Truth is I sort of lucked out with both and wound up with likely as good a two saw 50 and 60cc combo available.

Lots of options and opinions but very few will argue the quality of a pro model 60cc Stihl for all around firewood procurement. The only issue for me with the used saw market is knowing I am getting quality for the price - having a compression test done and or pulling the muffler to see the piston for some peace of mind is priceless and should be an option anyone worthy of selling a saw should allow. If not - move on.

If you can find one, get an MS440. They run about $900.00 or so.

If you can't quite swing $900, take a look at going off0brand to a Husqy 372. They go for about $850.

Looking back through the original post and then the rest of our recommendations, I think we all got caught up in our own obsession. We're listing pro-grade saws, and I don't know if they are worth it for 4 cords a year. You will definitely pay a premium for a 360 or 440. There are deals out there, but most people know those saws are the cream of the crop and ask those prices even when they are 20 year old saws. If you just want a home grade saw with an 18" bar at a good price, there are a ton of 290 Farm Boss's out there. They might get a lot of crap from saw snobs like us, but it's one of Stihl's most popular saws for a reason. My dad probably cuts 5-6 cords a year with his 310, which is just a Farm Boss bored out a little and he's never complained. Heck, I've borrowed it for a few weekends a year until last year when I finally got my own saws and was always happy with it, and my brother uses it all the time for his hobbies. I think it's going on 10 years now and hasn't skipped a beat. Any of Stihl's saws numbered 029/290 and above will fit your purpose. Odd numbered ones are typically farm/ranch grade. Even numbered ones are pro level and while more expensive, will have more power at less weight and much better build quality. Really it's hard to tell you a price since that will vary based on the age of the saw, how much it's been used/abused, and if you are willing to put time into fixing up one that might need a new piston or other work. Looking around on craiglist and ebay will probably give you an average of the going rate.

Foe $300 you could probably get a decent 036/360 locally or on ebay. Not sure if anyone sell refurbs, check with local dealers or sometimes you'll find some for sale or arborist site. I'd skip the 026/260, it's a heck of a saw but would be a better replacement of the 250 rather than a bigger brother. If you are really set on stihl that's fine, but I'll echo my comment earlier about finding a Makita 6421 at HD. They try to sell them well before they have been used and abused, so you can get years of life out of them and will probably never have to worry about it and it should be well below $300. It's slightly heavier than a 360, but I don't find it a problem for just bucking larger logs. They are one of those "legendary" saws similar to the 360. It's a rebadged Dolmar 6400, so you're getting that German saw build quality.

I know you're a Stihl fan, but if you were willing to go all-orange instead of orange and white, a Husky 55 Rancher would be a great choice, and could be had for maybe $200, give or take a bit. It's an older saw but simple, very well-built and parts are widely available. The 350 is 5cc smaller but still an excellent saw. In newer models there's the 455 Rancher, which replaced the 55. It's popular (and thus common on the secondhand market) and powerful enough for your purposes, but generally regarded as inferior to the 55.

Buy a used 290 with an 18. Approx $300.

bassJAM said:

Looking back through the original post and then the rest of our recommendations, I think we all got caught up in our own obsession. We're listing pro-grade saws, and I don't know if they are worth it for 4 cords a year. You will definitely pay a premium for a 360 or 440. There are deals out there, but most people know those saws are the cream of the crop and ask those prices even when they are 20 year old saws. If you just want a home grade saw with an 18" bar at a good price, there are a ton of 290 Farm Boss's out there. They might get a lot of crap from saw snobs like us, but it's one of Stihl's most popular saws for a reason. My dad probably cuts 5-6 cords a year with his 310, which is just a Farm Boss bored out a little and he's never complained. Heck, I've borrowed it for a few weekends a year until last year when I finally got my own saws and was always happy with it, and my brother uses it all the time for his hobbies. I think it's going on 10 years now and hasn't skipped a beat. Any of Stihl's saws numbered 029/290 and above will fit your purpose. Odd numbered ones are typically farm/ranch grade. Even numbered ones are pro level and while more expensive, will have more power at less weight and much better build quality. Really it's hard to tell you a price since that will vary based on the age of the saw, how much it's been used/abused, and if you are willing to put time into fixing up one that might need a new piston or other work. Looking around on craiglist and ebay will probably give you an average of the going rate.

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Yes. I thought I was being obvious about it. I do stand by my recommendation, however.

Best advise....buy a good used pro saw and you won't need to buy another.....but you will find a reason to!

D8Chumley said:

I had a 290 with a 20" bar and it served me well for 3 years until I decided I "needed" a bigger saw so I bought a 391 with 20" bar. I sold the 290 to my boss with case and 4 chains for $300 but I've seen them on CL for alot more. The 391 handles the 20" bar much better, whereas the 290 would sometimes run out of power with a new chain and hard wood. Just my .02

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+1....my 290 with a 20" Bar does the job, but at times struggles.....I need a bigger saw, but the CFO sez "not just yet"

Just a thought here . The last time iwas at my stihl dealer talking saws he was avoiding taking anysaws in trade as he must hae had 30 or more used ones there all I am sure in great working order . You may find some fair deals right at the stihl dealership on a used saw and you may be able to test run to see what feels good in your hands .

What Stihl saw doesn't feel good in your hands?

Personally I'd look for a used Stihl 360/361....it seems to be the perfect firewood saw. Light, great anti-vibe, built to last a lifetime and enough grunt to pull a 25" bar when needed. With the 18" its a light saber...

good luck!