Lightweight chain saw for older user

[LAndrim]

Hi All, 75 year old female here. Been chopping wood most of my life. RE: cutting logs, just can't use my older chain saw anymore--too heavy. Can anyone recommend a reliable light weight saw? I need:

1. under 12 lbs
2 something that can handle 10-14 inch logs
3 not electric

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GG Woody]

Stihl MS170
Cheap and lightweight.
We won one at an event, "technically" its the wife's saw, me and the 12yr old use it whenever we are doing light duty wood stuff. Also great to put on the quad and UTV for light duty stuff.
Quick Google search shows that the power head is well under 10lbs, depends on the bar and chain for a final weight, ours has a 16" and it suits it well.

 

[John Mc]

I believe the Stihl MS 170 is no longer made. The MS 172 replaced it. At 10.4 lbs for the powerhead only, it should meet your goal of under 12# even when the bar is added. However, a 32cc, 1.9 HP saw would definitely not be my first choice for cutting 10-14” logs, especially not if they are hardwoods.

In the Stihl line, for a homeowner/landowner saw, I’d look at the Stihl MS 250. At 10.1# and 3.0 HP It’s lighter weight and 50+% more HP than the MS172. It’s a nice combination of light weight and reasonable power for the size wood you are cutting. If your present saw is significantly bigger, it may take a bit of patience and getting used to when cutting hardwoods, but lighter weight does generally have that downside.

A similar Stihl saw is the MS251 “wood boss”. Same power as the 250, but weighs 11# for the powerhead only. For that extra weight, you get their aitomatuc carb (self-adjusts the mixture for various fuel and atmospheric conditions, so no need to manually adjust the mixture). (I’m not really a fan of the MS 251 C-BE. It adds their easy-start system and more weight. I’ve heard multiple complaints about the tool-less chain tension adjustment.)

I’d put a 16” bar on either the MS250 or 251. Many dealers will sell it with an 18” bar. but I find a 16” bar better match for the powerhead only and balance of the saw.

In the Husqvarna line, look at the 450. At 3.2 HP and 11.3#, it’s a little heavier and a little more power than the Stihl 251. I’ve used one in the past and a friend uses it as his primary saw. We’ve found it a reliable saw.

The above are considered mid-range “landowner” saws. They’ll hold up well, if you treat them right. I tend to lean toward the pro-level saws myself. (I don’t cut wood professionally, but tend to be a lot more involved than the typical landowner in my forest management.) they cost a lot more, but tend to have a significantly better power to weight ratio they are also designed to run all day, every day. They are overkill for many users, but if you are interested in hearing about them, I can make some recommendations.

Echo also makes some good saws, but I am less familiar with that line.

Two final thoughts:

1) You may hear from a lot of fan-boys who claim their favorite brand is the only way to go. That is mostly BS. The three brands mentioned above I’ll make some good sauce. They also have a couple of nuts so great, “disposable” saws in their lineup. Unless you happen to be a chainsaw mechanic, more important is to buy from a good, reputable dealer who services what they sell.

2) You probably already know this, but the best performance enhancement you can make on any saw is to keep a good, sharp chain on it. Learning to sharpen is not difficult, with some of the guide tools available. If that’s just not in the cards for you, carry a spare chain or two. Either sharpen or swap at the first sign your chain is losing its edge.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

How much are you cutting? I don’t imagine you’ll be cutting all day long, so I’ll put forth a different track of thought.

Years ago I inherited a Craftsman saw that was made by Poulan. It was 42cc and had an 18” bar. It was a bit underpowered with that long of a bar, but it did the job, especially when the chain was sharp. The priming bulb always made starting a breeze. It was super lightweight compared to my Stihl, but the Stihl has a much bigger engine (but I run it with a shorter bar). I ended up giving it to my cousin who lost his saw when his basement flooded.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-18-in-Gas-Chainsaw/5013010821#no_universal_links

This is probably the newer version of that saw. It says lightweight, but doesn’t actually list the weight. The thin bar probably helps keep the nose from being heavy. I’m not sure if you can get more agressive chains for it. I’m not sure that that little engine could pull an 18” chisel or semi chisel. Throw a 14” bar on it and I think you’d be slicing through the wood like butter.

I imagine you could walk into any Lowe’s or hardware store and hold one. Poulan used to sell their saws everywhere. It wouldn’t work if you were a lumberjack, but a few hours a day of cutting and it’d be fine.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Thread 'Cheap Chainsaw worked Good Craftsman S185'

Mar 15, 2025

I bought this at "Princess Auto" a discount store. $169.99 CAD on clearance. Just got the cutting and splitting done before the
ground thawed. I only had that one job to do, so I didn't get a brand name saw. First time I ever bought the cans of premix gas and a bar tip greaser.
Broke it in, and it ran perfectly. One of the few that has a primer bulb. When I did some research it looked like an Echo clone. The only part of breaking it that I was careful about was the chain oiler. I added oil myself till I could see the level of oil go down in the tank. I tried to get it to spray oil on the...

• Whitenuckler
• Replies: 22
• Forum: The Wood Shed

Second the Craftsman (if you can get it on sale)
I picked up a Craftsman this year that was at a clearance price. Worked good. If you can't get ethanol free gas, and you are only doing small jobs, I'd buy the gas in the cans. Or for big jobs use blended pump gas, then switch to good gas for a few minutes before storage.

 

[salecker]

If money isn't an issue look for a rear handled MS200 or MS201
Lightweight and good power. The top handled versions are the Arborists first choice for saws to use up a tree because they cut above their cc size

 

[John Mc]

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-18-in-Gas-Chainsaw/5013010821#no_universal_links
This is probably the newer version of that saw. It says lightweight, but doesn’t actually list the weight.

They don’t list the weight in the specs, but someone posted a question about weight on that site. The response from Craftsman/Lowes was 15.27 pounds. The answer did not specify whether that was for the powerhead only (which is how most manufacturers specify chainsaw weight) or including the bar. Even if it does include the bar that’s a real pig of a saw. WAY too heavy for a 42cc chainsaw.

They also don’t specify the horsepower. I posted that question, but imaging it will take a few days for them to answer.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

They don’t list the weight in the specs, but someone posted a question about weight on that site. The response from Craftsman/Lowes was 15.27 pounds. The answer did not specify whether that was for the powerhead only (which is how most manufacturers specify chainsaw weight) or including the bar. Even if it does include the bar that’s a real pig of a saw. WAY too heavy for a 42cc chainsaw.

They also don’t specify the horsepower. I posted that question, but imaging it will take a few days for them to answer.

I don’t remember it being very heavy, but it was years ago! And a different model, lol.

I suppose OP should walk in and handle some saws. Only she will know what saw is good for her.

 

[John Mc]

Saws that didn’t seem all that heavy to me even 10 years ago are definitely feeling different to me these days. Getting older, and not using them as regularly as I used to is catching up to me.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

OP, see if shops will swap bars for you. Shorter bars allow all saws to act like they’re a bigger one! It also changes the balance, keeping the weight closer to your body.

Here’s a 14” bar saw at HD. It says it’s 10lbs. Again, go handle the saws and read reviews.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-14-in-37cc-2-Cycle-Gas-Chainsaw-RY3714/206465478

 

[Whitenuckler]

They don’t list the weight in the specs, but someone posted a question about weight on that site. The response from Craftsman/Lowes was 15.27 pounds. The answer did not specify whether that was for the powerhead only (which is how most manufacturers specify chainsaw weight) or including the bar. Even if it does include the bar that’s a real pig of a saw. WAY too heavy for a 42cc chainsaw.

They also don’t specify the horsepower. I posted that question, but imaging it will take a few days for them to answer.

I dug out my manual and here is a bit more info. Under 13 pounds without oil or fuel for an 18 inch bar. These are the kind of saws you can pick up on sale. I believe there are ones that come with 18 and 16 inch bars. I like having the 18 inch, as the stuff I was cutting was over 18 inches in diameter. I have a 120V electric for trimming and cutting up branches.

 

[LAndrim]

Everyone has been SO helpful! You all have given me great advice! I'm leaning toward the Stihl. My Ace Hardware has a few and I'll try picking them up for a weight check. You all have been so kind in taking the time to help. Virutal brownies ( yes, with walnuts) sent to you all!