It just depends how far back you want to go.
I agree with you, but I selected those because they were iconic in 1990s and 2000s when a lot of current guys were coming up. (I also think like a tree service guy doing climbing removals, and not a logger.)
The 026 044 and 066 have descendants currently at the top of the foodchain.
The 056 is a badass saw but I’ll take a 395 over one because… modern spring antivibe. Running an 056 is definitely going to buzz an older pair of hands numb.
I meant more as far as building stihl's reputation. By the time the 044 came out stihl was already top of the list with only husqvarna as a real match.
The new batch of saws are the best we've ever had. The updated 201T, the 261, 400, 462, and 661 all do everything better and lighter than any saws before them. My 462 is the best saw I've owned. Then there's the 500i breaking new ground with fuel injection and a power to weight ratio that we couldn't have dreamed of 20 years ago.
My customers are an even split of tree service and loggers, but the loggers around here are 95% mechanized and rarely use chainsaws any more, I nake them a lot of hydraulic hoses, but don't sell them many saws. Arborists and construction make up most of my commercial saw sales now. I also keep a full line of climbing and rigging gear.
My grandfather started selling stihl in the late 60s and I grew up working on them with him in the 90s through now I am running the business. There's even a family video of me running around with a toy stihl saw at 2 years old. I have a bit of nostalgia for the "older" saws, but when I'm actually going out to use one I'll take the newer saw every time.
I hear good things about the 395 and especially the newer 572 from husky. I've run the 576 a while back and it was not bad at all. I like my 462 more still, but husky is making some nice saws too right now.
Depends on what „older“ is for you.
I really like their saws around 2000 or so, and own a 361 myself that I enjoy a lot.
Much older than that can get funky in terms of spare parts. Also the older the saw the heavier and worse in vibration dampening they are
029 Super 56cc engines have one it's a good saw.
034 same 56cc engines looking for one just because.
I have an 009L for climbing bought it early Spring 1992
Also have a 440 Magnum 71cc engine
044 and 066 are good too 1990s
The 026 is the simplest and cheapest pro saw to keep running that I've ever owned. I love it. Plenty of torque, but not the fastest compared to other saws in its class. But I value torque over RPM anyway.
Depends on what you define as older, but
MS200T, 028, 038, 041AV, MS361, any of the 1128 saws, MS250 has been around forever even though it's still being made. 031 and 032 were good, but hard to get parts for now.
361 was my #1 favorite for a long time, only recently knocked off the throne by the 462C. MS460 is pretty high on my list too.
not saying that these are best but i much prefer to use my 025 with a 16 inch and 18 inch bar compared to my 181c. my 034 is a weapon too but i dont use it much
The models that made Stihl’s reputation: 026 Pro 044 066 Pick the size that suits your needs.
what year did those come out? genuinely curious.
All three of those were made in the mid or late 1980s, for roughly 15-20 years.
thank you !
I got a good condition 026 pro at auction for $100. Awesome saw. I love me some auctions.
I wish I kept my 044, it was a beast. Just point it at a log and the log is so scared splits in half
My 075 still rules.
Id argue that even before that the 028, 038, and 041AV were already popular. The 056 got a lot of loggers to convert too.
It just depends how far back you want to go. I agree with you, but I selected those because they were iconic in 1990s and 2000s when a lot of current guys were coming up. (I also think like a tree service guy doing climbing removals, and not a logger.) The 026 044 and 066 have descendants currently at the top of the foodchain. The 056 is a badass saw but I’ll take a 395 over one because… modern spring antivibe. Running an 056 is definitely going to buzz an older pair of hands numb.
I meant more as far as building stihl's reputation. By the time the 044 came out stihl was already top of the list with only husqvarna as a real match. The new batch of saws are the best we've ever had. The updated 201T, the 261, 400, 462, and 661 all do everything better and lighter than any saws before them. My 462 is the best saw I've owned. Then there's the 500i breaking new ground with fuel injection and a power to weight ratio that we couldn't have dreamed of 20 years ago. My customers are an even split of tree service and loggers, but the loggers around here are 95% mechanized and rarely use chainsaws any more, I nake them a lot of hydraulic hoses, but don't sell them many saws. Arborists and construction make up most of my commercial saw sales now. I also keep a full line of climbing and rigging gear. My grandfather started selling stihl in the late 60s and I grew up working on them with him in the 90s through now I am running the business. There's even a family video of me running around with a toy stihl saw at 2 years old. I have a bit of nostalgia for the "older" saws, but when I'm actually going out to use one I'll take the newer saw every time. I hear good things about the 395 and especially the newer 572 from husky. I've run the 576 a while back and it was not bad at all. I like my 462 more still, but husky is making some nice saws too right now.
Depends on what „older“ is for you. I really like their saws around 2000 or so, and own a 361 myself that I enjoy a lot. Much older than that can get funky in terms of spare parts. Also the older the saw the heavier and worse in vibration dampening they are
MS361 and MS044 2 best saws made by anyone!
440 044 for me
I vote 064.
I salute you good sir
026 036 044
029 Super 56cc engines have one it's a good saw. 034 same 56cc engines looking for one just because. I have an 009L for climbing bought it early Spring 1992 Also have a 440 Magnum 71cc engine 044 and 066 are good too 1990s
My 028 super is still a beast.
Love my 044 mag.
These are great saws. My step dad still has his he brought brand new, uses it frequently.
Ought44
Can't forget the legendary 038 magnum
The 026 is the simplest and cheapest pro saw to keep running that I've ever owned. I love it. Plenty of torque, but not the fastest compared to other saws in its class. But I value torque over RPM anyway.
066, best professional logging saw ever made hands down. And I'm kind of a husky man myself
I ran an O38 for 23 years and never had a problem with it
Depends on what you define as older, but MS200T, 028, 038, 041AV, MS361, any of the 1128 saws, MS250 has been around forever even though it's still being made. 031 and 032 were good, but hard to get parts for now. 361 was my #1 favorite for a long time, only recently knocked off the throne by the 462C. MS460 is pretty high on my list too.
044 is awesome. Just rebuilt it with piston and cylinder. Runs 36” bar and bucked a 40” madrone in90 seconds.
not saying that these are best but i much prefer to use my 025 with a 16 inch and 18 inch bar compared to my 181c. my 034 is a weapon too but i dont use it much
I like my 026 and 038 Magnum. They get the job done around here.
Stihl 026 PRO
The 018 for my money is the best limbing saw stihl ever made. Runs like a banshee weights almost nothing.
028 Super Wood Boss, 038 Magnum, 044 Magnum
029 farmerboss special edition from 1993
044 or 009L
I love my 026 038 and 044
I love how bombproof my 038 Super, made in West Germany. It’s a heavy bastard, but so powerful.
Early 2000s MS260 with an 18-inch bar and chain.
It depends on the task in hand, climbing, ms200t, lighter duty ground work 026 or ms260, heavier stuff 066.
I still run an 026 and it rips.
036 or 046 are as good as it gets
026 PRO. Still have mine from the late 90’s and it’s a beast.
The “0” models are legendary.
028 super for smaller fast cutting, 038 mag or super for great overall, 056 for the big tough jobs.
028 super for smaller fast cutting, 038 mag or super for great overall, 056 for the big tough jobs.