Well, if it were me, I'd go with the 361. Especially if you can get it at a price below the 390. The 390 is from their "mid-grade" line of saws, while the 361 is from their "professional" line of saws. (meaning, it's designed for daily use) Horsepower is nearly identical and the 361 is slightly lighter. Recommended bar of 20", and up to 25" should allow you to do just about anything you want. If you're thinking of using it for milling, an Alaskan sawmill would work good, but either saw would be inadequate for a Procut sawmill. For general firewood cutting, the 361 should last you a lifetime with proper care.

You didn't say whether the 361 is used or not. That may play an influence in your decision.

Too late now, but consider this for those times when you can't get to Ebay. http://www.auctionsniper.com/ BTW, that's the third 361 that guy has sold on Ebay in the past five days, (selling for $492, $545, and $510 respectively) so there may be more on the way.

Yea, I don't think the weight is as big of a determining factor, as is the grade or class of saw.

You typically won't find too many Stihl dealers listing their prices. Stihl operates via an exclusive dealer network. They may even ask (tell?) their dealers not to advertise their prices. The intent is to keep consumers locally tied to the dealers. Unfortunately, it keeps the consumer in the dark, and the dealer pricing doesn't have to be competitive. It puts all the power in the hands of the dealer, not the consumer. If you're not happy with your dealer, well, too bad. (fortunately, you usually don't have to drive too far to find another)

I had this "exclusive dealer" network blow up in my face when I bought my engine for the plane I built. Here in the States, there has been anywhere from none to three (yes, three) dealers. Of the current three, only one is good, and his dealership doesn't cover my area, so I'm out of luck. Anyhow, the plane is good as sold, and that fiasco is behind me. So anyhow, this is the reason I avoid exclusive dealer networks. I'm not interested in smoke screens and being told whom I have to buy from.

Around here, the 390 goes for ~$450, with an 18 or 20 inch bar and chain. Not that I have been shopping around or anything.

Jeff

Well, you would have to add tax to it since that is the retail price, which would put it closer to $490 out the door. So you got ~20% less than new price. Not bad at all if the saw is in good shape.

Jeff

Pretty easy to service yourself. I got an older 028 I got all fixed up, and they are smooth running machines. Perfect for firewood.

Yes, it was a California thing. (now it's everyone's problem) It is the high alcohol content, and the rubber not being alcohol resistant. A trip to the local hobby store may be in order, and pick yourself up some resistant fuel line there. Sadly, no small engine manufactures seem to care about the havoc ethanol is creating.

Cripes, I'm gonna have to start distilling gasoline now?

The first question should be, what are you going to use it for? If it's for firewood, the 026 is a good saw. If you plan on using it for a mill, way to small. I wouldn't buy a used saw that old, you don't know how it was cared for/ abused..... I started with used/cheap saws, caused more head aches trying to start-run- cut. The larger saws are great if you have a need for them, i.e. real big trees, you're a logger, or plan on running a mill. But for the average person that may cut your own firewood for a season per year, the smaller saws are the way to go....024-032 are usually more than enough, the extra lbs do make a difference if you're in the bush. I had the opportunity to work with a logger on my property many years ago, he wouldn't even let me touch a saw for two weeks until I learned all the safety aspects....besides sticking&stacking for him. One of the first things about saws was that they should cut the same way everytime, like they do brand new, with a new bar & chain, anything less than that, you & the saw are working to hard. Fuel is also important, anything mixed up that you can't use up in a month, don't use.....something to do with the gas we get today, and I don't use ethanal at all......

Tom

Even if you only cut your own firewood every year, a quality saw is a really good investment. It might seem like a lot, but taken care of, a good Stihl or Husky should last 20 years or more.

Trust me, if you've ever owned an old, beat up saw (that you didn't beat up yourself) you'll realize quickly how much you appreciate a saw that starts (regardless of weather), runs and cuts like it should. Standing on a roof in the snow, tied off and freezing, you don't want to have to crank the thing fiftysevenhundred times to get it to start. Plus all the new saws come with the safety features you want.

During construction, the gas saw will still be used a fair amount, even if you have the electric for the finer detail work.

I'm partial to Stihl (I own 2, a 270 and a 660 Magnum) and for general purpose work (cutting, limbing, felling) the smaller 260 (pro-class) would be my choice. The 270 is still a really good saw, but for the $50 difference, the lighter weight of the 260 is noticable and appreciated (wish I'd thought of that earlier). This years model comes with a decompressor for easier starting too. Not that the saw's are hard to start anyway. My big 660 usually goes on the first or second pull.

Not sure if it's the same in the US, but the Stihl dealers around my area will negotiate pretty easily on price. Stihl doesn't seem to have MSRP for the most part, other than giving dealers incentives at different times of the year. Don't discount last years model that may be still on the shelves. The saws don't change that much year to year.

Tom is right on the money, if you are a saw newbie, take the time to have someone show you the ropes and read the manual. Purchase and wear all the safety gear. Bravado is a thin cloak against the cold chill of the grave. Put all the machosim aside. I speak from the experience of stupidity. I have scar above my femortal artery where the doctor drove 13 staples in my leg. I was lucky, you may not be. Be safe, always.

Jason.