What brand of chainsaw to choose - an overview of popular manufacturers
Even if lumberjacks at one time tried to automate production, the prototype chainsaw was originally developed for medical purposes. Already in the middle of the 19th century, the prosthetist Bernard Hein created a device consisting of a fixed tire along which a metal chain “walked”, on the links of which cutting teeth were fixed. The chain was driven by an asterisk, which was rotated by a handle attached to it.
For industrial use, this idea was modernized by the efforts of the designers of Stihl and Husqvarna. If you need a tool from pioneers in the industry, then you will have to choose a brand of chainsaw between these names, and the solution will often be quite complicated - both manufacturers are very meticulous in their product quality. If you need to choose a workhorse “regardless of face”, then the market offers a fairly wide range of products of European, American, Asian and domestic manufacturers.
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The best European and American brands of chainsaws
European designers are no doubt the ancestors of the entire industry. Moreover, for a short period, by historical standards, from 1926 to 1958, all the basic elements of a modern chainsaw were developed and put into production. Initially, it was at least autonomous and seriously facilitating the work of lumberjacks, but weighing about 50 kg of the device.
The revolution took place in 1954, when it became possible to use a two-stroke engine in a chainsaw - the entire device weighed 11 kg and they could not only cut trees, but also clean them of branches. The final touch was the introduction of a membrane carburetor (in 1958), thanks to which it became possible to hold the saw while working even upside down and to produce not only professional, but also household tools.
Stihl
One of the recognized industry leaders who has done a lot to develop the main components of a modern chainsaw. The developers of this German company were the first to create a saw first on an electric, and then a gasoline engine, which made this tool truly autonomous and versatile.
The development of the company has been going on for nearly a century, and all this time it has been working in one, initially given direction, which determines the consistently high quality of the equipment manufactured. This is confirmed by numerous customer reviews, which, on the basis of their own experience of use, recommend Stihl professional and household chainsaws as a reliable, high-quality and unpretentious tool.
In addition to household, semi and professional chainsaws, under the brand name "Calm" you can purchase specialized saws for rescue teams, which are distinguished by reduced weight.
Husqvarna
While Stihl is the pioneer in the gas saw industry, the Swedish Husqvarna has been producing garden tools for more than 300 years, and when chainsaws appeared, it was actively involved in the process of modernizing them. Vibration damping, an automatic chain brake during a reverse impact, an electronic ignition system and chain lubrication during operation are all developed by Husqvarna engineers, who have become the standard for other manufacturers.
The company produces professional and domestic tools, and user reviews note only one subjective “drawback” - the price of devices high enough for a domestic buyer. Otherwise, when used properly, these are some of the best chainsaws on the market.
Emak
If the chainsaw is released under the trademarks Efco and Oleo-Mac, then its manufacturer is the Italian company Emak.This manufacturer does not participate in marketing wars in the domestic market, therefore it has not gained much fame among buyers of the CIS countries. Such a conclusion can be made on the basis that he never even got into the top ten manufacturers whose instruments are most readily purchased on the post-Soviet market in general and the Russian one in particular.
If a company does not strive for dominant positions, this does not mean that it will give back existing ones. Budget and semi-professional brand models that Emak specializes in are consistently finding their customers and receive mostly positive feedback and recommendations from them.
Dolmar
Originally a German brand, in 1991 it became part of the Japanese Makita Power Tool Group. This allowed the tool giant to enter the chainsaw market, promoting on it products that are already sold under two brands - acquired by Dolmar and Makita, which is mainly found on the domestic market.
The production process itself has undergone some changes. If semi and professional tools of medium and high price categories continue to be manufactured at the "native" German factory, then household models began to be made in China. In general, the assembly place should not affect the quality, but the facts suggest that Makita household chainsaws (respectively, Dolmar) receive less positive feedback from customers than professional models.
Huter
Another German manufacturer of chainsaws, electrical equipment and other garden equipment. The company secures a large number of sales due to the relatively low cost of its products, so there are no professional chainsaws released under this brand on the market.
Huter equipment is being promoted under the slogan “German quality”, but since these are still products of the economy segment, their packaging says “made in China”. Here, according to tradition, the production facilities of European giants are located, which produce budget product lines.
Best Asian chainsaw brands
The equipment from Chinese and Korean manufacturers finds its buyer due to its low price or certain design developments, which makes it easier and more reliable. In general, Chinese and Korean chainsaws can be described as as functional as possible at the lowest possible price, therefore, if you decide which brand of chainsaw to choose for a summer residence, they will be a good solution. Some budget models can even be equipped with the New Pure Fire system, thanks to which gas is saved and the amount of emissions into the atmosphere is almost halved.
Partner
Often on the packaging of these chainsaws, the manufacturer indicates the Swedish concern Husqvarna, which Partner has been part of for many years. The history of the company began in the fifties of the twentieth century as a manufacturer of specialized tools for loggers, but in the eighties it expanded the range of models, adding household appliances for use in the house building.
The new direction turned out to be successful, and now the company is completely focused on it, producing budget models of good quality at fairly low prices, since the production facilities are located in China. For its value, Partner brand chainsaws have sufficient functionality and reliability, which is noted in the reviews by its owners.
Kioritz corporation
Kiorits company owns three brands at once - in addition to repeating the name of the parent company Kioritz, such names as Shindaiwa and Echo are fighting for the attention of buyers. At the same time, chainsaws were not originally the main products of the corporation - they are produced only under the Shindaiwa and Echo brands, and a domestic buyer can generally purchase only the latest of them. It is not known exactly why such a decision was made in the company’s management, perhaps they decided to promote a more “European” name, but after 2016 Shindaiwa chainsaws are not delivered to the domestic market.
In the segment of professional equipment, the company's products are practically not represented, but buyers appreciated household and semi-professional chainsaws for their lightness, quality of components and assembly.
Champion
In contrast to venerable competitors, this Chinese brand has made itself known relatively recently - the company has been operating only since the beginning of the 2000s. Not trying to compete in quality, she immediately made a bet on her trump card - the ability to supply inexpensive and functional budget chainsaw models to the market.
The company does not develop new technologies, focusing on the production of existing ones - it makes hardly a dozen models of chainsaws. They are rather willingly purchased for home use, as they cope with their task, and at a cost one third (sometimes even 2-3 times) lower than household models of the same Calm or Huesquarn.
As with most budget products, reviews for Champion saws are completely opposite - for some owners, the tool gives odds to competitors, and for others it can almost immediately fail.
Hyundai
Thanks to many years of experience in the manufacture of automobiles, the strong point of any chainsaw of this brand is the engine - the power and reliability of which is confirmed by customer reviews. Another advantage of the products of this trademark are prices - although not the lowest on the market, but allowing for a reasonable price to purchase a very solid tool with a good margin of safety.
The disadvantages of Hyundai chainsaws are quite subjective - to some they seem insignificant, but for another they will be an occasion to look at products of a different brand. First of all, this is a small selection of products - the company has established the production of several successful models and is expanding their line quite slowly. Buyers also note the low quality of the plastic, which closes the saw body - it does not crumble into pieces, but leaves much to be desired. The third thing to consider - all Hyundai chainsaws weigh more than 4.5 kg - if the mass of the device is important, then this is an important factor when choosing.
Patriot
The label “Made in China” misleads some customers that the Patriot chainsaw is “pure Chinese,” but in fact the company was originally created in the United States. Since its inception, the company has grown from a small workshop for forty years into an enterprise supplying agricultural equipment to several dozen countries and constantly expanding its sales market.
Since sales are primarily aimed at the economy segment, at one time production facilities from America were transferred to China. Together with effective marketing, this allowed to establish almost the lowest prices in the market. As for product quality, it corresponds to some extent with cost, but in fairness it is noted that the overall price-quality ratio is in favor of Patriot equipment.
The best Russian brands of chainsaws
Decent chainsaw models are also offered by domestic manufacturers, which are initially aimed at the realities of using tools in “our” conditions. They can slightly lose to foreign analogues in size and weight, but their cost, requirements for the quality of fuel and oil will be much lower, with relatively equal engine powers. Choosing which company to buy a chainsaw, among domestic brands, the choice mainly comes down to the products of Interskol and Caliber companies.
Interskol
A manufacturer of electric and gas powered tools that has been on the market since the late 1990s. It offers customers the most reliable devices for which they seek to set prices affordable to any budget.
We must pay tribute to the management of the company, which is able to identify production weaknesses and find effective solutions to address them. For example, if the engine itself is made at an acceptable level, then carburetors for it are made in Japan, at the Walbro plant - one of the leaders in this industry. As a result, in general, Interskol chainsaws are easy to start, relatively quiet, balanced in weight, have a low level of vibration and do not require specialized oils for operation.
Caliber
The minimum price and nothing more - on this principle chainsaws of the Caliber trademark are made. The manufacturing enterprise is located in the Moscow Region, and sells its products throughout the CIS and beyond, taking its place in the niche of budget-class equipment.
Despite the proclaimed asceticism, each Caliber chainsaw has a whole range of components that facilitate the operation of the tool and make it safe: quick start and vibration damping systems, chain brake during reverse impact and automatic lubrication of the mechanism during operation. Also, users note a good weight distribution of devices and their overall ergonomics.
The listed brands are far from the only ones that are presented on the market - here are collected those that are the sales leaders and collect a large number of reviews from customers. This allows you to draw relatively specific conclusions about the quality of the products they offer, and the final choice always depends on the buyer's decision.
