Stihl MS181

These can still be had around £200, I bought one about six years ago and it has had quite heavy use around a farm mainly logging and modest construction work like fences and shed roof beams.

Being used to larger older Stihls it felt TBH a little flimsy but has not had anything break in several years regular use.

Being a smaller motor it is relatively economical on fuel.

It is not too bad to start if you are familiar with the technique but tends to be very gutless for first 2 or 3 minutes it is a good plan to start it and let it run on fast idle for a minute before using from cold.

The chain being smaller picolo type wears that bit faster and benefits from extra attention from file.

If you want a chainsaw that's expensive but last just over 2 years i.e. Outside the warranty go ahead.

I bought 2 worst decision Stihl back up is absolutely rubbish they look to squirm out of any support.

Avoid buy a husqvarna or Ryobi unless you want to waste your money that is

Bought one two years ago for coppicing willow, hazel and hawthorn. Nice and light so no problem for me whilst bending over the work (I'm 6' 4" and too much weight does my back in when stooped), it's never failed to start and will even deal with the hawthorn without difficulty.

Just bought another so my newly qualified assistant can help. Used appropriately this is a fine saw. It's not meant for slicing up big hardwood logs or felling trees larger than coppice diameters. Using it for what it's designed to do seems to offer a long and reliable life. But it with confidence.

My old Husky 61 was getting too heavy for me, particularly as I just use it for cutting logs. So I bought this MS181 C-BE with a 14" bar. Super little saw that does not tire you out and it is joy to use after a 3/8" chipper chain. I still got £100 for the Husky so the saw only cost me £139 from Forest and Arb in Winchester.

Great saw, reliable, best saw I have. It costed me £ 180 ex vat from a stihl dealer I have cutted tones of wood including oak, ash and thorn some hard wood and in the first week I had it I must have chopped up a few tones of wood and I've gone out cutting trees with it and o I know that it will keep on going all day long. The saw is great quality and is built strong and also I've done some 'aqua logging' and the wood is really hard and it kept on cutting with ease and I've also done some wood carving with her. And I also love the tool less caps I woud recommend this saw to occasional users and also professionals hope this helps

I purchased a Stihl because of the quality brand but a big mistake. It is has been a terrible starter since new especially when warm. No other small petrol engine I have owned has been this poor. An added problem is the chain bar stud is only held in plastic so pulled out whilst cutting. When running cuts very well and is quite light.

Not sure what machine everyone else is using here,mine has never worked since I bought it.Oil cap leaks,machine floods constantly,wont start again once it is warm,chain lube path blocks constantly,the list is endless the single worst machine I HAVE EVER OWNED.Have never used it more than twice without putting it back for repair.Local Stihl dealer would not fix it under warranty as it was bought in UK and was used in Australia as if that makes difference.

had my ms 181 for 3 years,but with very light use. Been pleased with it util today when it would not fire up.On checking it found there was no spark, the ignition coil being completely dead.Time to price up a new coil. The saw cost me £230 new, so what would you expect a coil to cost? £25-£30 pounds as per other models? NO WAY!!! Stihl want£106!!! How on earth can Stihl justify £106 for a coil on a machine that only costs £230 brand new? Looks like I've got a well looked after pile of scrap on my hands as I sure aint paying that, nor will I being another Stihl.

I' m an infrequent chainsaw user who was looking for a reasonably priced petrol chainsaw for my larg'ish garden. I needed to cut down some smallish trees - say 20ft high, a chop some hedges to a reasonable height.

I did have a b&q proline chainsaw for 3 years, but it broke and I could not get it repaired.

Then I've had a Ryobi 14 inch petrol chainsaw. After a year it went wrong, but to be fair Ryobi had it repaired and it lasted another 18 months. So now looking for another, that won't break and can be repaired.

Lots of reviews about Stihl and Husqvarna, but a bit pricey. I looked at others, including Mitox, which appear ok. I have a Mitox garden multi-tool bush cutter, hedge trimmer and pruner. It cost £335 and so far it's been great. I'm told by the garden machinery retailer that they can source spares and it has a 2 year warranty, so should be good. I did consider the mitox chainsaws, but eventually cracked and went for a Stihl MS181 C 14 inch petrol chainsaw at £225. This was right at the top end of what I wanted to pay but.....

It's well worth it. Just picking it up you can feel the quality.

It starts really easy. I used to spend considerable effort trying to gets the Ryobi to start up. Not with the Stihl. The "c" version is easy start, and it starts really, really easy.

It cuts and handles great.

I suppose like all the other "Stihl" bigots, I'm now one of them. I didn't want to pay this much, but I am extremely happy. Where I bought the chainsaw, they set it up, and demoed how to use it to me. Apparently this is the norm with Stihl suppliers, and its well worth it.

So my recommendation, is go for a Stihl entry model as there is no replacement for quality. Ultimately paying a little more WILL pay you back in the long run.

My brother has a Husqvarna and says it is also very good.

Well where to start just had a log burner installed in my conservatory (fantastic) so need to keep it fuelled!! Lol so bought a chainsaw of eBay for the princely sum of £50 wow what a mistake good for pallets etc so decided to buy a new sthil 16inch ms181 let me tell you it's like driving a rolls royce cuts through logs like hot knife through butter!!! So if your thinking of buying a good chainsaw and want it for logging this is the tool to own I'm not talking massive oaks there's other models that will do that but domestic stuff this saw will eat it getting logs ready for next season now and it's a job I look forward to doing.