I've long argued that low price doesn't always equal low quality. There are a number of low-cost knives that offer excellent value for money: for example, I must have half a dozen of the Mora range scattered around the place, including one right in front of me at my desk, and I use them more than all my other sheath knives combined. Low-cost firearms are sometimes more dangerous to the user than to anyone else, but there are some that aren't bad at all.
The same appears to be true of chainsaws. I normally wouldn't trust a cheap chainsaw in comparison to brand-name, supposedly higher-quality units; but this user found differently. He offers an extended review of what he learned.
For someone like me, who doesn't need a chainsaw on a regular basis but wants one handy in case of emergency, that price point makes the Chinese model a viable proposition. I'm going to get one and see how I like it. (I'm also going to make a point of getting training in how to use it safely. I've seen too many really nasty injuries from chainsaws to take them for granted.)
Peter
I hear good things about the Kevlar? armoured pants for chainsaw use.
ReplyDeleteHave a friend who has a similar (nearly identical) saw except it is blue rather than yellow...uses 20:1 gas as well.
ReplyDeleteHis came with a terrible bar, but once that was replaced, I gotta say it is a nice saw.
Not the same power as my STIHL saws, but as good or better than the husqvarna or a poulan.
For the money, they are good saws. I doubt that they will be around and working 20 years from now like the STIHL, but they are cheap enough to be replaceable easily.
His commentary was funny!
ReplyDeleteKevlar Chaps... Just sayin...
ReplyDeleteOr don't do unsafe things with a chainsaw and you have little need for kevlar.
ReplyDeleteNot saying they aren't a good thing, but really, I cut thousands of pounds of wood a year (I heat with wood) and so far haven't ever needed chaps to protect my legs from the chainsaw.
Chainsaw safety is like gun safety. Mostly mental.
It's much the same with other mechanical tools also here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI only have about ten acres, to buy a British, Euro or American tractor would cost upwards of ten times what I paid for a small 'kit' tractor (with all the attachments) made in China, it's just not economical.
The thing is it's identical, a copy in essence, of a 1950's Massey Ferguson 3-cylindre model. So proven long-term reliability, and 'fix it with a hammer and duct tape' simple.
Checking local stables, hobby farmers and small-holders and 'all' of them have either Chinese or Indian manufactured tractors. The same with chippers, brush-cutters and chain-saws - only the big Agribusiness types buy anything else here at least, because of the massive cost differential.