Summary:
Out of the box, a saw ought to start and run pretty well at least for a year. I've been able to get this thing started twice in threee months. I've had two good Stihls in the past that ran well but buzzed my hands with vibration, so I went to the Husky for its great low vibration. There's a stump out back at 100 yards. I'll probably have to use this thing for target practice soon. This'll be my first and last Husqvarna.

Strengths:
Lots of power, good balance and low vibration.

Weaknesses:
It's very difficult to start, so the power, balance and vibration characteristics are hard to enjoy.

Summary:
Have owned this saw for a little over two years and it has done a glowing job keeping an outdoor wood boiler fed. Some scumbag broke into my garage 2 weeks ago and stole this husky I swear by. About to order a 460 with a 24" bar as I need to get some wood cut.I am still fantazising about getting back my 359 thats why the 460. Would recomend highly.

Strengths:
Nice powerful little saw - very well balanced with 20" bar will cut all day without complaint.

Weaknesses:
Hard to start at first until you learn how to start a husky. A little pricey.

Summary:
The best chain saw I have owned. I used to buy Stihls until the Stihl dealer pissed me off. This saw has been used for 3 years in a landscaping business and still runs like new.

Strengths:
Goes like a raped ape, takes a licking and keep on ticking

Weaknesses:
Compression release valve sometimes sticks in so it doesn't start. If you pop out the valve with your fingers it starts right up

Summary:
I will not purchase this brand in the future

Strengths:
good power if and when it's running

Weaknesses:
hard starting,will eventually start but will run for a few minutes and then die,seems like it's starving for fuel. I have two 359's and they both have the same problems. I got tired of messing with these saws I went out and bought a Stihl 361 pro and haven't had any problems

Summary:
For a 59 cc will outcut any other brand I have tried. Mine has a 24" bar on it and cuts anything you trow at it.

Strengths:
easy to start, if you know how. excellent power

Weaknesses:
have to learn how to start it

Summary:
Great saw for the money.

Strengths:
Exceptional power for the weight of saw. I have a new ms 460 magnum stihl that weighs much more, but cuts no better.

Weaknesses:
Have used for two years and have no complaints.

Summary:
Love it

Strengths:
This saw weighs only about 15 pounds with a 24" bar and chain, which makes it easy to pack all day in the woods. I use this saw every day at work (tree work and firewood) and it never craps out on me. This saw rocks.

Weaknesses:
n/a

Summary:
Great saw, more competitively priced than Stihl. Find a good local dealer for support if needed.

Strengths:
Great power to weight ratio, easy starting, bulletproof

Weaknesses:
None. People that have trouble starting it don't know what they are doing. Gets heavy for all-day use; but still is good weight for the size.

Summary:
I bought this saw used and it is 3 years old and still running strong, I have 1 stihl and it has to be tuned every time I run it

Strengths:
great power, even better cutting with a 20" bar, very strong running saw

Weaknesses:
none.........MUST STARTING PROBLEMS ARE USER ERROR

Summary:
I bought my Husy 359 about six weeks ago. When I bought the saw it would not run correctly. After fixing the carb problems that was free due to warrenty I have had no problems with the saw. Runs all day long without problems and is meant for commercial cutting. This is a Chain Saw!

Strengths:
Lots of Power, Can cut wood all day without problems, agressive chain.

Weaknesses:
carb problems when first bought.

Summary:
After all the weaknesses I went back to Stihl and bought a new MS260 Pro. Considerably smaller saw yet it outworks the husky any day in the woods.

Strengths:
Well balanced saw. Always started right up.

Weaknesses:
I'm a logger, upgraded from a Stihl, (it got run over) after reading the reviews. After three weeks of constant issues with chain slackening, constant carb adjustments, broke three chains and oiler not working.

Summary:
great saw

Strengths:
strong runner. lots of rpm and torque.

Weaknesses:
if you don't know what you're doing it can be hard to start.

Summary:
Don't think I will buy another Husky. Great if you don't have problems but can't get help from manufacturer or local dealer. Sent emails and left voice mail on their 800 number. Couldn't locate a mfg. rep to discuss problem. I'm done with them.

Strengths:
Like the power and anti-vib features. Good luck with previous equipment.

Weaknesses:
Cut a couple of trees when it was brand new then it quit running. Sent it in for repair and found that the fuel line had holes in it. Got the saw back and it ran ok for a few days then had the same problem. Now on third fuel line and cut one tree today before it quit again. Must be a burr or something where fuel line goes into tank. Problem is that you can't get to it. After the second fuel line problem I went and bought a Stihl. Haven't had the first problem with it. Local dealer in Bossier City, LA will not do warranty work on the Husky because I didn't purchase it from them.

Summary:
A real decent saw. I looked at other brands in the 59cc range, and the only other brand that grabbed my eye was Jonsered. The Stihl dealer up here had little knowledge, and Stihl only has a one year warranty (Husqy has a 2 year warranty). I would buy from a dealer, for sure. Big box stores or online are okay, but if you pay the extra $5 up front, the dealer will make sure that the saw is quality and will service it.

Strengths:
Good power, cuts REAL fast with a sharp chain, a reliable saw from a reliable brand.

Weaknesses:
Sucks up the gas, the chain dulls after cutting 1 1/2 - 2 cord of hardwood, or 2 1/2-3 cord of softwood.

Summary:
I own a Jonserd 2159 wich has ran great for 7 years And just got the Husqvarna and they are the same saw exsept the clor and plastic wich tells me it will Last a loug time PS try an 18 inch bar and see how fast it cuts

Strengths:
Vary good all a round no comlantes at all

Weaknesses:
none peapl that cant start this saw shoud stay out of the woods

Summary:
Great overall saw. This is my second husqvarna. My first husqvarna saw my wife bought me for christmas in 1999. 9 years of cutting with that 55 were trouble free, and beleive me it was put to the test, A few bars 16" and 18" as well as chains later its still hard to put down. my new 359 seems to be following suit, but it has a lot to live up to. Ive only cut about 8 loads of wood with the 359 and cutting season is just about over. look forward to next season.

Strengths:
Great power, starts good, idles well, low vibration, and light weight.

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
great saw my buddys with stihl ms 310 same engine size as mine always want to use mine cause they say it cuts faster so if you can get it jetted right which is a lot richer on the high needle this saw rips i cut about 8 cords of fiewood a year with mine and help friends clean up downed trees on their property for past five years this saw has been great biggest tree downed so far 44 inch red oak

Strengths:
good power easy start if you follow starting instructions that come with saw in owners manuel low vibe low weight good balance with 20 bar switch to rc chain and it cuts fast

Weaknesses:
starting but only for people that cant read instruction the epa models with green gas cap are lean from factory and have adjustment limiters on jets easy fix at a good saw shop or do it yourself tons of articles on internet on how to do it

Summary:
Will never EVER BY HUSKY AGAIN . It looks like a nice saw and is light /well balanced , but a total waste of hard earned money . All my stihl gear is reliable ,easy starting and generally far better better engineered /designed .

Strengths:
On the few occasions I got ir running right it was okay BUT I was always fixing the damn thing .Screws vibrating out ,air filter clogging up real quick (air injection is such a BS gimmick , it blows/chips dust into the filter housing and clogs it up faster!)watch out for over heating no matter how carefully you tune it .Bitch to restart when hot.And I have not even got to the real weaknesses yet .

Weaknesses:
After only 6 months use it froze up . Took it apart and found multiple voids in cylinder bore . Cylinder casting was porous . Nickel chrome plating must have peeled off around these cavities and caused siezure . Dealer refused to Honour warranty as did Husqvarna. They kept sending me back and forth trying to avoid responsiblity . A friend did manage to salvage it for a while by putting in new piston ring , but it did not last . Spare parts to rebuild way to expensive to make worthwhile.

Summary:
fast and powerfull

Strengths:
awesome saw , runs like a raped ape

Weaknesses:
takes 4 pulls to start

Summary:
An absolute waste.

Strengths:
Lightweight and powerful

Weaknesses:
It is a piece of shit. The screws constantly vibrated out(until I loctited them),the spark plug vibrated out of the cylinder and permanantly damaged the threads,the oiler has been a constant pain in the ass,the off/on switch seldom shuts the saw off,the fuel line rotted,the handle assembly vibrated loose. Due to the spark plug thread problem,I had a Heli-coil installed. This was a temporary fix as I did not want to spend over three hundred dollars for a new piston and cylinder(parts and labor).This on a $450 lemon. The saw locked up,when a piece of the Heli-coil broke off and lodged in between the cylinder wall and the piston. When I tore the engine down,I discovered that none of the cylinder bolts where torqued the same. One was super tight and one was almost finger loose. There was scoring in the cylinder from a pin at the top of the piston. THIS SAW DOES NOT HAVE 100 HOURS OF USE ON IT. The dealer that I bought it from was the guy that installed the spark plug. He tried to blame it coming out on me. I've used Husqvarna products only,on this saw(ie oil etc). Next to paying taxes and getting married this saw was a major waste of money.

Summary:
Awesome saw !!!!!

Strengths:
Chews through wood like a pissed off beaver! Insane power for its size, starts right up, runs and cuts very smooth and will idle all day with out shutting off, a very tough saw that will cut wood twice what Iam sure it was designed for and keep asking for more.

Weaknesses:
Vibration at idle - vibrates away when I sit it down, it does flips and spins and I had to chase it down a couple times, felt like it was trying to get away from me. Almost entertaining.

Summary:
This is a fabulous saw. Those who think otherwise are either lying or utterly incompetent. Sorry, but that's just how it is. JSBOOST (above) has it exactly right, by the way. The 359 is "awesome": it "chews" through wood indeed. It does have insane power. And it does start right up (for me, it is always four pulls, when cold). Mine has never stalled, even when idling for a considerable time. Start up MAY be a little fussy, but I expect that from a fine machine. Fuel use is excellent; and the saw does not use much bar and chain oil. I have just cut up a 33-inch diameter red maple and a 31-inch diameter red oak. Using the 359 with an 18-inch bar, I was able to cut through these trees with ease (though the work site was not easy). My back is not happy with the work, but the saw is all smiles. With a sharp chain, this saw has excellence written all over it.

Strengths:
Powerful, easy to use, aggressive, reliable, good on fuel, vibration free, and good-looking. And the inertial chain brake does its job.

Weaknesses:
This saw seems to eat up chains: perhaps it's because I get a lot of work done in a hurry. But chains do seem to go dull relatively quickly (and I am using Stihl chains, by the way, because that's what's in stock at the local dealer's). I don't know if this is a function of the saw itself or simply the nature of blades these days. Also, though chain tightening is wicked easy, it seems that the chain does loosen at times when I feel it shouldn't. No big deal, really.

Summary:
If you treat it like a lady you'll be ok. Keep the engine clean and warm. Again gotta press the decompression button to ensure a good start. Heavy enough to tire you out, and when cutting getting tired is your most dangerous enemy.

Strengths:
Power.

Weaknesses:
Hard to start, hard to keep running right. Has been into repair shop on more then one occassion for different issues, one having to have a new carbourator put in after only a year of use. Plastic has broken needed replacing. A bit heavy, a 50cc saw vs this and you would notice little difference with power but a whole lot with size.

Summary:
Well, I've had it for 3 years now..and believe me...If it ever quits, I'll rebuild it...I have no complaints really for what this saw does for me...and I bought it used..and it came in USED condition....I'm waiting for someone to come out with a 4-stroke saw....

Strengths:
Power, Balance, and I hate to say this..but I read an article about starting this saw..and if you know how to start it....3 pulls everytime....it will keep on running all day long long after my back is telling me to stop.

Weaknesses:
I know it's just me...but it seems to dull chains fairly quick...but..I'm always cutting something huge, so I'm sure it's proberly just my lack of knowledge.....oh yeah.......DON"T DROP IT...the tank is in the handle..and it's plastic..I haven't broke mine..but I have read where others have broke theirs...

Summary:
very good saw starts right up after 4 pulls 2 with the choke on and 2 with it off

Strengths:
very powerful chainsaw love it

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
good saw and its plenty fast for 20". rarely get tired of the weight. glad i didnt buy the stihl i was lookin at

Strengths:
good power,easy starting, like the handle/tank easy to see your fuel level, very low vibration,

Weaknesses:
you need to know how to start it. e-tec's are lean

Summary:
Great saw and would buy another if ever needed.

Strengths:
I've had mine for several years now. It's easy to start and runs great. I had to learn how to start it. I was use to other saws that you had to have the throttle wide open for them to start. With this saw, it you touch the throttle, it'll flood out and won't run. I wanted to return it when new until I figured this out. Enough power to cut everything I've ever wanted to cut even through all of the hurricanes we've had in the last few years.

Weaknesses:
None

Summary:
With this saw I cut twice as much wood in half the amount time. I cut with other people that use stihls and they tell me that nothing cuts like the husky. I would not buy another saw. Use good premium gas, keep it fresh and use good quality 2 stroke oil, not the cheep crap. READ THE MANUEL Keep the chain sharp.

Strengths:
Easy to start, good power, Low vibration, easy on fuel. Great balance. When I got this saw my shoulder stopped hurting from hard starting of other brands of saws.

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
good saw.worked it to death just redone cyclinder

Strengths:
enjoy cutting with the 359.first winter i had payed it self off payed my wood spliter off.then i made a lot of cash

Weaknesses:
none.everything breaks down effincally.im hard on equipment it never seems to keep up with my pace.

Summary:
Amazing saw!! Outcuts anything I've ever used from several major brands. I bought a Stihl 260 for firewood and was seriously disappointed in power. Could hardly believe the difference after trying this saw. Sold the Stihl and I'm never going back again, bought a smaller Husky for the smaller wood as well. I'm sure the bad reviews on starting this saw come from inexperience or inability to pull over the engine quickly, it does have a large amount of compression, the release usually makes it a breeze though. Don't touch the throttle when starting. I have yet to have it not pop in 3 pulls cold when choked properly, and starts with 1 good pull warm every time. Pulls a 20" bar with 3/8 chain like a dream. Cutting is no longer a chore. I can't say enough good about it.

Strengths:
Awesome speed, power, low vibration in use.

Weaknesses:
Don't care for the outboard clutch, makes quick chain changes a pain. It does dance around when idling.

Summary:
A great saw, but stuck in a strange place in Husqvarna's lineup. A bit pricey for occasional use, but a bit of a tease for those looking for pro-saw features.

Strengths:
Reliable. Easy starting - that's right, easy. The meat head who keeps spamming about this saw being hard to start needs to either learn how to tune a chainsaw or take it to a dealer. Once the carb is dialed in, this saw starts and runs like a dream. The power to weight ratio is excellent, this is truly a one-saw solution for firewood duty.

Weaknesses:
This saw is basically a detuned version of the 357XP. As such, it doesn't accelerate or rev quite as fast, which is fine, really, unless you do something stupid like go and try out an XP! Unfortunatley, the 359 has a semi-pro price, too high for a homeowner saw. If you only cut a couple cords per year, the 460 is probably a better deal. If you cut often, then it probably makes more sense to save a bit longer for an XP saw. The antivibe is good, but not in the same league as the latest generation saws from Stihl and Husqvarna (MS362, 576XP). Something to keep in mind if you have any nerve or tendon issues.

Summary:
i love this saw

Strengths:
starts first crank and runs like a scalded dog,well balanced,will out cut my stihl ms 260pro hands down

Weaknesses:
not a big enough fuel tank

Summary:
Poor due to maintanance time required to kjeep it running

Strengths:
18 Inch chain cuts through anythin. Lots of power

Weaknesses:
Always in the shop for repairs. Not reliable

Summary:
will never buy one of these again

Strengths:
high rpms good saw when it runs

Weaknesses:
had this saw for 5 years and have had to replace piston and cylinder on 3 different ocasions, oiler leaks all over when stored.