Summary:
If you can only have one saw, this is it! can run up to a 24" bar but is better with an 18 or 20". Perfect for the serious firewood cutter. This is a truely professional quality saw.

Strengths:
Very smooth and powerful saw, has a great anti-vibe system

Weaknesses:
None found yet

Summary:
great saw

Strengths:
low vibe

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
I've had used this saw 3 years without any problems, I would recommend this saw to anyone that cuts a lot of firewood.

Strengths:
great power to weight ratio, low vibration, very durable and dependable

Weaknesses:
none found

Summary:
greatcut 40 -50 loggercord firewood runs great

Strengths:
great power for 59cc saw cuts big timber like a 70-80 cc saw

Weaknesses:
gastank caps keep coming unhooked

Summary:
I'd replace it with another MS361 if I had too.

Strengths:
Fast cutting saw. Lightweight saw that has power. I use it for cutting firewood 14"-30" dia., otherwise I use a MS260Pro for the small stuff.

Weaknesses:
Need to keep it locked up so no-one stihl's it.

Summary:
Best all around saw on the market. Light enough to limb with but enough power to fell big hardwoods.

Strengths:
Very powerful, high rpm's and light weight. Cuts like a bigger saw.

Weaknesses:
None.

Summary:
Great saw for felling and bucking a few trees per year for wood stove.

Strengths:
Powerful, tool-free gas, oil, air filter, plug access, reliable

Weaknesses:
Loud, bit heavy, starting it takes 4-5 pulls- reliably, though.

Summary:
For the money, i would have purchassed a 440, for an extra hundred bucks you get twice the saw. Yes this is a light pro saw and should be used to cut trees no larger than 24 in. Running a 24in bar and chain bogs these saws down terribly. a 20 in bar/chain combo keeps the weight down and the power up.

Strengths:
Average all around saw, good for falling, limbing and bucking. Medium power to weight ratio (husky 357xp has more power and less weight). quick access to air filter is a bonus

Weaknesses:
Horrid cold starting (buy an arctic for the extra 150$), full wrap handle is a joke on this saw for falling large diameter trees, its a 3/4 wrap and is awkward if making a falling cut on the left side of trees (anyone still back bar on falling cuts??) gas tanks are not very durable, cracked mine first week of purchase, lack of power when saw is warmed up is kind of appaling. the tooless access for gas and oil is a joke, come on stihl use the same app as your bigger magnums please.

Summary:
super saw

Strengths:
unflappable

Weaknesses:
zero

Summary:
makes it a pleasure to be cutting wood.

Strengths:
destroys 24"t0 40" low stumps that were left over on my propety , i thought i would need a backhoe.What amazing power this saw has.

Weaknesses:
zilc.

Summary:
Best saw I have used in over 30 years. If you can afford it I highly recommend the 361

Strengths:
Great power to weight ratio. Rapid rate of cut. Truely a professional's saw.

Weaknesses:
None found

Summary:
After one week new and about 2 cords of wood, was unable to start the saw and had two full time 'pros' familiar with Stihl also unable to start it. Appears decompression feature broke and lots of gas in the flame arrestor/carb area. Had to take it back for service and it's still in the shop after one week's use. Not sold on Stihl and wondering if Stihl pads the internet with their own reviews.

Strengths:
Excellent power to weight. Makes short order for felling and bucking trees in 18 - 30 inch range.

Weaknesses:
Starting problems, suspect design of carb/spark/compression. Lack of reliability. Handle design limits cuts to right hand approach which can make cuts in areas with thick under brush difficult.

Summary:
A good saw with a 20" bar, have not tried the bigger bars.

Strengths:
good power at speed, low vibration, low weight,

Weaknesses:
need more handle clearance so my toe(steel toe) can hold down the saw while starting. Wish saw had just a few more cc in displacement to widen the power band like 64 cc like the 390.

Summary:
awsome saw can be used for anything

Strengths:
Great saw I have used mine for 2 years. I have a 25in stihl rolamatic es bar and this saw will scream. I use mine for falling trees, fire wood, climbing well about everything. I recently fell a white oak that was 43in on the stump the saw riped thrugh it like butter. the key to a good saw is maitnice kepping them sharp and haveing high and low adjustments tuned right. If you have these right in the 361 you can cut anything in the woods or your yard. its light weight powerfull and a reliable saw.

Weaknesses:
fule caps suck

Summary:
good but maybe the husky 357 COULD be better, but have never used one.

Strengths:
excellent power to weight ratio.

Weaknesses:
starting this saw is not easy. when im in the field i dont need to piss around starting my saw for 10 minutes!

Summary:
keep up on your maintenance and saw sharpening and you have yourself a wonderful machine.the saw cuts like it has a turbocharger in it when slicing through big trees and stumps.

Strengths:
superb power,great on fuel,super tough and extremely durable

Weaknesses:
i havent found anything wrong at all

Summary:
keep up on your maintenance and saw sharpening and you have yourself a wonderful machine.the saw cuts like it has a turbocharger in it when slicing through big trees and stumps.

Strengths:
superb power,great on fuel,super tough and extremely durable

Weaknesses:
i havent found anything wrong at all

Summary:
the new epa chokes them done and i hate the new caps but strong saw and easy to mantain 036 is a better choice the 028 is just as good if you get the super in good shape less plastic runs and cuts all day

Strengths:
easy to clean and mantain lots of power modify the exhaust and you can cut almost anything

Weaknesses:
the new caps suck if you can find a good oler 036 you dont have the epa cvarb and more power and the caps dont come of on there own

Summary:
I WOULD RECOMMEND THE SAW TO MY FRIENDS.EASY TO HANDLE AND REVS OUT 15,000+ ALMOST INSTANTLY.

Strengths:
STRONG SAW ,DURABLE, MINE POPS FULL CHOKE ONE PULL,STARTS ON 1/2 CHOKE 1-2 PULLS.AFTER WARM 1/2 PULL STARTS IT. DONT USE DECOMPRESSION V. VERY HIGH RPM.GREAT BALANCE AND LITTLE VIBE.

Weaknesses:
OILER TURNED ALL THE WAY AND IT JUST KEEPS UP BARELY.SURE LIKES THE FUEL TO MUCH.FILTER GETS DIRTY FAST,BUT IS QUICK TO CHANGE OR CLEAN

Summary:
This is the best overall single saw in the line up for most users. Many might find it a bit pricy for the occasional user, but look around for a used one and pick it up.. you will be happy you did vs getting an occasional use saw. Great value for the lower mid-range saw. Always find a spot on the shelf for another 361. Out of over two dozen saws, the 361 accounts for almost 20% of them. Good weight to power ratio. Good for all day use, you won't get tired easily, yet it will be big enough to handle most smaller to mid-sized jobs. Good fuel consumption. Great overall saw.

Strengths:
Good single saw for most users. Good power to weight ratio. Good performance for smaller to mid-range saw. Reliable.

Weaknesses:
Kind of sits in a bad spot for some, as it is rather close in size to the 441 and 260.. both very common saws for multi-use users. Not first choice if you are buying several saws.

Summary:
strong saw, but the best all around saw is the 044...made in germany...if you can get your hands on a nice one you better get it.....good power to weight ratio......i love mine and i would not trade it for anything......

Strengths:
great power

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
I think I it will still be running years from now. I am now looking for a couple of smaller saws.

Strengths:
Handles a 26" bar with no problems. Went right through a large apple tree and to the stump down to with in 6" of the ground with no problems. Plenty of power. Starts easy and has good power to weight ratio. Does not seem to mind running on fuel I've had in it for months.

Weaknesses:
Must use at least 87 octane fuel. Subject to owner error. If you use the valve release thing you can flood the engine. Works best with the synthetic oil.

Summary:
Crappy

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
Doesn't last

Summary:
044 the best stihl saw that were ever made! period! the ms361 fall next in line

Strengths:
the stihl's ms361 is a great saw. but for the power to weight ratio you need to find and buy a 044. the 044 is the most powerful and easy to handle saw that i have ever used. I would not trade it for any other saw out there.

Weaknesses:
none on the 044, but the ms361 could use some more cc

Summary:
its a gr8 say for firwood but big enuff for the big hard wood

Strengths:
cant say nothing bad about it cute like a saw twice the size and small enuff the ol lady can run it

Weaknesses:
nothing

Summary:
I love this saw, and it is my favorite of all the saws I have now or have ever owned. Close seconds to the 361 are the 440 and the 260. Build quality on these US made 361s is just as good as the German made Stihls (get over it, people).

Strengths:
Very good Anti-vibration, easier to run all day than a 440. I have both saws. 440 is no longer sold in the US, and now the 361 is not made or sold here either. ;(... The 361 will run a 25 inch bar and chain no problems for me. Starting secret to the 361 is to NOT use the decomp when starting cold. Takes 3 or 4 pulls when starting cold. Well balanced saw, light, nimble, and easy to use, will fall large trees (to 28 inches) with little problem. Nice all-around chainsaw.

Weaknesses:
I do not like the newer tooless flippy oil and gas caps, I prefer the old Stihl screw-in caps. The factory muffler is pretty choked up and can stand to be opened up.

Summary:
i will never buy another stihl saw again

Strengths:
i couldnt find any strengths for this saw. i wasted the money to buy it i have a older poulan chainsaw that i have had for about fifteen years that starts and cuts faster then this saw and i havent had to put it in the shop ever. i got this stihl at the local farm and home and the warranty sucked and they didnt back it up after two weeks of use it was in the shop for the clutch then i got it back and the carbuerater wasnt right. i have been cutting wood for over twenty years and i think i will buy a husqaurvarna next time i have friends who have them and has never had problems with them i also have other saws and these stihls werent that great your paying for the name.

Weaknesses:
all the above

Summary:
great piece of equipment, if you can only afford one saw this would be the perfect size/weight for the money.

Strengths:
Very powerful saw, keeps giving you power

Weaknesses:
none so far

Summary:
The best saw ive ever used!!!!! This saw will run a husqvarna into the ground!

Strengths:
Awesome saw!!!!!!

Weaknesses:
None!

Summary:
I love Stihl!

Strengths:
A great biginners say.Affordable. I've cut 90 cords and now I want a bigger saw like the 460

Weaknesses:
Lacks of HP for an all day work day

Summary:
Awesome saw. Revs quickly, cuts like butter!

Strengths:
Powerful, starts easy. No vibration.

Weaknesses:
Seems extra loud.

Summary:
Best saw there is!

Strengths:
stihl is the best! I am a logger and have tried husky saws and they do not match up to stihl.My ms 361 will out last any husky saw!

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
I've tried almost every companies pro saws stihl makes the best hands down.

Strengths:
Blows through wood, I've felled 36" Red Oak with no problems. I do about 40 cords of wood a year, and no complaints. If you are moving up to a pro saw and can only have one, this is it. I am going to get a 460 with a 25" bar and put the 16" on this for smaller stuff.

Weaknesses:
Don't use the decomp. valve when bitter cold. Fuel caps can be annoying

Summary:
used mcCoullough 700's 30 years ago logging ,these were70cc saws. Ive had my 361 3 years and I gladdly give up 11cc of power for the weight differance . dependable saw, works well with a 20"bar ,wouldnt recomend any larger . If you need a bigger bar than 20" on a regular basis, you also need a bigger saw on a regular basis.We cut hardwood in Ontario Canada red and white oak,maples,ash,hickory and beach. This saw performs like a 59cc saw should.

Strengths:
good saw for a 59 cc,havent had a gas cap problem yet,good revs,reliable

Weaknesses:
did not come with an operator,

Summary:
There are a lot of saws out there that are built just good and cut just as good for less money, the last time I'll pay extra for the Stihl name

Strengths:
Stihl name

Weaknesses:
Not much power, a little heavy..

Summary:
I like the saw a lot, I've had a couple Stihl's and wouldn't chose to run much else if you can afford it. I have a poulan and McCullough that i wouldn't cross a street to give away. I like the fact its so durable, never had any problems and I've abused it quite a bit.

Strengths:
Lighter than my old PM610 McCullough I'm so glad to be divorced from. Also cuts smoothly and wieghs enough to not have to force it, but not so heavy it's to heavy to run. Cuts anything I've asked it to including dead hedge. I can leave it in the back of the truck and let it rain/snow on it and not hurt it. The decompression button is nice as well.

Weaknesses:
Wife was mad about me spending the money.