$100 Knockoff vs $550 Stihl Chainsaw? Let's Settle This! Cutting Speed, Horsepower, Cold Start, RPM 

Am I in the market for a chainsaw? No. Did I still enthusiastically watch the entire video? Yes. I’m blown away by the frequency of video releases you do! They are thorough, well edited, I don’t know how you do it so frequently.

Todd is an amazing human being for those of us who are ‘do it yourselfers’; the time and money he spends on these comparison tests is incredible insofar as he is not compensated by the manufacturers…quite a contribution to America, this is what social media should be used for and I can’t thank Todd enough for his contributions, his tests are the only evaluations I rely on when purchasing a new tool! Thanks Todd!

I bought a Stihl MS 290 (precursor to the Stihl in this test) about 15 years ago. I heat my home with wood and live on/manage 40 acres of woods with trails running everywhere so I use the saw quite often. It still fires within 5 pulls, even in the dead of Minnesota winter and cuts great as long as you keep a fresh chain on it. Stihl makes the best chainsaws, hands-down.

You've become my go to guy when I need to buy something. Your demonstrations are always free from bias. Thanks. I've got a suggestion for you. I'm considering attempting installing a water heater and was looking at the "Pro-Press" tools for solder free pipe fitting. An analysis of these tools would be helpful.

It's one of those situations where the Stihl's difference in performance isn't in line with its difference in price, but I have a lot more faith that the Stihl will continue to perform for years to come, unlike the two bargain chainsaws. Awesome review! Thanks! :)

Would love to see hand cleaners compared to other products like dishwasher soap.

I would have concerns about running the Topteng year after year, but the price difference between the Topteng is so great that you might as well forget about buying replacement parts for the Topteng when it breaks -- just buy another saw and keep the old one for parts. Thanks for the video. Good luck with spring jobs on the farm.

First thing first, I do always check your videos before to make any purchases. You are truly helping a lot of customers like me. Appreciated your amazing work and effort.

You can't beat having a video like this show up when you're in the market for something! Project Farm spoils us like always.

My father has two stihl saws that are over 35 years old and have seen HEAVY use (one was used to clear the forest site for their house). They both still see occasional use and perform very well. Testament to the quality of Stihl, I doubt many others would still be in use that many years later. Great video!

I would love to see some of the HART power tools tested against other tools in previous tests. I was recently looking for more power tools and just realized how extensive their lineup really is. Very impressive coming from Wal-Mart. Thank you for taking the time to go through as many comments as you do and giving us all the content that you do!! 😊

I was actually curious myself! Thank you for the video! Good quality content with lots of detail!

I would like to see electrical tape tested to see what kind sticks the best, most resistant to heat, chemicals, etc. and how well it works in the cold. love your videos!

This channel is now our “Go To” prior to purchases for our channel and personal use now!! Thank you for all the through testing. Just purchased and installed the ZECK 13000k winch after your winch review 🏁

One factor that I really wish you would add as a “food for thought” is the hidden safety cost of cheap knock offs. 2 quick real life examples: A pilot friend who championed using harbor freight grinders so he didn’t have to swap discs … due to the power switch shape and force required his hand skipped right off the switch and right into the disc cutter. (Hospital bill $2000 + $250 carpet cleaner bill & 1 week mandatory time off cuz he couldn’t safely fly passenger airlines with his hand torn up and stitched) Myself while using a cheap Ryobi Hedge trimmer, the carb throttle would stick a little even after letting off the trigger keeping the blades moving (albeit slowly) for a good 10 seconds afterward. While pausing to clear cut branches out of the way I kept my left hand on the D Ring handle while using my dominant right to reach in. Fatigue caused my left hand to relax slightly which caused the back heavy engine to drop and the light blades in front to pop up right into my outreaching hand. Severed 3/4 of my thumb (tendons/nerves/vessels/bone) Hospital + Reconstructive Hand Surgery for the Thumb ($15,000) plus 3 summer months out of commission for my construction job. You can definitely find Chinese imports that will demonstrate great cost performance characteristics but as soon as you encounter a single injury and get that hospital bill you instantly will wish you could have paid $450 extra. When we are talking chainsaws safety is something you don’t screw around with (plastic bar tensioners and flexible clutch lock let’s see how that holds up to a 11,000 rpm chain that comes flying back at you cuz there was more than just a sprocket to grab it after the bar tension fails) I guess you can just buy 5 more replacements when that happens … assuming you still have all your limbs in tact to operate those masterpieces of recycled plastics, chinesium and leftovers that failed quality control.

Thanks! Always interesting tests.

Keeping the big boys honest. Love it.

We've been a Stihl family since 1985. We still have the first saw. Still runs great, but has had a couple things replaced. My dad and I, have 5 Stihl's between us. 😄

I have a larger version of the 58cc saw and, for the price, have been very pleased with it. In particular the cutting torque under heavy load has been good. I have found the carburettor adjustments are critical to obtaining good performance, but these adjustments are effected by travel vibration. Out the box the saw exhibited the same lack of power seen in this video but came good with a bit of carby adjustment to provide good idling and fast enough top speed. Therefore, if I am taking the saw for a long trip over rough roads I always adjust the carby before cutting. Also, I found the same starting problem seen in this video where around 10 start pulls were required. The trick to avoid this and get my saw started in 1-2 starts is to do two pulls per start. The first pull is incomplete. The second pull is complete and if the saw idle speed is correctly adjusted the saw starts fine. My version of the saw used an E-start system where the energy of the first partial pull is stored and released in the second pull.

I started heating with wood in 1994 so I needed a chainsaw to cut the wood. Having grown up in a household that heated with wood and ran Stihl saws exclusively I naturally went to my local power equipment dealer and he recommended an 036 Stihl for wood cutting duties. After years of heating with wood and using the 036 to cut all of it I am amazed at how reliable and durable it has been. Other than replacing bars, chains and a drive sprockets I have not had any other problems with the saw. I’m getting too old to cut wood like I used to so I’m going to give my 036 some maintenance and give it to my son for tree removal and storm damage use. I have no idea if Stihl’s newer saws are as good as the older ones because I have never had to replace mine.

Great video. I don't think anyone realistically expected the Stihl to lose...but it does provide valuable information. As a home owner that may trim up a few fallen trees or do a little cutting the cheapo models might just be the ticket. For anyone else that needs their saw to perform and has the allowable budget we will see a better value sticking to the good brands.

My arm cramped up watching you cut that log SO MANY TIMES! Great job and great video as always!!

You know one of the biggest debates I can think of in the “what oil is best” world is that of the 2-stoke snowmobile engine! I sure would love to see your tests and results on what oil protects a 2-stroke sled engine the best. Categories like cleanest burning, exhaust valve buildup, piston scoring and long term lubrication could be explored…. People would love that! I think you’re just the man for the job!!!!

Love the comparison! It really shows in this video how much effort, prep and organization you invest in your videos, and that is awesome! I think the real proof in the pudding would be years from now which one is still kicking. I've worked as a volunteer FF and now municipal maintenance, and both jobs always had Stihl saws around, and they kicked butt for years and years. Many of which looked like they shouldn't be working but still were. And now, if I can't breath some life into an old freebie Poulon Pro which (I believe) just needs fuel lines, then it's going in the trash and I'll be saving for a Stihl.

Great testing as always! Stihl sure does make quality equipment, but if you can't afford one, you showed a pretty good much lower cost option. Thanks for the video!

Thanks again for another quality video. I still say project Farm is the hardest working channel on RU-vid. I was happy to see that you are pushing 3M viewers!

I would just like to say I bought a stihl After trying many different chain saw. The reason; I have rumitoid arthritis is both hands. The pulling and the vibrations in the other saws was so bad 👎 😫 it really hurt and could not go into the woods to get wood with my kids anymore. However to me the stilh is easier to start and a lot less vibration in the bar and chain. So I can now enjoy 😉 gathering firewood with my kids again. Thank you Stilh, you folks are awesome. Your saw may cost more, but part of my life I thought was gone forever. Is back.

I bought one of the 52cc Chinese 20 inch saws about two years ago. Every time I grab it it fires right up and it sounds amazing. I never expected it to last very long for $80 but it is exceeding my expectations so far. I never owned a Stihl brand saw but every one I ever used was nearly new and they were always difficult to get started.

Durability wise the stihl is gonna outlast both by a significant margin. But for people who need a saw once or twice a year its probably a bit much. Great test! Love the T-shirt, definitely gonna pick one up soon!

One thing to add to the test should be parts availability and service support. The Stihl you can buy parts or get service and have it warrantied. The other two won’t have anything and if there’s any issues you gonna have to toss the saw.

I really like your unbiased, analytical approach to product reviews!

The thing I love most about this channel are the honest reviews. It makes selecting new products much easier since I feel informed. The thing I hate most about this channel are the honest reviews. It makes selecting new products much easier by removing my indecision, leaving my wallet much lighter. At least this time I have escaped unscathed and more confident that I made the right decision buying my MS261 a few years ago!

Gotta say that $100 Topteng was pretty impressive. I doubt it would match the durability of the Stihl, but if you just needed a saw for one time use it seems like a great option.

Another baller video , man cutting up that $$$ lumber like it's 1999 hahaha Great video mate. Really enjoy and appreciate all your effort . This channel went from goofy lawnmower torture to THE tool review channel , without ever selling out. Guess a proper goofy video is in order for 3 million subs any day now !

Thanks for a great test. Interesting to see the big difference between the 2 clones. One thought about the trunk test: you would decrease significantly the effect of progressive variations in trunk diameter on averaged cutting speed for each saw if you were to alternate saws while doing cookies, like 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 etc vs 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 and then averaging, since tree trunks tend to narrow down in one direction.

Thank you very much I live in Colorado. I do a lot of logging and I’m glad to see that a top tang is such a good saw. I have huskies and stills, but I would like to have a top tang just as a throw around saw and one my neighbor could borrow, but anyway, thank you so much for the extensive scientific evaluation of the saws.

I’ve cut dozens of cords of firewood with my Stihl saw. Runs like a top. The chain brake is an important, perhaps life-saving, safety feature. This is one of those instances where it’s worth the extra money to get the better tool because the risk of harm is so great. Thanks, Project Farm!

I'm a lifelong diehard Stihl man, that being said I think that 52cc saw would be great for homeowners! It would outperform most of the cheap saws I've seen like the poulan wildthing or the generic homelite they sell at the big box stores. Great video Todd!

As always, your videos are great. I think you get what you pay for and the one thing you can't demonstrate is durability and how long something will last. I had a Stihl chainsaw (sorry can't recall the model) that was still working after 20 years of hard use (lived at the 4,000 foot level in the Sierras in California and heated my home with wood stoves and bucked about 6-7 cords a year). Retired and moved to Oregon and don't heat with wood anymore but bought a Stihl MS251 a couple of years ago since I have about 100 oak trees on my property and still need a chainsaw. I imagine this saw will outlive me.

I rarely buy anything anymore without checking here first. The best part is, the tests you do here reflect exactly what I find out in the field. Keep up the great work Todd... we all appreciate it more than you know.

As always, an excellent test! Your work is invaluable! 🙂 I was kind of hoping I'd see a Holzfforma/Farmertec clone here to get the numbers . I got their G660, which is a 1:1 clone of the Stihl MS660, and I love it. It's great for both milling and bucking, and hasn't let me down yet! Paid $250 shipped from China a couple years back, took a few weeks, and after some basic checking for loose bolts, it started right up and is still kicking ass!

Your videos are so thorough!! Thanks for all the great content. I'm in the market for a jigsaw and I've heard there is a huge difference in cheap ones and quality ones. I'd love to see you test jigsaws!!

I recently bought a Stihl MS 250 based on one of your videos. I’m loving it! Thanks!

What I love about Todd's tests are how comprehensive they are. I might have a specific use in mind for the item tested, so with the variety of tests you do, I find what will work best for my needs. Thanks so much for what you do!

I think it's also great to illustrate that you don't need the top tier tool to handle the job unless you are a professional who uses it all the time. The ~20%-30% uplift would definitely be a big difference, but only if you happen to use the tool all the time.

Thanks for the video. It would have been interesting to tune the saw and see if that improved it. Even if bringing it somewhere to have them tune it. But maybe that's for another video, tuning the carb, and then opening up the airflow and tuning it again. FWIW, the chain, brake, and chain adjustment are similar to what are on my big and small Huskies.

Just bought a MS271 last week to clean up storm damage. Great saw.

Great comparison! While the knock offs may be cheap, the Stihls are by far a better value. They will last for years. I Stihl have the one I bought in the 90’s even after years of heavy use. It’s a back up saw now but just used it yesterday. It’s a lot heavier than the modern Stihls but that works in its favour when bucking firewood from large diameter logs.

Always appreciate your time and effort in bringing us awesome content

Your videos are aways informative and helpful. Please don't stop .

Just bought the topteng 52cc for home use it works just fine 4th item I buy just by watching your video reviews. Good job keep up the good work. Would you happen to know where I can buy a replacement carburetor or parts to have on hand for this saw ? Do you have a link for the topteng parts ?

I work in a in a stihl dealership and I sell and work on these saws all the time, I always watch these videos because it helps me compare brands and explain what’s better or worse, I always recommend anyone who’s interested in power tools like this one to watch this account, you always make a great breakdown

Good test, Commander and it went about like I thought it'd go. When I went looking for a mid-sized saw I ended up getting a new one because all the ones I found were really too big. I got a 261 or a 26 in the older number because they were recommended by my pal that ran the saw shop at the ACE and then got his own shop. He did all the repairs for the electric co-op and said that their 26's or 261's were the toughest he'd ever seen so that's what I got. They're a commercial grade saw and a SCREAMER like my old Super 45 was! The son-in-law finished cutting up all the logs here with it and a maple was very close to 36 inches through with a 20 inch bar. The tests you ran on these 3 were as good as there is and could be, no problem. The proof is in the cutting and no way around it. Hope yall are doing o.k. with all the big blows down around there. Thanks again and BLESSINGS to the whole Farm!

For firewood processing used years 1800-2000W electric saw only, they cost about $30-50 a piece. In the woods is different but Stihl or Husqvarna is a good choice and they last forever! My favorite Husqvarna 42 Special is from 1993 and still good as new, small, light and powerful!

I enjoy watching video. pleas may I have the types of table saw and their prices💯

great test. I'd be curious to see how the internal construction of the $100 saws compares..... they had to cut corners somewhere build quality of things like the ignition system, the piston/rings/con rod and crankshaft would be interesting to see.

Another neat series of tests. How about a test of various brands of trash bags? You always do an amazing job on these!

Amazing comparative!! Thanks for sharing

When felling trees, the reliability of the saw is of paramount importance. Once you have started cutting into the trunk, you have passed the point of no return. If the saw then breaks down or stops, you have a problem. If only bucking or limbing trees, it will only be an annoyance if the saw stops.

Great video as always. Thank you. I was given an ms290 right after buying a 346xp. It’s a good saw. I usually run the xp just because it’s lighter, although I did just use the stihl for 2 maples that were about 20” round. I am considering a 372,ms440 or a holtzforma clone of one or the other. Putting those used against their clones new would be an episode I find entertaining and useful instead of mostly entertaining like this episode. Putting the ms250 and ms290 in the mix would help see how much advantage any of those options it. Edit:I have no hesitation spending your money for the episode. I might even be willing to buy the second place saw off you so you can keep the winner. 🎉

I can say that the Stihl will most likely outperform the knockoff before watching! My dad's personally put his Stihl (forgot the model name) through a lot of use over possibly 6+ years now and it's still working just as good! He only had to get the wires on the ignition coil fixed once, the rest has been changing bars/chains and cleaning it after each use. I will be editing this once I watch it, for now I just wanted to say thanks for still making these and big props for always having some amazing ideas! I loved the folding chainsaw vid! If you ever want to do something april fools related, a suggestion I have is test some crocs. I have one pair of thick rubber crocs at home which have saved my toes from some falling firewood (ok, not from head height, somewhere around waist height) and you could compare it to something as funny as barefoot or regular shoes. Edit: The testing methods are genius as always! As for the "knockoff" one, I meant the 58cc Saw which looks like a Stihl. I didn't expect to see the Topteng perform this well too!

Husqvarna is a good mid range saw brand that deserves testing. The 450 Rancher is similar in power to the MS291 with a street price of $380-420. It has a primer bulb and compression release, so it starts in a couple of easy pulls. This is what I have and it keeps up with the Stihl in all but the most demanding use.

Enjoy all your videos. Have your reviewed or will you review spray paint can handles? Thanks.

I like everything Todd reviews, especially the chainsaw related tests because that's what I do for a living (repair chainsaws). He's always thorough, accurate and honest. Stihl, and many other OPE manufacturers, has taken some pretty hefty increases this past year. Stihl has taken two price increases since October. I get it, inflation, supply, demand, yada, yada yada. I think 2 years ago that saw retailed for just over $400. The MS250 could be had for $299 during the spring sale in 2021. The cost of the Pro level saws is dizzying.

Let's all take a moment to appreciate how fit Todd is! These were kinda intensive tests (many of them are) and he handles them with ease 💪🏿

Hey! I've noticed on recent videos you've stopped mentioning where each product is made. It may seem small but that was one of my favourite parts about these videos just because pretty much nowhere else documents country of origin and I feel like that's valuable information that deserves to be preserved. I may be in the minority here since I haven't seen any other comments mentioning it but just wanted to give my two cents. Regardless, thank you for all your hard work and for the service you provide by making these videos.

This is good stuff! Thanks for all the content you create!

*i love these knockoff reviews so much its unreal. tnx PF*

Love your videos, educating someone is not something easy to do and you do an outstanding job representing the various tools. Awesome work PF

Loved the comperson of the saws would like to see name brands like Johnsred steel ect But I would like to know on fuel additives which one's really do work or even burn for if in the fuel tank they should burn like fuel but I have found most don't even the ones that remove water how do they work ? Just thinking

I purchased a 044 Stihl chainsaw 34 years ago. A few years ago I took it to a Stihl service center for a tune up/service. The technician told me it had better compression after all these years compared to a brand new one.

Whenever you upload a new video it makes me smile... Thank you! 😊

Interesting results, great testing, and well edited video, big thumbs up from me!

A friend has a cheap knockoff and surprisingly performs well. I also bought a knock-off ms381 for an in-between as my ms 661c was too big at times, and my ms251c was too small at times. For a knockoff in between saw, it's pretty good, and I would recommend it. Just don't think you can have a knockoff as a stand-alone saw. Each to their own I guess.

Awesome comparison! I actually bought a 52cc Chinese chainsaw from ebay a while back and never used it, still in the box. Thank you for doing this video! Makes me feel a little better about actually using it.

I would really like to see a comparison on compact cordless routers. For example craftsman, ryobi, bauer, Dewalt, and rigid. Thank you, I hope you see this message. I have been watching for a few years now and really enjoy how in depth you go with the products. And your honesty is always much appreciated.

Another great video. I liked the fact that you tried the econo saws with a Stihl chain. Personally, everything I have owned from Stihl has had a negative impact on my mental health so I was rooting for the underdog. Looks like you have a slow hydraulic leak in that front-end loader.

Awesome video! The Topteng saw seems decent for about $100 especially if you only need the chainsaw for one small job and don't plan on using it too frequently

Great video as always, you've become my go to before I make a purchase if the product in question has been evaluated by you. I'll stick to my Husqvarna and Echo saws though those cheap ones wouldn't be bad to keep in a truck.

Awesome video! Would love to see a review of chisel sets for woodworking ranging from budget to higher end.

Would have been interesting to include a mid priced saw such as the equivalent Husqvarna.

Great review. One major criticism. I'll start with what I like 👍. I like that you used the same bar and chain 👍. I believe you should also have used new spark plugs. The problem with the knockoffs, that is a cheep simple tune up/ upgrade is the Chinese spark plugs are EXTREMELY cheep and largely defective. I wonder how the results would have been if they all had the same spark plugs ? 🤔 I really enjoyed the video , I'm going look for a spark plug comparison review now, I'm pretty sure you made one 😊

Another great review. Many thanks! Hey...an idea for a review. Seems kinda simple and even stupid, but have you considered doing one on can openers? (If it hasn't been done already.) Between the ones I get for my various outings and properties, I end up buying more than one a year. I'll buy the more expensive ones when available, but often I'll have to get a cheap one, if it is all the store has. The problem is that none of them really seems to last much longer than the others.

Your videos always make my sundays thanks Todd ! Your work is appreciated more than you know

I really like how thorough is this one. I appreciate that you have included the cutting tests with no weight, just with you operating the saw. Although there is human there, I think it is more accurate since stronger motors can be pushed harder.

I wish this video would’ve came out before I bought my 58 cc. Mine has been pretty good to me though. I’ve had it for about two years and still running strong with the same chain but next time I will go for the 52.

Awesome!!! I was hoping the knock off saws would be distant competitors to the Stihl. Well, it was a lot closer than I thought, but the Stihl is still better. Is it 5.5X better? I guess that depends on longevity. I did purchase a cheapie Remington chainsaw last year. At first, I was very impressed, but after a few cuts, it started to slow down. I had a lot of other problems soon after and I couldn't finish the job. And the cheapie filter lets dust go down the carb - not a good thing for longevity. After watching this video, I would've been better off buying the 52cc knock off and saving myself some money. If you can, try testing the Remington and let's see how it does. Maybe I just got a lemon. The Remington is a model 4620 Outlaw. I really enjoyed this video and it's great to see both a lumber cutting comparison and also cutting a downed tree.

despite the cheaper one doing well i would still get the stihl, its a once-a-lifetime buy as you can get parts and you know it will last and in just a nicer tool to handle and you can trust wich is very important for these little death machines.

I had no doubt stihl would win. I've used stihl for over 30 years but good grief can they not make these things easier to start. I wasn't surprised it took so many pulls to start. Great videos. Fast and to the point.

Another great, educational, and well done video. Always interesting content. Thanks for going to all of the trouble to make these fantastic videos.

Thank you for yet another great video! I would like to make 2 video suggestions. As an electrician, I often use multimeters and test equipment that uses 9V batteries. I would like to see a video on 9V batteries and a video on digital multimeters. Thank you.

Dude, you go all out on your videos. Keeop up the good work.

Another excellent product show down video PF! Stihl products are great. However, for the minimal amount of cutting that I would be doing with a chain saw & the monetary consideration, that Topteng would be my choice! Thanks for all of your videos! 👍👍

Nice test! The build quality of the Stihl seems a lot higher, so I'm curious what the difference in durability is. But I guess that would be a bit hard to test.

I bought a UK import chinese based saw about 8 years ago for around £120, 58cc 20" bar, (timber pro I think) as I couldn't justify the ~£300-400 for a stihl, to my amazement, it starts 2nd pull most times, cuts pretty well and is still running strong. It might not cut quite as fast, but its been amazing value for money. Only think I have replaced is the chain and pull cord.

Can you test hiking backpacks? Too many fall apart too easy. Love your videos! Best RU-vidr

Another great video. I also wonder how how the knock off saws would hold up long term compared to the stihl. I have 2 stihl saws that are over 10 years old and they are still running great and cutting wood good.

I would love to see caulking tested! So many different kinds that all don't explain what they are good for. Testing categories could be stretchiness, Bonding to wood/metal/mdf/paint. Curing around moisture? Amount they shrink over the curing process, paintability, (does it shine through paint and how long do you have to wait to paint/cure time, ease of cleanup, I always have trouble buying caulking. The different types are really hard to tell differences on. They can be drastically different prices and I don't want to waste money when it isn't necessary. It might be good to know what the chemical makeup is a little bit, that way we can be educated about the buzz words if we see caulking not included in the test specifically.

I bought a stihl pro saw and it totally kicks but on every saw I've used and just like stihl promised it really came to life after about 10 tanks of gas and I can leave it sit for a month and it's never taken more than 3 pulls on the average to start in all honesty husqvarna is. the only brand I've used that compares to the stihl both brands the last saw you'll ever need to buy in my opinion great video where do you get the tachometer at ?

Great video as always! Would like to see a comparison of tool belts, such as comfort, storage in each pocket, resistance to normal wear and tear, and overall construction.