HUSQVARNA 357 XP®
4.6
5
32
32
TRULY A 5 STAR SAW
I did a lot of research on power to weight/max rpms and h.p. ratings on saws before I concluded on paper that this saw was the one to buy. Boy the old man was right about always doing your home work. This saw is FANTASTIC! I cut about 6 cords per year, mostly cherry, elm, oak, ash and locust. My woods is a typical PA. woodlot that has been over logged the last century with most trees in the 24 inch dia. and under class.
What I really love about the saw is the reliability factor, Since I will NOT cut wood when its hot out, this saw may sit neglected for 6 months at a time and it will fire up like I ran it yesterday! Usually about 3 or 4 pulls and it comes to life. Mine also starts Easier when it's hot. generally on the first partial pull! The decompression starting button is a giant feature on this high compression saw!
Most of the wood I cut is under 18 inches dia., and my indoor furnace burns longest on round logs of 8-12 in. dia. un-split.-simple physics involved here...door opening restricts diameter. They are the easiest handling and since I'm at the half century mark in age, I'm finally using brains, not brawn when it comes to firewood.
I have my 357 equipped with 2 bars, one is 16 inches, the other 20. Both use the 3/8 pitch chain I prefer, much better than .325 pitch, especially if you're serious about getting after it. Both lengths cover the limits of this saw.
The 16 inch bar on this saw cuts so fast I'm afraid to pull full throttle, not like I need to anyhow, talk about a shredder! Scary fast! It even cuts thru Locust like it's butter!
If you're not familiar with Locust wood, its so hard, you will occasionally see sparks coming off the chain while you're cutting it!
The 20 in. bar is at the upper end in hardwood, but, is MORE than adequately handled by this saws 4.4 h.p. and, at under 13 lbs in powerhead weight, spooling up to around 14,000 rpms, this is NO Joe blow power tool.
In fact, I would not recommend this saw to ANY novice user. BUT, if you are cutting the types and sizes of wood I have described, for fuel or profit, and you wanna get done fast, with AMAZING fuel efficiency,( another feature I really love!) there is, in my opinion simply no more effective, cost efficient tool on the market. Mines 4 years old and it runs better than the day I first fired it up.(there is a noticeable but fairly short break in period as far as starting goes.) I'm half tempted to add mine as an asset in my will, I love it that much.
January 5, 2012
Great Saw
Bought my saw in Dec. 2011. My Brother has a 455 Rancher and my father has a 55. I bought the 357xp for heavy use. My brother and I have to cut logs from 12 inches to 30 inches in diameter. This saw has alot of power on the low end and high end for limbing. Good saw!!!!
January 5, 2012
A lot of money for a lousy running saw!
This 357 xp saw is great once you get it running and IF you can keep it running. High end is awesome, what you would expect from Husqvarna, but it doesnt idle and once warm its difficult to restart! I have always owned Husky's but I find the quality is diminishing for such high end saws. I own a 385 xp which runs perfect, that is why I buy the XP saws for my daily work. Dealing with this problem from the begging is certainly not worth the money. Maybe its time to look at Sthil?
December 29, 2011
love the saws
these saws are tough i have four of them three are ported and polished they are great for felling and limbing the ported saws are just outrages on power .even though I've got 30 saws each one gets used every week we have saws from a 335xp climber to a 394xp and 395xp including 2 288xp, 2 372xp 2 272xp.and many others.
December 2, 2011
husky375
Excellent. Missing bolt on handle. Dealer took care of me. Just purchased month ago to replace aging stihl. Cut a few cords, works great. Will check back after a few years to see if it still performs well.
October 15, 2011
One awsome saw
I bought this saw new about 11/2 yrs ago and paid around $880.00 w/ warranty and tax. This saw has performed very well through the hard oak and locust and big 37'' pines.
I've even climbed with it to cut the big limbs my 16'' saw won't cut in one pass. The decompression valve makes that task nice.
When using this saw clients and friends always ask about it because it performs so well.
Will consider Husqvarna when i need another saw or a bigger one in the future.
Thanks Husqy.
September 26, 2011
Great Product
I am not a professional logger, my family all live on adjoining farmland. This saw may not get used for 6 months then it may get ran like a dog everyday for 3 months. Bottom line is it cranks every time and cuts every time. It has the power of the 15 to 18 pound saws we've been through in a 12 pound package, at the end of the day you're not whipped near as bad. Mine has converted 2 first cousins and a brother from being die hard Stihl fans. Very pleased with this product. If anything I could see myself trying it's Jonsered twin brother the 2156, most places it's about $100 cheaper.
September 18, 2011
Would recommend this saw
So much easier to use than the bigger saws. Not quite the power I like but definitely easier to handle and haul up the mountain. Cuts great as do all the husqvarna saws I have used. Would highly recommend!!
August 23, 2011