Trying to figure out which chainsaw you need can be challenging. Chainsaws come in many shapes and sizes, and each brand even has its own classification strategy.

Luckily, there is a method to the madness.

Below is a guide for the decoding the brands of chainsaws we carry at North 40 Outfitters to help you figure out which chainsaw is right for you - but first, you need to know what you want to do.

A quick way to figure out what chainsaw is best for you is to pick "your job" first. That means you'll qualify the "saw size" by the size of the job you're doing.

Want to see our chainsaw (and chainsaw accessories) selection? 

If you are using wood as your main source of heat, you may want to consider at least the 450 or higher CC class size, because you will be cutting a lot of wood. More work means you need a bigger size.

Cutting firewood or looking to cut down you next Christmas tree? Always check your local regulations and don't forget you permits!

Note: "CC" means cubic centimeters and is a unit of volume used to measure the displacement volume of the engine, i.e. the volume covered by the stroke of the piston multiplied by the number of cylinders the engine has - the higher the CC, the more powerful the engine is... and the more work it can actually perform. 

Therefore, when it comes to smaller, less frequent jobs like limbing or clearing brush, a smaller CC might work best.

Now that we know (roughly) what size chainsaw you might need, let's address how each brand lists the CC you're actually after.

There's a simplicity and ease of use associated with Husqvarna products and that translates into choosing the right one...

That is, of course, if you know and understand the Husqvarna naming code. So what is that code?

The way Husqvarna classifies their chainsaws is simple. The first number is the "generation," followed by the "CC." For example, a 4-60 chainsaw from Husqvarna is a 4th generation of their 60 CC class saw. Easy to qualify, easy to identify, easy to use.

Take your quiz on our site by checking out our selection of Husqvarna chainsaws to see if you can identify the generation and CC size. 

Now wherever you go, you'll have the Husqvarna code in your mind to help make the selection process a bit easier.

Not so fast... just wait until we get to Stihl.

Stihl's naming conventions are a lot more advanced than most chainsaw manufacturers as you can see by the key below.

If you don't want to dive that deep down into the Stihl chainsaw rabbit-hole, and you have answered the top portion of this blog on "what will my chainsaw do," then look below and see where your job lines up.

Looking for something a little more heavy duty? Here are some for bigger jobs.

Looking at the Stihl chainsaws we stock at North 40 Outfitters, we've got a couple options for you based on Stihl's recommended usage chart.

You can get a chainsaw comparable to the Rancher 460 by Husqvarna when you go with the MS 271 from Stihl... and if you want professional grade, cleared for extensive use? Check out the MS 362.

Don't forget, we also offer battery powered Milwaukee and DeWalt chainsaws.

Don't forget, we also offer battery powered Milwaukee, Husqvarna, and DeWalt chainsaws.

Luckily for those that are completely lost with making the decision between DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Husqvarna, these two power tool companies have made it much simpler. The biggest decision to make will be the length of saw. Each of these brands has various length saws ranging up to 20 inches, making them ideal for simple home usage and medium duty operation.

There are a lot of chainsaw brands out there, and if you have a question about a brand we haven't listed, please don't hesitate to reach out to us online or stop in and say hello at your local North 40!