[louis]

Hello everyone from South Africa. Due to a long illness from tickbite fever I now only do power carving mainly using KAT tools and hobby chain saws. I now want to buy a decent chainsaw. Can anyone help me decide between an echo modelcs350 TES or a Stihl 192T or200T with a carving bar.
The Echo is a thousand bucks cheaper than the stihl. I am a sculptor and do a lot of figure carving. Thanks

[Pete Rieger]

Hello from Canada,where it is snowing at the moment! I use Stihls,but the Echo saw should be fine, echo sponsors chainsaw carvers and events so they know what they're doing. some websites sell Echo chainsaw carving packages as well, try a google search for Echo carving and see what its about.

[twoclones]

I own both the Stihl 192 and Echo 306. Both have identical sized engines and weigh about 3 kilos. Here [USA] the Stihl costs about $400 and Echo about $300 with dime tip carving bars and 1/4" chains.

There is no comparison between these 2 saws. The Stihl is stronger, has vibration dampening and seems to cut/run better all around. The Echo air filter is poorly designed and frequently becomes clogged with chips. After using both, I'd gladly trade my Echo and some cash for a Stihl.

[psychomikeo500]

I personally use the Stihl ms 170 with the 10 inch dime tip carving bar. have had it for a couple weeks and it works just fine.

[louis]

Dear All,
Thanks for the good and sound advice, but unfortunately my bank balance had the last say and the Echo it will be. For finer detail I will use the KAT chain saws attached to an angle grinder plus the abortech mini and procarver. Until I learn to post photos of my work it can be viewed on southafricanartists.com under the name Bob van Wyk
Blessings Louis

[Pete Rieger]

Nice work, bob. I especially like "Nikita"