Stihl is the best. Well worth the money if you plan to use it heavily. Size will depend on what you are cutting. The dealers are very good at recommending the right saw for you.

GM1

Agreed with Stihl. If you're a hunk kind of guy you can carry the home/rancher type which are heavier than the Pro/arborist/forester types which are used all day.
We just had a tricky job last week taking out a cabled , 3-prong silver maple out of a backyard, in pieces, because the fences were all too close. There i had to climb 30' + and used my little top-handled stihl with 12" blade.
I've found Stihl well worth the price for lightness and efficiency.Prefer 55cc or over for average work with 18" blade. Have several sizes now....all will be well used if we get the community property with mostly hardwoods.
The older ones don't have electronic ignition ( if you're concerned about emp's), but parts can be harder to get.
On the other hand one could buy the electronic parts for backup if you get zapped.
Saving for a 90cc or bigger for those special occasions or ripping boards from logs .

i got the same sthill since over 20 years, and i work in the wood, all summer long cutting some road
i you want enjoy take over 65 hp

A little Sthil TL120 is a great little saw. Light and easy handled. You can make a mess in a hurry!

I figured 18 to be about my size. I won't use it often but when I need it it's for big jobs.

Another echo for Stihl. Surprised though to see so many (correct) opinions, without the supporting information.

Stihl is "best" for one major reason; it's refusal to switch many important drive and gear components from strong steel to cheaper/lighter carbon fiber and vinyl.

You definitely get what you pay for - a long lasting, trustworthy tool.

I'm a Stihl baby, too, for all of the reasons - durability and lifespan for price, quality of parts - plus I find their customer service to be simply fantastic and I'm happy with the amount of American materials or reclaimed materials and American construction of parts.
As we replace things, we're heading in the Stihl direction more and more, hand tools and pruners to chain saws to shop vac.
I do some Stanley, but when we bought the 6-in-1 or 9-in-1 wrecker bar and the first partially-disassembled shipping pallet saw it already denting from a fairly soft-hitting hammer, I've been less inclined to go there.
I'm happy with Husqvarna, but parts are a little harder to come by in my area so I have to order and anticipate more. They also seem to be a little less friendly for "fudging" bits and pieces for a quick fix.
I like the Stihl instructions better as a rule, too.
I do prefer the small Husqvarna electric chainsaw (about 18"), although a buddy has a pretty sexy Oregon 40V electric that makes my mouth water a little. It's heavy, though, and it's bulkier to maneuver in and around limbs.

Yup, Stihl all the way.

Gotta agree with the Stihl in what ever size one small one large if you need
They are like a Timex "Take a liken and keep on tiken"

I'll add to the Stihl chorus. As for size, I have a 45cc model with a 16" bar. It's light enough to use for extended periods, and I haven't hit anything I haven't been able to do with it yet - although it might take me a little longer.

if this is your first saw, I'd suggest something smaller and learn to use it safely before moving up. And get yourself some cutting pants or chaps!

My current saw is a Poulan electric POS. But it works so it's not really a pos.

I take it back. I used it today and it's quite handy. The quick electric on off is nice

You can't go wrong with a small johnsonred

Stick with Stihl. Always.

Bought my wife a smaller Johnsonred in mid-July (I was out of commission with post-cancer surgery recuperation) and it was busted and useless almost immediately. Returned it for full refund this past friday.

Saw Home Depot had a major sale on Echo saws so i grabbed her one of those. It crapped out after just 6 hrs of medium-heavy work cutting on Saturday. Grabbed a neighbour's Poulan just so we could finish our work and it while it didn't break down, it just had no power compared to a good saw. Soft or hard wood it didn't matter... it had difficulties no matter what.

My Stihl on the other hand was the hardest working saw for almost 10hrs straight and never even hiccuped. Haven't had an issue with it or any other Stihl in 9 years. Definitely going to just save up another couple months and get the bride a good Stihl. Probably wasted close to $100 in gas just driving to buy and then return these crappy budget saws.