Stihl MS 361 NOS Chainsaw (Used Valuation)
A seller’s “NOS” label does not prove an MS 361 is unused, safe, or worth a premium. I would value it from recent sold prices for comparable MS 361 saws, then adjust for verified condition, included parts, and local demand. Without the saw’s details and current sold comparisons, a specific dollar figure would be guesswork.
If you are weighing an old professional saw against a newer purchase, the hard part is separating condition from sales language. “New old stock,” or NOS, usually means an item was not sold when new and has remained in storage. It is a seller’s description, not proof that the saw has never been run or that its parts still work.
I focus on evidence: model and serial markings, signs of use, a safe function test, and recent completed sales of comparable MS 361s. A saw can look untouched and still need service. That distinction should shape both your offer and your expectations.
What “NOS” means for MS 361 value
NOS describes a seller’s claim that an item is unused, older stock. It does not confirm that the saw is complete, unmodified, or mechanically sound. For valuation, treat the claim as unverified until the saw’s history, condition, and operation support it.
An MS 361 is a 59 cm³, two-stroke professional chainsaw. Its age, condition, and local market matter more than a label or original-looking box. Even if the saw has never cut wood, long storage can affect fuel-system parts, seals, ignition components, and the oiling system.
I do not assign a collectible premium based on packaging alone. A box or manual can improve completeness, but it cannot show whether the engine starts, the chain brake works, or the oil pump supplies the bar.
How to establish a defensible price
A defensible valuation starts with sold listings, not asking prices. Compare MS 361 saws that have actually sold in your region, then adjust for verified condition, completeness, and repairs. If you cannot find enough comparable sales, report a range or say there is not enough evidence for a reliable estimate.
Search completed sales for the same model and note the sale date, location, and what came with each saw. Exclude listings with unclear model identity or major differences in condition. Asking prices can show what sellers hope to get, but they do not confirm what buyers paid.
| Evidence from comparable sales | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Same MS 361 model and similar condition | Best starting point for a comparison |
| Running saw, but no recent service record | Compare with other running, unserviced saws |
| Tested and serviced saw with documented work | Consider separately from unserviced examples |
| Untested, incomplete, or non-running saw | Do not value as a verified runner |
| Bar, chain, tools, manuals, or packaging included | Note separately; do not assume they justify a large premium |
Use this basic method:
- Record several recent sold prices for comparable MS 361s.
- Remove sales that are clearly unlike the saw you are assessing.
- Compare the remaining examples by mechanical condition and included parts.
- Subtract known repair costs from the relevant comparison value.
- Keep uncertainty visible if the saw has not been inspected or run.
There is no reliable dollar estimate without current comparable sales and details about the individual saw. Region, condition, and sale timing can all change the result. A confident price built on the wrong comparisons is less useful than a cautious estimate with clear limits.
Inspection means checking identity, completeness, safety parts, and mechanical function before treating the saw as ready to use. For an old saw claimed as unused, I would keep “looks clean” separate from “verified sound.” If you are not trained to inspect or test it, use a qualified chainsaw technician.
Start with clear photographs of the model and serial markings, bar and chain stamps, accessories, and packaging. Check whether the saw appears modified or incomplete. Look for damage, missing fasteners, cracked or loose handles, and signs of fuel or oil leakage.
Next, check the safety equipment and cutting setup:
- Confirm the chain brake, throttle lockout, and chain catcher are present and appear intact.
- Check that the bar and chain fit the saw and each other.
- Read the bar stamp and verify the chain’s pitch, gauge, and drive-link count.
- Inspect the chain, bar rails, and sprocket for wear or damage.
- Do not treat a new-looking chain as proof that the saw is unused.
The MS 361 uses a standard 3/8-inch pitch chain, not 3/8-inch low-profile. Common chain gauges include .050 and .063 inches, but the correct choice depends on the actual bar and sprocket. Match the chain to the markings and the saw’s setup; do not guess from the model name alone.
Safe start and function test
A function test checks whether the saw starts and its controls and oiling system work as intended. It does not replace a full inspection or service record. If the saw is unverified, stop at any sign of a fault and have a qualified technician assess it before use.
Use fresh fuel mixed at Stihl’s specified 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil ratio when using approved two-stroke oil. Follow the oil maker’s fuel-quality guidance. Never use straight gasoline in a two-stroke saw.
If testing is justified, follow the MS 361 manual’s starting procedure on stable ground. Use a correctly matched bar and chain, and wear chainsaw-rated protective equipment, including a helmet with face and eye protection, hearing protection, leg protection, gloves, and boots. Do not run the saw at high speed without its bar and chain properly fitted.
Check that the controls work and that the chain brake engages. Confirm bar-oil supply using the manual’s method. Stop if the chain moves at idle, lubrication is absent, the saw behaves abnormally, or you find a safety fault. A chain brake helps reduce risk but does not prevent every injury.
Bar length and work suitability
Bar length should match the wood, chain setup, and operator’s skill, rather than the longest bar that can be fitted. Typical MS 361 setups use 16- to 25-inch bars, but check the saw’s manual and the fitted bar-and-chain combination before buying or cutting.
A longer bar can increase the load on the saw and expose more of the bar nose. Contact with the upper quadrant of the nose can cause rotational kickback, throwing the saw back toward the operator. Keep the nose clear, avoid cutting with the tip, maintain a firm two-handed grip, and never operate above shoulder height.
For routine work, consider the diameter and type of wood you expect to cut. Do not treat a 25-inch bar as a reason to cut larger or more difficult wood than your training allows. Felling and other high-risk work require competent planning and compliance with applicable ANSI Z133 and OSHA requirements.
Valuation scenarios: what the evidence supports
These scenarios show how I separate a seller’s claim from a supported valuation. They are not actual sale records or price quotes. The right comparison still depends on recent sold listings in your area and the specific saw’s condition.
| Saw presented for sale | Valuation approach |
|---|---|
| Boxed saw described as NOS, not inspected or tested | Value as unverified; do not add a new-saw premium based on the box |
| Clean saw that starts, but has no service history | Compare with running, unserviced MS 361s; note remaining uncertainty |
| Saw inspected, serviced, and function-tested with records | Compare with documented, verified examples |
| Saw with damaged safety parts, missing components, or a fault | Deduct known repair costs or value only as a repair project |
In evaluations, the distinction I watch most closely is “starts” versus “ready for work.” A saw may start and still have a weak oiling system, worn cutting parts, or a safety issue. That is why I would not price a brief start-up as equivalent to a documented inspection and service.
For any scenario, write down what was checked and what remains unknown. If a technician identifies needed work, price that work separately and account for it in the offer. Do not assume the seller’s estimate of repairs is accurate without an independent assessment.
Maintenance, inspection, and sharpening
Maintenance affects both operating safety and resale value. A saw that has been stored for years may need attention even if it has little or no cutting time. Keep the inspection record specific: identify the parts checked, the work done, and any remaining faults.
Check the chain for damage and sharpness, and inspect the bar and sprocket for wear. Set chain depth gauges, often called rakers, to the chain maker’s specification. A 0.65 mm (0.025-inch) setting is a common Stihl reference for specified full-size chains, not a universal setting for every chain.
For engine tuning, use the applicable MS 361 service data and a tachometer. Approximate service figures are 2,800 rpm at idle and 13,500 rpm maximum, but these are not a substitute for the correct procedure and model-specific data. Do not adjust by ear or change settings to make an unverified saw sound stronger.
Storage and seasonal care
Storage care can help preserve a saw, but it cannot prove the saw is NOS or mechanically sound. For a valuation, record how the seller says it was stored and treat that account as background information, not as a condition test.
Ask whether the saw was stored with fuel in it, whether it was periodically serviced, and whether its original parts or accessories are included. Verify claims where possible. Old fuel or long storage can mean added service needs, so budget for inspection before relying on the saw for work.
After any test, engage the chain brake, shut the saw down, let it cool, and clean it. Record findings and repairs. This creates a more useful basis for resale than simply repeating “unused” in the listing.
Conclusion: how to buy with confidence
The MS 361 may be a good fit for demanding cutting, but its name and NOS label do not establish its present value. Build your estimate from recent sold comparables, confirm the model and setup, and separate untested, running, and serviced condition. If the seller will not allow reasonable checks, price the uncertainty into your decision.
FAQ
Does NOS mean an MS 361 is new?
No. NOS is a seller’s claim that the saw is unused old stock. It does not prove the saw’s history or current mechanical condition.
Can I estimate its value without sold listings?
You can describe its condition, but a defensible market estimate needs recent sold comparisons. Asking prices alone do not show what buyers paid.
Should an NOS MS 361 get a premium?
Only if evidence supports the condition and local sold comparisons support the price. Original packaging alone is not proof of serviceability.
What should I check first?
Verify the model and serial markings, then inspect completeness, safety parts, bar and chain fit, and visible damage. Have a qualified technician check an unverified saw.
What fuel mix does the MS 361 use?
Stihl specifies a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil mix when using approved two-stroke oil. Use fresh fuel and follow the oil maker’s fuel guidance.
What chain pitch does it use?
The MS 361 uses standard 3/8-inch pitch chain, not 3/8-inch low-profile. Confirm the bar’s gauge and the chain’s drive-link count before fitting it.
Is a 25-inch bar suitable?
It may be used in some setups, but suitability depends on the saw’s guidance, bar-and-chain combination, wood, and operator skill. A longer bar increases load and kickback exposure.
Is a saw that starts ready to work?
Not necessarily. Starting does not confirm safe controls, proper oiling, sound cutting parts, or recent service.
What if the seller refuses a function test?
Treat the saw as unverified and do not value it as a tested runner. Consider a technician’s inspection or walk away if the risk does not fit your budget.
Can original packaging prove the saw is unused?
No. Packaging may support completeness, but it does not prove the saw has never been run or that its aged components still work.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Marcus Thorne. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
