Stihl 025 Chainsaw Reviews, Specs, Features, Versions, Price

The STIHL 025 is a homeowner saw made from 1991 until late 2002, making it an old saw today.

It was, and still is,  a popular chainsaw in Stihl’s compact series, designed for “demanding occasional use.”

The 025 is a 45 cc, 3 hp chainsaw that weighs 10.4 lbs. It had a very good power-to-weight ratio for its time and has proven to be reliable and durable.

The chainsaw pictured throughout this article belongs to 025 user Wesley Green. We’ve also featured his Stihl 010 here.

Stihl 025 Chainsaw

The longevity of these old Stihl chainsaws is evidenced by the fact that there are still so many out there.

Production ended over 20 years ago, but the 025 is still a go-to chainsaw for firewood and other light tasks for many.

The 025 is often compared with the more powerful 026. If you were tossing up between the two, the 026 is certainly better, but the 025 isn’t bad.

The STIHL 026 is a pro saw, while the 025 is a homeowner saw, so they’re both in different categories and can’t be fairly compared.

One fellow said:

The 026 is pretty much rebuildable till the end of time and notoriously stronger.

The 025 is clamshell design which makes it hard to work on.

There were at least two versions of the 025:

• STIHL 025 Wood Boss
• STIHL 025 C

Wood Boss or Farm Boss are simply marketing terms. The ‘C’ means that the saw comes with additional comfort features.

The dditional features of the 025 C were:

• Elasto Start – for an easier start
• Air purge – to make starting easier
• Quick chain adjuster – which made tightening the chain easier

Other than these three additional features, they were the same machine – same weight, ccs, horsepower, etc.

Review: Pros And Cons

Here are some comments from those who have used the 025 extensively.

Positive comments from users:

• “025 is a great saw for small stuff.”
• “They were a good saw for mid-size wood.”
• “Noticeably stronger than the MS 180.”
• “Been running an 025 for many years with an 18” .325 – great little 3hp saw.”
• “I am thoroughly impressed by this little 025.”
• “Love my 025. I got mine for 60 dollars. It’s still my favorite.”
• “Bought mine brand new, and it’s never let me down.”
• “They are the biggest little saw ever built.”
• “The 025 is a good saw for the money but it is a cheaply built saw. If you want something to last a lifetime, find an 026, 260, or 261.”

This guy loves his 025s:

I own three Stihl 025s. I bought my first one 2 years ago and run it with an 18 bar and chain. The 025 runs .325 pitch .063 gauge 66 drive links or 68.

I absolutely love my 025. I bought the second because only thing wrong was a broken brake handle and only paid $110 and I can easily resell it for $200 to $250 USD. The 3rd I bought for a parts saw for $80 and the only thing wrong was a gas line.

I couldn’t get rid of a good saw apart because of 1 gas line so I fixed it and I now have 3 running 025s. I haven’t changed anything on them and have run them commercially for 2 years now.

As I said I run a 18″ bar and yellow chisel chain and it’s a straight ripper. Keep the filter clean and use good fuel in it and it will outlast you, my friend.

And the other side of the coin…

Negative comments:

• “Homeowner junk.”
• “Wouldn’t touch a non-pro saw.”
• “I hate clamshell saws.”
• “Nice little saws when you get them for free or cheap – not worth paying much for.”
• “I’d only have one if it were given to me, and it’d sit until I found somebody else to give it to.”

The 025 could be considered a bit heavy by today’s standards, but it’s still very easy to work with.

Remember, it’s a small homeowner chainsaw, so if you use it as such, you shouldn’t have any problems. Even though it’s been out of production for 20 years, there are still plenty of parts out there, including OEM parts.

It is a good small firewood saw and an easy limber.

Specs and Features

This screenshot is from the original 2001 Stihl 025 chainsaw product listing – got to love that old web design!

025 specifications:

• Displacement: 45cc / 2.77 cu. in.
• Power output: 3 hp / 2.2 kW
• Weight: 10.3 lbs / 4.6 kgs
• Bore: 1.7″ / 42 mm
• Stroke: 1.26″ / 32 mm
• Bar length: 12 – 18″
• Chain: #3977 26RM2-62 chain (here on Amazon for 16″ bar)

All 025 models have electronic ignitions, unlike saws like the base model 015 or all versions of the 031 AV which have points ignition. 

One way to identify the older Stihl chainsaws is by the fuel and oil tank caps. Before the flip caps of the MS series chainsaws, the ‘0 series’ had screw-on caps that were generally tougher to open.

Also, the older models have a red lever rather than a black lever. Many people prefer the red lever versions, such as one FB commenter who said:

Red is older. I usually look for red levers to rebuild. For some reason they seem to be screamers.

As someone else joked, the red lever doesn’t mean a nitrous oxide boost!

If your saw has flip caps and a chain adjuster at the front, you might have a “Stihl 250/025 Transformer”—this was just before the 025 was phased out and the MS 250 was introduced.

Download the Stihl 025 manual here.

We’ve already mentioned most of the features of the 025 in passing, but here they are to summarize.

Stihl 025 features:

• Great power to weight ratio – compared to other saws of the time
• Side access chain tensioner – better than the older style front mount tensioner
• Master control lever – on/off, choke, and throttle control with one hand
• Easy off air filter cover – a great improvement on older chainsaws
• Inboard-mounted chain brake – keeps it away from dirt and debris
• Outboard mounted sprocket – easier to install bar and chain
• Easy sprocket replacement – you only need your chainsaw wrench
• Two piston rings – hold compression over a longer time and cool more efficiently
• Electronic ignition – more reliable and easier to work on than older ignition systems

On the original sales page, the 025 was described like this:

Has an excellent power to weight ratio.

Side access chain tensioner is standard, as is the Master Control Lever. Quick Chain Adjuster is also available as an option.

Has a lifetime ignition warranty.

It has many great features that were not common to most chainsaws of the era.

The 025 was usually sold with a 16-inch bar, but it’s rated for use with anything from 12″ – 18″.

Most users agree that it’s better to run with smaller bars rather than an 18″, as it loses some of its guts pulling the longer chain.

The Stihl 025 is also often used for:

• Dropping small trees
• Clean up after hurricanes and storms
• Pruning and limbing trees
• As a light-use farm chainsaw
• Other light yard work

The 025 also makes for a great backup chainsaw or one to keep in the boot or on the tractor for dealing with downed trees.

Price And Parts

How much should you buy or sell a Stihl 025 for?

It will all depend on the condition of the saw and the market, but a good example will sell for $200 – $250.

An 025 in good condition for under $150 is a steal.

At the time of writing, they are priced between $31 and $300 on eBay, so there is a lot of variation.

Check out the Stihl 025 on eBay here and see if you can score a deal today.

Where can you get parts for the 025?

Here are some of our favorite spots:

• On eBay here – carbs, spark plugs, ignition coils, crankcase, and everything else
• HL Supply here – a huge range of Stihl OEM parts
• On Amazon here – carbs, oil lines, chains, bars, hardware, air filters, etc.

You can also ask in your local area chainsaw group on Facebook—you’d be surprised at how many people have old Stihl chainsaws sitting around looking for a new home.

Stihl 025 FAQs

What year did Stihl make the 025 chainsaw?

The Stihl 025 years made were 1991 – 2002, at which time it was replaced by the Stihl MS250 chainsaw.

Find out more about Stihl chainsaw production years here.

Is Stihl 025 a pro saw?

The 025 is not a pro saw like the Stihl 056 or 075. It’s an occasional use home and farm chainsaw.

As long as you use it appropriately, you won’t be disappointed.

How many CCs is an old 25 Stihl chainsaw?

The Stihl 025 specification is a 45 cc chainsaw. 45 ccs is a mid-range homeowner chainsaw.

The highest powered homeowners saws go up to around 60 ccs, such as the MS 310.

The lowest-powered homeowner saws are 25 – 30 ccs. The Stihl 023 has slightly less power at 40 ccs and it’s the same series as the 025 (Series 1123).

Where was the Stihl 025 chainsaw made?

Stihl chainsaws are made in the US – at least, most of those sold in the US are.

The 015 was the first saw to be made in the USA, starting in 1974. Not all 025s were made in the US.

You can share the serial number with your Stihl dealer for more information on your specific model.