My first saw was a 18 inch Poulan that I bought at a home center along with a Troy built horse tiller. Both the saw and tiller gave me good use for 30 plus years. When the poulan died I went with a Stihl 18 inch. That saw served me well but after 10 years kept needing to go to the shop. I picked up an echo 18 inch saw about 5 years ago and it runs and starts great. It was a cheaper saw than the Stihl but performed on par.