The MS 291 is a no-nonsense saw built for guys who cut all day. It runs a 55.5 cc, two-cycle engine that lays down strong, steady power (about 2.8 kW) so you slice through big logs without the engine bogging. The motor uses STIHL’s fuel-saving 2-MIX design — you get longer run time between fill-ups and lower exhaust than older models. Stihl set this saw up to be easy to keep running. The pre-separation air filter throws out big dust before it hits the main filter, so you clean or swap filters less often on dusty jobs. The machine also has a proper anti-vibration system and a side-access chain tensioner so you don’t fight the saw when you’re changing or tightening the chain. There are toolless fuel and oil caps and a decompression feature that makes starting simpler on cold mornings.
On cutting kit: the MS 291 takes a 20-inch guide bar and works with .325" pitch, .050" gauge saw chain in the 81-drive-link range — the Rapid™ Micro (RM / RM3) style chain is a good match for felling and bucking because it balances aggressive cutting with lower kickback and longer edge life. If you want a 20" setup with that chain spec, STIHL offers compatible 20" bars and 81-link Rapid™ Micro chains as kits for this model. The saw’s real value is how it balances power and weight: enough grunt to cut larger trees, but light enough to carry and handle all day. Controls are placed for quick access, and the parts you touch most — caps, tensioner, air filter — are built so a quick field service keeps the saw running without a dealer trip. That equals less downtime at the job and more wood on the pile.
