Little Saws That Could

Husqvarna 444se

In 1980, Husky introduced the final development of what had started as the 140, 40cc saw, the 444se. At this time the model designation basically meant that the 4 meant it was the fourth development of this platform and the other four’s obviously related to 44cc. A whole family of saws had been based around the 140 and there were thousands of the little farkers around the place in 44, 140, 240 etc. guise. There were not so many of the 444se’s around however. This was a full on professional saw and stood head and shoulders above its siblings with its closed, well ported cylinder from the factory.

These days we have been inundated by cheap “homeowner” small saws that are junk. We tend to throw every small capacity saw into the “not worth my interest” pile, unless they are a professional top handle arborist style saw. But the 444 was a little bit special.

It came with a full metal handle and clutch cover arrangement that made it a little heavy by todays standard, but it ripped, sounding like a swarm of angry giant mosquito’s in attack mode. For its time it was a rever that maintained good torque and in practice it felt more like a 50cc saw. It was pretty too, looking like a prepubescent 181se before it had had its growth spurt. You could get it with heated handled (SG instead of SE) and the "Nordfeller" splitting attachment that never took off for obvious reasons if you ever look at a youtube clip of one in (slow and tedious) action

It is a saw that has flown under the radar for most collectors and enthusiasts because of its small capacity and because it comes from a family of saws that are common and nothing to write home about. Parts challenges and lack of knowledge of what they are has undoubtedly seen truck loads of these little legends, abused, neglected and pulled apart with little change of ever being put back together in any capacity let alone properly. A great chainsawing tragedy….

As a chainsaw enthusiast I think you have an obligation to have at least one small old saw in your collection. The Husky 444se is a good choice in what is still an incredibly usable little saw which has style, reputation (loved by European loggers as a limbing saw), and solidity. It’s a Pepe top tip for high level collectability in the future as well.