Craftsman chainsaws are made in multiple countries depending on the model and production year. Manufacturing has occurred in the United States, Mexico, and China under licensed partners. Today, the brand is owned by Stanley Black & Decker, with newer electric models often produced through Black+Decker and gas models historically made by companies such as MTD, Poulan, or Roper using globally sourced parts.
The History Behind Craftsman Chainsaws
The Craftsman brand has a rich legacy dating back nearly a century, beginning long before chainsaws became part of its product lineup.
How the Craftsman brand started
Craftsman’s journey began on May 20, 1927, when Sears, Roebuck and Co. registered the trademark after acquiring it from the Marion-Craftsman Tool Company. Arthur Barrows, who headed Sears’ hardware department, reportedly purchased the rights to use the Craftsman name for just $500. This modest investment would eventually grow into one of America’s most recognized tool brands.
Initially, Craftsman focused primarily on serving farmers who needed reliable, affordable tools. The brand quickly established a reputation for quality by introducing what would become its hallmark: a lifetime warranty on hand tools that allowed customers to exchange defective items indefinitely at Sears stores.
Sears and the early years of Craftsman tools
By 1929, just two years after its launch, Craftsman expanded beyond hand tools into power equipment with the introduction of its first electric drills, marketed as “powerful,” “rugged,” and “well balanced”. This move signaled the brand’s growing ambitions in the power tool market.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, despite the economic challenges of the Great Depression, Craftsman continued to innovate and grow. By 1940, Craftsman power tool sales had increased an astonishing 1550% since their introduction. In 1932, the brand introduced the first vanadium steel wrench, which was 50% thinner yet 200% stronger than previous models.
For many decades thereafter, Craftsman remained synonymous with Sears, becoming one of the most trusted names in American tools. Notably, in 2001, consumers ranked Craftsman number one in quality among all American brands according to a Harris Poll.
The 2017 sale to Stanley Black & Decker
After controlling the iconic tool brand for 90 years, Sears Holdings announced in January 2017 that it would sell Craftsman to Stanley Black & Decker for approximately $900 million. The deal was finalized on March 9, 2017.
The acquisition terms included an immediate payment of $525 million to Sears, followed by a $250 million payment after three years. Furthermore, the agreement entitled Sears to receive annual payments of between 2.5% and 3.5% on new Stanley Black & Decker sales of Craftsman products through year 15.
Importantly, Sears maintained the right to manufacture and sell Craftsman products royalty-free through its existing supply channels for 15 years following the sale. Meanwhile, Stanley Black & Decker gained the ability to expand Craftsman’s availability beyond Sears stores.
Who Makes Craftsman Chainsaws Today
Understanding who actually builds Craftsman chainsaws today requires looking at several manufacturers with complex relationships. The production of these tools involves multiple companies with interconnected ownership structures.
The role of Husqvarna in manufacturing
Craftsman chainsaws are primarily manufactured by the Husqvarna Group, a Swedish company with a remarkable history dating back to 1689, making it one of the oldest continuously running companies in the world. As a global leader in outdoor power products, Husqvarna brings considerable expertise to Craftsman chainsaw production. Their manufacturing capabilities include robotic lawn mowers, garden tractors, trimmers, and, of course, chainsaws.
Husqvarna’s involvement explains why many Craftsman chainsaws share design elements and technology with other Husqvarna products. This connection ensures that although Craftsman chainsaws are generally priced lower than Husqvarna-branded models, they still benefit from proven engineering expertise.
Poulan and MTD connections
Interestingly, Poulan also plays a significant role in Craftsman chainsaw production. This connection exists because Poulan is owned by the Husqvarna Group, creating a family relationship between the brands. Many Craftsman chainsaws with the model prefix “358” are manufactured by Poulan, which explains why certain Craftsman and Poulan chainsaws appear nearly identical.
Additionally, MTD contributes to the Craftsman lineup, primarily producing models with the “316” prefix and those bearing the “Incredi-pull” logo. MTD also manufactures the Craftsman chainsaw with model number 41AY429S799, illustrating how production is distributed among different companies.
How Stanley Black & Decker fits in
After purchasing the Craftsman brand from Sears in 2017, Stanley Black & Decker became the brand owner but didn’t immediately change all manufacturing arrangements. The company has been strategically reshoring production of various Craftsman tools from China to the United States. Their goal is to increase American-made Craftsman tools from about 40% to approximately 70% over the next few years.
Nevertheless, for chainsaws specifically, Stanley Black & Decker continues to rely on established manufacturing partnerships rather than building these tools in-house. Consequently, the relationship with Husqvarna and its subsidiaries remains essential for Craftsman chainsaw production.
Where Are Craftsman Chainsaws Made?
Despite the iconic American image, the question of where Craftsman chainsaws are made has a complex answer that might surprise many tool enthusiasts.
Made in USA: Fact or marketing?
The “Made in USA” claim for Craftsman chainsaws deserves careful examination. In fact, a lawsuit alleged that Sears deceptively advertised its Craftsman tools as American-made when many were manufactured overseas. Court documents revealed that by 2005, a staggering 70% of Craftsman products were not made in the USA. This significant shift occurred quietly, as Sears reportedly chose not to disclose this information despite knowing customers believed these tools were American-made.
Chainsaw parts vs. assembly locations
Understanding Craftsman chainsaw origins requires distinguishing between parts manufacturing and final assembly. For most modern Craftsman chainsaws, components come from multiple countries before reaching assembly facilities. Critical parts like engines might originate from one country, while chains, bars, and plastic housings come from others. Moreover, even “assembled in USA” products often contain a high percentage of foreign-made components.
Manufacturing in China, Taiwan, and Brazil
Currently, Craftsman chainsaws are primarily manufactured in:
- China (most electric and budget gas models)
- Taiwan (mid-range gas models)
- Brazil (select professional-grade models)
Interestingly, Taiwan-manufactured Craftsman products generally receive higher quality ratings than their Chinese counterparts. This distinction has become important enough that some tool enthusiasts specifically seek Taiwan-made Craftsman products.
How to identify where your chainsaw was made
You can determine your Craftsman chainsaw’s origin by checking:
- The model number prefix (358 typically indicates Poulan/Husqvarna manufacturing)
- Country of origin marking (usually on the engine housing or information plate)
- Date code (manufacturing date often helps identify production location)
These identification methods help consumers make informed decisions based on their preferences regarding manufacturing origin.
How Craftsman Chainsaws Compare to Other Brands
Examining the performance and value differences helps buyers understand what they’re really getting when choosing Craftsman chainsaws over competitors.
Craftsman vs. Husqvarna
While many assume Craftsman and Husqvarna chainsaws are identical, significant distinctions exist. Husqvarna manufactures many Craftsman models, yet their own-brand products typically feature higher-quality components. Husqvarna often removes the bottom half of the clamshell in their versions, creating structural differences. Consequently, Craftsman chainsaws generally offer good quality at lower price points than comparable Husqvarna models.
Craftsman vs. Poulan Pro
The relationship between these brands runs deep, as both are ultimately connected to Husqvarna Group. Craftsman chainsaws with the “358” prefix are manufactured by Poulan, explaining their nearly identical appearances. Formerly, older Poulan Pros were based on high-quality Pioneer or Partner models. However, today’s versions share manufacturing processes with minimal differences beyond cosmetic changes.
Craftsman vs. DeWalt and Echo
Echo gas saws typically outperform similarly-priced Craftsman models in cutting capability. Similarly, DeWalt’s battery-powered options excel in cutting performance tests. The Craftsman CMCCS620M1 20V battery model, conversely, registers extremely slow cutting speeds through hardwood.
Price vs. performance comparison
Craftsman positions itself firmly in the value brand tier alongside Ryobi, Poulan Pro, Oregon, and Black+Decker. At approximately $199 for an 18″ 42cc model, Craftsman offers adequate performance for occasional users cutting 1-2 cords annually.
Conclusion
Throughout this exploration of Craftsman chainsaws, we’ve uncovered the complex reality behind their manufacturing origins. Despite their iconic American image, most Craftsman chainsaws actually come from overseas facilities in China, Taiwan, and Brazil. This revelation certainly challenges the perception many consumers hold about these tools.
Understanding the Craftsman brand requires acknowledgment of its rich history dating back to 1927 with Sears, followed by the significant 2017 transition to Stanley Black & Decker ownership. The actual production, however, primarily falls under Husqvarna Group’s management, with additional manufacturing by Poulan and MTD. This multi-company arrangement explains why certain Craftsman models closely resemble other brands’ offerings.
For consumers seeking quality assurance, knowing how to identify your chainsaw’s origin becomes particularly valuable. The model prefix offers immediate clues – “358” typically indicates Poulan/Husqvarna manufacturing, while “316” suggests MTD production. Additionally, Taiwan-manufactured models generally receive higher quality ratings than their Chinese counterparts.
