A FINE CUT

A POWERFUL LITTLE GARDEN PRUNER THAT IS THE IDEAL TOOL FOR TRIMMING FIREWOOD WHEN IN THE BUSH

- KEV SMITH

IT WAS WAY back in 1926 that Andreas Stihl designed an electric-powered chainsaw that was to revolutionise the world of commercial and residential gardeners. With a small factory in Stuttgart, Germany, he soon started an assembly line making petrol-powered chainsaws. Over a period of 90 years Stihl has grown into a huge company, with eight factories in Germany, production companies on four continents, and supplying products to 90 countries. In 2009 Stihl launched its cordless range of hedge trimmers which were quiet and powerful, and several years later a new era began with a complete range of lithium-ion battery-powered tools.