Trimmers/Weed Whackers/Whatever you call 'em

paddy's_mum

Having gone through all the problems detailed here, taken things back, and generally been taken for a ride - we finally invested in a Stihl strimmer, with a solid steel blade, not your average nambypamby nylon string. It has been the best thing since sliced bread.

It cuts through absolutely everything, including tough, thick nettles and brambles. I would never go back to the Black and Decker type strimmer - they are simply not man nor straightforward enough!

However, you should also invest in simple protective clothing - at the very least, safety glasses, and wear stout boots. It's amazing the damage one little piece of broken glass/slate/brick/twig can do when flung off the strimmer at 200 mph!

martindow

You do need to be careful with a brush cutter (steel blade). They are excellent with a powerful motor but if you are cutting near to and hit large solid things like posts or sizeable trees, the machine is thrown sharply to the side. It's fine but you do need to be aware of this. You also want to keep spectators well away as they tend to fling stones up if you go too low. my Stihl machine came with a nylon cord and a blade attachment. Like the post above I found that the cord needed constant attention and was very annoying.

will-he-payitoff

Is the Stihl strimmer any good round a rockery?

scbk

I much prefer the line over steel blades, the line is slightly safer, will cut through almost as much and won't need sharpening. The best line to go for (if you machine is big enough) is 4mm square.