STIHL has a range of cool die-cast models of both vintage and modern chainsaws.
They are not available in all countries, but the ones pictured below are for sale from the STIHL merch store in the UK, as one example.
I’ve shared them here in order of production.
First up, the STIHL Model A, which was the company’s first gas chainsaw, introduced in 1929.
Next is the STIHL BBU.
The BBU is another very eary STIHL Chainsaw: 158 cc, made from 1936 – 1954 and weighing 30 kgs or 66 lbs.
The STIHL BL Chainsaw was made through the 1950s.
It was one of the first one-man saws for forestry. It was 125 cc, could be used with a 16 – 32 inch bar, and weighed 19 kgs or 41.8 lbs.
Next, the STIHL model BLK (also known as the STIHL Blitz in the US).
This 98 cc chainsaw was made from 1954 to 1973. It was for use with 12 – 24 inch bars and weighed 11 kgs/24.2 lbs.
Next, one of the most recognizable STIHL Chainsaw models: the Contra Lightning, made from 1959 – 1968.
And lastly (as far as chainsaws go), the model MS 500i, which entered production in 2019, but quickly gained legendary status.
It’s the only one of these STIHL die-cast chainsaw models that’s currently in production.
The description on this one says:
Collectors model, painted in original colours, scale 1:10, die-cast zinc with polymer parts, individually packed in a transparent display box, made by Schuco.
And we get a look at the 1:10 scale in this image.
Pretty cool, but I think I’d rather have my STIHL Chainsaw keyring (it makes a sound like a real saw).
Lastly, STIHL has also created a die-cast VW T1 Bus from 1955.
But I have no idea what the link between this VW bus and STIHL is, other than that they’re both German!
The STIHL VW T1 model bus is a collectible replica of the classic Volkswagen T1 “Split-screen” bus—specifically styled after a 1955 version.
Its real-life counterpart was born from a 1947 sketch by Ben Pon, entered production in 1950, and became a cultural icon over the following decades, celebrated for its distinctive design and symbolic role in 1960s freedom movements.
But its link to STIHL? You tell me!
