adler

In 1919, the father-son team of Josef and Philipp Schmitt founded a blacksmith forge in the small German town of Wiesental. Four generations later, the Schmitt family continue to produce some of the highest quality gardening and forestry equipment available today. Although the forge has moved a little north of its original location, the company has an incredibly strong heritage, rooted deeply in the same South German forests it was conceived in.

Adler equipment is as handsome as it gets. Their gardening tools are well built and their axes robust, but it's their fantastic looks that elevate the offering. They're tools that look as good hanging up in the shed as they do at work in the woods or flower beds. In terms of materials, they use high-grade C45/C60 steel for durable edges that will last as long as you do, whilst handles are fashioned from FSC-certified Ash or American Hickory. To add to their eco-credentials, paints are water-based to prevent toxic waste and the factory itself is powered using waste wood (up to 700KW), so even if their beautifully made products weren't enough, their comprehensive sustainability practices ensured they were a shoo-in for The List.