Package
It is difficult to distinguish the packaging, since the level of printing is high. Counterfeit saws are packaged in exact copies of the original boxes. You can distinguish them by the information plate attached. If there are several saws in front of you, compare these plates and the numbers on them. At a minimum they should be different. Each number is unique.
Please note that there is a unique serial number on the box. All saws are manufactured in factories in China.
The inscription Made by Stihl in China is not an indicator of a fake. Saws are produced in factories in China, under the leadership and supervision of the Germans.
There is one visual difference between a fake Stihl saw box and the original one - the fake does not have a pronounced white stripe around the logo and along the entire length of the box.
How to distinguish Chinese counterfeits of Shtil chainsaws
All these differences mentioned above will help the consumer only in branded stores of the German company Stihl. In all other cases, especially when shopping in online stores, the buyer will most likely have to deal with Chinese products, including obvious fakes that have nothing to do with the German company, but in appearance are practically no different from the original with the Stihl brand.
The key word in the last phrase is “practically.” There are still differences between the original Calm chainsaw and the fake. Therefore, even a non-specialist will be able to identify a fake by packaging, appearance, components and price.
Package
Modern technology allows scammers to copy the original box for Stihl chainsaws. However, the dimensions of the branded packaging are a couple of centimeters larger than those of the fake. In addition, a sticker must be placed on the box with the original Calm chainsaw indicating:
- models;
- country of origin;
- barcode;
- serial number.
In this list, special attention should be paid to the nine-digit serial number, which is assigned to each Shtil chainsaw and is necessary for servicing the product in the service centers of this German company. The first digit in this number indicates the country of origin (1 - Germany, 2 - USA, 3 - Brazil, 4 - Austria, 5 - USA or UK, 8 or 9 - China).
The serial number in the form of a stamp on the muffler and a sticker on the back of the case must be present on any branded Shtil chainsaw. If these three numbers on the packaging and body of the product differ in at least one position, it is not an original, but a fake. In addition, the fake is unlikely to be decorated with the inscription “Made in China”.
Accessories
If the packaging does not cause suspicion, then you should carefully examine the contents of the box. Included with a branded Stihl chainsaw are the following:
- instruction manual with version in Russian (without grammatical errors);
- a proprietary tool set consisting of a multi-purpose screwdriver and a spark plug wrench (each of these wrenches must be engraved with the company logo).
In addition, the original tire is packaged in a cardboard case, and the chain is placed in a separate package. The case and packaging must be labeled Stihl.
The presence of a fuel canister, several screwdrivers and other parts in the kit, as well as cellophane packaging of the tire are clear signs of a fake.
Appearance
It is not difficult to distinguish a fake from an original by appearance:
- Pay attention to the quality of the plastic parts, which should not have any defects in the form of burrs, sagging, scratches and obvious marks from the mold.
- Check for the presence of the company logo (engraving only) on the muffler, fuel tank cap and screws on the inside.
- All screws on the product must have a proprietary “star”-shaped screwdriver slot;
- The product tire has only one hole. The presence of an additional window for lubrication is a clear sign of a fake.
- There should be an "S" on each intermediate chain link and the two large nuts on the left side of the saw.
- The air filter holder must have the product number engraved on it. The filter itself is made of dense material with a white outer and brown inner surface.
- The branded product has a bright orange trigger.
- The brake is secured on both sides.
- The branded chainsaw is equipped with special covers with the company logo, which have a patented design, for the fuel and oil tanks.
- There must be a stamp with the serial number on the body of the product (next to the muffler). A sticker with the same number is placed under the muffler.
- In 2015, the appearance of all Stihl chainsaw models was updated. Therefore, now the original and the fake can be distinguished by color, which is not so rich in fakes.
Any deviation from the norm is a sign of a fake.
Price
The cost of a fake Shtil chainsaw usually differs from a similar original model by approximately two times. Therefore, prices for a simple fake start at 5 thousand rubles, and a branded model should not cost less than 10 thousand rubles.
However, this indicator should not be decisive when choosing a chainsaw, since some “businessmen” deliberately inflate prices for counterfeit goods. Therefore, when buying a tool at any retail outlet with the exception of Stihl brand stores, try to bargain.
If the seller falters and lowers the price, then he is clearly trying to sell off a fake, since the branded products of this German company, by definition, cannot be too cheap.
Differences in components
The original kit never includes a canister. If you find a plastic canister, it’s a fake.
The packaging of the chain is similar, the differences are in the markings on the chain itself. The original product contains the company logo. It is missing on the fake.
The original protective case also has the Stihl logo. The fake does not have a logo and the shape of the case is different.
The original tire has no holes near the driven sprocket. The counterfeit is revealed by obvious holes for lubrication of the sprocket.
The only tools included with the original Stihl saw are a screwdriver and a spark plug wrench, which also has the company’s engraving on it. The fake is equipped with an expanded set of tools and placed in a special case.
Equipment
Today, one of the main signs of a fake Stihl MS 170/180 chainsaw is the presence of a special measuring container for fuel in the kit. Original chainsaws are extremely rarely equipped with such a device.
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The fake Stihl chainsaw comes with a similar container
In addition, the chainsaw boxes contain:
Tire cover
The original one has the signature “Stihl” inscription;
Original (top) and fake tire cover
Chain
On the links of the original chain you can read the inscription “Stihl”, on the fake chain there are no words;
Boxes with cutting chain look the same
The links of the original cutting chain are always marked “Stihl”
Chainsaw tire
The original tire most often comes in a cardboard case . The fake one is in a plastic bag. They are also slightly different in color. The main difference between the tires is the absence of an additional oil supply window for the driven sprocket on the original tire.
There is no additional window on the original tire (top)
In addition, Chinese tires most often have a length of 40-45 cm, while the original Stihl MS 170/180 chainsaws are equipped with tires 30-35 cm .
Instructions
operating instructions Except for the fact that the space for the company logo is empty.
There is no “Stihl” inscription on the fake instructions (right)
Case with tools
The original chainsaw comes with only two tools: a multi-purpose screwdriver and a wrench with the inscription “Stihl” without packaging. All.
Counterfeit chainsaw tools come in a case
The set of tools for the original chainsaw is much more modest
The fake boasts more variety:
- gear stop;
- several low-grade keys;
- screwdriver.
Appearance
The original saw is screwed together with star screws. 90% of fakes are either flat or Phillips screwdrivers.
There is a logo on the tank cover. There is no logo on the fake. Also look at the logo on the screws on the back of the tank.
On the muffler/tire side, the original must have an identification plate with a serial number, which must match the number on the box. A counterfeit sign either does not have a sign or is of poor quality and it is clear that over time the inscription will be erased.
The product number is engraved on the muffler body on the original saw.
Differences in filter elements. Remove the cover covering the filter and compare with the photo:
Every part of the original Stihl Ms saw has an article number, every part is perfect. On fakes, residues from molds are visible, flaws in the casting of plastic, and there are no part numbers on the parts.
Video review of the distinctive features of the original Stihl ms saw:
In the following video, in addition to the differences between the original saw, they show the distinctive features of the chain and bar:
Chainsaw STIL 180: comparing the original and the fake
Appearance
Externally, a fake is, in principle, practically indistinguishable from the original. A fake chainsaw is usually made in the same color scheme. To assemble it, screws with the same head as Stihl's are used.
The first small difference can be found on the fuel tank cap. Most often, the “Stihl” engraving is missing on it. Unless, of course, you have a copy in your hands, and not the original.
This engraving is also missing on the tire mounting nuts. Original nuts are usually marked with the letter S.
The original always has a sticker with a 9-digit factory number. It is necessary for the chainsaw to be accepted into an official service center for warranty repairs. On a fake, such a sticker is usually missing.
The muffler of the original product is always engraved “Stihl” indicating the article number. Counterfeiters do not bother with such engraving.
Is it worth buying a fake?
You can buy a Chinese counterfeit only in cases where a chainsaw is needed for several days or if the consumer is confident that he will get a “lucky ticket” and his purchase, assembled in an unknown way and from an unknown source, will serve him without fail for many years. In all other cases, such a purchase will cause a constant headache due to constant settings, regular malfunctions, unexpected breakdowns and too short service life.
The branded Shtil chainsaw, made in China, is suitable for those consumers who buy this tool for a household user. Well, real German Stihl is the choice of professionals involved in logging or wooden house construction.
How to distinguish an original STIHL chainsaw from a fake
Only a unique tool, made in compliance with production standards of properties and safety, is capable of:
- perform its functions perfectly;
- demonstrate the technical abilities declared by the manufacturer;
- ensure safety during operation.
Often, non-original saws have low performance characteristics, quickly break down, cannot cope with work tasks, and some are counterfeit and completely unsafe for health and life.
Purchasing equipment from the manufacturer’s representatives is a guarantee of quality, safety and quality-appropriate prices. Official representatives of the company have a special STIHL Certificate and provide warranty cards along with the product.
In addition to the certificate and warranty cards, there are several reasons that will help distinguish real equipment from a counterfeit product.
STIHL 362 how to distinguish from a fake
The MS-362 saw is a universal tool that can be used for both professional and household purposes. The unit is known for its efficiency, reliability, and ergonomics.
How to distinguish a STIHL-362 chainsaw from a fake:
- Serial number - should be similar on the box, body, under the muffler.
- The hole for the drive sprocket on the tire indicates falsification - unique chainsaws do not have it.
- The presence of a spark plug with the STIHL logo in the package also indicates a counterfeit - the company does not produce spark plugs.
- Counterfeit samples often contain air filters made of poor plastic.
- Uneven parts, imperfections in the edges and seams of the case, poor assembly - all these are features that are unusual for products from a well-known manufacturer.
