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Does it have white flowers? If not it may be a berberis:
https://www.best4hedging.co.uk/images/berberis-x-ottawensis-hedge-plants-p10-2313_zoom.jpg
You could take it right back to the ground, they usually recover, take some cuttings if you're worried it may die. Feed the soil after with that tasty chicken manure pellets and add a mulch. It's probably a good wind break as it is, if that's a consideration.
spindrift-
Not one of those, it looks like the Alien of the hedge world. Terrifying amount of spokes. I don't want to take it right back, as it secures the garden from the woods at the back - a very good job it does as well due to aforementioned spikes, but it's just too big. It could do with 4 feet off the top and a lot of weight taking out the middle/tidying up.
Will look at loppers @rhowe but thats definitely going to be a tough day or 2. Maybe the best option. And yes, already considerig the different items of protective clothing I can use.
Don't think next doors is a stihl but didn't look too shabby just struggled with the thickeness and toughness of the branches. Reckon a still will hold up better?
TM
I've got a huge (15 foot-ish high) spiky hedge along the bottom of my garden, not sure what it is but it has on average 1-2cm thick branches absolutely sheathed in spikes.
It was getting out of hand when we moved in this time last year, it's now confirmed out of hand and want to cut it back before it grows/leaves again.
Next door has a petrol hedge trimmer thing with an extension (hedge goes along their side as well) but saw him using it last year and it wasn't very effective or speedy.
What's the best tool for the job? Cheaper is better than expensive. Quicker is better than slower. (It's about 35 feet across so lots of trimming to do)
Wondering if high quality shears and a ladder would be best bet. Would prefer a powered and less energy intensive method though.