Rod I've been watching the show that comes on after ax men, tougher in Alaska "I think that's the name of the show" and it's pretty wild what people go through there. The owner of our business has a fishing lodge in Alaska (click on the link below) and the only way they have of getting there is by a bush plane. The one thing about being where they are located is being prepared, cause if you need something it's not like you can run down to the local wal-mart. Also if you get hurt, it can become a life and death situation too. He has guides that work for him, but finding fish isn't what they do, the river is full of fish when the Salmon are running. Their main job is holding a rifle and keeping a watch out for bears. They are always scanning for bears so the fishermen can fish without the worry of a bear attack. Needless to say when the Salmon is running it's their "bears" territory, they love them Salmon too. Anyway, the guest don't go anywhere without a gun or a guide. If anyone would like to go on one of his fishing trips let me know, I'm sure I can get him to take some off the price. :-)

http://www.kiklukhlodge.com/index.php

Gene

I haven't seen the show, but as for your reference to Les Stroud vs Bear Grylls...

It seems to me that Les doesn't do much except sit around, complain about bugs, and worry that he might have to stop the trip because of camera issues.

Bear doesn't just lounge around, he's constantly trying to get from point A to point B. I also think he shows a lot more resourcefulness.

I suppose, from a survival standpoint, if your plan is to stand there and wait for rescue, Survivorman might be useful. (I did think the show on being at home during a natural disaster was good).

But I think that if you're the "I got myself into this, I'm going to get myself out," type of guy, Bear's show is more informative.

:-)

I look at Bears tv show the same way I looked at Steve Irwin, Now, dont get me wrong, I have a deep respect for the work and life of Steve Irwin, and was truly sad when he died, but, I wasnt really suprised when I heard he died. you can only play with alligators/swim with deadly mana ray/ on and on so many times before one of them is going to get you. there are plenty of way to practice nature conservtion without as much risk taking, though it doesnt make for very good tv. Now Bear Gryles (sp?) survives the same way, he is trying to make good tv more than he is trying to show any real survival skills. Survivor man on the other hand seems more of a purist about the whole situation. I cant really stand to watch bear gryles, but I can watch survivor man all day long. it just seems much more practical to me. maybe we can put it in house terms, bear gryles = big flashy 7000sq ft. 750k mortgage trying to keep up with the neighbors. Survivor man = B+P log home, no mortgage, happy with "surviving"

I've only seen each show a few times since I don't have cable. I like Les Stroud better, though I am no expert on survival skills, I've studied them most of my life and his techniques tend to be more in line with reality. In the end though, they're both about selling advertisements and entertainment so don't rely on either for anything important.

On a side note, not only do I no longer have cable, I don't even get network TV and it is one of the best things we've ever done as far as freeing up valuable time, and making life less stressful. I highly recommend it. ; )

Speaking of Axe Men, I'm not sure anyone caught this or not, but I was always under the impression that the PNW is Stihl country, but I mostly saw them using Husqvarna saws. I guess marketing saturation can alter a person's notions.

Most people I know in the PNW that do any sort of logging or at the least felling, tend to speak more highly of Husqvarna. I don't really know anyone that owns Stihl products save for home owners that use their equipment infrequently or for light duty. Same goes for "corks." There are plenty of expensive leather versions on the market--and some still made in the great PNW (I'm always tempted by them, but our local climate really makes them a chore to keep waterproof), but rubber or rubber/composite models seem to be more popular--not too glamourous and far from the stereotype of a lumberjack's attire.

One thing I'm always amazed at is how many people engaged in logging don't use chaps. I read the local OSHA and L and I accident recaps/analysis reports and it seems that each year at least a couple of people sever their femoral artery.
Something else I've gleaned from the reports is that a seasoned/verteran logger's greatest threat to his/her life is a "newbie" felling up- slope from them.

-Andrew

Actually, here in the PNW you can probalby find more dealers carrying Stihl products. A casual search for dealers only shows one Husky dealer 40 minutes away from my town, but 6 Stihl full service dealers within the city limits. It may be a case that Husqvarna may concentrate some of its marketing efforts in the Ontario area. Out here in the PNW, Stihl has saturated the market.

The main problem is that they are in the box stores, which tend not to carry their high end prof. models. and smaller dealers probably feel compelled to carry the lighter duty products as that is what their casual customers tend to buy or are familiar with. Just about every mom and pop hardware store carries Stihl products. Here we see more heavy advertising for Stihl, but you will find professionals up- talking huskys.

One difference between Stihl and Huskys, depending upon where you live, is that the Huskys are supposedly easier to repair and have a reputation for longevity (proximity of service centers/dealers that can repair)--- however, I've been told that the difficulty in getting a consistent line on parts for Huskys is the main detractor.

-A

I totally agree. They both make equally excellent saws in the pro category, (but there are a few turd models from either line to avoid) as well as lesser known Dolmar, Shindaiwa, and Jonsered, though parts availability is tougher. I even don't mind Poulan. Probably the only saws I'd avoid are the no name, back-alley China clones and Craftsman.

BTW, I typically order my Husky parts through Partstree.com when needed.

Worn out from sharpening a chainsaw? That's when I get my break. LOL

Rod, my local chainsaw shop guy- a one man show who does all the repair and sales work in his business for over 40 years, said that he can't get parts for the newer huskys since the box stores started carrying them. I've noticed prices for parts on my old ones have gone up. He only sells stihl now, which is fine, most of what I have not worn out is stihl. ; )