Yvon Chouinard: On Tools

Tom Dunlap

Tom Dunlap

Here from the beginning
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Retired in Minneapolis
Frans' chuckle about Harbor Freight reminded me of a statement that Yvon made about the company philosophy at Patagonia. While I was looking through their website to find that quote I found this essay. What a brilliant man! I have a few pieces of Patagonia clothing. Expensive to buy but they have lasted and served me well for many years.

Take a little time to read about their design philosophy. This isn't meant as an advert for Patagonia by any means. To me, more of a way to look at taking care of the Earth.

http://www.patagonia.com/design/on_tools.shtml
 
Sorry, I just don't see it.

they sell anodized aluminum, petroleum based clothes, foam and resin surfboards, just like everybody else.
A $65 sweatshirt? A $42 Crew neck, short sleeve t-shirt? An $85 single strap back pack?
Sure, a lot of experience and effort goes into their products. Just like yours. Just like a home builder, just like any proffesional.
When I read their catalogue, I want to puke. they manufacture, distribute, and sell products. Nothing else. Sure they are large enough now to contribute to the Access fund, and Surfrider, but their profit margin allowsit, and it's probably a tax manuever.

their catalogue is the worst kind of wasted paper and marketing. they could conserve half the resources by slashing the marketing department and printing simple pictures and prices and save me the "philosophy", and the sexy photos of their sponsored outdoors people and staff utilizing their products, except that wouldn't sell as well.
 
Don't take what I say as being a Patagoniac, a toady for them. You're right, their goods are spendy. None of my P gear was bought retail. Stopping at their outlets stores is a good way to get great deals.

I have a pair of pants that are made with a nylon shell and lined with polypro fleece. I've put three zippers in them and neoprene knee and butt patches to keep me warm. These pants have been my main leg gear for, at a minimum, a week winter trip every year for over 20 years. Finally, the poly is worn out. No more fleece, just the nylon webbing that the fleece is bonded to. If I sent them in to P, I know that I would get a current replacement pair of pants as replacements. It's against my nature to abuse their warranty though. I've gotten my [20 years ago] $50 use out of them. To me, that shows that they use great materials to give a long life.

Sure, they're a biggie and an easy target. It's not bad to make money. They make as many decisions in favor of decreasing the injury to the Earth as they possibly can. A good business model to me anyway.

A number of years ago I was struggling hard with all of the machinery that I owned in order to do treework. A good friend was working with me that summer. Russ didn't own a car, he road his bike everywhere, 12 months of the year...in Minneapolis! And here I was, a single guy, owning five road licensed vehicles and too many other machines and trailers. It didn't fit for me. Russ and I talked about it for several days at lunch. In the end, he gave me the insight to see that I needed all of that "stuff" in order to care for trees. My personal vehicle got great mileage, a Ford Ranger. My play toys consisted of a plastic canoe and kayak. No noise toys. That gave me good balance. Instead of feeling so guilty I made my peace with having so many tires and engines.
 
I have been wearing P gear for years, they are worth evey penny. They last longer then any other brand I have purchased.(except Mountain Hardware) I have owned Patagonia for much longer though. I have light and mid wieght long underwear that are going on 8 to 10 years
 
This is something that keeps me looking at new gear and climbing techniques:

...philosophy of design expressed by the French aviator Antoine de St.-Exupéry in Wind, Sand and Stars: "It is as if there were a natural law which ordained that to achieve this end [the ultimate principle of simplicity], to refine the curve of a piece of furniture, or a ship's keel, or the fuselage of an airplane, until gradually it partakes of the elemental purity of the curve of the human breast or shoulder, there must be experimentations of several generations of craftsmen. In anything at all, perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away, when a body has been stripped down to nakedness."

Thoreau said it too, "Simplify" Even though I have lots of techy gear and systems the simplicity comes from the movement in the tree. If there's a way of saving a bit of physical exertion today I'll have it in the bank for tomorrow. Yesterday I was talking to another arbo about saddles. He's currently climbing on a butt-strap, four d style saddle. The problem with that style is that the climber's hips and back are fixed and facsing the climbing ropes. If the climber needs to work over their shoulder, their spine is twisted. After tweaking the spine like that for years something has to give. It won't be the saddle, the spine will be injured. Using a floating d saddle has helped me keep my back healthy. Until we were talking last night I didn't make the connection between my back healing and changing to a floating d, a Blair Ultralight. Combine the saddle with a summer of chiropractic adjustments got my back in shape. Every saddle since then has been more complicated and progressively more expensive. But, using good complicated tools has lead to me having a simpler life without back pain.
 
I hear ya there. I only purchase the clothes for work. From October till about now I have at least 1 piece on every day. The cost reflects the value. I have not purchased any new winter layering gear for at least 5 years.
 
Speelyei,

I'm with ya there. I don't pay over $25 for a short sleeve casual shirt. But...I'm with Todd when it comes to work wear. My demands on my tools are pretty high. Working outside means that clothing is tools too. They better work hard and keep me comfortable.
 
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