Back early on in my independent days I was running any old chainsaw I could get my hands on. I ran Poulans and Craftsman, and I would pick them up used and they would last a year or so. The chains suck, they never start.... on and on. Eventually I just bought a Stihl. It made a lot of sense, the money I spent on four, five, or six saws that never ran right vs. the same amount spent on one saw that runs like a dream, cuts like a hot knife through butter, and has been dependable for over a decade now.
This was a good lesson for me. I used to often wear any old clothes... freebees, second hand shops, patchworks, and I still do for my lounging stuff. But for working outside when it's below zero, or cutting wood all day in the brambles, you need something like Stihl's products; quality and dependable. My first exposure to this was with backpacking gear. I had a Marmot raincoat that lasted me three years but was guaranteed for life. Even though I spent $90 on this jacket, which was way too much I thought at that time, it was guaranteed forever. Three years later, it didn't keep me dry anymore, I sent it back to the factory, and they replaced it for free. I'm forever a Marmot customer now. All my snow gear is Marmot and fully warrantied. But that stuff isn't made for farm work. I've become a fan of Carhartt for that, as far as tuff jackets and coveralls. Years ago the woodchucks in the Oregon hills turned me onto White's Boots. You might take a look and think no way am I spending $400 on a pair of boots, but I tell you what- to have a pair of boots custom made to fit your foot, totally rebuildable, tuff, and just as comfortable when you put them on in the morning as they are when you take them off after 10-12 hours of field work.... I've had mine for maybe 8 years or so now, had some minor tune-ups at the factory, and in the long run I'm probably in it less than half of what I would have spent on $100 boots that last a year and then get tossed, not to mention having hurting feet all along from cheap boots.
Another favorite is the Filson tin pants. Expensive, but you'll never ruin another pair of pants on a sharp chain or a raspberry or black locust tree. Once you make the investment, they'll last forever.
My latest favorite is Prison Blues. I got a pair of their pants last fall to try out. I like Carhartt's canvas duct pants but jeez, $50 and made in Mexico? The Prison Blues are made in Pendleton Oregon by prisoners. Good cause, good tuff pants, made in USA, and I got mine for about $35 with shipping.
Anybody else have some experience with quality threads?