Review for Ax Men: The Complete Season Two

I'm writing this review with just one finger on one hand. I've broken the wrist of my right hand. I fell over taking my Yorkie for a walk. So I'm no stranger to danger. In a lot of ways I can empathise with the tough ol' boys in Season 2 of Ax Men (don't we normally spell axe with an 'e'?); we're made of the same metal.

Season 1 of Ax Men set up a competition of sorts between four logging companies to see which would cut down and haul away the most trees during the cutting season. Great big tall trees, not  bonsai's; the sort that could really hurt if you got stuck underneath one if it fell. Especially if you were walking your Yorkie at the same time.


Season 2 attempts to repeat the formula, following on from the growing reputation of unusual 'reality' shows like 'Ice Road truckers' that put all our recent whittling about getting out of a snow-ridden driveway into some perspective.

For some reason, this 'worse things happen at sea' glimpse into others challenging lives seems comforting to many of us. Suddenly, being a lumberjack doesn't seem OK at all.


'Ax Men' is real-life drama, with gritty men going about their gritty business, with challenges and frustrations at every turn. The 'competition' thing wasn't necessary in Season 1 and certainly isn't necessary here as there's always plenty going on to enjoy.


There is no pretence in Season 2 that anyone has any interest in the context and background of the industry. This is now pure human tree-splitting melodrama without the cerebral frills or indeed any background interest about the men involved.


The only continuing dramatic strands throughout this particular series are the trials and tribulations of greenhorn Brad, and the dizzying sickness and nausea suffered by a new Connor aviation pilot. I must confess that those spinning scenes didn't do my tummy much good either.


One fascinating sequence is where Jimmy Smith's outfit take to fishing old logs out the river, worth up to $10,000 a piece. Working for Jimmy looks about as much fun as working for Gordon Ramsey. He's particularly nasty to his own son and this doesn't make for pleasant viewing.


If you like Season one, then you're probably going to enjoy Season two and The History Channel seem content to issue these sets at a very reasonable RRP making them very affordable.

Picture is fine (though anamorphic would have been preferred for obvious reasons) and the Dolby 2.0 stereo soundtrack more than adequate.


There's about 30 minutes worth of additional footage sitting outside the episodes, but elements of this have already been used in some episodes.

I can't imagine this getting many repeated viewings, though at a reasonable RRP it makes it a convenient way to catch up the series (without adverts) if you missed it when it aired.