Being born in 1951, I did not know too many people who had logged using a misery whip, but I did know a few. I recall one fellow talking about getting let his partner on the other end of the saw do most of the work pulling the blade back to him. The guy had a reputation for "riding the saw" which basically meant he didn't put his full effort into it and let the other guy pull the saw back to instead of pushing to assist him.
The old boy that was telling the story said when they walked out to the first tree he said, "Listen, I know what they say about you, and I know you reputation for riding the saw. If I even think you're riding the saw, I will knock every tooth out of your head," (or some such similar threat)! The old boy said he never had a problem with that guy riding the saw. I think the thing that impressed me most as a kid hearing this (I was about 12), was the fact that the guy tell him the story was our preacher. They had some tough old preachers in those logging camps!
