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Your Favorite “Buy It For Life” Products

4254 sats \ 103 comments \ @kr 23 Jan culture

After yesterday’s discussion about how bad fridges are these days, I thought it would be fun to get stackers sharing all the high quality, long-lasting products they love to use.

What are your favorite “buy it for life” products?

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1152 sats \ 9 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

Buy once, cry once.

Here are some brands/products that have earned my loyalty over the years:

all-clad, carbon steel, and cast iron pans
korin chef knives
clay donabe
japanese glassware
husky waterproof storage containers (5, 12, 20, 30 gal)
husky industrial steel garage shelving
onsen towels
berlin gardens outdoor polywood furniture
linoto linen boxers
napolean prestige pro grill
easyworkz diego stainless moka pot
comandante barracuda c60 hand grinder
wavian usa water and fuel cans
hardcore hammers hatchet
yeti coolers
tbco cashmere beanies

507 sats \ 0 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

More that come to mind:

chiasson smoke rocket stove
dyson cordless vacuum
room and board natty furniture
gipfel stainless kettle
folio society books
rogue fitness equipment
antique woodworking tools
good lambskin bibles
old mason jars
iron heart japan denim/shirts/jackets
canada goose jackets
brilliant earth diamond jewelry
tanner goods belts

411 sats \ 1 reply \ @zuspotirko 23 Jan

japanese glassware

What's that? How is it different?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Deleted10000 24 Jan

They've gone really far down the tempered glass rabbit hole; I have 18 "hard strong" glasses by Toyo-Sasaki Glass Co for over a decade now. I even dropped one on the wood floor and it didn't shatter. Always amazed they are all still going strong.

https://umamimart.com/collections/vendors?q=Toyo-Sasaki%20Glass%20Co.

0 sats \ 5 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

great list!

what do you usually use the donabe for? is it safe to use on a stovetop/oven at high heat?

746 sats \ 4 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

Gentle heat with a butane table-top burner (common in Asia) is all you need. There are emissions, so keep the oven fan on or use outside.

We use the donabe for Japanese hot pot (nabe). It's basically thin sliced meat individually cooked in a communal table stock (shabu shabu) with fish stock (dashi) and vegetables resulting in a very delicious stock that folks transfer to their own little bowls while eating.

The leftover stock can be used to cook Japanese rice. Great tool to have to ensure nothing ever goes to waste.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

nice. recently i’ve started cooking my rice with bone broth and it’s a big flavor boost. will look into getting a donabe.

318 sats \ 2 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

We like https://musubikiln.com in my household.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

Kon Mari has a very accessible book on donabe for Westerners.

https://shop.konmari.com/products/donabe-classic-and-modern-japanese-clay-pot-cooking

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

awesome, thanks!

858 sats \ 7 replies \ @hodlpleb 23 Jan

Not gonna lie, I have a macbook that is 10+ years old. Can't update the OS anymore and do have some hiccups now and then, but still works for web surfing, email, videos, etc.

412 sats \ 1 reply \ @OriginalSize 23 Jan

Just had a MBP die with a failing ssd inside of 4 years. I never spent so much for a thing to die irreparably so soon. Life is better with a GNU+Linux daily driver.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @hueso 23 Jan

Just replace the SSD and keep using it.

310 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 23 Jan

I also have a Macbook Air model A1466 that I bought back in 2014. It also can't update OS anymore. We hook it up to the TV to watch movies (stream and torrents) and I also let my kids do homework on it.

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

that’s impressive that it still works, how much more life do you think you’ll get out of it?

651 sats \ 2 replies \ @hodlpleb 23 Jan

Not sure exactly but I got it sometime 2012/2013.

For the basic usage, I don't see it stopping anytime soon. The battery still holds for a few hours. Biggest pain is sometimes have to try a few different browsers to get certain websites to work.

422 sats \ 0 replies \ @wingalt 23 Jan

Time to switch to Linux, old Macbooks get a second life when changing their operating system. Unlike more recent ones they can also be upgraded so you can get such a sweet new laptop with a recent OS and boosted SSD

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @m00ninite 24 Jan

My 2013 MBP is my lightning node. Those old laptops make great Linux servers. Add more ram and a new SSD and watch it scream

750 sats \ 1 reply \ @nullcount 23 Jan

I asked stackers to share 10+ year old products they're still using: #199606

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

ahh i remember this one, great thread

682 sats \ 0 replies \ @carlosfandango 23 Jan freebie

Muted colour suit, bespoke - 10 years Shoes, fitted - 10 years. Swiss wristwatch - 27 years Fountain pen - 14 years.

Hope they all go on to last much longer. Expensive but will only buy-once and in a tight spot you can always pawn them….

707 sats \ 8 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 23 Jan

1930's Antique GE Toaster

https://www.moose-r-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/getoaster5.jpg

63 sats \ 7 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

lmao love it, is that yours?

also… how does it work? are the slots on the side?

50 sats \ 6 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 23 Jan

This isn't mine (I don't have any photos with me) but I have one very similar. I don't use it anymore but it still works.

76 sats \ 1 reply \ @kr OP 23 Jan

interesting - looks like it would be great for bagels where only one side of the bread is exposed… but wouldn’t you need to flip the bread halfway through if you wanted both sides of a slice toasted?

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 23 Jan

you are right

55 sats \ 3 replies \ @Eobard 23 Jan

deleted by author

301 sats \ 2 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 23 Jan

and then a few seconds later it goes black 🤠

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @Eobard 23 Jan

deleted by author

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 23 Jan

fucking hell 🤠

704 sats \ 2 replies \ @birdeye21 23 Jan

Good condition, vintage tools. No new stuff.

And vice grips. Thank the lord for vice grips.

345 sats \ 1 reply \ @carlosfandango 23 Jan

Nice. I have 3 sizes vice grips / mole grips and they are invaluable in the workshop - and as a bonus they don’t tend to turn any hard-to-move nut or screw into a rounded head in seconds like normal pliers :D

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @birdeye21 23 Jan

Yesss..they can handle the job of several other tools all in one and come in handy for sooo so many random things that you wouldn't think of

660 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby 23 Jan

Apparently nail clippers. I have a set of nail clippers that have been around for 40 years, passed down in the family. Not exactly passed down but it sounds funnier that way. I think I "stole" them from my mom along with a bunch of other stuff I needed when I moved out of my childhood home.

But these things are great. Made in South Korea. Still work perfectly and much better that any crappy Chinese made set my wife has purchased.

ps-(The term stole in this case refers to an early 20 something kid (yes still a kid) saying to mom- I am moving out and I need this, this and this, and mom of course saying, take whatever you need honey- aren't moms the best?)

50 sats \ 2 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

nice. nail clippers are one product where i feel like all the versions i’ve tried are subpar, guess i need to take a trip to South Korea.

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 23 Jan

Not sure they make them like that anymore. I agree though. Every time I use a different set, I am left thinking "this is junk".

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @itsrealfake 24 Jan

just use toe clippers instead. they're enormous, but last long

629 sats \ 1 reply \ @roytheholographicuniverse 23 Jan

Dyson vacuum.

335 sats \ 0 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

We bought a top of the line cordless Dyson 4 years ago and have since had small parts repaired at a service center just last month.

Thing seems like it'll last a decade easily if you keep up with maintenance. Incredible machine.

618 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bitman 23 Jan

In case this has whet anyone's appetite, there's loads more to see and explore at:

https://teddit.zaggy.nl/r/buyitforlife

It's been one of my favorite sources if on the search for what to buy.

However with changing my address 20 times, a fire, having a nomadic lifestyle I've not really utilized it much.

Prioritizing Bitcoin over other things has changing my spending habits massively too.

539 sats \ 5 replies \ @pillar 23 Jan

Cast iron pans and good quality knives.

Well, generally any piece of high quality kitchen ware that will outlast me.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

any favorite brands for kitchen knives?

382 sats \ 2 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

Big fan of Korin's chef knives:

https://www.korin.com/japanese-knives/styles/gyuto-chefs-knife

I've had a Togiharu Wa for maybe 15 years now:

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @kr OP 23 Jan

do you know if these designs on the side of knives are purely decorative? or do they somehow illustrate that a knife is stronger than one without them?

382 sats \ 0 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

Visible textures are always decorative. Japanese handmade knives are always hammered; the finishing, technique, and metals vary. Visual texture = finishing.

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @Signal312 23 Jan

I got a cheapo set of 3 Ikea knives that work great, sharpen and great. I know people get all fancy with knives, but I've had these for about 5 years, they

Of course you have to sharpen them regularly. A regular old sharpener is fine.

693 sats \ 11 replies \ @gnilma 23 Jan

Does my SNES count? My dad for it for me in early 1994. I was still playing on it the other day. My kids also play on it occasionally, although they prefer the Switch a lot more haha.

https://m.stacker.news/13514

54 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

definitely counts!

121 sats \ 7 replies \ @Deleted10000 23 Jan

Super Mario RPG is an extremely underrated game.

22 sats \ 2 replies \ @m00ninite 24 Jan

The remake that just came out on the switch is wonderful.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 24 Jan

I just beat the remake with my kids about two weeks ago. Great remake indeed.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Deleted10000 24 Jan

Wow. Had no idea.

https://inv.us.projectsegfau.lt/watch?v=-XXLn4MKZ8s

1 sat \ 2 replies \ @gnilma 24 Jan

One of my two favorite JRPGs, with the other one being Chrono Trigger.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @Deleted10000 24 Jan

One of the best SNES RPGs of all time is Tales of Phantasia. It was never released in the West, but fans translated it to English and made a ROM available online:

https://fantasyanime.com/legacy/top_downloads.htm

You can play it with SNES9X or any other SNES emulator.

1 sat \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 24 Jan

Thanks for the info.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @art 23 Jan

My fave

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @gmd 24 Jan

does the blowing on cartridges trick still work?

120 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 24 Jan

Of course it does. It's like gravity and bitcoin, it always works without fail.

541 sats \ 0 replies \ @nullcount 23 Jan

I broke a 70 year old Craftsman benchtop vise this weekend. The lead screw broke. It was a generational hand-me-down. I may try to fix it seeing how a comparable replacement is $250 these days.

509 sats \ 1 reply \ @zuspotirko 23 Jan

Good rule of thumb IMO is

aiming at high quality materials (stainless steel, massive wood, natural fibers is textiles, no plastic, no lacquering, no glue)
aiming at items with as few parts as possible

if possible

3 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

yeah i agree, the aisles of antique shops are full of simple metal/wood products and it’s probably not a coincidence

507 sats \ 1 reply \ @spraveenitpro 23 Jan

Any recommendations for a water proof digital watch with alarm/timer?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Enemy_of_the_state 15 Feb

G-Shock

465 sats \ 6 replies \ @k00b 23 Jan

Lindberg titanium frames. They are really fucking expensive relative to the yearly disposable frames people get normally, but I've had the same frames for 6 years.

they look the same as the day I bought them
they're so light I forget they're on my face
they're practically indestructible
they don't have screws so there's nothing to come loose
the frame is constructed of a single gauge of titanium "wire" which is minimal in the best way

33 sats \ 5 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

titanium is incredible, i have a titanium water bottle and it feels like a feather compared to the double-walled steel ones everyone else lugs around

363 sats \ 4 replies \ @k00b 23 Jan

Who makes titanium water bottles?

341 sats \ 3 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

these guys sell some really nice ones, i got a knock off variation from amazon

https://www.snowpeak.com/en-ca/products/ti-aurora-bottle

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @k00b 23 Jan

Neat! I have some backpacking gear from them

360 sats \ 1 reply \ @k00b 25 Jan

You've inspired me to buy this.

I haven't bought a water bottle since I lost the stainless steel one I used during college ... reminds me the main risk of BIFL stuff is losing it.

536 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 25 Jan

love it! and yeah, water bottles are especially easy to lose

427 sats \ 3 replies \ @moel 23 Jan

I’m surprised nobody mentioned Dr Martin Shoes yet 🤔

I have a pair for several years now. Wear them about 4 days per week. Still going strong.

33 sats \ 2 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

ahh good call, i don’t have a pair myself but have heard of their great reputation

1 sat \ 1 reply \ @gmd 24 Jan

aren’t they hideous though?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Deleted10000 25 Jan

deleted by author

413 sats \ 1 reply \ @_vnprc 23 Jan

Osprey backpacks. I have two and they are still going strong. Built to very high quality and usability standards. They have a lifetime repair guarantee that I can confirm from personal experience. You have to pay shipping and there are some fun exceptions like "your backpack can't smell like a rotting corpse" that were obviously added for a reason.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

nice, BIFL backpacks are pretty impressive given the amount of wear and tear backpacks have to deal with… and the fact that the outside shell is basically just tightly woven string

383 sats \ 0 replies \ @03a5308755 23 Jan

Leatherman Zippo

382 sats \ 3 replies \ @guts 23 Jan freebie

MacBook Air: 10 years and still strong, best laptop I ever had.
Air-Fryer
Instant Pot
Lodge Cast Iron: use it for my fool proof pizza every Sunday.
Nvidia Shield Pro: My best Android device period. SmartTube, Stremio, TiViMate, Kodi, GeForce Now, Plex, sideload mobile apps. I would not think twice if they release a new version.
Thermapen Thermometer, high quality cook thermometers.
Mechanical Keyboard

1 sat \ 1 reply \ @kr OP 23 Jan

+1 for thermapen.

have you heard of these guys?

have heard rave reviews about their mechanical keyboards

https://www.norbauer.co/

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @guts 23 Jan

First time I heard of them, those keyboard look nice 👍

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @m00ninite 24 Jan

I also have an instant pot, but I really have my doubts that it's gonna last a lifetime.

edit: ah I think I'm interpreting "buy it for life" differently from you

79 sats \ 0 replies \ @Enemy_of_the_state 15 Feb

Furniture: https://hancockandmoore.com/

Boots: https://jkboots.com/

Airport carry-on: https://luggageworks.com/default/

Backpack: https://eberlestock.com/

Heavy duty belt: https://www.thebeltman.net/

319 sats \ 0 replies \ @moel 23 Jan

Also, real leather Jackets. I buy a new one roughly every 10 years. I wear the new one for “neat” occasions like work and the +10 year old one for walks in the woods and holidays.

282 sats \ 0 replies \ @oliverweiss 23 Jan

A wedding ring.

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @Roll 23 Jan

trekking shoes ( warranty for life)

https://bestard.com/gb/

181 sats \ 0 replies \ @lechiffre 24 Jan

EASY ANSWER:

Safety razor.

I have two: A Merkur 34C (pictured below), and a vintage Gillette from the 1950s or 60s.

I buy the most-premium-of-blades for just 10 cents each -- perfectly usable blades are even cheaper -- and they last for multiple shaves. My son and I hope oneday grandson will shave with these razors.

https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-xwjycmbxd8/images/stencil/640w/products/205/2385/merkur_34001_front_xw__18818.1705622608.jpg?c=1

131 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

darn tough socks are also pretty incredible.

made in vermont with really dense merino wool, i have yet to rip a hole in any of the pairs i own. they also have a lifetime warranty.

one side benefit of merino wool is that the socks never smell. i mean never. no matter how much you work out, or how much your feet stink, these socks somehow don’t absorb any of it.

33 sats \ 1 reply \ @kr OP 23 Jan

i got a stainless steel frying pan from made in a couple years ago, and it is holding up very well so far. i suspect it’s going to last decades, maybe even a lifetime (it comes with a lifetime warranty for whatever that’s worth).

despite many early cooking attempts that ended with a burnt pan, it still looks nearly as good as it did on day one.

all that’s needed is a little baking soda and vinegar and all food burns/discoloration disappears.

239 sats \ 0 replies \ @truestacker 23 Jan freebie

same!

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @Cowboy 23 Jan

A good quality bread trimmer, so that i can stack those (barbershop fee) to bitcoin. Stack more SATs!

https://m.stacker.news/13538

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @rarson 24 Jan

I still wear my Pebble Time Steel every day. Still on the original battery because I still get 5+ days out of a charge.

Any car built without an onboard internet connection/OTA updates, bonus points for cars with minimal amounts of electronic sensors (modern cars have way too many of these, and they always go bad, making troubleshooting a total pain in the ass).

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @nullama 24 Jan

Bitcoin

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BitcoinIsTheFuture 23 Jan

North face jackets. Lifetime warranty. Just ran in the rain in my waterproof jacket!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @moel 23 Jan

I came here to mention TM Lewin shirts.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @anon 23 Jan

comandante hand grinder Nintendo 64 Aviator Nation clothing flair espresso maker Bialetti moka pot "forever" is debatable but far better than competition - Bose QC Headphones. Airbuds are overrated and die in 2 years while people constantly drop them on the dog piss and hobo poop ridden streets and then put them right back in their ears. Disgusting. My Bose QC Headphones are at least 4+ years old and I only have to periodically replace the little foam cushions.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @m00ninite 24 Jan

I've had a pair of bose wired headphones for over 10 years now. I just replace the cable and the cushions as needed.

I will admit, the last couple years they've been relegated to very specific jobs. I prefer to carry earbuds as they pack much more easily.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kr OP 23 Jan

just saw this fridge on twitter, looks like there are some BIFL fridges after all

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @c0dfd273bc 1 Jul freebie

Posted this elsewhere but here's a site I found for this - https://www.buyreddit.com/. Buying quality has become so important for me because I prefer fewer things anyway and hate when things bring down / are obviously bad quality (which is becoming more and more common nowadays with Amazon products). This site's been useful but they don't have all products

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @m00ninite 24 Jan freebie

Ploopy Mouse. It's an open source, open hardware mouse that's fully 3D printed. When you buy it, they send you the parts and build it yourself. Naturally you can replace or upgrade any of the buttons and sensors.