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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Buy once, cry once.
Here are some brands/products that have earned my loyalty over the years:
More that come to mind:
What's that? How is it different?
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.
great list!
what do you usually use the donabe for? is it safe to use on a stovetop/oven at high heat?
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.
nice. recently i’ve started cooking my rice with bone broth and it’s a big flavor boost. will look into getting a donabe.
We like https://musubikiln.com in my household.
Kon Mari has a very accessible book on donabe for Westerners.
https://shop.konmari.com/products/donabe-classic-and-modern-japanese-clay-pot-cooking
awesome, thanks!
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.
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.
Just replace the SSD and keep using it.
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.
that’s impressive that it still works, how much more life do you think you’ll get out of it?
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.
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
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
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.
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
Who makes titanium water bottles?
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
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.
love it! and yeah, water bottles are especially easy to lose
Neat! I have some backpacking gear from them
1930's Antique GE Toaster1930's Antique GE Toaster
https://www.moose-r-us.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/getoaster5.jpg
lmao love it, is that yours?
also… how does it work? are the slots on the side?
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.
view on www.youtube.cominteresting - 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?
you are right
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and then a few seconds later it goes black 🤠
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fucking hell 🤠
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
Super Mario RPG is an extremely underrated game.
The remake that just came out on the switch is wonderful.
Wow. Had no idea.
https://inv.us.projectsegfau.lt/watch?v=-XXLn4MKZ8s
I just beat the remake with my kids about two weeks ago. Great remake indeed.
One of my two favorite JRPGs, with the other one being Chrono Trigger.
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.
Thanks for the info.
My fave
definitely counts!
does the blowing on cartridges trick still work?
Of course it does. It's like gravity and bitcoin, it always works without fail.
Good condition, vintage tools. No new stuff.
And vice grips. Thank the lord for vice grips.
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
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
Cast iron pans and good quality knives.
Well, generally any piece of high quality kitchen ware that will outlast me.
any favorite brands for kitchen knives?
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:
view on www.youtube.comdo 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?
Visible textures are always decorative. Japanese handmade knives are always hammered; the finishing, technique, and metals vary. Visual texture = finishing.
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.
I asked stackers to share 10+ year old products they're still using: #199606
ahh i remember this one, great thread
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?)
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.
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".
just use toe clippers instead. they're enormous, but last long
Dyson vacuum.
+1
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.
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….
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.
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.
Good rule of thumb IMO is
if possible
yeah i agree, the aisles of antique shops are full of simple metal/wood products and it’s probably not a coincidence
Any recommendations for a water proof digital watch with alarm/timer?
G-Shock
+1 for thermapen.
have you heard of these guys?
have heard rave reviews about their mechanical keyboards
https://www.norbauer.co/
First time I heard of them, those keyboard look nice 👍
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
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.
ahh good call, i don’t have a pair myself but have heard of their great reputation
aren’t they hideous though?
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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.
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
Leatherman
Zippo
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.
A wedding ring.
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
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.
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.
same!
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/
A good quality bread trimmer, so that i can stack those (barbershop fee) to bitcoin.
Stack more SATs!
https://m.stacker.news/13538
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.
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.
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
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).
Bitcoin
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.
I hoping it's the last mouse I ever own.
North face jackets. Lifetime warranty. Just ran in the rain in my waterproof jacket!
I came here to mention TM Lewin shirts.
just saw this fridge on twitter, looks like there are some BIFL fridges after all
view on twitter.comdeleted by author
bicycles are pretty incredible tools
view on www.youtube.comdeleted by author
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