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
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
reply
japanese glassware
What's that? How is it different?
reply
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.
reply
great list!
what do you usually use the donabe for? is it safe to use on a stovetop/oven at high heat?
reply
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.
reply
nice. recently i’ve started cooking my rice with bone broth and it’s a big flavor boost. will look into getting a donabe.
reply
We like https://musubikiln.com in my household.
reply
Kon Mari has a very accessible book on donabe for Westerners.
reply
awesome, thanks!
reply