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Ask HN: What are some of your “buy it for life” purchases?

• Sidsaladi 4y ago
  Crypto cold wallet
• ggm 4y ago
  A good knife. Pans which never go in the dishwasher. A decent glass water jug which fits on the refrigerator door. A small toolkit of decently made screwdrivers. A reasonably simple Victorinox Swiss army knife. At least one raspberry pi. A strong "U" kryptonite style bicycle lock. Glasses cleaning cloth. 15 years going strong. A digital alarm clock you can adjust the brightness on. I went Sony, it uses DVB-T signals to get time.
• boyter 4y ago
  RM Williams boots. Look good with jeans or suit. Repairable, and built to very high standards. Only need one pair. Highly recommend.
• schiffern 4y ago
  Not really "for life" (in that sense anyway), but I missed the first thread so I'll put it here, with apologies. After a lot of research, for Christmas 2020 I got a few "Airpro" masks[1] ($40-50). In short, it's a wearable HEPA filter that pumps filtered air into any standard N95 or KN95 mask. In theory this gives better filtration (both from higher efficiency and positive pressure), but mainly I love it because it eliminates hot mask face. My original unit is still going strong. I'm pretty careful, but it's still had numerous drops. Tips after >2 years of use: * I always use it on high, unless the battery is low. * I bring my own N95 masks that I prefer, the (sadly discontinued) Harbor Freight N95s. Choose one you like. I change it about once a month. * I (gasp!) convert my head straps to ear loops. Much easier to eat that way: open, shovel, close. * The design is made to accommodate a carbon pre-filter, so I just cut rectangular prefilters out of standard surgical masks. Changed monthly, I still haven't needed to replace the original HEPA filter. * Be sure to check out the review from "TX gadget nut" for how to seal the internal leak paths.[2] I potted the entire board with food-grade caulk, since I noted small through-holes in the PCB. * To protect the silicone hose from strain, I hang the unit sideways using the lanyard. * If you're really obsessive (guess how I know...), you can use a small file to remove the mold lines inside the outlet port, slightly reducing the pressure drop. * As with any mask, it's important to perform hand hygiene before and after touching or adjusting it. A dollar store conical spray bottle and rubbing alcohol works fine. * It's surprisingly nice to completely avoid wood smoke and diesel exhaust. I didn't realize how ubiquitous it was until I had the option to not breathe it in. Fingers crossed, but so far it's been very effective and comfortable. All told I estimate it's about 15¢/day. I'm ordering a couple spares, since I never know when a product I like will get discontinued... (not exactly BIFL given the consumables, but before this I went through an N95 per week so I'm still ahead) [1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YWLBVF2/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YWLBVF2/ [2] https://www.amazon.com/portal/customer-reviews/media-gallery/?ie=UTF8&asin=B07YWLBVF2&mediaType=image#widget_customer_image_gallery_1_1673684578447 https://www.amazon.com/portal/customer-reviews/media-gallery...
  • birdyrooster 4y ago
    Wozniak was just on Steve-O’s Wild Ride promoting this (it was one of his show and tell items)
    • schiffern 4y ago
      If Woz likes it, must be doing something right... Found it: https://youtu.be/CRi8r0XQFHU?t=5402 https://youtu.be/CRi8r0XQFHU?t=5402 As always, a great sense of humor. I saw him speak shortly after the Intel Mac release, and got him to sign my computer "Woz Inside." Inaccurate, but he was a good sport about the joke!
  • gadders 4y ago
    when do you wear this?
    • schiffern 4y ago
      Indoor public spaces, and sometimes outside during bad air. With ~zero hedonic disincentive, it's easy to wear whenever I feel the need. I get about one inquiry a month, usually at the store. People seem to like it, especially when I mention the comfort.
      • mongol 4y ago
        Do you live somewhere where the air is particularily bad?
        • schiffern 4y ago
          I'm very fortunate! Mostly good, except when neighbors fire up woodstoves or fire pits.
  • cinntaile 4y ago
    Are you on constant immunosuppressants or why do you wear this all the time?
• puskavi 4y ago
  Fiskars scissors. Never seen broken ones.
  • wrp 4y ago
    I was going to say a pair of quality scissors. Someone gave me a nice pair for Christmas when I was a teenager. At the time, I was thoroughly unimpressed with the boring gift, but 40-odd years later it's still in my desk and regularly used when most other things of my youth are long gone. A related, and cheaper, thing that becomes very handy once you are accustomed to having it at hand is a portable paper trimmer. (https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Craft-Paper-Trimmer-Inch/dp/B07K92RK1V/ https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Craft-Paper-Trimmer-Inch...)
    • karmelapple 4y ago
      Along the same line: a good stapler. Just like Milton from Office Space, a proper metal Swingline stapler has been the best in my experience. Unlike that movie, I never found a red one that was as good as a black one. I still have it over 30 years later, although my need to staple these days is exceedingly rare.
  • stevekemp 4y ago
    I once cut through a live mains electricity cable with a pair of Fiskars scissors. They blades had holes burned into them, and were very blackened! I posted an image to twitter and received sympathy from Fiskars but no other comment. I had to go and buy another pair - orange handled, for left-handed people. (Was obviously not intentional, but I guess the insulated handles helped save me!)
• hosteur 4y ago
  I am not sure I have much stuff that will last an actual life time. Maybe various optics like binoculars, etc. But that is rather niche. For stuff that most everyone can use, I would mention cast iron cookware. I have cast iron skillets and pots that I have used for over two decades that I expect to last me many years still. And I use them all the time. The brand name is not very important although you probably want to avoid the very cheapest. Next, I would say good quality knives. Both for use in the kitchen as well as in the forest, on hikes, etc. For Chef's knives, I think F. Dick makes decent ones that last very long for home use. And for forest use, I would recommend LionSteel.
• CodeWriter23 4y ago
  I have a Revere Ware 12 qt Stock Pot I bought 35+ years ago. The spot welds on one side of the handle of the lid have come undone. I'm going to ask my buddy with a TIG spot welder to fix it up for me and then will hand it down to my daughter some day. Has made more pots of chili, chicken soup, bone broth and pasta than I can count. Other items not nearly as old: Le Creuset 5qt Dutch Oven, Lodge 10", 12" and 6" Cast Iron Skillets, and an old Griswold 8" which I really like because it is half the thickness of the Lodge, so temp changes more rapidly and it is lighter.
  • SauciestGNU 4y ago
    I have a set of Revere Ware I inherited from my grandparents that they received as a wedding gift almost 70 years ago. Great stuff, unfortunately I won't be able to use it once I get an induction range.
    • CodeWriter23 4y ago
      Do you have an exhaust hood over your stove?
      • SauciestGNU 4y ago
        Yes but nobody else in my family who used this cookware had ventilation.
• exitb 4y ago
  Asolo hiking boots. I had a pair for more than 10 years now. They appear very fatigued from the outside, but don’t show any structural issues. I don’t think I own any other clothing item that gets at least semi-regular usage that lasted this long.
  • Ao7bei3s 4y ago
    Hasn't the outsole (the underside of the shoe) worn off? It gets completely flat on my hiking shoes after a year or two, leading to notably reduced grip, and that's the main reason I have to replace them once in a while. But mine are medium priced, so I am wondering if higher priced shoes like yours last longer.
    • ojl 4y ago
      If it’s high end hiking boots it can be worth changing soles if they are too worn. Probably not worth the price for lower priced shoes unless you really want to keep them. I have a pair of Swedish made Lundhags, and I think they charge 75$ for changing the soles.
    • exitb 4y ago
      They’re very visibly worn, but still retain some of the grippy shape. I think that might mostly depend on the soil and rocks you’re hiking on. I visited volcanic regions a couple of times and got the sense that it’s much harsher on the soles. My area is mostly full of limestone, which is rather soft.
    • Dowwie 4y ago
      Good boots can have their outsoles replaced by a cobbler. I bought Merell Wilderness boots with the intention of doing that but scuffed the toes so badly that I'm not sure I will bother. They're also the heaviest boot I've worn, adding effort to high difficulty mountain hikes. They were in the expensive category.
  • stbtrax 4y ago
    I had some I bought about 10 years ago, but did not use for 8 years. The sole completely de-laminated and fell off on a hike. Turns out not wearing them can lead to that
• Dalewyn 4y ago
  Good silverware. I'm probably going to use that fork/knife/spoon until the day I fucking die, so I might as well make sure it's damn good.
  • LeonM 4y ago
    This is the biggest and most succesfull marketing trick from the last few generations. The truth is that any metal cutlery will outlive you, regardless of the price. And metal cutlery is also very cheap to produce, a full set should cost less than $20, and will last a lifetime.
    • trophycase 4y ago
      Yes but cutlery that actually feels good in the hand, has proper sizing (fork length, spoon capacity) and also proper weight balancing is much harder to find. Personally I really like Oneida, I found a set with spoons that IMO have the perfect balance and capacity.
      • listenallyall 4y ago
        Not that hard, IKEA sells terrific stuff. Pleasant to look at, solid weight, no unnecessary ornaments.
        • 4ad 4y ago
          I disagree profusely, IKEA cutlery is horrible. The fork tips are dull, the spoons are too shallow and too big, the spoon soup is completely the wrong shape, the handles are extremely unergonomic, the weight is not solid at all, they look and feel cheap, and they are ugly.
          • Cockbrand 4y ago
            I know which ones you’re talking about, and I agree about them. They’re called 365+. While these seem to be the most popular, there are others which are shaped for better ergonomics and utility.
• tobinfekkes 4y ago
  Anything from Patagonia. And proper chopsticks.
  • deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  • derwiki 4y ago
    I wish I could say the same about Patagonia, but I’ve patched one elbow hole in my flannel and need to patch the other. I wear it almost every day, but I’ve only had it four years.
    • deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
  • longitudinal93 4y ago
    Can recommend the Snow Peak Wabuki chopsticks https://www.snowpeak.com/products/wabuki-chopsticks-sct-111 https://www.snowpeak.com/products/wabuki-chopsticks-sct-111
• cbovis 4y ago
  Feels like a bit of a cheat answer but... my wedding ring.
  • 082349872349872 4y ago
    The guy who made ours said to keep in touch and he'd happily retouch every decade or so. However, we seem to do enough with our hands that the patterning has been doing just fine on its own.
• silisili 4y ago
  Here's a few BIFL grooming products I've had for years. Royal Golden Birdie nose trimmers. Feather SS straight razor. Feather AS D2 double edge razor.
  • 4ad 4y ago
    > Feather AS D2 double edge razor ($200-$400) Why is this so expensive? My MAG-MR1-V3 was $16.15 and it seems pretty much identical.
    • smcn 4y ago
      It will be almost entirely the same. There is a point of diminishing returns after a certain price point. Higher prices are mostly for enthusiast buyers.
    • silisili 4y ago
      Well, the question was what will last a lifetime. It's all stainless. If you price Maggard all stainless it looks closer to $70. Solid stainless last way longer than other types, which will eventually break, pit, or strip. You can drop this thing repeatedly from 5 feet and... nothing. A lot of people drop Merkurs in the sink and ruin them. Beyond that, you're paying some for the name, and some for a guarantee it's manufactured perfectly, so to speak. The price here is closer to $150, I definitely wouldn't pay 400 for it.
• 63 4y ago
  A leather belt and a dollar store digital alarm clock (bare minimum features but it works more or less perfectly 10 years later).
• spike021 4y ago
  I bought a plastic water pitcher from a Japanese market. Pretty cheap, maybe $15. It's a bit taller and narrower than most American ones. Has an open/close switch, and can stand up vertically in a fridge door or be laid on its side on a center shelf. No leaks. Very handy.
• habibur 4y ago
  A good knife sharpener.
  • romanshrompsky 4y ago
    A good knife to go with it. :)
  • 4ad 4y ago
    Which one?
    • habibur 4y ago
      Classic ones with rotating wheels. These continue to work after ages. https://www.amazon.com/Sharpener-Jonurphy-Sharpeners-Rotating-Sharpening/dp/B09Z1YD5DY https://www.amazon.com/Sharpener-Jonurphy-Sharpeners-Rotatin...
    • hosteur 4y ago
      I like the Tormek systems. I think the T4 (https://tormek.com/en/products/sharpening-machines/tormek-t-4-original https://tormek.com/en/products/sharpening-machines/tormek-t-...) would be good for most who just wants something to be able to sharpen knives once in a while. If knives and sharp objects are your thing, you probably want to go with one of the bigger models.
• swader999 4y ago
  Bushpro treeplanting shovel. If you use it for treeplanting you'll get five long seasons. Everything else, it'll outlast your grand kids. Great for gardening.
• ThePhysicist 4y ago
  Maybe my Mitutoyo caliper. Unless I step on it or it breaks I don't see a reason to replace it, and it should be able to last a lifetime. Some of the other simple woodworking tools like my marking gauge or steel rule come to mind as well, as they are pretty durable and I don't expect ever replacing them unless they break. Also, my cast iron skillet. It seems to get better as it ages, so it has a good chance to outlast most other kitchenware I purchased.
  • baremetal 4y ago
    Miti's are the best. I have one as well. I love old woodworking hand tools. I buy them every chance I get. Slowly building my collection of Stanley hand planes. I have a couple of nice Swedish hand saws. Other assorted tools. USA made sockets and wrenches. Really any USA made old tools.
• mschild 4y ago
  Custom made leather boots. Expensive at around 900 Euros for the pair, but I've had them for 8 years now and they look new. You have to get the sole redone from time to time once it wears down, but the rest of the shoe will last you a good 30-40 years with adequate care.
  • hosteur 4y ago
    I would love to learn more about custom leather boots. Do you have a link with more information on where you get this done, etc?
    • mschild 4y ago
      It will depend a bit on where you are located. I got mine done in a very small shop in Berlin from a Schuhmachermeister. Shes unfortunately not doing shoes anymore. Supposedly there are only around 100 left in all of Germany. I know Florence in Italy also still has quite a few shoemakers. Its likely a major city close to you still has at least one that still makes shoes. This is something you want to get done in person as they must have the exact measurements of your feet. Bloomberg did a relatively short video on it a few years back. It explains a bit about the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITiyKmYnL-0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITiyKmYnL-0
  • rawfan 4y ago
    Yup. I have inherited a custom pair of leather hiking boots that‘s at least 40 years old and I intend to use them for another 40. Of course it’s pure luck that these boots fit me perfectly.
• 082349872349872 4y ago
  I got ~30 years out of a cheap socket set, but the ratchet in the driver finally died. Now I have my father-in-law's expensive socket set, which uses a u-joint instead of a ratchet, so I expect it shall outlive me.
• dvh 4y ago
  30pcs of Chinese Herb 330 fountain ink pen at $0.27 each.
  • jacknews 4y ago
    The prices on those chinese pens are tempting, but I've found many models crack at the screw threads between top and bottom sections - the plastic is obviously thinner there, and usually just too thin, and barely last as long as a full refill of ink. So maybe you'll need much more than 30, or you could buy something actually good for 30x the price.
• asicsp 4y ago
  The keyboard I'm using is about 10 years old. Some keys are a bit loose, but not really an issue, feels very comfortable to use. Keylabels are all still visible, except for the 'i' key. Don't remember the exact price, but it was less than Rs 300 (around $6) at the time. About 2 years back I bought a new keyboard of the same brand, got fed up within a month (frequent mistype of neighboring key) and went back to the old one. I got the audio speakers too about 10 years back. About double the keyboard price. Warranty was for 6 months. My average daily computer use is around 10 hours, so it's not like they lasted long due to low usage.
• em500 4y ago
  Sometimes a useful heuristic about what items really are durable is, do your parents own anything that you are using / would want to use? (In my own case the answer was: nothing.)
  • turtleyacht 4y ago
    Insightful, thank-you. Lacking any physical inheritance, I guess memories and ways of thinking--possibly including prejudices--are also durable in a sense. That made me ponder what I would leave behind to the next generation. Maybe Thinkpads, an upgradeable router/firewall, a custom AI/ML rig? A homelab? Books for sure. Hopefully some wisdom :) I have a Unicomp keyboard. It's still going...
• bloat 4y ago
  Vinyl records. I still have records that are perfectly good which I bought when I first got a record player for my 15th (I think) birthday, 35 years ago now.
  • bloat 4y ago
    I also still have my mum's 7" collection from the sixties.
• baxtr 4y ago
  Furniture. The expensive stuff is pretty durable. A good wooden table might even be used by the next generation. Books. A good tea set.
• karim79 4y ago
  My Fender Stratocaster Ed O'Brien edition. Probably the last electric guitar I'll buy in this lifetime.
  • jasonkester 4y ago
    Indeed. I bought mine maybe 25 years ago and still play it all the time. I could probably sell it for a lot more than I paid for it, but I’m not going to do that. I’m trying the same thing with a Les Paul now. I’ll let you know how it goes in 20 years.
    • karim79 4y ago
      That's exactly it, they are all pieces of art regardless of who manufactured them, etc. I'm fairly certain they all appreciate in value, though that's not why I do it. Guitar playing (as well as, probably any and all other instruments) is just good for the brain.
  • jayski 4y ago
    Guitars in general are a great answer. I have a 72 Gibson acoustic I bought used. Sounds and plays amazing. I see no reason why it wouldn't be passed on to my kids and grandkids eventually.
    • karim79 4y ago
      I always perceive guitars to be timeless things and there is just something magical about them. I understand that people with greater means and resources will literally accumulate them until the end, but I think I have the right ones. Two steel strings, one nylon string, and two electrics including the aforementioned one.
      • askafriend 4y ago
        5 guitars is a lot! I'd consider that well into accumulation territory.
• cinntaile 4y ago
  The cast iron skillet I own should outlast me.
• ejven 4y ago
  Electric tooth brush - the speed and mainly the quality of cleaning is way much better
  • hammyhavoc 4y ago
    I've gone through countless high-end electric toothbrushes. The DiamondClean only lasted a few months. Had some high-end Oral-B sporadically turn on whilst unused. Wonder if this is a regional thing? UK. FWIW, using an Oral-B currently. It's OK. Previous one died after less than a year.
    • kcartlidge 4y ago
      Also UK. We use Oral-B electric too and TBH have reached the point where we just factor in an annual replacement. Their battery life gets very bad very quickly, but they seem to own the mass market here and nobody else feels any better. Atrocious. Any quality suggestions are welcome.
      • hammyhavoc 4y ago
        Seconding the battery problems, and family and friends echo that sentiment. To my limited knowledge, the sales folks for Oral-B visit the dentists who get them onboard with recommending it to patients. It would be a tall order and slow process for a competitor to make meaningful inroads within the UK, but one I wish someone would take on. Very frustrating, especially considering that the amount spent doesn't seem to buy a better product, just added gimmicks on top of the same disappointing base experience. Furthermore, I went through quite literally half a dozen Sonicare Airfloss with pump failures, eventually landed on a water flossing device with an enormous handle from Amazon, at least the pumps don't die now, but new problem of developing leaks after half a year. There's no winning.
    • ejven 4y ago
      I have Oral-B PRO 2500 Cross action, bought two in 2019, both still used everyday (just brush heads are replaced regularly)
• MarkusWandel 4y ago
  Estwing claw hammer. Forged out of a single piece of steel. I think it's theoretically possible to destroy one but it'll last a lifetime or two. Cast iron frying pans. The old kind with the machined (not just raw sand cast) inside bottom. You can destroy them by heating them red hot and then quenching, or dropping onto concrete (I know of both being done). Barring that, will last lifetimes. Any decent kitchen knives - don't have to be showy brands - my favourite one is a Cuisinart. But if the handles hold up they're worth sharpening indefinitely. Any kitchen stuff made out of tempered glass - casserole dishes and the now collectible coloured glass Pyrex bowls. Again you can destroy those by shattering them, but if you don't, they'll outlast you.
  • 082349872349872 4y ago
    > I think it's theoretically possible to destroy [an Estwing] but it'll last a lifetime or two. Bruntons, OTOH, are a little less sturdy.
  • baremetal 4y ago
    I run an Estwing 22 oz framing hammer as my daily driver. They really are indestructible. At most I have to regrind the head a bit once or twice a year to re-waffle it.
• wrp 4y ago
  Just looking down at my desk for things I've had 30-odd years and still using: Pentel Kerry mechanical pencil (https://www.pentel.com/products/sharp-kerry-mechanical-pencil https://www.pentel.com/products/sharp-kerry-mechanical-penci...) Concord nail clippers (https://www.amazon.com/Concord-Black-Executive-Nail-Clipper/dp/B00C6CU7U8 https://www.amazon.com/Concord-Black-Executive-Nail-Clipper/...) Leatherman Micra (mine is made in USA) (https://www.leatherman.com/micra-20.html https://www.leatherman.com/micra-20.html)
  • wheelinsupial 4y ago
    Have you replaced the mechanical pencil over the years or is that still your original one?
    • wrp 4y ago
      Original, old version with "Pentel 5" on the cap. It's had heavy use but shows no sign of it except tiny marks on the finish. I did buy a second one recently to have a different color. (Midlife crisis, I guess.) The new one is just very slightly not as nicely constructed.
• roydivision 4y ago
  Maybe not ‘for life’ but I bought a pair of Caterpillar Colorado smart / casual boots more than 6 years ago. I wear them almost every day during the colder months. They show a little wear, but otherwise rock solid, dependable, comfortable. I don’t plan on replacing them for at least an other 3-4 years.
• runlevel1 4y ago
  Duralex Picardie tumbler drinking glasses. My grandparents gave me a bunch of theirs many years ago. They were durable enough to survive the Northridge earthquake and a whole lot of grandkids. I've seen them bounce off concrete and not break.
• MayeulC 4y ago
  A good soldering iron (~€70) A nice sleeping bag (~€300) We shall see about the rest. I recently bought a Stanley hot water bottle, I'll see how much I use it.
  • dublinben 4y ago
    Any sleeping bag will inevitably lose warmth over time as the insulation (both natural and synthetic) becomes compacted. Their finite lifespan is quite a bit less than yours.
    • MayeulC 4y ago
      That's true, but you can refill them if necessary, and you should store them uncompacted (compact for travel).
• powersnail 4y ago
  A few things that I've owned for a long time: - A Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen. I bought mine for $15 nearly a decade ago, and it is to this day my goto pen. It works as smooth as the first day, which is better than some much more expensive fountain pens. And it basically requires no maintenance, other than refilling it with ink. - A uni KURU TOGA mechanical pencil, also bought a decade ago. I don't use pencil very often, so I might not be the best judge of its durability, but it's basically as good as new. - My violin has been with me since I first switched to full size, which was a long time ago, and still sounding sweet and sonorous. Violins in general are made to last, and quite fixable should any damage occur. Strings and hair need to be replaced regularly, though. - I have a wooden tablet holder that I made myself in high school. It's just a block of wood with a groove, though. - Glassware, ceramic-ware, and metal-ware in the kitchen just seem to categorically not break down, even the really cheap ones. My mom's main kitchen knife has been with our family for about 50 years, and still receives daily usage. Just a brand-less traditional knife from local market, cheap, nothing fancy. - I have got an InstaPot. It was already several years old when I got it, and I've used it for about 7 years since. Not sure about BIFL, but haven't seen any sign of breakage yet.
  • ericpauley 4y ago
    I love my Kuru Toga pencil. Same as you, I don’t use it much, but when I do it makes my writing way more precise. Sure, some argue you can teach yourself to rotate the pencil as you write, but why would I learn to do that for the once a month I use a pencil?
• arepublicadoceu 4y ago
  Definitely Vim. I “bought it” for around 0 usd 15 years ago and used it everyday since. It never got worse, no sign of depreciation whatsoever. One day, while editing an obscenely large code, I thought I broke it forever but the thing just refused to stop working. And, what’s more mindblowing, no move to subscription in sight.
• gfd 4y ago
  Monitor arms. They free up a ton of desk space and are mechanically simple enough that they have a good chance of lasting a lifetime. That is assuming we still have to use monitors instead of projectors/AR/VR in 2050. The first arm I bought maybe 10 years ago is still going strong and have survived 3 different monitor upgrades. Oil it a bit and it's as good as new.
• jzellis 4y ago
  - Doc Martens, though I'm not sure if they're still under $200. But my last pair kept going for twenty years of heavy duty traveling. I got another pair and don't expect to need a third one in this life. - My IKEA rolltop backpack. No idea if they still sell em, but it's amazing. It was probably like $40 or less. - My 1972 Stratojac suede cattleman's coat with fleece collar, which looks like something Jimmy Page would have worn to a Rolling Stone photoshoot. It's the warmest coat I've ever owned - it's too warm to wear unless it's under 40 degrees out. Weighs as much as a Fiat, but I've worn it in blizzard conditions and barely noticed the cold. Got it for $25 at a thrift store. - Gerber Chameleon Remix knife. Carried one for decades before I moved to the UK and used it daily for anything from opening packages to using as a quick duty screwdriver to pulling it on some random thieves to discourage them in Kenya. I have no idea if they even still sell these either, but it was about $30.
• deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
• jacknews 4y ago
  Leica 8x32 binoculars, bought about 20 years ago, second-hand. Such things might become antiques in future, when we have Star-Wars style electronic bins (or even now, with optically-stabilized bins now a thing), but in that case my kids will inherit an antique.
• vr46 4y ago
  Victorinox swiss army knife circa 2007 ish. Broke into my old flat with it once. Billingham 550 camera bag I bought in 1992 for £150. Brilliant. Pilot Capless pen from 2013. Hundreds of miles of handwriting. About £130
• e18hteen 4y ago
  Levi's Denim Trucker Jacket.
  • UncleEntity 4y ago
    I’ve worn out a few of those over the years. Have one that is barely holding together which I cut off the sleeves after watching a movie based on the 80s in a fit of nostalgia, really need to get rid of that one. And another one I got for Christmas maybe eight years ago that is going strong but I don’t wear much because I splurged on a vinyl Levi’s truckers jacket that is my goto jacket when I’m not in sub-zero temps.
• Sukotto 4y ago
  A traditional "Guernsey" wool seaman's sweater in navy blue. I've had mine for 30 years. A "Bar style" blender. (Very powerful motor and the jar has the blades permanently attached). A full set of Henckels knives. Keep them sharp. (I use a stone, but it doesn't really matter... You can even use an old mousepad with a sheet of automotive sandpaper glued to it.) Hardcover versions of the books I like.
  • Dowwie 4y ago
    Vitamix blender
    • bob1029 4y ago
      Strongly recommend the 750. I had a blendtec prior which was a piece of shit by comparison. The motor unit on the Vitamix 750 is very robust and heavy compared to competition. It does have a digital motor controller, but at least it's not a touch screen interface that will fail in about a year due to kitchen duty issues...
  • lwkl 4y ago
    If you don’t want to sharpen knives yourself you can always bring them to a knife sharpener like cooks do. It‘s like 10 - 20 bucks a knife and they will feel like new. You should also have a honing steel and use it before using your knives. This makes a big difference.
• sys_64738 4y ago
  K&R and all Stevens books.
  • __rito__ 4y ago
    Which Stevens?
    • sys_64738 4y ago
      W. Richard Stevens
• Maro 4y ago
  High quality knifes (eg. Victorinox, Winkler): https://winklerknives.com/ https://winklerknives.com/ Rotring metal pens and pencils: https://www.amazon.ae/gp/product/B00AZX0GOM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.ae/gp/product/B00AZX0GOM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_... High quality leather stuff like notebook sleeves, passport sleeves, knife sheats: https://ryokobags.com/products/hudson-leather-notebook-cover-for-a5-moleskine https://ryokobags.com/products/hudson-leather-notebook-cover... Almost any modern bike will last you a very long time. Carbon ones possibly not for a lifetime, steel ones will last for a lifetime. Get a non-electric full Ultegra set, they are awesome. (The electric is also awesome, but not sure about for-life-ness.) If you want an all-arounder, get a cyclocross bike, you can use it like a road bike and also go off-road a bit. These days I prefer Bianchi, Pinarello and Cervelo in terms of shape and color, but other brands like Trek or BMC or Cube are also great: https://bianchistore.online/road/gravel-cyclocross/ https://bianchistore.online/road/gravel-cyclocross/ Watches. I'm not a big expert, but I don't really see a reason for a watch (expensive or affordable) to break, if you wear it reasonably. I have cheap watches from 20-30 years ago that are just fine. Obvious brands are Casio, Seiko, Tissot, Tag Heuer, Breitling, etc. (and then Rolex). There's also lots of smaller brands that make interesting watches (imo) like About Vintage, which watch experts look down on, but I think they're beautiful. There are car types that are famous for long-term reliability. If you're thinking for life, the support you get from/for the brand matters a lot. Certain models from Land Rover, Toyota, BMW, Porsche will last very long. (I'd go Porsche, the people around it are fanatical, and Porsche proudly supports old models, look for Porsche Classic Parts Explorer.) If you want for-life, I'd probably go with an older model that's more mechanic; in Porsche world, I'd get a 997-generation 911 Turbo with manual shift for this type of consideration. The previous 996 is ugly, and the even older model has too old-school interior, but that's completely subjective (also it's rare so it's very expensive). The 997 you can pick up at reasonable used car (Porsche) prices: http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=active&nfpr=1&q=997+turbo+silver http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=active&nfpr=... Most/many print books will last "forever", or long enough for us to die. Solid wood furniture; here in Dubai Crate & Barrel sells awesome stuff: https://www.crateandbarrel.me/en-ae https://www.crateandbarrel.me/en-ae Klipsch speakers, like RF-3s: https://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/klipsch-rf3_e.html https://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/klipsch-rf3_e.html
• D13Fd 4y ago
  I bought 2 real leather belts from a flea market 20 years ago. In that time I’ve had several other leather belts fall apart, with the stitching failing or the material cracking, but these two are perfect. They are just simple leather, one piece, finished on one side and rough on the other, with brass buckles. There is nothing to wear out.
  • deleted 4y ago
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• slindsey 4y ago
  Darn Tough Socks. I'm sure many people have said this before in these threads. But they're well made and have a lifetime guarantee. Sure, $20 seems like a lot for one pair of socks, but not if you have them for life.
  • hammyhavoc 4y ago
    How long have you had yours?
• madmax108 4y ago
  - Mechanical keyboard: Splurged a bit on a keyboard after going through a bunch of membrane keyboards early in my career. My current keyboard has been up and running for nearly a decade and shows no signs on wear and tear and I expect to have it running a few decades from now as well. - Cast Iron cookware: This is on the opposite end of the price spectrum, since cast iron cookware is (usually) quite reasonably priced (and maybe even cheaper) compared to really fancy cookware, but I'm quite religious about maintaining my cast iron cookware, and I expect to be able to keep using it as a stable cooking equipment for all sorts of cooking for a few decades more at least. - Safety razor for shaving: This is a bit sentimental, but when I turned 18, my father gifted me an old-school safety razor for shaving, as a kind of "Welcome to adulthood" gift. I've used it for over a decade now, and despite having a modern electric shaver, I do find myself going back to the razor every now and then, and expect to use it for a few more decades. Yes, it needs fresh razor blades, but the safety razor itself is as sturdy as ever.
  • datavirtue 4y ago
    I exclusively use cast iron and stainless. I don't do much to maintain my cast iron except pour water in while it's hot, to clean, and spray a bit of oil on it when dry. So easy, and I'm not willing to waste any labor/movement in the kitchen (former cook and kitchen manager).
  • marssaxman 4y ago
    I love the simplicity, economy, and durability of cast iron. The set I've had for the last decade will most likely outlive me, and the more I use it the nicer it gets. This past summer I bought a new 13" skillet (which cost all of $40!) and spent an afternoon grinding it smooth with an orbital sander. Re-seasoning took a while, but it is very nice to cook with.
• joemazerino 4y ago
  Plex. Great for internet outages or finding old gems.
  • windexh8er 4y ago
    Plex has really moved over to pandering to investors. The features they're adding are not worth the cost. Jellyfin [0] has become the go-to replacement for me. [0] https://jellyfin.org/ https://jellyfin.org/
• Dowwie 4y ago
  Darn Tough socks. They are well-knit wool socks that last for years. Eventually, when a pair is worn out, you can replace it free of charge with the company. Wigwam, smart wool, and other brands of socks may at one time have been durable but now the heel wears out after a single season of wear. Horrible quality!
  • kylehotchkiss 4y ago
    I like how they send coupon codes instead of a cloned pair now so you can pick a new design or thickness if you’d like. I hope they they never end this program.
• exabrial 4y ago
  SOG Twitch XL I use my pocket knife every single day for something. SmartWool Socks
• exabrial 4y ago
  My Columbia Gear (coat, gloves, boots, hat) Going into year 4 of keeping me warm when temps dip towards 0F and wind is picking up. Anything by Pearl Izumi will simply also last a lifetime. Year 3-8 of some of my cycling and other gear.
  • dvno42 4y ago
    No kidding, I've got about 12 years on my coat and it's still running strong.
• danw1979 4y ago
  Not many tech answers here, but a £100 PC Engines ALIX board from ~2008 is still my home router (software upgraded now and then) in a compact 6x6x1” aluminium case, switchmode DC power supply, read-only root on industrial CF card. Solid as a rock.
• _nhynes 4y ago
  My Osprey Daylite+ backpack cost $80 and has been used every day for five years now. It has a small tear and broken zipper pull, but neither affects functionality. If it ever has a problem, I can always send it back to Osprey for repair or replacement under the warranty. It’s too good, actually. I want to get a GR1 but the Daylite+ leaves almost nothing to be desired.
• blueridge 4y ago
  Not at all under $200 but I purchase one piece of solid wood furniture every year. No MDF, no glass, no metal, no molded plastic furniture, no polyester fabrics. Expensive? Very much so. But I save and budget for these pieces. To me it's like collecting art—I love a well-designed and functional piece of furniture. We're not quite there, but almost all of our furniture in the house is solid wood. One exception is the sofa,though it's also a "buy it for life" item from Knoll: https://www.knoll.com/product/florence-knoll-sofa https://www.knoll.com/product/florence-knoll-sofa Woodworkers: https://www.thejoinery.com https://www.thejoinery.com https://www.thosmoser.com https://www.thosmoser.com (highly recommended) https://hedgehousefurniture.com https://hedgehousefurniture.com https://57stdesign.com https://57stdesign.com http://www.57thstreetbookcase.com http://www.57thstreetbookcase.com (some veneer and plywood) https://www.spekeklein.com/home https://www.spekeklein.com/home These two makers are in a league of their own, extremely expensive, incredibly beautiful hand-made pieces: https://www.sammaloofwoodworker.com https://www.sammaloofwoodworker.com https://nakashimawoodworkers.com https://nakashimawoodworkers.com ($10-15K for a coffee table, plus shipping) And if you're in the market for some high-end leather goods that'll last a lifetime: https://tsuchiya-kaban.com/ https://tsuchiya-kaban.com/ (highly recommended) https://www.marlondoleather.com https://www.marlondoleather.com (highly recommended) https://buffalojackson.com/ https://buffalojackson.com/ https://www.bexargoods.com/ https://www.bexargoods.com/
  • roflyear 4y ago
    Great suggestion and I agree, but you can get some great deals on wayfair for cheap, if you are careful. I purchased my dining set, all solid walnut, and it was $2k including four chairs and two bar stools. Very similar table alone on thos moser is like $6k lol
    • mapster 4y ago
      do you have a link you can share. interested
• cmer 4y ago
  High end loudspeakers for music/home theatre. Turns out, speaker tech evolves pretty slowly. I bought a pretty high end set 15 years ago and it’s still miles ahead of most of what’s currently on the market. I don’t expect to change them for another 30 years. The brand I bought is Monitor Audio. https://www.monitoraudio.com/ https://www.monitoraudio.com/
  • bob1029 4y ago
    Loudspeakers are one thing that do seem to last forever if you take care of them. I still have my Polk RTI12s from when I got them on employee discount while working at Circuit City. I had to epoxy the bass reflex port back together on one of them, but otherwise they can still take a ton of power and light up an auditorium. My top vendors right now would be Emotiva (high-end amps) & Monoprice (gigantic, heavy, cheap loudspeakers).
  • jayknight 4y ago
    I found a pair of decent 20-year-old bookshelf speakers at Goodwill for $15, and got a tiny $30 amplifier to drive then and my humble little home theater setup is way better now.
    • andytruett 4y ago
      Can you share what amp you got?
  • lampington 4y ago
    +1 to that. I picked up a pair of Castle Howard S2s (lovely floor-standing speakers from the 90s) for a few hundred on eBay ten years ago. They're my forever speakers unless I add at least another comma to my net worth.
• bob1029 4y ago
  My list of things under $200 that last "forever" is getting pretty short. Pyrex meal prep containers (1/2/4 cup). The silicone lids will eventually fail but you can replace them (or do without). Also, cast iron, knives and silverware seem to be fairly eternal. Not sure I can recommend anything with motors, electronics or computers in 2023.
  • kcartlidge 4y ago
    > Not sure I can recommend anything with motors, electronics or computers in 2023. True, though my 512MB iPod Shuffle (the classic stick one from 2005) is, surprisingly, still going strong.
• nickthegreek 4y ago
  Plex pass subscription.
  • jordemort 4y ago
    I got the "lifetime" Plex Pass as well but I fully expect to outlive the product. I hope...
• caboteria 4y ago
  I've had a pair of Hobie polarized sunglasses for around 30 years now. I bought them back in the '90's based on a recommendation from Practical Sailor magazine and they're still in great shape.
• halfmatthalfcat 4y ago
  Rogue fitness equipment. Racks, bars, etc. It’s so high quality and will last a lifetime.
  • bob1029 4y ago
    I'd also add Concept 2 rowers to that list. Mine has seen over 5 million meters and all I've had to do is oil the chain and periodically wipe down the rollers/rail.
    • halfmatthalfcat 4y ago
      Absolutely. I have one as well and they're rock solid.
  • blueridge 4y ago
    +1 for Rogue equipment, can't go wrong.
• jerrytsai 4y ago
  Uniqlo HEATTECH T-shirts. I wear these as first layers. They feel good and have a touch of elasticity and never wear out.
  • SauciestGNU 4y ago
    I was a big fan, but I stopped buying anything Uniqlo after it came out they were beneficiaries of forced labor in Xinjiang.
    • hammyhavoc 4y ago
      There goes my cart of clothes. Thanks for sharing!
• JamesLeonis 4y ago
  A custom photo book About a decade ago my brothers and I slummed it across Europe. I took thousands of pictures during the time. I organized the best pictures into a photo book, made several prints, and gave them away later that Christmas. I have a copy on my coffee table right now, and it is a great conversation starter for guests.
• tzs 4y ago
  A Westclox Baby Ben alarm clock [1] with luminous dial, which I probably got in 1980. I haven't had any need for it in the last 15 years but before that it was my reliable backup alarm for whenever I needed to be sure my alarm would go off. Normally I just used a plug-in electric digital alarm clock, but for those occasions when alarm failure would be so annoying that I wanted to be covered even in the unlikely event of a power failure while I slept the Baby Ben made sure I'd still get an alarm. Nowadays that function is handled by my smart phone. The one potential problem with a smart phone as an alarm is that the alarm time might be in the middle of an update but I would disable automatic updates if I were relying on the alarm. The Baby Ben may be my oldest possession except for books. Another "for life" purchase, and another candidate for my oldest non-book possession, is my classical guitar. It's a Hohner HG-13 purchased around 1980. I think it was $68 for the guitar and case. It was a great beginner's classical guitar. I played pretty seriously for a couple years, then sporadically for another 20, then pretty much not at all for until maybe a year ago when I got back into it. I've improved quite a bit since then and am ready to get something better but I'm in no hurry. I've played better sounding classical guitars in music stores and while they sound better, they don't play better so the HG-13 is in no way holding me back so I'm taking my time. I never had the HG-13 set up. It is just as it came from the store. The store wasn't even really a musical instrument store. It was a record shop that happened to have a few guitars on the wall for sale. I doubt they did any kind of set up before putting it out for sale so it is likely as it came from the factory. And that is perfect. Neck relief, nut height, saddle height, action, fret heights are all perfect. Finally, my Swiss army knife which I've had maybe 30 years sure looks like it going to be a "for life" item. The Phillips screwdriver it has is the best screwdriver I own. Screws that other screwdrivers can't get a grip on it handles with ease. And it does this for large and small screws. Somehow they have made a "one size fits all" screwdriver that works well. The scissors are also great. I use them all the time for maintaining my nails (which as a classical guitar player is something I do a lot). I've bought scissors that are sold specifically for nails, and they have all sucked compared to the little scissors in the knife. [1] https://clockhistory.com/0/westclox/series/series-14-1/style-33-1.html https://clockhistory.com/0/westclox/series/series-14-1/style...
• satisfice 4y ago
  My marriage license. Purchased 31 years ago. The titanium wire holding my sternum together.
• SAI_Peregrinus 4y ago
  Ankarsrum Assistent stand mixer ($750). And the blender attachment ($130). More expensive than KitchenAid, but substantially better made. Very different design though, takes some getting used to. The bowl rotates, not the dough hook. Makes it very easy to add ingredients during mixing. My Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS camera lens. $2000. Underpriced for how good a lens it is. I built a 2'x8'x3' (depth/width/height) flight cage for my budgerigars. They love it! Way bigger than any commercial cage.
• BaseballPhysics 4y ago
  Stainless steel pans. Oddly, it was an early 2000 set of frickin Jamie Oliver branded stuff that happened to be on sale: stainless with bonded copper core bottoms and riveted handles. 20 years on and they're still fantastic. Full tang stainless kitchen knives (again 20 years old, Henckels if I recall). Also my Edwin Jagger safety razor. Finally, a Moka Pot.
• __rito__ 4y ago
  - a jacket made of pure leather, custom-made, from a local artisanal, spent ~$120 (quite expensive for India), wearing it for 8 years, and it keeps getting better, zero sign of wear and tear - several fountain pens, especially Pilot Metropolitan F, Lamy Safari M; also the Platinum Preppy is really great, did not expect much from such a cheap pen; contemplated buying better fountain pens now and then, but these are so great; I write exclusively with fountain pens now - physical books that I buy, I buy because they are worth keeping, others I just borrow from library, friends, or buy ebooks - mechanical keyboard, a chinese-made rip-off of a famous brand, but really great, and just as same as the original - leather notebooks (refillable), gets better with the passing of time, can refill them with notebooks from market - as for software, I pay for/use stuff that are open, and easy to migrate from, has good support, etc. vim, ObsidianMD, git, etc. come to mind I am a person who always looks for durable products. Because I like the ease and comfort that comes from using stuff that you are using for years. I look for durable products when I am in the market for anything.
  • RestlessMind 4y ago
    > spent ~$120 (quite expensive for India) Mind sharing where you got that from? I am traveling to India next month and would love to buy one for myself.
    • kylehotchkiss 4y ago
      Take a look at Napa Dori’s leather products as well - outstanding quality and a lovely Indian brand https://www.nappadori.com/ https://www.nappadori.com/
    • __rito__ 4y ago
      A small village in West Bengal. I also know of a neighborhood (multiple independent shops) that sells similar items in Kolkata (prev. Calcutta), but won't be custom made. But the stuff is really good. If you are visiting Kolkata or WB, let me know. I will send you particulars.
  • hammyhavoc 4y ago
    Which mechanical keyboard? Curious to compare against the original.
• ofrzeta 4y ago
  Cast iron casserole, iron steel pan. These are the only things I trust "for life".
• TheAlchemist 4y ago
  Everything actually. I'm sick and tired of cheap stuff. Relatively recent discovery merino wool clothing - extremely comfortable, breathable and most of the time, you don't even have to wash it since it contains some kind of natural anti bacterials that kills any odour. Amazing !
  • karmakaze 4y ago
    This is probably more true now than ever. I used also used to buy everything to last. Now for new things I'll buy an average-priced or even below the first time. Then if/when it comes time to replace it decide how much it matters to me. Anything that use often and in particular things I physically touch/interact-with are high on my desire for quality. e.g. toaster, coffee machine, keyboard, mouse, display, speakers/earphones. Things I don't spend on anymore are hobbies and sports equipment. I've found that I overspend and under-use. I even rented a bass guitar monthly (for over a year) expecting that it would likely end up costing more than buying it. Finally ended my rental and was glad to have done it that way--every few months I thought to myself: use it or return it. Pretty sure I got more use than if I'd bought it and have to deal with a thing I own and don't use.
• comprev 4y ago
  Earlier today I serviced a friends car with tools my dad gave me when I bought my first car - 20 years ago. I say "bought" but my first car (Ford Fiesta mk3 1.1L) had a full engine rebuild under his supervision simply to pass on mechanical knowledge and for that I will be forever thankful.
• BlameKaneda 4y ago
  I try to buy things with longevity in mind, and I'll research brands that are known to be "buy it for life" (and I'll see if they're still BIFL or if they've dropped in quality). I usually seek out thrift stores in my area, and if not then I'll see if I can get quality products at discounts. Here's what I'm into: - Barbour waxed jacket - Bought for brand new at a significant discount from a retailer in the UK - Two mechanical keyboards - Patagonia better sweater fleeces - Although I bought one of my fleeces at full price, the quality, warmth, and fit are second to none and it was 100% worth it. - Two pairs of goodyear welted boots - Goodyear welting means that the soles can be repaired easily, and I'm aiming to have the boots around for years to come. - A narrow-width backpack from Timbuk2 - I've heard the brand has dipped in quality, but the model I'd gotten was still classified as BIFL at the time of purchase. - Zojirushi thermos - It's never leaked on me and years later, it still keeps my water cold for long periods of time. - Zojirushi rice cooker (a Made in Japan model, versus one made elsewhere) - Bought it used on eBay and it works like a charm. - Good socks (Darn Tough, Smartwool, etc) - I get mine at TJ Maxx/Marshall's/etc and they're significantly cheaper than getting them online or at a retailer like REI.
• ivansavz 4y ago
  Sony MDR-7506 headphones[1]. I bought them at least 15 years ago after seeing my friend (a sound engineer) use in his studio. Apparently professionals like them because they are "flat" don't try to boost bass or anything. The leather on the pads wore out after a some years (due to travel), but I got replacement pads and they are isolating as new now. [1] https://www.sony.net/Products/proaudio/common/img/headphones/lineup_detail_mdr-7506.png https://www.sony.net/Products/proaudio/common/img/headphones...
• rawfan 4y ago
  The Katadyn Pocket water filter will probably last you a lifetime with the (replaceable) 50.000L filter it comes with.
  • schoolornot 4y ago
    Dumb question but would this remove the contaminants in South American tap water that make most Americans sick? Or does that water still need to be boiled?
• joeman1000 4y ago
  Last few years: - Herman Miller Embody - HHKB Hybrid Type-S - a large drafting table - Rotring 600 pencil - Global brand knife set - Swisschamp pocket knife - Soviet veshmeshok (surplus backpack) - Technics 1200 turntables - 2021 MBP (not for life, but for about a decade) - Sennheiser HD600 These are my bomb-proof things that come to mind immediately.
• deleted 4y ago
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• mapster 4y ago
  Glerup merlino wool house slipper with rubber bottom. I found a like new pair for $30 at consignment shop in SF, but I will pay full price to replace. https://www.glerups.com/collections/boots/products/the-boot-with-natural-rubber-sole-black-grey https://www.glerups.com/collections/boots/products/the-boot-...
• GoldenMonkey 4y ago
  $600 hard tail mountain bike. Still going strong after 8 years.
• wayvey 4y ago
  A machined titanium card holder and machined titanium comb. Also a stainless steel safety razor. They should easily last way longer than me:)
• kylehotchkiss 4y ago
  Nothing under $200 sadly: * danner boots. Get stitchdown construction models that can be recrafted. * James brand knives. Incredible build quality for an American brand * Garmin handheld GPS units. Don’t know how they can make a device that powers on without issue 10 years after purchasing (woo, AA battery support), but they can’t do UI to save their lives! * grovemade metal/leather wallets. They don’t make these any more. I have a brass wallet that cards slide into and out of. The leather will probably fall off one day and I’ll glue more on. * hardwood furniture. You don’t need to get branded ones; Home Goods has nice options. Look for items made in india, especially with Acadia wood, which usually has a pretty gain and holds up well over time - protip, this is where west elm and crate and barrel source a lot of things from too! No MDF for me! * best made metal toolboxes. RIP, best made co, but the toolboxes I got from them will last forever.
  • exabrial 4y ago
    2nd on Garmin. They can’ta make ui to save their lives, but their stuff lasts at least a decade.
• lmedinas 4y ago
  - My old CDs - My Japan/USA build guitars - Ibanez 7 String - Tube Amp - Engl - Guitar Pedals ok enough music stuff. I have still a SuperSparc 20 and it runs like a champ. Maybe it will last another 20 years ? - Books - House
  • hammyhavoc 4y ago
    I've had plenty of CDs from the '80s degrade to be unplayable.
• sprior 4y ago
  When I was a freshman in college my girlfriend made fun of me for buying a good and expensive desk stapler instead of a cheap one. I explained that I was buying it once. She went on to become my ex-wife and I still have the stapler and it works great.
  • jfmdev 4y ago
    Next time you should also get a good an expensive wife. JK
• fd111 4y ago
  A small assortment of HP RPN calculators. Cold, dead hands, etc.
• Scottn1 4y ago
  Kirby vacuum cleaner. Bought it in 1999. Don't even remember how much I paid for it but they are usually pretty pricey. Yet I Still have it and going just as strong. I've taken it in to local Kirby service store for "tune-up" twice in these 24 years (both when moving) where they just adjust stuff and blow out motor, etc. But other than that it has had just belts and bags over the years as that is all it has needed. I also replaced the cord with a longer one 10 years ago. At this rate it may outlast me. I've actually considered just trading it in for a newer model for no other reason than just wanting something newer looking.
• tomcam 4y ago
  It’s not clear to me you are asking for purchases under $200, so I’m not restricting myself by price. Everything on this list has brought me joy and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. Fender electric guitars. They actually improve with age. Yamaha trombones, trumpets, flutes, viola, electric violins. Bookcases and reading tables from a Borders bookstore that went out of business. Steel desk scissors from the Boeing surplus store. Couches, cabinets, and tables from restoration hardware. We got them for 2/3 off at the outlet store. Our 20 year-old couch looks like it was made yesterday. Hideously expensive leather couch from design within reach. Bought 15 years ago, looks and feels in mint condition. Staub cast iron pots. Bosendorfer grand piano. Oreck vacuum cleaners. Zojirushi rice cooker. Vitamix blenders. Kitchenaid stand mixer.
• l33tc0de 4y ago
  1. A diesel and a levis leather jackets I got for around $350 each. Been wearing them for 9 years now. The Levis one has become amazingly beautiful over the years 2. A citizen eco-drive titanium watch I got for around $120. Working great for 8 years now 3. Nike Air jordan, for around $110. Had to replace the sole once. Going strong for 8 years now, i wear them almost everyday
• baremetal 4y ago
  Old Hitachi framing nail guns. They run forever and can easily be rebuilt. My favorite one is a year younger than me with a born on date of 1987. They are indestructible.
• deleted 4y ago
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