I understand completely. 

I'm that way with tools, but I used to have a repair shop, so they were literally the tools of my trade.  I still have my Snap-On wrenches, screwdrivers, torque wrenches, etc.  I bought most in the 80s and only use them occasionally now, but when I do I say to myself "I'm glad I still have my good tools."

My favorite skillet is a stainless Cuisinart that's maybe 30 years old.  The non-stick is an All-Clad.

I haven't done much woodworking but have a few tools.  I recently got some decent but not top-notch chisels and told myself that if I use any enough that they need replacing, they'll get replaced with really good ones.

For motorcycle safety gear, I've been using the Good Stuff for years.  Even the good stuff wears out, but if that sort of thing irritates when when I use it, it goes.

Tools is a good one, I got one of the last US made Craftsman kits a decade ago, most is still going strong.  Not quite Snap On, but they work.  And definitely agree on Motorcycle gear, I spent a good bit on a Klim setup years back and haven't regretted it once.

Interestingly I've started doing most of my clothing shopping at Goodwill, kind of counter to the theme of this thread, but I've gotten a good work wardrobe and a lot of really comfy t shirts.  The nice thing there is if something ends up not working so well I don't even mind giving it back to them and eating the $2 or so it cost.

I just retired a set of Clark's shoes after having purchased them in 2004. They still fit comfortably and offered great support - but the soles were nearly smooth. I managed to totally wreck them this summer by walking through a tire plant and getting carbon black all over them.

I managed to find the Clark's Touareg Vibe model that is a current offering, and shelled out the $85 to get them. The fit was perfect and the all-leather construction should hopefully be as robust as the originals - I'm hoping for another 13 years from these.

Also relevant: I buy quality tools when justified, i.e. frequent usage. I will not go out and buy Snap-On magnetic pick-up tools for $25 when the $2 Harbor Freight one works just as well. I do, however, own a Snap-On #2 Philips screwdriver, long-handle 3/8" ratchet, and two smaller flat-bladed Snap-On screwdrivers. I would usually buy Craftsman stuff, but it's garbage now. If you want quality Craftsman stuff, it needed to be USA-made. Seek it out at yard & estate sales.

I am also a scale modeler by hobby - I have discovered that Testor's enamel paints are far inferior to anything made by Tamiya. I only buy Testor's now if the color is not available from Tamiya or otherwise easily mixed.

We went through (are still going through?) the same thing with our non-stick cookware. We have a set of Cuisinart 'titanium' coated cookware (it's light gray, not black), and the non-stick aspect of the pans wore off forever ago, but the coating is holding strong (the warranty covers the coating against scratches and wear - but no warranty for non-stick-ness). These are not the 'Target/Amazon' versions with the plastic handles, either - they are the professional models from Williams-Sonoma. Anytime my wife cooks anything in them, I have to clean them with a scotch-brite or a magic eraser to get the remaining food off - but they are not warped and distribute heat evenly, so...

just had an eight year old Samsung LCD die ....well the power supply board is toast....i remember when you could get 30 years out of a tv .....

I've almost always paid extra for quality- and rarely have regretted it. Perhaps the biggest splurge was on a Nokona baseball glove (only because I don't use it any longer)- it just felt sooo much better than the half price competition. It served me well for nearly a decade, and still feels like "home" when I put it on.


I found a good belt on Etsy- made by a guy out of Pennsylvania, I believe. Harness leather. Seems to be holding up well. One big caveat- I rotate through about 6 belts, some dressier, some more robust- but alternating keeps the wear down on each of them.

I also have trended toward buying more expensive shoes, that can be resoled and repaired. But similar to belts, I have quite a few pairs that I rotate between, which keeps each pairs' useful life longer. Luckily, mens' shoes remain in style much longer than other clothing items. When it comes to soccer cleats, I'll buy the high end or next t o high end boots a couple seasons out of style - same performance, half price. That works well except for when shoe sizes are limited, especially if a company is inconsistent between models (looking at you here, Puma) or when a brand will no longer be represented (Asics is the guilty party here- found some shoes, love their fit, and can't find them at my standard cleat sources now, so next time I buy, I will need to gamble all over again).

Last edited by n_r_child (2017-11-07 13:25:43)

ikbrown wrote:

For quality items my wife and I have we mostly have our wedding registry to thank for that. TravelPro bags  and the KitchenAid mixer are probably the highlights. Unfortunately our non-stick pans have started to lose their coating so they don't non-stick as well. They were Caulphon from Macy's - we're at the point of debating going back to Macy's for some or just picking some up for cheap from Home Goods or something. Some of the wedding ones are no good after 4 years.

Same here.  My wife and I got some nice quality things from our wedding registry.  Things we wouldn't normally buy ourselves.

Tool wise I have Craftsmen for quite a few of my hand tools, and some of them are pushing 35 years of use. n_r_child can attest to the condition of most of my tools. For Power Tools my starting point is mid-range, unless I know it will be highly utilized. Then I will spend more to get better quality. Bike wise, most of my components are pretty high end, and I have gotten 10 years easily out of components. I still have dishes from the mjd-eighties that are in better shape than the dishes my wife and I bought 13 years ago. I did buy a $450 NAPA hydraulic jack, when my Craftsmen crapped out after a couple of years.

Treat your stuff well and it will last. I have been known to use a dental pick on my tools to get them clean. I have cold weather extension cords from the mid-eighties that I still use daily. Had to replace the ends a couple of years ago, but the cords are in great shape.

Do significant others count? I am looking to upgrade from my last one.

Do significant others count? I am looking to upgrade from my last one.

Already did that once, the current one is a keeper

skidave wrote:

How about computers? I'm still using the same Thinkpad laptop that I bought almost 10 years ago...the thing is built like a tank. The only thing I've had break on it is one of the speakers, and a replacement was $5 on ebay. Service manuals for all models mean that parts are easy to replace / upgrade - I've since maxed out the RAM and upgraded to a fast SSD to keep the thing relatively current and avoid having to buy a new laptop.

Same for me and my Macbook Pro.  10 years old, upgraded to SSD and maxed out ram and it does all I need it to.

snowphun wrote:

Love the buy for life approach with many things. Recent hot button purchase was new carry on luggage. Went with a sweet Burton and LL Bean rollers, Thule was a close second.  Rock solid wheels, satisfying to use zippers and well engineered handles. I wish the carry on sizes were more standardized, many airlines are different and bags are often pushing the limits.

I worked 7 years at Burton. Their luggage is literally lifetime warranty, but I have yet had anything on any bag fail. I once pulled a full size green plaid Burton roller for over a mile from the tram over cobblestone sidewalks to my hotel in the cold November rain in Berlin, Germany. The bag was fully loaded with 11 days of laundry that all arrived dry to the hotel. I still use that bag and the other three Burton pieces I own regularly. So good choice there.

Last edited by krazykarguy (2017-11-07 17:31:27)

Asics Nimbus running shoes are my go-to casual/walking sneakers. Since I worked in the footwear department of a Dick's Sporting Goods, I have worn Asics shoes. By far the best for cushion and support, and they have a running shoe to fit any foot shape.

I have waffled between the Kayano and the Nimbus for years, and they seem to last longer (cushioning-wise) than anything else around. Before you tell me that these are completely different support types, I already know.

Sneakers are never 'buy-it-for-life', but this brand seems to last longer than any other. They are not cheap, however - I recommend buying the 1-2 generation older ones at a outlet mall or online, rather than the newest ones. Kayano 24s are pushing $170 now, and the Nimbus 19 is $150-$160. They're great shoes, but not $150 great...