Some that come to mind are:
Benchmade - knives Darn Tough - socks Carhartt - good work gear Doc martens - footwear
What are some good reputable brands that you have had for 5 years + with little to no issues or with a lifetime warranty.
I’ve read some recent reviews on doc martens being total garbage now.
Yes, they got rid of the lifetime warranty and I personally haven’t worn them, but people tell me their old ones work well and have a similar opinion as yours.
Danner is my go-to brand for quality boots.
I’ve been issues a lot of boots from work and the Danners are the most comfortable by far. They went through some shit and made it through, too.
My opinion is they were garbage in the 80s/90s too. I would wear the soles down like an eraser in a matter of months. Warranty or not, that’s not bifl to me.
Thank you, I didn’t realise there was a community already.
The Body Buffer by Manscaped. I don’t like any of their other stuff but my goodness that scrubber is legit. Easy to clean, doesn’t harbor bacteria, easy to grip, very durable, and it creates a nice lather
I believe my 1998 Kelty backpack, Leatherman PST II, 1990 Volvo 240 Wagon and Mohawk Royalex canoe will outlast us all.
I have been looking at a Leatherman for a while now. Are they still worth the money?
I use my original almost every day (actually, not quite the original; I lost my first one after 15 years in a 2013 car accident, and replaced it with the same 1998 model from an eBay sale. My wife has a newer Wave model and loves it. To be honest, though, I haven’t kept up with the latest versions, but I’ve never met anyone who regretted buying one.
You just pushed me over the fence and made me order the Charge+ TTi. Thanks?
Nice. Unless something’s changed recently, you shouldn’t be disappointed. Enjoy!
-Good year welt leather boots in general last a very long time. I have a pair of chippewa boots that have lasted me since 2016 and they’re still good. Haven’t needed to resole them, they’re very comfortable. I’ve worn them maybe 20-30% of the time(I let them rest at least a day between wears). -Straight razors and DE razors last a very long time, and they can both be significantly cheaper than regular disposable razors and electric shavers. -PIAA silicone windshield wipers (I think many silicone based wipers in general) are as BIFL as can be for windshield wipers. I think I have the same pair on my car from 2016.
For socks I was introduced to Feetures and stand by them 100%. I can’t speak for life yet, but I’ve had them over a year and they still feel like new. I’ve also never had a sock that fit my foot properly until I got Feetures.
I recently bought some “cheap” underwear at Walmart. I really don’t like Walmart and avoid going there but I decided that underwear lasting for a decade or longer is just too long. So I’m intentionally NOT doing BIFL with underwear, socks and other things. Because it just seems cleaner and healthier to replace that stuff more often.
With many things I do prefer better quality, BIFL-class products:
LEDs are a much better value even than CFLs bulbs and incandescent are actively eliminated in my house.
I have a Deere mower that seems like it will never die.
Corelle dishes seem to last forever, I have had many of mine for 30 years.
Victorinox knives (pocket and chef’s).
KaBar and Morakniv knives.
Kohler plumbing fixtures.
Rotel or McIntosh audio equipment.
Vitamix mixer.
DeWalt, Makita, Craftsman, Milwaukee, Husky and Hitachi tools.
Deckmate or stainless steel screws for outdoor use.I’m willing to bet your Walmart underwear will be grimier in six months than regularly correctly laundered higher quality underwear.
Request: Fridge brands?
My Samsung fridge broke down. I just got a Frigidaire from Costco and it arrived broken so I’m returning it.
For fridges, and appliances in general, you should look at reviews for specific models; don’t go based on the brand.
We’ve been through half a dozen fridges at least in the last 10 years. They’re all horrible now. The best one we’ve found Medea convertible. You can change it from upright freezer into a refrigerator if you want. We use it as a fridge, and got a chest freezer. I’ve tried every other brand i can get my hands on, and none of them last. It’s horrible.
Do no buy GE. Super trash all of their appliances.
As for recommendations - LG seems to be ok so far.
If there’s one brand I’m not buying again it’s LG.
I know of two LG dishwashers (mine and my parents) that have… issues.
My fridge from them is okay but I’m fairly confident there have been a few times that freeze portion had gone significantly above its set temperature because some popsicles melted. I’ve also had issues with the ice maker design not actually knocking down the ice so I have to open up the door and bang on it to break it loose, at which point a few pieces of ice fly onto the floor.
My oven/electric range from them well … so far so good on that one. I do wish there were actual knobs/buttons instead of the weird “touch” buttons but that just seems to be the trend these days.
Joining in, any tips for a good electric kettle or thermopot?
I tried the cheap ones, and expensive ones, even in-the-middle ones. All of them suckers keep burning down in a year or two.
I’ve had a bonavita electric kettle for 5+ years and it’s been great. I just use it for heating up water ~daily and have zero complaints (not sure if there is anything else that you would be looking for an electric kettle to do). I’m pretty sure it was like $50 on Amazon.
Thanks, I’ll check it out. Yeah, there’s not much features to expect from a teapot other than maybe specific cutoff temperatures for brewing exotic sorts of tea. Other than that, reliability is the main concern, and I’ve had even the seemingly well built ones suddenly die on me for no particular reason.
I cut a hole in the back panel of our Samsung fridge so I can blow hot air at the inevitable ice build-up between the back panel and back wall. Ideally I wouldn’t have to do that, but it makes the clicking sound go away at least.
Miele (European) (dish) washing / dryers / fridges
They also have some 3d printable parts on their official Thingiverse and Printables profiles
Wow that is awesome. When I need a washing machine I’ll check them out!
The vacuum repair guy on Reddit also loved their vacuums.
Their vacuums are incredible, as are their ranges.
Source: Rich friend.
Doc martens are not so great quality now. The general consensus is that Solovair are the spiritual successor (in terms of quality) to what Dr Martens were. This video has more info: https://youtu.be/vkhCcvfVHRs?si=21bH9fSvkNgmjwm1
For laptops O would recommend framework laptops. The idea is that they have upgradable and repairable.modules. You can follow them on mastodon too: @frameworkcomputer@fosstodon.org And we have a Lemmy community too: !framework@lemmy.ml
Mission workshop bags. I love mine, it looks as good today as when I got it.
Sub Zero Fridges, amazing. Toyota, just about any vehicle they make. Vulcan Commercial gas ranges/ovens. Original Penguin Button Up Shirts or Pendleton outer wear. Stihl chainsaws. Festool power tools.
i kind of can’t believe how long my Seasonic PSU is lasting. It’s been on continuously for the last like, 12 years. unreal
I think they were made on contract, but I got a pair of hiking/work boots almost 35 years ago and aside from the slightest rash on the toe-caps they look perfect. If I knew the brand I’d buy shoes and belts all day.
For hiking and camping gear: Savotta
If you’re not from Finland you’ve probably never heard of them but I’m yet to by one product from them I’m not satisfied with. They make gear for the Finnish defence forces aswell.
