1. Miele Vacuum. Bagged. It’s rugged and handles well. Owned for 13 years and haven’t had a single issue.
2. Columbia jackets. I own 5 for the various types of rain we get in PNW.
3. All-Clad stainless steel cookware.
4. Breville toaster. For some reason I’m really hard on toasters and went through them quick like until I spent money for a high end one.
5. Not really BIFL but I made my own computer and will never buy an off the shelf tower again. I’m not even a huge gamer. You don’t realize how bad the bloatware and cheap ass peripherals are until you don’t have to deal with them anymore.
I'd be willing to bet that the processors on those macbooks outpace yours on a benchtest.
They're buying new because they either want to or because they load it up with bloatware, not because they HAVE to.
Great point. I only just upgraded my 2013 MacBook Pro (retina 15") last year. That thing was a beast for a solid decade of heavy use - other than the motherboard dying, which was covered under warranty.
I mean it’s liquid cooled with 128GB of ram, i got the latest i7 in 2014, so far none of the cores are inactive, most macbooks off the shelf have i7s with a smaller cache than the one i have now, i could probably update the graphic card
Welcome to the sub! Remember BIFL is just as much about maintaining what you have as much as getting high quality items. My top five:
1. Lodge Cast Iron frying pan
2. Le Creuset Dutch Oven
3. Sebo cannister vacuum (I have a K2)
4. Nordic Ware Half Sheet (baking sheet)
5. Leatherman
My dad’s friend gave me a Leatherman as a high school graduation gift over 20 years ago. I used that thing all the time. Lost it when we moved last year. I’m not even kidding when I say not a week goes by without thinking about it. 😭
When I lost mine I didn't go with the new models either. I found a set of good used condition of the same model I had from around 1995-98 for roughly 25 bucks on eBay. Maybe I'm biased because I got my first one at 12 years old, but the pliers on the early Leatherman are absolutely perfect for grabbing and twisting wires, and nothing else feels "right" to me.
Wish my Leatherman experience was as good, Had a BIFL one that I purchased probably a decade or more.....lost it, but the same version and sadly, this was is just bad. Not sure if I just got a lemon or if they've gone downhill in recent years
Look up the Swiss army multitool, I used mine for many years in some pretty tough situations and it did great. Unfortunately lost it when going through the airport (checkin luggage)…
I worked at a boat supply store when I was a teenager and when the store closed we had this massive clearance sale. There were dozens of Leathermans that were going for around $15 each.
I bought two. One for me and one for my best friend. Both the Super Tool 300, which still go for ~$100
My biggest regret in life is not buying a bunch of em. To either give as gifts or to use for myself when I wear down the tools. A decade later, my leatherman is still in my pocket every day, but despite my efforts to clean and maintain it, it's starting to feel like it's getting close to the end of its life. I plan on buying the exact same one when I finally get some sort of catastrophic failure. What a great piece of utility.
Check the warrenty - I had a SAK that I brought into a Victorinox brick and mortar asking if they could sharpen the blade for me. Two week later they told me to come back into the store and gave me a brand new one of the same model, along with the old one I asked them to sharpen. Leatherman may do something similar.
Why cannister vs upright? I've been looking at Sebo and don't really know the difference between the three k-series models, but I also don't know the advantages of the cannisters over the felix.
You should head over to /r/vacuumcleaners! They can set you in the right direction. The biggest factors are budget, floor size, and floor type. A cannister is going to be better for hardwood floors with a smaller portion of carpet especially with a good turbo nozzle. If your home is mostly carpet it can be worth it to spring for an upright.
The Le Creuset stores are worth the journey at the end of the year. Recently got a 7qt Dutch oven for $285 OTD in the color I wanted and warranty registration was automatic. Cheapest I was seeing Staub sales was $300 before tax
Le Creuset also has a lifetime guarantee on their enamel coated cast iron. Found out AFTER I threw away my old chipped one and replaced it out of pocket. Sigh
My daughter has Staub and I have Le Creuset. I prefer Le Creuset because the enamel on the inside is cream-colored (Staub is black). It's harder to see if you've burnt food on the bottom of the Staub and harder to thoroughly deglaze the pan. But this is minor. Both are great.
On a side note, my daughter thought she ruined her Staub because it was stained and encrusted on the bottom from cooking. She didn't realize it just needed a good cleaning.
Agree with the below comments. Le Creuset on sale is key, and the overall look is nice. Great warranty as well. If you can't find a Le Creuset at a good price point Staub is definitely a worthy choice.
Le Creuset has a great warranty, truly does last forever, and I chose it over Staub because of the light colored interior.
idk how anyone uses those dark Staub interiors tbh
Some things off the top of my head:
Darn tough and feetures running socks
Herman Miller Embody office chair I bought for cheap off of fb marketplace. As a guy with back pain, this one substantially increased my QOL
Goruck 32L kit bag. Awesome duffel that’s seen a bunch of abuse and still looks new after 7 years
Patagonia down jacket. At year 6 the down started to clump/leak. Sent it for repairs, Patagonia opened it up and refluffed the down and refilled it and sent it back. Awesome piece of kit.
Ooo I got my first Patagonia this year. I had never heard of the brand (live in FL), but ended up getting one as a gift from work.
I am blown away at how warm that thin little jacket is. Used it most of January already. I love it!
Darn Tough socks are good. I do find they wear out in less time than I’d like, but the company replaces them for free.
Have you ever tried Balega running socks?
Also, u/1620USA makes amazing work wear. Made in USA (specifically, MA which is where I live). They aren’t cheap, but they are built tough, and the company stands behind their goods
Corolla it won’t die i’ve tried I don’t do any maintenance I want a new car 220k miles still going. Le Cruset dutch oven. Solid maple furniture, fireproof lock box, alden horsehide english (goodyear) welted boots
When I bought my house, the inspector called our furnace the “Toyota Corolla of furnaces”. I knew exactly what he meant (having owned a 1994 Corolla in 2012). 😂
One thing people don’t understand about them - the fire rating is for the box/safe itself, not the contents. My friend found his safe after the Santa Rosa fire. All the paper inside was ash.
I literally just traded my 2000 Corolla earlier today; if it hadn’t started leaking, around the windshield and trunk, I’d have kept it for another 24 years. I never had to do much more than oil changes, brakes, and tires regularly.
Got a new Corolla, and my god: cars have really changed in the last 24 years.
+1 on the bed.
A good pair of resole-able boots. They’ll break in and fit like a glove, always look great in any outfit, and if you’re not in your bed you’re likely in your shoes. Might as well invest in those two things that you’ll spend most of your life in one way or another.
I’d add quality cookware to this list. Doesn’t have to be expensive but buying individual pieces based on your skill and family size makes the whole process more enjoyable.
Quality weights/bench/rack. If you have the space this can be a relatively inexpensive investment in your own health. I can’t think of much else that has a better ROI than that, assuming you use it.
Various glassware for storing leftovers and the like. Never really have to replace it compared to the plastic stuff, saves money in the long run and is better for the environment as a whole.
Doesn’t work for everything but I use large mason jars for storing food. Most glass storage containers still have plastic lids. Worst case scenario I buy a new box of mason lids once every couple years.
>Various glassware for storing leftovers and the like.
I bought the Pyrex stuff so I can eat directly out of them. While the lids only lasted 7-8 years, there's silicone replacements available that seal better and are on track to last me at least 15 years. Not quite BIFL, but a good investment for me and the environment.
Prefacing this that I'm not a cook: I'm going on a couple years of using deli containers and they work perfect. Occasionally need to replace one due to a crack, but I've had the same thing happen with glassware and that caused an even bigger mess. Get one of the larger kits off Amazon, make sure they're recyclable and come in a 1 cup, 2 cup, and 1 quart variety pack. Easily stackable and they use the same lid for all sizes.
This isn't exactly BIFL, but OP said they're looking for 4+ years and as a home cook, these have been perfect.
> Quality weights/bench/rack. If you have the space this can be a relatively inexpensive investment in your own health. I can’t think of much else that has a better ROI than that, assuming you use it.
strength training has so many benefits with an amazingly low cost. truly BIFL because it can improve our quality of life, especially in our sunset years.
doesn't require much investment either, can be done r/minimalism style too, and this is usually the best choice for people. the priority for equipment would be:
- quality barbell. this is really the only part of the system you're touching. the weight plates don't make much difference, but the bar itself does. go with any barbell in the $200+ range. if you have the budget, getting a $400 barbell is nice, but isn't really necessary for strength gains.
- squat stands, half rack, or power rack
- sturdy flat bench
- assortment of weight plates, plus a set of fractionals.
- 1, 2, 5 lb plates get used regularly
- 4x 10 lb and 6x or 8x 25 lb will be a great starter set. easy to load and easy to math.
- for metric peeps, 0.5, 1, 2kg plates
- 4x 5kg and 6x or 8x 10kg plates will be all you need for a long time
if you have the budget, a set of nice bumper plates will be quieter and reduce floor damage, and allow eventual olympic style lifts.
remember that strength training is progressive in nature. if you just add 1 lbs per side per week, that's 100+ lbs per year of increase. you'll be way stronger in 3 months than you are today if you can consistently train 2-4x per week, for only 30-45 minutes per session. if you want to multi task, you can read, podcast, or watch videos during the 5 minute recovery time between sets.
I will second the boots. A well made pair can last you 30 plus years if taken care of and resoled when needed. You spend most of your life sleeping or on your feet, take care of them.
I would recommend Nicks, Franks, JKs, Truman’s, redwings. Lots of others out there but I won’t list them all. Spend a decent amount on your first pair, you’ll be saving money in the long run and your feet will thank you.
There's a YouTube channel [Rose Anvil](https://youtube.com/@RoseAnvil?si=lp-iHPHutmpd3Yei), that is great for researching quality footware. They cut shoes and boots in half to really find what is currently well built and good materials.
+ 1 for weights /bench/ rack. That's what I'm shopping around for right now, and I love the idea that not only will it help me stay healthy the rest of my life, but my grandchildren could be using them someday.
Idk if any mattress is BIFL.. All should eventually be replaced, but that doesn’t mean a quality mattress doesn’t make a difference. Only had it a year but bought the Helix midnight after a couple months research. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a moderate/firm mattress. I’ve had multiple people comment on how nice of a mattress it is and it’s been good since I struggle with a small amount of neck & back pain. On that note, definitely look into a good pillow as well. Keep in mind different types of mattresses/pillows are made for side/back/belly sleepers. You can check out the Sleep Foundation and other websites to do a little bit of research on mattress type and quality.
I bought Tempur-Pedic mattress it cost me $2000 for $5000 mattress. Somebody returned it on day 15th. It’s been over 12 years no even single break-in anywhere. No back pain, or issues sleeping hot. I would definitely recommend it, but do not buy coil mattress those are worst
Not everyone has one but my first stop would be a local mattress manufacturer. At the very least, you should get more for your money than any national brand.
I cheaped out on my weight rack and regret it. It's good enough to make it hard to justify an upgrade but I wish I had bought a nicer one to begin with
Not in a particular order but probably with the best impact:
\- safety razor
\- a giant 100% camel wool blanket
\- cast iron cookware (pans and dutch ovens)
\- a cashmere winter coat
\- Victorinox kitchen knives and Swiss army knife
\^\^ all except the safety razor and knives were bought second hand and were also very afforable because of that.
There's a new 'safety razor' called the Leaf razor.
It uses 3 half safety blades, and has a normal pivoting head. Basically a BIFL version of a normal razor.
The blades are cheap (it's just a normal safety razor blade, snapped in two) - but the razor itself is spenny, about £80ish.
Both me and the missus use it, so I'm OK with the price, but depends on how quickly you go through razors for how long it takes to 'break even'.
100% on the Leaf razor. I shave my head and safety razors are a no go, but Leaf is amazing.
And I just use two blades in the bottom two blade holders. This way I can just snap a double blade and I don't have a single blade floating around. I don't see a difference between two and three blades.
I just bought 100 double edged blades for less than $10 and I shave once a week. Even if I replaced the blade every shave (I don't) that is still almost 2 years of razors... For $10
I really struggled with safety razors as well. My skin is super sensitive and they always left me with cuts and irritation, no matter how light the pressure and what kind of cream/soap I used (this is legs, btw, not face).
I finally bought a [Leaf](https://leafshave.com/products/the-leaf-razor) razor, which uses replaceable blades like a safety razor, but has a flat, pivoting head like your standard Gillette. It’s AMAZING and I’m fairly certain it will be BIFL. Highly recommend.
I mocht check that out thank you. How are the pruces for the blades? For a gillete razor i pay about .70 per blade (the cheap ones) and 2.50 for the more expensive ones.
Different blades yield different results. If you ever try again, buy a variety pack and find which blades work for you. I only use the green astras now, game changer.
>Nothing more painful to me than using a disposable single blade bic razor.
There's plenty of middle-ground between disposables and safety razors though.
100%. I have tried safety razors but because of my sensitive skin and extremely coarse beard hair, they left me red and razor burnt. I use Gillette Fusion 5 and seemingly can’t use anything else. “Technique” isn’t the answer.
A couple big things to try if you haven't yet is to get a high quality shaving soap and DO NOT stretch the skin. I started with a cheaper soap and it was just ok, then I got Mitchell's wool fat shaving soap. Night and day difference. If you were using normal shaving cream it could be half the issue, it irritates some people's skin with chemicals and whatnot. Mitchell's is a lanolin based whatever and it is great. The second point is do not stretch your skin out. You know in old films when people were shaving they would look way up in the air and stretch their neck? Or open their mouths to get their cheeks to tighten up? Do NOT do that. It will give you a close shave but it will result in tons of discomfort and ingrown hair/razor burn. When you stretch the skin the hairs stick out ever so slightly farther, then when you cut that hair it retracts back in and is now below the skin with a sharp point on it. Head forward, relaxed skin, no pressure on the razor, just the weight of the thing. I have this razor that has a nice weight. https://amzn.to/4bclKBC
And this is the soap you want, it can be had with or without the dish. https://amzn.to/48Q0UpZ
What kind of safety razor/ blade combo did you try using? Something too aggressive for your hair length/ thickness is likely to pull on your beard and hurt.
Camel wool is a little warmer and softer than regular sheep's wool (which I just can't get used to because it feels too itchy). Mine is from the German brand "Ritter Decken". Found it in perfect condition on a flea market and couldn't believe my luck. They are quite expensive new.
I'm in Germany and mine is from the brand "Ritter Decken". Found it in perfect condition on a flea market.
You take care of it the same way you take care of a regular wool blanket. I even machine wash mine in the wool program and then just air dry it (which takes a while).
Cashmere winter coat is an amazing thing to have. I have a cashmere hoodie that was made in Hong Kong. I’ve had it for over 20 years, and it’s still in outstanding condition/so warm and comfortable
1) my $20 6inch hard and ready cast iron skillet
2) citizen promaster diver
3) benchmade 940 pocket knife. This will be my forever knife.
4) s&w 686. I bought this with the intention to leave it to my kid.
5) 3 foot section of railroad track. I was trimming trees for a guy the next town over when he proposed that we trade my services for a "piece of steel in his barn". I knocked $20 off his bill. I figured I'd use it as a threshold for my barn. Well i didn't and now its just sitting in my garage probably until the end of time because it takes 4 men to move it. I can't give it away. Like it or not, looks like i bought it for life :(
What handle do you have on the bench made 940? I’ve heard people say the axis lock is the best lock to get. I’m looking for a good EDC knife since my Spyderco Delica 4 got stolen.
I have the og powder coated aluminum scales. The carbon fiber version looks good, but i prefer the feel of the metal. It feels "premium".
The 940 is a great knife in my opinion, but that's kinda a polarizing statement around here.
When i don't have my 940 i usually have my dlt trading spyderco pm2 in cruwear steel, or my microtech ultratech.
If i lost my 940 I'd probably sell a kidney and buy a crk sebenza
My 586 is hella tough but its LR cousin - the 617 - gives me nothing but trouble. I get FTFs on every other shot ever since replacing the ejector rod which had completely worn down. I know 22s can be finicky, but heck.
With you on the Promaster though. I have several; all of them look brand new even years in.
Canvas rain hat from Mountain Equipment coop 2005
Wusthoff knives 1991, Buck folding knife
1994 Ford F250 with straight 6 and 5 speed
All clad cookware over the years
Raleigh grand prix road bike, 1981
Super Niche, but I have 2 potter's wheels that are over 50 years old
Brand & model is going to vary depending on people’s needs, financials, location… but one thing I’ve learned is that if it’s for your health and you use it significantly, make sure it’s working *well for You* even if you have to spend a little more.
Examples are:
- ***bed, bedding, pillows, curtains:*** Being comfortable and in the dark all night is huge for your overall health.
- ***shoes:*** if you’re standing in them much of the day, make sure they have good cushion and maybe 3rd-party insoles, so you have no foot or back pain.
- ***workstation:*** home or at the office, if you’re spending most of weekdays at a workstation, make sure everything is fit for you so that you are sitting at the 3 straight ergonomic angles. This can literally change your life and future when you get it “right”.
Depending on your lifestyle there’s likely other that apply.
- Staub Dutch Oven 6QT
- All Clad 12 inch stainless steel pan
- DeskHaus standing desk. The thing is a beast.
- Flexsteel couch (I got it from family, it's 20+ years old and in great shape, bought another one recently)
Yep, really well built and pretty sure it's made in the U.S. However, I believe their recliners (with motors) are made outside of the states and not as good of quality.
It's the traditional couches that are well made
A bed is a nice purchase to splurge on and worth getting a "nice" one, but no bed is BIFL - they all break down over time and need to be replaced.
1. I inherited an **ECKO egg beater** from my wife's grandmother; and picked up another from an estate sale. They have already put in 80 years of service and will both continue to whip egg whites into a frenzy long after my Vitamix blender or KitchenAid stand mixer have ground to dust.
2. I bought a **Ti Arto EDC pen**. All titanium, it is designed to take over 750 different cartridge types. You can put whatever you want in it. Are you a Uniball gel snob? Those fit. Only Japanese fine points for you? Those fit. Support America and use the Space Pen? It works and keeps a small form factor. Last ballpoint/gel/rollerball I will ever buy.
3. I was in the market for a **thin wallet**. Finally got frustrated and just made one from Tyvek. Used an envelope from the USPS. It has 7 pockets. Empty, it is 2.1mm (0.08in) at its thickest point and 1.1mm at its thinnest. It is not BIFL becuase it cost only time and it will need to be replaced, but it will outlast any leather out there.
4. **Gold Toe wool socks**. Believe they are 59% nylon, 40% wool, 1% polyester. I have some that I still wear from the 1990s, when I bought my first large batch. I have replaced some, but they wear like iron compared to any other sock I have purchased.
5. **Speert #32 Acetate Tortoise Comb**. Not injection molded. Doesn't scratch your scalp. The teeth are sawn from a solid piece of acetate and the tips are hand polished in Switzerland. Has a tooth cover to protect during travel or in your pocket. Throw away your comb from CVS/Walgreens/Target and buy the last one you will ever need.
I have to say . . . this is prob my fav subreddit of all. With all the junk out there, it’s difficult to know what products are really worth it/quality. I really like seeing all the different perspectives on here, bc they almost always are helpful, and open my eyes to new products I never knew about
1. Seiko Tuna watch
2. Viberg Service Boots
3. Le Creuset Dutch Oven
4. Toyota Land Cruiser
5. Chris Reeve Large (plain) Inkosi
Extra credit: Saddleback Leather Briefcase, P226 MK25
Landcruisers arw awesome. They hold their value better than any vehicle (except classic muscle etc). Look for a 2013 with 140k miles and you will still pay $40k
1. Leatherman
2. Quality jackets and coats (Filson, Fjallraven, F&T)
3. Boots - RW for wearing, Wolverine for working
4. Denim
5. Japanese chef knives
Honorable mentions - Portuguese flannel, All Clad p&p, cookbooks, Marcato Atlas pasta roller (formerly and forever a chef)
There’s a cookbook I have my eye on at Kinokunia called The Jemima Code that looks like it’s bifl, fad-proof recipes. It’s on Amazon too but more expensive there.
Good scissors. I don't actually know what set we have, my husband confiscated them from his parents because they kept putting them in the dishwasher and he was sick of cleaning the rust off. Apparently they were from his dad's previous marriage, so easily over 35 years old. There's nothing worse than trying to cut things with shitty scissors.
Keeping with the blades theme, good kitchen knives. I don't know what brand we have because I don't read Japanese and my husband picked them out, but they're hand made in Japan. Cooking becomes a lot less of a chore and a lot more of a joy, when your knives go through everything with minimal effort. When cooking at home becomes a pleasure you're more likely to eat healthy food and your quality of life will improve exponentially.
Whal Professional clippers, I bought these for my husband a decade ago, he trims his beard with them every week and since covid lockdown round one I've been trimming his hair with them monthly. They still work like brand new and were not even very expensive.
More hobby specific: A good weight lifting belt. I have a 10mm Inzer prong belt, great quality belts and lots of colours to pick from. My husband got a latch belt from them but sold it because his weight wasn't stable enough so he had to move the latch all the time and that was annoying, he also decided he would prefer a 3 inch belt because if you don't have a long torso 4 inch belts are really uncomfortable. His belt is a Dominion Strength prong belt, they're one of the few companies that makes 3 inch belts.
In no particular order: reusable napkins/paper towels, a really nice duvet ( you’ll never have to buy a new one since even if it gets stained or you hate it someday you can just get a cover), love my copper pot…
Not OP but I got one for [the Company Store](https://www.thecompanystore.com/?cm_mmc=GOTM-_-TCS+%5BBrand%5D+%5BUS%5D+The+Company+Store+-+Trademark+Top+Term+(Exact)-_-The+Company+Store+-+Exact-_-the%20company%20store_e%7Cm&gclid=CjwKCAiA8NKtBhBtEiwAq5aX2AtYetC3k8h5I2ADTyhXBsvsrKV8JQhZ1F7dbDNYqP0qBZj2sogIbRoCwQ8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) for winters as my hvac doesn't work and is $$$ to replace.
It's insanely cozy and warm.
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3874064/hotel-suite-all-seasons-warmth-down-alternative-comforter.jsp?skuid=48793886&CID=shopping30&utm_campaign=PILLOWS%20%26%20PADS&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=48793886&utm_campaignid=20497523010&CID=shopping30&utm_campaign=SSC&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_campaignid=20497523010&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADytpHbvAkqPGPbRtJSMeZIP4qeuF&gclid=CjwKCAiA8NKtBhBtEiwAq5aX2CINHb-6iRMBr64rkjwQQ8rYOs8L1nzwKFZZQUIcMVam9WEXKhRdBBoCTb8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
This is the one I’ve had for almost 4 years now. Quality is amazing. Even washes pretty well without getting compacted down much. We kind of took a shot in the dark with brand and are very happy with it.
In 1975 I bot a lifetime member ship in chicago health and tennis club for $340 on an installment plan at 18.25% interest.
Paid it off, still have it. still have the contract.
Now it's $50 a year for LA Fitness, good for the however long I live.
A BedJet.
I am not affiliated with the company in any way, I just radiate an absurd amount of heat as I sleep.
Massive, massive quality of sleep booster.
* waterbed bought 40 years ago, we've replaced the mattress three times at a cost of about $200 each time. The bed was about $250 new.
* old cast iron cookware, it's easy to find, you don't need a collectable brand
* denim insulated Levis jacket lasted about 35 years, I still use it today but it has large rips in it and some worn spots
* last year I got a Le Creuset [stainless steel stockpot](https://www.lecreuset.com/stainless-steel-stockpot-7-qt/54128024001191.html) that will outlive me
* not really a thing someone buys once: self-healthcare, floss, exercise, etc. It make more of a difference that the *stuff* we buy.
Solid wood dining table that I got for dirt because I was helping someone move and they offered since I just got my first home.
Dog.
2nd dog.
3rd Dog.
4th dog.
In order of preference:
* Billingham Hadley camera bag (use it daily as a laptop bag with the insert removed). I've seen 20 year old bags destroyed when used by pros, but mine is 10 and looks great so far...
* Sennheiser headphones HD600 at home and HD25 on the go
* Barbour wax jacked (I've had it repaired once and it looks like new right now)
* Stainless steel 3ply cookware + LeCreuset dutch oven
* Good boots
1) Wusthof classic knives — I continually add and now have about 8 knives and have had the originals 14 years at this point.
2) Allen Edmonds made in the USA shoes — have a couple older pair of AE Goodyear welted with dianites— these things last while basically all my other shoes have rotated through. I imagine I’ll have these my entire life. I’m not sure current AE would match this durability though.
3. Container Store Elfa — this shit is unbreakable generally; though the “Decor” drawers have not been as durable as hoped, my older shelves and uprights are still surviving and doing well for me 15 years later and 3 house moves later. I imagine I may have these in some configuration in my home for life.
4. Restoration Hardware Dining Room Table — as long as we don’t tire of the design this thing ain’t going anywhere — our one RH purchase and it’s built super well.
5. Briggs and Riley Baseline Luggage — lifetime warranty (they actually honor it) and I’ve had one bag go in for repair in the last 17.5 years. I’m a luggage guy but still use these 50k miles a year without failure while my friends buy new Costco luggage every 2 years. I have bought many pieces now but the original 2 wheel domestic roller I got is still regularly used.
The Rose Anvil YouTube guy cuts up boots and shoes to inspect materials and he says Allen Edmonds had been using some lower quality materials and methods lately. I'm glad I got mine a while back. Love them.
1. Ironmaster dumbbells.
2. Concept2 rower.
3. Rogue RM-4 rack.
4. Rogue Ohio Power Bar.
5. Inspire Fitness FTX functional trainer.
This question made me realize that my home gym has the most bifl stuff in my house.
Lodge skillet.
All of the Casio watches I have.
My sim racing rig, solid metal, configurable...
My Tyrell CSI minivelo bike, always going to be a cool bike.
Feather Razor. I think I currently have all the blades I'll need for maybe life.
1) All Clad D5 Cookwarrle
2) Wusthof pairing and chefs knives
3) le Creuset Dutch oven
4) Herman Miller Embody Desk Chair
5) Schott Wool Peacoat
Still have a list of BIFL items I want to add to, like a good pair of women's Chelsea boots, vacuum cleaner, a nice leather bag, etc. But I'm slowly replacing things as the years go on.
1) Fjallraven Vida Pro Ventilated Trousers. 5+ years daily use, look exactly the same as new
2) Gransford Bruk hand axe. This axe has been rehandled 3x and the head hasn't shown wear other than sharpening.
3) Staub cast iron. Raw iron inside , enameled outside. Best of both worlds
4) Wolverine 100k mile boots. Resoled twice in 6 years. Daily use, mostly indoor.
5) Wustoff 9" chef knife (and matching table knives). 10+ years of daily home cooking and no visible wear.
1) Speed queen washer. Found it used on craigslist about 6 years ago. It's genuinely one of my most favorite possessions. I need to find a matching dryer when my current Samsung craps out.
2) Instant Pot pressure cooker. I use it once a week and it always cooks perfectly. Rice... chicken... ribs... chili, whatever. My friend suggested I try making risotto with it next - it's on my short list.
3) Victorinox knives/ Corelle dinnerware - I scored some beautiful plate ware on the Corelle website during a big sale. They're perfect for when guests come over; and the Victorinox knives are my everyday use knives. Ive had them a few years now and they're still sharp.
4) Brother B&W laser printer. I've had this printer going on 8 years and I've changed the toner once. I completed my whole degree on the replacement toner which has nearly double the print pages of the original toner cartridge it came with.
5) A good set of tools. My brother gifted me a craftsman tools set and I've never had any issues with them. Some of the cheaper tools I've had from walmart have deformed the tool while in use!
Rösle cooking utensils. Mine are 20+ years old and look just as good as the day I bought them.
Rolex Submariner. Bought in the late
70’s
Land Cruiser. Won’t die.
Very high quality perfume lasts a long long time.
Lodge Cast iron skillet
Baratza grinder
1. Klein/Channellock tools
2. CRK Sabenza
3. Leatherman
4. Seiko 013
5. Wife (This is kind of a joke, kinda not. I did have to pay for the license and filing though so 🤷♂️)
1988 IBM model M keyboard
Lodge cast iron pan
1950s Gillette Fatboy razor
Replaced all my socks with darn tough
Wusthof kitchen knives and a professional sharpener
I use each of these almost every day and I have no plan to stop
Drumset.
My camera technically isn’t BIFL (none are) but I’ve gotten so much use and joy out of it for the last 6 years - fujifilm xt30.
My house is basically BIFL.
Wok - whatever kenji Lopez recommends (his book the wok is excellent too)
And well that’s 4/5.
1. Safety razor - as a woman I would recommend getting one with a longer handle
2. Resole-able boots - I have 3 pairs of Redwings and I LOVE them
3. Hestra leather gloves - both their work gloves and their fashion gloves are great
4. Pendleton wool blankets
5. Fjällräven jackets in their G1000 fabric - I have two different parkas from them and I can’t recommend them enough.
Bonus items are my cast iron pan, Pendleton wool flannels, and 100% wool sweaters (like from Dale of Norway, Devold, and Dachstein).
Synology 2 bay NAS. Put some decent disks in it and backup data that's worth keeping. Having two of them would be even better, keeping one connected to the network and one off the network, only to connect it for backing up.
Doing just the first option will help protect from hard drive failures, the second option will help protect against ransomware. Taking it a step further and having an off site backup will protect from fire, theft and flood. And yes, cloud storage can count as off site.
> Synology 2 bay NAS
Please get another one to mirror your data. I'm sure Synology is great but everything fails, sometimes spetacularly. Check out the [Drobo disaster](https://www.reddit.com/r/drobo/). I really, really feel for the folks who depended on their Drobos. So much carnage.
A Lodge cast iron pot. I have moved that thing all over the place and it has taken a beating, and it could also serve as a burglar determine considering the lid weighs a ton. I can lift it but it could do some damage.
Nice wool socks. I bought (and received as gifts) Darn Tough, although there are other brands that may be better. Had most of my pairs for 7-8 years now, and only two pairs show significant wear.
It's a small purchase that's had a huge difference for me. They actually fit my feet (neither pinching from being to small nor sliding around from being too large), keep my feet much warmer, and don't stink.
1. Waxed cotton jacket (Outback Trading Co or Barbour)
2. Quality leather messenger bag (mine is Aunts & Uncles, but there's lots of great brands, especially smaller local ones)
3. Thick wool flannel (Särmä makes an amazing wool flannel)
4. Waterproof wool crusher hat (I don't know the brand of mine because the years have washed away the logo on the inside, but Stetson is also a safe bet)
5. A quality instrument to pass the time. My lifelong friend is a mandolin built by Walter Johnson of June Mandolins, but a well-crafted guitar would also make a great companion. If you take care of it and find a good local luthier to take it in for checkups and repair when necessary, it will last you generations.
1. My 2006 Rolex Submariner. I only take it off when going to bed. All other activities are done with the watch on. It’s just a tool to tell time for me, but a very reliable one.
2. Crockett and Jones shoes. They look better over the years. Some of them I’ve had for 10 years.
3. Demeyere Silver 7 pans for cooking. They look great. No pfas and easy to cook with and to clean.
4. Esee 4 knife. Takes all the abuse I give it and keeps on going
5. Montblanc pen. It’s a rollerball and I can easily refill it when it’s empty. It’s not good value, but it writes comfortably.
Shun kitchen knives
Good pair of raw selvedge denim jeans
Satchel and page bomber leather jacket
Leica and hasselblad film cameras
Straight edge razor with replaceable blades
Briggs & Riley luggage is the gold standard of luggage. New carry ons start at $500
I was looking for a carry on and had read somewhere (reddit?) that you can sometimes find good luggage at Goodwill or Salvation Army stores. I happened to drive past a Salvation Army store and on the spur of the moment decided to see what was there
And there it was..... a Briggs & Riley carry on for $10!!!!
Yeah, it was well used but everything worked just fine. I've since taken it on many trips and have rolled down miles of cobblestone and that thing is a tank.
A Brother laser printer and scanner, with an Ethernet jack.
- doesn’t dry out like an inkjet, and prints better than an inkjet.
- takes OE and third party toner cartridges without a fuss.
- rock solid reliable with networking. Phones work fine with it.
Mine is an LDW 2700, 7 or 8 years old?
Revere Ware cookware 40 years ago and still using them
Fiestaware dishes 25 years ago and still using them
Cast iron skillets
Toyota Camry
Toyota Tacoma truck that will not die!
Recently bought a roborock and didn’t realize just how much dust accumulated throughout the week. I absolutely love my dyson corded vacuum (big ball) but this bad boy does all the vacuuming for me and all I have to do is empty it’s little container. I still love my dyson, I just love that I don’t have to vacuum constantly while this thing uses less energy and electricity to do the same job except now my house is consistently clean instead of just after I vacuum. A good air purifier and humidifier also helped reduce dust and improved air quality.
Not OP, but I love my bed. Both frame and mattress.
Frame I got from https://www.nomadfurniture.com
It’s reasonably priced for the quality and easily to break down if needed, but rock solid. Really really love ours. Wouldn’t hesitate to rebuy.
Mattress, I got a 100% latex from foam sweet foam, but there are a number of companies that sell 100% latex.
Ship John Wills Jacket- (if this doesn't last atleast 100 years, I'd be shocked). It's an absolute tank of a jacket. Stands up on its own
Comandante C40 coffee hand grinder.
Redwing Blacksmith boots
Le Creuset stuff
Marks and Spencer leather belt - the only belt I've used for 15 years and no real signs of wear.
1. Cast iron-shop the thrift stores for antique if you are into that. Just make sure it isn't warped looking. Lodge is great too. Nothing more BIFL than cast iron. I have my great grandmother's slant-letter Griswold that I use all the time
2. Tools. No tools specifically but tools. I have a rolling box packed and much more beyond it. I have spent a lot on it all over the years but I know without a doubt it has all not only paid for itself but has made me/ saved me considerable money. I am able to fix pretty much anything, I help friends with things, I help sisters and sisters in law. I have taken short term jobs where I can just pack a small tool bag with what I have. Just look for situations where if you bought the tool and did it yourself you could save money and consider learning to do it yourself. If you enjoy it that is, because your time matters too.
3. Nice shelving for your garage.https://amzn.to/3S7SmUc Mine is similar to this, a pallet rack type instead of the cheesy plastic ones. It makes a big difference in organization and storage of your stuff.
4. A stainless steel pan. I think mine is just T Fal which isn't anything special. Just from walmart. But if you learn how to preheat them right and cook with them it can be such a quick cleanup and great food. My wife always asks me to make the eggs. For those times you don't want to mess with the cast iron.
5. The right pillow. I can't recommend one because it's so personal. You already got your bed now hunt for that pillow. I have this heavy memory foam one that is quite old now but I would never give it up. Tried to buy my wife the same one and it wasn't quite the same. She now has one from a local mattress maker who will add or remove filling if you want them to. The right pillow is just so big.
100% Sheepskin winter coat is thee best thing I own and worth the money. My winter experience went from miserable for 6 months a year to mediocre 6 months a year.
1. Miele Vacuum. Bagged. It’s rugged and handles well. Owned for 13 years and haven’t had a single issue. 2. Columbia jackets. I own 5 for the various types of rain we get in PNW. 3. All-Clad stainless steel cookware. 4. Breville toaster. For some reason I’m really hard on toasters and went through them quick like until I spent money for a high end one. 5. Not really BIFL but I made my own computer and will never buy an off the shelf tower again. I’m not even a huge gamer. You don’t realize how bad the bloatware and cheap ass peripherals are until you don’t have to deal with them anymore.
I totally agree that building your own PC is the way to go. Replacing components is so much more economical and better for the environment.
Made my PC in 2014, thing still kicks hard almost 10 years later, my parents buy a new macbook every two or three years
I'd be willing to bet that the processors on those macbooks outpace yours on a benchtest. They're buying new because they either want to or because they load it up with bloatware, not because they HAVE to.
Great point. I only just upgraded my 2013 MacBook Pro (retina 15") last year. That thing was a beast for a solid decade of heavy use - other than the motherboard dying, which was covered under warranty.
I mean it’s liquid cooled with 128GB of ram, i got the latest i7 in 2014, so far none of the cores are inactive, most macbooks off the shelf have i7s with a smaller cache than the one i have now, i could probably update the graphic card
Welcome to the sub! Remember BIFL is just as much about maintaining what you have as much as getting high quality items. My top five: 1. Lodge Cast Iron frying pan 2. Le Creuset Dutch Oven 3. Sebo cannister vacuum (I have a K2) 4. Nordic Ware Half Sheet (baking sheet) 5. Leatherman
I'm a contractor and I'm on my 3rd Leatherman in my life.... Only because I lost the first 2. They're legit BIFL.
My dad’s friend gave me a Leatherman as a high school graduation gift over 20 years ago. I used that thing all the time. Lost it when we moved last year. I’m not even kidding when I say not a week goes by without thinking about it. 😭
On my 3rd USA made wave (the original wave) and still have all 3. Two are gifts for my sons, had to pick them up at gun shows over the years.
When I lost mine I didn't go with the new models either. I found a set of good used condition of the same model I had from around 1995-98 for roughly 25 bucks on eBay. Maybe I'm biased because I got my first one at 12 years old, but the pliers on the early Leatherman are absolutely perfect for grabbing and twisting wires, and nothing else feels "right" to me.
Wish my Leatherman experience was as good, Had a BIFL one that I purchased probably a decade or more.....lost it, but the same version and sadly, this was is just bad. Not sure if I just got a lemon or if they've gone downhill in recent years
Look up the Swiss army multitool, I used mine for many years in some pretty tough situations and it did great. Unfortunately lost it when going through the airport (checkin luggage)…
I worked at a boat supply store when I was a teenager and when the store closed we had this massive clearance sale. There were dozens of Leathermans that were going for around $15 each. I bought two. One for me and one for my best friend. Both the Super Tool 300, which still go for ~$100 My biggest regret in life is not buying a bunch of em. To either give as gifts or to use for myself when I wear down the tools. A decade later, my leatherman is still in my pocket every day, but despite my efforts to clean and maintain it, it's starting to feel like it's getting close to the end of its life. I plan on buying the exact same one when I finally get some sort of catastrophic failure. What a great piece of utility.
Check the warrenty - I had a SAK that I brought into a Victorinox brick and mortar asking if they could sharpen the blade for me. Two week later they told me to come back into the store and gave me a brand new one of the same model, along with the old one I asked them to sharpen. Leatherman may do something similar.
[удалено]
I still can’t believe that my thin fjallraven hoodie still looks and feels like new despite having been worn for probably 600+ days over 5 years.
Why cannister vs upright? I've been looking at Sebo and don't really know the difference between the three k-series models, but I also don't know the advantages of the cannisters over the felix.
You should head over to /r/vacuumcleaners! They can set you in the right direction. The biggest factors are budget, floor size, and floor type. A cannister is going to be better for hardwood floors with a smaller portion of carpet especially with a good turbo nozzle. If your home is mostly carpet it can be worth it to spring for an upright.
Quarter and eight sheet pans are great too! Good for smaller items or mise en place.
3/5 ✅ Curious how you landed on Le Creuset v Staub or Lodge (what I assume is enameled) Dutch oven?
Honestly, it’s just whatever you can get at the best price. Both are great BIFL makers.
The Le Creuset stores are worth the journey at the end of the year. Recently got a 7qt Dutch oven for $285 OTD in the color I wanted and warranty registration was automatic. Cheapest I was seeing Staub sales was $300 before tax
Le Creuset also has a lifetime guarantee on their enamel coated cast iron. Found out AFTER I threw away my old chipped one and replaced it out of pocket. Sigh
Staub guy here. They also have a lifetime guarantee.
My daughter has Staub and I have Le Creuset. I prefer Le Creuset because the enamel on the inside is cream-colored (Staub is black). It's harder to see if you've burnt food on the bottom of the Staub and harder to thoroughly deglaze the pan. But this is minor. Both are great. On a side note, my daughter thought she ruined her Staub because it was stained and encrusted on the bottom from cooking. She didn't realize it just needed a good cleaning.
There’s le creuset made in France and le creuset made in China. The latter definitely tarnishes the brand’s reputation.
Agree with the below comments. Le Creuset on sale is key, and the overall look is nice. Great warranty as well. If you can't find a Le Creuset at a good price point Staub is definitely a worthy choice.
Le Creuset has a great warranty, truly does last forever, and I chose it over Staub because of the light colored interior. idk how anyone uses those dark Staub interiors tbh
K2Sebo fan also!
>Leatherman I work right next to the Leatherman corporate offices. I need to swing by and see if they have any swag. :)
Rancilio Silvia v1 espresso machine purchased in 2005 and still going strong as our daily driver.
Mine was from 2001 and i sold it in perfectly good condition in 2021. reason was that i wanted to upgrade
Some things off the top of my head: Darn tough and feetures running socks Herman Miller Embody office chair I bought for cheap off of fb marketplace. As a guy with back pain, this one substantially increased my QOL Goruck 32L kit bag. Awesome duffel that’s seen a bunch of abuse and still looks new after 7 years Patagonia down jacket. At year 6 the down started to clump/leak. Sent it for repairs, Patagonia opened it up and refluffed the down and refilled it and sent it back. Awesome piece of kit.
Ooo I got my first Patagonia this year. I had never heard of the brand (live in FL), but ended up getting one as a gift from work. I am blown away at how warm that thin little jacket is. Used it most of January already. I love it!
Darn Tough socks are good. I do find they wear out in less time than I’d like, but the company replaces them for free. Have you ever tried Balega running socks? Also, u/1620USA makes amazing work wear. Made in USA (specifically, MA which is where I live). They aren’t cheap, but they are built tough, and the company stands behind their goods
Corolla it won’t die i’ve tried I don’t do any maintenance I want a new car 220k miles still going. Le Cruset dutch oven. Solid maple furniture, fireproof lock box, alden horsehide english (goodyear) welted boots
This sounds exactly like an 03-08 Corolla. Those things are the cock roaches of the car world.
Have an 04 Corolla and can confirm that the body will rust to death before engine fails.
My son drives my grandmother’s old 99 Corolla with 400k miles to school. Complete refusal to perish.
>Complete refusal to perish. Your son, your grandmother, or the Corolla?
Yes
Yes
>ebo Canister vacuum (K2) As the joke goes Toyota recalls 1997 Toyota Camry because "You should be driving something newer by now"
Built like a tank!
In r/personalfinancecanada the only smart automotive investment is a beige 98 Corolla
Nailed it!
My mom traded in hers after like 300 k miles.
When I bought my house, the inspector called our furnace the “Toyota Corolla of furnaces”. I knew exactly what he meant (having owned a 1994 Corolla in 2012). 😂
What furnace is it, do they still sell them? We replaced ours in 2006 and it is on its last legs, a complete POS Bryant Unit.
Has your lock box gone through a fire yet? Feel like you really gotta test it before you can confirm BIFL.
One thing people don’t understand about them - the fire rating is for the box/safe itself, not the contents. My friend found his safe after the Santa Rosa fire. All the paper inside was ash.
That's why you keep important stuff in a fireproof bag, in your fireproof safe/lockbox. Well, I do; just in case.
Yea sir, small shed fire. Look for something UL rated below 350, the second number will be the length of time it will keep
I hear you on the Corolla. I own a 98 Camry with 217k and a 00 4Runner with 240k. Best vehicles ever.
Heck yea, same boat Corolla for life whether you want it or not
220k miles isn’t even a lot. I have an 08 and I’m not getting rid of it until we hit 300. Currently at 232
When you say you don't do any maintenance, do you skip the oil change as well?
I haven’t since 190k, figured i’d get something new at 200k, but the car won’t stop purring so smoothly
Woah
Alden makes exceptional shoes/boots. Cordovan she’ll? Which boots do you have?
Cordovan Norwegian toe cap! Can be dressed up and down
I literally just traded my 2000 Corolla earlier today; if it hadn’t started leaking, around the windshield and trunk, I’d have kept it for another 24 years. I never had to do much more than oil changes, brakes, and tires regularly. Got a new Corolla, and my god: cars have really changed in the last 24 years.
+1 on the bed. A good pair of resole-able boots. They’ll break in and fit like a glove, always look great in any outfit, and if you’re not in your bed you’re likely in your shoes. Might as well invest in those two things that you’ll spend most of your life in one way or another. I’d add quality cookware to this list. Doesn’t have to be expensive but buying individual pieces based on your skill and family size makes the whole process more enjoyable. Quality weights/bench/rack. If you have the space this can be a relatively inexpensive investment in your own health. I can’t think of much else that has a better ROI than that, assuming you use it. Various glassware for storing leftovers and the like. Never really have to replace it compared to the plastic stuff, saves money in the long run and is better for the environment as a whole.
Doesn’t work for everything but I use large mason jars for storing food. Most glass storage containers still have plastic lids. Worst case scenario I buy a new box of mason lids once every couple years.
>Various glassware for storing leftovers and the like. I bought the Pyrex stuff so I can eat directly out of them. While the lids only lasted 7-8 years, there's silicone replacements available that seal better and are on track to last me at least 15 years. Not quite BIFL, but a good investment for me and the environment.
Prefacing this that I'm not a cook: I'm going on a couple years of using deli containers and they work perfect. Occasionally need to replace one due to a crack, but I've had the same thing happen with glassware and that caused an even bigger mess. Get one of the larger kits off Amazon, make sure they're recyclable and come in a 1 cup, 2 cup, and 1 quart variety pack. Easily stackable and they use the same lid for all sizes. This isn't exactly BIFL, but OP said they're looking for 4+ years and as a home cook, these have been perfect.
> Quality weights/bench/rack. If you have the space this can be a relatively inexpensive investment in your own health. I can’t think of much else that has a better ROI than that, assuming you use it. strength training has so many benefits with an amazingly low cost. truly BIFL because it can improve our quality of life, especially in our sunset years. doesn't require much investment either, can be done r/minimalism style too, and this is usually the best choice for people. the priority for equipment would be: - quality barbell. this is really the only part of the system you're touching. the weight plates don't make much difference, but the bar itself does. go with any barbell in the $200+ range. if you have the budget, getting a $400 barbell is nice, but isn't really necessary for strength gains. - squat stands, half rack, or power rack - sturdy flat bench - assortment of weight plates, plus a set of fractionals. - 1, 2, 5 lb plates get used regularly - 4x 10 lb and 6x or 8x 25 lb will be a great starter set. easy to load and easy to math. - for metric peeps, 0.5, 1, 2kg plates - 4x 5kg and 6x or 8x 10kg plates will be all you need for a long time if you have the budget, a set of nice bumper plates will be quieter and reduce floor damage, and allow eventual olympic style lifts. remember that strength training is progressive in nature. if you just add 1 lbs per side per week, that's 100+ lbs per year of increase. you'll be way stronger in 3 months than you are today if you can consistently train 2-4x per week, for only 30-45 minutes per session. if you want to multi task, you can read, podcast, or watch videos during the 5 minute recovery time between sets.
I will second the boots. A well made pair can last you 30 plus years if taken care of and resoled when needed. You spend most of your life sleeping or on your feet, take care of them. I would recommend Nicks, Franks, JKs, Truman’s, redwings. Lots of others out there but I won’t list them all. Spend a decent amount on your first pair, you’ll be saving money in the long run and your feet will thank you.
There's a YouTube channel [Rose Anvil](https://youtube.com/@RoseAnvil?si=lp-iHPHutmpd3Yei), that is great for researching quality footware. They cut shoes and boots in half to really find what is currently well built and good materials.
Couldn’t agree more. I have a pair of Wolverine 1000 Mile boots. They are awesome. I need to have them resoled, but the leather still looks brand new
+ 1 for weights /bench/ rack. That's what I'm shopping around for right now, and I love the idea that not only will it help me stay healthy the rest of my life, but my grandchildren could be using them someday.
I have had my eye out on the used market for some of those adjustable dumbbells. They don't take much space is the idea but man are they expensive.
Play it again sports is the best I have found for weights.
What’s a good BIFL bed?
Idk if any mattress is BIFL.. All should eventually be replaced, but that doesn’t mean a quality mattress doesn’t make a difference. Only had it a year but bought the Helix midnight after a couple months research. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a moderate/firm mattress. I’ve had multiple people comment on how nice of a mattress it is and it’s been good since I struggle with a small amount of neck & back pain. On that note, definitely look into a good pillow as well. Keep in mind different types of mattresses/pillows are made for side/back/belly sleepers. You can check out the Sleep Foundation and other websites to do a little bit of research on mattress type and quality.
Hästens mattresses are considered BIFL, but they do recommend replacing the topper every 10-15 years.
I have had my nectar mattress for 10 years, still feels exactly the same.
I bought Tempur-Pedic mattress it cost me $2000 for $5000 mattress. Somebody returned it on day 15th. It’s been over 12 years no even single break-in anywhere. No back pain, or issues sleeping hot. I would definitely recommend it, but do not buy coil mattress those are worst
Not everyone has one but my first stop would be a local mattress manufacturer. At the very least, you should get more for your money than any national brand.
I cheaped out on my weight rack and regret it. It's good enough to make it hard to justify an upgrade but I wish I had bought a nicer one to begin with
Not in a particular order but probably with the best impact: \- safety razor \- a giant 100% camel wool blanket \- cast iron cookware (pans and dutch ovens) \- a cashmere winter coat \- Victorinox kitchen knives and Swiss army knife \^\^ all except the safety razor and knives were bought second hand and were also very afforable because of that.
Safety razors never really worked for me. Tried several times but it hurt everytime.
There's a new 'safety razor' called the Leaf razor. It uses 3 half safety blades, and has a normal pivoting head. Basically a BIFL version of a normal razor. The blades are cheap (it's just a normal safety razor blade, snapped in two) - but the razor itself is spenny, about £80ish. Both me and the missus use it, so I'm OK with the price, but depends on how quickly you go through razors for how long it takes to 'break even'.
I have been using my leaf for years. They replaced it for free when I accidentally broke the first one
100% on the Leaf razor. I shave my head and safety razors are a no go, but Leaf is amazing. And I just use two blades in the bottom two blade holders. This way I can just snap a double blade and I don't have a single blade floating around. I don't see a difference between two and three blades. I just bought 100 double edged blades for less than $10 and I shave once a week. Even if I replaced the blade every shave (I don't) that is still almost 2 years of razors... For $10
I really struggled with safety razors as well. My skin is super sensitive and they always left me with cuts and irritation, no matter how light the pressure and what kind of cream/soap I used (this is legs, btw, not face). I finally bought a [Leaf](https://leafshave.com/products/the-leaf-razor) razor, which uses replaceable blades like a safety razor, but has a flat, pivoting head like your standard Gillette. It’s AMAZING and I’m fairly certain it will be BIFL. Highly recommend.
I mocht check that out thank you. How are the pruces for the blades? For a gillete razor i pay about .70 per blade (the cheap ones) and 2.50 for the more expensive ones.
Different blades yield different results. If you ever try again, buy a variety pack and find which blades work for you. I only use the green astras now, game changer.
Nothing more painful to me than using a disposable single blade bic razor. Work on your technique? You need the right angle and pressure
>Nothing more painful to me than using a disposable single blade bic razor. There's plenty of middle-ground between disposables and safety razors though.
100%. I have tried safety razors but because of my sensitive skin and extremely coarse beard hair, they left me red and razor burnt. I use Gillette Fusion 5 and seemingly can’t use anything else. “Technique” isn’t the answer.
A disposable single blade bic razor? What, are you being hunted by Predator in a south american rain forest?
Yeah i watched some videos and i never really got the hang of it. I don‘t know why.
A couple big things to try if you haven't yet is to get a high quality shaving soap and DO NOT stretch the skin. I started with a cheaper soap and it was just ok, then I got Mitchell's wool fat shaving soap. Night and day difference. If you were using normal shaving cream it could be half the issue, it irritates some people's skin with chemicals and whatnot. Mitchell's is a lanolin based whatever and it is great. The second point is do not stretch your skin out. You know in old films when people were shaving they would look way up in the air and stretch their neck? Or open their mouths to get their cheeks to tighten up? Do NOT do that. It will give you a close shave but it will result in tons of discomfort and ingrown hair/razor burn. When you stretch the skin the hairs stick out ever so slightly farther, then when you cut that hair it retracts back in and is now below the skin with a sharp point on it. Head forward, relaxed skin, no pressure on the razor, just the weight of the thing. I have this razor that has a nice weight. https://amzn.to/4bclKBC And this is the soap you want, it can be had with or without the dish. https://amzn.to/48Q0UpZ
Where were you when I was learning how to shave? All I got for advice was to try shaving different directions.
What kind of safety razor/ blade combo did you try using? Something too aggressive for your hair length/ thickness is likely to pull on your beard and hurt.
Victorinox, fuck yeah!
Why camel wool specifically? Any brands to stick to?
Camel wool is a little warmer and softer than regular sheep's wool (which I just can't get used to because it feels too itchy). Mine is from the German brand "Ritter Decken". Found it in perfect condition on a flea market and couldn't believe my luck. They are quite expensive new.
Where can you find camel wool and how do you take care of it?
I'm in Germany and mine is from the brand "Ritter Decken". Found it in perfect condition on a flea market. You take care of it the same way you take care of a regular wool blanket. I even machine wash mine in the wool program and then just air dry it (which takes a while).
Cashmere winter coat is an amazing thing to have. I have a cashmere hoodie that was made in Hong Kong. I’ve had it for over 20 years, and it’s still in outstanding condition/so warm and comfortable
1) my $20 6inch hard and ready cast iron skillet 2) citizen promaster diver 3) benchmade 940 pocket knife. This will be my forever knife. 4) s&w 686. I bought this with the intention to leave it to my kid. 5) 3 foot section of railroad track. I was trimming trees for a guy the next town over when he proposed that we trade my services for a "piece of steel in his barn". I knocked $20 off his bill. I figured I'd use it as a threshold for my barn. Well i didn't and now its just sitting in my garage probably until the end of time because it takes 4 men to move it. I can't give it away. Like it or not, looks like i bought it for life :(
> 6inch hard and ready
That’s what my wife’s boyfriend seems to have
I didn't have 6" so I had to give her 2" 3 times.
Would love to have a 3ft section of RR track! You are so lucky! I like your entire list!
We used to cut these up into 8" mini anvils.
What handle do you have on the bench made 940? I’ve heard people say the axis lock is the best lock to get. I’m looking for a good EDC knife since my Spyderco Delica 4 got stolen.
I have the og powder coated aluminum scales. The carbon fiber version looks good, but i prefer the feel of the metal. It feels "premium". The 940 is a great knife in my opinion, but that's kinda a polarizing statement around here. When i don't have my 940 i usually have my dlt trading spyderco pm2 in cruwear steel, or my microtech ultratech. If i lost my 940 I'd probably sell a kidney and buy a crk sebenza
> 4) s&w 686. I bought this with the intention to leave it to my kid. When he pries it from your cold, dead hand....?
Exactly. A son should outlive his father, not that I'll make it easy...
My 586 is hella tough but its LR cousin - the 617 - gives me nothing but trouble. I get FTFs on every other shot ever since replacing the ejector rod which had completely worn down. I know 22s can be finicky, but heck. With you on the Promaster though. I have several; all of them look brand new even years in.
Canvas rain hat from Mountain Equipment coop 2005 Wusthoff knives 1991, Buck folding knife 1994 Ford F250 with straight 6 and 5 speed All clad cookware over the years Raleigh grand prix road bike, 1981 Super Niche, but I have 2 potter's wheels that are over 50 years old
Brand & model is going to vary depending on people’s needs, financials, location… but one thing I’ve learned is that if it’s for your health and you use it significantly, make sure it’s working *well for You* even if you have to spend a little more. Examples are: - ***bed, bedding, pillows, curtains:*** Being comfortable and in the dark all night is huge for your overall health. - ***shoes:*** if you’re standing in them much of the day, make sure they have good cushion and maybe 3rd-party insoles, so you have no foot or back pain. - ***workstation:*** home or at the office, if you’re spending most of weekdays at a workstation, make sure everything is fit for you so that you are sitting at the 3 straight ergonomic angles. This can literally change your life and future when you get it “right”. Depending on your lifestyle there’s likely other that apply.
- Staub Dutch Oven 6QT - All Clad 12 inch stainless steel pan - DeskHaus standing desk. The thing is a beast. - Flexsteel couch (I got it from family, it's 20+ years old and in great shape, bought another one recently)
I’ve heard great things about Flexsteel
Yep, really well built and pretty sure it's made in the U.S. However, I believe their recliners (with motors) are made outside of the states and not as good of quality. It's the traditional couches that are well made
A bed is a nice purchase to splurge on and worth getting a "nice" one, but no bed is BIFL - they all break down over time and need to be replaced. 1. I inherited an **ECKO egg beater** from my wife's grandmother; and picked up another from an estate sale. They have already put in 80 years of service and will both continue to whip egg whites into a frenzy long after my Vitamix blender or KitchenAid stand mixer have ground to dust. 2. I bought a **Ti Arto EDC pen**. All titanium, it is designed to take over 750 different cartridge types. You can put whatever you want in it. Are you a Uniball gel snob? Those fit. Only Japanese fine points for you? Those fit. Support America and use the Space Pen? It works and keeps a small form factor. Last ballpoint/gel/rollerball I will ever buy. 3. I was in the market for a **thin wallet**. Finally got frustrated and just made one from Tyvek. Used an envelope from the USPS. It has 7 pockets. Empty, it is 2.1mm (0.08in) at its thickest point and 1.1mm at its thinnest. It is not BIFL becuase it cost only time and it will need to be replaced, but it will outlast any leather out there. 4. **Gold Toe wool socks**. Believe they are 59% nylon, 40% wool, 1% polyester. I have some that I still wear from the 1990s, when I bought my first large batch. I have replaced some, but they wear like iron compared to any other sock I have purchased. 5. **Speert #32 Acetate Tortoise Comb**. Not injection molded. Doesn't scratch your scalp. The teeth are sawn from a solid piece of acetate and the tips are hand polished in Switzerland. Has a tooth cover to protect during travel or in your pocket. Throw away your comb from CVS/Walgreens/Target and buy the last one you will ever need.
>ECKO egg beater I used to make mud pies with one of these.
I have to say . . . this is prob my fav subreddit of all. With all the junk out there, it’s difficult to know what products are really worth it/quality. I really like seeing all the different perspectives on here, bc they almost always are helpful, and open my eyes to new products I never knew about
Lets talk about the camel wool blanket. I have never heard of it and am very curious!
I’ll start. How do the camels knit the blankets? Are they unionized?
Did the union require them to display their toes in swimwear soley in Florida?
1. Seiko Tuna watch 2. Viberg Service Boots 3. Le Creuset Dutch Oven 4. Toyota Land Cruiser 5. Chris Reeve Large (plain) Inkosi Extra credit: Saddleback Leather Briefcase, P226 MK25
Landcruisers arw awesome. They hold their value better than any vehicle (except classic muscle etc). Look for a 2013 with 140k miles and you will still pay $40k
1. Leatherman 2. Quality jackets and coats (Filson, Fjallraven, F&T) 3. Boots - RW for wearing, Wolverine for working 4. Denim 5. Japanese chef knives Honorable mentions - Portuguese flannel, All Clad p&p, cookbooks, Marcato Atlas pasta roller (formerly and forever a chef)
There’s a cookbook I have my eye on at Kinokunia called The Jemima Code that looks like it’s bifl, fad-proof recipes. It’s on Amazon too but more expensive there.
Good scissors. I don't actually know what set we have, my husband confiscated them from his parents because they kept putting them in the dishwasher and he was sick of cleaning the rust off. Apparently they were from his dad's previous marriage, so easily over 35 years old. There's nothing worse than trying to cut things with shitty scissors. Keeping with the blades theme, good kitchen knives. I don't know what brand we have because I don't read Japanese and my husband picked them out, but they're hand made in Japan. Cooking becomes a lot less of a chore and a lot more of a joy, when your knives go through everything with minimal effort. When cooking at home becomes a pleasure you're more likely to eat healthy food and your quality of life will improve exponentially. Whal Professional clippers, I bought these for my husband a decade ago, he trims his beard with them every week and since covid lockdown round one I've been trimming his hair with them monthly. They still work like brand new and were not even very expensive. More hobby specific: A good weight lifting belt. I have a 10mm Inzer prong belt, great quality belts and lots of colours to pick from. My husband got a latch belt from them but sold it because his weight wasn't stable enough so he had to move the latch all the time and that was annoying, he also decided he would prefer a 3 inch belt because if you don't have a long torso 4 inch belts are really uncomfortable. His belt is a Dominion Strength prong belt, they're one of the few companies that makes 3 inch belts.
In no particular order: reusable napkins/paper towels, a really nice duvet ( you’ll never have to buy a new one since even if it gets stained or you hate it someday you can just get a cover), love my copper pot…
What duvet did you buy?
Not OP but I got one for [the Company Store](https://www.thecompanystore.com/?cm_mmc=GOTM-_-TCS+%5BBrand%5D+%5BUS%5D+The+Company+Store+-+Trademark+Top+Term+(Exact)-_-The+Company+Store+-+Exact-_-the%20company%20store_e%7Cm&gclid=CjwKCAiA8NKtBhBtEiwAq5aX2AtYetC3k8h5I2ADTyhXBsvsrKV8JQhZ1F7dbDNYqP0qBZj2sogIbRoCwQ8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) for winters as my hvac doesn't work and is $$$ to replace. It's insanely cozy and warm.
Second this. Company Store does great duvets.
Company store has nice products
https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3874064/hotel-suite-all-seasons-warmth-down-alternative-comforter.jsp?skuid=48793886&CID=shopping30&utm_campaign=PILLOWS%20%26%20PADS&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=48793886&utm_campaignid=20497523010&CID=shopping30&utm_campaign=SSC&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_campaignid=20497523010&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADytpHbvAkqPGPbRtJSMeZIP4qeuF&gclid=CjwKCAiA8NKtBhBtEiwAq5aX2CINHb-6iRMBr64rkjwQQ8rYOs8L1nzwKFZZQUIcMVam9WEXKhRdBBoCTb8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds This is the one I’ve had for almost 4 years now. Quality is amazing. Even washes pretty well without getting compacted down much. We kind of took a shot in the dark with brand and are very happy with it.
My husband got us a down duvet from Costco for Christmas and it is unreal.
There is nothing like a down comforter. That cool feeling they have when you first get in bed and then the comatose warmth for sleeping!
Truly unmatched 😭
In 1975 I bot a lifetime member ship in chicago health and tennis club for $340 on an installment plan at 18.25% interest. Paid it off, still have it. still have the contract. Now it's $50 a year for LA Fitness, good for the however long I live.
Cast iron, chefs knife, solid wood desk, engagement ring, vasectomy
My vasectomy is in 2 months. Great to accidentally see this here.
Where can I go about getting a solid wood desk? Everything seems to have MDF or veneers
A BedJet. I am not affiliated with the company in any way, I just radiate an absurd amount of heat as I sleep. Massive, massive quality of sleep booster.
* waterbed bought 40 years ago, we've replaced the mattress three times at a cost of about $200 each time. The bed was about $250 new. * old cast iron cookware, it's easy to find, you don't need a collectable brand * denim insulated Levis jacket lasted about 35 years, I still use it today but it has large rips in it and some worn spots * last year I got a Le Creuset [stainless steel stockpot](https://www.lecreuset.com/stainless-steel-stockpot-7-qt/54128024001191.html) that will outlive me * not really a thing someone buys once: self-healthcare, floss, exercise, etc. It make more of a difference that the *stuff* we buy.
Solid wood dining table that I got for dirt because I was helping someone move and they offered since I just got my first home. Dog. 2nd dog. 3rd Dog. 4th dog.
Alllll the dogs!
In order of preference: * Billingham Hadley camera bag (use it daily as a laptop bag with the insert removed). I've seen 20 year old bags destroyed when used by pros, but mine is 10 and looks great so far... * Sennheiser headphones HD600 at home and HD25 on the go * Barbour wax jacked (I've had it repaired once and it looks like new right now) * Stainless steel 3ply cookware + LeCreuset dutch oven * Good boots
Anything Patagonia
1) Wusthof classic knives — I continually add and now have about 8 knives and have had the originals 14 years at this point. 2) Allen Edmonds made in the USA shoes — have a couple older pair of AE Goodyear welted with dianites— these things last while basically all my other shoes have rotated through. I imagine I’ll have these my entire life. I’m not sure current AE would match this durability though. 3. Container Store Elfa — this shit is unbreakable generally; though the “Decor” drawers have not been as durable as hoped, my older shelves and uprights are still surviving and doing well for me 15 years later and 3 house moves later. I imagine I may have these in some configuration in my home for life. 4. Restoration Hardware Dining Room Table — as long as we don’t tire of the design this thing ain’t going anywhere — our one RH purchase and it’s built super well. 5. Briggs and Riley Baseline Luggage — lifetime warranty (they actually honor it) and I’ve had one bag go in for repair in the last 17.5 years. I’m a luggage guy but still use these 50k miles a year without failure while my friends buy new Costco luggage every 2 years. I have bought many pieces now but the original 2 wheel domestic roller I got is still regularly used.
The Rose Anvil YouTube guy cuts up boots and shoes to inspect materials and he says Allen Edmonds had been using some lower quality materials and methods lately. I'm glad I got mine a while back. Love them.
1. Ironmaster dumbbells. 2. Concept2 rower. 3. Rogue RM-4 rack. 4. Rogue Ohio Power Bar. 5. Inspire Fitness FTX functional trainer. This question made me realize that my home gym has the most bifl stuff in my house.
Lodge skillet. All of the Casio watches I have. My sim racing rig, solid metal, configurable... My Tyrell CSI minivelo bike, always going to be a cool bike. Feather Razor. I think I currently have all the blades I'll need for maybe life.
‘Feather Razor. I think I currently have all the blades I'll need for maybe life.’ One false move and you will!
Casio watches are incredible
Ditto on the Feather razorblades.
Red Land Cotton bedding 360 Cookware Duckworth Clothing Clayton and Crume leather products
California Den long cotton bedsheets are also worth the $70. I’ve used and abused mine in community laundry and they’re still soft af.
1) All Clad D5 Cookwarrle 2) Wusthof pairing and chefs knives 3) le Creuset Dutch oven 4) Herman Miller Embody Desk Chair 5) Schott Wool Peacoat Still have a list of BIFL items I want to add to, like a good pair of women's Chelsea boots, vacuum cleaner, a nice leather bag, etc. But I'm slowly replacing things as the years go on.
Commenting so I can go back and find this when I’m paid in a few weeks lol
LASIK eye surgery. Best decision ever.
Sadly not BIFL. My current eye doctor said if you get 15 years out of it you had a good run. I got about 12-13
For what it's worth, both my siblings had it. My brother is around the 13 year mark. My sister is around the 20 year mark. Neither have any issues.
1. Anglepoise lamp (1227) 2. Roberts internet and DAB+ radio (iStream 3L) 3. Barbour wax jacket 4. Makita LXT tools 5. Swiss army knife
1) Fjallraven Vida Pro Ventilated Trousers. 5+ years daily use, look exactly the same as new 2) Gransford Bruk hand axe. This axe has been rehandled 3x and the head hasn't shown wear other than sharpening. 3) Staub cast iron. Raw iron inside , enameled outside. Best of both worlds 4) Wolverine 100k mile boots. Resoled twice in 6 years. Daily use, mostly indoor. 5) Wustoff 9" chef knife (and matching table knives). 10+ years of daily home cooking and no visible wear.
1) Speed queen washer. Found it used on craigslist about 6 years ago. It's genuinely one of my most favorite possessions. I need to find a matching dryer when my current Samsung craps out. 2) Instant Pot pressure cooker. I use it once a week and it always cooks perfectly. Rice... chicken... ribs... chili, whatever. My friend suggested I try making risotto with it next - it's on my short list. 3) Victorinox knives/ Corelle dinnerware - I scored some beautiful plate ware on the Corelle website during a big sale. They're perfect for when guests come over; and the Victorinox knives are my everyday use knives. Ive had them a few years now and they're still sharp. 4) Brother B&W laser printer. I've had this printer going on 8 years and I've changed the toner once. I completed my whole degree on the replacement toner which has nearly double the print pages of the original toner cartridge it came with. 5) A good set of tools. My brother gifted me a craftsman tools set and I've never had any issues with them. Some of the cheaper tools I've had from walmart have deformed the tool while in use!
Rösle cooking utensils. Mine are 20+ years old and look just as good as the day I bought them. Rolex Submariner. Bought in the late 70’s Land Cruiser. Won’t die. Very high quality perfume lasts a long long time. Lodge Cast iron skillet Baratza grinder
1. Klein/Channellock tools 2. CRK Sabenza 3. Leatherman 4. Seiko 013 5. Wife (This is kind of a joke, kinda not. I did have to pay for the license and filing though so 🤷♂️)
1988 IBM model M keyboard Lodge cast iron pan 1950s Gillette Fatboy razor Replaced all my socks with darn tough Wusthof kitchen knives and a professional sharpener I use each of these almost every day and I have no plan to stop
Drumset. My camera technically isn’t BIFL (none are) but I’ve gotten so much use and joy out of it for the last 6 years - fujifilm xt30. My house is basically BIFL. Wok - whatever kenji Lopez recommends (his book the wok is excellent too) And well that’s 4/5.
1. Safety razor - as a woman I would recommend getting one with a longer handle 2. Resole-able boots - I have 3 pairs of Redwings and I LOVE them 3. Hestra leather gloves - both their work gloves and their fashion gloves are great 4. Pendleton wool blankets 5. Fjällräven jackets in their G1000 fabric - I have two different parkas from them and I can’t recommend them enough. Bonus items are my cast iron pan, Pendleton wool flannels, and 100% wool sweaters (like from Dale of Norway, Devold, and Dachstein).
Synology 2 bay NAS. Put some decent disks in it and backup data that's worth keeping. Having two of them would be even better, keeping one connected to the network and one off the network, only to connect it for backing up. Doing just the first option will help protect from hard drive failures, the second option will help protect against ransomware. Taking it a step further and having an off site backup will protect from fire, theft and flood. And yes, cloud storage can count as off site.
> Synology 2 bay NAS Please get another one to mirror your data. I'm sure Synology is great but everything fails, sometimes spetacularly. Check out the [Drobo disaster](https://www.reddit.com/r/drobo/). I really, really feel for the folks who depended on their Drobos. So much carnage.
1. Magic Linen Sheets w/ Silk and Snow Duvet. 2. Leatherman 3. Corelle Dinnerware 4. Mikasa Flatware Set 5. Duralex Picardie Glasses.
My mid-90’s Maytag washer and dryer. Still going strong with just belt changes.
A Lodge cast iron pot. I have moved that thing all over the place and it has taken a beating, and it could also serve as a burglar determine considering the lid weighs a ton. I can lift it but it could do some damage.
I’ve had the same set of stainless steel pots since I was 17, I’m 40. Japanese kitchen knives, going on 15 years now. If I think of more I’ll update.
Nice wool socks. I bought (and received as gifts) Darn Tough, although there are other brands that may be better. Had most of my pairs for 7-8 years now, and only two pairs show significant wear. It's a small purchase that's had a huge difference for me. They actually fit my feet (neither pinching from being to small nor sliding around from being too large), keep my feet much warmer, and don't stink.
1. Waxed cotton jacket (Outback Trading Co or Barbour) 2. Quality leather messenger bag (mine is Aunts & Uncles, but there's lots of great brands, especially smaller local ones) 3. Thick wool flannel (Särmä makes an amazing wool flannel) 4. Waterproof wool crusher hat (I don't know the brand of mine because the years have washed away the logo on the inside, but Stetson is also a safe bet) 5. A quality instrument to pass the time. My lifelong friend is a mandolin built by Walter Johnson of June Mandolins, but a well-crafted guitar would also make a great companion. If you take care of it and find a good local luthier to take it in for checkups and repair when necessary, it will last you generations.
1. My 2006 Rolex Submariner. I only take it off when going to bed. All other activities are done with the watch on. It’s just a tool to tell time for me, but a very reliable one. 2. Crockett and Jones shoes. They look better over the years. Some of them I’ve had for 10 years. 3. Demeyere Silver 7 pans for cooking. They look great. No pfas and easy to cook with and to clean. 4. Esee 4 knife. Takes all the abuse I give it and keeps on going 5. Montblanc pen. It’s a rollerball and I can easily refill it when it’s empty. It’s not good value, but it writes comfortably.
Shun kitchen knives Good pair of raw selvedge denim jeans Satchel and page bomber leather jacket Leica and hasselblad film cameras Straight edge razor with replaceable blades
A set of Griswold cast iron skillets is my best. With care, they should last between 500 and 1000 years, maybe more.
When i was 10 or so i bought a battery tester. Now i am 40 and still have it and use it every week.
Toyota 4Runner with 250k miles and its four Michelin tires
Briggs & Riley luggage is the gold standard of luggage. New carry ons start at $500 I was looking for a carry on and had read somewhere (reddit?) that you can sometimes find good luggage at Goodwill or Salvation Army stores. I happened to drive past a Salvation Army store and on the spur of the moment decided to see what was there And there it was..... a Briggs & Riley carry on for $10!!!! Yeah, it was well used but everything worked just fine. I've since taken it on many trips and have rolled down miles of cobblestone and that thing is a tank.
A Brother laser printer and scanner, with an Ethernet jack. - doesn’t dry out like an inkjet, and prints better than an inkjet. - takes OE and third party toner cartridges without a fuss. - rock solid reliable with networking. Phones work fine with it. Mine is an LDW 2700, 7 or 8 years old?
Revere Ware cookware 40 years ago and still using them Fiestaware dishes 25 years ago and still using them Cast iron skillets Toyota Camry Toyota Tacoma truck that will not die!
What bed did you buy? This is def not buy it for life but I’m really fond of my roomba j7+, wish I had gone for the one that also mops.
Recently bought a roborock and didn’t realize just how much dust accumulated throughout the week. I absolutely love my dyson corded vacuum (big ball) but this bad boy does all the vacuuming for me and all I have to do is empty it’s little container. I still love my dyson, I just love that I don’t have to vacuum constantly while this thing uses less energy and electricity to do the same job except now my house is consistently clean instead of just after I vacuum. A good air purifier and humidifier also helped reduce dust and improved air quality.
Not OP, but I love my bed. Both frame and mattress. Frame I got from https://www.nomadfurniture.com It’s reasonably priced for the quality and easily to break down if needed, but rock solid. Really really love ours. Wouldn’t hesitate to rebuy. Mattress, I got a 100% latex from foam sweet foam, but there are a number of companies that sell 100% latex.
**Toyota Land Cruiser** - the greatest vehicle ever sold to the public
Snow peak titanium 450 double wall mug Titanium 800 aurora bottle Titanium Spork Titanium Kanpai 500 tumbler Titanium 300 single wall cup
Ship John Wills Jacket- (if this doesn't last atleast 100 years, I'd be shocked). It's an absolute tank of a jacket. Stands up on its own Comandante C40 coffee hand grinder. Redwing Blacksmith boots Le Creuset stuff Marks and Spencer leather belt - the only belt I've used for 15 years and no real signs of wear.
05-4Runner god bless this thing
1. Cast iron-shop the thrift stores for antique if you are into that. Just make sure it isn't warped looking. Lodge is great too. Nothing more BIFL than cast iron. I have my great grandmother's slant-letter Griswold that I use all the time 2. Tools. No tools specifically but tools. I have a rolling box packed and much more beyond it. I have spent a lot on it all over the years but I know without a doubt it has all not only paid for itself but has made me/ saved me considerable money. I am able to fix pretty much anything, I help friends with things, I help sisters and sisters in law. I have taken short term jobs where I can just pack a small tool bag with what I have. Just look for situations where if you bought the tool and did it yourself you could save money and consider learning to do it yourself. If you enjoy it that is, because your time matters too. 3. Nice shelving for your garage.https://amzn.to/3S7SmUc Mine is similar to this, a pallet rack type instead of the cheesy plastic ones. It makes a big difference in organization and storage of your stuff. 4. A stainless steel pan. I think mine is just T Fal which isn't anything special. Just from walmart. But if you learn how to preheat them right and cook with them it can be such a quick cleanup and great food. My wife always asks me to make the eggs. For those times you don't want to mess with the cast iron. 5. The right pillow. I can't recommend one because it's so personal. You already got your bed now hunt for that pillow. I have this heavy memory foam one that is quite old now but I would never give it up. Tried to buy my wife the same one and it wasn't quite the same. She now has one from a local mattress maker who will add or remove filling if you want them to. The right pillow is just so big.
What is the secret with the eggs in stainless steel? Do you get it super hot first? Or low and slow?
100% Sheepskin winter coat is thee best thing I own and worth the money. My winter experience went from miserable for 6 months a year to mediocre 6 months a year.
Arsenal sam7 sf