Good quality objects

[Amadeus]

My wife and I are buying things for our house and would generally prefer to spend more on a good quality item rather than something that will need replacing in a year or so. Ideally made by some kind of craftsman.

For example, we could have got a fireside companion set for a few tens of pounds but they were incredibly flimsy. We went to a blacksmiths who made us one - much more expensive but really solid, really well made and would do some serious damage to Burglar Bill.
I've just ordered some handmade kitchen scissors.

Does anyone have any recommendations or manufacturers or craftsmen who produce high quality goods that will last for many years?

I know it's a bit vague but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

thanks

[Littlepeahead]

I can recommend a man who makes hand made cricket bats from the finest East Anglian willow - if you are preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse this could be very useful. :smt103

I also had my TV unit built to order by a company so that it could contain a largish TV and our turntable, with room below for the separates and vinyl in 2 cupboards. It's lovely solid wood and very sturdy, and didn't actually cost any more than something rubbish from Next Home or Ikea. Plus it was delivered ready constructed, no unfathomable instructions like you get with flat pack.

Of course I can't remember the name of the company now but I'll have a look at home and see if I can find their details on a receipt.

[Amadeus]

Thanks LPH. I bought a solid TV stand but I'm actually looking for something to store garden bits (cushions), so this company might be able to do that sort of thing.

Thanks!

[andrewsmith]

Calling Wideboy

[maviczap]

Still got my grandmother's Prestige potato masher, slotted spoon & ladle. Must be over 40 years old

All good quality stuff, spend a little more, to get stuff that lasts.

But these days its made to a price, not to quality

[kaivalagi]

You'll be lucky if there is even a brand to go for that will give years of service like that anymore...it can still be more economical to purchase cheap and often for some things...unless you're getting proper hand crafted or a life time warranty

[Amadeus]

Yeah, this is part of my problem- finding good quality where money isn't the overriding factor.

I was looking for a Chesterfield sofa and found a company who made very high quality sofas in traditional methods but they were more than I wanted to spend (ie more than I have to spend!).

[Littlepeahead]

I'm still using the transistor radio I bought for my Nan in 1993 (a small Sony) and that I got back after she died in 1999. It has a LW setting for Test Match Special which she always listened to - and now in summer I often have that on rather than the Sky commentary. I do have a DAB in the kitchen but the signal is so poor I can only get a couple of stations.

I also still use all the pudding basins she had and a little gadget that minces up herbs like the mint for mint sauce.

And the very old barometer I inherited from her is far more reliable than any of these new fangled weather apps.

[maviczap]

I've also still got my Nan's Kenwood hand mixer, that too must 40 years old

I still curse the day that my wife got rid of my Prestige 'Lifetime' cookware, I can't remember why. That was quality stuff too.

We've got a cast iron milk pan, which is like Le Creuset stuff, which was bought nearly 20 years ago.

I've lost count of all the cheap pots & pans we've got through.

I did buy a stainless steel frying pan, from Lidl, which is well made. It'll last well, because it doesn't have a non stick coating. Plus I got some stainless steel roasting tins from TK Max, they're great, clean up well & are dishwasher safe.


** Just remembered I've got a Le Creuset cast iron griddle pan, I can't see that wearing out.

*** Also remembered I bought some super quality German made kitchen knives, proper case & all. Much better than the cheapo Sabatier set I got from Argos

[carelesschucca]

9 posts in and this thread bas already turned into the;

"Things were built better in my day thread" :D

[maviczap]

9 posts in and this thread bas already turned into the;

"Things were built better in my day thread" :D

We'll young'n they were ;)

[Heorot]

I still use my Kitchen Devils Professional knives that I bought 25 years ago. Really comfortable to use and showing no signs of wear. Don't know if you can still get them though. I also bought a Sabatier cooks knife; rubbish, the blade chipped after about a week and was pretty much unusable after that.

Addendum. Just looked on Google. The Kitchen Devils brand is no more but the same knives are now branded as Taylors Eye Witness Professional range. Highly recommended.

[Amadeus]

We have some Le Creuset stuff - it doesn't look like it's going to wear out!
Also have Global knives which seem pretty good.
Have a Dualit toaster which is fine (built like a tank) but in reality probably isn't as good as the normal one we had before.

I had a wireless radio from I think about the 1940's but managed to lose that somehow. It wasn't practical (and not as good as my Sonos stuff!) but it was lovely in many ways.

[Specialone]

Calling Wideboy

Yeah the wood machinist does a lovely line in wonky gates...

[Bibio]

''Prestige 'Lifetime' cookware'' i have a set of pots that has been used every day for the past 25 years and they still look like new. i dont know what the quality is like these days though and mine were around £250 back then.

as for scissors you cant beat good old Fiskars again i have had my orange handled ones for 25 years and they are still as sharp as the day i got them and they get used every day.

knives i would say victorinox catering are the best you can get and again i had had my large cooks knife for 25 years. the secret is learning how to sharpen them properly from day 1.

frying pans i would say Tefal are the dogs.

my advice is buy cheep buy twice spend the extra and never buy again.