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Christmas

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Original poster

Well designed practical things

283 replies

Zooeyzebra · 08/11/2023 05:13

What are you favourite high quality but practical things?

My husband doesn’t need or want anything, but he loves and gets great joy out of using well thought out high quality items.

We have 10 year old kitchen scissors and he still mentions how much he like them every time he uses them.

A few years ago I got him a really good set of screwdrivers. He loves them too.

Also a really good long ruler. A comfy pen that writes well. A hose trigger that fits comfortably. Just random stuff really.

Anything well designed for its purpose if you see what I mean.

so what are your favourite well designed practical items, that you love using?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
36
Brava · 03/12/2023 17:12

I also love UGG slippers - mine are 4 years old & still going strong. You can replace the inside but - just google UGG sheepskin insoles x

Brava · 03/12/2023 17:13

BIT! For @Winnading

NigelHarmansNewWife · 04/12/2023 06:26

fernsandlilies · 08/11/2023 07:07

On my wish list will be a really good stapler. I haven’t found one yet but I’m hopeful!

Leitz do one with changeable cartridges of staples for different quantities of paper. I'd look at their staplers.

EversoDisorganised · 04/12/2023 09:45

I don't really use a stapler any more, I have been converted to these (I have one at work and one at home)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapesco-Supaclip-Dispenser-Multicoloured-Refill/dp/B000J65ABE?th=1

The clips hold up to about 40 sheets of paper (or just two), they are easy to remove and replace or re-use, stay on really well, look neat, I love them. Also it is really small and light.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapesco-Supaclip-Dispenser-Multicoloured-Refill/dp/B000J65ABE?th=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-christmas-4938107-well-designed-practical-things

Talipesmum · 04/12/2023 11:50

EversoDisorganised · 04/12/2023 09:45

I don't really use a stapler any more, I have been converted to these (I have one at work and one at home)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rapesco-Supaclip-Dispenser-Multicoloured-Refill/dp/B000J65ABE?th=1

The clips hold up to about 40 sheets of paper (or just two), they are easy to remove and replace or re-use, stay on really well, look neat, I love them. Also it is really small and light.

I love these! Found one in a drawer at work 23 years ago and been using it ever since. It’s as good as new.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/12/2023 12:08

Tilley hats

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/12/2023 12:13

Tin openers - Brabantia.

Ours was a wedding present. Still going strong 24 years later.

And my MacBook is the most long lived laptop I've ever had, both hardware and software.

biter · 04/12/2023 12:30

Smashing thread

Can anyone recommend a durable non stick frying pan plse?

We seem to get through them so often and it's so wasteful !

Thx

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/12/2023 13:09

biter · 04/12/2023 12:30

Smashing thread

Can anyone recommend a durable non stick frying pan plse?

We seem to get through them so often and it's so wasteful !

Thx

I'm lusting after one of these pans, in an unattainable kind of way.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/12/2023 17:16

My best ever frying pan so far is a Salter one, bought when on offer in Sainsbury’s.

Papyrophile · 04/12/2023 20:13

My best frying pan came from TK Maxx, but it was an expensive pan bought for about 40% of list price.

beguilingeyes · 04/12/2023 20:43

I got some Circulon pans from tk maxx that are fantastic.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 04/12/2023 22:26

I have a manicure set from Aspinal's that is brilliant. Small enough to take everywhere with me. https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/mens-manicure-set-in-smooth-black-and-cobalt-suede

HanleyGirl123 · 05/12/2023 00:03

Thank you, I have finally found my tribe when it comes to presents. These beat all the jumpers, scarves and predictable presents hands down.

Some of my favourite things are useful but also low cost:

  • a small spiral whisk, perfect to use in a small bowl when you just need to do one egg. Mine is very old and came free with Good Food magazine. I love it.
  • A metal single hole punch, perfect for crafts and making your own gift tags etc
  • a cutting mat, again for crafts especially since they are self healing but it also give a good stable non slippery surface when you need to handle fiddly things. DH uses mine when fixing things that have small screws so they don't roll away
  • 1m metal ruler and rotary cutter - great for paper, fabric, plastic. The ruler is also good for getting stuff out from behind a radiator!

On the more expensive side I also love my Magimix, Kitchen Aid and Global knives. Most used for 20yrs + and still going strong.

HanleyGirl123 · 05/12/2023 00:08

.. and the in laws bought us this pan a few years ago, it's fabulous and never ever sticks!!

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?
https://www.johnlewis.com/eaziglide-neverstick2-aluminium-non-stick-shallow-casserole-and-lid-28cm/p2185189?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

HanleyGirl123 · 05/12/2023 00:10

If anyone can recommend a kitchen timer I would be very grateful. They just die on us year after year!

Papyrophile · 05/12/2023 14:00

I just use the one on my phone @HanleyGirl123 .

Vetoncall · 05/12/2023 16:50

Petzl headtorches. Obviously great for camping/hiking/running but also if you need to do something fiddly at home where you need light and both hands free.

For anyone who has dogs, Equafleeces. They are indispensable and last forever. We have 10 of them that get regular heavy use with our pack of mad spaniels, including 2 that are now 14 years old and still going strong.
https://www.equafleece.co.uk/products/dogs/dog-jumper

Polartec Fleece Dog Jumper - Rainproof, Breathable, Warm and Washable - Equafleece

The Equafleece Dog Jumper is ideal for all over coverage against the wind and rain, for wrapping up warm at night, and as a drying tool if your dog is already wet. The sleeves ensure a comfortable and even fit, and there are no zips or buckles to lie o...

https://www.equafleece.co.uk/products/dogs/dog-jumper

taxi4ballet · 06/12/2023 17:38

DownyEmerald · 04/12/2023 21:48

Corkscrew https://www.loewen-versand.de/MONOPOL-Bell-Corkscrew-BAROLO-Made-in-Germany genius and look nicer than the photo. You just keep turning clockwise and the collar moves and then pulls the cork out with no effort.

Nutcracker https://drosselmeyer.com/products/the-nutcracker-2 I like this nutcracker as well - you can get in UK. And ballet people I don't know if character named after company or vice versa!

Drosselmeyer is the name of one of the characters in the ballet, which was first performed in St Petersburg in the 1890's and based on the book 'The Nutcracker and the Mouse King' written by the German novelist ETA Hoffmann.

Drosselmeyer the nutcracker design company has been around for 20+ years or so according to what I just read on their website, so I'm guessing the company was named after the character.

Every day's a school day on MN!

Heyhoherewegoagain · 17/12/2023 19:24

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/12/2023 12:13

Tin openers - Brabantia.

Ours was a wedding present. Still going strong 24 years later.

And my MacBook is the most long lived laptop I've ever had, both hardware and software.

Don’t let the tin opener hear you-mine gave up after 26 years!😂

Bookist · 19/12/2023 18:12

Can highly recommend the wash bags and travel bags from Away. DH doesn't get impressed by much, but he genuinely likes his wash bag.

Also the credit card multi-tool from Victorionix, DH always has it in his wallet.

Madcats · 19/12/2023 19:42

Back in the days when Mulberry had a factory in Chilcompton (nearish Bath) they made stuff like Morgan.

As I've just had a weekend away, self-catering with a disastrous teapot I am going to lob a Le Creuset teapot onto my list of wonderful things.

It was an unplanned £19 TK Maxx purchase, on a Uni Open Day trip (when I had 90 mins to kill). It doesn't drip!

CorneliaAvenue · 20/12/2023 01:50

Also the credit card multi-tool from Victorionix, DH always has it in his wallet

@Bookist - do you have a link for that? Couldn't see it on website and I'm desperate for a gift for DH!