Well designed practical things

[Zooeyzebra]

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?

My people...!

I agree with the love for oxo products , i have this gravy / fat separateor , in hindsight i should of bought a smaller one but obviously thats a reflection on me not the product
www.lakeland.co.uk/73030/oxo-good-grips-fat-separator-gravy-jug-1l?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgK2qBhCHARIsAGACuznAYdpOOQFLNymTYgIBa9gD36o9RCIYgZqwaL8dWbkomqQTbnd42pAaAjtoEALw_wcB

My hot tip is easy glide baking trays. I've spent a fortune on cheap versions over the years, only for them to last for just a few months. The EG ones get properly hot so they're great for crispy bread & pastry (no soggy bottoms) and they have a lifetime guarantee.

Next one - I have a thin craft knife from Wilkos (boo hoo). It's so useful.

I have Robert Welch knives on my wish list. Right now I'd settle for a decent bread knife.

Without knowing more about your husband, but knowing exactly what you mean, this shop is fantastic - https://www.objectsofuse.com/ and so is https://www.labourandwait.co.uk/

We somehow managed to trash our Alessi heavy duty sellotape dispenser (it had an arm that flipped out like an elephant trunk).

Can I have a recommendation for one I can operate with one hand whilst wrapping, please?

We still love our Siemens/Porsche kettle, toaster and coffee machine; I think they must be at least 25 years old.

Our newest "love them" purchase has to be our Riedel stemless wine glasses (thank you TK Maxx). The glass is so thin.

I'm sad that Islabike are folding, but it's such an "Islabike" thing to quit while they're ahead, rather than cheapen their product or sell to a larger business.

They changed the landscape for kids bikes and cycling for sure. I was involved in youth cycle racing for several years. It was my uncommon for every bike in a race to be an Islabike. They have been a victim of their own success though, with now too many other brands doing something similar.

OXO good grips can opener.

You could use a sieve as a potato ricer!

@FantasticElasticBand , there is some great stuff on that website , I particularly like the idea of the fixit.
My bank balance is looking at me a bit warily tho 😂

Can I recommend the NY Times Wirecutter consumer goods equivalent to Which? Despite the suggestions being mainly US oriented, for anything tech-y or electronic that you'd buy from Amazon, they are usually good. They also have good Christmas gift selections. While I do have a newspaper subscription too (I used to live there) I think you can get Wirecutter direct.

Buy Me Once is a nice website for well thought out timeless pieces.

D'oh! I see it's already been mentioned.

Muck Boots and Barbour Jackets too.

Can I ask what brand of metric tape measure you have?
My husband has been after one for ages. Tape measures always seem to have imperial measurements on as well as metric which annoys him.

We have this automated salt mill https://www.kitchenknives.co.uk/peugeot-elis-sense-u-select-electric-salt-mill-20cm-stainless-steel-p27179/

it’s expensive but beautiful - dispenses the perfect amount of salt and has a little light up function.

The Japanese Knife Company's website is an endless source of ideas... I don't dare go near the shops! And, if you buy a knife over a certain value, they engrave your name on it for free. It doesn't matter if your knife never leaves the kitchen, but if you are a chef this prevents lots of arguments!

Another vote for Peugeot salt / pepper mills.

Also, how about this beautiful dustpan and brush... I love it. Made in Germany and beautiful to use and look at! https://www.folkinteriors.co.uk/products/dustpan-and-brush

Possibly this works better if there is a cycling connection (and you have somewhere to store it) but this corkscrew is incredible to use (check the dimensions before buying, it's large) -

https://www.campagnolo.com/gb-en/big-the-corkscrew/CTBCL15USA.html?dwvar_CTBCL15USA_color=SA&dwvar_CTBCL15USA_size=ONESIZE&quantity=1

I have a Sheffield steel bread knife I was given as a wedding present in 1992 and it’s still going strong. At the time I thought it was a boring present but it’s fantastic. The marriage is over sadly and the donor died young but the knife is still here. Also a Le Creuset casserole dish - pricy but worth it. My first one lasted 30 years.

I need something for shoes to prevent smelly teenage sweaty feet smell.

Could be a spray for the shoe, could be a heating/drying device, could be a spray for feet.

Any suggestions?

Adding suggestions so I can find this thread later and make a list.

garlic rocker - I’ve broken the hinges on two garlic presses. A rocker is a much better design. I don’t think mine is branded - just a good chunk of steel.

A lever corkscrew is also seriously satisfying. Mine is so old that the brand doesn’t exist anymore but it’s a great concept.

My favourite kitchen knife is by Porsche but the weight ratio, size of your hand, wrist etc all matter so for anyone looking for a great knife I’d suggest going to a shop where you can hold them.

zeroll ice cream scoop

I love my kitchen aid mixer, once I worked out how to adjust the height.

Duolit toaster (ours is 20 years old))

Dualit Classic 4 Slice Vario Toaster - Stainless Steel, Hand Built-In The UK - Replaceable ProHeat elements - Heat Two or Four Slots, Defrost Bread, Mechanical Timer - 47450, Copper amzn.eu/d/hF8qbWf

Propelling pencil

Also my oxo long handled brush and pan is perfect - the brush is slightly angled, it doesn’t leave a streak of dirt behind, there’s a comb on the pan to pull all the hairs out of the brush (essential) and it folds flat to hang up.

I can recommend the OXO salt and pepper mills, love mine. Was also going to say that I'd heard good things about Peugeot mills, I see about 100 PPS say the same 😃

OXO things in general, I've just bought the box grater and already have a tin opener and Y peeler.

Linen sheets.

I love my Microplane zester, great for parmesan as well as zest.

My item of lust is a proper metal Caran d'Ache pencil sharpener.

I use this
https://www.kiwicare.com/en-us/products/kiwi-fresh-force-deodorizer
It works on my trainers , steel toecap, and wellies.

You only need a very short squirt for it to do its job .
One tin last me months.
Tescos and Asda often have it in stock.

I have a stainless steel washing up bowl from here: https://elephantbox.co.uk/ which was recommended by someone on Mumsnet! So much nicer and cleaner than a plastic one.

Also a Helix adjustable pencil sharpener which screws onto the desk.