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 magimix and heavy duty Kitchenaid. Both 20 years old and I was a caterer.

Good knives
Felco secateurs

And Henry hoover. After having mieiles (can't be bothered to look up spelling) that are wonderful but break eventually

Yes, to the Dualit toasters. DH bought his before we were married in 1988. Still going, and the elements can still be replaced!

This is a great thread! Can someone please recommend a sellotape holder that’s sturdy, heavy enough to operate one-handed and fits normal sized sellotape rolls?

Ooh yes, I have this too. It’s amazing.
So easy to get out and sweep up after my toddler has made mountains of crumbs.

Oh, I am liking the stainless steel washing up bowl! I think I might buy it for DH for Xmas (obviously he'd have to try it out on Xmas day with our ancient Le Creuset wooden handled pans)!

Switching away from the kitchen DH still loves his stirling engine stovetop fan (for the woodburner) as does our sweep.

@DuploTrain i have three kitchen knives from Kitchen Devils. Had them for literally decades and they’re still sharp and perfect for food prep of all kinds. Also have their bread knife which is the same.

Another vote for the Oxo potato masher. Hands down better than any other I've tried in a long life of mashing.

@DuploTrain

Victorinox serrated knife. Best knife ever.

Very specific and simple, but this brings me so much joy:

https://fruitsuper.com/product/lift-trivet/

Oh yes, le creuset of course. I've got several in different sizes, have lasted decades so far

All the microplane graters

Stanley travel cup. Can drink one handed, not massive flask like, but perfect to take in car or out and about.
https://uk.stanley1913.com/products/classic-trigger-action-mug-8-5-oz?variant=41204276527294

Oxo - we have gradually been replacing all kitchen items with oxo. The latest was the oxo pizza cutter, it’s amazing compared to our old cheap ikea version

Great thread!
My recommendation for those looking for the perfect bread knife is this one. It cuts even the freshest bread perfectly.
https://jonoknife.co.uk/

We have a Global bread knife, but I feel I might be add a jonoknife and sharpener to DH's Xmas list!

What a fab thread, OP.

Sellotape Large Chrome Dispenser, Tape Not Included amzn.eu/d/fGgu9QN

Brilliant thread!
Lakeland garlic press, peels the garlic at the same time. Had ours at least 10 years, love it
https://www.lakeland.co.uk/16640/zyliss-garlic-press

Wow, you guys are amazing! So many ideas to go through properly. We both just hate buying something for the sake of it. But I do also like to give something, I’m so pleased so many of you understand

love the pencil sharpener suggestions.

I’ll add I get immense joy from a French style rolling pin. I bought it on Etsy from a lovely man who hand turns them. It’s perfectly smooth and balanced and beautiful to use. Also the French style rolling pins are very practical for getting an even depth

And copic fine liner pens. They write well and you can replace nibs etc

Hugely more expensive but our bean to cup coffee machine by smeg ( can’t talk about longevity yet) but delicious coffee and far more environmentally friendly than capsules or take away coffee. Obviously will take a life time to pay for itself if you want to work out savings on take always.

I have found my people

I am after the holy grail of a decent pencil sharpener ...

I once bought myself the Iris compass from Makers Cabinet - I don't need to use it often but it gives me great pleasure - it's a thing of infinite beauty

I also love my Alessi orange peeler and odour hand stainless steel thing they sell
I fear this thread could be dangerous to my bank balance !

Also ray ban sunglasses. Still going after 15 years and still fashionable. And they take prescription lenses

There’s a shop near us called Objects of Use, does the most amazing household items, all really good quality & like your grandma had!!! Could spent a fortune there (pretty sure they’re online too!)

I have a claridges* wine bottle opener. It's the simplest design and years old. Although less used now most of the wine I buy is screw top.

Yes claridges the hotel. I worked there a lifetime ago and kept the wine bottle opener because it was so brilliant.

I dont think they still do them but snap-on (mechanics tools) did a knife set. It cost a bomb back in 198? 7 I think. But still going. It was a weird set up. We got 9 knife blades, one handle. Super easy to swap between blades, handle is worn and some blades are missing now. Came with a lifetime guarantee.

For OP I too am trying to just buy once these days. I'd prefer things to last, even clothes. I definitely need a brilliant can opener. I have many butterfly can openers, like a quid in Asda. But as I get older and weaker I simply cannot make them work properly. So the military ones wont work for me, they need brute force that I no longer have.

As an aside, getting older fucking sucks.

Yes! These are amazing

Think some of you might appreciate this place...
https://woodenchoppingboards.co.uk/

look here for sellotape dispensers and also staplers etc

https://www.presentandcorrect.com/collections/staplers-dispensers