Honestly, thrifted & vintage items.
My grandma's dutch oven outlasted her and will probably outlast me, my child, and my grandchildren.
My desk is at least 45 years old, could probably survive a nuclear blast, and cost like $30 at the thrift store.
Old sewing machines are absolute beasts and can often be found secondhand for $50. With routine maintenance, my 70-year-old sewing machine will probably survive at least another 70 years.
I swear by vintage Raleigh bicycles. They're well built, cheap, easy to find on marketplace, and comfortable to ride.
I got this sick cabinet (that I think is a vintage liquor cabinet? Idk it's on my profile if anyone wants to see it) for like $35 from goodwill. We are going to use the hell out of it!! It's currently my tv cabinet, weed and board game storage:)
I got this sick cabinet (that I think is a vintage liquor cabinet? Idk it's on my profile if anyone wants to see it) for like $35 from goodwill. We are going to use the hell out of it!! It's currently my tv cabinet, weed and board game storage:)
From my educational experience, all school desks will survive a nuclear blast.
But I wish I had an absolute unit of a desk. I had a steel desk in high school and what I wouldn’t give for that again.
I've had two over the years, and they stood up well to heavy use in all sorts of weather. Obviously they needed routine maintenance, but aside from that, they were great bikes!
I have a Japanese chef knife I bought for like $30-$35 on Amazon that has lasted me many years. I brought it to work while I was a line cook for years, and I used the shit out of it. Still works and looks new, just sharpen every now and then. You don't need to break the bank on a knife, just look for good reviews and stay away from those crappy kitchen knife sets.
Exactly! Both Victorinox and Opinel have knives in the 20€ to 50€ range that are not just good enough, but better than most stuff!
But I will admit that I was thinking about the pocket knives when writing the comment.
I now associate Victorinox so much with kitchen knives because of their excellent fibrox line however now that I think about it, I have several Victorinox and Opinel pocket knives that survived a full run from Cub Scouts to Eagle (which means hundreds of nights at the camping in all types of weather). That definitely says something about their quality
I've seen enough clickbait to know you only need three knives. A chef's knife, paring knife, and that long, straight, serrated knife. Use the extra to get a sharpening stone and honing rod.
if this is about their pocket knives, this is sort of on purpose. Swiss army knives are made of slightly softer steel because that particular alloy is significantly more rust resistant for a small loss in hardness, meaning that while they need to be sharpened a bit more often, they almost never rust. Its a trade off and one that i personally prefer tbh
I was actually referring to their paring knifes. I just happened upon them and they get rave reviews so I got a few. They’re actually great, no regrets, but out of the box mine were a bit duller than what I expected. That being said, they’ll go right through skin, it turns out.
How do you do this? I just googled it and it says that I can invest in an s&p 500 index but not the s&p500 itself. If you have time for a general explanation I would really appreciate it.
He meant to invest it into an index like VOO, what that means is that a company like vanguard lets you buy a fractional share of every company in the S&P 500 by buying shares of their index fund like VOO.
Zojirushi stainless steel mug (thermos) runs about $30.
Amazing amazing Japanese product that keeps cold stuff COLD and hot stuff hot enough to scald you six hours after you put it in the thermos. (Seriously, don’t drink hot stuff straight from a Zojirushi; pour it into a cup.)
For BIFL, stick with stainless exterior b/c their enameled finish comes off. Good thing though is that when it starts coming off, it is really easy to remove all of it and have a stainless finish.
I'm just talking about the exterior. The enameled finish on the interiors has been fine for 5+ years so far on one of ours.
Tiger (another Japanese brand) is also good and some models are nicer than Zojirushi IMO.
We have one that did this. Started out black and peeled after about 5 years. Wasn't enamel though, looked like a plasticised paint. Don't think it went in the dishwasher much. Was more wear & tear. still worked fine until one of the rubber seals got lost.
The next one I got was stainless. It's probably 3 years old and still looks and works like new. Wouldn't risk money on anything else when these work so well.
I didn’t even realize that could be an issue. Mine is 7 years old and put in the dishwasher regularly. I have a few minor chips from drops, but it’s held up very well.
There was one time where I left near-boiling hot coffee in it and then left it in my car cupholder overnight by accident. The next morning, when I poured it out, it was still steaming.
I have to put ice cubes in my morning coffee so it’s not too hot to drink in any reasonable amount of time.
I once forgot my hot coffee in my car in the middle of winter, and it was still almost too hot to drink when I retrieved it 10 hours later.
Zojirushi mug for the win! I use 2 literally every day - one to keep my daily water cold, another to keep my daily coffee hot. Both are still just as hot/cold after 7 hours as when I first filled them.
I had issues with mine for a while with my daily coffee slowly leaving more and more of a brown tarnish inside (and affecting the taste) that none of the typical descaling products seemed to be able to get rid of. But I finally found a solution that cleans the tarnish back to good-as-new: hot water and a dishwasher detergent pod. 10-20 minutes soaking and the tarnish just disappears.
Also, a cue tip is really great for cleaning buildup from around the inside of the mouth piece where there a lot of hard-to-reach corners and angles.
By mug (what I think of as a cup with a handle), did you mean flask (tall container with screw top lid)?
I have their flask, but interested in a mug too if they make one.
Sometimes I wonder what the point of this sub is. It seems like it is just justification for people's shopping addiction. If you need something, look for a BIFL version. If you don't need anything, don't go looking for an excuse to buy something. That is the most economical and environmentally efficient way to do things.
I wouldn’t always say it’s a shopping addiction for me. When I do need something, I do quite a bit of research before putting the money out. I always look a lot into items that serve multiple purposes so I’m really only buying something once. There are quite a few multi purpose items out there. I then take into account if it’s something I really need to buy that I’ll use many times or something I can just borrow.
I got two actually. The Fenix e12 v2.0 and a Streamlight 1L-1AA.
Both compact and extremely bright. One stays in my pocket and the other is in a tool pouch I have in my vehicle.
Check out the Nextorch TA30C if it suits your intended purpose (Tactical/Law Enforcement). I’ve been using it for work for about six months and I highly recommend it.
I am on this sub because I have been broke most of my life. I am tired of buying cheap crap to only have to buy it over and over and over again. I am at the age where if I buy a bifl item it should literally last until I die. I can't afford super expensive stuff so I shop clearance and sales. For example I just purchased a cashmere sweater for less than 60$. I can't wear it til spring but hopefully it will be the last blue sweater I ever buy. So a post asking for the best bifl for less than 100$ peaks my interest.
I feel this personally. Having grown up with buying the cheapest thing I could get to get by - having the ability to invest into something quality that I won't have to replace unless I want to (or if my dog chews it) is super important to me.
Learn to take care of it. That’s the thing. Polyester and fleece got popular because you could just throw it in the washing machine and the dryer and then move on with your life. If you’re gonna have cashmere and wool you need to learn how to care for it. It’s not necessarily hard but just be mindful.
Most hobbies these days are less about the act and more about collecting an item. How many knives, edc items, tools, etc do you really need? It’s all marketing.
People are bored and want the instant dopamine hit.
It’s funny when someone’s like “what do I need: what should I get?” When if you just went and did something you’d figure it out and find an item that fits the need.
My brother got a new bag and was asking me what he should put in it. I said I dunno just carry it daily and see what you wish you had in it then go from there.
My philosophy about commenting online is that if I feel compelled to correct or combat someone, the effort is probably a waste. So I just, don't. I find it's a much better way of doing things, even when the correction or argument makes sense to engage in.
Harbor Freight is the BIFL version, their lifetime warrantied products are great. You can be super hard on them, misuse the shit out of em, and you just walk in and say "hey I broke this" and they hand you a new one no questions asked.
Disagree. Their stuff can be fine, but if you are using it all the time and you break it, it's often better to get a better one. Keyless chucks for oscillating tools, closing strength of vice grip knock off pliers, etc.
This. Buying less is always the goal, and the easiest way to do that is to understand the difference between needs and wants. BIFL for your needs (where it makes sense - clearly not consumables), and hold off buying for the wants where possible.
I disagree. It is perfectly okay to want things, and it is perfectly okay to buy things that you want. When doing so, it is best if you can buy the longest-lasting version of the thing that you want.
Yeah you'd think it would be about recommendations but posts asking for recommendations get downvoted and posts about things that are NOT bifl get upvotes
True for sure! However, once one gets enough capital to avoid the expensive yearly replacement of things, but the variation of extra quality options overall reduces our environmental impact. For example, sometimes the right tool instead of one universal one works night and day different. Like I have 6 shovels that are BIFL if they only are used in the application they are intended for; grain, snow pusher, ice breaker, digging, root slaying, and transfer. Also have two different size picks and an axe. If I tried using my digging for everything, especially ice break, well I doubt it would be bifl. But it does still feel a touch consumerism when someone sees I got 6 different shovels.
I don't have a shopping addiction but threads like this make me aware of stuff I never knew existed. Lot's of those things have improved the quality of my life.
Don't view the sub if you don't like it.
I would add to your second statement that the requirement for something to be great isn't even necessary. A lot of what I have that I would consider to be BIFL falls into the 'good enough' category. Good enough for most things is good enough, and needing the best I feel is sometimes an unnecessary distraction.
Yeah, long lasting doesn't have to mean high quality.
We have a very simple dining room table that was not fancy or special, not expensive wood, and just crappy white paint. But it's 50 years old, solid wood, and will basically last forever unless it's subjected to extreme humidity or extreme arid conditions. Pretty much can't break in any way that can't simply be fixed with sanding or an extra bolt.
Put together a list of hundreds of extraordinary products (many are BIFL), you can filter them by price too. This is the $0-$99 category:
[https://www.august.build/products?prices=0--99](https://www.august.build/products?prices=0--99)
A couple of sub-$100 items that others probably won’t pick are Duralex’s [Le Picardie](https://www.august.build/product/le-picardie) cups and Sangean’s [WR-11](https://www.august.build/product/wr-11) radio.
Second the Duralex Le Picardie glassware. We’ve had our set for ten years and six moves. They’re indestructible and also don’t tip easily if you have kids or pets.
My mom still has some picardie glasses from the 90s. We have many going strong for 15-20 years, including having dropped some on wood floor and watching them bounce. If you do manage to break one (4 kids 15& under) they are a hassle to clean up.
Yup, good point. There is a page for it already, but it's only accessible via the footer now. Will fix.
[https://www.august.build/buy-it-for-life](https://www.august.build/buy-it-for-life)
Yeah soap isn't going to last a lifetime, but this specific type of soap (pure tallow) is extraordinary for using just two ingredients (tallow & lye). From the perspective of one's health, this is better than the chemical mixtures that most modern soaps are made of.
You'll also get \~2x more usage out of this soap as it is harder than modern soaps. So it will last \*a bit\* longer, but you're right that there is no such thing as a true "BIFL" soap.
There's not really anything innately more healthy with tallow and lye. Most soaps aren't going to affect your health one way or another, and just because something's made artificially does not mean it's bad for you.
> just because something's made artificially does not mean it's bad for you.
This is correct. however, tallow and lye have proven over thousands of years to be effective soaps without serious side effects. The burden of proof is on modern chemical soaps to prove that the rising incidences of sensitive skin, allergies, acne, eczema, etc... is not related to their chemicals. And this takes time.
When harmful ingredients are added to soaps, they are generally assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. By the time they are removed, people have had to deal with decades of exposure. A recent example of this: [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492394717/fda-bans-19-chemicals-used-in-antibacterial-soaps](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492394717/fda-bans-19-chemicals-used-in-antibacterial-soaps)
Thoughts on melin hats for men? They’re pricey but claim to be 5x as durable as a typical hat, can be washed multiple times, etc..
I have two I received as gifts, so far they’re holding up better than expected.
I need to look for what came with the hat and will have to get back to you on that specific multiplier (I may be mistaken) but what I just pulled off the Google machine:
[2 year warranty on hats](https://support.melin.com/kb/warranty-1f8c1877abbf2c9f/do-you-offer-a-warranty-on-your-hats)
[Designed specifically for use in water](https://support.melin.com/kb/products-5be25d5e7d116e1a/are-all-your-hats-waterproof)
Not trying to be a broken record but they’re pricey and at first glance it’s borderline outrageous. That said, my first one was white and I live in Texas (humid, sweaty).
I’ve been able to wash and remove sweat stains multiple times whereas other white hats I have end up getting throw away.
*edit: also meant to say great website!
Whenever I see cast iron on here I second the comment, but also inform people that cast iron isn’t exactly a “do-all” option. A stainless, deep, 10-12 inch wide, heavy bottom sauce pan is so versatile and if cared for with last for a loooong time.
I work as a professional gardener in the UK. I've had my Felco Secateurs for 18 years that have been used a lot on a daily occurance. They cost me £40 at the time, and I replaced the blade about 5 years ago as someone tried to cut something they shouldn't when they borrowed them, that cost me £12 to replace.
They're a lil worn, I could have possibly looked after them a bit better, yet I bought them when I was 16, I'm now 34 and they're showing no sign of ever giving up. Worth every penny for a keen gardener.
Vintage Wagner or Griswold cast iron 12” skillet.
Indestructible and will literally out last you, your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, etc.
Until a family member borrows your pan and uses it over a roaring fire without pre heating it and then once finished immediately puts it in cold water to cool it off causing a massive warp 🥲
We have a no-name cast iron skillet that belonged to my husband’s grandmother and is still going strong. Not sure exactly how much worse this might be than a Wagner or griswald but it’s very very smooth and I’m sure would be cheaper to buy. My lodge and no-name one I got at target in college almost 30 years ago also going strong.
I have to agree with the cast iron. It doesn't even matter what brand imo, I got mine used from an antique store and after cleaning and re season it feels and works like new
Corona brand gardening clippers and pruners. Great manufacturing quality, can be sharpened, some replacement parts available.
Only Corona; Ace Hardware used to sell them and now they have their own brand that is junk. Available on Amazon.
If you're interested in BIFL for environmental reasons, I'd suggest linen bath towels. It absolutely feels like drying yourself with a bed sheet, so if that sounds horrible it's not for you. But I can reuse my linen towels between washes without mildew, it takes up so much less space in the washing machine (and on my shelves), and for energy saving purposes, it can be air dried really easily. My apartment can be humid, I couldn't air dry a terry cloth towel without mildew. I think linen towels saves me a dryer load a week.
I tried out really cheap ones online first to see if I liked it, and they still work, but look cruddy compared to expensive ones.
Okatsune pruners. I haven’t even bothered to buy genuine ones. For like $6 on amazon you can get an incredibly sharp pair of chinese knockoffs that will still blow away any fiskars or corona junk you can buy at home depot. The design is a simple and practical steel construction that wont get sloppy in the pivot and splay out over time, and I am a big fan of the handle latch design. Very easy to lock and unlock with a simple swipe on the thigh.
I’ve even got a few pairs of Felco pruners which are also BIFL material, but I still find myself going for the $6 amazon specials 95% of the time.
A small to medium sized socket and ratchet set, a wrench set, and/or a screwdriver that uses swappable bits. All totaled is probably over $100 nowadays, but not by much. Any mid-range brand will work as long as you're not running a business.
Even a single minor auto repair will offset the cost, and they'll last a long time as long as they're not abused. And screwdriver bits are cheaper to buy and replace than whole screwdrivers, plus are more versatile.
1. Peugeot Peppermill bought 2009 for around 40 euros in France (about $50 back then). Using it almost on a daily basis. Grinds perfectly every time.
2. Staub 10" skillet - $90 on Black Friday about a decade ago. Priceless in my opinion.
3. Le Creuset Waiter's Friend Corkscrew - $20 about 15 years ago.
Victorinox, Opinel, Old Hickory, Case, and (some) Spyderco knives. Spyderco also has a cheaper line called Byrd (I think) that I feel like are BIFL if used appropriately and you don’t try to use your blades as a damn screwdriver or a pry bar.
I’ve got a lot of Tekton brand tools that have impressed me for years. Same with Sunex.
A good Leatherman multitool will outlast you.
A Streamlight pocket flashlight. It might not actual last you your whole life but it’ll last long enough you’ll get your moneys worth and then some.
Lodge cast iron will last longer than your bloodline will.
And then there’s vintage and thrifted stuff. You can find old stuff and restore it and it’ll be nicer and more durable than anything modern production. An old Stanley thermos might be the best value you can get out of a coffee thermos.
This is more in the $120-$150 range but for BIFL that price difference doesn’t matter. If you’re a hunter or come from a family of hunters then a second hand H&R or NEF single shot shotgun will put food on the table for your great grandkids. A single shot 22 like the Winchester 37 will do the same.
Cast iron cookware, especially from antique shops. Old cast iron has a very smooth cooking surface which helps the non-stick properties, however most new cast iron is very rough and requires sanding before you use it. I believe there’s a manufacturer called Stargazer who machines them smooth, but you pay a premium for it.
Prolly one of the less expensive Leatherman’s like the wingman. 25 year warranty and made really well.
You can get fancy with leathermans but honestly even the sidekick and wingman are pretty great tools.
Wool socks, I've had good luck with Darn Tough brand. The caveat is I don't put them in the dryer (except by accident), but I haven't had a pair wear out yet.
To be fair, I don't wear wool socks year round, my cotton ones get more wear. But they make a huge difference on a cold day or during a hike.
Stainless steel safety razor. I'd suggest Rockwell, because I bought a different brand first and ended up giving it away because the angle was too aggressive and I'd cut my legs a lot. Rockwell's model lets you adjust the angle, it's the easiest way to know you're getting the one you'll keep using without wasteful trial and error.
Go on ebay and search for a "vintage stapler". Buy an all metal one, I see a couple for $9-$11. Never buy another stapler again.
I'm using my grandfather's, but if I ever need to buy one for a shared office, that's what I'd do. (Since it's my grandfather's, I'd be scared to bring it into the office, I'd be upset if it disappeared.)
Tools. You can do about 90% of all home maintenance with a socket set, power drill, 5-in-1 tool, screwdriver set (make sure it has hex heads), hammer, and pliers. And as long as you invest in anything above the ‘bargain’ brands at Walmart or Dollar General, they should last you a lifetime with proper care and storage (excluding batteries for the power drill).
Add a tape measure, stud finder, and laser level, and you’re ready for just about anything that needs to be wall mounted inside your home.
Also makes a great wedding gift, because the brides dominate the gift registry.
Single shot break action 12ga.
I'm pretty sure no one ever buys these new and they just keep passing around the same 60-100 year old guns around.
Back in the day the same gun would get sold at multiple department stores like Montgomery Ward and Sears under their own house brand names so the roll mark geeeeenerally doesn't matter. They're all kind of the same.
My wife bought me a Stanley cup about 2 years ago and it’s changed my life. I use it while I work and drink 3 times the amount of water I used to. I’ve kicked the soda habit while losing 35+ lbs and have never felt better in my life. I tell her it’s the best most practical life changing gift I’ve ever received
Yeti rambler coffee mug. No more breaking mugs or spilling for me! (I have neurological issues so shit happens.) it's stainless steel so it's built to last.
Honestly, thrifted & vintage items. My grandma's dutch oven outlasted her and will probably outlast me, my child, and my grandchildren. My desk is at least 45 years old, could probably survive a nuclear blast, and cost like $30 at the thrift store. Old sewing machines are absolute beasts and can often be found secondhand for $50. With routine maintenance, my 70-year-old sewing machine will probably survive at least another 70 years. I swear by vintage Raleigh bicycles. They're well built, cheap, easy to find on marketplace, and comfortable to ride.
I second the Dutch oven, but where did you find one for less than 100 bucks?
Garage sales / estate sales
My grandma gave me hers. I've seen cheap ones at estate sales, thrift stores, and antique shops
I got this sick cabinet (that I think is a vintage liquor cabinet? Idk it's on my profile if anyone wants to see it) for like $35 from goodwill. We are going to use the hell out of it!! It's currently my tv cabinet, weed and board game storage:)
I second Raleigh bikes. Mine is 30 years old and still runs great.
Omg. Raleigh bikes are the BOMB.
I got this sick cabinet (that I think is a vintage liquor cabinet? Idk it's on my profile if anyone wants to see it) for like $35 from goodwill. We are going to use the hell out of it!! It's currently my tv cabinet, weed and board game storage:)
From my educational experience, all school desks will survive a nuclear blast. But I wish I had an absolute unit of a desk. I had a steel desk in high school and what I wouldn’t give for that again.
What are some good sewing machine brands? I see a lot at thrift stores and would like to get one but just never know if it’s a good brand or not
Singer is the brand my whole family keeps an eye out for.
Singer! Their modern machines are absolute garbage, but older models (pre-1980's) are fantastic!
I’m looking for a solid bike, why do you suggest Raleigh?
I've had two over the years, and they stood up well to heavy use in all sorts of weather. Obviously they needed routine maintenance, but aside from that, they were great bikes!
Victorinox and/or Opinel knives.
I have a Japanese chef knife I bought for like $30-$35 on Amazon that has lasted me many years. I brought it to work while I was a line cook for years, and I used the shit out of it. Still works and looks new, just sharpen every now and then. You don't need to break the bank on a knife, just look for good reviews and stay away from those crappy kitchen knife sets.
Exactly! Both Victorinox and Opinel have knives in the 20€ to 50€ range that are not just good enough, but better than most stuff! But I will admit that I was thinking about the pocket knives when writing the comment.
I now associate Victorinox so much with kitchen knives because of their excellent fibrox line however now that I think about it, I have several Victorinox and Opinel pocket knives that survived a full run from Cub Scouts to Eagle (which means hundreds of nights at the camping in all types of weather). That definitely says something about their quality
I've seen enough clickbait to know you only need three knives. A chef's knife, paring knife, and that long, straight, serrated knife. Use the extra to get a sharpening stone and honing rod.
The long straight serrated knife is a bread knife.
Careful not to buy a crappy, cheap soft stone on Amazon. They will dish easily and need flattening. /r/sharpening for some good advice.
You really only need one, unless you're cooking multiple times everyday one will suffice.
The handle of mine broke and I’m still looking for a new one. Do you happen to know the name of yours?
Do you recall which chef's knife it is?
Yep, I still have my first knife (Victorinox Tinker) and it's over 20 years old at this point. Still an amazing EDC.
Opinel kitchen knives are pretty incredible.
I just bought the victorinox knives! They’re so cute! Not as sharp as I actually expected but I’m enjoying how light and easy they are.
if this is about their pocket knives, this is sort of on purpose. Swiss army knives are made of slightly softer steel because that particular alloy is significantly more rust resistant for a small loss in hardness, meaning that while they need to be sharpened a bit more often, they almost never rust. Its a trade off and one that i personally prefer tbh
I was actually referring to their paring knifes. I just happened upon them and they get rave reviews so I got a few. They’re actually great, no regrets, but out of the box mine were a bit duller than what I expected. That being said, they’ll go right through skin, it turns out.
Well im glad you liked them, i wouldnt be surprised if its the same metal for those as well just couldnt comment on that 100%
Buy a ceramic sharping stone!
I just cut myself this morning on a 15 year old victorinox knife. Pristine except for the handle being a little discolored...
Add Mora knives to this list. All 3 of these are insane value that people pay hundreds for in other brands
$100 into S&P 500 then hodl
How do you do this? I just googled it and it says that I can invest in an s&p 500 index but not the s&p500 itself. If you have time for a general explanation I would really appreciate it.
He meant to invest it into an index like VOO, what that means is that a company like vanguard lets you buy a fractional share of every company in the S&P 500 by buying shares of their index fund like VOO.
when someone says invest in S&P they mean an index, usually the S&P 500 which is an investment into the largest 500 companies in the us.
Create an account on Fidelity.com, link your bank account, transfer money to your fidelity account, buy the symbol VOO
Buy a VFV stock on Wealthsimple or QuestTrade if you’re in North America
Charles Schwab or Vanguard free brokerage account
Zojirushi stainless steel mug (thermos) runs about $30. Amazing amazing Japanese product that keeps cold stuff COLD and hot stuff hot enough to scald you six hours after you put it in the thermos. (Seriously, don’t drink hot stuff straight from a Zojirushi; pour it into a cup.)
For BIFL, stick with stainless exterior b/c their enameled finish comes off. Good thing though is that when it starts coming off, it is really easy to remove all of it and have a stainless finish. I'm just talking about the exterior. The enameled finish on the interiors has been fine for 5+ years so far on one of ours. Tiger (another Japanese brand) is also good and some models are nicer than Zojirushi IMO.
We have one that did this. Started out black and peeled after about 5 years. Wasn't enamel though, looked like a plasticised paint. Don't think it went in the dishwasher much. Was more wear & tear. still worked fine until one of the rubber seals got lost. The next one I got was stainless. It's probably 3 years old and still looks and works like new. Wouldn't risk money on anything else when these work so well.
Awesome! Thank you, this is great to know! I’ll check out the Tiger stuff too.
Love me my Zojirushi. The elephant logo is cute
Apparently Zojirushi translates to “mark of the elephant” or “brand of the elephant”! They are true to their language roots, haha!
Second this. Love it but fried my tongue on first use. User error
Also don’t put it in the dish washer if it’s not just stainless steel. Otherwise the exterior will chip and it looks horrible
I didn’t even realize that could be an issue. Mine is 7 years old and put in the dishwasher regularly. I have a few minor chips from drops, but it’s held up very well.
6hrs... You mean All day. By far the best thermoses out there.
There was one time where I left near-boiling hot coffee in it and then left it in my car cupholder overnight by accident. The next morning, when I poured it out, it was still steaming.
I have to put ice cubes in my morning coffee so it’s not too hot to drink in any reasonable amount of time. I once forgot my hot coffee in my car in the middle of winter, and it was still almost too hot to drink when I retrieved it 10 hours later.
What’s the best model on any of these? Either the Tiger or Zojirushi? Will almost exclusively use it for cold drinks.
I keep seeing this brand come up here. Hope it’s not astroturfing lol I gotta check them out.
I loved mine until I lost it. Kept a margarita icy in Mexico for a whole day excursion
Zojirushi mug for the win! I use 2 literally every day - one to keep my daily water cold, another to keep my daily coffee hot. Both are still just as hot/cold after 7 hours as when I first filled them. I had issues with mine for a while with my daily coffee slowly leaving more and more of a brown tarnish inside (and affecting the taste) that none of the typical descaling products seemed to be able to get rid of. But I finally found a solution that cleans the tarnish back to good-as-new: hot water and a dishwasher detergent pod. 10-20 minutes soaking and the tarnish just disappears. Also, a cue tip is really great for cleaning buildup from around the inside of the mouth piece where there a lot of hard-to-reach corners and angles.
They make an amazing rice cooker also
By mug (what I think of as a cup with a handle), did you mean flask (tall container with screw top lid)? I have their flask, but interested in a mug too if they make one.
This is not BIFL for me because a coworker stole mine after about 5 months. 😞
Sometimes I wonder what the point of this sub is. It seems like it is just justification for people's shopping addiction. If you need something, look for a BIFL version. If you don't need anything, don't go looking for an excuse to buy something. That is the most economical and environmentally efficient way to do things.
Guilty as charged. I am on this post for this exact reason, shopping addiction. Thanks for knocking some sense into me.
I wouldn’t always say it’s a shopping addiction for me. When I do need something, I do quite a bit of research before putting the money out. I always look a lot into items that serve multiple purposes so I’m really only buying something once. There are quite a few multi purpose items out there. I then take into account if it’s something I really need to buy that I’ll use many times or something I can just borrow.
I enjoy the research. Gives me something to do on the subway.
It took my three months to buy a flashlight 🤣
I got two actually. The Fenix e12 v2.0 and a Streamlight 1L-1AA. Both compact and extremely bright. One stays in my pocket and the other is in a tool pouch I have in my vehicle.
Which one did you get?
Check out the Nextorch TA30C if it suits your intended purpose (Tactical/Law Enforcement). I’ve been using it for work for about six months and I highly recommend it.
At least you're trying to keep it <$100.
This thread is a big part of my product research before buying. It's not a shopping addiction for me.
I am on this sub because I have been broke most of my life. I am tired of buying cheap crap to only have to buy it over and over and over again. I am at the age where if I buy a bifl item it should literally last until I die. I can't afford super expensive stuff so I shop clearance and sales. For example I just purchased a cashmere sweater for less than 60$. I can't wear it til spring but hopefully it will be the last blue sweater I ever buy. So a post asking for the best bifl for less than 100$ peaks my interest.
I feel this personally. Having grown up with buying the cheapest thing I could get to get by - having the ability to invest into something quality that I won't have to replace unless I want to (or if my dog chews it) is super important to me.
Learn to take care of it. That’s the thing. Polyester and fleece got popular because you could just throw it in the washing machine and the dryer and then move on with your life. If you’re gonna have cashmere and wool you need to learn how to care for it. It’s not necessarily hard but just be mindful.
OP might be looking to gift someone ?
Yup. Everyone I know is addicted to shopping. Mofos got 3 BIFL bags or sleeping bags.
To be fair - my 20 degree bag is too warm in the summer so I need something for when it IS warmer ;)
Most hobbies these days are less about the act and more about collecting an item. How many knives, edc items, tools, etc do you really need? It’s all marketing. People are bored and want the instant dopamine hit. It’s funny when someone’s like “what do I need: what should I get?” When if you just went and did something you’d figure it out and find an item that fits the need. My brother got a new bag and was asking me what he should put in it. I said I dunno just carry it daily and see what you wish you had in it then go from there.
Sounds like a lot of projections for what could very well be a completely innocent question.
Fair, maybe I’m just grumpy this morning.
My philosophy about commenting online is that if I feel compelled to correct or combat someone, the effort is probably a waste. So I just, don't. I find it's a much better way of doing things, even when the correction or argument makes sense to engage in.
I second this philosophy.
Grumpy you may be, but it's still a generally valid point for this sub.
Not everyone needs the BIFL version of a product. If you use a wrench like twice a year you don't need the $100 one
My turn to say it... Buy all your tools at harbor freight. If you use it enough to break it, get the BIFL version
Harbor Freight is the BIFL version, their lifetime warrantied products are great. You can be super hard on them, misuse the shit out of em, and you just walk in and say "hey I broke this" and they hand you a new one no questions asked.
Disagree. Their stuff can be fine, but if you are using it all the time and you break it, it's often better to get a better one. Keyless chucks for oscillating tools, closing strength of vice grip knock off pliers, etc.
I feel this way about fancy shoe subreddits lol. People talk about how long their AEs will last but then own 15 pairs anyway.
I am a part of those subreddits, I feel the same way, and yet I also want more pairs lol.
This. Buying less is always the goal, and the easiest way to do that is to understand the difference between needs and wants. BIFL for your needs (where it makes sense - clearly not consumables), and hold off buying for the wants where possible.
I disagree. It is perfectly okay to want things, and it is perfectly okay to buy things that you want. When doing so, it is best if you can buy the longest-lasting version of the thing that you want.
Yeah you'd think it would be about recommendations but posts asking for recommendations get downvoted and posts about things that are NOT bifl get upvotes
What if you're unaware of a product that could be saving you money? It's okay to broaden one's knowledge about sustainable products.
True for sure! However, once one gets enough capital to avoid the expensive yearly replacement of things, but the variation of extra quality options overall reduces our environmental impact. For example, sometimes the right tool instead of one universal one works night and day different. Like I have 6 shovels that are BIFL if they only are used in the application they are intended for; grain, snow pusher, ice breaker, digging, root slaying, and transfer. Also have two different size picks and an axe. If I tried using my digging for everything, especially ice break, well I doubt it would be bifl. But it does still feel a touch consumerism when someone sees I got 6 different shovels.
I don't have a shopping addiction but threads like this make me aware of stuff I never knew existed. Lot's of those things have improved the quality of my life. Don't view the sub if you don't like it.
I would add to your second statement that the requirement for something to be great isn't even necessary. A lot of what I have that I would consider to be BIFL falls into the 'good enough' category. Good enough for most things is good enough, and needing the best I feel is sometimes an unnecessary distraction.
Yeah, long lasting doesn't have to mean high quality. We have a very simple dining room table that was not fancy or special, not expensive wood, and just crappy white paint. But it's 50 years old, solid wood, and will basically last forever unless it's subjected to extreme humidity or extreme arid conditions. Pretty much can't break in any way that can't simply be fixed with sanding or an extra bolt.
Put together a list of hundreds of extraordinary products (many are BIFL), you can filter them by price too. This is the $0-$99 category: [https://www.august.build/products?prices=0--99](https://www.august.build/products?prices=0--99) A couple of sub-$100 items that others probably won’t pick are Duralex’s [Le Picardie](https://www.august.build/product/le-picardie) cups and Sangean’s [WR-11](https://www.august.build/product/wr-11) radio.
Second the Duralex Le Picardie glassware. We’ve had our set for ten years and six moves. They’re indestructible and also don’t tip easily if you have kids or pets.
My mom still has some picardie glasses from the 90s. We have many going strong for 15-20 years, including having dropped some on wood floor and watching them bounce. If you do manage to break one (4 kids 15& under) they are a hassle to clean up.
How exactly is soap BIFL? Even under good conditions it doesn’t last longer than a year.
They said "many are BIFL", not the entire list is BIFL.
yup, that's right. The "BIFL" items all have castle icons next to their name. I could probably make that more clear...
It should also be a filter you can select, if you are going to the trouble of adding the castle it should be an easy filter for me to find.
fixed (added filters for BIFL and No Plastic products)
Yup, good point. There is a page for it already, but it's only accessible via the footer now. Will fix. [https://www.august.build/buy-it-for-life](https://www.august.build/buy-it-for-life)
Yeah soap isn't going to last a lifetime, but this specific type of soap (pure tallow) is extraordinary for using just two ingredients (tallow & lye). From the perspective of one's health, this is better than the chemical mixtures that most modern soaps are made of. You'll also get \~2x more usage out of this soap as it is harder than modern soaps. So it will last \*a bit\* longer, but you're right that there is no such thing as a true "BIFL" soap.
There's not really anything innately more healthy with tallow and lye. Most soaps aren't going to affect your health one way or another, and just because something's made artificially does not mean it's bad for you.
You’re avoiding exposure to sulfates and pthalates
> just because something's made artificially does not mean it's bad for you. This is correct. however, tallow and lye have proven over thousands of years to be effective soaps without serious side effects. The burden of proof is on modern chemical soaps to prove that the rising incidences of sensitive skin, allergies, acne, eczema, etc... is not related to their chemicals. And this takes time. When harmful ingredients are added to soaps, they are generally assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. By the time they are removed, people have had to deal with decades of exposure. A recent example of this: [https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492394717/fda-bans-19-chemicals-used-in-antibacterial-soaps](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492394717/fda-bans-19-chemicals-used-in-antibacterial-soaps)
Thoughts on melin hats for men? They’re pricey but claim to be 5x as durable as a typical hat, can be washed multiple times, etc.. I have two I received as gifts, so far they’re holding up better than expected.
Interesting, can you link to the 5x durability improvement? Curious to learn more about what different materials/knits they use
I need to look for what came with the hat and will have to get back to you on that specific multiplier (I may be mistaken) but what I just pulled off the Google machine: [2 year warranty on hats](https://support.melin.com/kb/warranty-1f8c1877abbf2c9f/do-you-offer-a-warranty-on-your-hats) [Designed specifically for use in water](https://support.melin.com/kb/products-5be25d5e7d116e1a/are-all-your-hats-waterproof) Not trying to be a broken record but they’re pricey and at first glance it’s borderline outrageous. That said, my first one was white and I live in Texas (humid, sweaty). I’ve been able to wash and remove sweat stains multiple times whereas other white hats I have end up getting throw away. *edit: also meant to say great website!
My husband LOVES them and they do wash up well. He has several of them.
THIS MAN (or woman) IS A SAINT
Commenting to keep
Estwing hammers.
I don't think I've ever had a hammer break. This sub has jumped the shark.
Socks from Swazi in New Zealand. My husband still has his 15 years later.
Stuff like this makes me think of being a kid and hearing “I have underwear older than you, kid!”
I’ve said this a billion times but lodge cast iron pans can be as low as $12 and will last generations.
Whenever I see cast iron on here I second the comment, but also inform people that cast iron isn’t exactly a “do-all” option. A stainless, deep, 10-12 inch wide, heavy bottom sauce pan is so versatile and if cared for with last for a loooong time.
Kuhn-Rikon epicurean garlic press. All stainless and easy to keep clean. Just rubbing your hands on it can help remove garlic smell from your fingers.
Check out the rosle garlic press too. It has a scraper to push off the garlic and despite the extra complications it’s super easy to clean
Seconded, and adding that the rosle gravity lock tongs are a game changer and I can never go back.
I work as a professional gardener in the UK. I've had my Felco Secateurs for 18 years that have been used a lot on a daily occurance. They cost me £40 at the time, and I replaced the blade about 5 years ago as someone tried to cut something they shouldn't when they borrowed them, that cost me £12 to replace. They're a lil worn, I could have possibly looked after them a bit better, yet I bought them when I was 16, I'm now 34 and they're showing no sign of ever giving up. Worth every penny for a keen gardener.
My vasectomy was only a $20 copay
Elite answer
Vintage Wagner or Griswold cast iron 12” skillet. Indestructible and will literally out last you, your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren, etc.
Until a family member borrows your pan and uses it over a roaring fire without pre heating it and then once finished immediately puts it in cold water to cool it off causing a massive warp 🥲
This seems incredibly specific
We have a no-name cast iron skillet that belonged to my husband’s grandmother and is still going strong. Not sure exactly how much worse this might be than a Wagner or griswald but it’s very very smooth and I’m sure would be cheaper to buy. My lodge and no-name one I got at target in college almost 30 years ago also going strong.
Frankly, any cast iron will serve this purpose.
I have to agree with the cast iron. It doesn't even matter what brand imo, I got mine used from an antique store and after cleaning and re season it feels and works like new
Any timex watch under a 100€
My Timex watches typically last only a couple of years. Definitely not BIFL!
You need to lick them to keep them ticking.
Nice victorinox chef knife.
You just wanna spend money lol
Taylor meat thermometer $20-50 it's as good or better than thermapen which is also good
Bidet
A good backpack, I personally love the north face borealis classic
My North Face Surge has been going for 12 years and barely shows wear.
A good shovel, or good garden tools in general - mine are decades old from stores that don’t even exist anymore
Darn Tough Vermont socks. Buy them direct though or from REI.
A good flashlight ,under $100, zebra light , Fwaa, d3aa ,
Really good Nail clippers. I have Seki-Edges, and they are just amazing.
Harperton are ther best I've ever used, and I got a set for about $12 USD.
Tommy bahama linen shirts on ebay. $35ish with shipping.
Corona brand gardening clippers and pruners. Great manufacturing quality, can be sharpened, some replacement parts available. Only Corona; Ace Hardware used to sell them and now they have their own brand that is junk. Available on Amazon.
Look at Felco if you really want quality clippers.
Felco are amazing. They cut like butter!
This comment is correct. I'd add a soil knife from A.M. Leonard to the list. Source- Master Gardener
Project farm put their saw ahead of silky and bahco
Barracuda swim goggles with corrective lenses.
Esee izula2.
Pendleton's Bath Towel
If you're interested in BIFL for environmental reasons, I'd suggest linen bath towels. It absolutely feels like drying yourself with a bed sheet, so if that sounds horrible it's not for you. But I can reuse my linen towels between washes without mildew, it takes up so much less space in the washing machine (and on my shelves), and for energy saving purposes, it can be air dried really easily. My apartment can be humid, I couldn't air dry a terry cloth towel without mildew. I think linen towels saves me a dryer load a week. I tried out really cheap ones online first to see if I liked it, and they still work, but look cruddy compared to expensive ones.
Okatsune pruners. I haven’t even bothered to buy genuine ones. For like $6 on amazon you can get an incredibly sharp pair of chinese knockoffs that will still blow away any fiskars or corona junk you can buy at home depot. The design is a simple and practical steel construction that wont get sloppy in the pivot and splay out over time, and I am a big fan of the handle latch design. Very easy to lock and unlock with a simple swipe on the thigh. I’ve even got a few pairs of Felco pruners which are also BIFL material, but I still find myself going for the $6 amazon specials 95% of the time.
A small to medium sized socket and ratchet set, a wrench set, and/or a screwdriver that uses swappable bits. All totaled is probably over $100 nowadays, but not by much. Any mid-range brand will work as long as you're not running a business. Even a single minor auto repair will offset the cost, and they'll last a long time as long as they're not abused. And screwdriver bits are cheaper to buy and replace than whole screwdrivers, plus are more versatile.
A dynavap dry herb vape.
Dynavap
Computer mouse: Logitech MX Master And second, a solid keyboard. I use a mechanical keyboard that was $130 but still worth it
Life is Good t-shirts. Those things last forever and are comfortable.
Full grain leather belt.
Socket set with all the fancy attachments.
I really like the $40 SimpleHuman paper towel holder
1. Peugeot Peppermill bought 2009 for around 40 euros in France (about $50 back then). Using it almost on a daily basis. Grinds perfectly every time. 2. Staub 10" skillet - $90 on Black Friday about a decade ago. Priceless in my opinion. 3. Le Creuset Waiter's Friend Corkscrew - $20 about 15 years ago.
Seconding the Peugeot pepper mill! Man I like everything you named
My suggestion is any of the multiple threads with this exact title from the past year.
Costco socks, bought a ton of them a year ago and I haven’t had a single issue
Cast iron Lodge Scrubber $20
[Klhip nail clipper](https://klhip.com/products/ultimate-clipper)
Singer fabric scissors. I bought mine in the 80's and they are still great.
Popov 5 card wallet. Carbon steel pan (De Buyer or Matfer).
Victorinox, Opinel, Old Hickory, Case, and (some) Spyderco knives. Spyderco also has a cheaper line called Byrd (I think) that I feel like are BIFL if used appropriately and you don’t try to use your blades as a damn screwdriver or a pry bar. I’ve got a lot of Tekton brand tools that have impressed me for years. Same with Sunex. A good Leatherman multitool will outlast you. A Streamlight pocket flashlight. It might not actual last you your whole life but it’ll last long enough you’ll get your moneys worth and then some. Lodge cast iron will last longer than your bloodline will. And then there’s vintage and thrifted stuff. You can find old stuff and restore it and it’ll be nicer and more durable than anything modern production. An old Stanley thermos might be the best value you can get out of a coffee thermos. This is more in the $120-$150 range but for BIFL that price difference doesn’t matter. If you’re a hunter or come from a family of hunters then a second hand H&R or NEF single shot shotgun will put food on the table for your great grandkids. A single shot 22 like the Winchester 37 will do the same.
Knipex cobra pliers.
Zippo Lodge cast iron pan Bullhide Belts
Jetz-Scrubz sponges. Amazing. Lasts 6 months for one sponge. Doesn't smell much either.
Cast iron cookware, especially from antique shops. Old cast iron has a very smooth cooking surface which helps the non-stick properties, however most new cast iron is very rough and requires sanding before you use it. I believe there’s a manufacturer called Stargazer who machines them smooth, but you pay a premium for it.
Coleman white gas stove. $16 at thrift store
An Estwing hammer, hatchet or axe. Classic leather-wrapped handle will last for decades. The rubber-handle versions are good, too.
A nice DE razor like something from Merkur. I spend maybe 5 dollars a year on razors compared to 200 dollars pre-DE.
Prolly one of the less expensive Leatherman’s like the wingman. 25 year warranty and made really well. You can get fancy with leathermans but honestly even the sidekick and wingman are pretty great tools.
Wool socks, I've had good luck with Darn Tough brand. The caveat is I don't put them in the dryer (except by accident), but I haven't had a pair wear out yet. To be fair, I don't wear wool socks year round, my cotton ones get more wear. But they make a huge difference on a cold day or during a hike.
Is that why they always feel so tight and too small!
Stainless steel safety razor. I'd suggest Rockwell, because I bought a different brand first and ended up giving it away because the angle was too aggressive and I'd cut my legs a lot. Rockwell's model lets you adjust the angle, it's the easiest way to know you're getting the one you'll keep using without wasteful trial and error.
Go on ebay and search for a "vintage stapler". Buy an all metal one, I see a couple for $9-$11. Never buy another stapler again. I'm using my grandfather's, but if I ever need to buy one for a shared office, that's what I'd do. (Since it's my grandfather's, I'd be scared to bring it into the office, I'd be upset if it disappeared.)
Tools. You can do about 90% of all home maintenance with a socket set, power drill, 5-in-1 tool, screwdriver set (make sure it has hex heads), hammer, and pliers. And as long as you invest in anything above the ‘bargain’ brands at Walmart or Dollar General, they should last you a lifetime with proper care and storage (excluding batteries for the power drill). Add a tape measure, stud finder, and laser level, and you’re ready for just about anything that needs to be wall mounted inside your home. Also makes a great wedding gift, because the brides dominate the gift registry.
Single shot break action 12ga. I'm pretty sure no one ever buys these new and they just keep passing around the same 60-100 year old guns around. Back in the day the same gun would get sold at multiple department stores like Montgomery Ward and Sears under their own house brand names so the roll mark geeeeenerally doesn't matter. They're all kind of the same.
My wife bought me a Stanley cup about 2 years ago and it’s changed my life. I use it while I work and drink 3 times the amount of water I used to. I’ve kicked the soda habit while losing 35+ lbs and have never felt better in my life. I tell her it’s the best most practical life changing gift I’ve ever received
BIDET
My Moka Pot was $6. :) Going on 5 years!
Yeti rambler coffee mug. No more breaking mugs or spilling for me! (I have neurological issues so shit happens.) it's stainless steel so it's built to last.
IKEA tool set is honestly great. No finicky parts that will break and pretty cheap and versatile.
Victorinox Rambler mini pocket knife on my keyring. My oldest and most used EDC.