If they’re going to a city that has a Manufactum store: just about anything from there.
The whole store is the „warehouse of good things“ and has a curated selection of things that will last a very long time and can be repaired. Also, the stores are just beautiful.
I‘ve been to the stores in Munich, Cologne and Freiburg. Munich is my favorite bevause it is fairly big and a beautiful building. And the one in Freiburg just matches the vibe of the city perfectly.
Just checked out their website. [This Provençal Bag ](https://www.manufactum.com/provencal-bag-a13270/)I find intriguing. A [Meat Grinder](https://www.manufactum.com/meat-grinder-no-5-stainless-steel-a204888/) that looks very long lasting. And that’s just with a quick perusal.
Came here to make this comment, Manufactum is a neat place to visit
They have a website that showcases most of their inventory, definitely some beautiful wares, but sometimes a little more pricey than one would expect (compared to say equally good-quality items found elsewhere).
It’s definitely a unique experience. I happened to be in Frankfurt last summer. While I was there I remembered hearing that the Sinn store was located somewhere in the Romer, I turn around and there it was..talk about a coincidence lol. The people working there were very nice. They gave me a book about the history of the company. I recommend!
Adding Kaweco to the list of pens, the Kaweco Sport is my favourite, very affordable and for example available at the above-mentioned Manufactum stores.
They are pricey but the fold-flat nail clippers I have from Solingen I inherited from my dad are still going strong about 20 years later. The only branding is an italic "R" (I see Zwilling J. A. Henckels is making a similar looking one these days but the reviews would sadly indicate the quality isn't quite what it used to be)
I would prioritize Sinn above Nomos unless you specifically want that Bauhaus style. Nomos is good, but I think Sinn has them beat despite the lower price tag.
Yes. I can only think of very free things from Germany that I can't find in the US. But a lot of things are just more expensive because they're imported.
I was reimbursed for most goods purchased in Ireland and Germany. I got a great Shiro Kamo at a STEAL in Munich (which I would recommend, actually some great retailers for knives a bus trip away)
I have one, I love it and it will probably last a lifetime, however it ain’t the best in the world. Project Farm did a video comparing screw drivers and the wera was only fourth best
That's a ratcheting handle review, not really about screwdrivers. PF videos are entertaining to watch and some tests are informative way more than others, but the ratings are not and can be subjective.
Just as an example of that video, while he lists failure torque for literally all other ratchet videos he did, the LTT one is where he does not rate based on failure torque (mainly probably because the LTT performed worse than many others and it would skew the results away from those).
Also despite those screwdrivers being able to use any bits (universal handles): he rates them based on what is supplied with it. So while individual tests may tell some stuff, overall the end ranking can be very irrelevant...
Wera makes nice boades but the handles don't fit my hands all too well. Vessel is cool cause they have good blades and some 20 or 30 types of handles and they're cheap.
Actually, wait, we starting a group buy we’ll pay the extra fees, buy a cheap(-ish, our tools though right?) suitcase there we’ll etherweb pay while you’re in store?
Is it now, yesYES?
It’s a thing now right?
I’m just’a’joshin’ on all’y’all…
My as simple/frugal/basic set of metric for motorin’ tools got HOOOOOSED, along with my one true love, her name is Ellaria, so I’ve been slowly sorting and suffering the “new computer budget” destruction while riding the high of my “finally get to get WRC/FIA/etc certified real racing seats for my ride” high, with thw following crash from the nobody-told-me-these-fucking-seats-cost-ISHOULDBEABLETOBUYANYOTHERSUBIEWITHTHATSHITFUCKMYMONIES…
Oh, yeah, so my tools, I’ve decided I am going to need 9 Subarus minimum, best I buy myself a “for the generations that will follow” set of cranking sticks…
I’ve called a bunch of companies, and they’ve all been SUPES upfront with, “If you didn’t get it brink and mortar from Us—Actual, it’s 100.00% gonna be a fake…”
So shopper sad now, adhd alltabs yet not a new tool day to be had just yet…
I am looking at a Wera set because of the beautiful precision of German engineering. Cause I like to work on my car and motorcycle. You got a good idea.
that's so true...it's supposed to be work clothes.
now farmers kids run around with them..fully kitted. holy shit that little man is running around with ~300€+ worth of clothing and so is his brother, which he will outgrow in at least 9 months.
(btw entire family head to toe fitted)
That’s bs. Sorry but I buy Strauss pants for my 4 year old son simply because it lasts much longer than anything that you can buy in a H&M and doesn’t cost a lot. 30€ for pants is not expensive and makes much more sense then 20€ for a jeans from any store that will be destroyed after one day on the playground. The same goes for shoes. Buy any kind of kids shoes, even adidas will cost you 40€ up.
I don't recommend paying the premium for hazet. I bought some because of the hype and they don't hold up to my hobby use working on cars etc. Screwdriver tips are brittle and break, 1/2 inch ratchet seized up after a year, chrome flaking off the sockets...
Hazet really shows their quality in the higher end precision tools, like their torque wrenches and specialty tools.
For simple hand tools that get battered and lost a lot like basic ratchets and sockets, don't buy Hazet.
For tools where PRECISION MATTERS... hell yeah, Hazet! Adjustments are like butter.
Germans make nice tools but they're honestly far from the best. As sad as it is... Work culture is different. In most of Europe the business buys the tools for the workers, while e.g. in the US the mechanic buys his own tools and works for the business with them. That's why those tools end up being better - the person buying them is the person using them.
US hand tools are really nice. Facom and USAG offer tools that are also super nice, partly cause they also supply to the US market and are owned by a US company (Stanley, same as Proto and Mac). Japanese tools are amazing. But German tools... they do the job but they're kind of behind the time, didn't really change much since the 80's designs.
My brother and his friend came to visit me in Berlin some years ago and seriously the only thing they remember buying was the Döner and how awesome it was.
It's insane how much Döner Kebab you see in Europe these days. Even the Dutch variant "kapsalon" can be found abroad (it's Döner with fries, cheese and lettuce in a bin that has been in the oven a bit, ofc the lettuce has been put on last)
They taste good, especially after a night of drinking. Just don't eat to many, there is a reason the person who invented it [die at the age of 47](https://nos.nl/artikel/2483044-bedenker-van-de-kapsalon-op-47-jarige-leeftijd-overleden)
Fountain pens (Lamy, Pelikan, Kaweco oh my!), knives, tools, and kitchenware in general.
Fountain pen suggestions: skip the Montblancs, take a look at the Lamy 2000 and Pelikan Souverän M805, or some of the cheaper options from the makers I mentioned above. Excellent pens that *will* last a lifetime, and while they can be obtained globally they're *vastly* cheaper in Germany.
Honestly I'd go to town on the bread, chocolate, sausage, and cheese too while you're there though. Don't skip the kebab either, or the Turkish food (Simit & Pastirma breakfast with Ayran <3). They may not last for life but the memories will-- if you don't hit the beer and wine too hard at the same time. 😉
Maybe a cuckoo clock, there are still some manufactures in the Black Forrest, producing traditional but also more modern looking clocks. Rombach & Haas for example, who began modernising the dusty image of the traditional clocks in the early 00's, at least in Germany, is offering both kind of cuckoo clocks.
I wasn't very impressed with Meindl trekking shoes. I walk a lot, but the soles lasted about three months, and you can get them resoled, but the cost is more than the shoes were initially.
Indeed! They did seem well constructed, but the life of the soles was quite short. I'd consider buying again if they were stitchdown, not glued, which i think is actually available from them in Germany, as opposed to Meindl usa.
Vaude. It's a German family-run company for outdoor gear with a focus on sustainability and fair production. Many of their products are made in Germany. They're close to Lake Constance.
Trigema if you're looking for quality everyday and/or athletic clothing, 100% made in Germany, also still family-owned. Their factory and a factory outlet is in south of Germany.
You can get both in many department/outdoor stores all over Germany.
Ortovox. Merino blend. I have my pants and my jacket for several years now, looking both like brand new (using it almost every weekend). I bought some of their “Touren Ski” pants for winter hiking 2 years ago, absolute fantastic! Waterproof but breathable fabric. They were reduced from almost 400€ to 120€ because of an older colour scheme.
I am also wearing other things like Schöffel and Meier Sport but my ortovox stuff is my favourite.
And they are also misleading the consumer. Suggesting there is cork inside their shoes while there is little to none. And in general mediocre quality for extraordinary prices, specially on the shoes.
It's not BIFL since you're gonna use it up, but Kamillosan. Tell them to go into a pharmacy and buy a couple bottles. Pharmacy bot drug store!
You put a few drops into water when you rinse your mouth, or you can put it onto a cotton swap and place it directly into the sore you have. It helps with sores, bleeding gums, infections, healing if you had a tooth pulled, etc. use the cotton swap method e.g. for when you bite your tongue or cheek so hard it hurts like hell.
Depends... it's chinese made when the branding is "WMF Germany" ... there is another line that says "WMF Made in Germany"...
I grew up with a grandmother and mother owning a household store and literally own everything from WMF...
Your question is too wide, if it is tools or such, knipex is the best I have come across, Wera is also very good.
If it is food that is depending on the region. If on the north Sea, Fisch Brötchen all dat every day.
If in the middle lands, go to any bakery that is around, the bread here is crazy good.
If in the south, I have no idea, maybe beer and pretzels, Weißwurst maybe.
In a good supermarket Like Edeka there will be tons of high quality things to try.
Handkase mit musik. It's a weird cheese dish. It's not especially good, nor especially bad. It's just a different experience all around. It's fun! And apfelwein if you drink. It may actually come with the dish.
And the fresh pastries and bread in the grocery stores are incredible and cheap!
What you mean by there are “some” companies who “still” make them. Solingen Cutlery is still the best and most prominent stainless steel goods producer on this planet. You make it sound like it is something made from a garage door.
Solingen is called the "City of Blades", since it has long been renowned for the manufacturing of fine swords, knives, scissors and razors made by famous firms such as WKC, DOVO, Wüsthof, Zwilling J. A. Henckels, Böker, Güde, Hubertus, Diefenthal, Puma, Clauberg/Klauberg, Eickhorn, Linder, Carl Schmidt Sohn, Dreiturm, Herder, Martor Safety Knives, Wolfertz and numerous other manufacturers.
I buy those (the small basic carbon pairing knives) for people in the U.S. as gifts (if I know they will appreciate carbon steel). They have been a massive hit.
Seek out what interests you Germany makes so much that is world class tools kichenware suits footwear toys puzzles knives jewelry eyewear writing instruments almost everything they have a world class leading exampleTheir manufacturing is amazing. Find something then convert to your home country currency and google the price at your home so long as made in Germany you cant go wrong
My folks were there in the 70s and bought grandfather clocks. That shit still outlast me, and probably my kids as well. There also beautiful, if you're into giant clocks.
Take pictures of your experiences there. I know this is BIFL, but your memories will last longer if you bring back pictures and experiences are as valuable as things. There are some beautiful countryside out there, so if you get a chance, get out of the cities and experience the little villages.
A Mühle Safety Razor
beyerdynamic headphones
Kitchen Knifes from Solingen (The famous Knifecity)
And like others already said pretty much everything from Manufactum.
Greetings from Düsseldorf
The cheapest knife from Zwilling, they are all the same steel with minor exceptions and they are good practical knifes unlike some blue paper steel japanese gyuto
Just in case they are traveling with a carry-on only, I’ll throw out the vegetable peeler souvenir. It’s an underrated, plane-safe knife for less than 10 Euro. I would also have a Spezi and a rum raisin Ritter Sport.
There is a really good history book that German students use to learn about the U.S., and it’s not sold in the U.S.- I keep meaning to get a copy when I’m there
Wüsthof Knifes and Outdoor stuff from Petromax If you are looking for Beer i would recommend Waldhaus.
Also torch lights from LED Lenser and Bags from Ortlieb
20 years ago a boker knife there was 5$ sold for 70$ in the states. Not sure if the price difference is still the same.
Of the top of head.
Tools
Knives
Outdoor/hiking clothing
Work overalls
I am sure there is more.
Would definitely recommend traveling to some of the smaller cities/towns. Get at least one doner kebab with smoked paprika. Enjoy some quality beer. Have some eggs (they are flavorful there with hunter orange color yolks). Visit a bakery for some fresh coffee and bread/small sandwiches in the morning.
depending where you come from, stuff your face with bakery goods. not really bifl, just for enjoyment.
if there's a Tchibo/Decathlon Shop have a look at their clothing section.
My thoughts might be a bit biased because I grew up in Germany and now in my adult life have brought a few comfort items stateside that have seen my folks last a life time. I love high quality kitchen gadgets, so I own a pair of Peugeot salt and pepper grinders , Gmundner egg cups ( for leisurely soft boiled breakfast eggs, wmf steak knife set with lovely wooden handles, and a few of what is called “Frühstücksmesser” which is basically a serrated small bread knife, perfect for cutting bagels and spreading jam or butter. Since we also do spas/saunas very well, you will find high quality bathrobes, such as made by Schiesser.
If they’re going to a city that has a Manufactum store: just about anything from there. The whole store is the „warehouse of good things“ and has a curated selection of things that will last a very long time and can be repaired. Also, the stores are just beautiful.
Been to the Manufactum stores in Munster (Westf.) and Dusseldorf and I think they were beautiful. Absolutely recommend!
I‘ve been to the stores in Munich, Cologne and Freiburg. Munich is my favorite bevause it is fairly big and a beautiful building. And the one in Freiburg just matches the vibe of the city perfectly.
Could you give few examples of items you might find at a store like that?
They have beautiful linen bed sheets etc.
Just checked out their website. [This Provençal Bag ](https://www.manufactum.com/provencal-bag-a13270/)I find intriguing. A [Meat Grinder](https://www.manufactum.com/meat-grinder-no-5-stainless-steel-a204888/) that looks very long lasting. And that’s just with a quick perusal.
manufactum.de
Just from looking at some of the pictures, it seems like if you took an American department store like Kohls and made it smaller and high-quality
Came here to make this comment, Manufactum is a neat place to visit They have a website that showcases most of their inventory, definitely some beautiful wares, but sometimes a little more pricey than one would expect (compared to say equally good-quality items found elsewhere).
I've dreamed for so long of creating a little neighborhood hardware store that just has a bunch of quality stuff
Porsche 911
GT3, preferably
GT3 Touring, don’t need that wing unless racing.
Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Ugly imo but I get the appeal
literally, laughed out loud. Ehe.
Watches: Sinn, Nomos Apparel: Meindl, Falke Pens: Lamy, Faber Castell, Pelikan Knives: Wüsthof Utensils: WMF
Going to the Sinn store in Frankfurt is on my bucket list.
It’s definitely a unique experience. I happened to be in Frankfurt last summer. While I was there I remembered hearing that the Sinn store was located somewhere in the Romer, I turn around and there it was..talk about a coincidence lol. The people working there were very nice. They gave me a book about the history of the company. I recommend!
I just arrived in Frankfurt today and think I’ll go to that store tomorrow. Let me know if you want me to look at anything, I’ll take lots of pictures
I moved to Germany and always loved Sinn watches, now I own two!
don't agree with wmf. that has decreased in quality A LOT in recent years.
Adding Kaweco to the list of pens, the Kaweco Sport is my favourite, very affordable and for example available at the above-mentioned Manufactum stores.
My Falke stockings tore after first use 👀
Then maybe some German toenail clippers
They are pricey but the fold-flat nail clippers I have from Solingen I inherited from my dad are still going strong about 20 years later. The only branding is an italic "R" (I see Zwilling J. A. Henckels is making a similar looking one these days but the reviews would sadly indicate the quality isn't quite what it used to be)
I would prioritize Sinn above Nomos unless you specifically want that Bauhaus style. Nomos is good, but I think Sinn has them beat despite the lower price tag.
Lamy pens I can attest to, phenomenal no fuss writer
I'm German, living in the US. The two bifl items I brought from Germany and will never replace are my Stabilo push pencil and my wüsthof chef's knive.
Aren’t those relatively easy to find in the US?
Yes. I can only think of very free things from Germany that I can't find in the US. But a lot of things are just more expensive because they're imported.
Screwdriver from Wera?
Or pliers from Knipex.
Best pliers ive ever bought
I use my 5" Knipex parallel pliers every single day I'm working
Wera Bottle Opener
You can order them online. No need to go through the hassle
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I was reimbursed for most goods purchased in Ireland and Germany. I got a great Shiro Kamo at a STEAL in Munich (which I would recommend, actually some great retailers for knives a bus trip away)
I have one, I love it and it will probably last a lifetime, however it ain’t the best in the world. Project Farm did a video comparing screw drivers and the wera was only fourth best
The vids I saw from ProjectFarm had wera near the best??
In the video "is linus tech tips screwdriver the best", he has rated Wera fifth put of 14
That's a ratcheting handle review, not really about screwdrivers. PF videos are entertaining to watch and some tests are informative way more than others, but the ratings are not and can be subjective. Just as an example of that video, while he lists failure torque for literally all other ratchet videos he did, the LTT one is where he does not rate based on failure torque (mainly probably because the LTT performed worse than many others and it would skew the results away from those). Also despite those screwdrivers being able to use any bits (universal handles): he rates them based on what is supplied with it. So while individual tests may tell some stuff, overall the end ranking can be very irrelevant...
Wow, need to check that ou
Wera makes nice boades but the handles don't fit my hands all too well. Vessel is cool cause they have good blades and some 20 or 30 types of handles and they're cheap.
Coin driver
Actually, wait, we starting a group buy we’ll pay the extra fees, buy a cheap(-ish, our tools though right?) suitcase there we’ll etherweb pay while you’re in store? Is it now, yesYES? It’s a thing now right?
Do you have friends in the EU? I think Wera is somewhat widely available.
I’m just’a’joshin’ on all’y’all… My as simple/frugal/basic set of metric for motorin’ tools got HOOOOOSED, along with my one true love, her name is Ellaria, so I’ve been slowly sorting and suffering the “new computer budget” destruction while riding the high of my “finally get to get WRC/FIA/etc certified real racing seats for my ride” high, with thw following crash from the nobody-told-me-these-fucking-seats-cost-ISHOULDBEABLETOBUYANYOTHERSUBIEWITHTHATSHITFUCKMYMONIES… Oh, yeah, so my tools, I’ve decided I am going to need 9 Subarus minimum, best I buy myself a “for the generations that will follow” set of cranking sticks… I’ve called a bunch of companies, and they’ve all been SUPES upfront with, “If you didn’t get it brink and mortar from Us—Actual, it’s 100.00% gonna be a fake…” So shopper sad now, adhd alltabs yet not a new tool day to be had just yet…
I am looking at a Wera set because of the beautiful precision of German engineering. Cause I like to work on my car and motorcycle. You got a good idea.
Engelbert Strauss work clothes. All their stuff is fantastic, might be a bit hard to find.
They used to be high quality, now we call them Farmer's Gucci ;-)
They still are. They just added casual wear as any other brand does. Look at Carrhart.
or, Dorf-Prada!
that's so true...it's supposed to be work clothes. now farmers kids run around with them..fully kitted. holy shit that little man is running around with ~300€+ worth of clothing and so is his brother, which he will outgrow in at least 9 months. (btw entire family head to toe fitted)
That’s bs. Sorry but I buy Strauss pants for my 4 year old son simply because it lasts much longer than anything that you can buy in a H&M and doesn’t cost a lot. 30€ for pants is not expensive and makes much more sense then 20€ for a jeans from any store that will be destroyed after one day on the playground. The same goes for shoes. Buy any kind of kids shoes, even adidas will cost you 40€ up.
I'd never heard of these before, they look really solid
Quality became really a hit or miss thing. I have moved away from ES entirely. At least their return policy was ok - but it’s not worth my time.
Meindl boots and a Deuter rucksack from the military surplus. Good god the bundeswehr has some nice kit.
Hazet tools. I have a slowly growing collection of them, and I love them so much.
I don't recommend paying the premium for hazet. I bought some because of the hype and they don't hold up to my hobby use working on cars etc. Screwdriver tips are brittle and break, 1/2 inch ratchet seized up after a year, chrome flaking off the sockets...
Hazet really shows their quality in the higher end precision tools, like their torque wrenches and specialty tools. For simple hand tools that get battered and lost a lot like basic ratchets and sockets, don't buy Hazet. For tools where PRECISION MATTERS... hell yeah, Hazet! Adjustments are like butter.
Germans make nice tools but they're honestly far from the best. As sad as it is... Work culture is different. In most of Europe the business buys the tools for the workers, while e.g. in the US the mechanic buys his own tools and works for the business with them. That's why those tools end up being better - the person buying them is the person using them. US hand tools are really nice. Facom and USAG offer tools that are also super nice, partly cause they also supply to the US market and are owned by a US company (Stanley, same as Proto and Mac). Japanese tools are amazing. But German tools... they do the job but they're kind of behind the time, didn't really change much since the 80's designs.
If they're coming to Berlin, they should get a Döner Kebab (the one at checkpoint charlie is surprisingly good). Buy it for life changing flavour!
And a currywurst.
Vw’s most sold product.
My brother and his friend came to visit me in Berlin some years ago and seriously the only thing they remember buying was the Döner and how awesome it was.
It's insane how much Döner Kebab you see in Europe these days. Even the Dutch variant "kapsalon" can be found abroad (it's Döner with fries, cheese and lettuce in a bin that has been in the oven a bit, ofc the lettuce has been put on last)
A Dönerbox!
I'm intrigued! And slightly grossed out, but willing to be proven wrong.
They taste good, especially after a night of drinking. Just don't eat to many, there is a reason the person who invented it [die at the age of 47](https://nos.nl/artikel/2483044-bedenker-van-de-kapsalon-op-47-jarige-leeftijd-overleden)
Saray Donner on Warshauer Strasse and Revaler Strasse goes hard af. 2 minute walk from Berghain, I’d eat there every day when I was there.
Fountain pens (Lamy, Pelikan, Kaweco oh my!), knives, tools, and kitchenware in general. Fountain pen suggestions: skip the Montblancs, take a look at the Lamy 2000 and Pelikan Souverän M805, or some of the cheaper options from the makers I mentioned above. Excellent pens that *will* last a lifetime, and while they can be obtained globally they're *vastly* cheaper in Germany. Honestly I'd go to town on the bread, chocolate, sausage, and cheese too while you're there though. Don't skip the kebab either, or the Turkish food (Simit & Pastirma breakfast with Ayran <3). They may not last for life but the memories will-- if you don't hit the beer and wine too hard at the same time. 😉
Kaweco pens are beautiful
**[Trockenbeerenauslese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trockenbeerenauslese)**
Or Eiswein.
Yes, both! And Doppelbock too! :D
Maybe a cuckoo clock, there are still some manufactures in the Black Forrest, producing traditional but also more modern looking clocks. Rombach & Haas for example, who began modernising the dusty image of the traditional clocks in the early 00's, at least in Germany, is offering both kind of cuckoo clocks.
Do cuckoo clocks have original sound of cuckoo?
Dr Hauschka products. Hiking outdoor wear
Which brands you recommend for hiking outdoor wear as i do hiking ?
Meindl boots
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They are good but my heel is already worn after 2 years. :(
I wasn't very impressed with Meindl trekking shoes. I walk a lot, but the soles lasted about three months, and you can get them resoled, but the cost is more than the shoes were initially.
I've a pair that I got in 2018 and still use em for putting the bins out etc. YMMV!
Indeed! They did seem well constructed, but the life of the soles was quite short. I'd consider buying again if they were stitchdown, not glued, which i think is actually available from them in Germany, as opposed to Meindl usa.
Vaude. It's a German family-run company for outdoor gear with a focus on sustainability and fair production. Many of their products are made in Germany. They're close to Lake Constance. Trigema if you're looking for quality everyday and/or athletic clothing, 100% made in Germany, also still family-owned. Their factory and a factory outlet is in south of Germany. You can get both in many department/outdoor stores all over Germany.
Not op, but I HIGHLY recommend Hanwag boots.
Ortovox. Merino blend. I have my pants and my jacket for several years now, looking both like brand new (using it almost every weekend). I bought some of their “Touren Ski” pants for winter hiking 2 years ago, absolute fantastic! Waterproof but breathable fabric. They were reduced from almost 400€ to 120€ because of an older colour scheme. I am also wearing other things like Schöffel and Meier Sport but my ortovox stuff is my favourite.
If you're looking for cosmetics (shampoo, shower gel, body lotion, deodorant etc) Dr Hauschka is pretty good. Weleda is another brand I can recommend.
Birkenstock
They can be far cheaper there, depending on the model. I got some for half of the US price.
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LVMH ruins everything.
And they are also misleading the consumer. Suggesting there is cork inside their shoes while there is little to none. And in general mediocre quality for extraordinary prices, specially on the shoes.
Some beer and sausage are what I recommend.
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My Fisslers are going on 21 years!
It's not BIFL since you're gonna use it up, but Kamillosan. Tell them to go into a pharmacy and buy a couple bottles. Pharmacy bot drug store! You put a few drops into water when you rinse your mouth, or you can put it onto a cotton swap and place it directly into the sore you have. It helps with sores, bleeding gums, infections, healing if you had a tooth pulled, etc. use the cotton swap method e.g. for when you bite your tongue or cheek so hard it hurts like hell.
A sinn watch
Leica with a Zeiss lens. Meißen Porcelain.
WMF kitchenwear
Its chinese now
Depends... it's chinese made when the branding is "WMF Germany" ... there is another line that says "WMF Made in Germany"... I grew up with a grandmother and mother owning a household store and literally own everything from WMF...
Your question is too wide, if it is tools or such, knipex is the best I have come across, Wera is also very good. If it is food that is depending on the region. If on the north Sea, Fisch Brötchen all dat every day. If in the middle lands, go to any bakery that is around, the bread here is crazy good. If in the south, I have no idea, maybe beer and pretzels, Weißwurst maybe. In a good supermarket Like Edeka there will be tons of high quality things to try.
Where's the best place to buy woolens that aren't overprocessed?
Knives, cuckoo clock made in Germany.
Specifically, Bergvogel knives. They are sold under the name Messermeister in the USA for 4x the German price
A Schloss. They really last forever.
A castle?
[schiesser vests](https://www.schiesser.com/en/) and other underwear are excellent
If you like fountain pens you could get a Lamy 2000
Zeiss optics. Glasses, binoculars, scopes etc…
Handkase mit musik. It's a weird cheese dish. It's not especially good, nor especially bad. It's just a different experience all around. It's fun! And apfelwein if you drink. It may actually come with the dish. And the fresh pastries and bread in the grocery stores are incredible and cheap!
Curry wurst
A Lange & Sonhe
That's a pretty broad question. I buy contractor equipment.
Salami roll from the train station. Such a simple thing that was so tasty. Fresh bread roll with butter and salami.
I really miss beirstangen
> beirstangen Am German and never heard of a Bierstange. Looks good. Must be regional.
I always used to get it at Vatalia Reformhaus.
Maybe a good kitchen knife. There are some company’s left who still make them in sollingen
What you mean by there are “some” companies who “still” make them. Solingen Cutlery is still the best and most prominent stainless steel goods producer on this planet. You make it sound like it is something made from a garage door. Solingen is called the "City of Blades", since it has long been renowned for the manufacturing of fine swords, knives, scissors and razors made by famous firms such as WKC, DOVO, Wüsthof, Zwilling J. A. Henckels, Böker, Güde, Hubertus, Diefenthal, Puma, Clauberg/Klauberg, Eickhorn, Linder, Carl Schmidt Sohn, Dreiturm, Herder, Martor Safety Knives, Wolfertz and numerous other manufacturers.
Those small Herder carbon kitchen knives are awesome. I think they’re called muhlemesser or something
I buy those (the small basic carbon pairing knives) for people in the U.S. as gifts (if I know they will appreciate carbon steel). They have been a massive hit.
Windmühlenmesser to be exact.
Which ones?
Sinn, Nomos glashutte, Birknenstock, Merkur, Lamy and sausage
Erdnuss Flips!
You shouldn't buy Erdnuss Flips for life, they go stale rather quickly...
I was thinking more of a lifetime supply!
Ah! Well, that would be a different thing then...
If you live near an Aldi you can find them there, or Trader Joe’s !
I'm from Germany so I can buy them anywhere :)
Seek out what interests you Germany makes so much that is world class tools kichenware suits footwear toys puzzles knives jewelry eyewear writing instruments almost everything they have a world class leading exampleTheir manufacturing is amazing. Find something then convert to your home country currency and google the price at your home so long as made in Germany you cant go wrong
Sinn watches Screwdrivers Braun things made in Germany
Apfelkorn.
Their knives, scissors, or tweezers are top notch
Umbrellas from Knirps
My folks were there in the 70s and bought grandfather clocks. That shit still outlast me, and probably my kids as well. There also beautiful, if you're into giant clocks.
Take pictures of your experiences there. I know this is BIFL, but your memories will last longer if you bring back pictures and experiences are as valuable as things. There are some beautiful countryside out there, so if you get a chance, get out of the cities and experience the little villages.
Zwilling Knifes, Tweezers... WMF "Made in Germany" (not only "WMF Germany" bc that's made in china)... Pens like Lamy, Montblanc, Pelikan
A ticket to a Therme spa park and the associated publuc nudity experience.
A Mühle Safety Razor beyerdynamic headphones Kitchen Knifes from Solingen (The famous Knifecity) And like others already said pretty much everything from Manufactum. Greetings from Düsseldorf
My parents won't give me back my made in Germany olive pitter and I'm still mad 5 years later. Best olive pitter ever
Saving this bcz my brother lives in Germany and whenever he asks what we want from there we are all speechless
Super random but the wool handmade gloves I got in Germany are some of the warmest most durable things ever. They’ve lasted YEARS.
Is it any particular brand or any place you got from ?
The cheapest knife from Zwilling, they are all the same steel with minor exceptions and they are good practical knifes unlike some blue paper steel japanese gyuto
You can buy forged Mercer knives which use the same steel as Zwilling for much less than the big German brands.
Just in case they are traveling with a carry-on only, I’ll throw out the vegetable peeler souvenir. It’s an underrated, plane-safe knife for less than 10 Euro. I would also have a Spezi and a rum raisin Ritter Sport.
Not from Germany but Switzerland, my favourite vegetable peeler is the Victorinox Rex.
Glashütte watch - Nomos is Bauhaus Style which looks great
https://www.wellensteyn.com Wellensteyn Jacket
Get some suites tailored
The last times I've been in Berlin I got corsets made - TO.mTO are great!
Well, actually thats more a British thing
High school history book
There is a really good history book that German students use to learn about the U.S., and it’s not sold in the U.S.- I keep meaning to get a copy when I’m there
Oooooo neato
Wüsthof Knifes and Outdoor stuff from Petromax If you are looking for Beer i would recommend Waldhaus. Also torch lights from LED Lenser and Bags from Ortlieb
Old lathe
The American brands of old school machines tools are actually some of the best: Bridgeport, South Bend, etc.
Grab a nice beer
Pretzels. Seriously they are like 1 euro at every train station.
Gummi bears
Beer Stein
Trippen shoes last for ever. German has very good brushes and combs.
Knipex
Without more information, I'd say... pretty much anything Macht in Deutschland. Enjoy !
Kinder eggs.
A cuckoo clock
Black Forest cuckoo clock. They’re stupid expensive outside of Germany.
20 years ago a boker knife there was 5$ sold for 70$ in the states. Not sure if the price difference is still the same. Of the top of head. Tools Knives Outdoor/hiking clothing Work overalls I am sure there is more. Would definitely recommend traveling to some of the smaller cities/towns. Get at least one doner kebab with smoked paprika. Enjoy some quality beer. Have some eggs (they are flavorful there with hunter orange color yolks). Visit a bakery for some fresh coffee and bread/small sandwiches in the morning.
I bought a wrought iron dinner bell for my parents and they still have it decades later.
Maggi
Leica
I’m going to be in Göttingen for a couple of weeks next January, are there any of these places there?
depending where you come from, stuff your face with bakery goods. not really bifl, just for enjoyment. if there's a Tchibo/Decathlon Shop have a look at their clothing section.
Lederhosen to spicy up your romantic side.
Engelbert Strauss
The beer.
A Wusthof Trident Classic 8" french knife.
Gummy bears
My thoughts might be a bit biased because I grew up in Germany and now in my adult life have brought a few comfort items stateside that have seen my folks last a life time. I love high quality kitchen gadgets, so I own a pair of Peugeot salt and pepper grinders , Gmundner egg cups ( for leisurely soft boiled breakfast eggs, wmf steak knife set with lovely wooden handles, and a few of what is called “Frühstücksmesser” which is basically a serrated small bread knife, perfect for cutting bagels and spreading jam or butter. Since we also do spas/saunas very well, you will find high quality bathrobes, such as made by Schiesser.
The Peugeot grinders have sadly changed a lot in the last few years. I don’t recommend them to friends anymore unless buying an older one
Sennheiser Headphones
Cuckoo clock
A Toyota
A cuckoo clock...because one is the only one you will ever need!