As soon as it wears out, if ever, I'm getting another...

[Whiskeywrist]

We all strive to find the best solution to a given need.

As technology and our own exposure to the world advances, we find certain things that meet/exceed our needs to such a level that we only grudgingly entertain challengers.

I have a few, what are yours?

Mine, short list:


Carhartt double knee pants.
I first tried these out nearly 20 years ago,and have yet to find anything even close. Great everyday for work, riding, weddings, job interviews,etc.

Leatherman Wave mulltitool (and it's high falutin' cousins the Charge Ti, and Surge)




I'm still waiting for my original to wear out so I can get a Charge.
I may be in for a bit of a wait (it's been five years on this model, and still going strong, with daily (ab)use.

Dakota boots.
Every joke I ever made about Canadians comes to a screeching halt at the composite toe of these monsters.




Besides my court shoes, these are the ONLY thing I wear on my feet. Every day of work, every ride, every day off, period.

Sony MDR-700 headphones



originally purchased and heavily used as DJ headphones, these are now my roommate pleasing option for late night movies on the home theater. A couple of zip ties to shore up the one irritating weakness in the swivel housing, and these things will last until we all have surgically implanted resonators in our jawbones and no longer require actual speakers of any kind.

[Rench]

+infinity on the Carhartts. I buy one pair every 3-4 years, and wear them EVERY DAY until holes develop in unsightly places.

Hanes grey socks. Not as durable, but close.

My UTMC hoodie. Damn near bulletproof it is.

That's all I got for now.

-Rench

[ghost]

I cannot argue with the Carhartts, but I did manage to hole both layers in one pair dragging a knee across pavement (checking my oil level) on a rough driveway, because I was also wearing...

Icon Field Armor Knee/Shin Guards:



Notwithstanding my general feeling that Icon is a joke, I do own a Mil-Spec vest and these. Two wrecks landing hard on bad knees, and they kept me walking. They fit under street pants without much complaint, though the straps they come with are way too short to fit around non-stick-figure calves, but my jeans just hold them in place. They're a surprisingly good wind break, too.


Also, I've never tried Dakotas, but life would be much less simple without...

Red Wing 3507 boots:



Learned to ride in them, first scraped a peg in them, still wear them more than my Sidis. The soles are next to impossible to melt to the exhaust, too. I work, play, and do everything between in them. When I go somewhere, if I bring one pair of footwear, this is it.


Beyond that... hmm... I guess I use this every day...

Chinese chef's knife:



It's the only knife in my kitchen. (Well, one like it. That one costs eleventy million dollars at fine cooking stores. Mine cost six bucks at the local Chinese grocery, plus two hours with a file and a stone putting an edge on it.) Chopping vegetables? Use the knife. Buttering bread? Use the knife (or possibly the spatula). Peeling potatoes? Use the knife. Crushing garlic? Use the knife. Home defense? Use the knife. It does all of these things (and so much more!) without complaining, so long as I sharpen it once a month.


Beyond that, I have a Mooneyes keyring bottle opener that I've carried for the last decade. It's chipped ice off of windshields, pried trim panels off of car doors, and otherwise served as a tool I would never guess was the tool I needed if I didn't always happen to have it with me. It's also opened a few beers.


I like this thread. Who's next?

[guitargeek]

I have the same headphones, though they're in pieces now. I used them on the road to mix sound for several years, and always folded them up and put them back in their cute little bag, treated them with the greatest respect. The plastic swivels really are the weak point, and I did the zip tie repair years ago, but the tiny wires connecting the right speaker eventually broke. I took them apart, thinking to install them in my helmet, but that's easier said than done...

If I ever shell out >$100 for another set of headphones, I think I'll go for some AKGs.

[motorpsycho67]

I'm a big fan of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

With that in mind, I'm a fan of......

1. Hanes Beefy-Ts - been wearing 'em since the mid 70s. Not as good as they used to be now that they're made outside the US, but still my favorite.

2. Red Wing boots. Bought my first pair ten years ago, haven't found anything I like better (though I am considering a pair of Wesco boots as they don't make my two favorite boots anymore).

3. Dickies blanket lined jacket- bought my first one about 14 years ago. Comfortable and durable. I'm on my third one.

In black, of course.....


4. Levi's 501s - none better in my book. Like the Hanes, not as good as they used to be, but still my favorite. I try to find the 'Made in USA' ones when I can. They fit better than ones made outside the US.

That's all I can think of for now.

[Priest]

I'm a big fan of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

.

I am the same way, and more extreme-leaning, barring a few things. I despise progress, technological or otherwise. I am fully supportive of simply stopping. Everything. Nothing really needs to be any "better" - a subjective title at best.

That said:

My Leatherman never leaves me. It has gotten me out of a jam more than once, it even tried to fix Rench's Harley at DOOM. It's a scrappy, can-do little tool. It's only my second, the first being lost (grief) - the second purchased for me as a gift from my wife. I value it more than my wedding ring in the sense that she got it for me, as opposed to something we just picked out. The pliers tip broke a while back. Leatherman is going to take it back and fix/replace for me as soon as I can bring myself to be without it for that time. I attach sentiment to almost nothing outside of that knife.
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e95/y ... ems002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e95/y ... ems002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I am right now wearing the same Red Wing 3507 steel-toe boots the RS pictured above. I always will. I may resole them one day.
<a href="http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e95/y ... ems001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e95/y ... ems001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


There isn't much I couldn't live without. As well, once I find an object that does what I need it to do, I stop looking for anything more. The tools or things I choose may not be the best for the job, but they are the ones that I like.

The exception to this rule for me is, of course, motorbikes. Therein lies my hypocrisy.

[piccini9]

Wigwam brand wool socks. I think they are called "El-Pine" gotta have them. All year round, If they ever stop making them, I'm fucked.

[GOSTAZ]

Spyderco Knife. As an IT id10t, I get lots of boxes. I need a knife that I can open with one hand, and that fits in my pocket.
The one I have right now is about 5 years old, never been sharpened and still eats anything you throw at it. The fact that is says, "Golden Colorado, USA, Earth" on it just makes me smile.

Carhartts are the shit on a stick with french fries. I still spell the name wrong, but whatever. I rock the bibs. Their pants and jackets are cool too.

Bucket Bosses! I love 5 gallon buckets. I have random shit. Nothing better than a Bucket Boss to organize that shit.

For Xmas my pseudo mother-in-law gave me two small kitchen knives as stocking stuffers. She thought nothing of them, but they were my favorite Xmas present. Sharp as all shit, weirdly colored, and they have a nice cover. They don't get eaten in the drawer, they will cut everything from frozen chicken to garlic, and they feel good in your hand. I will have to find out who makes them.

Vanson leathers. Arai Helmets. I am still searching for the right boot. I have big, wide, horribly disfigured feet. My podiatrist refers to my feet as Area 51.

MARLBORO REDS. Holy shit, let me count the ways I love these things. USA made 501's? Real jeans, everything else is a pitiful waste of denim.

I would love to have a UTMC hoodie.. alas, I do not. Many pieces of Columbia stuff to layer with including a turtle fur hoodie.

[Priest]

Thinking further, I have to add my bandana.

It sounds silly, I realize. However, I have had the same black bandana (currently it resides on my head) for as long as I can remember. It is mostly grey now, and rightfully so as it's aging along with me. It has served many functions for me throughout the years: Keeping my gnarly head presentable, a bandage for shreeded knuckles, an oven mitt for grabbing hot radiator caps, an oil rag, eyeglass cleaner...

I found an identical one (pattern-wise) not too long ago and spent another $2.99 on it, just in case this one should be lost or otherwise disappear. It's not the same, as it doesn't have years of wear and exposure, and it's still stiff and weird, but one day it will catch up.

So there is one more thing I attach sentimental value to I guess, and I doubt I would ever be without it.

[rc26]

Barney The Dinosaur boxers.

[Zim]

That looks like a Gerber ad.
Gerber Multi-Plier with replaceable jig-saw blade. I've had this one for 5 or six years. Before that, a Leatherman PST II. I tried snipping something that I shouldn't have with the wire-cutters on the Leatherman, and dung it up. The Leatherman was cool because I could open it butterfly-knife style. But the rivet got too loose for it to hold open for pliers. The Gerber pliers slip out from inside the frame, and make a "Ssshict" noise that gets people to look at me funny in public places. Well, that and I'm hideously ugly.

Without one, I am naked. They have helped me fix everything from jammed copiers to drink straws at restaurants that are too long for my daughter to use. From backed out bolts on shift linkages, to crimping wire connections. I cannot and will not function without one!

Gerber Recon flashlight. I've used that thing every day since I got it two years ago. Single LED with a rotating filter, so you can have white, red, green and blue. One AA lasts a good three months. It has a clip for wearing on your hat, or to Batman yourself out by placing it on your belt. Won't light up a room all crazy like, but that good when it's 2:00am and you're checking on sleeping babies.

White: Lights things up.
Red: Lights things up, all covert and tactical. Mostly use it to check sleeping babies at night without blinding them awake. And, when nature calls at night, to sweep the floor looking for kitty landmines that they leave for me to step barefooted into.
Green: Lights maps up without that pesky white light.
Blue: Lights up 'fluids'. I use it to light up fluorescent things for fun. Weee.

Zippo.

If any of these items are damaged/lost, they will be replaced immediately with fervor.

Oh, and a cup of coffee. Those need to be replaced often.

[GOSTAZ]

Thinking further, I have to add my bandana.

It sounds silly, I realize. However, I have had the same black bandana (currently it resides on my head) for as long as I can remember. It is mostly grey now, and rightfully so as it's aging along with me. It has served many functions for me throughout the years: Keeping my gnarly head presentable, a bandage for shreeded knuckles, an oven mitt for grabbing hot radiator caps, an oil rag, eyeglass cleaner...

I found an identical one (pattern-wise) not too long ago and spent another $2.99 on it, just in case this one should be lost or otherwise disappear. It's not the same, as it doesn't have years of wear and exposure, and it's still stiff and weird, but one day it will catch up.

So there is one more thing I attach sentimental value to I guess, and I doubt I would ever be without it.

Good stuff with patina? Just that much gooder....

[kml]

13" blade, 18" overall, mid 70's" Henckel carbon steel chef's knife.
I cook for a living so I use it at work and at home.

It deals well with intruders too!





cheers
ken

[Pattio]

Plus One Zillion on the Leatherman Wave tool. I've been carrying mine every freaking day since I got it in '97. I also would replace it with one of the newer models if I ever lost it, but it stays loyally and shows barely any age.


I also once met a stranger who had overheard some dirty hippies say about 15 years ago that this product is useful and long-lasting, not that I really even understood but it bears mentioning in context. Apparently among such people its known as a 'Proto Pipe', or some such nonsense.

[Priest]

That goes on my brake calipers, right? Something like that?

[ejworthen]

I'm a big Carhartt fan. Very warm and durable stuff. I wouldnt want to go without any of my Carhartt stuff.

That looks like a Gerber ad.
Gerber Multi-Plier with replaceable jig-saw blade. I've had this one for 5 or six years. Before that, a Leatherman PST II. I tried snipping something that I shouldn't have with the wire-cutters on the Leatherman, and dung it up. The Leatherman was cool because I could open it butterfly-knife style. But the rivet got too loose for it to hold open for pliers. The Gerber pliers slip out from inside the frame, and make a "Ssshict" noise that gets people to look at me funny in public places.

I've got a Multi-Pliear also. About ten or more years ago you could special order one in the color of your choice and choose what tools you wanted on it. Mines got a military green handle with blaco tools and pliers.

[Pattio]

That goes on my brake calipers, right? Something like that?

Hippies are big on green burning technologies, and they call it a pipe, so I think it must be some kind of de-compression device for your cylinder head.

[rc26]

Plus One Zillion on the Leatherman Wave tool. I've been carrying mine every freaking day since I got it in '97. I also would replace it with one of the newer models if I ever lost it, but it stays loyally and shows barely any age.


I also once met a stranger who had overheard some dirty hippies say about 15 years ago that this product is useful and long-lasting, not that I really even understood but it bears mentioning in context. Apparently among such people its known as a 'Proto Pipe', or some such nonsense.

\\

Looks like a tool I used to have. It's a Flora tester, used to measure the amount of resins in various greenery.

[MoraleHazard]

on the veggie boot, are the uppers pleather, or something else?

[Priest]

on the veggie boot, are the uppers pleather, or something else?

And can you eat them up with some sort of sauce in a pinch/survival situation?

[leftlaneguy]

+1000 on the Gerber tool. BUT I have to say, mine is running about 15 years old now, I think. Mines the first model they came out with, got it from the DOD when I was a-flyin' whirlybirds... Lost one of the side rivets a few years ago, but it STILL works great. Pops open one-handed, and NONE of the tools have ever broken. Gerber said they'd fix it for free, but when they told me they were going to send me a NEW one, I asked for the old one back, and said 'No thanks'...

Still doesn't leave my belt... Except when it's being used.

[Pattio]

And yes, I'm fairly certain they could be eaten, if it came to that. And you didn't mind the taste of old feet.

mmm, old feet

[stiles]

My trusty Red Wing 507 boots (same as the 3507 pictured, but without the steel toe) - the only footwear I've found that lasts longer than a year under daily use

Aerostich suit - got 18 years of daily use out of the first one, now using and abusing the second one

Snap-On tools - yes, they really are that much better if you use them every day

Craftsman tools - great quality, especially for the price and just fine if you are a less demanding user

[guitargeek]

MARLBORO REDS. Holy shit, let me count the ways I love these things.

You notice they changed the recipe about a month ago? Some safety thing, so they go out on their own. Leave one parked on an ashtray for more than a few seconds and it'll go out.

[kml]

That goes on my brake calipers, right? Something like that?

Rear master cylinder to be precise.


cheers
ken




cheers
ken

[12ci]

Ariat ropers:

slip ons, tho, so not for riding bikes, but for pretty much everything else from jeans to tuxedo.

my ariats are on their second or third soles and fourth or fifth heels.

keep leather clean & polished and it will last for years and years, but the uppers can only take being re-soled so many times before there is nothing left to stitch to.

Kinber Pro Carry:
enough said.


the fisher space pen:


writes pretty much anywhere, anytime: hot, cold, even upside down (pressurised ink), under water and supposedly in zero gravity.


the basic swiss army knife:

goes places the leatherman can't (i've actually been thrown out of places for carrying the leatherman)

[SidVicious]

i was going to put up a picture of a slap chop, but failed to find one so i had a better idea:



love it. couldn't part with it. would replace it if i couldn't fix it. what more needs to be said?

[motorpsycho67]

Snap-On tools - yes, they really are that much better if you use them every day

I was gonna mention these, but since I have a wide variety of brands in my toolbox....... (I'm a bit of a tool whore).

Snap-On definitely makes my favorite wrenches and sockets tho.

I like Facom and Stahlwille a lot too.

[Priest]

Rear master cylinder to be precise




cheers
ken

Yo Boosa gotz a gold toof!

[wheezy e]

Ariat ropers:

the fisher space pen:


writes pretty much anywhere, anytime: hot, cold, even upside down (pressurized ink), under water and supposedly in zero gravity.

I always have one of those in my pocket. Fischer Space Pen is located right here in Boulder City NV and was founded by a crazy space man. He's ran for president and every so often canvasses the town with fliers about his personal and political beliefs. The beliefs mostly involve being nice to each other and remembering to think about space.

Another crazy space man makes my soap, it's called "Dr. Bronners Magic 18 in one Peppermint Castille crazy soap."



I don't think i use it for 18 things, but I do use it for a few. I love it so much that if they ever stop making it I will stop using soap.