Most sets are pretty lackluster, imo. If you’re looking for long lasting gear, I think piecemealing is the better way to go even if it is a little more spendy and tedious.
If you’re trying to avoid scratching your cookware, you’ll probably want to chiose silicone or wood or a mix since they excel at different things. For example, I find it easier using a wooden turner to scrape up fond to make a pan sauce, but I also find silicone easier for more delicate tasks like scrambling or flipping eggs. Food-grade silicone is safe up to like 500F, so you’ll be safe with either.
If you go the wood route, I prefer hardwood like teak over bamboo for longevity. Earlywood makes nice wood products, but there are many other brands that are cheaper and will still last a long time with care. For silicone, OXO and GIR are solid and pretty budget friendly. If you don’t already have a grater in mind, Microplane is god-tier.
I know you’re not particularly interested in stainless steel, but for those who are, Lamson, Wusthof, and Cuisinart will all take abuse and last.
I think having a rule against considering lifetime warranties is taking it too far. If a company believes in its product to the extent they offer lifetime replacement, it stands to reason that consumers can "buy it for life".
Sure there will be schemers who offer this deal to make short-term money, knowing full well they plan to fold. That's why I think it's important to look at both the product and company history before shelling out on something, and all of that makes for good discussion around here.
I don't think a guaranteed replacement is the reason why warranties can contribute to something being BIFL: rather, the lifetime warranty is the manufacturer putting money on the durability of the item, which increases my confidence that they genuinely believe their product is actually durable.
It's still no guarantee and there are lots of other factors to consider, but I think taking a warranty into account is reasonable.
I think it depends to some on the nature of the warranty program. A lot of warranties are limited in scope (e.g., only on defects in worksmanship) and some companies just replace the item, especially if it is low-cost. However, other warranties are more comprehensive and the companies are actually repairing items to keep them in service. This contributes to the BIFL-ness of a product especially if it means that there will be parts or (paid) repair service available even after the warranty period is up or if you’re buying it second hand.
Life time warranties do contribute significantly to a buy it for life decision. Lets take automotive tools. I use mainly Gedore tools to maintain my vehicles. A few years ago I found a clapped out, worn, ratchet in a second hand toolbox I bought. Took it to my local dealer to find out about replacing the mechanism and they outright replaced the ratchet with a brand new one. At no cost to me and I was not even the first owner.
My own set Gedore of sockets and spanners are still in perfect condition after 20+ years of use. Yes I paid double store brand prices back in the late 90s for them, but I am sure they will be heirloom tools one day.
It really depends on what you are buying, but lifetime warranties does contribute to the decision.
I work in the clothing space and most people are moving away from them because there's been a sudden very sharp uptick in abuse. We had a product that we made for a major retailer that have a lifetime guarantee against defects in workmanship. Certainly, there were always some consumers who'd legitimately wear it out and ask for a replacement every 5 years, but the number that would actually follow through was comparatively small.
However, the returns skyrocketed a few years ago and we actually went to the trouble of having all the product collected and shipped back to us so we could analyze it.
Lots of it was filthy like consumers would get it dirty and then return it rather than washing it
A significant portion was different products, some even from other stores. I guess store employees aren't willing to push back on customers, and frankly, I don't blame them
Some were weirdly damaged - we've been in this industry a long time and know what normal wear looks like and know exactly where holes are going to show up if a product is badly made. I've seen things that were obviously cut with scissors or looked like they'd been dragged across concrete.
A good chunk looked brand new, perhaps people bought it for a weekend event and returned it. Certainly, they could be dissatisfied with the purchase, but that typically only amounts to 1-2% of our buyers.
I don't really understand the shift, but it really feels like a few shitty people ruining a good thing for everyone else.
I would not have thought lifetime warranty even existed on clothing. First time I have heard about it. Agreed that it mayl be abused.
Tools are in a different position, where the company rep can usually spot signs of abuse easily and then rhey will probably refuse warranty. It also helps if you are a frequent customer and is known by the store staff.
Usually it's phrased as a warranty against defects in workmanship. I had American Giant replace a hoodie where one of the seams started to come unstitched, but I infer that they wouldn't have covered it if it were due to regular wear and tear. (also pretty sure they moved away from lifetime warrantis too)
Probably the hug of death is more due to most other clothing businesses not doing the lifetime guarantee than customers abusing. I see no motivation for buying at one place and taking it to another if both offer the same guarantees.
I don't think the other returned products were lifetime guaranteed. Look like they found a worn out piece from their closet and returned it to the retailer claiming it was an older version of the product they were trying to replace it with - maybe they genuinely believed that but it seemed more deliberate
Lots of that stock is made specifically for Rack - there's definitely some returns and end of line product that ends up there, but many of the branded goods at "outlet" stores is specifically designed for that market.
I have a set of 6 virtorinox steak knives from the 90s, that turned into general purpose kitchen knifes. They are now finally starting to become blunt. The black platic handles are smooth from use. 30 years on, ithink the time is approaching for them to be replaced. And that is only because I cannot sharpen the serated blades.
I think more important than which knife to get is how to properly sharpen them. It doesn’t matter which knife you purchase, it will need to be sharpened at some point.
I have a decent headphone collection, and I'd say I'd rather get some decent IEMS rather than a pair of koss. I don't like the koss sound or design. For the price of these I got the kiwi ears cadenza which are some of my favorite IEMS for cheap listening and use. I have much more expensive IEMS but the cadenzas are great still.
Not regular boxes, but I’ve been using the Costco Champion boxer briefs for years. Super comfy and durable. They don’t get all stretched out like other brands. Highly recommend them.
This feels like the wrong place to shout out plastic IKEA utensils, but I have had a FULLÄNDAD ladle and pasta spoon for years now and they show no signs of wear.
They are made of a single piece of smooth plastic, so there is nowhere for gunk or water to get trapped, and they are heat proof up to around 400*F.
The worst things I have found for the longevity of kitchen utensils are seams, and hollow handles which trap water, and having non heat proof handles because the end that's not supposed to touch the pan will at some point touch the pan.
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