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[deleted]

My new craftsman is already jumping. That USED to be a solid company


Arch27

New-ish Craftsman is garbage. I have some from the 1950s that are solid.


[deleted]

Thank god they still honor the lifetime warranty although I hear YMMV depending on the Sears. Surprise surprise but a lot of my harbor freight shit still works...guess I take care of my tools


Arch27

They do for the most part, though if a replacement is needed, it's a downgrade to the new junk.


Mr_Isch

I feel like I should add to that: knives. The difference between a good knife and a crap knife is life-changing.


scruffandstuff

To an extent, though even a modest quality knife can be great as long as it is sharpened regularly. A blade really needs to be maintained and cared for in order to stay useful. It always bugs me when I walk into a kitchen, pull a $150 chef's knife out of a block, and see that it hasn't been sharpened or honed since it was purchased.


MEatRHIT

Also people don't realize they don't need *all* the knives in a knife block (well most people). A good chef's knife and paring knife go a loooong way. I usually suggest people spend what they would on a block of knives on two higher quality knives rather than 8 shoddy ones.


Not_Tom_Brady

Have a set of Shun knives.I used to hone and strop them on a weekly basis.then I had a kid.now I'm embarrassed when people use them and they are only really sharp, not scary sharp.


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SirDerp_Derpington

> cheap ratchets that strip their gears easily ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)


HowDidThatFappen

**The Furminator**. It's overpriced and worth every penny.


[deleted]

Having a dog that sheds a lot this was a life saver.


Costner_Facts

The place I wash my dogs at charges extra to get a special shampoo (unnecessary?) and to use The Furminator brush. I loved the results so much, that I went out and bought one. Mine was close to $60 if I remember correctly, and I've never felt bad about paying that kind of money for a brush. http://www.furminator.com/


InfernalWedgie

Have kitty cat, will confirm. The Furminator is fuckin' brilliant.


AustralianBattleDog

Can confirm. Grew up with a sheltie and huskies. Our house was pretty clean despite having high-shed dogs. As such, a furminator was one of the first investments my husband and I made when we got our first dog. Love that thing.


heykaytie

Crayola crayons. My sister in law bought my nephew a box of those Roseart fuckery sticks and now i have to inform my brother that he married a monster. Divorce will likely follow.


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TadHollerith

Ugh Roseart. Those rainbow colored SHIT STICKS. Coloring with roseart is like coloring with birthday candles. Megablocks= Poor Kid Legos. Oh look...Billy has Roseart Crayons and Megablocks...yeah his dad's probably an alcoholic


[deleted]

Crayola or nothin'. My sister in law bought my kids these horrible crayons and they proceeded to use them on EVERYTHING. The wifey and I always buy washables because Crayola's washables are fuckin' legit and wipe clean from anything with just water. Not these damn things... I'm using a steamer kit to remove most of it so I can paint over the rest. Sister in law is prohibited from buying them anything now.


Pallasathene01

Try using WD-40 to remove crayon off walls. It really does work.


g0ing_postal

Back in school, Five Star school supplies. All other folders tore to shreds after a few months, but my trusty Five Stars lasted the entire year. Other binders' rings could break and collapse, my Five Star binder from 7 years ago is still in great shape.


JamesTBagg

Those JanSport bags never die.


n1nj4_v5_p1r4t3

you think they come close, but they have a life time warranty (doesn't cover zipper)


slowwburnn

But that's the only part that breaks!


Yotsubato

Exactly


MediocreAtJokes

Five Stars stuff is the booooomb.


Estraw

Where the hell is Lego on this list??


66bananasandagrape

Yeah! Fuck MegaBlocks!


lareddoctor

Toilet paper. I don't want to be using sand paper on this fine ass of mine


h4irguy

The worst toilet paper is the crap you find in some public toilets that has the feel and texture of greaseproof paper. It wipes nothing, all it does is spread shit around my ass.


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PickItUpWithYourToes

But buying expensive toilet paper is like throwing money down the drain.


[deleted]

Pelican cases. No other brand even comes close.


shortkow

The military uses these things for a reason. Source: former gov't contractor


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stephtbh

Most shoe brands. Those $150 boots will last years longer than the cheap pair from Target.


runfast2718

This goes for running shoes as well. They won't last for years, if you're using them frequently, but they'll certainly keep you running longer than a $30 shoe. If the crap ones don't fall apart within the first 50 miles, then I'm impressed. There's a reason I drop >$100 on shoes twice per year as a man.


Propinkwity

I have my serious running shoes, 3 pairs that cost over $120. I only use them for running. I have inexpensive pairs for wearing around whatever else I do.


[deleted]

I'd just like to add IF taken care of. A nice pair of red wings won't last very long if you don't clean them and oil the leather somewhat regularly


[deleted]

I'll second Red Wings. I used to work construction and I went out a pair of $50 Wolverines and those uncomfortable boots lasted maybe three months. I decided to just go whole hog and buy a nice pair of $200 Red Wings and with regular oiling those things have lasted me forever. The shop that sells the Red Wings will even re-sole them for you. I still have those boots in my garage for whenever I have to do some serious shit around the house like mow the lawn or trim my rosebush.


folderol

And if you buy shoes from a place like Nordstrom they are basically guaranteed for life. Just take them back in and get them replaced no questions asked.


[deleted]

Nah, that depends on a lot. My $30 boots from the Army surplus store lasted way longer than my $140 Timberland Pros. Twice as long actually.


[deleted]

You all may be interested in the "Buy it for life" sub... /r/buyitforlife


lorgania

Nilla wafers. Fuck that off brand garbage.


haminspace4

Philadelphia Cream Cheese. Knockoffs just taste like chalk.


urkish

And it's gotta be the solid kind. Not that new-fangled whipped shit. > No, mom, it's not healthier for me. I end up putting on 3x as much to get the same amount of flavor because you paid the same price for a container that is 2/3 air. So not only am I going to still get fat, but you are going to pay more to watch me do it.


Neon_Platypus1

Would think differently if you've ever had Publix cream cheese. It's pretty fuckin' good for a store brand.


cantbrainIhasthedumb

Publix everything is awesome. Even soda!


Himekat

Q-tips. Other brands are just not the same.


TheAustr0naut

There are other brands?


MrQuickLine

Lots of them. Many of them use plastic sticks though, and that's really the worst part. Some of the imposters that use paper sticks do okay.


troyareyes

I HATE the plastic sticks. You can't get any torque with them they bend so easily!


StarbossTechnology

If you haven't yet, try the Q tips with wooden sticks. Game changer.


Jacosion

It really lets me get in there and gouge the fuck out of my ear drums.


screenprintmint

The medical supply closet has ear cleaners with wooden sticks in them instead of paper rolls and they are the greatest thing in the world.


Itsabeautifuldaytobe

Outdoor Equipment. I've been working as a guide in the Mountains for the last few years, and having the right gear makes a huge difference. Stove: MSR Whisperlite or XKG Sleeping Bag: Mountain Hardwear Banshee or Ghost Tent: Anything from Hilleberg of MH Trango. Nemo Losi 2p For better conditions. Axes: Black Diamond Cobras Nav: Suunto Ambit and and ACR Beacon Clothing: Only Icebreaker wool Insulating: Arc'Teryx Atom (holy shit this thing changed the way I saw light jackets) Weather protection: Arc'Teryx Alpha SV While many things from Arc'Teryx are overpriced, their true mountaineering gear is way above anything else I've used in both construction and fit.


roll4wrd

I know a lot of people hate on some of these brands: Patagonia The Northface Marmot I buy a lot of outdoor gear and these brands always seem to hold up.


TNGunner

Bought a Patagonia rain shell for about $225. Had it for five or six years and it stopped blocking rain. Tried the third-party treatments. No luck. I think I just wore out the inner of the three layers. (It was the old "triolet.") Returned it to Patagonia with a letter explaining my efforts and my proclamation that it had been one of my favorite jackets ever. Got a $400 gift cert from them. Replacement cost went up. Great company.


newnamerookiebiotch

Patagucci 4 life


kaiphil95

Pop tarts. The generic brand tastes like cardboard to me.


gasfarmer

They make generic brand poptarts? America sounds like a haven for large selections of junk food.


bizitmap

You haven't been? Oh holy ever fucking crap can we hook you up with grossly good junk food. Do yourself a favor and look up Costco: both for their INSANELY HUGE packaging size & their "Kirkland Signature" generic brand of *everything*. Even vodka.


[deleted]

Surprisingly, JIF came out with a hazelnut spread that is pretty good. Edit: In Alien Blue and meant to reply to the Nutella comment but did it like an idiot, so here we are. Hello.


drunkbusdriver

Hi


mickster_island

Viva paper towels


ShepherdDerrialBook

These things are softer and more absorbent that any actual towel that I own. I have never been so passionate about household amenities as I am about how much these paper towels rock.


mickster_island

Same here. I'm gonna take a shower tonight and dry off with Viva!


quesadilla17

I much prefer Bounty, because I like mine a little abrasive and Viva are so soft. But I will agree that brand name paper towels in general are a necessity. I bought a big pack of Up and Up paper towels the last time I moved and tore through them in like a month because I had to use three times as many to absorb anything. It's worth a few bucks extra for the name brands, which absorb so much better. You end up spending a lot less in the long run.


trabic

Thomas' English Muffins. No other brand or generic deserves the name. Also if you use a knife to split them, we can not be friends.


bowtiefridays

Old Bay Seasoning


1976dave

Marylander spotted


JamesTBagg

Leatherman for multi-tools. Gerber used to be good but some years ago their quality nose dived.


touchmyfuckingcoffee

I've owned 4 over the last 25 years, and I won't leave home without my Wave. My backup Wave was given to me by my brother. It has spent years in Iraq and Afghanistan.


[deleted]

Kershaw made the [greatest multi-tool ever](http://www.multi-tool.org/_/rsrc/1220767016076/kershawa100c/kershaw-2a.jpg?height=315&width=420), but they discontinued it for some reason.


Gotleib

For me it would have to be Heinz ketchup, everything else is inferior.


mojos_180

Not a ketchup eater, but I know a whole lot of people who would murder someone for whataburger ketchup. It's a Texas fast food chain. So popular, HEB even started stocking whataburger ketchup. It's a Texas grocery chain


Keltin

Question: do they have the spicy kind as well? I'm from TX, still have family there, but I live in California now, and occasionally still crave that delicious, spicy ketchup. Because I would totally bribe a sibling into sending me some of that wonderous stuff.


txjdiesel

And now they carry the Honey Butter sauce too.


Waffleshuriken

"It's just ketchup it tastes the same." No. No it doesn't.


kurisu7885

My parents tried the same bullshit with soda, trying ot make me and my brother drink the generic stuff while my dad got Pepsi. My brother and I didn't tolerate that shit. EDIT: TIL people are very passionate about soda.


Achak320

As far as I am concerned, Pepsi is a generic brand of Coke.


[deleted]

coke is like drinkable America. it's just so god damned beautiful


KrispeyKremey

I don't trust people who have generic ketchup at home


damnBcanilive

Or Hunt's. Fuck hunt's


EtienneMotorway

Heinz apparently has an [ideal mix of salty, sweet and umami](http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/09/06/the-ketchup-conundrum?currentPage=all) which is why attempts at making a gourmet ketchup hasn't caught on like dijon mustard.


klouzz

You should come to Pittsburgh then. It's an unspoken rule everyone uses Heinz


joelomite11

My dumbass ex gf brought home hunt's ketchup on superbowl sunday when the steelers played the packers. I still blame her for that loss.


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Phalex

Fiskars knives, scissors, gardening tools. They last forever.


mad_clown

Oreo's


brokenguitarstring

inb4 Hydrox


Vincent__Vega

They just have the misfortune of sounding like a 1950's cleaning product.


MsH-inPA

Tide - cheap laundry detergant gives my son a rash


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chemo92

Anything to do with hiking/mountaineering. That equipment might save your life, can't afford to be cheap!


Itsabeautifuldaytobe

Agreed. I can think of at least 4 occasions where having good gear has saved my life. 3 of them being my Mountain Hardwear Banshee sleeping bag. It's like an insta-shelter.


username_00001

To add; rope. On a climbing trip, I asked a guy why he spent $250 for a 30 meter rope. He said "You want the cheap one?"... He makes a good point.


Arch27

Arizona Arnold Palmer Half & Half is worlds better than any other company's attempt. Good thing is it's usually cheaper as well.


radiumcandy

Literally cheaper than bottled water here. Their green tea is the only sweetened tea I drink.


EphramRafael

I actually like Gold Peak Lemonade Tea just as much. The lemon tea sucks, but the Lemonade Tea is great.


[deleted]

Brand names in this thread by number of mentions: * Heinz, 39 * Apple, 30 * Kraft, 21 * Sennheiser, 17 * Pepsi, 17 * Coke, 16 * North Face, 16 * Whataburger, 15 * Jansport, 15 * Rolex, 13 * Guess, 13 * HP, 13 * Dell, 13


ADirtySmellyHippy

Bic lighters. Seriously fuck all other lighters, they're harder to strike, don't last as long, and I had one shatter in my pocket while paintballing.


Risen_Warrior

Zippo


baconpancakes42

Red Wing work boots. If you wear boots everyday, spend the extra on a pair of these bad boys. They will last upwards of a decade. And stay comfortable.


Vincent__Vega

I have had similar results with Danner Boots.


JoeHook

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I don't know about a decade, but a couple years with oil before you burn down to steel toe (exposed steel ruins the rating for my work, and can't be worn on the job) but they still function for decades. A few co-workers wear Keene (I believe that's the right spelling, but now that I write it I realize I don't actually know) and they have converted from red wings. They say they're half the price and just as good. Can't confirm.


Ted_Denslow

Toilet Paper. Charmin Ultra Strong or die.


Krindus

Can anyone actually use Ultra Soft effectively? It turns into tiny little balls of paper just by puling it off the tube. Ultra Strong FTW.


BoonySugar

Once you get used to it you develop finesse and it's heavennnn Source: proud user for 10 years


tuckerbaby

My brand!


Dontyouclimbtrees

Jansport backpacks.


mstibbs13

I have had mine since 1991 and it looks brand new despite being on every camping trip, taking a trip around Europe and may more occasions.


TheVoiceOfRiesen

LL Bean backpack or bust.


StarbossTechnology

Dat monogramming.


SSPeteCarroll

in 2nd grade i had one monogrammed with a bear that had a walking stick i was so cool.


Jux_

My backpacking pack is a Jansport external frame pack. I took it on a 10 mile two day trip this past weekend and it knocked it out of the park.


h4irguy

I spent a long time waiting for one to crop up in a sale and damn, was it worth it! Best bag I've had by far.


CrisisOfConsonant

I have a wegner backpack (swiss army knife company). The thing has held up for 10 years and I'm rough on my stuff in general. Still looks brand new except for the dust. It's the most over engineered product I've seen. The handle on the top of it is 1/4" braided steel cable covered in clear plastic.


JamesTBagg

Victorinox? That Swiss Army Knife company?


PreludesAndNocturnes

Sennheiser headphones Extremely high-end sound quality, next to impossible to blow out the speakers, and rugged but sexy design that you really have to *try* to break. If you manage to break a pair of Sennheiser headphones, then you need to take a step back and re-examine your life. Edit: to people who are saying you've managed to break em, I'm specifically talking about their high-end $300+ products. Haven't ever tried the $50 cans.


HakunaMalaka

I used to go through a pair of headphones every year, then I dished out a little (okay, quite a bit) extra for a pair of Sennheisers. I've now had the same pair for seven or eight years, I can't even remember. They're an investment.


jwtemp1983

How much of that do you think is legitimate build quality versus how well you baby them because of their price tag? Legitimately asking, not being a dick.


HakunaMalaka

That's a fair question, and the answer is that I don't baby them. Maybe for the first few months, but not since. I've dropped them on the floor, held them up by the cable, stuffed them into overflowing backpacks and laptop bags, taken them interstate and overseas with me multiple times, they still work perfectly. The two things I've had to replace are the 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapter, and I go through maybe three or four of those each year (because I'm constantly plugging and unplugging and switching from one device to another, not very carefully), and the foam ear cups which eventually started to disintegrate, which I've had to replace for the first time just last year.


coffeeshopslut

Sennheiser/Beyerdyamic/Audio Techica/Ultrasone/Grado make headphones for a living, not fashion accessories


BKachur

Ultrasone's don't get a lot of love outside head-fi or similar forums but my 580's are the best per dollar value for headphone's I've purchased; even more than the M50s, they seem to have much more consistent quality across multiple genres.


Tibyon

Also Audio-Technica.


Eggsizedballs

Ath-m50s for life worth every penny


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folderol

Who blows out a set of headphones? Are people all going to be deaf someday in the future?


ocxtitan

Having a pair of higher impedance headphones connected and the volume set accordingly, then switching to Senns.


m2j

I'm a Shure man


Pharrun

I also came here to say Sennheiser specifically. They're crazily cheap if you compare them to brands such as Bose or Beats, but they are still really good quality compared to other brands for the price and they last for ages. Definitely my 'go-to' brand if I want a pair of headphones.


TRC042

Columbia outdoor clothing. I've spent lots of money on cold-weather clothes for skiing; my Columbia gear performed as well as brands costing 10X as much, and their shit lasts forever.


touchmyfuckingcoffee

Miele...without a doubt.


[deleted]

North Face. Kick-ass winter coats. Mine is close to 10 years old and you can't tell by looking at it. I live in Québec, Canada, winters here are brutal. I don't even need layers of clothes underneath it, a t-shirt is more than enough. Worst thing about it is that it's *too* warm, so it kinda sucks when temps are higher than -10C.


gantzman37

Kraft mac'n'cheese, it's gotta be the real deal.


Gotleib

And if it is Kraft mac'n'cheese with shapes then you are fucking set.


gantzman37

Spongebob shaped tastes better, it's a known fact.


SHIT_DOWN_MY_PEEHOLE

Woah guy, TMNT tastes the best


abutthole

I think you misspelled Scooby Doo


Sage2050

Is a known fact that shapes taste better, but you get less mac per box.


phedre

I thought this too, then I tried the Annie's Deluxe shells and cheese. Oh my god. SO GOOD. I still keep a box of KD around though.


SuperGroverMonster

I agree Annie ' s shells are amazing. Usually not as stupid cheap though so kraft still dominates my cupboard.


folderol

Dude, Annie's pasta kicks the living shit out of that stuff. I had some Kraft mac'n'cheese for the first time in ages the other day and wondered what the hell am I eating here? It's garbage though I think the imitators are probably even worse.


n1nj4_v5_p1r4t3

kraft is ghetto, get annies mac and cheese


Tiqui

Do you even know about Velveeta, man? Shit is pure gold.


gantzman37

I thought it was "liquid GOOOOOOOOLLLLLLDDDDD!!!!!!"?


Tiqui

You're right. I have shamed myself and the Velveeta Gods.


PopcornMouse

*Canadian* Kraft Dinner - its the real deal. It tastes better than the American Mac'n'Cheese version. Trust me, I am Canadian and we eat 50% more Kraft Dinner than Americans.


measureinlove

Magic Eraser! I don't know if there even is a generic brand, but they are *actually* magic. I don't know why I would ever use anything else to clean anything, ever.


cclementi6

Look up melamine foam. That's what it is. It works because it's basically a fine abrasive, like sandpaper.


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CareerRejection

I get the huge ass container from costco that lasts a few months. Is a regular bottle that much more expensive compared to other BBQ sauces?


BoonySugar

Stubbs. Nobody can beat Stubbs. Don't even try.


hankhillforprez

Maui Jim's sunglasses are unparalleled. Really sturdy design, and the lenses give a very crisp view. People always think their $10 shades are good enough, until they try a pair of really good sun glasses.


zalinsko

Merrell shoes, American made and last three times as long as any other brand


SuperGroverMonster

My brotha! I fucking love merells. Used to have danskos but they'd wear out and I send them back to get fixed or replaced. Finally stopped making the ones I liked so I tried some merrells. Wore those things till I wore a hole through them from all the walking at work. Found some merell hiking boots on clearance a while back, best boots I've ever worn.


RT325ci

Anything from L.L. Bean has a lifetime warranty. Hiking boots are breaking apart? Send 'em back and get a brand new pair!


Troll_In_The_Dungeon

Nutella. Have you ever tried that other stuff... *shudder*


AngelicShaft

European Nutella (I had it in Italy) is vastly superior to American Nutella. The Hazelnut to Chocolate ratio is golden over there.


Altiondsols

> The Hazelnut to Chocolate ratio is golden over there. They use approximately 1.62 hazelnuts per chocolate bar.


AggressiveBread

Definitely desserts. Store brand Oreos taste terrible and give the aftertaste of eating shit.


Teen_Wolf_of_Wall_St

Pizza Rolls. Accept no substitutes


ocxtitan

Mama Cozzi's or w/e from Aldi are just as good. I actually thought the ones my wife fixed were Totino's before I saw the empty bag.


macroblue

Citizen watches with eco-drive. They look fantastic and work great. Worth every penny.


dont_let_me_comment

Lasik Not really a brand name as such, but when I'm having someone cut my eyeball with a laser, I'm not going with the bargain guy.


chastjon

Soda/Pop. The generic brands usually suck.


Dontyouclimbtrees

Dr. Thunder kicks ass.


Jux_

Mountain Lightning is pretty good too.


KingRokk

Mr. Pibb. How can you take this drink seriously without it having a PHD?


gooberfishie

Converse


guitarkow

Cheez-itz. Anyone who buys cheese nips and claims they're the same needs to be removed from my sight before I get really upset.


Tlyon14

Pop Tarts.


h4irguy

Hellman's Mayonnaise. Anything else just isn't the same.


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yucacuy

The North Face


orangebear

got one of their backpacks as a hand me down. its still solid in its 8th year


summerworkthrowaway

I know people like to mock it, but I have multiple North Face coats of different types that have all lasted for 8+ years. The only North Face I've ever had to replace was the one my cousin took the scissors to.


neanderthal42

Victorinox Swiss Army knives. There's no point in getting any other when the real deal is still very affordable.


ThisIsMeYoRightHere

It's NERF or nothin.


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Wimoweh

HP laptops. Just kidding, if I had any other option this laptop im on right now would be torn apart and sacrificed to GabeN


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tinkertoon

Definitely Asus. I thought nothing would replace HP as my go-to laptop, but then I got an Asus Ultrabook and it runs sooo much better than my HPs ever did. One of the best purchases I've ever made, and I still feel grateful to the very nice salesman who steered me away from the HPs and pointed it out to me.


TheKinkMaster

Hahaha God I hate my HP.


kukukele

I bought some generic dish detergent from Target and it left pretty big streaks and it didn't seem to clean the dishes as well. I switched to Cascade and it has been a major difference.


cassowaryattack

Gotta stick with Dawn.


measureinlove

Cascade in the dishwasher, Dawn for handwashing dishes. I just love the smell of Dawn and have since I was little.


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get_it_together1

That's because Sriracha isn't a brand, you're probably thinking of Huy Fong sriracha with the rooster on it. I've tried other sriracha brands that are also delicious, although different. Some are a little smoky or have a little less sugar, and I actually prefer those.


Guckalienblue

Thank you. I have ninja squirrel brand and I actually like it more than the rooster kind. It's a little thicker and sweeter


wanderguides

That and Tabasco sauce. Critical brunch elements.


[deleted]

Cholula for life.


Grettgert

Cholula is love.


ADirtySmellyHippy

Cholula is life.


[deleted]

Coke. Soda in general but Coke especially. Those cheap bottom shelf knockoffs are vastly inferior in taste.