And I used it again tonight. Good as new. I wish it had a longer cord.

Hi all,

Love the sub, and I notice a lot of items manufactured in Japan are regularly recommended.

I'm in Tokyo for the week, but have been living in East Africa for the past five years. I'm hoping to get some recommendations on items I can buy in Tokyo and bring back to East Africa in checked luggage.

Anything goes!!!

I’m a small leather goods maker based in Norfolk, England, and I wanted to find out just how strong traditional English bridle leather really is.

I arranged an independent tensile test at Certex in Great Yarmouth, using 4mm thick Sedgwick English bridle leather with a stitched joint.
The results were pretty remarkable.

The leather withstood a peak load equivalent to approximately 421kg before eventually failing at the joint. What particularly impressed me was that the stitching remained intact.

I use this leather to make belts, dog collars, leads and other leather goods, so understanding its strength and durability is important to me.
It’s given me an even greater appreciation for traditional materials and craftsmanship.

I thought this community might appreciate seeing what properly made English bridle leather can withstand.

Has anyone else tested the strength of traditional leather or other long-lasting materials?

Sometimes paying more does not really mean you’re getting something better. There are probably plenty of everyday things where the cheapest option works just fine especially if you do not use them that often. I am curious what people think is not worth spending extra money on. Are there things where you always go for the basic option instead of the expensive one? What is one product you have bought where you felt the cheaper version was actually just as good?

Which rice cooker would you recommend besides Zojirushi? I’m from Croatia, and while there are a few Zojirushi models available here, they’re just way too expensive. I’d love to be able to make rice like the kind you get at restaurants that serve Gambian rice, but I’m not sure which rice cooker to buy. Everyone seems to recommend Zojirushi, but it’s simply too pricey here. Any recommendations?

I’ve had this watch for nearly twenty years and have literally done nothing to it. Whoever designed the solar charging capability for this deserves a medal. I’ve even left it in my glove compartment for a week and it still keeps perfect time. I highly recommend.

I know that Samsonite probably doesn't count as BIFL anymore, but just wanted to document that for anyone who's considering a purchase.

I bought a 21" spinner that was used for about 5 trips; one of the back wheel "tires" cleanly split apart and partly fell off, clearly due to a manufacturing defect rather than anything close to normal wear & tear. Submitted a warranty claim; received an RMA to either ship (at own expense) or bring the luggage to a repair center.

After bringing this all the way to the repair center, the repair guy didn't even look at my documentation, said that Samsonite doesn't fix wheels because it's part of wear and tear, and charged me $35 + tax to replace the wheel. I reluctantly paid because the luggage was like new and I wanted it to live out its useful life rather than become junk in a landfill.

To add insult to injury, when I emailed Samsonite about this they said that the repair center "carefully inspected the luggage and determined that the damage is not covered under the terms of the warranty" — a canned response because the repair center didn't even look at the RMA and has no idea who I am.

I can't imagine how frustrating this would be if there wasn't a repair center within a short driving distance and I actually shipped the suitcase to them. It would have cost as much as buying a new one.

Don't buy a Samsonite if you're expecting it to actually last.

TravelPro does a good job promoting their "trusted companion promise," presented as an extension of their one-year warranty. What TravelPro doesn't want you to know is that shipping for ONE replacement wheel is $27. That's 1/5 the cost of a new MaxLite5 suitcase! 3 of 4 wheels were shot after 1.5 years. The kicker for me is that the package states actwgt (actual weight) as 10.58 pounds... for a part weighing 2.4 ounces!

Georgia to South Carolina for a $27. Replace all four wheels and you might as well have bought a new suitcase... from someone else.

These pics are after way less usage than my Samsonite (by like a factor of 10). Like the form factor, but cannot support a company who uses implied warranty as a money grab.

Trying to appease the bed mate. We are moving to a king. Our current setup has lasted 12 years.

• They do not like wool.
• If it is a down duvet, the next request will be for a linen cover. I’ve learned this from past experience.
• They like oversized because they know they steal covers and legitimately feel guilty.
• They are simple. No paisley or crazy design.

My request:

• It is BIFL and has been established for 20+ years. (None of that new BIFL that may not be around once they are bought out.)
• It is under $800.

Hi everyone!

I’m in the market for a new stockpot/casserole (it needs to work on an induction cooktop). I am currently looking at two 4L-pots from Vargen & Thor.

Vargen & Thor – Miranda
Capacity: 4 Liters / ~4.2 Quarts
Build / Layers: Multi-layer construction with a 2.5 mm aluminum core 
Exterior Finish: Hammered copper
Interior Finish: Brushed stainless steel (uncoated)
Lid: Glass lid with stainless steel rim
Heat Compatibility: All stovetops (including Induction) & Oven safe up to 240–300°C
Care: Dishwasher safe

Vargen & Thor – Kroma Pixel
Capacity: 4 Liters / ~4.2 Quarts 
Build / Layers: Multi-layer construction with a 2.5 mm aluminum core 
Exterior Finish: Mirror-polished hammered stainless steel
Interior Finish: Brushed stainless steel (uncoated) 
Lid: Included (Glass lid with stainless steel rim) 
Heat Compatibility: All stovetops (including Induction) & Oven safe up to 240–300°C
Care: Dishwasher safe

What are your thoughts on these two options?
Do you If have experience with either of them?
Is there another brand you swear by?
I’d really appreciate your input!

Any must buys from Taiwan?
Travelling in November

I’s starting to need a new wallet since the one I have now is starting to peel up in places and it’s also just kinda too big and bulky for me, but one thing I really like about it is that it has an integrated belt chain which I like just how it looks but it also just reassures me (I forget things A LOT, so having that physical reassurance is nice for me) so I wanna keep that when switching while also slimming down if there’s any options like that?

If you can find one cheap which is pretty hard I cannot recommend enough I use it for literally everything on my farm it's such a solid reliable blade and feels great in your hand

I'm looking for a chair to replace my four year old argos chair. I used it well, but it started squeaking and parts broke. I have around 300 at a max to spend, but i'd want it to be comfortable, not be too stand out ish, and will last me 4-5 years. I care about posture and adjustable height when gaming, but otherwise open minded. My table will eventually be replaced with a better sit stand, I just have a 40 pound ikea one right now.

After years of scale modeling and precision crafting, I’ve found that cheap multipiece tool bundles usually aren’t worth it. The tweezers often bend right away, and low-quality hobby knives tend to wobble.

Here’s my breakdown of 5 core precision tools tested over hundreds of hours:

Precision Tweezers (Stainless Steel ESD-Safe): I use these every session. Cheap ones flex, while solid stainless steel keeps the tips aligned. Maintenance: if they’re dropped, realign the tips with fine sandpaper.

Heavy-Duty Metal Hobby Knife (Aluminum/Steel Handle): Used often. Household alternative: none. Look for brass chuck jaws that won’t strip.

Micro Flush Cutters: Useful for clean cuts in wire and wood. A gap between the closed blades is a sign they’re failing. Don’t use them on hardened steel wire.

Steel Metric Precision Ruler (Etched markings): Used constantly. Painted markings wear off, while etched stainless markings last.

Steel Reverse-Action Clamping Tweezers: Great for hold-and-glue steps. The springs can keep their tension for decades.

Budget Tiers:

Essential Day 1: A good hobby knife and stainless tweezers ($15 total).

Can Wait: Flush cutters and reverse tweezers (household clothespins work at first).

Which precision tool became a permanent part of your workbench, and which one did you regret buying?

Preferably unscented and clumping!

Featuring my Maytag washers from the last post. All of them still run.

I bought my first one about six years ago. The flex neck broke on it. They replaced it for free. It charges via USB. Battery life is fantastic. I literally use it every workday. Overall, for its size it’s super durable. But the company really stands behind their product well. Thumbs up.

Are these jackets worth the cost or are there other less expensive alternatives? Do they go on sale?

Loving the Scout jacket. The flannel lined waxed canvas with the corduroy accents is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for but they come with a hefty price tag. Haven't been able to find any used online in my size so far so just looking at options before I commit. Thanks.

My wife wants a foot massager for her birthday. My ADHD decision paralysis is in full effect and I’m stuck between two (only 2 is a victory for me).

1) MIKO Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat and Air Compression - rated best overall by people magazine. 4.5 stars & over 17k reviews on Amazon. Sale price $170 USD

2) COMFIER 2 in 1 FSA Foot Massager Machine - 4.3 stars & around 2.5k reviews on Amazon. Sale price $219 USD

The reason I’m stuck is because while #1 is clearly rated higher and is cheaper, #2 includes calf massage/compression. I also suspect #2s reviews are pushed lower by people who don’t enjoy calf compression (it can be painful for those with inflammation ie those who need it most).

Open to other recommendations if there’s one you feel strongly about [Price range < $250].
I’ve had / used a few cheap foot massagers in my life that were just fine and at some point forgotten about, so I want one that is actually good/worth its price. Please please help me make up my mind!

Laundry is costing a lot! I'm planning to get a portable washing machine, do you think it's worth it? if so what does everyone recommend? Would the save money where we can! Any recommendations is greatly appreciated! Ta

Money is no object. I want a good coffee tumbler that keeps coffee hot all day and is unique and stylish with all the works. I’ve seen the ones from Yeti, brumate, zojirushi, and others but they look bland and the reviews are 50/50 on keeping the coffee hot. What’s the undisputed best in your opinion? Thank you