In our “Buy It For Life” posts we feature products that are built to last a lifetime. We also give preference to products that are very durable, are warrantied for life, and are made in the U.S.
Originally designed by Tony Anthony in 1949, the Converto Bike is a solid aluminum tricycle that converts into a bicycle in minutes. When your child is ready for a two wheeler, simply remove rear axle and place one of the wheels into the rear fork.
The Bialetti Moka Espresso Maker, has a polished-aluminium octagonal design has been available in Italy since 1933. In the 30s, Italy was in an economically difficult time, which made making coffee at home appealing. This simple little device crafted from aluminium was extremely popular and is still crafted by Bialetti, the same firm that produced …
Buy It For Life: Bialetti Moka Stovetop Espresso Maker Read More »
Made by Kahtoola, a small company in Arizona, these Microspikes are ice cleats that attach firmly to your shoes, and require no special buckles or straps. The spikes constructed of hardened stainless steel.
Made by DCI in Rhode Island, this durable Knuckle Meat Pounder is molded from an aluminum alloy.
The Microplane rasp was invented in 1990 by brothers Richard and Jeff Grace in Russellville, Arkansas. They originally produced the rasp as a woodworking tool, and it took four years before people started using it in the kitchen as a grater
Thermos makes tough beverage bottles — durable enough to be worthy of our “buy it for life” designation. They are constructed with stainless steel on the exterior and interior, making them pretty much immune to dents and cracks. All Thermos bottles feature the company’s double-wall vacuum technology, which is designed to keep liquids hot for 12 …
Buy It For Life: Thermos Stainless Steel King Beverage Bottle Read More »
The Fisher Space Pen was invented by Paul C. Fisher in 1948. It is still manufactured in Boulder City, Nevada. The pen can write at any angle, and its operating temperatures range from −30 to 250 °F (−35 to 120 °C).
Apolis Global Citizen is a small company in California that handcrafts clothing and accessories. In their 2010 collection, they offer a single handbag — the “Heritage Leather + Apolis Mason Courier Bag”. It is made with 100% american leather and 100% cotton army duck.
Designed for keychains, Arc-AAA flashlights are barely larger than the AAA batteries they contain. The exact dimension are: 2.5 inches in length, 0.5 inches in diameter, and 0.75 ounces in weight. The Arc-AAA is made in Phoenix, Arizona by Arc Flashlights.
Maui Jim began selling polarized sunglasses on beaches of Maui in the 1980s. Now headquartered in Illinois, Maui Jim is one of the few companies that still manufactures their glasses in the U.S.
Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase has been making office furniture since 1912. Their Think Chair is designed to maximize comfort and ergonomics, and it has received several prestigous design awards since its introduction in 2006.
Ernest Alexander, based in New York City, specializes in handcrafted luggage and accessories for men. His luggage designs include details like signature wax cottons, contrasting linings, double stitching and zipper pulls. They are committed to ethical manufacturing practices, and produce all of their products in the U.S.
Estwing is a company in Rockford, Illinois that has been forging tools since 1923. It was the first company to make an all-steel hammer that is forged in one piece, according to the manufacturing manager Dan Eisman.
Rada Cutlery is a small company in Iowa that has been making knives since 1948. Their knives are constructed with a high carbon surgical stainless steel, and they feature dual serrations and hollow-ground blades.
Tanner Goods is a small team of craftsmen in Portland, Oregon. They specialize in manufacturing heritage leather good. All of their sewing is done by a heritage saddle maker who started as an apprentice in the industry in 1964.
Pelican Cases are perhaps the most durable cases available — they are certainly constructed to last a lifetime. The Pelican Products company was started in Torrance, California in 1975 by Dave Parker, a scuba diver, and Pelican Cases are still manufactured in Torrance.
