Buyer beware! A century-old adage that still remains very much true today. In our highly commercialized world, there are so many cheaply produced products wrapped in attractive packaging that likely cause owners nothing but trouble. Whether we’re talking about planned obsolescence, poor-quality manufacturing, companies taking shortcuts while thinking beyond profits, or consumers falling victim to misleading bargains, it’s frustrating to see products break down in mere seconds.
But what if you find such a high-quality product that you never need to buy that item again? Ever? For the rest of your life?! Here’s where the 'Buy It For Life' (BIFL) subreddit comes in. With over 1.3 million members, it's dedicated to "practical, durable and quality made products that are made to last". Think of a toaster from the 1920s. Or a refrigerator that celebrated its 99th birthday this month!
Below, we hand-picked some of the most interesting and surprising photos of things that stood the test of time and continue to serve people for years to come. So continue scrolling through to enjoy this inspiring collection, be sure to upvote your favorite pics, and let us know if you own any long-lasting items you only bought once in the comments below.
Psst! When you’re finished with this list, more of the same goods can be found in Bored Panda’s previous posts on the same feature here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
This post may include affiliate links.
1949 Caloric Ultra-Matic Gas Range. Got It For $20 And It’s Used Daily. Everything Works!
Our Son's Nanny Just Received Her Master's Degree, And We Wanted To Get Her Something Special. My Wife Found This 1980's Coach Briefcase, And I Did A Full Restoration
My Family Heirloom Restoration Complete
"Durable, Quality, Practical": this is the tagline that the 'Buy It For Life' subreddit greets its members with. As the person who founded this online community, user Petrarch1603, detailed in their mission statement, the group initially started off as a spin-off of the 'Shut Up And Take My Money' sub.
"I noticed that sometimes there are high-quality useful products there that I'm interested in buying," they explained. "Unfortunately, I also noticed a lot of gimmicks [and] cheaply made products there too. Nevertheless, this is a great reddit and I would like this reddit to be a companion to SUTMM."
However, since BIFL was founded in 2011, it has become more than twice the size of its predecessor. The forum "is intended to fill a niche for only high-quality and durable products," the user added. And a brief scroll through this proves the members certainly deliver.
108 Years Old And 54 Years Old Boots - Just In Case You Think Boots Can't Last You A Lifetime
That's the point. They're so well made, they look like new. Also, taking good care of your boots really makes a difference. I have no doubt that these were really well cared for.
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You definitely can't feel the cobbles of Merchant Street with these boots!
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Those boots may be old but they are definitely not well worn-which they would be, if they were actually worn as regularly as the person claims. I have some really old shoes that came from my grandfather and great grandfather, they show wear, because they were actually worn regularly. The wear and tear on the boots in the picture is just not on par with shoes that have actually been worn much at all, no matter how much care is taken with them. You can't eliminate wear and tear on tread and soles without completely replacing them.
Replacing soles is part of taking care of them, though. I don't think OP meant they have needed zero maintenance...just that it can be done. Most people probably don't put that much stock into doing leather maintenance and repair, or putting new soles on otherwise good shoes, but with the history behind these, it was probably worth the effort to preserve.
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If those are Imperial Austrian army boots they would not be in that condition today. Either they were spare boots that he hardly wore or the OP is telling porkies. Soldiers lived, marched and fought in those types of boots. They would usually almost mould to the legs and feet of the soldier. Granted they can be re-soled over the years but there appears to be no sign of any age or wear on the rest of the boot.
They made boots and shoes back then that could be completely resoled and repaired. They also had shoe and boot repair shops. They were called Cobblers and repaired boots and shoes. Now they are just made disposable like a bic lighter and the Cobbler has gone the way of the dinosaur! Extinct.
Looks like various parts have been replaced over time so wonder how much of it is original. I'd like to make a reference to Trigger's broom to my fellow UK people who are fans of classic sitcoms.
You would have to resole them eventually but everything requires upkeep.
Thankfully, shoemaking isn't a dying skill (or at least not dead yet): getting good boots re-soled is still possible!
Friend of mine had a pair of gorgeous biker boots, older than he was, that were in bad shape. Had the local cobbler replace the damaged soles with Vibram soles and soften the leather. A fraction of what a new pair would've cost.
You have never seen what a tow truck driver can do to a pair of boots. I used to destroy a pair of red wings every year
I’ve had my hiking boots for over 17 years. Apart from some natural color change with age and a small nick from a dropped box cutter, they’re as good as the day I bought them.
Handmade boots last forever but do need to be resoled every 45 years or so
The only way a sole can last 45 years is if you spend those years sitting, even my vibram lug soles would wear through the tread in a bit over a year, and leather doesn't last nearly that long.
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Watched a documentary on Jews hiding in Russia during WW2 who made their own boots. The old lady had them on. perfect condition
I'm a boot lovin' fool!!!! Those are spectacular boots mostly the Austrian tall boots I really really dig those!!! You have very lucky toes LOL!! 😸
Cowboy (cowgirl) boots not worn out. I have 18 pairs. My husband buys me a new pair for my birthday. I've skipped last 5 years. Finally wore out my work boots and retired my "nice" boots to riding boots and moved my riding boots to barn boots. Went looking for nice boots. They don’t exist in the brands I've been wearing for 30 years for less than $500 for same quality I have been wearing. Finally found a brand called Texas not from Texas. Great quality split grain leather from Brazil. Understand full-grain Leather, split-grain Leather, and PU Leather. Hint: the first 2 will conform to the shape of your foot the 3rd is not real leather. If you have bunions a western boot is your best friend. Amazon is awesome and Texas is great because you can order 3 styles in 3 sizes and see what fits best. Put on a medium weight merino wool sock. Get a Dr Scholls comfort insole. The back of a western boot should have just a small amount of up/down slide when brand new because the sole us stiff. That play usually goes away as the sole softens. The bunion tightness will also work out. I break a new pair in by wearing them with a pair of thick winter socks in the rain. I have a pair of knee high with leather full length fringe that was a complete mistake for this. My husband got a good laugh. Then I made him dance in the rain with me and my boots hit truck interior and everything else was soaked. No regrets.
A man has a pair of boots He replaces laces when they break. He replaces the insoles as they wear. He gets them fully resoled. ECT.... Are the boots the same boots he started with? Seriously there is an amazing Birkenstock repair video on YouTube I think the only part of the original Birkenstock that's left are the straps
My husband has a pair of Frye boots from the 1960's. They look great.
I had the very same Army boots in the Italian Army in 1979. Is the sole a Vibram? I still remember how many blisters I got when I was first wearing them, but after a month or so, they were like slippers. (Edit: The ones on the right)
There is no way. Unless these are used for special occasions only or he's cobbled them back together several times over. It doesn't matter how much you take care of your shoes, everyday use will weather put the heal and toe over time. Sure like I said he could have them cobbled again, but that doesn't seem, at least to me, like something that has "lasted" that long but has rather been restored. Which is fine, better than fine really it's what we should all be doing over fast fashion. But it kind if goes against the spirit of the article at least. If in wrong and this family has been wearing these daily (gross, btw) over several generations and they still look like that I guess I better get to an Austrian army-navy surplus store asap
I was born in 1968 and just realized I'm 54 now, lol How the hell did THAT happen???
I’ve got a 40 year old pair of German para boots from the army surplus shop that are still waterproof and thick-soled after years of use.
I wonder if the Czech boots were re-soled, there looks like there is still significant tread on them.
Those boots must have had replacement soles etc so are they really the same boots???
My Girlfriend’s Grandma Gave Us This Kitchenaid From The Mid 80’s. It’s In Almost Perfect Condition Except For A Few Scuffs That Give It Some Character. It Still Has The Manual, All Original Attachments, And It Works Flawlessly
122 Year Old Pocket Watch My Grandfather Gifted Me, Still Works Like A Charm With Original Internals
Previously, one of the moderators who takes care of the sub was kind enough to share what commonly shared products they see on the forum. "The most popular items I see based on what's posted are: Stanley Thermos, Darn Tough Socks, Kitchen Aid mixers, Red Wing boots, and pots and pans, particularly cast iron," they told Bored Panda.
We were also curious to learn what factors allow these items to persevere for as long as they do. "I'm not an expert by any means but I think there are a few factors," they said.
"Most products are built to be as cheap as possible .... and poorly assembled (maybe partly due to planned obsolescence but mostly just due to the fact that people in general like spending less). The products that you see lasting longer are often made of higher-quality material and care when built. But they're also priced accordingly."
The First Tractor My Great Great Grandfather Bought To Replace His Horses. 1927 Mccormick Deering 10-20 Still Running Strong
My 54 Yr Old Stove Made To Look Like An Antique. Still Can Make A Mean Baked Mac N Cheese With Her
61 Years Ago My Parents Received This Waffle Maker As A Wedding Present In 1961. Still Makes Great Waffles
Unfortunately, a lot of today’s products are built with planned obsolescence in mind. This phenomenon refers to various strategies that make a product seem undesirable, useless, and unwanted. According to Andrea Soke, co-founder of Durability Matters, there are four types of planned obsolescence that companies use to make a profit: contrived durability (when parts break down intentionally), software updates, perceived obsolescence (when a customer is convinced they need an updated product), and prevention of repair.
"Companies can use all of the above or a combination of all four. The ultimate goal is to make you buy products again and again," Soke wrote. And thankfully, she also provided a few examples of how to watch out for the products that are going to fall victim. "Before you buy a product, think about two things: do you need it? And, is it going to last? Just because you are purchasing an expensive product, it does not mean that you are getting one that is going to last."
Still Works. Sunday Spins, A Continued Tradition With Our Kids On The Same Stereo I Had Growing Up
This Desk Lamp (Emeralite Banker’s Lamp) Is 100+ Years Old, And Is Solid As A Rock. So Cool Looking
A Customer Of Mine Came In For Help With Her Voicemail…
Last year around this time I posted an old Motorola Razr one of my customers was finally upgrading from, purchased November 2006. I was advised that those Razrs weren’t BIFL and in fact broke quite often, and that the only true BIFL phones were the old Nokias. Came across one today and figured I’d share.
"Look for future-proof products that are not going to be affected by software updates, and check if the product is one in a long line of slightly updated ones," Soke added. "There are some great companies and durable products out there; you just need to do a little research to find the honest ones." And BIFL is the perfect outlet for that.
My Wife Purchased These Doc Martens In 1993 And Hadn’t Worn Them In Over 20 Years. I Restore Leather As A Hobby, And It Still Blows Me Away What Quality Leather Can Come Back From
In Response To The "Vintage" 2009 Bottle Opener, Because I Have Underwear Older Than That, Here's Mine From A Brewery That Closed In 1959
Happy Birthday To Our Refrigerator That Turned 99 Years Old This Month! She’s Still Going Strong
Companies are in business to make money, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But as it turns out, people have an appetite for long-life guarantees. A 2016 study published by The European Economic and Social Committee analyzed whether displaying a product's lifespan would influence a consumer's decision to purchase. In other words, would we choose the same item if we know about its lifetime?
My 53 Year Old Work Truck. The Man I Got It From Bought It Brand New In 1969 And Drove 1 Truck His Entire Career Until He Retired
In the US if a vehicle is over 25 years old, emissions are not required.
I Was Told You Guys Would Want To See This! My Mom’s Great Grandma’s Cherry Pitter From 1867. I’ll Be Using This On My Own Cherries Next Season!
Brass Drafting Instruments And Brass Pacific Arc Lead Holder
The experiment surveyed nearly 3,000 participants from five European countries by designing a fake shopping website (like Amazon or ASOS), where people were directed to a questionnaire about various socio-economic and psycho-social indicators.
"The results showed that if shoppers had information on product lifespan, they would choose to buy longer-lasting items: on average, a product’s sales increased by 56% if its lifetime was longer than competing products'," the researchers wrote. "Of the products tested, purchases of suitcases (+128%) and printers (+70%) were influenced the most by displaying the lifetime."
The Chandelier At Our Cottage Has This Vintage Light Bulb From The Early 1900s. It Still Works!
White Mountain Model 692. Been Making Ice Cream For Birthday Parties And July 4th’s For Decades
I Inherited This Toaster From The 1920s Around 10 Years Ago And It Has Worked Great Every Single Day
Not to mention that buying longer-lasting and more durable products may cost more but will save you a lot of money in the long run. And it’s definitely better for the environment. For example, one study from the University of Arizona found that people who consume less are likely happier than those who engage in other pro-environmental consumer behaviors, like buying "green" and environmentally friendly products.
My New Visionware - 30 Years Old And The Cheapest Way To Completely Avoid Teflon/Chemicals I Could Find
My Mom’s Joint Roller From 1969
Twenty Six Years Old, 326,000 Miles And Still Going Strong. I Love This Thing
The study looked at two pro-environmental behaviors: reduced consumption and "green buying". "If you are able to buy environmentally friendly products, you can still live your materialist values," researcher Sabrina Helm said. "You're acquiring new things, and that fits into our mainstream consumption pattern in our consumer culture, whereas reduced consumption is more novel and probably more important from a sustainability perspective."
On the flip side, "Reduced consumption has effects on increased well-being and decreased psychological distress, but we don't see that with green consumption." According to Helm, having less and buying less can actually make us more satisfied.
Though I’d Share This Here. This Dryer Came With My House, And It Still Works Amazing. (See Description)
I’ve never had a problem with it not drying fully on a standard 20 minute cycle, never had a problem with lint clogging (cleaning the filter and ducts as recommended of course), and I love the simplicity. About a year ago, it wasn’t drying and when I opened it, there was a schematic, and on the schematic was a written note that a repair was made in 1980! The issue was a broken belt, which I was able to replace very easily. I would estimate this to be from the 70’s and it still functions as if it was new!
1970's Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft Drill. Before And After. Still Works Great
My Journaling Setup Is Complete! The Desk Lamp Was Made In Japan By A Company Named Sinar. My Late Grandfather Used It When He Was Painting. The Writing Bureau Is Walnut Veneer And Is At Least 70 Years Old
"If you have a lot of stuff, you have a lot on your mind," she said. "Maybe you have a lot of debt because you bought all that stuff, and now you have to manage all that stuff. It requires maintenance and being organized. It's not like you buy it and you're done with it. There's a lot of burdens of ownership, and if you relieve yourself of that burden of ownership, most people report feeling a lot better and freer," Helm concluded.
Little Tykes Climber & Slide. My Grandfather Bought This For Me In 1985. It’s Entertained Countless Cousins And Nieces And Nephews. Now My Daughter Plays On It. Poolside Since 1995
Mom Said "They Liked The Le Creuset Your Aunt Gave You? Show Your Internet Friends Mine!". Well, Internet Friends, There You Go
1950 Frigidaire (By General Motors)
if you ever have to throw it out, take a hammer & smash completely the locking mechanism... if a little kid hides in one in the junkyard playing hide & seek, he will asphyxiate unless someone lets him out in time otherwise. There is not a release mechanism that operates from inside. BE WARNED!
Rescued Oil Can (Before And After) Manufactured Around The 1930's — It Currently Sits On My Work Bench And Is Used Regularly. Should Last Another 90 Years
My Ti-84 Plus Turns 15 This Month; It's Lasted From 7th Grade Through My Doctorate!
I still use my calculator for work, then one I used for my GCSEs - over 33 years ago!!
The Richard Milous Nixon Watergate Commemorative Iced Tea Cooler Made By Gott In 1974. Of Course It's Lasted, It's Space Age Plastic! It's Holding Lipton Iced Tea Now! It Just Doesn't Quit! It'll Probably Give Us All Cancer!
My Dad Has Used This Escort Digital Alarm Clock Since The 1980's. I Needed A New Clock In My Bedroom So He Let Me Have It. I Love How It Looks And It Feels Much Better Quality Than Most Cheap Digital Clocks You Can Get Today
My Grandma Has The Same Blender Since The 1970s, Still Works Perfectly. Not Repaired Even Once
I Teach 5th And 6th Grade Math. I Inherited My Grandmother's Pencil Sharpener From My Aunt About Five Years Ago And This Beast Has Been Tirelessly Working In My Classroom For Three Years. I Have No Idea How Old It Is, But It's Certainly Older Than All The Students And Some Of The Teachers
Roper Automatic Dishwasher. Installed 1978. Works Great And Is Quieter Than Most Of The New Dishwashers
Microsoft USB Intellimouse, Still Working After 22 Years
Here Are My Orka Silicone Oven Mitts That Have Lasted 15 Years. They Look Like New, And Whenever They Are Dirty I Just Throw Them In The Dishwasher
Chicco Stroller. This Beast Is Over 10 Years Old And Been Through 4 Kids, Traveled Around The World To 5 Countries, Uncountable Mall And Theme Parks, Tossed In The Back Of Trunks Like A Hostage, And Treated Like A Jungle Gym More Times Than... Well A Jungle Gym
Just 10 years old? You might want to check your definition of “vintage” 😀
Note: this post originally had 125 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
I bet you have a lot of interesting stories, life advice, and wisdom to share. :^)
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I miss products being built to be the best and to last, now we just get c**p that is planned obsolescence.
I have my mother's Singer sewing machine from 1938. It's beautiful and still works great!
I have a can of sewing machine oil that my mother purchased back in the '60s (for 35 cents in a metal can) that we use on everything. Squeaky cabinets? One drop and they'll never squeak again.
I have a couch that is older than me (I'm 53). The structure is still great, but the fabric was going so I had it reupholstered. Was it expensive? Heck yeah! But the upholsterers told me that I will never find a couch that sturdy and in such good condition. I also still wear my grandmother's long jersey (sweater? jumper? cardigan?) that is definitely older than I am (it must be at least 60 years old if not more). There is a little fraying on the inside binding, but otherwise you'd never know! I also have my own long jersey that my aunt knitted for me in about 1988 that still looks new.
My grandpa had a couch and chairs set that came from his mother. Not sure how old, but he would have had it from the late 60s at least. He reupholstered sometime after that and now my mum had them and they still look great, so well worth the cost to reupholster. My mum loves the couch, because it is built lower to the ground and not as deep as most modern ones. She is very short, and likes being able to both touch the ground and use the backrest :)
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I have a cutting tool, a kind of hatchet, from my italian Grandfather.... he bought it in the 1950s, four generations have worked with it until now
I still have my Dad's Browning P35, 9mm pistol that he bought in London in 1940, on his way into Europe and North Africa. The grips rotted away in the heat and rain, but I carved new ones and it still shoots about as well as ever.
I want to share my 180 year old German Hunt Cabinet made from Walnut wood from the Black Forest hand carved
Why are like half of these items only a few years old? That doesn't feel like a bifl situation.
Well, BIFL is a little subjective. I read it as something really sturdy, dead people can't come on and post their old items. The average life is just under 80 years, so should we only allow things eighty years old?
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My parents are still using the dishwasher they bought circa 1975 and it works great.
In 1983 I bought an Oster Mini Food Processor so I could make my own baby food. It is 2022 and that thing still works like a charm.
That's amazing! I recently bought a spice/coffee grinder and it stopped working after two uses!
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I have a cheapo plastic rain jacket from Woolworth ... purchased in 1999 or 2000... It fits wonderfully (slightly oversized, not as tight as clothes tend to be nowadays) and has several large pockets (!) with zippers (!!) which haven't broken in all those years (!!!). And I even got complemented wearing it by a youngster (!!!!). Perfect ☺
My grandmother's grandmother clock (like a grandfather clock, but made to sit on a mantle) was given to her as a gift from her next-door neighbor when my grandparents got married. The neighbor had gotten it from *her* mother, when the neighbor had gotten married, who had gotten it from *her* mother when *she'd* gotten married. It was one of the things that my grandmother brought with her when she immigrated to the U.S., in 1920+/-. It needed the be wound once a week, and at some point, the mechanism needed to be cleaned and repaired. It has since been again cleaned and repaired by my cousin's daughter's husband, and it sits on their mantle. Said cousin's daughter also uses my grandmother's treadle sewing machine, from the early 1920s, similarly cleaned, oiled and repaired by her husband. Those are truly antiques. Soon, my father's wooden-handled pipe wrench, gifted to him in the 1930s, but I think made in the 1920s, will become one. Like Adam, I'm older than a lot of the stuff here.
My parents have a toaster from 1948 that still works great. The plug had to be replaced just under two years ago because it has been consistently used since it was made, but it still makes great toast. Also, I have a dresser and vanity set from sometime in the 1920's that's about as old as my grandparents would be if they were alive today. They're a bit scuffed but I think some Old English in the right shade will spruce them right up.
I used to work in an antique store and was told the general rule of thumb is 20 years for vintage and 50 years for antique
Until recently I was sewing almost daily on the sewing machine my Mum got for her 21st birthday in 1968. I bought a new machine to let the old one rest, but it's been rewired and polished and working good as new still!
My 1982 Ford Granada station wagon. I drive it everyday and have since 2006. CLARKSEPT-...e0ea25.jpg 
When my 2nd fancy dryer broke I asked my father in law to help me find the oldest Sears dryer he could, I've been the proud owner of a 1976 lady Kenmore for 7 years now and she never disappoints!
So, my dad asked me if I wanted the (original) art nouveau buffet and top and clock my grandmother was given by her aunt as a wedding present. I was in town (1000km away) a few days in January and remembered it well, so I said "Sure!". "I'll bring it when I visit.", which was planned for March. In FEBRUARY the storage place burned down -- and with it the buffet, top, the table, the chairs... everything. The clock somehow survived the fire. Untouched, but a ton of smoke and water damage. He washed it a few times to get the soot out, and it was still working, but it looked very ropey. He came to visit a few days ago (September) and brought the clock with him. I've cleaned it again, carefully wiped the surfaces, treated it with the furniture oil (at least 30 year old oil!) a few times... voila. It now has pride of place on my mantlepiece. IMG_202309...cc6f3c.jpg 
Oh, I should probably mention that the shepherd's hook hanging above it is also at least 50 years old, and he brought that on his visit last year in October. I also have my Granddad's Saddler's Clams -- both at LEAST 70 years old, possibly older. One is a "regular" one you put between your knees, which he brought with him a few days ago, the other last October is a "Clam chair" you sit on. And I have a bunch of my Granddad's saddler round knives, and other saddlery tools -- used by my Granddad, as well as my Dad, and ME, when I was about 10 years old, and taught how to stitch a bridle back together... (I'm 58 now) AND... I also have my Dad's Grandmother's wall clock. No clue how old it is... but I'm a bit "clocked" out now lol
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here is my vintage thing, it closed before I could post anything..... IMG_202211...be3833.jpg 
I have an old milk bottle that had been laying in the grass by my dad's workshop for around 35 years. When he passed I was walking around there and picked it up. It now sits on a shelf at my house with some of the flowers from his funeral
It's not conspiracy anymore. It's a proven fact. I mean it's on the history channel now.
I bet you have a lot of interesting stories, life advice, and wisdom to share. :^)
Load More Replies... I miss products being built to be the best and to last, now we just get c**p that is planned obsolescence.
I have my mother's Singer sewing machine from 1938. It's beautiful and still works great!
I have a can of sewing machine oil that my mother purchased back in the '60s (for 35 cents in a metal can) that we use on everything. Squeaky cabinets? One drop and they'll never squeak again.
I have a couch that is older than me (I'm 53). The structure is still great, but the fabric was going so I had it reupholstered. Was it expensive? Heck yeah! But the upholsterers told me that I will never find a couch that sturdy and in such good condition. I also still wear my grandmother's long jersey (sweater? jumper? cardigan?) that is definitely older than I am (it must be at least 60 years old if not more). There is a little fraying on the inside binding, but otherwise you'd never know! I also have my own long jersey that my aunt knitted for me in about 1988 that still looks new.
My grandpa had a couch and chairs set that came from his mother. Not sure how old, but he would have had it from the late 60s at least. He reupholstered sometime after that and now my mum had them and they still look great, so well worth the cost to reupholster. My mum loves the couch, because it is built lower to the ground and not as deep as most modern ones. She is very short, and likes being able to both touch the ground and use the backrest :)
Load More Replies... I have a cutting tool, a kind of hatchet, from my italian Grandfather.... he bought it in the 1950s, four generations have worked with it until now
I still have my Dad's Browning P35, 9mm pistol that he bought in London in 1940, on his way into Europe and North Africa. The grips rotted away in the heat and rain, but I carved new ones and it still shoots about as well as ever.
I want to share my 180 year old German Hunt Cabinet made from Walnut wood from the Black Forest hand carved
Why are like half of these items only a few years old? That doesn't feel like a bifl situation.
Well, BIFL is a little subjective. I read it as something really sturdy, dead people can't come on and post their old items. The average life is just under 80 years, so should we only allow things eighty years old?
Load More Replies... My parents are still using the dishwasher they bought circa 1975 and it works great.
In 1983 I bought an Oster Mini Food Processor so I could make my own baby food. It is 2022 and that thing still works like a charm.
That's amazing! I recently bought a spice/coffee grinder and it stopped working after two uses!
Load More Replies... I have a cheapo plastic rain jacket from Woolworth ... purchased in 1999 or 2000... It fits wonderfully (slightly oversized, not as tight as clothes tend to be nowadays) and has several large pockets (!) with zippers (!!) which haven't broken in all those years (!!!). And I even got complemented wearing it by a youngster (!!!!). Perfect ☺
My grandmother's grandmother clock (like a grandfather clock, but made to sit on a mantle) was given to her as a gift from her next-door neighbor when my grandparents got married. The neighbor had gotten it from *her* mother, when the neighbor had gotten married, who had gotten it from *her* mother when *she'd* gotten married. It was one of the things that my grandmother brought with her when she immigrated to the U.S., in 1920+/-. It needed the be wound once a week, and at some point, the mechanism needed to be cleaned and repaired. It has since been again cleaned and repaired by my cousin's daughter's husband, and it sits on their mantle. Said cousin's daughter also uses my grandmother's treadle sewing machine, from the early 1920s, similarly cleaned, oiled and repaired by her husband. Those are truly antiques. Soon, my father's wooden-handled pipe wrench, gifted to him in the 1930s, but I think made in the 1920s, will become one. Like Adam, I'm older than a lot of the stuff here.
My parents have a toaster from 1948 that still works great. The plug had to be replaced just under two years ago because it has been consistently used since it was made, but it still makes great toast. Also, I have a dresser and vanity set from sometime in the 1920's that's about as old as my grandparents would be if they were alive today. They're a bit scuffed but I think some Old English in the right shade will spruce them right up.
I used to work in an antique store and was told the general rule of thumb is 20 years for vintage and 50 years for antique
Until recently I was sewing almost daily on the sewing machine my Mum got for her 21st birthday in 1968. I bought a new machine to let the old one rest, but it's been rewired and polished and working good as new still!
My 1982 Ford Granada station wagon. I drive it everyday and have since 2006. CLARKSEPT-...e0ea25.jpg
When my 2nd fancy dryer broke I asked my father in law to help me find the oldest Sears dryer he could, I've been the proud owner of a 1976 lady Kenmore for 7 years now and she never disappoints!
So, my dad asked me if I wanted the (original) art nouveau buffet and top and clock my grandmother was given by her aunt as a wedding present. I was in town (1000km away) a few days in January and remembered it well, so I said "Sure!". "I'll bring it when I visit.", which was planned for March. In FEBRUARY the storage place burned down -- and with it the buffet, top, the table, the chairs... everything. The clock somehow survived the fire. Untouched, but a ton of smoke and water damage. He washed it a few times to get the soot out, and it was still working, but it looked very ropey. He came to visit a few days ago (September) and brought the clock with him. I've cleaned it again, carefully wiped the surfaces, treated it with the furniture oil (at least 30 year old oil!) a few times... voila. It now has pride of place on my mantlepiece. IMG_202309...cc6f3c.jpg
Oh, I should probably mention that the shepherd's hook hanging above it is also at least 50 years old, and he brought that on his visit last year in October. I also have my Granddad's Saddler's Clams -- both at LEAST 70 years old, possibly older. One is a "regular" one you put between your knees, which he brought with him a few days ago, the other last October is a "Clam chair" you sit on. And I have a bunch of my Granddad's saddler round knives, and other saddlery tools -- used by my Granddad, as well as my Dad, and ME, when I was about 10 years old, and taught how to stitch a bridle back together... (I'm 58 now) AND... I also have my Dad's Grandmother's wall clock. No clue how old it is... but I'm a bit "clocked" out now lol
Load More Replies... here is my vintage thing, it closed before I could post anything..... IMG_202211...be3833.jpg
I have an old milk bottle that had been laying in the grass by my dad's workshop for around 35 years. When he passed I was walking around there and picked it up. It now sits on a shelf at my house with some of the flowers from his funeral
It's not conspiracy anymore. It's a proven fact. I mean it's on the history channel now.
