Quality

cp1969 · Feb 4, 2007

How many of you know what I'm talking about when I say there is something to be said for owning a high quality product. It seems that the quality of the product is, in and of itself, an attribute of considerable value although it usually doesn't affect whether or not the product functions correctly.

The money spent on an object may be the first thing you forget. For instance, I can't remember what I paid for my Milwaukee 1/2" drill. But when I pick it up and use it, I am happy I bought it and give no though to what it cost.

Same thing for my 30 year old Smith & Wesson K22. Don't remember what it cost but the longer I own it, the more appreciation I have for a fine revolver, such as it is. Whatever I paid for it in 1977 dollars, it was well worth it. It is, IMHO, the finest .22 revolver you can buy. Others will have their preferences, of course. I have nothing against Diamondbacks; but they just never struck the same chord with me.

Could I have made do with less expensive items? Of course. I would have a few bucks in the bank that I do not otherwise have right now. But I doubt that I would like those items nearly as well.

It seems that I have never regretted buying the best (or at least my opinion of what was "best") tool/gun/musical instrument or whatever that I could afford whereas I have many times regretted going the cheap route.

I wish I could come to my estate sale.

randy41 · Feb 4, 2007

i love it when i buy something cheap and it works real good

mjarrels · Feb 4, 2007

Some of my best tools and equipment came from garage sales and estate auction... Before trade with China.

I have an old ruger 22 auto handgun... bought about 35 years ago, has fired thousands and thousands and thousands of rounds without ever being cleaned.

mark

johnk · Feb 4, 2007

You can't afford to fire that many rounds now with the price of metal going up. Most of the cheap stuff is throw away after a few uses. You buy the Chinese Wrenches etc they are junk after a few uses but nice to have them for the initial use. Nothing like having an aluminum Rigid pipe wrench 20 years old that still is in great shape after a lot of use over the years. I think things are made to break or disintigrate to provide Job security..By the way the K22 is a great .22....You want to buy a Taurus hangun thats what you have. A copy of the good ones. Is it something you would want when your life is on the line?? I don't think so. Targets Yeah, Personal protection no..Not picking on Taurus there are many more out there...

YanmarFever · Feb 4, 2007

CP1969

You can buy (almost anything) made in the USA. and its has quality.

I try & avoid chinese products like the plauge, they are nothing but JUNK in my opinion.

I was hurt while turning a chinese wrench a few years ago. I was working on a loader when the piece of cra- stripped out, slipped & Im still paying the price on my neck.

Just remember this, chinese tools are NOT heat treated

I buy American, japanese, or do without.

Yes im thru now.

MossRoad · Feb 5, 2007

I like anything that is well made and will agree that it is a satisfying feeling to pick up a tool time and time again and never have it fail. What's even better is to have something that you saw your dad, grandpa or some other mentor figure use when you were a kid and it still works for you. Can't beat that feeling.

N80 · Feb 5, 2007

cp1969, I know what you are talking about and I think there are several levels to this. At the extremes are super high dollar items that are super well made. These types of things are always a pleasure. Names that come to mind are Zeiss, Leica, Rolex, any number of Italian shotgun makers, etc etc. Many of these products cost more than the value of the actual quality, if you know what I mean, but much of the pleasure they bring has as much to do with the appreciation of that quality as their actual function. There are any number of cameras that will perform and produce images as good or better than a Leica M series rangefinder. But you can see, feel and hear the quality of the camera and for a lot of people that is joy of the experience. If the money is worth it to them, that's great.

Then there are the good, quality dependable products that look good, perform well and work as advertised. I think of companies like Honda, Nikon, Seiko, etc. Good stuff, but doesn't exactly appeal to the quality fetish, but you get what you pay for. This is what usually appeals to me.

Then there is the sub-par stuff. Might work well might not. Usually cheaper than the others.

Then there is low price junk.

There are two exceptions, each nearly opposite from the other. 1) High priced, big name stuff that turns out to be crap. Nothing worse in the world. Makes me mad just to think about it. 2) The cheap piece of junk that ends up working well and long. To my Scottish disposition that's one of the best things in the world. Makes me smile just thinking about it.

Bird · Feb 5, 2007

my 30 year old Smith & Wesson

You've got newer stuff than I do; both of my Smith & Wesson .38s were bought new almost 42 years ago.

The City paid $50 for the K model back then, and I paid $54.80, including tax, for the Chief, a holster for it, and a box of ammo.

Oh, in case you're wondering, retiring officers with 20 or more years service can buy their city issued sidearm when they retire, if they wish. So I do keep the receipt.

mjarrels · Feb 5, 2007

Yes quality... the fine feel of a crafted over/under shotgun with a golden trigger that breaks in, not out... or the hooded sweat shirt that you just bought and the zipper does not work.

mark