A post in appreciation of things ‘Built to Last’

[Landy99]

A few months ago, I received a rather lovely steak knife from Stuart Mitchell. I was using it the other day and realised I would probably own it for the rest of my life. It then occurred to me how few of my possessions I could say the same for. This made me think about what a fashion-driven, throwaway, consumer culture we live in. Even if we only think about relatively modern times, the average Victorian household may have owned only a few hundred objects; the average UK household, with its consumer driven culture and planned obsolescence, now contains 5,000-10,000 objects!

So I thought I would start a thread and invite people to post memories of, stories about, and photos of objects that were built to last. They don’t have to be beautiful, luxurious or craftsman made, there’s just as much value in a functional homemade object - indeed they very often come with a better story!

I’m not a Luddite. Modern, ultra precise and increasingly automated manufacturing processes have undoubtably brought cheaper products to an increasing number of people but this can encourage people to buy things they don’t really need and these objects can lack a certain ‘soul’ that comes from the human touch and from knowing the story behind them.

I hope, with the inevitable artificial intelligence revolution that we’re on the brink of, that we see a resurgence in the desire for quality, man made objects - even if we’re unlikely to see a reduction in the number of number of objects we all own.

Anyway, if you’ve read this far, thank you for allowing me to get that out of my system! I look forward to your replies.

ATB, Landy99

 

[lochty]

Not a household object, but my 1888 Holland and Holland Royal. Still going strong.....

 

[Essexsussex]

“….objects that were built to last. They don’t have to be beautiful”

Me. I’m 50 on Sunday and fulfil both criteria

 

[JockStalk]

“….objects that were built to last. They don’t have to be beautiful”

Me. I’m 50 on Sunday and fulfil both criteria

I’m older and better looking

 

[Essexsussex]

I’m older and better looking

Think I’m still younger than my husqvarna rifle as well

 

[Bavarianbrit]

As a 17 year old apprentice at Humber Car Coventry in the prototype area I made this knife up from a mechanical hacksaw blade. The sheath I did later on my mums hand Singer sewing machine, now I am 76 so it has lasted well, it is awful workmanship but it holds an edge and is my oldest keepsake.

 

[WH308]

I really appreciate old stuff. It was built usually at a time when quality was a selling factor and purveyors of low quality items didn’t survive.

In no particular order,

1966 Gillette Slim Adjustable Razor, the pinnacle of DE razor design IMO.

1962 Fordson Dexta, more fun than a quad bike and it can spread muck!

1934 J.W Tolley 26” Sidelock. Handles like a wizards wand, a joy to carry on a driven day.

1973 Ford F100. From a time when trucks were tough and there really is no replacement for displacement.

1800’s London pattern anvil. Seen several lifetimes of work in Shelton Bar steelworks, still rings like a church bell and will see me out.

 

[Klenchblaize]

My vote goes to trees:

K

 

[Landy99]

As a 17 year old apprentice at Humber Car Coventry in the prototype area I made this knife up from a mechanical hacksaw blade. The sheath I did later on my mums hand Singer sewing machine, now I am 76 so it has lasted well, it is awful workmanship but it holds an edge and is my oldest keepsake.
View attachment 483604

Love this. What a great thing and imbued with lots of memories. I did an apprenticeship with Rover many years ago and remember a fellow apprentice doing the same thing.

 

[Landy99]

My vote goes to trees:
View attachment 483613
K

And the things they can go on to be used for afterwards.

 

[Landy99]

I really appreciate old stuff. It was built usually at a time when quality was a selling factor and purveyors of low quality items didn’t survive.

In no particular order,

1966 Gillette Slim Adjustable Razor, the pinnacle of DE razor design IMO.

1962 Fordson Dexta, more fun than a quad bike and it can spread muck!

1934 J.W Tolley 26” Sidelock. Handles like a wizards wand, a joy to carry on a driven day.

1973 Ford F100. From a time when trucks were tough and there really is no replacement for displacement.

1800’s London pattern anvil. Seen several lifetimes of work in Shelton Bar steelworks, still rings like a church bell and will see me out.

Couldn’t agree more! Perfect examples as well.

 

[Landy99]

Not a household object, but my 1888 Holland and Holland Royal. Still going strong.....

My great grandfather died when I was five. He left my sister a Kruggerand and me his Armstrong box lock. The Krugerrand (which I believe she still has) is probably now worth nearly 10 times that of the Armstrong but I wouldn’t swap it for the world. I learned to shoot with it on the farm and I still use it most weeks and will be handed down to my son (pretty sure I won’t be able to afford to leave many Krugerrands in my will anyway!)

 

[Tim.243]

A few months ago, I received a rather lovely steak knife from Stuart Mitchell. I was using it the other day and realised I would probably own it for the rest of my life. It then occurred to me how few of my possessions I could say the same for. This made me think about what a fashion-driven, throwaway, consumer culture we live in. Even if we only think about relatively modern times, the average Victorian household may have owned only a few hundred objects; the average UK household, with its consumer driven culture and planned obsolescence, now contains 5,000-10,000 objects!

So I thought I would start a thread and invite people to post memories of, stories about, and photos of objects that were built to last. They don’t have to be beautiful, luxurious or craftsman made, there’s just as much value in a functional homemade object - indeed they very often come with a better story!

I’m not a Luddite. Modern, ultra precise and increasingly automated manufacturing processes have undoubtably brought cheaper products to an increasing number of people but this can encourage people to buy things they don’t really need and these objects can lack a certain ‘soul’ that comes from the human touch and from knowing the story behind them.

I hope, with the inevitable artificial intelligence revolution that we’re on the brink of, that we see a resurgence in the desire for quality, man made objects - even if we’re unlikely to see a reduction in the number of number of objects we all own.

Anyway, if you’ve read this far, thank you for allowing me to get that out of my system! I look forward to your replies.

ATB, Landy99

Converted the coal bunker to a little shed for Mum, I did the block/brickwork under Dad's supervision at 15 (1976)
Managed the outside render scratch coat but Dad did the top coat.
Boot puller at 14 still works.
Some tools made in my 1st year as an apprentice 1977.
For those who might not know
Left to Right
Adjustable centre finder to clock up a work piece
Extended centre drill to save winding up the mill table
90/45 & 90/60/30 ground angles pieces to produce those angles.
Still using the lathe 51 years later.

 

[BenBhoy]

I’m not a Luddite.

A luddite would say that!!

 

[Landy99]

A luddite would say that!!

True Maybe a bit then. I’m not so much opposed to technological change, just the way in which we use it!

 

[Norfolk Horn]

As a 17 year old apprentice at Humber Car Coventry in the prototype area I made this knife up from a mechanical hacksaw blade. The sheath I did later on my mums hand Singer sewing machine, now I am 76 so it has lasted well, it is awful workmanship but it holds an edge and is my oldest keepsake.
View attachment 483604

Value is not always judged by the monetary value that is for sure.

 

[Norfolk Horn]

Converted the coal bunker to a little shed for Mum, I did the block/brickwork under Dad's supervision at 15 (1976)
Managed the outside render scratch coat but Dad did the top coat.
Boot puller at 14 still works.
Some tools made in my 1st year as an apprentice 1977.
For those who might not know
Left to Right
Adjustable centre finder to clock up a work piece
Extended centre drill to save winding up the mill table
90/45 & 90/60/30 ground angles pieces to produce those angles.
Still using the lathe 51 years later.


View attachment 483667
View attachment 483669
View attachment 483682

Had a tidy up then.

 

[Bowland blades]

As a 17 year old apprentice at Humber Car Coventry in the prototype area I made this knife up from a mechanical hacksaw blade. The sheath I did later on my mums hand Singer sewing machine, now I am 76 so it has lasted well, it is awful workmanship but it holds an edge and is my oldest keepsake.
View attachment 483604

Ah the " The Donkey saw , Knife" Made loads in my first two years . Amazing to see an obvious old one still not snapped in two ! Its obviously been used a good bit - its a rare one that lasts .
Older Farrier Rasps makes a good knife and can be forged and leave some tale of its teeth

 

[Tim.243]

Had a tidy up then.

Not in my dressing gown...mind you a couple of people said in the past our deer are so easy we only need slippers

 

[Jack3]

Late 1890’s Lee Speed .303

By far my favourite rifle in the cabinet and wonderful to shoot, as pictured below at the British Sporting Rifle Club (BSRC) mid-week range day last Wednesday.

Struggling slightly with the open sights (tips welcomed), but my dream is to take her up to Scotland and take a red stag off the hill. More practice needed in the meantime!