THE BEST STUFF: Made in USA

Self ^ | December 31, 2001 | Self

[Fester Chugabrew]

As a discussion recently transpired here on Free Republic, it occurred to me how many cheap goods have infiltrated the marketplaces of the USA. It also occurred to me that Free Republic would be the best place to begin a list of those products, made in the United States of America, that today have a long lasting quality about them.

I mean tangible goods. For example, when I was younger I had a few Tonka^® trucks. Look at a Tonka^® truck today, you you will certainly see how they don't make them like they used to. Too much plastic, and a "Made in Hong Kong" label. The same seems to have happened, by and large, with Lionel^® Trains. While this is the perfect forum to debate the reasons for such cheapening of durigible goods, we should do something practical here on the side.

So let us build a list of the best stuff made in the United States of America, and let that list be shared. Then, perhaps, when the next holiday season arrives we will know what things to purchase as gifts. We will also know throughout the year what tangible goods may be of most benefit to our homes and families. We can do this "on the side" as it were, while we debate the more serious issues facing our land and people.

Please make sure the items are made in the USA. Think of those tangibles that have enduring qualities about them. Attributes would include: Heavy duty, solid design, long lasting reputation, high standards, etc. If, along the way, we discover there is little or nothing of true value made in the USA, then maybe some of us will be inspired to start something, or build something, of long lasting quality.

Some may come along to plug their own goods. That's okay, as long as it's quality stuff. In view of the fact, however, that this forum is not to be a platform for personal business advertising it may not be a good idea. Others have already begun a recent thread on FR to put forth the idea of a "Made in the USA" store. Please peruse this thread as well, but then come back here to help us list specific products that might be included in such a store.

As the list becomes tried and true we might refine it and release it as perhaps, for lack of a better title: The Made in USA List of Goods Made in the USA.

[Cboldt]

Now there is a shameless self-promotional bump! (yours, re: Wells Cargo)

I've been scratching muh head for days trying to top the best that Freepers have. Not gonna give up . . .

[Cboldt]

Don't overlook the American Smoking Pipes made by Mark Tinsky. A gentleman, who does business the old-fashioned way. He has made several pipes for me, to order, and wonderful smokers they are at a fair price.

[Fester Chugabrew]

"Now there is a shameless self-promotional bump!"

Dang. Just when I thought I could slip one in . . .

[Madame Dufarge]

New Balance sneakers.

I'm not even sure if they're 100% American, the parts may be manufactured overseas(?)

I love the way they come in widths, the most comfortable sneakers I've ever worn.

[Fester Chugabrew]

"New Balance sneakers."

Not long ago I asked a Jr. High football/basketball coach what the best walking shoes would be. He said New Balance without hesitation. At my age a good pair of walking shoes is a must, but I've yet to spring for a pair.

[Cboldt]

Johnson Murphy makes a fine dress shoe.

[LibWhacker]

American made kitchen knives . . .

Check Lamson & Goodnow. The company is the oldest American knife manufacturer in the business, and it had the contract during the Civil War to provide Union Army soldiers with their field knives. That field knife, which, at least in terms of design, exists largely unchanged today, IS their hand-forged 8" Chefs' Knife. Imagine that . . . A kitchen knife that is as durable as a fighting knife! I remember one writer for Fighting Knives Magazine saying that he would be proud and completely confident carrying it into battle in a modern war.

I can't believe there are people in here dissing American made knives! Sheesh! American made knives are the best knives in the world today -- if you know what you're looking for, and you know where to look.

One thing about Lamson & Goodnow: As with most other manufacturers they make a whole range of products, from cheap to expensive. If you want what is arguably the best kitchen knife available in the world today, you'll buy their top of the line LamsonSharp, hand forged knives (forget the stamped and stock removal crap . . . it must say 'FORGED' on the blade!) having rosewood handles, full-tangs, three brass rivets, with the center rivet having a hollow head. Looking at my 8" Chefs' knife, it's model #750. Buy your set to match and with proper care, it'll definitely be heirloom stuff, something your great-great-great grandkids might inherit.

[shaggy eel]

BUMP

[mommya]

Wigwam socks. My husband keeps them as his "sacred" ones - won't wear them to work.

[Fester Chugabrew]

MAGLITE makes a really fine flashlight.

[Fester Chugabrew]

A recap listing most of the products mentioned thus far:

AMD CPU Chips
Andy Fautheree Muzzle Loaders
Arizona Jeans
Batesville Caskets
Belmont Caskets
Beretta Pistols
Bunn Coffee Makers
Cary Audio
Caterpillar Heavy Equipment
Champion Boxer Briefs
Chicago Cutlery
Clark Frazier Muzzle Loaders
Craftsman Tools (some)
Estwing Hammers
French Paper Company
Gerstner Tool Chest
Glock Pistols
Gramicci Clothing
Harley Davidson Motorcycles
Harry Pope Muzzle Loaders
Homer Dangler Muzzle Loaders
Horace Warner Muzzle Loaders
Infinity Speakers
Ithaca Shotguns
JIF Peanut Butter
John Deere Equipment
Johnson Murphy Dress Shoes
Justin Work Boots
Ken Bresien Muzzle Loaders
Kirsten Pipe Company
Krell Audio Equipment
Lamson & Goodnow Knives
Libbey Glassware
Mack Trucks
Mackie Audio Mixers
Maglite Flashlights
Marcellius Casket Company
Mark Levinson Audio Equipment
Mark Tinsky Smoking Pipes
Martin-Logan Loudspeakers
Napa Valley Wines
New Balance Sneakers
Pendleton Wool
Penn Reels
Red Wing Shoes
Remington Firearms
Revel Speakers
Ruger Firearms
Savage Centerfire Rifles
Simplicity Lawn Tractors
South Bend Lathes
Swingline Staplers
Stickley Brothers Furniture
Troy-Bilt Equipment
Wells Cargo Trailers
Wigwam Socks

Will try to do a web page with links some day, but this is where we're at for now. (What the heck were all those comments "removed by moderator?")

Thanks to all for the ideas so far.

[Cboldt]

Beats me, re comments excised by the admin moderator, but it's his house, and maybe the comments had a foul smell of something.

Mark Tinsky's pipes are branded "American Smoking Pipes," and they are.

[savedbygrace]

New Balance sneakers.

Not all of them are, so you need to buy at a shoe store. That way you can look at the tongue label to make sure the model you want is made here.

AFAIK, New Balance shoes are the only sports shoes (running, walking, etc.) still made in the USA. I have 3 pairs of their walking shoes and they are the best I've ever bought. Bar none.

[sinkspur]

Here's another:

Almost all packaged software is made in the USA.

[MadIvan]

I believe I'm right in saying that the USA publishes more books than any other country as well.

Regards, Ivan

[July 4th]

The 2100+ in my desktop was "Made in Malaysia."

[Grampa Dave]

Most of the middle to high end fly fishing rods, reels and lines are made in America. Many have lifetime or 25 year guarantees.

With fly fishing equipment it is easier to just avoid the products not made in America.

[Madame Dufarge]

New Balance has a factory in Skowhegan, Maine, with a factory outlet store. That's where I get mine.

[savedbygrace]

New Balance has several factories in the US. They say they are commited to manufacturing a percertage of their shoes in the USA. I suspect they use a lot of materials from elsewhere, but at least they manufacture some of the models here.

That's why I first suggested buying at a store, so you can see the Made in USA label.

[brityank]

Whirlpool for appliances. Now a world-wide corporation, it started in and is headquartered in the US. Their large appliances are well made and relatively trouble free. Replacement parts are readily available, reasonably priced, and frequently upgraded, with commonality within models.

Great idea; I'll check the rest of the thread later.