[J Sway]

Leather boots, lace-up and pull-on, at least one pair of each. Style doesn't matter, whatever suits your tastes. If they can't be re-soled, they're trash. Anything $300+ gets the job done, but the higher prices will get you better quality leather. If you wear them regularly, get them resoled every year whether they need it or not. Surprise holes from thin spots will ruin them.

A good shoe/leather care kit with high quality oils, creams, lotions, and polishes. Sure, you can pay a cobbler or shiner to do the work, but you'd be much better off doing it yourself and learning to appreciate and take care of them. They're not "kicks", they're a fucking investment. Take care of them, and they will become a second skin on your feet.

A quality leather bomber or biker jacket. Use the leather care kit and give it a yearly rub down with saddle soap, leather lotion, and a super thin coating of mink or dubbin oil, it'll last you a lifetime and end up an heirloom.

Actually, anything made of high quality tanned leather. Bags, shoes, outerwear, home furnishings, et al.

A decent multi-tool and/or pocketknife. I feel like this one just needs to be constantly and consistently repeated, ad nauseum. Too many guys out there walking around without one getting stuck in the lurch when something breaks.

[ComebackKid]

Audio system in shower.

Don't knock it until you try it.

[ed pluribus unum]

-leather belt. Shelled out for a good one several years ago and it gets more supple with every year, without looking worn. Love it, wear it just about every day.
-boots. Caterpillar brand steel toe ankle boot that I wear when I'm on my bike. They're heavy but the leather is thick and although scuffed, not torn or worn through anywhere. Soles are held together with automotive Goop but I'm loathe to let them go. Had them for nigh on 20 years now.
-pen. Schrade tactical fountain pen; a recent acquisition to replace a worn Parker. Heavy-duty but light aluminum tube, very nice steel nib for smooth writing.
-knife. Nothing too expensive for EDC (because I'd hate to lose it), but like the size and weight of a Byrd (Spyderco's budget brand) Meadowlark.

When I leave the house with these things, I feel like I'm suited up and ready to take on the day.

[Praetor Lupus]

Oddly enough, I was ruminating on this very topic as I walked home from work yesterday: can material objects legitimately bring happiness? Or are they part of some entrapment in the five sense reality?

The latter is what cappuccino spiritualists always seem to bang on about, especially the sort of cunts who wear turtleneck sweaters with suit jackets and preach that we should focus on our oneness while eating grass and wearing sandals made of jute.

They say such items are temporary distractions, that nothing (no-thing) is permanent. But they forget that nobody (no-body) is permanent either.

I've seen the subject of craftsmanship and individuality brought up by many guys on this thread. That is part of what makes us human - the ability to conceive something in our imaginations and bring it into reality using our skills and resources. It is one of the things that separates us from the animals. It is one of the things that the enemies of humanity envy and fear about us.

The evidence is in buildings in free countries, like Grand Central station, the Empire State and the Shard. They are monuments to the human spirit to reach up from the dust from which it came, to better oneself and advance. Compare that to the brutalist horseshit of socialist hellholes, which are crass concrete lumps of hatred, ennui and despair made manifest, deliberately designed to impose their will amongst traditional buildings that have been there for decades or centuries.

Can material objects bring happiness? Absolutely. A handcrafted piece will always give you more pleasure than something that's been made by a machine.

[BelyyTigr]

(09-07-2016 12:08 AM)Praetor Lupus Wrote:  

Oddly enough, I was ruminating on this very topic as I walked home from work yesterday: can material objects legitimately bring happiness? Or are they part of some entrapment in the five sense reality?

The latter is what cappuccino spiritualists always seem to bang on about, especially the sort of cunts who wear turtleneck sweaters with suit jackets and preach that we should focus on our oneness while eating grass and wearing sandals made of jute.

They say such items are temporary distractions, that nothing (no-thing) is permanent. But they forget that nobody (no-body) is permanent either.

I've seen the subject of craftsmanship and individuality brought up by many guys on this thread. That is part of what makes us human - the ability to conceive something in our imaginations and bring it into reality using our skills and resources. It is one of the things that separates us from the animals. It is one of the things that the enemies of humanity envy and fear about us.

The evidence is in buildings in free countries, like Grand Central station, the Empire State and the Shard. They are monuments to the human spirit to reach up from the dust from which it came, to better oneself and advance. Compare that to the brutalist horseshit of socialist hellholes, which are crass concrete lumps of hatred, ennui and despair made manifest, deliberately designed to impose their will amongst traditional buildings that have been there for decades or centuries.

Can material objects bring happiness? Absolutely. A handcrafted piece will always give you more pleasure than something that's been made by a machine.

But your comments about "socialist hellholes" could be applied to capitalist countries equally or even far more so.
Penn Station was destroyed by nothing other than corporate greed and idiocy, as have countless other beautiful buildings.
The Communist world has many beautiful buildings built during Communism. Think of Moscow's railway stations and underground vs America's. Think of countless buildings eg Moscow State Uni. Yet some capitalist countries have never built one decent, beautiful building.

On the general topic, I think material objects cna and do bring happiness. But so do non-material things. How many people would sell their children for a Ferrari? There needs to be some sort of balance. Why have a giant home as some sort of dick measuring contest if it never has guests, for example. There are people brainwashed into making themselves miserable for decades by materialism which never gives them a real payback. But a nice environment and expression of your identity is/can be a form of "materialism" and also healthy.

[dispenser]

@BelyyTiger
Corporate architecture is usually hideous, but there's rarely the degree of spite found in socialist government buildings.
A scene from Budapest, which is otherwise well-preserved.
Look left. You know they were itching to knock down the cathedral itself, but had to content themselves to shitting on its doorstep. Spiteful.



Common factor between corporate and socialist hideousness, though, is that they come from long distance central planning, with no ties to local culture (the only kind there is.)

---

On a more positive note, I have just bought some stainless steel cookware after a long time without access to a kitchen.
I enjoy being in control of my diet.

[Leonard D Neubache]

Call me a hick, but...

[aeroektar]

As a photography geek, definitely camera gear. I'm into vintage film stuff and the newer digital cameras that function ergonomically similar to older film cameras, less menus and more physical controls is my preference. I currently use a Limited Edition Fuji X100 and love it.



I've at points owned all kinds of cameras, 35mm film, medium format, large format, full frame DSLRs, and I downsized big time at one point because I wasn't using most of it and wanted the money in the bank. If money wasn't an issue I'd have these things.

Linhof Technika 4X5 with Zeiss lenses, legendary stuff.


Contax g3 in black with Zeiss planar 45mm, extremely refined high quality 35mm system.


Plaubel Makina 6x7, my dream camera.

[Sombro]

I lean towards the ascetic in disposition, so I value objects of historical or familial importance as much as any object of utility.
A family musket from 1810.
Family daguerreotypes from the mid-1800's.
Wilted leaves from a wreath presented at a speech from a Charles Lindbergh speaking tour.
A menu from the Concorde jet.
WWI medals and ribbons from family members.
A framed silver medal and newsclipping of my great-grandfather having saved somesone's life (guy being electrocuted on some roof/bad wiring).

Anyway, those things have meaning because of the hardships endured by family before you, and it gives one perspective on how easy a lot of people have it nowadays.
It's humbling, and that is not a bad thing.

[Penta Sahi]

A good set of computer speakers with a good subwoofer.

A good phone that does everything (Galaxy S7 Edge).

Pocket multi-tool (Leatherman Skeletool CX).

A nice fluffy pair of sweatpants for lounging in the house. Super comfy.

[Leonard D Neubache]

Changed posture = changed life.



I can't recommend these more highly.

[AtyourCervix]

How is this thing called?

[CaptainChardonnay]

(08-13-2016 05:25 PM)greekgod Wrote:  

Gitta agree with Darian, crockpot is vital and underrated.

Additionally;

-Bed. Spent $2200 on it and is worth every penny.
-Noise cancelling headphones. Helps me get in the zone, drown out distractions at work, and use binaural beats to curb sunday scaries.
-Yoga mat makes life better
-quality running shoes to hit the road and clear my mind
-wide mouthed shower head
-light fluffy blankets for the summer
-Bluetooth sonos speaker always comesin handy.
-Sharp, masculine winter clothing. I always enjoy buying quality winter clothing.

Notable that almost everything is a functional and very little "status" pieces across the board.

Could you go into the highlighted above? I want to update my wardrobe and am looking for ideas. Where I'm at it gets to around negative 20 to 50 degrees Celsius so balancing looking good while keeping warm is essential

[Leonard D Neubache]

(09-08-2016 09:41 PM)AtyourCervix Wrote:  

How is this thing called?

Search "ergonomic kneeling chair".

I paid $150 for mine after a back injury which seemed like too much but considering the effect it's had I'd pay twice that much if I ever had to replace it.

[Penta Sahi]

(09-08-2016 09:44 PM)CaptainChardonnay Wrote:  

(08-13-2016 05:25 PM)greekgod Wrote:  

-Sharp, masculine winter clothing. I always enjoy buying quality winter clothing.

Could you go into the highlighted above? I want to update my wardrobe and am looking for ideas. Where I'm at it gets to around negative 20 to 50 degrees Celsius so balancing looking good while keeping warm is essential

I'll chime in with one piece of advice here. Get a Peacoat. Black, dark blue, or dark grey. Goes with many different types of pants, looks sharp, keeps you warm.

I've gone out with just a shirt under my coat in negative weather and been perfectly fine.

   

   

   

[Kona]

(09-08-2016 07:35 AM)Leonard D Neubache Wrote:  

Call me a hick, but...

Second the chainsaw. I've owned stihls, good stuff. I'm loyal to echo though.

When I first got my cs680 all I wanted to do was walk around and cut things.

Aloha!

[Leonard D Neubache]

Some people are switching to Husqvarnas here but as gay as it sounds I like that my saws and my Fiskars gear are colour coordinated.



Damn, though, but do they cut like hell fresh out of the box. It's like swinging around a light saber.

[Plutoman]

Simple here, but one of my best purchases was a set of bamboo fiber sheets & pillow case & duvet. Unbelievably soft (after a few washes).

Not really as durable.. but sleeping on them is so great. They feel so much cooler against the skin, but you still keep warm when it is cold. I tend to sweat a lot, so these things can be pretty important. I need to sleep in <70, preferably ~68, to feel good, but in the summer that bumps the AC bill way too high.

[Lagavulin]

(09-08-2016 09:28 PM)Leonard D Neubache Wrote:  

Changed posture = changed life.



I can't recommend these more highly.

High praise indeed!

I've got a long term back injury that I'm currently trying to rehab. I've never heard of these chairs before but I'm intrigued.

What noticeable benefits/effect has it had on you since you got it? How long to see a difference?

[Kona]

(09-09-2016 03:55 AM)Leonard D Neubache Wrote:  

Some people are switching to Husqvarnas here but as gay as it sounds I like that my saws and my Fiskars gear are colour coordinated.



Damn, though, but do they cut like hell fresh out of the box. It's like swinging around a light saber.

Noone understands coordination tool coordination better than me. If you are going to feel good you need to look good.

Not many know this but Fiskars makes boats. A guy near my boat just rehabbed an old aluminum utility boat and it is gorgeous, its a fiskars.

Aloha!

[SamuelBRoberts]

"Changed posture = changed life."

Wait, what the hell is that chair thing?
My posture is awful and chairs hurt bad.
I'm totally up for trying something new.

[ms224]

Nice tools


Once you have a lathe, mill and tig welder its hard to imagine how people live without them.

[Leonard D Neubache]

(09-09-2016 08:51 PM)SamuelBRoberts Wrote:  

"Changed posture = changed life."

Wait, what the hell is that chair thing?
My posture is awful and chairs hurt bad.
I'm totally up for trying something new.

test (apologies)

I'm trying to post something here but the site security keeps breaking my balls.

The seat encourages you to sit in a semi-squatting position which seems to trick my body into thinking it's still active. A normal chair puts me into slack-bastard-slump-mode and my spine ends up conforming horribly to that right angle between the seat cushion and the seat back. Bad news, especially over a long time.

With this kneeling chair I can get up really easily a hundred time a day if necessary without having to drag myself out of a slack-bastard-slump-mode. It keeps my energy levels up and my back stays straighter as a result.

I injured my lower back a few months ago and every chair/couch I sat on was painful to use. I bought this thing on a hope and a prayer and when I sat down in it I had no pain at all. My back has been getting better ever since.

One thing to note. They're not typically scaled for anyone 6 foot or taller. Mine is at max height and it's not quite at a level I'm 100% happy with.

[Tex Cruise]

(09-09-2016 03:55 AM)Leonard D Neubache Wrote:  

Some people are switching to Husqvarnas here

I've got a whole collection of chainsaws, even back to beasts like this one

While the old beasts are fun to use for novelty/manliness value, my main saw is a Husqvarna. (Husqvarna saws come in 3 levels: Hobby, Farm, and Forestry, mine is Forestry) My reasoning was that if you compare the stats on any Husqvarna to it's equivalent Stihl model, You'll find in every case that the Husky is cheaper, more powerful, and lighter (Which, having had a back injury too, is easy to appreciate.) The Stihl and Husqvarna engines come from exactly the same factory.
I cut a lot of the smaller wood up on a vintage sawbench belted up to a vintage tractor, which is not only easier on the spine, but great for testosterone levels and beard growth too.

( I have that same model Hilux as in the picture too, but a single cab.)

[Leonard D Neubache]

Some of those big old machines are terrifying.

No vibration dampeners, no chain brake and enough power to pull the saw through the log along with the operator.

No thanks. I don't have the beard growing credentials for that type of manliness.