I saw this post and wanted to ask the opposite. What are some items that really aren’t worth paying the expensive version for? Preferably more extreme or unexpected examples.

  • On this topic: I heard once that you should first buy cheap tools. Use them until they break and then decide what you want to improve about those tools and buy better ones. Often those first tools never break. This seems like pretty good advice for most things.

    As a person who has been buying cheap tools all my life… YES! Most of the tools I bought came from thrift stores and the bargain bin. If someone stole my toolset, it’ll probably amount to $60 lost.

    But they’ve lasted for 15 years now. Not because of quality. But because my frequency of usage is so low. I’ve used a hammer what… 20 times in my life?

    I did replace my screwdriver kit and Allen wrench set twice, because I use them a lot.

    • @GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      41 year ago

      I’ve used hammers a lot in my life. I came across a really cheap brand of hammer which made me realize it was in fact possible to make a hammer poorly. The head wasn’t even hardened. Hitting nails literally left dents in it. I broke the claw trying to pull a nail that was less than 6" long. It’s possible that someone in your situation would have found value in this hammer, but I think someone who did something more involved than framing a single wall wouldn’t.

      • @W3dd1e@programming.dev
        link
        fedilink
        21 year ago

        As someone who got hit in the face with the head of a hammer that flew off the handle, I don’t roll with cheap hammers. Also, I stand far away from anyone with tools. 👍