No more hand made stuff
I got bitten by the BIFL bug—or at least I’ve been trying to buy things that will last at least 10 years. Unfortunately, I’ve met with disappointment every time.
I bought three pairs of Nicks boots, hoping they’d last at least seven years before needing to be resoled. Two pairs had cosmetic defects that looked like they’d been made by a cobbler in training. One pair was perfect; I bought that one during their “free range” special.
Then I got into DE razors. For the most part I liked the razors themselves—they’ll last—but the service just sucked, especially with Razor Emporium. I’m going back to disposables.
Hell, I even tried handmade boot laces from Pisgah Laces. I emailed them an hour after placing the order (and a week before they shipped) to request a length change. No reply. Nothing. Then I got a tracking number saying the laces had already shipped. Yeah… not buying from them again.
I try to give small businesses a chance, but not anymore. I’m going back to name-brand disposables for everything now—shoes, razors, clothes, etc. Except for mechanical Swiss watches. Those I’m keeping.