HighlanderNorth
Flashlight Enthusiast
These days it maybe a bit harder to ask this type of question due to the so called "global economy which has equated to millions of lost jobs due to companies moving overseas. This has caused other problems such as poor products being imported to replace the products that used to be made in our countries with pride. Also, there are companies that still operate in our countries, and have chosen to stay, but a few have deceptively cashed in on that by raising their prices unjustifiably higher than before, while falling behind on innovation and even quality in some cases. I can think of one glaring example often mentioned here.
But I think most companies that made a good product a few years ago still do. What I am looking for here, are companies that you have respected for a long time and are loyal to. Companies that make products that you will continue to buy for years to come. Or it could be a company that you just started buying from, but their products seem really well made. This is kind of a best of the best companies thread.
I have been buying Rocky brand boots since 1990. The first pair I bought were outdoor, winter hunting boots that I used for hiking and casual wear. That model had the odd name Rocky "Corn Stalkers". From the moment I slid them on, they were hands down the best pair of boots I'd ever worn, and the most comfortable pair of shoes of any type I'd ever owned! My friend Rob turned me onto them because the only store that sold them was owned by WL Gore(Goretex), his father was a VP there, and they contained Goretex. Ironically, my Dad worked in Cordura(DuPont), which the outers were partially constructed of. I own 3 pairs of Rocky boots right now, but I have to say that their quality isnt quite what it was 10 years ago due to overseas manufacture. They are still good and all, but not fantastic...
Next would be the Yamaha company. They are based out of Japan, but I believe they have facilities here and elsewhere too. They say in business you need to specialize, or you spread yourself too thin and your products suffer for it. Yamaha is the rare example of a company that completely blows that ideal out of the water. They make all sorts of different products, but everything they touch seems to turn to gold. They make among the best motorcycles. They make among the best outboard boat motors. They apparently also make the V-8 auto engine in the British Noble M600 super car. The best home entertainment setup I ever had was mostly Yamaha components. My best friend had a home studio recording setup, again all Yamaha studio recording components and speakers. My first really good electric guitar was a Yamaha. I know people who own great drum sets made by, you guessed it, Yamaha. Yamaha makes the best high end pianos next to Steinway. They also make brass instruments, woodwinds, string instruments including violins, violas, cellos, as well as semiconductors.
Also, I bought a new Harley Davidson Sportster back in '06, and I remember the negative cliches from the AMF days of the late 60's through 80's, like "they mark their spot"(leak oil). But that was long ago, and my Sportster never fails to start, runs like a champ, and has never had a problem. Doesnt ever mark its spot either!
What companies do you have great respect for, or who make a great product?
But I think most companies that made a good product a few years ago still do. What I am looking for here, are companies that you have respected for a long time and are loyal to. Companies that make products that you will continue to buy for years to come. Or it could be a company that you just started buying from, but their products seem really well made. This is kind of a best of the best companies thread.
I have been buying Rocky brand boots since 1990. The first pair I bought were outdoor, winter hunting boots that I used for hiking and casual wear. That model had the odd name Rocky "Corn Stalkers". From the moment I slid them on, they were hands down the best pair of boots I'd ever worn, and the most comfortable pair of shoes of any type I'd ever owned! My friend Rob turned me onto them because the only store that sold them was owned by WL Gore(Goretex), his father was a VP there, and they contained Goretex. Ironically, my Dad worked in Cordura(DuPont), which the outers were partially constructed of. I own 3 pairs of Rocky boots right now, but I have to say that their quality isnt quite what it was 10 years ago due to overseas manufacture. They are still good and all, but not fantastic...
Next would be the Yamaha company. They are based out of Japan, but I believe they have facilities here and elsewhere too. They say in business you need to specialize, or you spread yourself too thin and your products suffer for it. Yamaha is the rare example of a company that completely blows that ideal out of the water. They make all sorts of different products, but everything they touch seems to turn to gold. They make among the best motorcycles. They make among the best outboard boat motors. They apparently also make the V-8 auto engine in the British Noble M600 super car. The best home entertainment setup I ever had was mostly Yamaha components. My best friend had a home studio recording setup, again all Yamaha studio recording components and speakers. My first really good electric guitar was a Yamaha. I know people who own great drum sets made by, you guessed it, Yamaha. Yamaha makes the best high end pianos next to Steinway. They also make brass instruments, woodwinds, string instruments including violins, violas, cellos, as well as semiconductors.
Also, I bought a new Harley Davidson Sportster back in '06, and I remember the negative cliches from the AMF days of the late 60's through 80's, like "they mark their spot"(leak oil). But that was long ago, and my Sportster never fails to start, runs like a champ, and has never had a problem. Doesnt ever mark its spot either!
What companies do you have great respect for, or who make a great product?
I still love the old SunTour stuff, but they just couldn't compete. I also love the vintage Campagnolo stuff, which was beautifully built and had some great engineering standards, but their designs were stagnant for too long and rested on their laurels.
