things you have owned for 20+ years that you still use regularly

https://www.retrotogo.com/2010/11/ebay-watch-1970s-krups-wall-clock-2.html

45 years and going strong.

my cricket bag, nowadays more a sort of sack

my wife lol j/k

literally nothing

I bought a cheap plastic kettle in '98 and took it to university with me and it still gets used every day.

And our dining table and 2 dining chairs are hand-me-downs from my parents, older than me and used regularly throughout my childhood. Again, cheap stuff when it was new, but doing better than stuff we bought new when we moved in. (Could do with reupholstering one of the chairs and getting the table properly stripped and re-varnished, though.)

Been thinking lately about how various kitchen appliances my parents had when I was in my 20s were also in their 20s and still running, but my last washing machine and dishwasher died after 3 years and the repair guy looked at us like we were nuts expecting them to last any longer.

On which note, we got rid of our old car last year at 20 years old - only the bf's for 15 though so, yes, off-topic. RIP old friend - but it kept needing work and it was going to cost a lot to get it past the MOT. Wondering now if that was a good choice, though, seeing as I guess that's about the last vintage of car which is mechanically fixable for years on end, whereas our new-to-us car will likely need replacing in a few years when the onboard computer gives up. Ah, progress.

I should mention that our Maytag clothes washer was purchased in 1987 and still runs as well as the day we bought it! That was before Maytag Corp. was bought out and went downhill. Our Sears Kenmore refrigerator was purchased the same year and probably should be replaced, but it still works and we always find other uses for our time than to research and buy major appliances.

A small, old dining room table that used to belong to my parents still gets used, the stereo speakers I bought in high school, probably some kitchen utensils I inherited from my parents that I'm not picturing right now.

Definitely a few t-shirts I bought in high school, and an old flannel shirt that I still use for yard work that is at least from 1993.

i bought my speakers when i went off to university in 1979

I still have the speakers I bought when I went to college but I don’t use them anymore because the foam surrounds cracked and I’m too lazy to fix them.

I have some houseplants that are coming up on 30 years old; a drill, circular saw, lots of other hand tools; a few t-shirts and other clothes, mostly wearable only for yardwork

Oh yeah, I have a minicassette recorder I bought in '98 that still works swell. I think I've only had to change the batteries on the thing like maybe three times, it's weird.

Guitars, cutlery, my old a-level calculator will all be 25+ years old. We bought this house in 2001 so most of our furniture etc is almost 18 years old.

The Schwinn 10 speed bike my dad got me when I was 12 and not quite big enough for it yet
I'm 49 now and still use it

My letter opener - which is from 1890-ish - and I have owned for thirty years. It's the only thing I can think of.

A Casio scientific calculator

same. this one:
http://casio.ledudu.com/images/calculs/casio/machines/zoom/fx115v.jpg

a PONY tennis racket bag

and have kept around two of my oldest rackets cuz they're still fun to hit with: dunlop max 200g and wilson graphite matrix, both mid-80s models.

forgot my Onkyo tape deck

Apart from clothes?

A bureau that was my grandfather's, where he taught me to do joined-up handwriting. Now I do joined-up bills and things at it in my living room, forty years later.

Same as others although yeah moving 9 times in 6 years and never owning a home has kind of kept "keeping house" at bay. But I have some tshirts from HS and college, some tools. I came to NYC on a plane in 1998 with just 2 suitcases, have gradually brought items from parents' home over the years but mostly I moved without "stuff." Come to think of it, my suitcase is over 20 years old, and was a gift, and is monogrammed (lol) and kinda tattered but still rolls and zips and everything just fine.

Otoh I have a lot of things that I purchased already old/"vintage" that I use all the time, but I haven't owned them for 20 years yet.

HP scientific calculator, although i don't do anything scientific with it

it features reverse polish notation, so no one else can use it

like others, same house for 20 years, so many things (both fortunately/unfortunately). more worrisome would be things you have owned for 20+ years that you’ve never (ever) used. would start with many books and records, but I’m sure there are other things, like the underwater camera my father bought and never used during his brief scuba phase.

iterally nothing

― ( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) (jim in vancouver), Tuesday, March 19, 2019 9:44 AM (two hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

oh, how could i forgot, i have my teddy bear bobo, with a sweater that my mum knitted for him circa 1988, and a framed and signed print from the paul mcstay testimonial

https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images3/360/0914/06/celtic-fc-huge-collection-framed_360_769630afabe521c863e5d7deb27d1263.jpg

How regularly do you use Paul McStay?

A digital alarm clock I bought back in 1995, still used daily.
Another year and the trackball and keyboard I'm currently using will both be 20 years old.

How regularly do you use Paul McStay?

― Lammy's Show (Tom D.), Tuesday, March 19, 2019 12:27 PM (thirteen minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

he's hanging on the bedroom wall!

Quick prayer to him before bedtime.

I have a Sony clock radio cassette player that I got for my birthday in 1994 that I still use as an alarm clock. Pretty sure I've been using the same dressing gown for 20 years as well by now. Probably a couple of coffee mugs as well. My early morning routine is ancient.

I have a blanket that my mother crocheted for me before I went to university. that is probably all, since I have moved long ways a lot of times & I get rid of things every time. I don't have much that's more than 5 years old tbh (also I don't have much, period).

Loads of hand tools, small power tools and cookware. My daily-use stainless steel cookware turns 20 in a couple of months. The item whose longevity always surprises me, and makes me irrationally happy when I use it, is an umbrella I bought in college about 36 years ago.

analogue alarm clock from Argos, bought in mid-90s.
a solitary glass from a set of 12 from ikea and a solitary plate from Argos, both bought to begin my student life... the rest of the sets lost or broken over the years.
Similarly a stripey duvet set from Asda.
a teenage mutant ninja turtles mug.
a Barbie beach towel my brother bought for me when I was 17.
I use cds in the car and some of them are 20+ years old.

Oh yeah, in that case I have tons of CDs and records that are 20+ year old. Lots of books too, though those don't all get regularly pulled off the shelf.

Hairbrush I've had since 1992 that I use daily because my hair is too thick for a comb.

Quick prayer to him before bedtime.

― Lammy's Show (Tom D.), Tuesday, March 19, 2019 1:10 PM (twenty-nine minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

funnily enough my (non-catholic) gf has a few Virgin Mary trinkets sitting on the dresser under it so it's got a wee bit of a devotional vibe to it

a couple of pots and pans are around 20 years old now

one of my guitars though the neck and body are no longer together and have formed two new guitars

my sony stereo reciever, 5 disc CD changer, and a set of Advent speakers. I never had enough money to get the dual cassette deck that would also work with the same remote control but found one at a yard sale for $5 a few years ago so now my dream system circa 1991 is finally complete

a pair of made-in-canada Sorel boots from 1989

my late 70s - late 80s Legos

My clitoris

Just some records.

Black crocheted blanket made by my mother in around 1995, capsule wardrobe of 1950s/60s Peck and Peck separates from my grandmother’s time as one of their fashion buyers, framed sketch of grandmother dated 1930 when she studied fashion design at art college, antique candle snuffer with a gold star on top, framed newsagents’ OFFICIAL: THATCHER QUITS poster stolen from the Evening Standard ‘cage’ on the day of her resignation.

Loads of stuff, basically.

bigass umbrella from wal-mart, going on 25 years! i even lost it for a few weeks once and then got it back.

Well done, I've never had an umbrella last more than 25 days.

Hairbrush I've had since 1992 that I use daily because my hair is too thick for a comb.

― just another country (snoball)

yes, i have a cheap plastic hairbrush that dates back to when i was in high school, my spouse bought me a new one this year but i was like "nah you know the old one works just fine" and i still use it

that's the only thing i use that's that old though

- microwave purchased in I think 1993? Still works perfectly, has been in continuous use in every kitchen Ive had
- would have been my Sony amp bought in like 1989, though I did recently retire it for one that supports 5.1 and blutooth to be fair
- a solid metal roasting pan that my parents got as a wedding gift. Ive had it since I moved out of home in 89. Still use it as my go to roaster all the time, you could kill someone clocking em on the head with it.
- probably some pieces of clothing somewhere if I'm honest :/ Oh! My doc martins.

i think i've had my record speakers for about 15 years now - they're not top of the line but they sound good enough to me! they're hand-me-downs from the 70s. ("Allegro" brand)

Despite moving internationally several times I have a kitchen knife and a pot that must be hitting the 15 year mark.

I have quite a few 20 year items, even my main hi fi speakers I built myself in the 90s, and amazingly even a pair of Sony MDR-v700 DJ-style headphones I have kept alive in regular use since 1999. Along with a few 35-40 year items like Swiss Army knives, etc. My toaster was an engagement gift to my parents in 1967, I've repaired it a few times and it is still going strong. Likewise a clothes dryer they bought in 1979.

I think a set of cutlery but can't quite remember exactly when I got them. Had to stick the handles back on the fork last year but otherwise use them pretty much daily. Just can't recall if they are quite that. Definitely remember using them in early 00ies. May even date back to mid 90s.
Got a couple of things I've had for 14 years that I use regularly. Stereo I'm listening to now was bought in 2005.
& I know my bathrobe was around in 2005 not sure how long before.

did the forks not cleave foru

fork handles?

I've had 2 guitars, a bass and an amp for almost 30y.
Some shirts and jackets for +20y.
And some cds (and books also but I rarely "use" them anymore !).

I've got a large Prestige stainless steel saucepan my mum give me over 30 years ago when I moved into my first flat. And it must be at least from the late 50's/early 60's because she bought it when she was living in Ireland. When I think about it, it's been an ever present in whatever house I've lived for 48 years, from London, Sheffield, Manchester to fucking Dewsbury and it sill looks shiny and good.

(x-post)

Humble-bragging that your waist size is impressively the same. (Unless you’re now using them as a duster of course)

Think my extremely basic veg peeler was in the same Argos bundle as the solitary plate mentioned upthread. Still peelin' strong.

Humble-bragging that your waist size is impressively the same. (Unless you’re now using them as a duster of course)

Ah, I genuinely hadn't thought of that! It has gone up an inch or two but I guess there's a bit of give in elastic. I only wear them in winter months and not in bed but I'm still impressed at their longevity. Well done H&M.

I think I may have had the pseudo bone handled cutlery I have been using for at least 20 years. Think they may have been bought when I was living in Dublin mid 90s. Handles have had to be reglued a couple of times and I think colour has heavily faded.
But I'm eating yoghurt with the spoon at the moment and just ate the first course with the fork.

I have a baseball style jumper thing that I think may predate the millennium or otherwise only shortly fall short of that. Also a fleece thing that I wear when its cold that I think was mid 90s

Same tweezers since 1990 (stolen from my mother).

Probably nothing at 20 years so far, my tallit will be that old next year though. Probably I should get it cleaned.

The Proctor Silex Popcorn Pumper, purchased at a thrift store about 22 years ago.
A Swiss army knife purchased in Liechtenstein about 24 years ago.
I think my Technics 1200 turntable is about 20 years old.
A melamine pot stirrer. Probably some other kitchen implements.

My wallet was given to me sometime in my teens over 30 years ago. At this point it's falling apart and needs to be replaced but is still useable.

I also have haircutting scissors of a similar age.

my refrigerator and microwave are both well over 30 years old, my washer/dryer, cooktop, oven and dishwasher over 25

Bike helmet

I've had the same bottle opener on my keychain since 1994.

a pair of scissors that belonged to my grandmother

spare bed

baritone ukelele

― Emperor Tonetta Ketchup (sleeve), Tuesday, March 19, 2019 8:15 AM (two years ago)

the bed is gone now

also adding:

Onkyo tape deck

My favorite mug I've had since 1996 or so. Some kitchen knives I got in the late 80s. The oldest shirts I still wear regularly are from 1993 and 1994. My car I've had 18 years, so almost! Guitar and amp I've had 26, 27 years and my keyboard about 35.

― Guayaquil (eephus!), Wednesday, March 20, 2019 12:07 PM (two years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Car's up to 20 now. Thinking about this again, also have a tweed jacket that's gotta be 25 years old, maybe closer to 30. I don't wear it a lot, but when an occasion calls for wearing a tweed jacket, that's what I wear. Can't honestly say I use the '80s Cutcos that much anymore.

Almost all our pots and pans and dishes and etc. that we use every day were wedding presents, so those turn 20 in two years and I certainly still expect to be using them then.

Didn't even think of my car... still driving a Corolla purchased new in 99.

I've had the same bottle opener on my keychain since 1994.

― pplains

Winner

I have a lot of stuff in my flat but nothing goes back as far as when I was 16 I’m sure - well, no tools or technology for sure. I do still have the copy of lord of the rings my uncle gave me when I was a kid, and maybe some other books from around then, but these fail to meet the “still use” requirement (I haven’t reread lotr since)

My minidisc recorder

I bought my Hitachi 3D Super Woofer double cassette boombox (crucially with line input) in 1996 new for about £65 from a probably now defunct consumer electronics chain store. It's been busking and to festivals. Thing is solid af.

hope that planned obsolescence is becoming a thing of the past.
Would save the amount of stuff junked and causing pollution if that were the case.
Also proprietary ability to repair things as in preventing the user or a more general technician/repair shop from doing so.
Would think they would need to be steps on the route to a greener world.

I don't play every day but I still use the single French horn I got in 1970. SunRizr dusk/dawn simulator that was a gift in 2000 (happily surprised this still works), in use every day.

My wallet was given to me sometime in my teens over 30 years ago. At this point it's falling apart and needs to be replaced but is still useable.

Ditto, my wallet is 20+ years old, has seen better days but is still hanging in there. A lot of clothes I still wear, jackets mostly, that are a couple of decades old. There's a cardigan I've got that I still wear that I'm pretty sure I got from my dad, which must be over 50 years old, not that I've owned it for 50 years.

i have a coffee grinder that my parents bought me when i went to college that i still use. one button, works great

― na (NA), Tuesday, March 19, 2019 10:07 AM (three years ago) bookmarkflaglink

well this finally just broke. not the motor, surprisingly, but the blade

rip big man

good excuse to upgrade to a burr grinder imho