In this episode of High Twist, Ben and Bruce tackle the paradoxes of “buy it for life” in an era where everything seems to be getting more expensive—and more complicated. From cast iron skillets that outlast generations to luxury watches and titanium mugs, the hosts dig into the appeal of owning things built to endure. But as their drawers fill with pocket knives and their closets rack up linen pants and Filson jackets, they ask: does buying for life really make sense, or just make for great stories and excellent patina?

Mixing practical wisdom with personal anecdotes from Boulder to Austin, Ben and Bruce explore what it means to use and truly enjoy high-quality gear, from cameras that get brassed in the wild to sweatpants-disguised-as-trousers that push the limits of “easy” style. Along the way, they share favorite brands, discuss the art of repair, and remind us that a life well lived is better than a shelf well stocked. If you love great gear—or just want a fresh take on how to enjoy the things you have—this episode is for you.

Brands & Product Mentions List

Spear & McKay — Seersucker kit
Sid Mashburn — Shirts, microcellulare/airtex
Proper Cloth — Custom shirts
Filson — Bags/jackets, repairs, legendary tin cloth
Levi’s 501 — Jeans
Crockett & Jones — Harvard 2 loafers
Smithey Ironware — Cast iron & carbon steel cookware
Wagner cast iron — Vintage cast iron
Victorinox / Swiss Army Knife — Knives
Chris Reeve Knives — EDC knives, fixed blades
Rolex, Seiko 5, Casio G-Shock — Watches
Leica Camera — Q2, special editions
Snow Peak — Titanium mugs
Patrick James — Linen drawstring pants
Outlier — Injected linen pants, Ramie cloth shirts
Gramicci — Ridge shorts and fatigue pants

Disclaimer: Some links in our show notes and on our website are affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and brands we genuinely like and use.

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