018 - Make It Last: The Joys and Traps of “Buy It for Life”

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

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