# Objects and devices that proved useful well beyond your expectations? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 9, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561 "2013-01-09T00:39:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/21 "2013-01-09T17:01:03Z")
Kitchen shears. Whether I need to cut the backbone out of a dead chicken or open one of those damned clamshell packages, nothing beats kitchen shears. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/22 "2013-01-09T17:44:34Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > My Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. > > Oh, I’m fully aware that the whole point of them is to be useful, but when I bought it I had now idea just _how_ useful it would be. I must have used every tool on the thing at least 4 or 5 times, and some of them many many more. Well all except for that one strange bladey-shaped thing on the back with the hole near the tip; I’ve no idea what that’s for. If you ever have to punch a hole in leather, that’s the tool to use. I’ve also used the hell out of my Swiss Army knife. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/23 "2013-01-09T18:17:29Z")
> [@Yeticus\_Rex](#): > > I’m gonna say it again…My [HP15-C](http://hp15c.com/) calculator is entering it’s 31st year of devoted service for me…it’s been around longer than my wife…serving me faithfully…hmmmm…I guess that actually makes my wife my mistress then. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Back when I was in high school – mid 1980s – I purchased a Casio FX-451 scientific calculator for $39. I used it through high school. I used it through six years of engineering college. And then used it when I got my MS in engineering. I now teach part-time, and I still use it. It won’t quit. And it’s a \*fantastic \*calculator. No other calculator made today comes close in terms of ease-of-use. I bought a Sharp EL-531D scientific calculator in about 1989 or 1990 for about $9. It still works perfectly, on its original battery, and not a dark spot on the LCD. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/24 "2013-01-09T19:41:29Z")
This is a minor item, but I bought a grill basket a couple of years ago. My husband, who does just about all of the grilling that needs to be done, loves that thing so much that he asked for another one. So I bought two more. He can flip food easily with it…and the burgers and brats and hot dogs don’t fall onto the coals. Since we have three baskets, I can cut up vegetables and put them in two of the baskets, rather than on skewers. The baskets are much easier to flip. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/25 "2013-01-09T19:44:34Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > HP LaserJet 4MP printer. I had two 4MVs that I regretfully had to find homes for when I moved from California. Absolutely one of the great workhorse printers of all time, and you can still get OEM cartridges on eBay for dirt cheap. Page cost is somewhere way south of a penny - for high-res 11x17 duplex. B+W, sure, but every time I buy a color load for my 5550 I wonder if it’s worth it… ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/26 "2013-01-09T19:44:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Also my Ryobi cordless drill I bought in 1996. Sorry, make that Makita. Credit where credit is due. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/27 "2013-01-09T20:06:23Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > My Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. > > Oh, I’m fully aware that the whole point of them is to be useful, but when I bought it I had now idea just _how_ useful it would be. I must have used every tool on the thing at least 4 or 5 times, and some of them many many more. Well all except for that one strange bladey-shaped thing on the back with the hole near the tip; I’ve no idea what that’s for. My Victorinox Swiss Army Knife is about the most useful thing I own as well and surprisingly inexpensive for the quality and sheer usefulness. I always have mine on me and like it better than any other multi-tool. The tool your mention is a reamer and is used to punch holes in things like leather, rubber, or thin sheet metal. It is a less commonly needed tool but I have used it a number of times for things like adding a hole to a leather belt. You can also use it as a terrible slashing weapon in a pinch. Just open the blade so that it points of the back of the knife at a 90 degree angle and grip the knife like roll of quarters. Now you can punch hard, stab, and slash at the same time. It is usually just used for punching holes in leather however. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/28 "2013-01-09T20:15:03Z")
I bought a pair of Sperry Topsiders thirty (!) years ago, because it was the cool thing to wear at the time. Those things have lasted for-bloody-ever, and just keep going. They’re my go-put-the-garbage-out shoes, my quick-run-to-the-car shoes, I’m-going-to-drip-paint-and-don’t-care shoes, whatever I need them to be. I think I tied them twenty years ago, and haven’t touched the strings since. Love them! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/29 "2013-01-09T20:34:43Z")
Oh, yeah, those shoes are awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/30 "2013-01-09T20:38:50Z")
I got one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-72500RY-2-Cup-Chopper/dp/B00006IUX0/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1357763760&sr=1-4) as a wedding gift in 1997. I have used it a bazillion times. Most of the other crap we got (service platters, candlesticks) is still boxed in storage. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/31 "2013-01-09T20:40:23Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I bought a Sharp EL-531D scientific calculator in about 1989 or 1990 for about $9. It still works perfectly, on its original battery, and not a dark spot on the LCD. FOOL ! EVERYONE knows the Sharp Elsimate EL-344 Metric Conversion Calculator is the pinnacle of perfection ! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/32 "2013-01-09T20:51:29Z")
In my kitchen, an ulu knife. I guess they were originally used for meat, but I find it’s excellent for chopping vegetables. > [@](#): > > View Post > My Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. > > Oh, I’m fully aware that the whole point of them is to be useful, but when I bought it I had now idea just how useful it would be. I must have used every tool on the thing at least 4 or 5 times, and some of them many many more. Well all except for that one strange bladey-shaped thing on the back with the hole near the tip; I’ve no idea what that’s for. I always carry on my person a Swiss army knife, a Leatherman, and a 13-function utility pen. I never know what I’m going to use them for, but I always end up using them anyway. The only tool on any of them I’ve never used is the “ear pick” on the pen, which I guess is supposed to be for cleaning out your ears, but looks way too dangerous for that. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/33 "2013-01-09T20:51:33Z")
I got a leather wallet as a bar mitzvah gift in 1989. It’s still in great shape, although I have had to replace the plastic liner for ID cards a couple of times. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/34 "2013-01-09T21:21:31Z")
My GF also got given a grabber from toys r us as a joke gift this year, but at home we’ve found it really useful for getting the stuff that always falls down the awkward gap behind the oven. I have two tiny skewers intended to go in the ends of corn on the cob. What they’re most useful for, however, is piercing the cellophane on pre-packaged or frozen products - so much neater than a knife or attempting to use the peel-off edge that never works. Baby wipes are useful for a dozen things other than wiping babies’ bums. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/35 "2013-01-09T21:27:31Z")
> [@Noelq](#): > > I bought a pair of Sperry Topsiders thirty (!) years ago, because it was the cool thing to wear at the time. > > Those things have lasted for-bloody-ever, and just keep going. They’re my go-put-the-garbage-out shoes, my quick-run-to-the-car shoes, I’m-going-to-drip-paint-and-don’t-care shoes, whatever I need them to be. I think I tied them twenty years ago, and haven’t touched the strings since. Love them! I used to work for the company that makes Sperry Topsiders about 12 years ago and I used to have to travel to do some work in their customer service center. When I was there once, a man called in quite upset because his Topsiders wore out despite the fact that he bought them with a LIFETIME WARRANTY! He didn’t have the receipt because the only thing he could remember is that he bought them sometime back in the 1970’s. They sent him a new pair and put the call in their ‘unusual situations’ training guide. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/36 "2013-01-09T21:31:08Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Similarly, I bought a [trailer for the handcycle](http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w197/runnerpat/Boards/P1040589_zps3cdca799.jpg) after our van died. Never realized how much stuff I hauled on a regular basis besides doing the shopping. Ooh, I think I want that thing (the “hand cycle” and maybe also the trailer). Please tell me what it is and where I can look at one? Roddy ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/37 "2013-01-09T22:03:40Z")
I must praise the Gerber Suspension that I kind of bought as a lark because it was on sale at REI. Feels much more solid than Leatherman tools I have used, the pliers have a nice spring, the blades swing outward (no need to spread the handles to get to them) and lock open. The only thing I miss on it is a file. ---
**Author:** ![Twilight-Twin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc8723/32.png) [@Twilight-Twin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twilight-Twin)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/38 "2013-01-09T22:11:37Z")
Woohoo! My first post. I’d like to tell you about my Tool Stool. I inherited it from my Aunt who passed away in 1996. I use this stool constantly. I’ve decorated 3 houses with it and it holds all the essential tools. This thing will last another 50 years which is about how old I think this thing is. Good luck to those who are happy with their bullets. I know two people whose bullets crapped out after a few years. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/39 "2013-01-09T23:12:02Z")
I got a mini-fridge, **free** off the Freecycle website some five or six years ago. The lady I met with was ecstatic to be getting some garage space back, and I was equally ecstatic to get a free appliance. Figured it would crap out after a couple of years, but the damn thing won’t die, despite making occasional funny noises. It’s so old I figure it’s probably quite inefficient and that I’ll replace it soon once it dies. “Soon” just doesn’t seem to show up! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561/40 "2013-01-10T00:12:40Z")
> [@Twilight-Twin](#): > > Woohoo! My first post. > > I’d like to tell you about my Tool Stool. I inherited it from my Aunt who passed away in 1996. I use this stool constantly. I’ve decorated 3 houses with it and it holds all the essential tools. This thing will last another 50 years which is about how old I think this thing is.\ I love finding solid old things at garage sales - they truly don’t build them like that anymore. And, welcome! I hope you have a long, happy time here. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objects-and-devices-that-proved-useful-well-beyond-your-expectations/646561.md?page=3)