# What brands are not junk? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 28, 2009, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424 "2009-10-28T12:16:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/41 "2009-10-28T22:04:45Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > Yamaha ATV’s and Motorcycles > > Shimano and SRAM bicycle parts I’m a big fan of shimano but I wouldn’t say they were synonymous with quality - they’re a large cooperation that provide the full range of bicycle components from high to low end. A shimano drive train could be exceptional or it could be a bag of shite, depends entirely on the spec. They are, however, responsible for more innovation than the rest of the bicycle industry put together, so I agree they’re ‘high quality’ from this POV. Chris King or Phil Wood would be good example of bicycle parts that are exclusively high quality. You can question whether it’s worth paying 100 quid for a CK headset, but you can’t question it’s quality. Phil Wood bottom bracket likewise - rare example of components that are built to last 10 years of riding, not 10 months. Brooks saddles would be another unimpeachable source of quality. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/42 "2009-10-28T22:26:45Z")
Oh yes, since I mentioned Martin guitars… Any musical instruments by Yamaha. I bought a cheap Yahama classical guitar fifteen years ago and it still sounds pretty darned good—it sits at my office at work. You can buy a Yahama instrument sight unseen and trust that it will be good. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/43 "2009-10-28T22:36:45Z")
For personal electronics I have found Panasonic, Zenith and Sony to generally be good. Honda and Toyota are obviously good automobile brands. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/44 "2009-10-28T22:50:24Z")
> [@SlickRoenick](#): > > Anyone have insights on appliance brands like GE, Kenmore, LG, etc? For TVs, I use and recommend both LG and Samsung. One client of mine is a sports bar, and they have 24 LG sets at each of their locations. Before this, they had Sony, but as far as I’m concerned, that brand has gone into the toilet. Their very high end and broadcast products are still excellent, but their consumer stuff is suffering from being outsourced to China. Sony’s cordless phones, for instance, are made by V-Tek, one of the cheapest brands around. If I want V-Tek, I’ll buy V-Tek and save $100. Korea is the electronics innovator that Japan used to be. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/45 "2009-10-28T23:23:35Z")
DuPont laminate flooring. Propet shoes. Hamilton Bay lighting fixtures. Behr paint. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/46 "2009-10-28T23:32:05Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Now that we’ve moved to our new place, I need a new kitchen garbage can. Though the ones by Simple Human are pricey, I’m seriously considering laying out the $$ for one, just because I’ve been so impressed by the dish rack. Though I’m apalled that anyone would pay that much for a trash can, I have to admit that the Simple Human trash can my mother purchased is the nicest trash can I’ve ever seen. Though the brand sells trash bags to fit the plastic liner, any brand of bag will work. The steel really looks good, and it’s quite sturdy too. I would like to add votes for L.L. Bean (awesome return policy), Michelin, Craftsman tools, Keen, and Ecco. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/47 "2009-10-28T23:56:57Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > Though I’m apalled that anyone would pay that much for a trash can, I have to admit that the Simple Human trash can my mother purchased is the nicest trash can I’ve ever seen. Though the brand sells trash bags to fit the plastic liner, any brand of bag will work. The steel really looks good, and it’s quite sturdy too. Well, I’m kinda appalled by the prices, too. But any company that stands behind their products like that, I want to support if I can. I’m fortunate enough to be able to pay $80.00 for a trash can. I am going to shop around on the 'net some, and see if I can find a sale or something somewhere. But within the next couple of months, I _will_ have a Simple Human kitchen trash can, and not the cheap-O plastic one from the bargain store! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/48 "2009-10-29T00:38:21Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > I may be confused, but you’ve got some inacuracies here, as well. The comapny sells knives under two names: > > Zwilling/Henckel’s > and > JA Henckel’s International > > The International brand only has ONE of the twins on its logo, whereas the Zwilling brand will have both twins. For example, this Zwilling Four Star knife: > [Amazon.com: ZWILLING Four Star 8-inch Razor-Sharp German Chef's Knife, Made in Company-Owned German Factory with Special Formula Steel perfected for almost 300 Years, Dishwasher Safe: Chefs Knives: Home & Kitchen](http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-8-Inch-Carbon-Stainless-Steel-Chefs/dp/B00004RFKS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1256752807&sr=8-4) > (you may have to click the “view larger image” link) > > vs this JA Henckels International, with only one of the twins on the logo (again, use the “view larger image” link) > > [Amazon.com: J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Synergy 13-Piece Knife Block Set: Kitchen Knives: Home & Kitchen](http://www.amazon.com/Henckels-International-Synergy-13-Piece-Knife/dp/B0002U9L1M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1256752876&sr=1-3) > > Also, the Twin Pro S is a superior line, I have never heard of the “Twin” line, but under the JA Henckel’s International brand, they offer several versions with serrated or micro-serrated blades, many of them stamped and not forged steel. Jeebus, they’ve sure made a mess of things, haven’t they? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Rack-a-Bones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rack-a-Bones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rack-a-Bones)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/49 "2009-10-29T00:40:36Z")
Bose for audio DeWalt for tools Vasque/Redwing for shoes Carhartt for work clothes Someone mentioned Boar’s Head meats up thread. If you are ever in Seattle get thee some [Salumi](http://www.salumicuredmeats.com/); you will not be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/50 "2009-10-29T02:04:40Z")
Ford. Wüsthoff. Labatt. Leatherman, again. Snap-Tite. Fanuc (robots). Allen-Bradley (machine controls and electrical bits and pieces). ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/51 "2009-10-29T02:07:38Z")
> [@rbroome](#): > > Inspired by this interesting thread: > Once Great Firm’s Names Now Appearing..On Low-End Junk? > > What firms are not junk? Pick any consumer or prosumer product and what company sells high quality high value products? Or at least what labels are out there that signify high quality? I need a Christmas shopping list! After 48 replies (a personal record! 🙂 ), I assembled a list of brands that at least one person thinks are good. When a brand was mentioned by more than one person, it is listed multiple times. I tried to catch all brands mentioned, but I may have missed a few. L.L. Bean, Leatherman, and Maui Jim were mentioned 3 times. All others 1 or 2. Apple Arcteryx jacket Asics running shoes Behr paint. Birkenstocks Boar’s Head. Bose for audio Briggs and Reilly luggage Buck knives, but those made in the US Carhartt for work clothes Carolina boots and shoes Chris King bicycle parts Citizen Eco-drive watches. Coach Coach leather wallet Columbia jacket. Craftsman tools Craftsman tools DeWalt for tools Dexter shoes Duluth Trading Co. DuPont laminate flooring. Ecco Ecco - Shoes. Ekornes furniture Estwing hammers Fenix flashlights Formula boats Goodyear tires Hamilton Bay lighting fixtures. Hart Schafner Marx suits Henckel kitchen knives Hencke Zwilling knives, with the twin logo on it Honda Honda marine engines Joseph Abboud suits Keen Keen shoes Kelty camping products. KitchenAid mixers (not so much their other products) L. L.Bean. L.L. Bean L.L. Bean Leatherman Leatherman Leatherman Wave LG Mag-Lite flashlights Makita cordless tools Makita tool Marmot sleeping bags Martin and Osa clothing Martin guitars. Matshusta consumer electronic products. Maui Jim Maui Jim Maui Jim Sunglasses Michelin Michelin tires Microplane graters Mountain Hardware jacket Nite Ize cell phone cases Onkyo receivers Optoma Panasonic Panasonic consumer electronic products. Paradise On A Hanger shirts Patagonia clothing and accessories PC Power and Cooling computer power supplies Phil Wood bicycle parts Pottery Barn Propet shoes. Rapala fishing knives Red Wing boots and shoes RedWing boots Redwing for shoes Ryobi cordless tools Salumi meats Samsung Shimano and SRAM bicycle parts Simple Human kitchen appliances Snap-on tools. Sony Sorel winter boots Sorrel winter boots St. Croix makes a damn good men’s sweater. Stihl chainsaws (and other gas-powered tools). Taiyo Yuden blank CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs Technics consumer electronic products. Thermador appliances Tilley hats Toyota Under Armour Victorinox Swiss Army Knives Yamaha ATV’s and Motorcycles Zenith Zippo lighters ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/52 "2009-10-29T04:22:11Z")
I don’t know if they’ve gone downhill, but Eagle Creek made some damn good backpacks. I got my big (but not too huge-very intelligently designed) traveling backpack more than ten years ago for my high school graduation. That damn thing has been EVERYWHERE, from the mountains of Tibet to the jungles of Guatemala. It’s been strapped to every conceivable pack animal, dragged through every kind of mud, and bounced atop every kind of third world transport. I’ve lived out of that thing for years at a time. And when it’s not adventuring, it hauls laundry and groceries. Frankly it’s good as new. I did lose a buckle once (my fault) and they sent me a new one within a couple of days. But other than that, it’s practically pristine. It could very well serve another decade. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/53 "2009-10-29T11:27:44Z")
Oliver Peoples sunglasses are of high quality. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/54 "2009-10-29T13:54:44Z")
This thread is very useful…because I am buying Christmas presents at this time. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/55 "2009-10-29T14:06:04Z")
Festool brand tools. Definitely high-end tools. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/56 "2009-10-29T14:25:04Z")
I bought a variety of different fancy-pants warm technosocks at the same time a few years ago, and the Wigwams have outlasted all the others. The Columbias were the worst, as I recall. Ditto Carhartt’s clothes. ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/57 "2009-10-29T14:28:03Z")
Honda lawnmowers. 15 years and still going strong. I bought a new one this past spring, not because the old one was worn out but because it didn’t have all of the latest gadgets. (I’m a gadget guy.) The old one is relegated to leaf and brush duty now while the shiny new one gets the lawn. They are pricey but worth the extra cost especially when in mulching mode. ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/58 "2009-10-29T15:40:23Z")
Smartwool. Socks, longjohns, hats so far. Well worth the price! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/59 "2009-10-29T16:58:43Z")
[B&W speakers](http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=767) [NHT Speakers](http://store.nhthifi.com/Classic;jsessionid=0a010c551f43fabab94a93884994bd0485f263e01e03.e3eSc38RbhuLe34Pa38Ta38Lbxz0) **Sharp** electronics: I’ve had good luck with Sharp since the late 60s **Nikon and Canon** : They’ve cornered the DSLR market and with good reason. [Penzeys Spices](http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/shophome.html) [US Mint](http://www.usmint.gov/index.cfm?flash=yes)coins: give someone a gift of a coin subscription such as for the Silver Eagle series. Nobody does silver and gold strikes any better than the mint. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/60 "2009-10-29T18:10:38Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > **Nikon and Canon** : They’ve cornered the DSLR market and with good reason. Actually, Sony, Pentax, and Olympus are making some excellent DSLRs and are cutting into Canikon’s market share, especially at the lower end. This isn’t a two player game any more. Granted, Nikon and Canon aren’t standing still either, so it’s all good for the consumer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424.md?page=4)