# 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:** 11\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/81 "2009-11-09T15:01:19Z")
> [@MissTake](#): > > Mr. Clean magic erasers Oh, hell yes! The first time I bought one of these puppies (well, actually a pack of two), I was _so_ impressed with the performance on what I’d _specifically_ bought it for that I actually went around my house _looking_ for tough stuff to clean! 🆒 They were the _only_ thing I ever found to take the soap scum off my glass shower surround without toxic fumes! ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/82 "2009-11-09T17:43:41Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Oh, hell yes! The first time I bought one of these puppies (well, actually a pack of two), I was _so_ impressed with the performance on what I’d _specifically_ bought it for that I actually went around my house _looking_ for tough stuff to clean! 🆒 > They were the _only_ thing I ever found to take the soap scum off my glass shower surround without toxic fumes! Funny thing–I was just wondering about theose Magic erasers since my painter had told me how great they were. And I absolutely agree re: Panasonic. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/83 "2009-11-09T18:44:55Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > Funny thing–I was just wondering about theose Magic erasers since my painter had told me how great they were. Well, I’ll tell you this, IMHO, they are one of the very, very few products that work _at least as well_ as the advertisements would have you believe! ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/84 "2009-11-09T19:07:43Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Well, I’ll tell you this, IMHO, they are one of the very, very few products that work _at least as well_ as the advertisements would have you believe! Ayup. When I pull a fresh eraser out of its’ box, intending do something simple such as clean the outside of the fridge, I _always_ end up scrubbing down all of the appliances, the backsplash, sink, marks on the floor… It’s like the crack of cleaners. You start and you can’t stop until it’s just a tiny shred. Note, though, don’t buy the Target generic version. They suck. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/85 "2009-11-09T20:22:18Z")
Apple computer SureFire flashlights Fenix flashlights Spyderco knives Nikon optics Victorinox Seiko watches Casio G-Shock watches Canon optics Columbia outerwear Grandoe ski gloves Volant skis Volkl skis Nordica ski boots Kelly Magna-Grip snow tires ---
**Author:** ![Engineer\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9fc29f/32.png) [@Engineer\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engineer_Dude)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/86 "2009-11-09T21:02:30Z")
Maglite flashlights. I’ve had a 3 C cell one for 10 years and still use it. It’s also made of such hard material that anytime I hear a scuffle or unfamiliar noise near, say the front door or a window, I grab it before investigating. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/87 "2009-11-09T22:30:27Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I have been told by _no fewer_ than three contractors that while Craftsman is far from the _best_ tool in the business, most contractors use them, because you can’t beat the warranty! This really isn’t the case anymore. Do a search - they’re denying warranty claims left and right these days. Both the quality of the tools and their service has taken a dive. They’re largely coasting based on their many, many years of previous good customer service, but it just doesn’t work like that anymore. [http://consumerist.com/5183468/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty](http://consumerist.com/5183468/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty) [http://consumerist.com/5169167/craftsmans-lifetime-warranty-depends-on-tool-associates-mood](http://consumerist.com/5169167/craftsmans-lifetime-warranty-depends-on-tool-associates-mood) [http://consumerist.com/245176/clarification-craftsman-lifetime-warranty-doesnt-apply-to-rusty-tools](http://consumerist.com/245176/clarification-craftsman-lifetime-warranty-doesnt-apply-to-rusty-tools) [http://consumerist.com/5169809/sears-cant-get-its-story-straight-regarding-rust-and-craftsman-tools](http://consumerist.com/5169809/sears-cant-get-its-story-straight-regarding-rust-and-craftsman-tools) ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/88 "2009-11-09T22:53:37Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > This really isn’t the case anymore. Do a search - they’re denying warranty claims left and right these days. Both the quality of the tools and their service has taken a dive. They’re largely coasting based on their many, many years of previous good customer service, but it just doesn’t work like that anymore. > > [http://consumerist.com/5183468/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty](http://consumerist.com/5183468/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty) > [http://consumerist.com/5169167/craftsmans-lifetime-warranty-depends-on-tool-associates-mood](http://consumerist.com/5169167/craftsmans-lifetime-warranty-depends-on-tool-associates-mood) > [http://consumerist.com/245176/clarification-craftsman-lifetime-warranty-doesnt-apply-to-rusty-tools](http://consumerist.com/245176/clarification-craftsman-lifetime-warranty-doesnt-apply-to-rusty-tools) > [http://consumerist.com/5169809/sears-cant-get-its-story-straight-regarding-rust-and-craftsman-tools](http://consumerist.com/5169809/sears-cant-get-its-story-straight-regarding-rust-and-craftsman-tools) Huh! Well, that’s good to know. In the interest of full disclosure, it’s been a good five years since a contractor has told me this. But if my hubby wants to buy any of their tools because they have such an “excellent warranty”, I’ll be sure to point this out to him! ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/89 "2009-11-09T23:28:41Z")
[Raichle hiking boots](http://www.campinghiking.net/hiking-boots/raichle-mt.-trail-xt-gtx-hiking-boots.html) My first pair is 25 years old although finally (after 3 resolings and a restitching of the uppers) I bought a new pair a couple years ago. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/90 "2009-11-10T00:20:22Z")
I forgot Coolmax–the synthetic fiber that wicks moisture off of your skin. It actually works. My feet sweat a fair amount, and I used to get icy cold feet every winter as soon as I stopped walking, and just soggy feet in summer. Now I wear Coolmax-blend socks year round (cotton blend in summer, wool blend in winter) and I have happy feet. Or when they’re not happy, it’s nothing to do with being miserably damp. And speaking of socks, Fox River Mills knits good hard-wearing hiking and athletic socks, many suitable for casual office wear. Made in the USA, too. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424/91 "2009-11-14T00:36:16Z")
I’m not sure if it’s a brand, but Verizon FIOS really is that good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-brands-are-not-junk/515424.md?page=4)