# What's a specific brand of consumer product that's worth the money and then some? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680 "2017-05-15T19:51:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/181 "2017-08-22T16:24:30Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream. There is no other greater product coming out of Cincinnati. It’s ordered packed in dry ice all over the globe. Oprah would not lie to you. I just tried Graeter’s regular Chocolate Chip ice cream this past week and it was the best I’ve ever had. And I say this as a CC aficionado/snob who eats CC ice cream all the time. It was even better than the straciatella gelato I’ve eaten in Italy. 100% perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/182 "2017-08-22T16:44:01Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Wustof chef knives There’s a lot of back and forth on that one; half the folks think Wusthof is the best, the other half say Henckels. I like Henckels myself, but really, at the top of the heap you’re splitting hairs (sometimes literally, with knives), and you should use what makes you happy. Note on Henckels, though: look at the label on the knife itself. If there are two little people on it, it’s from their premium line, the best stuff; if there’s only one, it’s made by “J.A. Henckels International” and is from their value line, so know what you’re getting. And while we’re talking about knives, let me toss this out there: I’ve recently become a fan of [Morakniv](https://morakniv.se/en/) for outdoor and camping fixed-blade knives. Really good usability and durability, and they’re quite cheap, too. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/183 "2017-08-22T16:46:48Z")
Taster’s Choice. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/184 "2017-08-22T18:32:50Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Gerber multi tools. Most expensive but they work the best. Yep. I like Leatherman and own a bunch, but it’s the Gerber tools that get carried most often. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/185 "2017-08-22T19:14:46Z")
Marmite. When you want a strongly flavored yeast-based product that lots and lots of people find disgusting, Marmite is your best value. Vegemite et. al. all take hind tit to it. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/186 "2017-08-22T20:14:32Z")
> [@Amblydoper](#): > > I’ve got to raise you there… Samsung. Most common point of failure in TVs these days is blown caps. Off brands use the panels that Samsung, LG, Sharp, and others make, but make them cheaper by cutting corners on capacitors and other components. LG makes their own panels, but uses cheap caps to compete on price. Samsung uses better caps, so they don’t die after 5 years. Samsung is worth the extra price. Is this still an issue? My beef with Samsung (and Sharp) TVs is very petty: they are more likely to use BS or misleading technological terms. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > PB Blaster is better. Some also swear by Kroil. PB is cheaper though. > [@](#): > > Gateway PC towers Greetings, time traveler! Alas, they went mostly defunct a decade ago. > [@](#): > > Federal ammunition Yeah, they make my preferred plinking .22, and their centerfire is alright. Meanwhile Winchester makes sketchy pistol ammo, and Remington bad .22, though they do everything else right. > [@Max\_Torque](#): > > And while we’re talking about knives, let me toss this out there: I’ve recently become a fan of [Morakniv](https://morakniv.se/en/) for outdoor and camping fixed-blade knives. Really good usability and durability, and they’re quite cheap, too. Agreed. Some of their OG knifes look very cheap - plastic handles, or wood painted an ugly red. But the metal is very nice, and for many of them you’re out $15 or something. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/187 "2017-08-22T20:21:44Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > No love for Viagra? There are generic versions available, now that the patent has expired. Are you saying the Pfizer Viagra is still superior? ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/188 "2017-08-22T21:35:19Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Best Foods Real Mayonaise I was going to come in to mention Hellman’s mayonnaise, but I can tell a story about it. When my son first moved to the west coast and we visited him, there was no mayonnaise in his fridge and I asked him about it. He explained that since he couldn’t find Hellman’s he decided to skip. When I explained how Hellman’s is called Best Foods in the west, he started to buy that. But yes. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/189 "2017-08-22T23:19:43Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I was going to come in to mention Hellman’s mayonnaise, but I can tell a story about it. When my son first moved to the west coast and we visited him, there was no mayonnaise in his fridge and I asked him about it. He explained that since he couldn’t find Hellman’s he decided to skip. When I explained how Hellman’s is called Best Foods in the west, he started to buy that. > > But yes. If he had trouble finding mayo he could always look for a Hardee’s on the west coast, I’m sure that there is some packets there :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/190 "2017-08-23T01:54:58Z")
Oak Lake Farms horseradish. Ingredients: “horseradish roots, vinegar and salt”. That’s all. Just what God intended to be in a grated horseradish preparation and nothing else. By contrast, here’s what a competitor puts in the jar: “grated horseradish roots, water, white distilled vinegar, soybean oil, salt, artifical flavor, sodium Metabisulfite, and sodium benzoate (preservatives), sugar eggs, cellulose and xanthan gums, citric acid, high fructose corn syrup, calcium disodium edta (retains product freshness), spices, lemon juice”. (insert barfing smilie) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/191 "2017-08-23T02:49:08Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Note on Henckels, though: look at the label on the knife itself. If there are two little people on it, it’s from their premium line, the best stuff; if there’s only one, it’s made by “J.A. Henckels International” and is from their value line, so know what you’re getting. I didn’t know that. 🙂 I checked my beloved old Henckels chef’s knife and smaller utility knife and they both have the two little people on it, one of them apparently waving hello! But I got them at different times and the chef’s knife that I use all the time has a wooden handle, while the newer utility knife handle is made of some type of composite/plastic. Both are older than dirt – I’m talking many decades – and both have been in faithful service all that time. The wood-handled one is in my opinion more aesthetic, but it just means I can’t put it in the dishwasher and I maintain the handle every once in a long while by oiling it. The utility knife is the one I end up using on the rare occasions when I cut raw meat, because I can then run it through a hot dishwashing cycle. For a practical everyday bread knife, though, IMHO you can’t do better than a cheap Ikea wood-handled serrated bread knife. I’m a big fan of toasted fresh dinner rolls and French baguettes, and nothing slices 'em like my cheap Ikea bread knife. But yeah, Henckels for the serious stuff. ---
**Author:** ![fjs1fs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@fjs1fs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fjs1fs)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/192 "2017-08-23T13:29:03Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > No love for Viagra? not much: > **[Most Popular Erection Drugs Viagra vs. Cialis](https://www.aarp.org/home-family/sex-intimacy/info-12-2013/sex-erection-viagra-castleman.html)** > > Learn why both women and men strongly prefer the erection drug Cialis to the popular Viagra. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/193 "2017-08-23T13:59:12Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > If he had trouble finding mayo he could always look for a Hardee’s on the west coast, I’m sure that there is some packets there :dubious: I always thought Hardees didn’t exist on the west coast, only Carl’s Jr. But I don’t live there so maybe I’m mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/194 "2017-08-23T14:12:03Z")
Oxo-branded kitchen tools and other household goods are usually thoughtfully designed and well-manufactured, although not everything they produce is worthwhile ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/195 "2017-08-23T14:15:23Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I didn’t know that. 🙂 I checked my beloved old Henckels chef’s knife and smaller utility knife and they both have the two little people on it, one of them apparently waving hello! But I got them at different times and the chef’s knife that I use all the time has a wooden handle, while the newer utility knife handle is made of some type of composite/plastic. Both are older than dirt – I’m talking many decades – and both have been in faithful service all that time. The wood-handled one is in my opinion more aesthetic, but it just means I can’t put it in the dishwasher and I maintain the handle every once in a long while by oiling it. The utility knife is the one I end up using on the rare occasions when I cut raw meat, because I can then run it through a hot dishwashing cycle. This comes from the horse’s mouth, Henckels themselves answering a question on Amazon: > [@](#): > > We have a several different lines of knives separated into two brands: > > ZWILLING J.A. Henckels contains our premium cutlery lines, manufactured in Germany. All ZWILLING knives have a “TWIN” logo on the blade, two little stick figures. > > J.A. Henckels International contains our entry level cutlery lines. These are manufactured in Spain and Asia (depending on the specific product). These knives have the single stick figure logo on the blade. > > These TWIN Signature knives are made in Germany. Please note that while TWIN logo knives are made in Germany, some accessories like blocks, honing steels, and shears, are not. If you have any questions about specific products, please let us know. ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/196 "2017-08-23T18:02:13Z")
There’s a ready meal brand in the UK called 'Charlie Bigham’s. They make amazing chicken korma and rice, and lasagne. Expensive, but worth every penny. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/197 "2017-08-23T19:22:54Z")
As long as we are on Kitchen Knives, for the ceramic ones Kyocera is worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/198 "2017-08-23T19:30:50Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > I always thought Hardees didn’t exist on the west coast, only Carl’s Jr. But I don’t live there so maybe I’m mistaken. Woosh. Here’s a [map analysis](http://tumblr.mapsbynik.com/post/115757858462/the-hardeescarls-jr-line-the-geography-of-two). They aren’t identical, and as I understand it, Carl’s Jr. is generally considered better. I thought the mayonnaise was identical but [this claims otherwise](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/hellmanns-vs-best-foods-mayo_n_1263492.html). Doesn’t say if it’s double or single blind. The ingredients are identical, just different ratios perhaps. Their dividing line is around the Rockies. [Here’s some maps](https://geographicresearch.com/simplymap/2016/05/10/visualizing-brand-preference-mayonnaise/), this time on preference, not availability. Looks like west side is the best side for burgers, but not mayo. I am disappointed that Hellmann’s doesn’t use the slogan “Bring out the Hell!” ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/199 "2017-08-24T01:09:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Oxo-branded kitchen tools and other household goods are usually thoughtfully designed and well-manufactured, although not everything they produce is worthwhile I have a couple of Oxo kitchen tools and they’re pretty good, but the thing that I use daily is an [Oxo clear plastic storage container](https://static.petersofkensington.com.au/images/ProductImages/552110-Zoom.jpg) that I keep ground coffee in. I used to keep the stuff in empty coffee cans, but the plastic lids aren’t very durable and eventually crack. This thing fits perfectly in the fridge, holds about a pound of ground coffee, and has a big push-button at the top that, when pressed down, pushes out a rubber gasket and forms an airtight seal. The mouth is wide enough that it’s easy to scoop out coffee with a measuring spoon even from near the bottom. It’s absolutely perfect for coffee storage, and looks like it will last forever. The pushbutton and gasket assembly comes completely apart if it needs cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680/200 "2017-08-25T01:13:26Z")
My Dyson vac is really good. It’s worth the extra money vs. other brands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-specific-brand-of-consumer-product-thats-worth-the-money-and-then-some/786680.md?page=11)