We all have those products that we lust over for long periods of time. There’s the endless ‘research,’ the search for discounts, and, eventually, the hunt for something similar that doesn’t cost as much. If you finally buy that thing that is exactly what you want (and it hopefully lives up to your very high expectations), it can be a wonderful feeling. But there is an inherent problem with these great products, too.
Now, I should say that I do strongly believe that it’s worth saving up to get the product you really want, rather than something similar but not quite as good. In the long run, it’s worth ponying up a bit more and having exactly what you like rather than spending money on a variety of similar items that won’t make you as happy. The caveat here is that you have to be making educated purchases – if you’re just starting to explore a product category, you probably don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. I’m talking about the products that you pine over for years at a time. In those cases, I say just save up and get the thing you want rather than trying to fill that void with something else (and inevitably caving and getting the original thing anyway, making that first purchase unnecessary).
But as I was saying, sometimes these ‘end game’ products create a problem – some companies make things that are so good that they completely scratch the itch; moreover, the products last so long that there’s never really a need to replace them. As a result, it can be hard to become a repeat customer if you’re completely satisfied with what you have. I came to this melancholy realization when I watched Equus Leather’s new video about making a briefcase. “This looks great. Why haven’t I bought anything from Equus in a long time?”, I thought to myself. It only took a moment to realize that their products worked so well for me that I hadn’t needed to get anything else. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that many of my favorite brands have only gotten to sell me something once. This is the bittersweet reality of ‘grail products’ – when something completely scratches the buying itch, you may never need to buy anything from that company again. Unlike frequenting your favorite restaurant, it can be hard for a customer with limited funds to become a ‘regular’ of their favorite companies.
So with that in mind, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite brands that make excellent goods. I may only buy from them once because I’m so satisfied with their work, but hopefully I can inspire others to do so as well.
Chester Mox #53 Compact Bifold: Chester Mox products are just excellent for the price, there’s no question. While it’s true that you can definitely find cheaper leather goods out there, I find that it’s totally worth investing in something great since you will use it every day. I’ve had my wallet for about 5 years and still love opening it up every time (though I don’t love having to pull money out of it).
Private White VC Twin Track jacket: It’s no secret that I love this jacket. I spent a long time thinking about the purchase before I pulled the trigger, but when I finally did it worked out perfectly. The construction, materials, and fit are all exactly what I wanted them to be.
Equus Leather bridle belts: I have three belts from Equus, all from 2013. I think they were around $100 each. That’s no small price, but the result is that I haven’t had to think about belts at all since then. They are beautiful, are made custom for me by a talented guy, and will last as long as my waist size stays the same (so hopefully for a good long while).
Alfred Sargent Armfield: When I bought these in 2014, they were the most expensive shoes I owned. But they were so perfect for what I needed – sleek, well-fitting, handsome black oxfords that worked with any formal getup. I keep them nicely polished, and they’re already ready for wearing with a tux or suit. It’s hard to imagine ever needing a second pair of black oxfords.
Garrett Leight Hampton glasses: When I was younger I would go through a pair of glasses every couple of years. They would get banged up, styles would change, and I would just generally feel like it was time to put that insurance money toward something new. With my GLCO Hampton frames, I’m now thinking about how to make them last even longer. I love the frames and they are still in great shape, so when I get my updated prescription I’ll probably just pop new lenses into them. They were about $300, but that was a few years ago and I plan on wearing them regularly for many to come. Glasses used to be something that I felt were disposable, but not any more.
Frank Clegg briefcase: Now, I don’t own anything from Frank Clegg – yet. But I have met the man in person, toured the workshop, and seen most of his products up close. Beyond making products of very high quality, they also have very handsome designs. I hope to get one of their briefcases eventually, and if I do it may well be the only thing I ever get from the company. But that’s what happens when your products can easily last for generations.
Stoffa Flight Jacket: Another purchase that has yet to occur, but is on my ‘pending’ list. All of my discretionary income has been going to my own projects recently, but when I can swing it I plan on getting a flight jacket from Stoffa. I spent a lot of time researching leather jackets, and this is the one that seems closest to my own style – a luxurious statement piece, but still very wearable. The quality is amazing and the fit is great. The only thing left to do is save up for a while.
Rolex 1016 Explorer: I can only hope that one day I’ll be a one-time customer of Rolex. I don’t think this is happening any time soon, though. A guy can dream!
