Posted on 12/31/2001 12:11:34 PM PST by Fester Chugabrew
As a discussion recently transpired here on Free Republic, it occurred to me how many cheap goods have infiltrated the marketplaces of the USA. It also occurred to me that Free Republic would be the best place to begin a list of those products, made in the United States of America, that today have a long lasting quality about them.
I mean tangible goods. For example, when I was younger I had a few Tonka® trucks. Look at a Tonka® truck today, you you will certainly see how they don't make them like they used to. Too much plastic, and a "Made in Hong Kong" label. The same seems to have happened, by and large, with Lionel® Trains. While this is the perfect forum to debate the reasons for such cheapening of durigible goods, we should do something practical here on the side.
So let us build a list of the best stuff made in the United States of America, and let that list be shared. Then, perhaps, when the next holiday season arrives we will know what things to purchase as gifts. We will also know throughout the year what tangible goods may be of most benefit to our homes and families. We can do this "on the side" as it were, while we debate the more serious issues facing our land and people.
Please make sure the items are made in the USA. Think of those tangibles that have enduring qualities about them. Attributes would include: Heavy duty, solid design, long lasting reputation, high standards, etc. If, along the way, we discover there is little or nothing of true value made in the USA, then maybe some of us will be inspired to start something, or build something, of long lasting quality.
Some may come along to plug their own goods. That's okay, as long as it's quality stuff. In view of the fact, however, that this forum is not to be a platform for personal business advertising it may not be a good idea. Others have already begun a recent thread on FR to put forth the idea of a "Made in the USA" store. Please peruse this thread as well, but then come back here to help us list specific products that might be included in such a store.
As the list becomes tried and true we might refine it and release it as perhaps, for lack of a better title: The Made in USA List of Goods Made in the USA.
http://www.pennreels.com
No need to buy from them just because they're made in the US, buy them because they really do make great fishing equipment.
On this topic, anyone know of American made kitchen knives (middle to mid-high price range).
Some Chicago cutlery are, some aren't. I really like my Henckels (but they are made in China,
Spain, and Germany depending on which line you buy).
Thanks for the word. There are times when Germany runs circles around us when it comes to mechanical precision. I reckon the same may be true when it comes to technology.
Beretta Pistols: Made in Accokeek, Maryland.
Savage Centerfire Rifles: Made in New York. (Their rimfire rifles are made in Canada.)
Very few countries have the ability to make CPUs. Intel has plants in USA and Ireland, with a new one to open in Israel sometime in the near future. AMD has one each in USA and Germany, Motorola (heart of the Macintosh) may make all their CPUs in USA. SDRAM chips usually come from the Far East. Flash memory (The digital camera memory cards) comes from USA and the Far East.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.