Real nice things ...
Discussion
Chaps,
It occurs to me that some things in life are memorable. Not events or experiences, but objects that do the job they are meant to do, and do it brilliantly well. Such things are a joy to use, they sit comfortably in your hands, are well-designed and well-made, and consequently lend themselves to the task for which they are intended perfectly. You look at them, use them and immediately know that they are "Right".
For instance, item 1. 4-cell Maglite. Needs no introduction; solid, engineered as opposed to manufactured, very bright, focusable, waterproof, obviously built to last. Positive, definite "Click" push button switch. Reliable and dependable - you turn it on and know it's going to work. Utterly incomparable to a £4.99 Halfords "Torch".
Item 2. My favourite tool - a ratchet-less ratchet handle, made by sealey. The ratchet is smooth, no clicks, and allows infinitely small swing, so is great in a restricted space. Beautifully-weighted, fits the hand and is always a pleasure to use. So much better than the standard offering found in teng/snap on tool sets.
Item 3. Computer and workstation in my home office. I built the computer myself, and then built the desk it lives on. The desk is built to exactly fit the space it is in, and the whole thing is designed carefully around what needs to be done at it. Consequently, you can use it without stretching to reach any part of it, everything is positioned where it should be, and the usual sprawl of a computer (modems, printers, cables) are all hidden away.
Item 4. Recaro seats, currently in my car. So much better than the ones they replaced, the difference is like night and day. Supremely comfortable, you can sit in them for hours on end (hello London traffic) without getting in the least bit uncomfortable. They also hold you fantastically when necessary (hello country roads.) Elegantly shaped, brilliant to use. Form followed function for their designer.
What other examples can you think of?
Also, what are the hallmarks of such an object? Are they always the most expensive one on offer? (Often not.) Are they always the one that everyone recommends? (Sometimes not.) If you are designing something, how do you do it so that it has this magical property of "rightness"?
Oli.
Edited to add pics.
>>> Edited by zcacogp on Wednesday 9th March 10:53
It occurs to me that some things in life are memorable. Not events or experiences, but objects that do the job they are meant to do, and do it brilliantly well. Such things are a joy to use, they sit comfortably in your hands, are well-designed and well-made, and consequently lend themselves to the task for which they are intended perfectly. You look at them, use them and immediately know that they are "Right".
For instance, item 1. 4-cell Maglite. Needs no introduction; solid, engineered as opposed to manufactured, very bright, focusable, waterproof, obviously built to last. Positive, definite "Click" push button switch. Reliable and dependable - you turn it on and know it's going to work. Utterly incomparable to a £4.99 Halfords "Torch".
Item 2. My favourite tool - a ratchet-less ratchet handle, made by sealey. The ratchet is smooth, no clicks, and allows infinitely small swing, so is great in a restricted space. Beautifully-weighted, fits the hand and is always a pleasure to use. So much better than the standard offering found in teng/snap on tool sets.
Item 3. Computer and workstation in my home office. I built the computer myself, and then built the desk it lives on. The desk is built to exactly fit the space it is in, and the whole thing is designed carefully around what needs to be done at it. Consequently, you can use it without stretching to reach any part of it, everything is positioned where it should be, and the usual sprawl of a computer (modems, printers, cables) are all hidden away.
Item 4. Recaro seats, currently in my car. So much better than the ones they replaced, the difference is like night and day. Supremely comfortable, you can sit in them for hours on end (hello London traffic) without getting in the least bit uncomfortable. They also hold you fantastically when necessary (hello country roads.) Elegantly shaped, brilliant to use. Form followed function for their designer.
What other examples can you think of?
Also, what are the hallmarks of such an object? Are they always the most expensive one on offer? (Often not.) Are they always the one that everyone recommends? (Sometimes not.) If you are designing something, how do you do it so that it has this magical property of "rightness"?
Oli.
Edited to add pics.
>>> Edited by zcacogp on Wednesday 9th March 10:53
zcacogp said:
For instance, item 1. 4-cell Maglite. Needs no introduction; solid, engineered as opposed to manufactured, very bright, focusable, waterproof, obviously built to last. Positive, definite "Click" push button switch. Reliable and dependable - you turn it on and know it's going to work. Utterly incomparable to a £4.99 Halfords "Torch".
Oli.
Hm, until you head down to the cellar or into the garden, at which point it'll start petering out the second you stupidly point it at your own face, just as the chainsaw weilding masked killer sneaks up behind you.
But I know what you mean, I always try to get quality when I need/want it.
Leatherman (original, not the new coloured jobs) has a 'rightness' about it.
being a farming-type, JCB's Fastrac has a 'rightness' and would be difficult to improve upon.
1973 911 2.7RS seems pretty 'right' (size, power, usability etc)
::added:: le creuset (sp.?) pans are nice
sure i'll think of some more soon
>> Edited by tuscan_thunder on Wednesday 9th March 10:10
being a farming-type, JCB's Fastrac has a 'rightness' and would be difficult to improve upon.
1973 911 2.7RS seems pretty 'right' (size, power, usability etc)
::added:: le creuset (sp.?) pans are nice
sure i'll think of some more soon
>> Edited by tuscan_thunder on Wednesday 9th March 10:10
Good thread. Some positive vibes are well overdue 
For me, it has to be one of my acoustic guitars - my John Hullah acoustic. Yes, its a bit quirky and although the cut-away looks cool, after a while it hurts your knee while playing sat down. And yes, its a bit battered now. And yes, some of the higher frets are a bit rough on the bottom edge. BUT, it still has the most glorious tone and the action is that good it practically plays itself. I could never part with it, its a beautiful hand-crafted thing that brings so much pleasure.
Edited to add : did a quick search to see if i could find a picture. There's one on this link, but not a very good one. www.exploring.co.uk/arts_crafts/2083/index.htm
My guitar is almost exactly the same.
>> Edited by neil.b on Wednesday 9th March 10:17
For me, it has to be one of my acoustic guitars - my John Hullah acoustic. Yes, its a bit quirky and although the cut-away looks cool, after a while it hurts your knee while playing sat down. And yes, its a bit battered now. And yes, some of the higher frets are a bit rough on the bottom edge. BUT, it still has the most glorious tone and the action is that good it practically plays itself. I could never part with it, its a beautiful hand-crafted thing that brings so much pleasure.
Edited to add : did a quick search to see if i could find a picture. There's one on this link, but not a very good one. www.exploring.co.uk/arts_crafts/2083/index.htm
My guitar is almost exactly the same.
>> Edited by neil.b on Wednesday 9th March 10:17
SHould have put them on my original list. 
Wooden spoons arnt they great, after 100’s of years of technological advancement I still find the best thing to stir my chilli or curry is the great wooden spoon. Does not conduct heat so you don’t burn, does not scratch pans, wont melt or flex. feels good in your hand, maybe because it’s a natural material.
I have a 2 cell maglight which is great.
I have a 2 cell maglight which is great.
Landrovers. They just feel right when you're off road in one.
Thermarests. Makes camping a joy.
Original Karrimoor KSB3 boots. Have had mine for years and I won't part with them.
Suunto Vector. Cheapish and tough as old boots see above.
Dualit toasters. Toast done to a T.
Marmite. For above item.
Beer. All flavours
.
added watch after reading rest of thread
>> Edited by greenlandy on Thursday 10th March 09:47
Thermarests. Makes camping a joy.
Original Karrimoor KSB3 boots. Have had mine for years and I won't part with them.
Suunto Vector. Cheapish and tough as old boots see above.
Dualit toasters. Toast done to a T.
Marmite. For above item.
Beer. All flavours
. added watch after reading rest of thread
>> Edited by greenlandy on Thursday 10th March 09:47
greenlandy - dualit good stuff!
on the cooking/domestic scene how can we possibly forget the Aga?!!
on non domestic, the Grey Fergie tractor takes some beating. the three point linkage is a work of genius.
weber sidedraught/downdraught carbs.
Fuchs forged alloy
minilites
beretta silver pigeon III (12 bore shotgun)
on the cooking/domestic scene how can we possibly forget the Aga?!!
on non domestic, the Grey Fergie tractor takes some beating. the three point linkage is a work of genius.
weber sidedraught/downdraught carbs.
Fuchs forged alloy
minilites
beretta silver pigeon III (12 bore shotgun)
zcacogp said:
Item 4. Recaro seats, currently in my car. So much better than the ones they replaced, the difference is like night and day. Supremely comfortable, you can sit in them for hours on end (hello London traffic) without getting in the least bit uncomfortable. They also hold you fantastically when necessary (hello country roads.) Elegantly shaped, brilliant to use. Form followed function for their designer.
What other examples can you think of?
Oli.
Edited to add pics.
>>> Edited by zcacogp on Wednesday 9th March 10:53
Oli my car came with those recaros and i have to add also that i think they are fantastic,
all the best
adam
adamt said:... in my case, taken from a scrapped Escort and now welded into a Golf. So much more comfortable, lighter, grippier. So ... right!
Oli my car came with those recaros and i have to add also that i think they are fantastic.
Keep 'em coming folks. (Note to self - go and buy a Dualit toaster.)
Oli.
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