"Obsolete" items that you still use

[SStomcat]

Just normal conversation. Its seen as a flex by the insecure. What kind of sword is that? Sounds like a very cool family history.

Just a one-handed grip Indian sword made by some obscure company in the state of Rajasthan.

 

[farmer_john]

Just a one-handed grip Indian sword made by some obscure company in the state of Rajasthan.

Thats pretty cool.

 

[Woolley Bugger]

An HP-41CV calculator. The tactile feel of the buttons and my familiarity with it just make it more useful than the idiot calculator on my phone.

I've truly found my people.....

I have a whole shoebox full of old HP calculators. My favorite is the 15c. I have a 41CV too. I still remember the joy of receiving my first 10c in high school and learning RPN.
It's sad what's happened to HP, a once great company. It kind of makes sense that things would slipe now there's much less of a market for professional scientific calculators. I just use my computer or an app on my phone, but I did love the build quality of those machines. Here's a great online tribute to them.

https://www.hpmuseum.org/

I also collect slide rules and abaci. I've found slide rules a great way to provide kids with a physical intuition for the concept of logarithms.

 

[Woolley Bugger]

Check out the history of chronograph. Very interesting.

Yes!
I highly recommend "Longitude" by Dava Sobol.
You can see the original Harrison chronographs at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Last time I was there, they also had a cool interactive exhibit where you sat on a dinghy with a sextant and tried to take observations under simulated stormy conditions. This was to give a sense of appreciation for improbability of Shackleton's survival. It's definitely worth the trip out of London for anyone interested in nautical or Empire history.

 

[Altitude sickness]

While serving in the U.S. Navy our group was most often a mobile detachment or passengers on naval vessels. During my off hours I went to the bridge to work through all the requirements and quals to become Junior Officer of the Deck underway.

It’s was much easier when it’s voluntary and interesting to learn everything about the vessel, navigation laws and skills, damage control. Etc Etc. I was working on Officer of the Deck Under way. But Officer of the Deck requirements and quals took much longer and I needed more sea time that just wasn’t in my job description. But I did enjoy “driving” a ship at night.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Are those obsolete tho?

For the vast majority, yes. I bought a three pack, different colors, Zebra brand, at Wallyworld but they are not refillable like the ones some of us used in school.

 

[wesheltonj]

Well it's not really obsolete, but as others have mentioned, my HP-12C. I bought that calculator in college. I was in a Corporate Finance class and was using a Texas Instruments calculator and it took forever to arrive at the answer. Some chick had a 12C and was getting the answer in seconds, that was all to took for me to order one.

 

[Hogpatrol]

For the pilots, throat mic, given to me by a WW2 veteran pilot. Gave it to my grandson, who's joined the Air Force.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I guess I should feel old, but I don't. I shoot shotguns from 80-100+ years old with lots of drop at comb and heel. I use tin lined copper pans, which I have learned to re-tin myself. I have some split cane fly rods. I use single stage loaders with balance scales. I regularly use ancient wood and metal planes and chisels on doors and other wood projects, just keep them razor sharp. I like walnut and blued steel and chrome moly barrels for the most part. I like rust blueing. Except for pictures, I would be as happy with a flip phone. If someone broke into my house, I wonder if they would even take half my stuff, or know what to do with it.
What obsolete things do you still hold on to?

@steve white
Got the chance to handle a Purdy 12 bore made in 1898 and re-proofed for nitro in the 1940-50s
A beautiful piece of kit but way above my pay grade.
That gun sure was beautiful and tight as the day it was made. The triggers were as light as can be and it shouldered and swung nicely. When you mounted it it just seemed to come alive.
Man it was great.
It is something I will treasure for a long time. Holding it as I will never own one. You can keep your H&H, and others, this is pure class
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Straight edge razors. Way more satisfying than disposables

@Woolley Bugger
Until you slip and boody near cut your throat.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Toilet paper - invented in 1890!

@TheGrayRider
Just don't use John Wayne toilet paper mate
It's rough, tough and don't take shit from no-one.
Sand paper would be gentle compared to that stuff.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

No, No @SStomcat

I absolutely DISGUST sutke mach. Anchovies are the small ones cured with fine grained salt & left to brine in extra virgin olive oil.

@Hunter-Habib
Anchovies are beautiful, love them on pizza and can be used in a lot of other menus for that umami hit.
Bob

 

[Hogpatrol]

May have been mentioned already but I remember using a slide rule and it's cousin the whiz wheel.

 

[steve white]

@steve white
Got the chance to handle a Purdy 12 bore made in 1898 and re-proofed for nitro in the 1940-50s
A beautiful piece of kit but way above my pay grade.
That gun sure was beautiful and tight as the day it was made. The triggers were as light as can be and it shouldered and swung nicely. When you mounted it it just seemed to come alive.
Man it was great.
It is something I will treasure for a long time. Holding it as I will never own one. You can keep your H&H, and others, this is pure class
BobView attachment 729252View attachment 729253View attachment 729254

You couldn't look more satisfied if you were holding a double 35 Whelen! Love a shotgun that "comes alive in your hands"

 

[Don458]

A 1969 Torino Gt with points and manual steering - Always problem free

 

[steve white]

A 1969 Torino Gt with points and manual steering - Always problem free View attachment 729285

Geeeze, it hurts to call things obsolete that we once owned NEW!

 

[farmer_john]

For the vast majority, yes. I bought a three pack, different colors, Zebra brand, at Wallyworld but they are not refillable like the ones some of us used in school.

I really like the lamy safari fountian pen for everyday use. There not super costly and perform well.

 

[farmer_john]

A 1969 Torino Gt with points and manual steering - Always problem free View attachment 729285

 

[Doug Hamilton]

May have been mentioned already but I remember using a slide rule and it's cousin the whiz wheel.

My dad was a civil engineer. I remember him using a slide rule in the 60's. We were amazed when he brought home a pocket sized calculator in the late 60's or maybe 1970.
I think my son-in-law ended up with my dad's slide rule as he is an electronics engineer as is a good buddy of mine. Neither one actually knows how to use one.

 

[farmer_john]

My dad was a civil engineer. I remember him using a slide rule in the 60's. We were amazed when he brought home a pocket sized calculator in the late 60's or maybe 1970.
I think my son-in-law ended up with my dad's slide rule as he is an electronics engineer as is a good buddy of mine. Neither one actually knows how to use one.

I dont know anyone who does lol.