The pleasure of fine things

[Tanks]

Curse you and curse Black Friday sales! My wallet hates you both!

I think a few guys here have said that to me in the past.

 

[Tanks]

Of course, one other thing is American leather. I love the Saddleback leather company.

 

[Whit]

I love Saddleback, but their leather is actually Mexican (and now British and Italian).

 

[mdwest]

If you’re into quality leather goods, a guy at the embassy in Nairobi turned me onto this company… they make super high quality products at a fraction of what you’ll pay for equal craftsmanship in the US or Europe…

They were originally a tent maker.. making large safari style canvas tents.. they got into making bags and duffles and totes in order to reduce waste from their tent making… and apparently their leather and canvas business now way surpasses their tent business… walk into any European embassy or consulate in Kenya or the US embassy, and you’ll see dozens of their products… the expats swear by the stuff…

I’ve got one of their laptop bags that I’ve abused… it still looks wonderful and is holding up great… and I’ve had it since maybe 2010 I think…

Sandstorm | Luxury Leather Bags & Accessories – Made by Kenya

We started out making luxury safari tents and for the past 20 years we’ve been making beautiful canvas and leather bags that last a lifetime. The romance of safari is woven into our fabric.

sandstormkenya.com

 

[steve white]

If you’re into quality leather goods, a guy at the embassy in Nairobi turned me onto this company… they make super high quality products at a fraction of what you’ll pay for equal craftsmanship in the US or Europe…

Sandstorm | Luxury Leather Bags & Accessories – Made by Kenya

We started out making luxury safari tents and for the past 20 years we’ve been making beautiful canvas and leather bags that last a lifetime. The romance of safari is woven into our fabric.

sandstormkenya.com

We should all pack over in junk and come home packed in this leather!!

 

[VertigoBE]

If you’re into quality leather goods, a guy at the embassy in Nairobi turned me onto this company… they make super high quality products at a fraction of what you’ll pay for equal craftsmanship in the US or Europe…

They were originally a tent maker.. making large safari style canvas tents.. they got into making bags and duffles and totes in order to reduce waste from their tent making… and apparently their leather and canvas business now way surpasses their tent business… walk into any European embassy or consulate in Kenya or the US embassy, and you’ll see dozens of their products… the expats swear by the stuff…

I’ve got one of their laptop bags that I’ve abused… it still looks wonderful and is holding up great… and I’ve had it since maybe 2010 I think…

Sandstorm | Luxury Leather Bags & Accessories – Made by Kenya

We started out making luxury safari tents and for the past 20 years we’ve been making beautiful canvas and leather bags that last a lifetime. The romance of safari is woven into our fabric.

sandstormkenya.com

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Whit]

We should all pack over in junk and come home packed in this leather!!

Anyone headed to Kenya shortly? Willing to take a group order? Cost + percentage of the additional luggage fee + a tip?

 

[SStomcat]

Of course, one other thing is American leather. I love the Saddleback leather company.

View attachment 728769

With so many loose straps hanging out, I’ve previously had agents tell me to fold or tuck them in. Their point was that the straps can get caught in conveyor belts, potentially causing a pile-up at security.

 

[Tanks]

Never had an issue with the straps. Though for luggage I have been using Rimowa for the last several years. IMHO, the best luggage in the market.

 

[Kharn]

I recently ordered a "Finer Thing" from Westley Richards it's an "outdoors indoors sports jacket" [The Stanley Cargo] I believe that it will match well with my existing 'Africa Hunting Attire' (yes I will wear this in the field on cold mornings/evenings) and the more I look at it the more I like it.

 

[Woolley Bugger]

I'll add to the discussion old Filson products. Back when the coats were numerically sized and made in the USA.

I'm not sure when the transition occurred, but looking at their website and catalogue, they appear to have turned into a lifestyle company catering to posers aiming to coopt "mountain man chic". The prices reflect this trend.

Fortunately, you can still get good old products on auction sites. My main winter jacket is a grey double mackinaw. It fits perfectly, and the double layer of wool is ingenious.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

No offence to the OP but I think we all enjoy the finer things and that may vary with upbringing, location and our peers.

Not everyone can achieve a higher education, rank or any other measure of success.

Some things are fashionable or seen a having some status and some people are not materialistic.

We all make choices and maybe we could have taken a different path but most all of the members here have similar interests but not all can pursue the same goals or maintain a lifestyle following expensive pursuits or enjoying the finer things.

I drink instant coffee and appreciate a nice coffee when I travel. I eat quality food but I have simple tastes so cheese and salami suits my tastes and I think seafood is overrated. I’m happy for my wife to enjoy seafood as she appreciates it. We don’t eat much takeaway so we look for great meals if we eat out.

As a reformed smoker I won’t touch a cigar or a pipe. They smell better than cigarettes but it’s one habit found hard to break.

I enjoy the beer I like, or Rum and Whiskey within reason. Beer, Wine and Spirits are like optics. There are diminishing returns as you pay for premium quality. I try what I like but it’s not to impress or engage with people of standing. I do it for my own experience and enjoyment.

I have a nice home and new but standard model vehicles and have bought and sold antiques and collectibles to make a dollar and have a few nice items I want to keep.

I choose an Akubra hat over a cheap felt hat. I own RM Williams clothes but I’m mostly in work clothes. A suit is only for formal occasions so I rarely need one.

My family have never gone without and my goal is to leave some legacy or leg up that will see them better off than me. The next generation don’t seem to want for high quality bespoke items or classic vehicles. Not speaking for all of them but I feel they are going with modern offerings.

I would probably prefer a Rigby over a Rolex. I hope to travel some more and see places like Rigby in time because that’s an experience that I can take away for myself.

I haven’t done these things of the back of an education or inheritance I have made do with my lot in life and renovated in my spare time to improve our home or investment properties.

Sure, I would like to be a multi millionaire but even now a million dollars doesn’t buy what it did 20 years ago. I would like to have a more luxurious car to travel to the city when we visit the kids but we can travel more with our common variety daily drives.

I’m just trying to get over the hurdle where investments show returns and I can enjoy the finer things and have choices in retirement.

At the ripe old age of 53 I’m thinking less is more and things that mean something to me will be sold for pennies on the pound when I’m gone so I am thinning out excess where I can.

Sometimes the finest thing is the appreciation of life itself.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

For me more than anything it is the appreciation of the time, care and thought that goes into making something that is, well, finer than it's mere functionality rewuires. Here is an example - imagine if they put so much effort into a mere button what the rest of the shirt will be like? And it is!

 

[CBH Australia]

Sometimes the finest thing is the appreciation of life itself.

Agreed, I’m not complaining I’m comfortable and if I come into money or my investments skyrocket I will be hoping to buy land or a hobby farm as my indulgence.

My first grandchild has arrived and my wife is in the city with family. She is between jobs so I said take time while you can, I’m in shift work don’t rush back on my part.

We expect we will go to the city every 3 months as we have been and possibly more when things align.

I will take my parents down soon to see their first great Grandchild. A boy, they video called me while I was priming cases this evening so I told him all about how he will have to load bullets if he is going to waste them. At 7 days old he might not remember but he was awake and inquisitive while I was talking to him.

 

[SStomcat]

Sometimes the finest thing is the appreciation of life itself.

100% true.One of the finest, if not the finest, is life itself.

 

[mdwest]

I’ve learned to appreciate high quality small kitchen appliances…

My wife, not exactly a chef or great baker, has wanted a kitchen aid mixer for years… and I have resisted… the thought of spending $550 on an appliance that under any other brand name will cost you $49 appalled me… especially since she is a full time corporate executive type, and not the stay at home and make elaborate meals June Cleaver type…

I finally broke down and got her the kitchen aid…

And now I use it all the time.. it does great work… and is indestructible…

Last night I used it to make 15lbs of breakfast sausage from my most recent deer… it took the kitchen aid 1 minute to do what used to take me 15 minutes by hand…

When she hit me up for a “premium” $299 crock pot… I didn’t complain (even though a typical crock pot can be had for $75)… the kitchen aid taught me a lesson.. in small kitchen appliances, premium is definitely better… and worth the added cost…

 

[BeeMaa]

I might have a problem with wrist watches...

Thankfully, my wife shares my addiction...

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I might have a problem with wrist watches...
View attachment 729439

Thankfully, my wife shares my addiction...
View attachment 729440

What, no Explorer?!