Swearbeeunder<$50pricesince1896
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
- Lodge
- Brand from USA
Founded by Joseph Lodge in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, where it’s still based. Source
Named by 21 lists
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22 things you can ask for by name. Everything else gets compared to them.
22icons
Ask for it by name ★ Others get compared to it ★ You can still buy it
In the kitchen
6 thingsThe pots, pans and machines everyone else gets measured against.
over$300+pricesince1925
Le Creuset Dutch Oven
- Le Creuset
- Brand from France
The first French oven was made the same year the foundry opened. Source
Named by 16 lists
Look for the brand’s own listing.
See on Amazon ›over$300+pricesince1919
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
- KitchenAid
- Brand from USA
Its shape comes from Egmont Arens’ 1930s model K and has changed little since. Source
Named by 18 lists
See on Amazon ›over$300+pricesince1937
Vitamix Blender
- Vitamix
- Brand from USA
The founder saw a blender at a trade show, then introduced his own. Source
Named by 11 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$50pricesince1933
Bialetti Moka Express
- Bialetti
- Brand from Italy
The stovetop pot now shown in the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art. Source
Named by 7 lists
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1951
Weber Original Kettle Charcoal Grill
- Weber
- Brand from USA
The round charcoal kettle, first sold in 1952. Source
Named by 4 lists
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Worn and carried
7 thingsBoots, jeans and bags that started as work gear or sports kit.
$50-100pricesince1890
Levi's 501 Original Jeans
- Levi's
- Brand from USA
The year the company’s copper-riveted overalls got the lot number 501. Source
Named by 8 lists
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1960
Dr. Martens 1460 Boot
- Dr. Martens
- Brand from UK
Named for its launch date, 1 April 1960. Source
Named by 4 lists
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1905
Red Wing Leather Work Boots
- Red Wing
- Brand from USA
Charles H. Beckman founded the company in Red Wing, Minnesota. Source
Named by 10 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$250pricesince1949
adidas Samba OG
- adidas
- Brand from Germany
Designed so football players could train on icy, hard ground. Source
Named by 3 lists
Look for the brand’s own listing.
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1889
Carhartt Duck Blanket-Lined Jacket
- Carhartt
- Brand from USA
Hamilton Carhartt started in Detroit, making work clothing for manual laborers. Source
Named by 4 lists
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1985
Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Fleece
- Patagonia
- Brand from USA
The first generation of Synchilla fleece was used in this pullover. Source
Named by 3 lists
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1978
Fjallraven Kanken
- Fjallraven
- Brand from Sweden
Founder Åke Nordin developed it with the Swedish scouting association. Source
Named by 5 lists
Look for the brand’s own listing.
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In your pocket
5 thingsSmall, tough things people carry and ask for by name.
under<$50pricesince1897
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
- Victorinox
- Brand from Switzerland
Karl Elsener’s knife was patented on 12 June 1897. Source
Named by 15 lists
See on Amazon ›$100-300pricesince1983
Leatherman Wave+
- Leatherman
- Brand from USA
Timothy Leatherman co-founded the company in July 1983 to sell his tool. Source
Named by 8 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$50pricesince1933
Zippo Classic Lighter
- Zippo
- Brand from USA
Made in many designs since, including versions for military regiments. Source
Named by 6 lists
See on Amazon ›$50-100pricesince1983
Casio G-Shock
- Casio
- Brand from Japan
Engineer Kikuo Ibe’s idea; the first DW-5000C launched in April 1983. Source
Named by 6 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$50pricesince1989
Casio F-91W
- Casio
- Brand from Japan
Introduced in June 1989 and popular for its low price. Source
Named by 4 lists
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On the desk
4 thingsEveryday office things that became the default.
under<$50pricesince1980
Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
- Lamy
- Brand from Germany
Designed by Wolfgang Fabian and Bernt Spiegel, in production from 1980. Source
Named by 5 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$50pricesince1917
Leuchtturm1917 Notebook
- Leuchtturm1917
- Brand from Germany
The 1917 in the name is the year the company began. Source
Named by 5 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$50pricesince1980
Post-it Notes
- 3M
- Brand from USA
Tested as “Press ’n Peel” in 1977, launched across the US in 1980. Source
Named by 6 lists
See on Amazon ›under<$50pricesince1950
Bic Cristal Ballpoint Pen
- Bic
- Brand from France
The world’s best-selling pen, with the 100 billionth sold in September 2006. Source
Named by 6 lists
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