Best products from r/bifl

I have one. I was extremely skeptical because I'm really picky about mattresses, but my partner had heard good things, and we needed one, so we got one. We've had it for about 2 months.

A large part of the reason I'm picky is that my body is very curvy (wide hips, big ass, small waist), so I need a mattress that is squishy enough to accommodate that and yet somehow also supportive. I am normally a stomach sleeper and/or roll around all night trying to get comfortable, but I find that I mostly fall asleep and wake up on my back now. That's pretty amazing in itself.

Overall, I would recommend it. They have a good return/refund policy. They offer a free squishy addon pad if after a month or so you still feel like it's not soft enough. I have also read that showroom perception of mattresses generally doesn't have any correlation with longterm satisfaction. Basically, I can vouch for the fact that the Casper probably won't hurt you, and it will last longer than a spring mattress at an equivalent price.

For me, it's not the kind of mattress that I associate with "luxury". I don't sink into it like I'm laying on a cloud. But that's not good for your back anyway. It's more that it's just consistently supportive. I don't wake up in pain. And, best of all, I didn't have to go to a showroom and lay on a bunch of mattresses and get hassled/hustled by a salesperson gunning for a commission. We ordered it online while we were moving and it was delivered directly to the new place. I lay on it and it doesn't hurt me. So it checks all the boxes for me.

[Edit] Btw, we have it on one of these basic wire bed frames. Many reviewers also have a Casper and they say it works fine. So I don't think it matters that much what you put it on.

Henckels Pro-S are made in Germany, have a full lifetime warranty, and come in a lot of set configurations which will save you TONS of money compared to buying the knives separately. I've never had to test the warranty, but I've had a 8 piece (+ block) set for about 10 years and they're still sharp as razors with daily use. I sharpen weekly with the honing rod, but otherwise haven't needed to use a stone or wheel.

This set looks promising:

http://www.amazon.com/Twin-Pro-7pc-Block-Knife/dp/B008CQPHZW

I don't find the 5" serrated useful for cutting bread (too short); although, it's alright for tomatoes. The 4" paring seems only useful for small, soft fruit, like strawberries.

The set I have had 2 more knives: a santoku and a 4" (?) utility knife. I really like the santoku...

Just to throw another option into the mix, I've always heard good things about Etymotics. They make some pretty great earbuds.

I have never used their concert earbuds but they're pretty well reviewed. (2401 reviews at 4.3 stars)

Etymotic Research ER20 ETY-Plugs Hearing Protection Earplugs, Standard Fit, Clear Stem with Frost Tip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015WJQ7A/

I meal prep and store my food in these containers and only these containers. I've been using them since January and have only had one break. They freeze and microwave well, so I just eat straight out of the packaging. Maybe get a couple packs so you can use them as plates or bowls if you decide to make something else, and you can still use them for tupperware as needed.

They also store well because they fit together very snugly, unlike other bulky tupperwares.

*edit: how much room do you have for storage in your van? I want to renovate a van like this as I travel often and sleep in my car to save money, and I was hoping to take out all of the backseats and mounting my futon to the back, perhaps lofting it for storage and a fridge(?) underneath.

Also, perhaps get a yeti cooler to keep things hot if you make hot food and plan on eating it later?

/u/cochon1010 I can attest to the EarPeace HD. I'm a jazz & funk sax player, and often sit in front of a ton of brass, as well as drums & amps, etc. My hearing as of late has been more sensitive and I'm still young, so I gotta be careful. I went and saw Tower of Power in a very small expo center and they were SUPER LOUD. Had my earplugs in, and they really saved my hearing AND I could still hear clearly. Worth the $20. I just keep 'em on my belt loop everyday, all day.
another pair worth considering: [L!veMusic HearSafe] (http://www.amazon.com/LiveMus-HearSafe-Ear-Plugs-Comfortable/dp/B00H2F87I8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450336559&sr=8-3&keywords=concert+earplugs)

The only thing to consider w/ these is that they're separate plugs for different decibel reduction amounts; with the EarPeace, they have little inserts (red and flesh) that you swap out depending on how much reduction you want to happen.

Someone gave me one of these about 2 years ago and it's been part of my standard camping kit since.

It's been dropped a fair bit but it still works great.

Amazon reviews are great.

https://www.amazon.com/UST-20-PL20C3D-Parent-30-Day-Lantern/dp/B00E9P02L4

Some mention another (smaller) product that runs on AA's, with even more reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DII7CTI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this thermos for hot food like soup, stews, and some pastas for my husband's lunch. I've been very happy with it. Food safety is only an issue if you don't follow the directions (use boiling water to sterilize and heat it first, make sure the food is hot enough, etc). You can find several sources online that cover the food safety aspect.

For cold stuff, he uses this Coleman cooler. I had to link to eBay because apparently it isn't made anymore. He's been using it since the early 90s, so the older ones are definitely BIFL. I have no idea about the newer ones. I use ice packs to keep cold food cold.

I've always been happy with Pro Force original leather 16 oz gloves. I'd suggest the 16oz to train in, so that when you wear lighter ones to compete in your fists feel light and fast. Like you said, no gloves last a lifetime but these are great quality and last a good year of training. You don't want to be wearing gloves that you've been sweating for years in anyway. Boxing gloves

This is the one I've got: https://www.amazon.com/Oster-BRLY07-B-600-watt-7-Speed-Blender/dp/B000M3BTMI

I'm not counting on it to be BIFL, but I have run through blenders in a month or two before and this one does a great job and hasn't slowed down yet, through 2 years of heavy use.

Maybe not every all-metal drive blender is great, but I would guess that they are much more durable than plastic parts, in general.

Insulin pen user here. Pencil cases are perfect, as long as they're 8" or so. My pens are 6"+ and 7" cases are crowded at the opening.

My favorite is this goatskin zipper pouch for \< $10. It has a crinkly leather texture that I can identify by touch in my bookbag.

Next step up in size would be the toiletries/makeup bags.

Since this is BIFL I'll say I've banged my goatskin case around for a couple of years and it doesn't show any wear, it just gets a little more flexible and comfortable with time. I'd say for $10 it's pretty astonishing work.

If you don't like Amazon, shop these products at Etsy. Prices ~double but there's more creativity.

I have had very bad luck with butane lighters. I think I have gone through close to 10 in the last few years. Ironically, the cheapest one (an insert for an old zippo lighter that I had) has worked the best:
http://www.amazon.com/Vector-Thunderbird-Butane-Torch-Insert/dp/B008Z8W714/ref=pd_sim_236_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=41GAkrwKV0L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR133%2C160_&refRID=13M7JP5H64VSTW2J56ZK

It's easy to refill and very easy to adjust the flame height. I've only had it for 3 months, so I can't give a long term review on it, but I've liked it a lot so far.

I have the Fidelis Co GTG and love it. The leather hand straps really add to the desirability for me.

To second and expand upon /u/JoshGTO's answer, a diamond-grit bench stone will work for anyone of any handedness in any direction. I have this one from DMT - I can't imagine it ever breaking (the base is a very solid plastic) and, while the extra-fine side makes up about 98% of my usage, I do occasionally flip over to the other side to help restore edges that are really badly degraded. Diamond grit works really fast, so you should only need a few swipes to get your knives back to top shape. Finish up with a sharpening steel - you can get them all over Amazon for $20ish tops, and there's no reason they shouldn't last forever also - and practice keeping your angles consistent as you sharpen, and before long you'll be able to shave with every knife you own.

I use a Brill. Keep in mind that you will have to cut more often then with a power mower. If you let the grass get too long you'll have to make a couple of passes. I've been very happy with Brill after 3 summers. Good way to get a workout.

I am rather picky about pillows. So far I have found 2 that work well.

The first is Sleep Better by Carpenter and endorsed by National Sleep Foundation. It looks like a big yellow square. Any attempt to find a buy now link is missing. But here is a picture. https://www.amazon.com/Better-Perfect-Luxury-Sleeper-Standard/dp/B0050EEMGE
I have found this at BonTon type stores. They tend to last about 5 years.
I now use a BedWorks pillow from Denver Mattress. I was able to try out a number of pillows on the bed type that I sleep on. The original price was around $90, but it was on clearance for $40.

My strategy for this same problem was to get cloth-wrapped cables. They're surely a bit more chew-resistant, but more importantly my cat is just less interested in them than rubber/plastic.

Monoprice happens to make some well-regarded (for the price) cheapos that have nice cloth-wrapped cables. They're cheap enough that if the cat does manage to kill them it won't break the bank:

http://amzn.com/B00B8QCMHY

I can highly recommend this Oster: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RBXHSC

It's no Vitamix, but it's about as reliable as you'll find short of an actual Vitamix. I've tried a lot of blenders and I certainly put them through their paces.