While writing my latest Backyard Pioneer blog I got to use one of my favorite kitchen tools, my vintage Potato Masher, and had an ephiany at the same time. How is that for getting two blogs for the price of one?
The Masher!
My potato masher is a beast! It was made in the 1950′s by Flint mfg. right here in the US of A. It is stainless steel and has Bakerlite handles. I could beat a home invader into submission with it and then whip up a nice bowl of mashed potatoes while I waited for the police to arrive.
Now here is where I go off on a slightly whacky tangent, why aren’t things made like this anymore? I mean, here I am holding a 60 year old kitchen implement that far surpasses anything I could get these days. God knows how many hands it has passed through as I got it from a yard sale courtesy of my Mom. When did America start phoning it in and not caring about the little things? It may seem trivial but this masher was made with pride and to stand the test of the ages, unlike the cheap crap we fill our homes with now. Maybe our landfills wouldn’t be bursting if we made things right the first time like we did in the 50′s. Wouldn’t paying a bit more once for something that was going to last, be a better use of our resources vs. the disposable consumerism we’ve got going on these days?
Am I wrong?
Thanks to Attainable Sustainable and Frugal Kiwi for hosting the Patchwork Living Blogging Bee #2
You are completely right! I have made a deal with myself, I will not buy new when I can buy it used. I have found over and over again those things I purchase used, having as much as 50 years of use behind them, tend to be in better working order, do a better job, and will out last anything I can purchase at WM or any other store for that matter.
Example, I had wanted a clay roaster with lid, but did not want to pay the price tag of $80-$120 I had seen, so I waited and checked out all the thrift stores, goodwill’s, and garage sales and what do you know I found a brand spanking new huge clay roaster with domed lid for $10. Never been used. Look around see what you can find, reuse it, re-purpose it, and in the process save some wear and tear on the environment.
Nice score on the roaster! I usually am on the look out for cast iron, a little elbow grease and it can be returned to almost new.
Whoo hoo!! I have the same masher! Came from my mom too. I’m with you, they don’t make things to last anymore. I love to find vintage things for the kitchen. They are better than anything you can buy today.
I find myself drawn to tools and kitchen stuff when I’m at yard sales. Stuff used to be built for the long haul.
I’m with you…. potato mashers, refrigerators, cars… nothing is built to last these days. I can’t stand replacing the same item over and over again. Does the U.S. manufacture anything anymore???
I can’t stand replacing stuff either! My motto is: Buy Once, Cry Once! Not with everything but with some stuff quality pays for itself in the long run.
The U.S. still leads the world in manufacturing goods, though I must agree, it seems that quality has replaced by cheap quantity on almost every level. That sentiment would include personnel in addition to product. As Karen in the comment section had stated if you are looking for quality products, at decent prices, the local thrift stores seem to be a refuge for products such as the “potato masher”, at least in FL. Enjoyed the article on “Swiss Chard”, I’ve heard of the green, but have never used, or even tasted it. Keep up the good work.
Good points, md. Thanks for commenting.
I love vintage kitchen utensils, pans, dishes, can openers, etc. I have a wall mounted, hand cranked can opener I got off of Ebay for a few dollars, still in the box, from the early 1950′s, and it gets used every day. I actually don’t use the electric can opener, because I prefer the vintage hand cranks. You cannot beat the kitchen goodies (or any other type of household appliance!)
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