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Committed to buying Made In U.S.A.

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galahad:
I have learned that in this country each Manufacturing job creates approximately 2.5 other jobs.  It's a statistic that seems to scream "You have leverage."  But anyway, for quite some time I've been making every possible effort to buy products made in this country.  As our manufacturing sector shrinks so does the economy as a whole.  So I thought I'd start a post about various products that I purchase that are Made In America.  Since my wonderful wife and I went shopping over the weekend it seemed to be a good time to start.

Sneakers - I learned from "Modern Marvels" that New Balance is the sole remaining company that makes sneakers in the U.S.A..  The New Balance store is about 30 miles from where I live but what the heck, it was Saturday and we didn't have anything important going on.  We went to the New Balance store in Houston.  We were greeted by a young lady who offered to help us.  I told her that we needed "walking" shoes as we don't run any longer, and that we wouldn't consider anything not Made In U.S.A..  (They make 25% of their products here.)  It took a while because she measured each of our feet and then asked some questions.  When I put on the first pair she handed me I put them on and stood up.  It didn't feel like I even had shoes on!!!  The are, without question, the most comfortable sneakers I have ever had on my feet.  

My wife has different sized feet with one being quite a bit larger than the other, over half a size.  That does make it extremely difficult to fit her.  It took three pairs and a set of inserts but when the young lady was done my wife is also an extremely happy camper with shoes that she agrees are the most comfortable that she has ever had on.

They are VERY expensive, but no more expensive than the ones that the big name basketball players put their name on and the cost is associated with the best possible quality of materials and employing Americans rather than being funneled into the manufacturers marketing programs and into the pocket of a basketball star.

If you want the identical shoe this is it:  http://www.shopnewbalance.com/newbalanceMR993NAV.htm  They also make the same shoe but without the Navy theme.

Knives - This story starts out 25 years ago.  Just about 25 years ago we had a friend with a daughter who was working her way through college.  She was selling Cutco cutlery in order to make money for school.  So we bought four steak knives.  Those knives were an "issue" at the divorce so I got two and the ex got two.  I have been using them ever since.  Use, toss in dishwasher, use, repeat for 25 years.  Well, my wonderful wife absolutely loves them and I don't run the dishwasher every night so I've been using some wood handled large steak knives.  She thought that I liked the big ones better but the fact is that whatever my wonderful lady wants, she gets, so I let her think that so she could use the Cutco knives.  

While wandering around the mall on Saturday there was a college girl selling Cutco knives.  I decided that it was time to get a couple more of the little knives so fessed up to the wife that I actually liked the balance and cutting ability of the Cutco better than the other knives so we headed over to the table.  I told her that the one I wanted wasn't on display and explained what I was looking for.  She responded that she was out of stock on them but that Cutco would pay shipping and that she had a special, buy three get one free.  I had intended to buy two of them but went for the three +1 deal.  We were then chatting about my 25 year old knives and she told me that Cutco guaranteed them forever, no receipt required, and would sharpen or replace them free, subject to a $6.00 handling charge.  

As soon as the four new knives arrive I'll package up the two old knives and send them in for sharpening.   Were they expensive?  Well, not really.  The four knives came to $95 out the door and I happen to know from personal experience that they will last at least 25 years and still work great.  That would be a quality that is worth a lot more than the cost.  I'm now going to pick up Cutco knives whenever I see them at garage sales or wherever and send them to Cutco for sharpening.  

These knives are superior to the Henckels knives that we use in the kitchen AND are 50% less expensive.  If you want to buy some try www.cutcokatie.com.  

Sorry this is so long.  I promise to make them shorter in the future.

Hillbilly61:
Good post Galahad. To add, the high end multiplier is about 7X if the money stays local. How that works, is that somebody makes something locally and you buy it directly from the mfgr or a locally based retailer of said product. Most people and businesses tend to spend their money locally. That's why its pretty devastating to a local economy when a large local mfgr pulls out (and more often than not, unfortunately, to a foreign locale).

wrightbrigade:
I've thought about this before Mr. G and like the idea,  you want to just put your stuff on this thread or have others add to it?

Lafayettegregory:
Great review. Thanks
 Whats important to me is that New Balance is also the last production walking shoe not made with leather.

galahad:

--- Quote from: wrightbrigade on December 20, 2010, 01:51:28 PM ---I've thought about this before Mr. G and like the idea,  you want to just put your stuff on this thread or have others add to it?

--- End quote ---

Let's hear about good products made in the U.S.A.  It's important to give EXACT models and pricing as many manufacturers also manufacture overseas and the differences in quality might be huge.

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