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Totally indispensible item

(61 Posts)
grannysue05 Wed 27-Sept-17 14:13:20

I have a very ancient small kitchen knife/peeler.
I bought it 52 years ago as part of my trouseau (do they still have these?).
I can honestly say that I have used it every single day since then except when away on holiday or in hospital having the babies.
I peel with it, slice, chop, open parcels, dig out batteries from GC's toys...the list is truly endless.
DH puts it through the sharpener once in a blue moon.
It is utterly indispensible. I could not live without it.
Does anyone else have anything they just cannot live without?

Hattiehelga Fri 29-Sept-17 13:47:49

Scourers which 54 years ago were called Golden Fleece. My already married bridesmaid gave me one and said I wouldn't use anything else once I tried it and she was right. The originals disappeared but over the years the same have come onto the market under different names. The only place I can get them now is Pwllheli market in North Wales !! This year's visit did not bear fruit as due to the heavy rain and gales the relevant stallholder was not there !! Anyone know what I am talking about and where to get them ???

GrannyLondon Fri 29-Sept-17 09:53:05

Welcome CaroleAnn.

I have a large earthenware pot in which my Mum used to keep her salt. I now keep my kitchen utensils in it. Not essential but I love it.

farmgran Fri 29-Sept-17 09:31:48

The old grubber for hacking weeds out. Goodness knows how old it is but its great for getting big clumps of grass out.

starlily106 Fri 29-Sept-17 00:20:53

In 1957 i bought salt and pepper pots made in orange plastic, because they had covers on the tops, to prevent the salt from becoming damp. They cost threepence in old money. They are still going strong, used every day, and as good as new.

Nelliemoser Thu 28-Sept-17 23:30:50

I use my mothers old carving knife to saw through and divide clumps of plants. Only for gardening now.

A couple of weeks ago I used my ALDI meat thermometer to take the temperature of the compost heap which was then steaming away merrily at 72C . After a good wash it was then testing the temperature of the jam I was making.
A useful toy.

NanKate Thu 28-Sept-17 22:10:55

My eyebrow tweezers, I never bought them they just sort of turned up hmm
My IPad, invaluable
A metal plate of my mum's which I cook bacon on, very easy to clean.

varian Thu 28-Sept-17 22:03:09

Electric rollers which I use every day to give my poker straight hair a bit of a lift. Works like magic in five minutes.

CrazyDaisy Thu 28-Sept-17 21:21:45

When I turned 21 an Aunt sent me some money she had saved for me since I was born (a few pennies a week). I used it to put a deposit on an Elna Supermatic sewing machine which has been used a great deal over the years.

I've been advised not to get rid of it as apparently it is a much better machine than the modern, computerised machines. I've had it for 47 years and it's still going strong.

DanniRae Thu 28-Sept-17 20:28:53

I could never part with a tablespoon that was my mums - the top is worn down on one side because she used to stir the custard etc with it. I now use it practically very day and it is very precious to me.

Stansgran Thu 28-Sept-17 20:22:29

Oh and welcome CaroleAnn?

Stansgran Thu 28-Sept-17 20:21:41

A pair of Victorinox stork scissors- much larger than the embroidery stork ones- bought in Austria about 10 years ago and a peculiar whisk with little black beads on the ends which makes perfect scrambled eggs. My Bernini sewing machine is the love of my life and my iPad comes a close second but please don't tell DH.

mimiro Thu 28-Sept-17 20:09:46

a 121 yr old treadle sewing machine/it will sew things modern ones just cant handle.
and a certain knife

Norah Thu 28-Sept-17 20:04:52

wine pink lippy

Auntieflo Thu 28-Sept-17 19:23:51

Happy anniversary Overthehill

Coolgran65 Thu 28-Sept-17 18:58:20

In 1973 I lived for 6 months in Brussels in the lovely top furnished flat of a house. The owners lived below.
We were excellent tenants, both worked full time and I kept it like a new pin. We paid rent on time and had paid a hefty deposit up front. The landlady was a bit of a snoop and made no secret of being in our flat in our absence. I'd get home from work and find the curtains had been drawn against the sun (she could have asked me to do this). Or doors were closed that I'd left open etc. We had nothing to hide and said nothing as we'd only be there for a short time.

When returning to the UK the landlady refused to return the deposit saying she would be doing a deep clean. I was so mad, frustrated and offended.

Now..... in the cutlery drawer was what we call a 'gully'. A very big knife, rather like a butcher's knife. It was some piece of kit !!

I'm ashamed to say that as I left the gully went with me. It was my protest at her unfairness. It is still used daily.

TerriBull Thu 28-Sept-17 18:40:26

Balloon Whisk an essential piece of basic kitchen equipment for smooth sauces and gravies, I wouldn't be without it.

allule Thu 28-Sept-17 18:34:24

Many years ago we somehow damaged a chisel, and took a notch out of if. Luckily we didn't throw it away,as we were constantly finding uses for it.
Last weekend, my son wanted to remove some staples, and remembered exactly what he needed to do it. After 30 odd years, he knew exactly which tool he was looking for, and amazingly, found it., and it did the job.

petra Thu 28-Sept-17 18:02:29

Most of the items mentioned are either loved or sentimental ( or both)
But if we're talking indispensable, it's got to be my iron grin
For some on here who don't know what this object is, I can provide pics grin

kittylester Thu 28-Sept-17 17:41:43

My diary! I used to have a corgi dog that had two puppies - one each for my younger twin brothers. One was buried with one brother when he died aged 2, his twin still has his. One of our bassets ate mine. sad

shysal Thu 28-Sept-17 17:28:33

I have a pair of Wilkinson Sword household scissors which are used every day. I couldn't find them the other day, they weren't in their usual place in the knife block. I searched high and low in all the places I remembered using them and eventually had to buy another pair which were not the same. Of course Sod's Law had me finding the old ones within minutes of returning from replacing them. They were behind the TV! I then remembered using them to remove a dead bit from the palm that stands there.
I also have a favourite small Kitchen Devil knife.

retro69 Thu 28-Sept-17 17:09:21

For me it is my mothers butter knife I cannot spread with the others it also has lovely memories every time I use it

NotTooOld Thu 28-Sept-17 16:49:31

Another kitchen devil knife with a black handle. It was one of two (the other had a white handle) that I took from my parents' kitchen after they died. The white handled one disappeared over the years but I use the black handled one every day and could not be without it. I dread the day it also disappears. The new kitchen devils are not as good.

overthehill Thu 28-Sept-17 16:25:21

I have a Krups hand held food mixer which DH gave me as a 1st anniversary present 42 years ago today, as it is our 43rd anniversary this very day. I like practical presents by the way.

SueDonim Thu 28-Sept-17 16:15:02

Wrt everyday items, although I don't use it each and every day, the Mothercare baby box I bought for Ds1, who is now 42, is in regular use as a medicine chest. I keep pills and potions and first aid gear in it.

Jeannie59 Thu 28-Sept-17 15:27:54

I have a very small round hairbrush, which I bought nearly 40 years ago, my daughters used it to do their hair when they were small and teens, they are now in their 40s, I still use it now to help bob my hair and I am terrified I am going to Lose it,so i don't take it out of the house.
DDS cannot believe I still have it and argue ver who is going to inherit it .