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The Made in USA Thread

B

BassAle

Internet Nutcase
I know a lot of people that like to buy products that are made in the USA, myself included. If two products are similar quality, I will chose something made here even if it costs more money in most cases. Of course, I own many products that were made overseas, but when I have a choice I like to support things made as locally as possible. To that end, I've decided to start a thread where we can share some of our Made in USA purchases. Sometimes these are small local firms, so it is nice to get the word out to other people that might be interested in sourcing their products as locally as possible.

Here are some recent purchases:

New "big boy" bed for my 4 year old son from The Bedworks of Maine. The bed was made a few miles from my house and delivered by a couple of young guys that were super polite and really appreciative of having my business. And one of the delivery guys had killer dreadlocks. http://www.thebedworksofmaine.com/Products.htm Made in Bangor, Maine.

Climbing rope manufactured in Biddeford, Maine by Sterling Rope. I also have purchased nylon slings and accessory cord from Sterling, also for rock climbing. http://www.sterlingrope.com

Black Diamond crampons made in Salt Lake City, Utah. Black Diamond has shifted a bunch of their production to a factory they own in China, but they still make some gear in SLC. I've known crampons and ice screws to be made in their SLC factory, not sure what else, but that could change at any time. Some products may be sourced from either factory. At least they don't contract out the work like a lot of people that source this stuff to China so they oversee the entire process and the BD Asia employees are actual BD employees enjoy better working conditions than in a lot of other factories (on site climbing wall, reasonable hours, etc).

Kahtoola Microspikes, ice traction for when conditions don't warrant full crampons. http://www.kahtoola.com Made in Flagstaff Arizona.

LL Bean Boot "Gumshoe" - The shoe version of the famous Bean Boot (which I also own, but purchased quite a while ago). I've been wearing these almost daily this winter. www.llbean.com Made in Brunswick, Maine. (the Bean Boots are some of the only LL Bean products made locally)
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

Buying outdoor gear can be hit or miss with stuff made in the USA... I love buying American, but it also has to be a great product to get my attention... Unfortunately, it seems that many great products are being made overseas and that trend isn't gonna change... Two standouts that come to mind for myself would be Donek Snowboards (Silverton, CO) and St. Croix fishing rods (Park Falls, WI)...

In both cases, I feel that these companies are the absolute best in their respective industries... Both companies are on the forefront of product development and constantly push the boundaries with their gear... I have no problem spending top dollar with either company...
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

RaceBoarder said:
Buying outdoor gear can be hit or miss with stuff made in the USA... I love buying American, but it also has to be a great product to get my attention... Unfortunately, it seems that many great products are being made overseas and that trend isn't gonna change... Two standouts that come to mind for myself would be Donek Snowboards (Silverton, CO) and St. Croix fishing rods (Park Falls, WI)...

In both cases, I feel that these companies are the absolute best in their respective industries... Both companies are on the forefront of product development and constantly push the boundaries with their gear... I have no problem spending top dollar with either company...
Click to expand...

Actually just placed an order for some St. Croix Ice Fishing rods.... This company is really good at getting my hard earned $$$ :o
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

I would humbly suggest buying domestic produce. It fulfills the goal of supporting local businesses and also gets you fresher produce.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

I buy 1/2 of a grass fed beef critter from O'Donells farm in Monmouth Maine. Food is definitely something one should try to buy local. Hand tools would be another thing one should buy made in the USA. The quality of tools produced in the US compared to China crap is like night and day. Good luck doing so if you only look at Home Depot or Lowes though.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

walrus said:
I buy 1/2 of a grass fed beef critter from O'Donells farm in Monmouth Maine. Food is definitely something one should try to buy local. Hand tools would be another thing one should buy made in the USA. The quality of tools produced in the US compared to China crap is like night and day. Good luck doing so if you only look at Home Depot or Lowes though.
Click to expand...

Food is actually one of the easiest things to buy local (unlike tools, furniture, etc). Like Walrus, I also buy local meats. I do 1/2 of a pig from a farmer I know, as well as seasonal veggies. I also get a lot of beef and pork at the farmer's market in Orono (big fan of Grassland Farms in Skowhegan -- that is where all my beef comes from).


I've purchased kayaks/canoes made in Old Town Maine (Old Town and Necky). There are also some great wooden canoe paddles made in Orono by Shaw and Tenny (http://www.shawandtenney.com). I've also heard some good things about the bamboo fly rods made by Thomas Rod Company in Brewer, Maine (http://thomasrodco.com/).
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

The irony of a "buy American" thread started by a guy with an English beer for a username is killing me.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

UncleRay said:
The irony of a "buy American" thread started by a guy with an English beer for a username is killing me.
Click to expand...

Speaking of beer, even though I like Bass, Harp, Guinness, Newcastle, Samuel Smith, Heineken, St. Pauli Girl, etc. etc. etc., I do find myself buying locally brewed Michigan beers over foreign beer these days: Bells, New Holland, Founders, Arcadia, North Peak, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc....
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

BassAle said:
Food is actually one of the easiest things to buy local (unlike tools, furniture, etc). Like Walrus, I also buy local meats. I do 1/2 of a pig from a farmer I know, as well as seasonal veggies. I also get a lot of beef and pork at the farmer's market in Orono (big fan of Grassland Farms in Skowhegan -- that is where all my beef comes from).
Click to expand...
I also get my meat from a local farmer. I'm not able to get half of an animal, but if I spend over $500, I get a discount. As for my vegetables, I get what I can, when I can. The local farmer's market runs from May to December.

I'd like to start growing my own vegetables, but I am not good at keeping plants alive.
 
UncleRay said:
The irony of a "buy American" thread started by a guy with an English beer for a username is killing me.
Click to expand...

I don't even drink Bass that much, but I had a case the day I made this account. Drank a lot watching Maine beat UNH 7-2 and then I went to Margaritas, Bear Brew, and Burby and Bates and almost got arrested when my neighbor downstairs made a noise complaint (in the afternoon)


I drink mostly Maine beers.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

ShirtlessBob said:
I also get my meat from a local farmer. I'm not able to get half of an animal, but if I spend over $500, I get a discount. As for my vegetables, I get what I can, when I can. The local farmer's market runs from May to December.

I'd like to start growing my own vegetables, but I am not good at keeping plants alive.
Click to expand...

You should research the local area for any kind of "farm share" type program. They have them here in Maine, they are local group of growers who get together and sell full or 1/2 shares for a season. You get a bunch of local produce through this type of program that is spaced throughout the growing season as the vegtables are ready to harvest etc.
 
aygwm2 said:
Speaking of beer, even though I like Bass, Harp, Guinness, Newcastle, Samuel Smith, Heineken, St. Pauli Girl, etc. etc. etc., I do find myself buying locally brewed Michigan beers over foreign beer these days: Bells, New Holland, Founders, Arcadia, North Peak, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc....
Click to expand...

Fact is that you can get almost all the styles from an American brewer. I don't like having to spend $12 for 6 on occasion but bottom line is its doable.... One of these days I'm going to have identify a solid stable of beers by type that I think are high quality.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

I started buying local bread recently. Their whole wheat tastes better than any whole wheat I can buy at the supermarket, and weighs more, which helps make up for the $5.25 pricetag of a loaf.

I've looked at CSA programs before, but around here you have to drive to pickup locations that are out of my way, whereas the county farmer's market is 15 minutes from where I live.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

aygwm2 said:
Speaking of beer, even though I like Bass, Harp, Guinness, Newcastle, Samuel Smith, Heineken, St. Pauli Girl, etc. etc. etc., I do find myself buying locally brewed Michigan beers over foreign beer these days: Bells, New Holland, Founders, Arcadia, North Peak, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc....
Click to expand...
There's some darn good beer being made in Michigan these days.
 
Re: The Made in USA Thread

Whoosh. WT F do you think is going to happen to them if they lose Western dollars? That conditions will improve? If you want to show how compassionate and forward-thinking you are, work to improve working conditions, construction practices, and pay levels in the country. Turning your back on them will only worsen their conditions.
 
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