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Without getting too deep in the weeds here, allow me to say simply that the last few years have been a complicated time for anyone who is accustomed to taking pride in America — especially when the very idea of such a thing seems to have been co-opted, and loudly, by the most hateful among us. The temptation is there — lord, how it is there — to crawl deeper into your cocoon of blankets and, in the words of the almighty Replacements, say, “Take it, it’s yours.”
But we know deep down that it is not theirs. At least not entirely. And we know deep down that there are great things being done by great people in many different fields all across the country every single day, from medicine to education to, yes, even politics.
And let’s not forget the homegrown businesses that continue to embody so many of the ideals of what we once knew as the American Dream: that with hard work and dedication to a craft, one could provide for his or her own family while in turn also doing good for other Americans through local and regional job creation.
Below, we’ve identified 15 beautiful, high-performing products by companies who do all their manufacturing right here in the United States. If nothing else, let them serve as a reminder of what Americans are capable of when they’re given the opportunity to succeed.
Smithey No. 12 Cast Iron Skillet
Smithey has been making high-end cast-iron skillets in Charleston, South Carolina, since 2015, when founder Isaac Morton found some old ironware in his workshop and was taken by its impossibly smooth surface. The products he’s making nod to a century of craftsmanship, with beautiful design and a utilitarian spirit. One of these lives on top of my stovetop, right next to my Le Creuset dutch oven; I use it nearly every day, and I plan on continuing to do so for as long as I’m standing. If that’s not $200 well spent, I don’t know what is.
Quoddy Canoe Moc
Handmade in Portland, Maine, since 1947, Quoddy shoes feature the butteriest and most durable leather you’ve ever felt in a variety of classic Northeast American silhouettes. The Canoe Moc is our favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the Blucher either.
Leatherman FREE T4
You know a company is doing things right when practically everyone owns one of their products without even thinking about it. Such is the case with Leatherman and its multitools, which will last a lifetime and bring immense joy every time you pull it out of the drawer — or, better yet, your pocket.
Tanner Goods Utility Bifold
The Portland, Oregon brand, founded in 2006, is synonymous with a certain era of Northwestern ingenuity and hyper-locality. Tanner specializes in small leather goods that are tastefully designed and will only get better looking with age.
Hedley & Bennett Hickory Classic Apron
After years of watching Top Chef and other assorted cooking shows and just generally thinking chefs were cool as hell, I eventually had attempt identifying the dope-looking apron literally every single one of them was wearing. This is it. Get yourself one.
Schott Vintaged Fitted Cowhide Motorcycle Jacket
Everyone has wanted a badass leather jacket at one point or another, and it’s very likely the exact model you were subconsciously lusting after was made by Schot, the iconic NYC brand that’s been making textbook versions of all the classic silhouettes since 1913.
U-Turn Orbit Special
After a few decades when practically all the best-known audio equipment was made overseas, there’s now a huge uptick in brands making really high-quality stuff right here in the states. Case in point, U-Turn Audio, whose turntables look great and sound even better. This one comes with a built-in preamp, too, so it’s pretty much plug-and-play.
Muir-Way Hydrological Map
This map depicts, in striking, mesmerizing detail, every river and every body of water in the United States, which a) looks awesome and b) serves as a nice little reminder that there is more connecting us than we think. Printed and framed, to order, right here in the U.S. of A.
Flint and Tinder Unlined Waxed Trucker
For a solid six months of the year, we tell you roughly three times a week that you should buy a Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker jacket. Well, now we can tack an additional two or three months onto that, during which we will tell you to buy an unlined version of it.
Fisher Space Pen
The Fisher Space Pen is one of the original examples of what we’ve come to know as over-engineering in American manufacturing. As in, the thing is indestructible and can write upside down, should you happen to find yourself in outer space.
Billy Reid Denim Shirt
Billy Reid’s eponymous fashion label was born in Dallas in 2004, and has continued being a reliable source for well-made, classic menswear pieces that straddle the line between rugged, heritage-style and more polished city-appropriate stuff. This denim shirt is one of our favorite articles of clothing ever.
Danner Mountain Pass
There’s perhaps no greater icon of the outdoor spirit than Danner Boots, made in Portland, Oregon, since 1932. The brand produces a huge range of styles for a huge range of uses, but what they all have in common is that they will last you a very long time.
Field Notes Expedition Edition 3-Pack
If you’re going to be the type of person who still relies on notebooks even though you have a hugely powerful computer in your hand literally every moment of the day — and to be clear, we’re recommending that you be that type of person — you may as fell opt for notebooks from Field Notes, which are tastefully designed and printed and manufactured in Portland and Chicago, respectively.
Topo Designs Commuter Briefcase
Topo Designs is among the upper echelon of brands doing the whole city-to-mountain thing that had such a big impact on the outdoors and fashion industries a few years back. Essentially, they make incredibly hard-wearing, practical products with a visual flare that’s just pronounced enough for you to stand out in the city.
Huckberry Pullover
You know, speaking of all these other U.S.-based companies, we’d be remiss not to mention Huckberry itself, a San Francisco company that regularly calls attention to a huge number of brands that are making products in the U.S., while also doing so themselves, via house brands like Flint and Tinder.
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