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Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

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Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#81

Post by balac »

Pitarou wrote: post #52

A fountain pen. I grew up using pencils and ballpoint pens. I swore off fountain pens after some frustrating, messy experiences. In hindsight, I think I still lacked the fine motor skills necessary to get the best out of a fountain pen. I took an interest again when I started working on a website selling fancy $2000 models, but the one I bought was less then $10. In my downtime I retrained my hand, and learned tradit…

I wrote with a fountain pen throughout secondary school and wouldn't mind giving them another try. Do you find that for quick note taking the ink dries fast enough?

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#82

Post by eshvk »

jasonkester wrote: post #79

Good Kitchen Knives Ideally, a whole block of them, but all you really need is one, and that'll run you less than $100. No more laboriously sawing through an onion with that flimsy dull serrated piece of worthlessness. A good sharp knife should glide right through anything you care to stick between it and the board. Onions, tomatoes (without squishing), probably even your thumb a few times until you learn how to use…

+1

I would also add some personal opinion and say that all you need is a paring knife and chef's knife. Maybe a sharpening block. And Zwilling is my choice too.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#83

Post by Pitarou »

balac wrote: post #81
Pitarou wrote: post #52

A fountain pen. I grew up using pencils and ballpoint pens. I swore off fountain pens after some frustrating, messy experiences. In hindsight, I think I still lacked the fine motor skills necessary to get the best out of a fountain pen. I took an interest again when I started working on a website selling fancy $2000 models, but the one I bought was less then $10. In my downtime I retrained my hand, and learned tradit…

I wrote with a fountain pen throughout secondary school and wouldn't mind giving them another try. Do you find that for quick note taking the ink dries fast enough?

I've never had a problem, even when writing a 5-page composition in an A3 notebooks. But it's possible that the nibs and inks at my local stationery shop, here in Japan, are a little different to the ones where you are.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#84

Post by eshvk »

In the Summer of 2011, I was working at Mozilla. My first exposure to an open plan office. I decided (for a poor student) to spend an insane amount of money on a pair of headphones so that I could get more productive: The Shure SE 215 in ear phones for $99. Since then, I have used them everyday. Backpacked across 3 continents. Taken them to the gym. Used them like crap. Yet, they still lasted. I went through 4 different phones in the mean time. Finally, yesterday I broke down and bought new replacement cables; the cable had started fraying from within.

Now, I work for a company which has a lot of music buffs. So I may actually upgrade to something that is a whole new level in music quality. But a part of me will really really cherish these earphones.

(P.S: I don't work for Shure. The only damn product that I have ever written a review for Shure. :|)

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#85

Post by sphildreth »

At least once in your life take the $100 and break it into 5 $20. Then find someone who you appreciate (Police, Fireman, EMT, Preacher, Teacher, etc.) Walk up and give them the $20 and say something simple like "Thanks for what you do, let me buy you lunch". It's an awesome experience to see someone receive unsolicited gratitude.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#87

Post by falcolas »

balac wrote: post #81
Pitarou wrote: post #52

A fountain pen. I grew up using pencils and ballpoint pens. I swore off fountain pens after some frustrating, messy experiences. In hindsight, I think I still lacked the fine motor skills necessary to get the best out of a fountain pen. I took an interest again when I started working on a website selling fancy $2000 models, but the one I bought was less then $10. In my downtime I retrained my hand, and learned tradit…

I wrote with a fountain pen throughout secondary school and wouldn't mind giving them another try. Do you find that for quick note taking the ink dries fast enough?

I recommend the Pilot Varsity. They are disposable fountain pens, with one of the best nibs on the market, even when compared to many other sub $100 refillable pens. Good enough that a lot of folks have modded them to become refillable.

They do lay down a lot of ink, though, which will bleed through thin paper. However, with a decent notebook, you won't have any issues. Moleskine, unfortunately, is not a decent notebook in this regard.

Bic has just started to release disposable fountain pens as well, and while the nib isn't as good as the Varsity, it's better than my $60 Schrade fountain pen's nib. It doesn't lay down as much ink as the Varsity.

I have had some issues with drying times, but the ink is typically dry within a minute for my thickest ink blots.

In short, there are some good quality, cheap and disposable fountain pens on the market right now.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#88

Post by nachiketkumar »

Pitarou wrote: post #52

A fountain pen. I grew up using pencils and ballpoint pens. I swore off fountain pens after some frustrating, messy experiences. In hindsight, I think I still lacked the fine motor skills necessary to get the best out of a fountain pen. I took an interest again when I started working on a website selling fancy $2000 models, but the one I bought was less then $10. In my downtime I retrained my hand, and learned tradit…

Agree with this- my handwriting has drastically declined in quality since my high school days, where I would still have to hand write all assignments, mostly with fountain pens.

I use one now, but don't write stuff by hand very much on a daily basis. Which is kind of sad, because I agree- it is a an act of craftsmanship.

To start with, I'd recommend buying one of the cheaper Lamy Safari pens with a Fine nib, a plunger (not refills) and some Noodlers black ink.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#89

Post by falcolas »

budman wrote: post #63

I know it says "everyone", but for any male: a top quality shaving cream to try for while. I used to think Edge, Barbasol, etc was good enough and the boutique ones were for snobs and no difference. Then I tried a few. Like night and day difference in closeness and after shaving comfort. You will not go back. Not even that expensive considering you can use less per shave because of the quality. The two best I have ev…

When you're ready to go the next step, a safety razor will go a long ways towards a better, less irritating shave as well. 6¢ blades mean you're not as inclined to use them past getting dull, less plastic waste, and a stupidly close shave.

Re: Ask HN: What under $100 item would you recommend everyone buy?

#90

Post by coreymgilmore »

teamonkey wrote: post #4
coreymgilmore wrote: post #2

Chromecast (if technology related, since this is on HN).

Any particular reason?

Chromecast is first and foremost, a great product. It is very simple to use and setup is a breeze. Then, it makes use as simple as using the YouTube/Netflix/Play app on your phone/tablet. There isn't any new learning curve associated with it.

Then, the price point is just great. $35 is a steal for what it does.

It is also very thought out. It is very small and was the first product that I can think of that is just an hdmi dongle. Also, if your TV allows it, Chromecast can turn on your TV and switch the input to itself. Way too easy.

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