Whether to buy cheapie items or invest in products that last for life is an age-old question — and we should know. This year marks Family Handyman’s 75th anniversary, and through all of those years, we’ve been reviewing products to help readers find the answer.

“Choosing a product that lasts for a lifetime isn’t just an act of financial responsibility or sustainability,” says Lisa Bosio of John Boos & Co. “It’s an investment in an object you trust enough to carry with you through the decades. It begins to absorb your story, transforming into a bridge of nostalgia between generations.”

Here are some of our favorite, stand-out legacy products that last for life, plus how to care for them to keep them in top shape.

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Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron skillets are classic products that last for life, since they’re nearly impossible to ruin. Even if you come across one that’s a century old and all rusted-up, chances are it’ll clean up just fine.…