Snap, crackle and pop.
A set of German-made socket wrenches can turn a bolt in a similar way to a cheaper alternative, but it feels far more rewarding.
More than forty years ago, I started using a Mac. The first thing one noticed was hard to put words on–everything about it simply clicked better. The mouse was an extension of your mind.
Today, a 128k Mac is an ancient relic, and the current models have raised the standard. The other day, I needed to use a cheap PC laptop, and the difference was startling. I felt like I was wearing gloves.
This fit-and-finish design and production ethic can be extended from typography to the way we answer the phone. It’s largely invisible, but it takes consistent and quiet effort.
The investments we make in fit and finish will always need to be defended from the short-term penny counters that seek to take away the budget in a quest to save a few dollars today instead of investing in tomorrow.
It’s not cheap, but it’s a bargain.