You'd need to degrease it first, then yes. But I personally prefer media blasting on cast iron

Metal Rescue. It's non-toxic and citric acid based. As long as you get enough to completely cover the knives, just leave them in for a day and all rust will be completely gone. I used to do a bunch of bike restorations and it's like liquid gold for reusing old fasteners and small parts that are unobtainable now.

Of course it doesn't remove pitting, so any substantial rust removed will leave a textured surface. When you're done, put it back in the jug and use it again next time. It lasts a really really long time.

u/ZakaryLakota I just got an email that they're doing preorders for these for delivery soon: https://kommandostore.com/products/new-production-austrian-paratrooper-boots

I have no affiliation with that shop but have bought a bunch of Eastern European used combat boots from them in the past. All have been excellent. The ones in that link are new production though which is neat.

These are also in stock used and only in her size. They're a winter version though, so keep that in mind: https://kommandostore.com/collections/footwear/products/austrian-ranger-boot

There's also Jim Green boots for an African styled boot. I love their Vellies, though those are more of a chukka. Their AR8 may fit the bill for your fiance and they're Goodyear welted and really durable.

What about actual surplus boots? 11 women is 9 men which is an easy size to find. Some places like Kommandostore have really nice euro surplus boots that come in batches. Some may need a resole at times but the uppers are very high quality leather.

I don't. I put a keypad deadbolt on my house and have a hidden key as a backup. In 10 years it's never been needed, I just swap rechargeable batteries every few years. The only key I have is my car fob. And that's only until the phone-as-a-key works better on my car.

I've been using the Finish Powerball tablets on high temp the entire time

Anything vacuum insulated and anything wood. Everything else goes in.

Sounds like you're using WAY too much detergent or washing them concave side up

Weird, I've been putting anodized aluminum (Circulon) pans in the dishwasher for 15 years with no Ill effects. The pans are still in great condition

Depends how dirty

I agree, they're quality mechanical tools. But their ESD safe line is not

I'm ANSI/ESD S20.20 certified and am a program manager at a company building electronics. It's part of my job to ensure compliance.

The problem with those two companies is that they use an insulative mold release during their plastic forming process. The actual plastic itself is carbon loaded and works perfectly, but the surface is insulative so a user has no access to it. Cleaning the tools with isopropanol or acetone removes the film and restores their conductivity, but they're terrible out of the box. They've been informed, but simply don't care and won't change their manufacturing process.

Whia and Wera make excellent tools, but be aware that if you're using them for electronics that their ESD tools are not actually ESD safe.

Receptacles (outlets) for high use areas

After >20 years? Finally!

I agree. And you'll note that I've never claimed either to be BIFL or known to be particularly reliable or low maintenance. Only that Subaru is not.

Polestar 2 for me, Ioniq 5 for my wife

Why the CD player? If they're reasonably tech savvy you could show them how to load everything into their phone or a standalone media player and play their music over Bluetooth or Aux. Or just go Spotify. Any newer car will have Android Auto/Carplay which makes for a much nicer experience.

Odd choice considering the timing belt and head gasket issues

I'm in the USA and wouldn't hesitate to make that drive any day. But I also have an EV so the cost of that trip is essentially nothing.

You've just discovered Samuel Vine's Theory of Economic Unfairness (from the late great Terry Pratchett)

Can you buy them from a retailer like Kittery Trading Post?

Nick's and White's are common recommendations here and I haven't heard a single bad thing about either

Personally, I'd skip the Thursday boots. You have a lot of good boot makers in the UK and there are many better options in the USA if you're willing to expand your budget just a little bit more.

The USA is great for other leather goods too, so if you need a wallet or belt I'd add that to your list. A place like Hanks is great for belts, and they sell wallets too, but I don't have any experience with those. Check out etsy shops with a good reviews for hand made leather goods too. Since you were looking at the Thursday boots, it sounds like you'll have a place that will accept mail.

For BIFL with minimal maintenance, go within Citizen or Seiko solar powered watches. Citizen brands theirs as "Eco-Drive"