Brushed Stainless Steel.

I have a steel culinary table I've converted into a computer desk and I love it.

Cheap. Durable. Easy to clean and no coatings or maintenance.

I have experience in knife sharpening. I would get to Dalstrong sharpening stones. You want one with a low Grit and one with a high grit.

Just do a bit of research. You also need an angle guide. It's a little piece of plastic that you use to angle the blade properly. If you're just sharpening the knife to use at home the sharpening blocks should last you a very long time.

It really depends on just how much you use it. I have less than five knives that I sharpen so mine will probably last me forever.

But it's a numbers game, because the more you use it the more it wears down. And it wearing down is inherent in the sharpening process. This is true for all sharpening stones.

Cast iron, and learn how to use it.

.there are tricks for stainless steel. Learning how to preheat steel help.

Use barkeepers friend to clean still instead of dish soap

Oster pivot motor clippers. Classic series.

More expensive, but the magnetic motor clippers most other brands use do not last long at all.

Basically you want a pair of commercial clippers designed for a barber to use, not simply residential use.

Once every 5 years or so. You can spend $10 to mail the blades for sharpening, learn how to clean/maintain it and they should last you forever.

You may need a detailer clipper as well depending on what you're doing with the hair.