Dustin and I walk similar paths. Last year I got rid of everything I owned, sans a medium daypack of stuff, and traveled for 6 months. A year later I own more things than can fit in my backpack but am very much a minimalist.
My philosophy of ownership is simple. If I need something I'll almost always get the best I can afford. Why not understand what you own? Why not own quality? I don't mean spend hours researching every small purchase but certainly spend a little time looking into something you'll use over a period of time.
I don't need a cabinet full of plates or a closet full of clothes. Why not own higher quality, fewer items?
Or why not own fewer items that are of the same quality? I'm not sure what its like over in the states but here in Australia, more expensive cloths are just branded, and high enough quality cutlery can be had in cheap stores. I'm not sure why you have to have higher quality to get less things? Is it the way you sell it to yourself? So you don't feel cheap? Isn't it a waste of your time thinking so so much about this worthless rubbish?
Who said anything about the most expensive? Price doesn't always correlate with quality, especially when talking about brands as you mentioned.
What makes you think I spend lots of time "thinking so much about this worthless rubbish"? I rarely purchase non-consumables. When I do I spend a reasonable amount of time based on the use and cost. I spent a lot of time researching laptops before buying mine since it's such an important item. I spent about 30 minutes reading about pens before buying some (in case you're not aware there are many sites dedicated to them). You could probably learn about flatware in the same amount of time.
Well, the obvious answer is that many people value variety.
Also, many people would find the task of choosing "the best" items to be stuck with "forever" a difficult and stressful task.
But certainly for some people (Aspie's, especially), fewer/better quality is a great way to go. I just don't think it generalizes as a life strategy for everyone, even those who can afford it.
My philosophy of ownership is simple. If I need something I'll almost always get the best I can afford. Why not understand what you own? Why not own quality? I don't mean spend hours researching every small purchase but certainly spend a little time looking into something you'll use over a period of time.
I don't need a cabinet full of plates or a closet full of clothes. Why not own higher quality, fewer items?