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Giver Classic & 4 Season Gloves Review – $40 & $99

 

For 15% off your next order from Give-r, use promo code “bestleather” at checkout!

I grew up in sunny California. So when I drove across country last January I packed up the car, threw on a hoodie and hit the pedal. It wasn’t until my first stop in Elko Nevada that I realized the blunder of my ignorance. At every pit stop for 3,000 miles my hands froze as I fueled up. Every morning as I set out I painfully scraped ice off the windshield with socks over my hands. It was during this time that I made an oath to the mighty interstate gods that I would find a good pair of gloves. After I completed the trip I started searching, and came across the Give’r Classic and 4 Season Gloves.

Construction

Before we get into the guts of these gloves I want to give a little background on the company behind these dextrous deities. Give’r has been around since 2011 and is based in Jackson Wyoming. The phrase Give’r is from Killarney in Ontario where the founders were inspired by the philosophy of giving it all you got which is definitely evident in the construction.

See any loose threads? Me neither.

Give’r tells us The leather undergoes a natural water tanning process, and is dyed using top quality tanning chemicals which are internationally approved. The gloves themselves are made in Pakinstan. The Wax coating, initial branding, Give’r logo branding and final touches are all taken care of in Jackson, WY. For the wax treatment of the Classic and 4-Season Gloves, Give’r uses a natural beeswax provided by Sno-Seal.  This treatment is responsible for the weatherproofing on the Classic Gloves.  For the 4-Season Gloves, this optional treatment serves as a surface barrier to the elements though the gloves are 100% waterproof without the treatment due to the waterproof membrane.  The wax coating on the 4-Season Gloves helps to protect against decay or drying of the leather, and ensures a long lifespan for the user.

If you were to accidentally drop the Give’r Classics into Mutagen ooze, you’d come up with the 4 Seasons. Notice the double stitching and palm reinforcements.

The 4 Season’s leather is 10-15% thicker and has added reinforcements in critical stress areas.  Both gloves has elastic around the wrists to provide a secure fit but the 4 Seasons goes a step further with an extended knit wrist cuff. Insulation on the classics is a laminated microfleece 30 gram insulation and we have 40 gm Thinsulate Insulation lining. The Classic weigh approximately  5.8oz and the 4 Seasons, 8.6oz.

Function

I’ve only had the Give’r gloves a few weeks, but they’ve already grown on me in the same manner as a trusted tool. When taking evening walks, I’ll usually reach for the classics. I like that I can wear my watch with an unimpeded view. It’s been a hovering around 25 degrees and my old fleece gloves were ok I thought, until I started using the classics and realized what’d been missing. The lining isn’t too thick which is good as I have sweaty palms and I can wear these across a wide spectrum of temperatures. Anything above 60 though and I’d probably want unlined gloves.

I really liked wearing a glove that could handle more than just keeping my hands warm.

My only real issue was the fit along the fingers. Using the fit guide I measured across my palm and that corresponded to a size large. While the across hand fit is good, I have over an inch gap on my pinky finger and thumb.  Interestingly, the 4 Seasons don’t do this and fit much better. I believe the 4 Seasons inner liner and added insulation enabled the better fit.

When you’re facing extreme conditions, the 4 Seasons are a solid option. Just slip them on and you’ve got leather gauntlets capable of serious manual mayhem. Seriously, there’s a video of the gloves being grilled on a bbq pit and even being dipped into boiling water while worn! Shoveling snow becomes almost enjoyable in these babies and in a pinch you can shovel snow with just them  on. I can see these being ideal for cold weather blue collar workers or those spending prolonged time in the elements. The ribbed elastic cuff seals out cold air and the waterproof lining means you can do just about anything in them.

Aesthetic

Aside from the elastic cuffs, both gloves are very similar visually. The 4 Seasons wax treatment gives them a slightly darker, more lustrous tone. We also see red contrast stitching on the 4 Seasons with a wonderful embossed logos. The Classic’s have a hand branded logo and silhouette of the Grand Tetons.   

The honey wheat color really adds warmth and style to the gloves.

Now before you conjure up grand illusions of flagging your French waiter over wearing some Give’rs while eating at a 4 star restaurant take note these are first and foremost work gloves; meant to create and takedown, to wrangle and contend. They do however look great, the simple efficient designs will gain the approval of no nonsense customers. Keep up on waxing them periodically and they’ll wear in beautifully.  

Conclusion

Give’r definitely lived up to their name with the construction of the Classics and 4 Seasons Gloves. The quality is noticeably superior to a pairs you’d find at big box stores. The 4 Seasons also cost quadruple the price in most cases. However, I see great value when you consider that the 4 Seasons can effectively replace your work gloves, winter gloves and ski gloves. All in all, I’d definitely recommend Give’r gloves and feel confident that they’ll hold up when I need them most.

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Ledermann Thin Briefcase – $269

An essential item of anyone who carries documents to and from the office is some sort of briefcase. Here at BestLeather we are of the opinion that there isn’t any better solution for that than a well constructed leather option. Queue the Ledermann Thin Briefcase.

Construction

Ledermann uses full grain vegetable tanned leather as the foundation for for their bag. It is lined with canvas and there is a layer of leather board in between the leather exterior and canvas interior to provide structure as the bag breaks in.

The metal used throughout the bag is all iron, which has proven to be durable but brass or nickel plated brass would have been a better choice for longevity.

The back of the strap is lined with a nylon belt. While some manufacturers use similar techniques it’s typically masked by using leather on both sides. The underside of the pad on the strap is a soft suede that keeps it from falling off your shoulder when carrying it which is a nice touch.

Function

This briefcase certainly performs all the duties that you would expect it to. It holds plenty of notebooks and documents with just enough space to hold a small laptop if needed.

There are a few pockets for sorting small items but is mostly open to put and sort you items as you would like.

Aesthetic

The Ledermann Thin Briefcase is certainly a handsome bag that fits in well casually and in a business casual setting. Some briefcases go to far in trying to add too many bells and whistles but here what you get is a tried and true design.

There is some unsightly creasing on the closure strap but being a high wear area this isn’t unexpected. It would have been nice to see this constructed in a way that would prevent it though.

Conclusion

The Ledermann Thin Briefcase is another great contender in the leather briefcase space, and coming in at under $300 prices it competitively.

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Best of 2016 Awards

We are back with our annual article where we highlight the best leather products that we have reviewed in the past year. We have crowned a winner and a runner up for various different categories.

2016 was full of awesome leather products and here at BestLeather we were able to get our hands on a large majority of these items. Based on the items that we have reviewed in 2016 we have put together the best for each category. This is a tradition that we have done for the past two years (2014 awards and 2015 awards) and we will continue to do this in the future. Without further ado, check out the best leather products of 2016 below and let us know what you think in the comment section.

Best Briefcases

Winner: Kendal & Hyde Classic Satchel

I’ve seen a lot of great messengers out there, but have yet to see one that matches Kendal & Hyde’s offerings in beautiful simplicity and thoughtful detail. “It’s been said that if you eliminate everything that is not essential you will end up with something that is.” This idea, found on one of Kendal & Hyde’s early Kickstarter pages, represents their designs well.

No design aspects are exclusively for aesthetic purposes–which creates a product that is not only hyper functional, but beautiful in its own class. The Kendal & Hyde Classic Satchel embodies these strengths with its tank-like laptop protection, clever design features, and 100% thick, custom concept, veg-tan leather construction. You can read the full review here. 

Runner Up: Korchmar Garfield Messenger

The Korchmar Garfield Messenger bag is a strong product we were even delighted to host a holiday giveaway for with Korchmar. Constructed of a semi-veg tanned leather with canvas lining, this turned out to be an ideal setup for those wishing to carry a lot of documents, electronics or large laptops.

Equipped with multiple pockets for organization and a beautiful design, this bad is perfect for those searching for a tech-friendly work briefcase. While the giveaway has concluded, you can check out the full review here.  

Best Backpack

Winner: Mission Mercantile Steamer Backpack

Combining the beauty of leather with the sort of swagger and lightweight benefits of waxed canvas, the Steamer Backpack from Mission Mercantile is our Best Backpack of 2016. Paying tribute to mail bags and steamer bags of the past, the backpack is built with heritage in mind. With that heritage came an eye-catching design and top-of-the-line materials. With space enough for a good overnight trip or a day in class/work, the capacity is fitting for all genders.

We were even able to coordinate a giveaway of this bag to one lucky reader, who no doubt appreciated the quality. If a lightweight and beautiful backpack is appealing to your tastes, you can check out the full review here.

Runner Up: Pad and Quill Roll Top Leather Backpack

It is hard to ignore items that just have “that look” when you see them that invites you in with curiosity. Pad and Quill’s Roll Top Leather backpack is no exception to this theory. Besides the enticing look of roll tops, the Roll Top Leather backpack is constructed of quality full grain leather, parachute grade thread, and quality hardware.

With adjustable shoulder straps, it can fit a wide variety of heights and proportions. The side zipper has proven especially useful for pulling out items that may have sunk to the bottom of the backpack. You can check out the full review here.

Best Boots

Winner: Dayton Boots Parade Boot

The Dayton Parade Boot is one of the highest quality boots currently on the market, and for good reason! They are made out of full grain leather and sewn together by hand with double and triple stitching and then finished off with being Goodyear welted. These boots will last you many years, if not decades. That’s how well they are put together. Not only do they perform well, but they also look very slick with the black leather which goes great with any outfit.

If you are looking to invest in some top notch boots that you plan to wear for the next 5-10 years then this should be your go-to. You can see our full review on these boots here.

Runner Up: Danner Mountain Pass

These Danner boots are constructed out of Horween’s Rio Latigo leather, which is a full-grain combination leather, and is finished with pigment-free aniline dye. Needless to say, these things are well constructed! If you are looking for a lightweight and modern update on a classic hiking boots then this is your option. You can read the full review here.

Best Shoes

Winner: Lems Nine2Five Coffee and Cream Shoes

Man, I love these shoes. I wear them nearly every day. They’re incredibly lightweight. They have a exceptionally thin sole with zero drop, so they keep your gait natural (your yoga instructor would be proud). They also have a wide toe box—meaning the shoes fit your feet instead of your feet having to conform to the shoe.

And most remarkably, they’re good looking, made from 1.6mm full-grain leather with a deep pull-up dye, that gives them shapely contours wherever the leather bends. If you’re a hippie or hipster who wants both natural and handsome, the Lems Nine2Fives are the shoe you’re looking for. (See full review.)

Runner Up: Crosby Square Findlay Shoes

With a thick leather outsole, stunning bordeaux color, and classic derby shape, the Crosby Square Findlay Shoes are gorgeous. Friends and even strangers have commented on their beautiful color and the classic brogue-style wingtip. They’re high-quality and no-nonsense, and it’s obvious that intense passion went into the design and production. See full review.

Best Belt

Winner: Hawkmoth Propeller

There was likely little doubt that Hawkmoth’s incomparable Propeller belt would take Best Of this year. I continue to wear this belt any chance I can, and it continues to mystify anyone who sees it. The rare oak bark tanned leather and hand dye has worn beautifully, managing to balance taking on character while never faltering in strength. The asymmetrical design, thick hand stitching, and bronze US Navy buckle exude style and history. Frankly, it’s challenging to describe how much I love this belt. Check out the full review of this belt here

Runner Up: Gray Bull Leather Co. Classic Leather Belt

Gray Bull’s Classic Leather Belt fills the belt need on the other end of the spectrum from Hawkmoth’s Propeller. There’s no frills, but there’s also little more you could ask for from a functional perspective: massively thick treated 10oz veg-tan leather, large sturdy buckle, chicago screws. Coloring and burnishing look great.This tank of a belt as a whole looks good, should last a lifetime, and comes in at a paltry $59. Full review can be found here.

Best Wallet

Winner: J. Michael Ashland Classic Bifold

The J. Michael Ashland Classic Bifold is a traditional bifold wallet lover’s dream. No frills, no gimmicks, just a traditional bifold offering solid construction and exceptional capacity. Using Horween leather that aids in the timeliness design and aesthetic, it is sure to be an upgrade to common bifolds. Whether for yourself or a special person in your life, the classic bifold is worth viewing the full review here.

Runner Up: Sandlot Goods Billfold

The Sandlot Goods Billfold is about as American as apple pie. Made in the United States from domestically sourced materials, this wallet hit the sweet spot with a solid recipe of quality materials, expert craftsmanship and a dose of Americana that made the Sandlot Goods Billfold an instant classic. See Full Review

Best Duffel

Winner: Moore and Giles Benedict Bison Weekend Bag

It’s hard to praise this bag enough. I feel spoiled every time I load it up. It’s a luxury I’m just not used to. What’s more, people always comment on it, and I love replying with, “It’s buffalo leather.” That always gets a little more astonishment out of them. It’s a big bag, with ample space for a weekend trip, yet not too cumbersome. It’s durable, with double seams and reinforced edges.

Best of all, it’s classy—easily the most beautiful leather piece you will own. And while the Moore and Giles Benedict Bison Weekend Bag is on the expensive side, it’s most definitely a product worth investing in. See full review.

Runner Up: Mission Mercantile Stateroom Weekender

Mission Mercantile continues to turn heads with their Stateroom Weekender, a great bag for the weekend whose construction takes no shortcuts. Constructed of full grain leather, it is relatively heavy, but with a presidential-esque style it is worth the compromise in weight. No cheap or breakable parts come on the Stateroom Weekender, and that’s how we like our Buy-It-For-Life rated products. For a bag you can toss around without worry of damage to it, check out the full review here.

Best Notebook Cover

Winner: Koch Leather Company Horween Field Notes Sleeve

Koch Leather Company’s take on a Field Notes Sleeve challenges the typical layout of field note covers while adding the ability to carry a pen as well as business cards or a small knife/flashlight. With various choices in Horween or Herman Oak leather and hand stitching, there leaves no question to whether the best materials available were chosen. You can check out the full review here.

Runner Up: Alstad Goods Carry

Entirely handmade to perfection of the finest caliber materials, Alstad Goods’ Carry is certainly worth honorable mention. While likely tougher than most other notebook covers, the Carry also exudes luxury. The pen closure comes in handy when you want to fill it up and keep everything in place. The full review can be found here. 

Best Leather Jacket

Winner: Satchel and Page Calfskin Cafe Racer Jacket

Satchel & Page does it again with their Cafe Racer Jacket. The pictures should do more than enough to convince you that this tailored design is stunning in its simplicity. Full grain French calfskin is beautiful, soft, and performs well in a range of environments. A leather jacket is an investment, but one worth making, and the Cafe Racer is a good option for anyone’s consideration. See the full review here.

Runner Up: Jaunji Designs Uptown Jacket in Lambskin

This jacket it beautiful. It has an elegance that makes it a good fit for very formal occasions, yet it also works well with a high-class casual. But the thing that really sold me was the wool lining—that so much care goes into the part no one ever sees. And you’ll find this same care in all of the craftsmanship. What’s more, these jackets are all custom fitted to each individual buyer—specifically to your body, which boosts the personal value all the more. The Jaunji Designs Uptown Jacket in Lambskin is a fine piece of leatherwork. Full review here.

Best Ladies Product

Winner: Tsonga Chefeza Amatista Sandals

Tsonga has created one of the best leather sandals on the market with their Chefeza Amatista model. They are crafted with full grain cobalt blue sheep leather that is incredibly soft which makes the sandals extremely comfortable to wear. Not only are they comfortable to wear, but the sandals also have a nice flare to them with the cobalt blue leather. If you’re looking for sandals that look great for any occasion and don’t hurt your feet after a few hours, then these Tsonga sandals are for you! You can read the full review here.

Runner Up: Hidesign Cerys Leather Multi-Compartment Tote

The Hidesign Cerys Tote was one of our favorite women’s products we had the chance to review this year on BestLeather. There is a lot to like with this full grain veg-tanned leather tote that is suitable for the office or just going out for the day. The inner lining of the tote is a bright blue cotton fabric that adds some pop to the bag as well. If this interests you, then you can read the full review of this tote here.

Best Accessory Product

Winner: Wallis Standard Leather Weightlifting Belt

This belt is awesome. It’s as tough as the iron you’ll be pumping—what with the high quality leather, the double stitching, and the metal buckle and brackets. It looks amazing too, not just because of the beautiful leather, but in the etching if you invest in getting it customized like I did.

This costs a little extra cash because it takes Garrott and Evan some extra time, but it adds a lot of personal value. I realize not everyone is in the market for a lifting belt, but if you are, the Wallis Standard Leather Weightlifting Belt is absolutely the one to get–whether you’re a CrossFit pro or one in the making. See full review.

Runner Up: J. Ryan & Co. Shaving Strop

For lovers of traditional wet shaving like myself, a quality strop is a must-have for those who have likened themselves to the shave offered by a straight razor. The J. Ryan & Co. Shaving strop reminds us that not all straps are created equal, and this one particularly is in a league of its own. You can read about how it differentiates itself from other straps by checking out the full review here.

Best Tech Product

Winner: 74Street Bags Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness

Carrying a standalone digital or film camera can sometimes be a pain in the neck, literally. 74Street Bags developed the Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness to reduce the strain placed on the body while carrying cameras, while also offering quick access to multiple camera rigs.

Suited for serious amateurs and professionals, the harness can be considered a grail among other camera straps. If you’re like me and haven’t abandoned dedicated cameras in favor of cellphones and tablets, this product is a must-have for those long photoshoot sessions. You can set down your cameras and check out the full review here.

Runner Up: Intrepid Bag Co. Leather Tech Roll

Simply put, the Leather Tech Roll form Intrepid Bag Co. is a must-have for tech-savy individuals who carry their electronics with them daily. Instead of digging around in your bag for cords, headphones, and other devices, the Tech Roll allows for organization and protection. While it can get bulky if you pack a lot of things, the same could be said for the mess you might create in a bag without an organized setup. For an alternative to digging for that extra flash drive, data bank, or phone charger, check out the full review here.

Most Innovative Product

Winner: Offene Meer Leather Co. Gun Deck Wallet

The Offene Meer Leather Company Gun Deck Wallet is a great choice, merging capacity suited for both traditional and minimalist carriers. Constructed of one piece of leather, this simple wallet uses a friction based closure as well as the ability to store priority cards in a front slot for quick access. This allows for the unpartitioned wallet with space for multiple cards and cash folded once.  The front slot paired with the unique single piece folded construction makes this our most innovative product. You can check out the full review here.

Runner Up: Andrews Leather Monarch Shoulder Rig and Holster

This shoulder rig feels good. It sits so naturally on your body that you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing it. What’s more, the lower back strap keeps it from flopping around while you’re on the move. Its design keeps functionality as the highest priority. And yet it looks incredibly good too—so good that Sam’s leather has been used in Hollywood blockbusters like the new Magnificent Seven and the latest Fast and Furious. If you own a handgun and are inclined toward adventure, the Andrews Leather Monarch Shoulder Rig and Holster is a must-have companion. And as I mentioned in the review, Sam, the creator, is from the old school, so you’ll want to make your order by phone here. See full review.

Thanks for Reading!

Thanks for checking our our awards for 2016. It was a great year and we are looking forward to another one in 2017. If you are a leather company that wants to have a chance of having your product featured in our 2017 awards you can get in contact with us about a review by following this link here.

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Floto Imports Roma Backpack Review – $280

Shopping for leather backpacks can get overwhelming when weighing the benefits of the look versus the added weight of choosing leather. Most of the time, a well-constructed full or top grain leather backpack is going to weigh considerably more than its canvas or nylon counterparts. Joe Floto from Floto Imports very generously sent in the Floto Roma Backpack for review, which provides a solid middle ground by using beautiful leather and overall relatively lightweight construction.

We have previously reviewed other products from Floto Imports, and have learned that they are a very budget-friendly way to get into Italian leather goods while also getting great quality and customer service.

The Roma backpack worn on a female friend. Note the dimensions lead it to be a schoolbook/travel sized pack, not necessarily for expeditions.

Construction

The bag is constructed of full grain calfskin leather that has been vegetable tanned and polished in Tuscany. This particular color is their Olive Honey Brown, but the backpack is also available in a deep red, black, and dark brown colors. The interior is raw, leaving the suede finish of the underside of the calfskin hide. There are sections such as the backing of the side and front pocket flaps which appear to be covered with pigskin suede, that has a nice soft feel. The backpack is complete with metal nickel-plated hardware in the form of buckles, snap buttons, d-rings, and rivets. The top handle is constructed substantially with hardware and rivets, while also holding an appealing appearance. The bag dimensions are listed as 14″ H x 14″ W x 9 ” L.

The main drawstring compartment shows the suede-side of leather with a soft yet fibrous texture.

Function

As primarily a satchel/messenger guy, I typically don’t carry backpacks. Switching to the Roma Backpack did not include any frustrations in terms of what my usual bag capacity is. Having carried heavier leather backpacks before, I found joy in knowing that the leather itself did not compromise the weight, driving me to run home and change for a lighter pack. I appreciated the fact that the side pockets can hold full size 16-20oz bottles, or a smaller umbrella while being able to close. The website states they are fit for most 16oz water bottles, but I experienced a bit more size. For reference, a common 23oz Ice Mountain plastic water bottle had no problem fitting in the pocket, nor did a 16oz Stanley Coffee mug or 27oz Kleen Canteen Reflect bottle.

Button snaps are noticeably faster to open compartments as opposed to undoing the buckles.

The front pocket is easily the most convenient storage method on the bag, as like the side pockets, it is secured with button snaps. I used this pocket for pens, a small camera, and pocket notebook. The main compartment sports a drawstring closure that is easy to cinch down and opened up wide. I was able to carry an iPad, a few school books and an extra jacket, with room to spare despite the bags overall smaller size. I am not particularly enamored with the closure for the main compartment – the small buckle does not seem robust and does not allow as fast of access as it would with a snap button or glide buckle.The backpack back straps are adjustable and did not dig into my shoulder blades when wearing t-shirts and sweaters. However, if one is choosing to wear a tank top or sleeveless shirt, the edges of the straps may take time to break in and soften up. The carry handle was useful for easily picking the back up to put on, but I did not carry the bag with the handle for extended periods of time.

Handle on the top of the Roma Backpack, making it easy to pick up and put on, as well as hang up for storage.

Aesthetics

Now on to the main reason some will choose a leather backpack: its pure beauty. I have to admit at first I did not think I would enjoy the polished leather look, but over my use I have definitely learned to love it. The tanning process along with the polishing of this bag makes a very soft, luxurious feel. The white thread creates a high-contrast stitch that pops in the sunlight.While they do use a semi-gloss coating to finish the bag, I had to remember that it was vegetable tanned, thus not as resistant to water stains without treatment. A small water stain happened from water droplets on the top flap, but had I used a proper leather protection prior to element exposure, I don’t think it would have left a mark.

On this top flap, I did have a slight water stain from being caught in light rain. At a quick glance it is not noticeable, but it is to the right of the buckle strap.

Conclusion

Coming in at a price of about $280, it’s more expensive than your typical nylon or canvas pack, but the look and feel of the leather makes up for it. Floto bags come with limited lifetime warranties while the company also has a repair service for situations in which the bag would not be covered, such as airline damage. Being lightweight for full grain, the Floto Roma Backpack is certainly a good option for those wanting the look of a leather backpack unaccompanied by the usual added weight.

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North Star Mystery Braid Leather Button-Stud Watch Band – $16

Being a leather enthusiast has a habit of leading you into many different expensive hobby’s. It doesn’t take long before you find some really excellent watch straps and subsequently to an expensive watch. Luckily I’m about to introduce you guys to what I believe is one of the best values you could hope for in a watch strap.

Construction

The North Star Mystery Braid Leather Button-Stud Watch Band is a new take on a fairly common idea. It is just a single piece watch strap held together with a button stud. When making something simple like this it’s crucial that the the materials be top notch. North Star Leather has turned to Horween and SB Foot (Red Wing Boot’s in house tannery) and solid metal hardware to construct their watch bands.

They use several different colors from each tannery ensuring that there is a color to fit your preference. Each band is woven into a braided design, and depending on the level of commitment you make to their Kickstarter can include a small leather bag.

Function

I’m quite an enthusiast of the button stud watch band design, since like many others I spend a large portion of my day on the computer. Due to the lack of a clasp, and the closure of the band sitting above your wrist, resting your wrist on a desk all day with this band isn’t going to cause any discomfort. You can be free to move your wrist in any manner and you’ll still be comfortable throughout the day.

Aesthetic

The braided design of the band lends itself to a more casual watch, and casual wear. While it may look out of place on a diver or dress watch it looks right at home on field watches and any thing else with a casual look.

The simple design of the button-stud band paired with the extra effort to braid the band gives it true beauty while still being understated. By being constructed with tried and true hard wearing materials there shouldn’t be any issue with durability or longevity.

Conclusion

If you can’t tell by the overall tone of this review I’m quite smitten with these watch bands. They are a phenomenal watch band made with top tier materials at an incredibly low price. North Star Leather has been in business for over 40 years so their Kickstarter is something you can fund with the utmost confidence. Go place your order now and get a great deal on a great watch band!

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White Wing by Mission Mercantile Small Duffel Review – $250-280

When I got word of Mission Mercantile’s acquiring of White Wing Label, I had to check out their incoming product line. I had heard of White Wing Label (WWL) having great canvas bags as well as solid choices in leather and hardware. I got a chance to interview the CEO of Mission Mercantile/WWL Chuck Bowen and they provided an opportunity to have a bag reviewed. For this review, I chose the White Wing Small Duffel. Being a frequent short-trip traveler, I got plenty of use with this bag over the last few months once putting it in my rotation.

While walking, I typically left the front zipper open to quickly access small items.

Construction

Construction of this bag is quite hard to beat. They have purposely chosen some of the best materials, namely brass YKK zippers and solid brass hardware to outfit the bag. Each zipper is equipped with a sturdy tab of riveted bridle leather, the same thickness as seen throughout the bag. The 18oz duck canvas is also very thick and sturdy to support the bag along with the inner nylon lining. This model is also available a variety of colors as well as a cordura camo and a waxed duck canvas. The dimensions of the bag are 15.6’’ L x 9.8’’ W x 9.8’’ D. This is about the same length as some larger briefcases, but with sizable more depth and width.

Very durable brass hardware with YKK zippers.

Function

One ability I believe is understated among duffel bags is their ability to fit into multiple situations. Due to the size and lining, this could easily transform from a luggage back to a gym/sports bag. I had no problem wiping clean the inside of the bag throughout my use and the material does not keep smells, favorable or otherwise, in.

Packed well for an extended weekend trip.

Capacity is one aspect that one can expect slightly decreased limits over a medium sized duffel. I’ve found the bag can easily handle an overnight trip, but also an extended weekend trip with a little bit of room to spare. Aiming to over pack, I was able to fit in the following items:

  • Two pairs of pants (one khaki, one jeans), rolled up
  • 4 shirts, rolled
  • Three pairs of socks,
  • 4 pairs of undergarments
  • Two pairs of shorts, rolled
  • 1 light rain jacket, folded
  • Dopp kit with men’s toiletries
  • One pair of size 8.5 shoes in a duster bag (not in photo above)
  • Belt
  • Shampoo and body wash in a 1 quart Ziploc

Packing with this setup enabled me a little bit of extra space at the top in order to ensure an easy zipper closure, but I could also add an extra item if needed, such as swapping the light rain jacket out for a hooded sweatshirt I was wearing. The shoulder strap has a black cushioned pad that is a little rough but did break in upon use. The black finish on the underside is textured enough to stay in place.

Reverse side of shoulder pad shown that is on the shoulder strap.

The side pockets and front zippered pockets are there for quick access items. On one side, I placed a field notes journal, small flashlight, and pen. The zippers remain just as sturdy and durable as the bag opening. One criticism I’ve had throughout the use of the bag however is the brass loops that connect the leather tab to the zipper. I have had to pinch them closed twice during my use as the stress of opening and closing the bag tends to bend the metal slightly. It is by no means broken, but I’d like to see a sturdier reinforced loop to make sure the leather tabs do not fall off.

Details of the zipper loops and leather tabs.

Aesthetics

This duffel bag fits in comfortably in outdoor settings as well as in gyms and fulfilling traveling roles. The pairing of thick duck canvas and bridle leather has held its beauty throughout many trips in the last couple of months for me. Due to its small size, I usually did not use the shoulder strap and was able to comfortably carry it via the handles. The duffel also easily accomplishes carry-on size requirements and the canvas and leather combination gives it a formal look. Mission Mercantile offers this duffel in many different canvas and leather colors as well as medium, a wheel-equipped version, and large sizes.

Showcasing the top of the bag, the two carry handles are easily connected via two buttons, while the shoulder strap sports a subtle White Wing logo.

Conclusion

Overall, the White Wing Small Duffel is a great all-around duffel given its capacity and aesthetics. With the price ranging between $250-285 depending on color and material, I would say that is a fair price to pay for such a high quality bag and also being backed by Mission Mercantile’s handshake warranty.  I anticipate continuing to use this through out the many short trips life takes me on.

Ready for the next trip.

 

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Mission Mercantile Stateroom Wash Bag – $225

If you are anything like myself there are goods that you typically don’t think much about. In my case, this fell in the category of my toiletries bag. I never gave much thought to the hideous looking black pleather monstrosity that held my toiletries when traveling. I just assumed that everyone dealt with flaking pretend leather, crushed toiletries, and an eyesore on the counter holding their various products of choice. Once I got my hands on the Stateroom Wash Bag I knew that was a thing of the past.

The Stateroom Wash Bag is a handsome bag indeed.

Construction

As soon as you put your hands on the Stateroom Wash Bag you know that you have a serious piece of leather that is going to last long enough to pass on to your children. It is constructed with vegetable tanned leather, durable solid metal YKK zippers, and brass feet on the bottom. The stitching is immaculate and robust, and the inside of the bag is lined with an easily cleaned water repellent fabric. The bottom of the bag gives just enough structure to not crush completely while being soft enough to be easily pack-able.

The inside of the bag stays organized while leaving room for larger items.

Function and Aesthetic

The design of this particular wash bag is extremely thought out. The high stress points are sewn extremely well, and the bottom where it will get the most wear has extra rivets added for durability. There is also a handle on one side to help carry the bag if you are anywhere you might need to travel to the bathroom and not want to leave your items there.

The handle is attached well, and the bottom has rivets for added durability.
Just a few of the things I travel with. Much more than this will fit of course.

The interior of the bag is fairly simple, including only a couple open pockets and one zippered pocket allowing for some organization while leaving a large space to store your various products.

The Stateroom Wash bag features a great looking water repellent lining.

In my use of the bag I ended up with some shaving cream leaking out (my fault for not putting the cap on) and put the liner to the test, which it passed with flying colors cleaning up easily. I’ve taken this on a few trips now and it has performed spectacularly. My family no longer has to look at an eyesore when I visit, none of my toiletries have gotten damaged, and thanks to the well placed brass feet even when the sink gets wet the bottom of the bag isn’t soaked.

Brass feet on the bottom of the bag, because no one likes their goods getting soaked.

If I had to issue a complaint it would be that initially the zippers on the bag could bite your hand while moving goods to and from the bag due to the stiffness of the leather. With a little bit of use that problem has almost completely disappeared but I did end up with a few scratched knuckles.

Conclusion

If you or someone you know is looking for an upgrade for their toiletry travel bag you don’t need to look any further than the Stateroom Wash Bag from Mission Mercantile. While it certainly costs more than your typical toiletry bag from a bargain store this will be the last one you, and possibly your favorite child will have to buy.

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BennyBee Leather 13” Messenger Bag Review – $282.05

Too often when discussing durability of bags, there is talks about utilizing rivets, metal bars to attach handles, and other rugged components. When I first started buying bags, that’s all I knew to look for. After seeing and handling some French/Swiss packsaddles from the early 1900s, I was taken back and realized what ensures quality and longevity. These packsaddles were made when rivets and a lot of reinforcements weren’t so prevalent – yet they’ve lasted nearly a century due to bare-bones materials – quality leather and quality stitching.  With that in mind, when I stumbled upon BennyBee Leather of Edinburgh, UK, I was not so hesitant when I noticed the beauty and simplicity of their bags.I was overtaken by first the look of the bags, and spent less time looking for rivets and reinforcement bars.  After reaching out, Dani of BennyBee decided to let us test out the 13 inch messenger in chestnut, one of their top-selling bags.

As for those who have read some of my previous reviews, I am a big fan of discovering the etymology of company names. BennyBee is broken down from “Benny” which is the nickname of Dani’s brother, and “Bee” to signify the preservation of nature and respect for the namesake insect. Dani began making small leather goods after borrowing tools from his late grandfather’s shop, who had worked as a cobbler. Upon advancing to making bags, BennyBee Leather was born in 2014. They currently offer a variety of bags and wallets for both women and women.

It’s not often I talk about aesthetics before going into the construction and build quality, but the chestnut color of this bag is absolutely gorgeous. Indoors, the color at times looks a nice dark brown. Outdoors, the chestnut-red color really blooms into a hue that I cannot stop gazing over. Even while taking photos at a nearby park to me, I was interrupted a few times by passerby’s to explain who made the bag and how to get it. I must also mention that the shipping time internationally was fast – 3 days from shipment to receiving. To add icing on the cake, the bag comes nicely packaged inside its shipping box with brown wrapping paper, a twine closure with a red candle stamp seal. Included was also a can of homemade wax and instructions to treat the bag.

The overall construction of the bag is quite simple. The exterior boasts one large piece of full-grained, vegetable tanned leather from the front flap to the back; One long strip to serve as the gusset, a front piece and a small front pocket constructed of two pieces of leather. Considering the shape and size, it is easy to tell the bag was constructed to avoid patchwork – stitching of multiple small pieces of leather, which often leads to poor durability. The entire bag is saddle-stitched by hand, with lovely characteristics such as the honey-comb like corners decorating the handle pieces and belt keepers and the slightly angled stitch pattern from the classic saddle-stich. Avoiding traditional rectangular patterns, I believe is a nice feature. The front buckles, side d-rings, and handle mounts are constructed of aged brass hardware. The buckles are riveted in, with the rivet partially hidden under the leather keeper. Over my use I have gotten more familiar opening and closing the buckles quickly so it really does not seem time consuming when compared to quick-release bags, also with the benefit of being much more secure against pickpockets. Each bag of this style takes roughly 15 hours to assemble, and is well worth the time spent.

The interior pocket of the bag sports a small sleeve insert as well as a panel with pockets for business cards, a cellphone, and pen holder loops. Being complete unlined, the suede finish is lovely to touch. If carrying a small laptop or tablet, I would suggest keeping it in a small sleeve or case, as this is not necessarily a tech bag, but would protect contents fairly well.  My iPad mini fits perfectly in the insert, as would a full sized iPad. BennyBee also makes a larger 15’’ messenger that accommodates a MacBook Pro and other larger laptops. The front pocket on the bag is perfect for holding field notes, a cellphone, or other small items for quick access without digging into the main compartment. The main compartment is spacious enough for a leather-bound notepad holder, a few books, and other daily carry items.


Cased iPad Mini with plenty of room in the sleeve; iPhone SE, business card wallet, two pens and carabiner with keyset attached. 

The strap is constructed of one thick piece of full-grain, vegetable tanned leather, with a non-padded shoulder pad. I love the feel of the pad as it is just one piece of thick, soft leather with the suede side exposed. Though it is not padded, it is quite comfortable and contours well to your shoulder whether wearing off one shoulder or crossbody.  Longevity wise, the shoulder pad may be the first component to wear out, especially if one neglects to condition their bag. However, a replacement or repair would be an easy fast fix if a problem ever developed. The brass buckle is riveted in as well as the lobster-style clasps at each end. These attach to the d-rings at on the sides of the bag. While the d-rings are not riveted to the bag, I highly doubt under normal use and the intended amount of things carried that they will fail to support the load. Like I refereed to earlier in the post, early Swiss packsaddles did not have rivets, and they are proven to hold up. The bag handle is thick and sturdy, stitched from two pieces of leather and quite comfortable.

The rear of the back is sans pocket. When I asked about it, Dani said the number of requests for a rear pocket (2) compared to the one thousand-plus messenger bags made so far didn’t constitute a design change. Of course, Dani did say they can accommodate as they do honor custom requests, so do not hesitate to ask if you are wanting a rear pocket or other design modifications. Quite frankly, the only modification I would request is a key keeper on the inside pocket panel; however, that is easily remedied by slipping a carabiner upside down through one of the three pen loops as I’ve shown above.

Truthfully, this bag has become my go-to for daily carry. I’ve typically enjoyed slightly bigger bags in length and interior dimensions, but the BennyBee Leather 13 Inch Messenger bag has convinced me to just carry what I need to carry. Priced at roughly $285 plus shipping, I honestly would pay more and still be impressed knowing and having experienced the bag thus far. I need to make it a point to say that even though BennyBee is based in the UK, buyers in the United States can breath a sigh of relief as we won’t be charged hefty import and duty taxes as long as the value of items shipped is below $800. This makes it a clear benefit for US customers to explore leather products internationally. You can check out BennyBee Leather on Etsy as well as Instagram to see more shots of their products.

 

 

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First Impressions – Rugged Material Messenger Bag

Recently I reached out to the good folks at Rugged Material. Having successfully funded and provided goods through a Kickstarter campaign, I expected great things. I think it is fairly understated to have the ability to speak directly with the founder of a staffed company as a first-time customer. I got that experience from Tyler Condie, the founder of Rugged Material. He’s surrounded by a great team of folks dedicated towards designing and making goods guaranteed for life, and proudly made in the USA. Tyler was kind enough to send in a pull-up brown messenger bag that I’ll be giving my first impressions on, with a long-term use review in the future.

The Rugged Material Messenger Bag is a merge between the classic messenger design with modernized, rugged construction. The exterior of the bag is constructed of four major pieces of full grained oil-tan leather, with additional belt straps and a front pocket which bears the laser-burned logo. A polyester thread is used that is UV-resistant and also resistant to breakdown from leather creams and conditioners. Nickel-plated brass hardware is evident in the rivets, d rings, and handle. The closures are constructed of matte finished aluminum slide release buckles. The outside dimensions of the bag are 16.5″ x 5″ x 13″.

While the bag is definitely rugged, it has some formal finishing. The rounded corners on the leather as well as the attention to detail played on the stitching of the entire bag and the handle make solid statements.

The strap is the epitome of ruggedness – substantial full grain leather with nylon webbing (think seat-belt) stitched to the backside to prevent stretching and sustain heavy loads. This webbing is also implemented in the d-rings for the shoulder strap attachment as well as the handle. Adjustment of the strap is simple using tri-glide keepers and the bag can be worn on one shoulder like a briefcase or cross body like a messenger. The width of the strap is 1.5 inches, not too thick to look overbearing on a person of smaller stature and expandable from 36” to 59”.

The interior of the bag is nicely lined on the front and back with a black pigskin leather. This adds rigidity to the bag as well as it is a durable, easy to clean surface in case of spills. I do wish that a piece of pigskin coated the bottom of the bag, but that may add too much construction/rigidity if stitched in. A removable piece of pigskin would be nice to prevent spills to the bottom as well as stash extra bills or small documents under. The pockets hold a cellphone, most 14 inch laptops, and a full sized iPad or similar tablet. The front pocket could easily hold document folders, receipts, and other small items.

 

After handling this bag initially, I can say that the Rugged Material Messenger Bag is one of the bags I wish I’d had to get through undergraduate and graduate studies. At $295 it is very competitively priced among bags of the same dimensions and quality. Being a direct-to-consumer company, customers are not hit with the additional costs associated with outsourcing production from companies that choose to only design their products. Going along with their motto, their bag is USA-made and guaranteed for life. The bag  is also set to handle the working environments I am in, so I am looking forward to giving it some long term use and following up on its durability and function.

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Rugged Material Slim Bifold Review – $60-65

Stepping away from department store wallets and into the world of handcrafted, built-to-last goods is a difficult step. Even before I came to write for BestLeather, I had taken a dive and purchased multiple styles of high quality wallets, as I like rotation and variety. When it comes down to suggesting one wallet for friends and colleagues I give advice to, I’m torn between two styles – the traditional bifold, and slim front pocket designs. At that crossroad, the user ultimately will have to let me know which way they want to go. Tyler Condie of Rugged Material recently threw a wrench into my usual advice given. He developed the Rugged Material Slim Bifold that comfortably can carry large or small amounts of cards while remaining slim enough to carry in the front pocket of most men’s jeans.

Tyler Condie and the folks at Rugged Materials pride themselves in being able to make goods in the USA, guaranteed for life.  Based out of Utah, Rugged Materials has been in the business of offering wallets, bags, and other leather accessories at a direct-to-consumer price. This means that instead of outsourcing production, they make their products in-house using materials made in the USA. This saves the consumers costs significantly and ensures a better value.

The slim bifold is constructed of two relatively thin pieces of Horween Chromexcel leather in burgundy. It is also offered in a variety of other Chromexcel colors. The aroma and quality of Horween Chromexcel is the perfect choice for Rugged Materials to utilize. The thin profile of the leather allows for flexibility while remaining strong and durable like full grain leather should be. Marine grade polyester thread is used to stitch together the pieces of leather. The interior sports a Made In USA stamp in the cash slot and a mountain logo on the exterior. Over my use, the exterior logo has started to fade or smear slightly, making me wish it was laser-burned like the logo on the messenger bag I gave first impressions on. Nonetheless, both logos are subtle and very appealing. The outside edges are nicely burnished and have held up over my use.

The inner setup of the wallet is where the slim characteristics of the bifold are accomplished. Going with a horizontal setup to the cards, as the card pockets stretch from accommodating multiple cards, they appear to be less likely to have cards slip out of the top of the wallet, and instead slip in towards each other. This is the idea behind Rugged Material’s design and so far it has proven to be functional in providing minimal layering that avoids unnecessary bulk. Each side sports two card pockets as well as a slot behind for storing extra cards. For my setup, I chose to put one card in each pocket and the rest of my cards behind in the bigger slots. You could easily stack two cards in each of the four slots, but I choose to carry a minimal amount of cards. For the cash slot, I don’t usually carry a lot of cash but over the course of use, I did at one time have 14 bills in and it did not add unnecessary bulk. At all times I was able to carry in front or rear pocket of jeans.

Comprehensively, the Rugged Material Slim Bifold Wallet is a great candidate to upgrade the wallet of yourself or a dear friend. The inner card setup is definitely a change from traditional wallets, but with good thought process towards its design. Priced at $60 I would consider it a bargain for those stepping away from department store wallets. At just $5 more, the same wallet but with RFID blocking materials can be purchased which is well worth the protection against card scan thefts. Accompanied by a lifetime warranty, this is the perfect gift for the holiday season or upcoming birthdays and celebrations.  With the ability to arrive before Christmas, the RFID version of the wallet can also be purchased through Amazon.

 

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WotanCraft Phantom Travel Backpack Review – $1000

We see a lot of great products at BestLeather, mainly due to the fact we seek out exemplary companies to review with. I’ve had the supreme pleasure of taking a look at several products from WotanCraft. This time around we’re examining the WotanCraft Phantom Travel Backpack, a strikingly designed pack that aims to handle all of your carry needs and look damn good doing so. Does it fit the bill? Let’s find out.

The Phantom’s exterior shell is entirely made from vegetable tanned cowhide Italian leather. The red spine plate uses English Royal Saddle cowhide leather.

It has a thick, substantial feel to it and emits a luxurious leather scent – I’ve wore the pack as a hat more than once just to enjoy the aroma.  All compartments feature a velveteen lining which translates into an incredibly tech friendly bag.  High strength metal hardware accentuates the bag along with bronze YKK rustproof coated zippers. The bottom of the pack features high density foam lining to provide shock absorption to interior contents. Bag roughly measures 11”x 6” x 19” I’d estimate the capacity around 1,500 cubic inches. The bag weighs approximately 4lbs 12oz empty. The main compartment has zippered top access with flap. Side non zippered compartments use a strap to knob closure and the front pocket is button fastened.

The Phantom is a pretty straightforward pack. Styled after traditional rucksacks, the Phantom has the large top accessed main compartment. Inside of that there are 2 slotted pockets good for water bottle, telephoto lens, etc.

The waterproof camera insert (Sold separately Size XS) can be positioned at the top of the bag’s main compartment, and thanks to the vertical zipper on the back, you can still access your other gear from underneath. The back of the Phantom is padded and the stiff red leather backbone adds rigidity to the pack.

The side cylindrical shaped pockets have pull tabs and are great for water bottles or similarly shaped objects. The pouch on the front has a button closure and is great for storing medium sized items such as thin hoodies or snacks. Overall its a very functional strap, with some tradeoffs. There are no sternum or waist straps so heavier loads might be more strenuous, also due to the lack of padding on the shoulder straps. I wouldn’t try hiking with the Phantom but normal everyday loads are more than manageable.  

The Phantom is truly a striking pack. Simply put, it refuses to blend in. I feel with the black color you’ll either gravitate to it or opt out. I would really like to see this bag also offered in brown someday. The leather is of such a fine quality that the pack exhibits a subdued sheen. Unlike cheap “genuine leathers” or even worse….bonded leathers that reflect light like Uncle Phil’s head from Fresh Prince, the Phantom seems to absorb light.

This enigmatic luster gives the bag an understated testimony to the skill and craftsmanship involved in its conception. Aside from the hidden top opening, the lack of zippers, velcro and other modern pack features really make the Phantom a timeless bag that will never feel dated. The red spine on the back panel lends just the right amount of intrigue. Just looking at the bag is comparable to watching a  suspense thriller while indulging in tiramisu…all the while riding top speed at Le Mans; all in the span of a few seconds.

The WotanCraft Phantom Travel Backpack is on another echelon entirely. For a more down to earth guy like myself, it would be hard for me to comprehend the thousand dollar price tag. Sure, you can get a bag literally one tenth the price that does as much. However I like to play devil’s advocate and defend the point most owners of high end watches argue, it’s not that they just “tell the time” but its the thought, complexity, skill, inspiration and passion that are involved that set them apart from others. I feel this is true for the Phantom,  although in the words of the great Levar Burton, “But you don’t have to take my word for it.”

Also note WotanCraft’s Christmas Special is still on which offers free gifts based on purchase amount.

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[Ended] GIVEAWAY ($465 Value) – Korchmar Garfield Laptop Messenger Bag

We are pleased to partner and feature a holiday giveaway from the folks at Korchmar – their Garfield Laptop Messenger, a great bag designed for larger laptops and workplace items. Korchmar is coming up on their 100th anniversary, having been founded in 1917. Continue reading below to enter into the contest, learn more about this Korchmar bag and see some pictures!

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From the review:

This bag really nails the design and aesthetics, particularly with the quick-release buckles and the shape of the top flap. Notice how the edges in the photo below curve in slightly towards the bag. This is a functional element I enjoyed because when you carrying briefcases by shoulder straps, the edges of the flap can begin to crease inward if they are straight cut. Korchmar’s choice to curve the edges allows more maneuverability and avoidance of the bag creasing at those points. The ability to slide the bag onto rolling luggage via the back luggage strap is also an important feature.

One of the most useful features of the bag is how it opens. The Garfield utilizes a Tuck-Tite quick release system partially hidden behind the buckles. The buckles are also functional in that they allow for expansion of the bags capacity. This is a perfect setup for the individual looking to hold that business briefcase look while also needing fast or frequent access to the inner compartments. I could classify this as a tech bag in that it adequately protects my 15-inch laptop as well as cased iPad mini. Fully loaded with my work gear, this the initial weight of the bag was not as cumbersome as bags I have owned in the past.

See the full review on the Garfield Messenger to see the great features and style this bag offers.

Giveaway Details

The giveaway with run until December 14th at midnight and then we will pick and announce one lucky winner! The winner will have a Korchmar Garfield Messenger shipped to them following the announcement. There are a ton of ways for you to enter into the contest, and make sure you come daily as some of the ways to enter can be done once a day. The more entries you have the better chance you have of winning, so make sure get as many of them as possible before December 14th at midnight. You can enter the contest below:

Enter the Giveaway Below

[RF_CONTEST contest=’3805′]

Bag features:

  • Full grain American leather
  • Quick release metal closures for easy access, and buckle adjuster for expansion
  • Multiple interior pockets expand for to hold Smartphone, iPad, power cords and small personal items
  • Large double front gusseted pockets
  • Exterior back pocket and zipped interior pocket
  • Pillow soft padded leather handle
  • Removable, adjustable shoulder strap with ergonomic pad
  • Handcrafted with care in our own factory
  • Made in the USA
  • Fits up to a 15″ laptop
  • Dimensions: 16.5″ x 6″ x 13″

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Korchmar Garfield Laptop Messenger Bag Review – $465

We’ve recently partnered with Korchmar to host a giveaway. Prior to the giveaway, I was given a chance to review the bag chosen. Check out this review and head on over to our giveaway page to participate!

When shopping for a bag that can carry larger sized laptops, there is often a fight between major components such as size/weight, capacity, durability, and look. For those with 15-inch laptops, you can often run into a bag that is too big or too small, and made out of cheaper materials such as nylon. Too heavy – you’ll likely not want to carry it given the added weight your electronics will add. Too light – and you’re left wondering how long the bag will last. Korchmar has created the Garfield messenger bag as a solution to those who may need to carry larger laptops and other items while being durable enough to handle their daily activities.

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Korchmar is a fourth-generation family owned company which produces goods made in the United States. They have been in business since 1917, nearing 100 years. Michael Korchmar is the current President of the company that has been making business-style cases since the 1920s after originally starting with leather headlamp covers for automobiles.

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The Garfield bag is constructed primarily of Full grain leather. This bag is part of Korchmar’s Pull-up Collection which includes chrome tanned leather that was also re-tanned with vegetable tanned methods. This particular bag comes with its share of full grain characteristics – scratches and veining/marbling of the cowhide showing. While full grain, I suspect the Texas-raised hides for these bags are picked and cut such to avoid using high stretch-mark areas of the hide such as belly leather which could affect durability. Having previously carried another  heavier full grain bag for my laptops, this one is considerably lighter but not too light. As the bag begins to take on patina it will take on more scratches from use, perfect for those who love the aged look. The hardware is solid brass and compliments the leather color.The major edges of the bag are covered with another layer of leather, which adds to a more formal finished look. The logo is placed on the right front pocket, de-bossed in with a subtle appearance.

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The interior is lined with patterned canvas as well as the two outside gusseted pockets on the front and the newspaper pocket on the back. Inside, there is a keychain strap as well as multiple pockets for storing iPads, most 15 inch laptops, charging cables, and cell phones/PDA. The bag also sports a rear pocket and a nylon webbing-backed luggage strap along the backside for transport on rolling carriers. I was able to fit my 14 or my 15 inch laptop, an ipad, iphone, a full sized notepad in cover, phone, keys, field notes, and kindle eReader in the main storage. There is still space in the zippered pocket that I used to stash receipts or smaller papers. I’ll note that next to the cellphone there are multiple webbed pockets for other items such as card readers, business cards, and headphone cables. In the front pockets I stored chargers for electronics in one, and lunch (typically a sandwich, chips, fruit) in the other pocket. The back rear pocket typically holds my bullet journal.


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The shoulder strap is padded with a rough suede side that grips well to suit jackets, shirts, and sweaters. The only negative I’ve experienced with the strap is that its construction utilizes relatively thin pieces of leather glued and stitched together. I would have liked to see thicker leather strips sewn together for the strap.  The padded handle is one of the most comfortable handles on a briefcase I have used, nicely cushioned without pvc inserts which are sometimes to maintain structure.

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One of the most useful features of the bag is how it opens. The Garfield utilizes a Tuck-Tite quick release system partially hidden behind the buckles. They are magnetic and also release with a push of a button. The buckles are also functional in that they allow for expansion of the bags capacity. This is a perfect setup for the individual looking to hold that business briefcase look while also needing fast or frequent access to the inner compartments. I could classify this as a tech bag in that it adequately protects my 15-inch laptop as well as cased iPad mini. Fully loaded with my work gear, this the initial weight of the bag was not as cumbersome as bags I have owned in the past.

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This bag really nails the design and aesthetics, particularly with the quick-release buckles and the shape of the top flap. Notice how the edges in the photo below curve in slightly towards the bag. This is a functional element I enjoyed because when you carrying briefcases by shoulder straps, the edges of the flap can begin to crease inward if they are straight cut. Korchmar’s choice to curve the edges allows more maneuverability and avoidance of the bag creasing at those points. The ability to slide the bag onto rolling luggage via the back luggage strap is also an important feature.

While the gusset on the main compartment is not one complete piece of leather, the bottom piece is placed in a way to insure durability. The bottom of the bag has some added support or padding to avoid damage of the inner contents. The construction gives me no suspicions or fears of splitting like bags that are stitched in the bottom middle part of the bag.

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Overall, I can say with confidence that the Korchmar Garfield bag is a Buy it for Life product in all aspects. Priced at $465, it is worth the investment especially being proudly made in the USA. Accompanied by a 5-year warranty, the bag will surely stand up against regular use while protecting your goods. While some prefer suede or unlined interiors, I believe the canvas lining is the perfect choice when carrying electronics. The size of the bag is well-suited for the individual carrying a laptop and other business related items such as notepads and file folders.

Want this bag for free? Enter our giveaway below for your chance to win it!

[RF_CONTEST contest=’3805′]

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WotanCraft Night Rider Leather Sling Bag Review (2016 Christmas Special) – $449

I’ve had the privilege of getting hands on with WotanCraft’s creations several times for BestLeather. Each time is a unique experience and with their latest product, the Night Rider Leather Sling Bag, the trend continues. This time we stray from the typical camera bag to a versatile bag that is just as ready for riding as it is walking.

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CONSTRUCTION

WotanCraft really pride themselves and the construction and materials used. Don’t be fooled by the good looks. This little bag is bombproof. The vegetable tanned Italian cowhide leather is pretty thick and the bag has a hefty presence (Weighs in around 2lbs 5oz) Rivets are used in some high stress point areas and the velveteen lining is super soft and tech friendly. Bronze YKK zippers are used throughout and feature rustproof coatings. The straps are a leather and canvas combination.

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FUNCTION

The Night Rider can be used in any manner you wish. One of its design points is the ability to be securely fastened to the body via multi point harness. The bag has a second strap that goes under the armpit and over the shoulder. This secures the bag when riding from sliding across your back.

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Also noteworthy is that since shoulder strap is fully detachable, which means that for both left or right handed individuals, Night Rider can be worn with the leather shoulder pad on the weight bearing side.

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Around town it can be carried messenger style across the back or more like a duffel to the sides as well. There’s just enough space for the essentials. The tubular dimensions don’t really allow for transportation of large laptops or tablets although the compression straps can be undone to maximize space. Organization is made possible by the large main compartment and small zippered pocket on front.

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AESTHETIC

The Night Rider is a sleek bag to say the least. In fact I think in some ways it might be too good looking for prolonged riding. That’s just because any long rides usually require performance cycling clothes and having a designer bag might seem out of place. Rather, I feel the Night Rider is best at home for casual rides around downtown. The all black construction deftly conceals the blemishes and scuffs from normal use. Chrome hardware contrasts nicely. I definitely get a Bruce Wayne vibe handling this piece!

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CONCLUSION

WotanCraft’s Night Rider Sling Bag is another solid, good looking entry from the respected manufacturer. I feel the price is a little on the high side given the size of the bag. For someone who rides and wants an alternative to the typical nylon fanfare offered to cyclists, I feel this bag is a great option. WotanCraft offers free international free shipping which is a nice incentive.

WotanCraft is having a Christmas Special running until Dec. 31st. Orders over $150 USD will receive a free shock resistant lens wrap, just check their homepage for more.

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Viberg Color 8 Chromexcel Service Boots

Hello everyone! I’m new here to the BestLeather crew but I’m a leather enthusiast the same as everyone else with a special place in my heart for footwear.

Many companies have their take on the service boot, but the Canadian company Viberg is widely known for their impeccable interpretation of it. Viberg has many different models of the service boot and this particular pair that I’m going to be reviewing is from Blue Button Shop.

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About Viberg

Viberg was founded in 1931 by Ed Viberg and has been family owned and operated into the present day by 3rd generation family members. Viberg is based in Victoria Canada and in the last 5 years has expanded their work boot line into the fashion market. They use top of the line materials from leather sourced from Italy and US tanneries, Swiss hobnails, and Vibram soles.

Construction

Viberg’s fashion line of service boots are mainly constructed using a stitch down method of manufacturing. While they do use a Goodyear Welt on some of their footwear they are known for their use of the slightly more unique stitch down method.

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This particular pair is built on their sleek 2030 service boot last using Horween color 8 chromexcel leather, structured perforated cap toe, 8 antique brass eyelets, and British Dainite out soles.

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For anyone unfamiliar with Horween’s chromexcel it is an excellent oily pull up leather that ages and develops a patina that is hard to match. It can be prone to loose grain at times but my pair appears to be free of that entirely and is creasing beautifully. Scuffs and scratches wipe away with your finger or light brushing of a horsehair brush.

Outside of nit picking minor scuffs from shipping the boots are immaculate. The Horween leather uppers are thick and substantial, stitching is immaculate, and the presentation from Blue Button Shop is excellent.

Fit and Sizing

As is the case with most boots, Viberg’s on the 2030 last run a half size larger than Brannock sizing and possibly an entire size larger than what one would wear in sneakers. My feet are a slightly wide 8D on a Brannock device but not quite an 8E and this pair in a 7.5 fit great with thin to medium weight socks. If I wanted to wear really thick socks I would likely have to size up to an 8. For reference I wear a 7.5 in Red Wing Iron Rangers, a 7.5 in the Alden Barrie last, and an 8.5 in most sneakers unless they provide wide sizes.

Look and Feel

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The color 8 Horween chromexcel is an elegant deep eggplant color with red undertones that comes through in sunlight. The Dainite sole keeps the silhouette lean while providing a suitable amount of traction while being hard wearing and make the boots wearable in inclement weather.

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This particular pair of boots pair well with both denim and chinos. They work well for me both on the weekends and in my business casual setting at work. These are not my first pair of Vibergs so I knew what to expect, but everything about these boots checked all the boxes I wanted. They came with a pair of black and brown waxed round laces and I’m not sure which I like more at this point.

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The price tag for Vibergs is a large step up from other service boots like Red Wing but there is an aesthetic they provide that can’t be found easily elsewhere. They are much sleeker and slim than other boots in the fashion work boot space and that’s a large part of the cost. Viberg’s pattern and high quality combined create a truly awesome product.

Conclusion

If you can tolerate the price or are a footwear fanatic like myself, you can’t go wrong with Viberg. They make boots and shoes in an astounding number of leathers and construction methods so there is bound to be a makeup that you’ll fall in love with, either from Viberg directly or one of the many stockists.

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Pad & Quill Oxford Leather iPad Pro 9.7 Case – $120

Looking for a flashy yet stylish way to carry and protect your iPad Pro? Look no further than the Oxford Leather iPad pro case from Pad & Quill.

With a simple a slim design, this case doesn’t add the unwanted bulk. Perfect for an office setting, travel and anywhere else you’d take your iPad pro to work and show off!

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About Pad & Quill

Kari and Brian, founders of Pad & Quill, are out to make their mark on the world of eCommerce. Instead of outsourcing their products to the lowest bidder, they have a strict code that they want all of their products to adhere to, which you can read about here. They have a 25-year warranty on their bags, showing their commitment to longevity. From their website:

“We think there are folks out there who have the same sense of awe as we do when they behold a beautiful thing. Who marvel at how a handful of seeds can become a majestic stand of Baltic Birch, that are then transformed, in artisan hands, into a gorgeous, organic product. There are friends who share our sense of adventure and love to have a bag they pull from their closet with 15 years of travel written upon it, and miles to go. Pad and Quill products will never resemble a trinket pulled from a fast food bag.”

Construction

This case is crafted from a single piece of full-grain bridle leather with a soft black colored American leather interior. The stitching is marine grade nylon and the closing strap is a sturdy elastic band.

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There is also a magnet stitched into the interior front cover to trigger the iPad’s ‘sleep’ function.

Residue free adhesive technology keeps the iPad securely in place. Although you can easily remove the iPad from the case, it is recommended that you do this minimally to preserve the adhesive strength. Otherwise, replacement adhesives can be ordered -here-.

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An optional Apple pencil accessory is available as well and can be purchase separately -here-.

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Closed the case measures 10 inches by 7.5 inches and .75 inches think with the iPad in it. Opened, the case measures 14.5 inches.

Function

The overall basic function of this case is to offer basic protection to your iPad’s screen. Similar to a leather book binder, the cover acts more as a cover than a protection case. Sure it will protect the case and screen from dust and minor drops and bumps, but I do not see it protecting it in a more rugged environment. The inside pocket also serves as a handy place to put notes, receipts or other loose papers. The elastic band holds the case very secure when closet.

There is also, of course a wide rectangular cut out for the iPads rear camera on the back cover.

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Aesthetic

As mentioned previously, the look and feel of this case is like a leather bound journal. Of course, it will bound to get more of those desired leather beauty marks ad patina with age and surely outlast the electronic devise(s) it holds.

Although I do not own the keyboard attachment for the iPad, I can see that it will work quite nicely with the design of the case and the ‘prop up’ design.

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The interior flap makes a great hand pocket for carrying although you couldn’t use it for taking pictures since it blocks the back camera lens.

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At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked the adhesive feature in the case and thought for sure that this may be a less desirable way to hold the case over time and especially if you wanted to remove the ipad from the case or swap cases from time to time. However, the adhesive system is very sturdy and well designed to stay hidden and add less hardware or bulk to the case.

I also don’t own an Apple pencil but the added accessory (that attaches with the same adhesive system) seems very useful to keep the iPad and pencil conveniently together.

BestLeather Conclusion

Although at first glance, the piece does appear to be expensive, further examination of the quality craftsmanship, materials used and design validates the price. If you want quality, you usually have to pay for quality and that theory applies here.

Cases are made for both the 9.7 inch and the larger 12.9 inch iPad Pro models and is available in two different colors.

Check it out -here-.

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Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots Review

A quality leather boot can be a lifelong possession, even a generational heirloom. To endure the rigors of abuse the boot must be made from the toughest leather, sewn well, and very comfortable. How well does the Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot stack up to 2,640,000 footsteps?

Construction

The first impressions are of the thickness and suppleness of the Leather. It is Chromexcel leather from the Horween Leather Company, which supplies a lot of high quality leather. This leather is treated for 23 days with a variety of oils which makes the leather age with patina quite nicely. The feel of the leather is supple and substantial. By feel alone the boot conveys an attitude of durability and quality. High quality, check. For a $340 MSRP I would hope so…

The thread holding the boot together is white marine grade thread, the same type used in sails and Saddleback Leather products.

With some boots you get inexpensive laces, with the 1000 Mile Boot you get waxed laces made from short-weave cotton. They will not be disintegrating any time soon. When they do some different color laces may add an appealing level of colorific contrast. Another option are Leather Laces.

Leather soled boots tend to encounter a contradiction in purpose because of their rugged construction and yet their lack of traction and dislike of water. No doubt this is a consideration, but the application of high quality wax from Obenauf will waterproof and protect the leather. Having your cobbler install a Vibram Rubber Half Sole is also an option for increasing traction. With proper protection these boots will stand up to intense physical or liquid abuse (as will all quality leather).

If you need good traction from your boot and you want the characteristics of the 1000 Mile Boot then investigate the Red Wing Beckman, it has a rubber sole and is slightly cheaper. However, the Beckman does not have the Chromexcel leather which is an important selling point for the 1000 Mile Boot.

Aesthetic

It is not an unduly bulky boot yet by no means is it feminine in proportion. The 1000 Mile Boot does not quite compare with the dramatic style of the Alden Men’s Plain Toe Boot Brown, it is quite acceptable in it’s understated functionality. As an onlooker commented:

It has the look of being custom or handmade but still has consistent quality. It isn’t a combat boot or a work boot, it’s an everyday boot.

You have two color choices, black or brown. Both are stunning. Black provides a nice contrast in color in the sole and body of the boot, not to mention the rest of your attire. Interestingly, the black boots can be worn formally if shined properly. Brown goes well with anything and always looks manly.

For conditioning the leather Horween recommends plain Neatsfoot Oil for their Chromexcel leather.

Best Leather Conclusion

These are spendy boots, perhaps too much so for the limited functionality (water and traction). However, if you normally keep dry and value their awesome quality this may be the perfect daily boot for you. Just don’t go logging in them.

You can find them new on Amazon. Make sure you read the one year cleaning/conditioning article on them.

Updates to this Review

Update: As it turns out, maybe not so well: http://www.bestleather.org/wolverine-1000-mile-boots-six-month-checkup-uh-oh-sole-separation/

Update: After a year of use, this is what they look like as I clean and condition them.

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Sandast Dakota Shoulder Bag – $610

There are some bags that you just can’t take out in public without getting stopped at least once by a curious stranger. They’ll ask about the brand, where it was made, or just give a genuine compliment. Lately this bag has been the Dakota Shoulder Bag in Tan from Sandast, made by hand in a Los Angeles workshop.

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About Sandast

Sandast is a Los Angeles company founded in 2006 and re-launched in 2010 with Chris Pak at the helm. Chris’ focus in re-launching was on quality and his efforts have paid off. With a host of accessories, wallets, belts, and bags Sandast has created a luxurious line of leather products that have received a lot of notice and praise from loyal customers. Sandast frequently uses the term “modern vintage”  to describe their efforts to create leather pieces that have a uniquely vintage look with plenty of modern taste.

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CONSTRUCTION & AESTHETIC

The Dakota Shoulder Bag is made with Horween leather in a rich, ruddy brown color. The leather has a nice layer of wax that brings out the colors and natural textures. The leather is quite striking in person, with a texture and bright color that you don’t see every day.  The bag comes in three other colors besides tan – cognac, navy, and black. The bag is lined with Sandast’s signature plaid fabric, leaving the outer flap unlined with scalloped, burnished edges.

The hardware on the bag is quite impressive, and again marks the bag as something you don’t see every day. All the hardware is solid brass, including the lobster claw clasps that attach the padded, adjustable strap.

The bag zips with a partially attached Riri zipper that helps the bag hold its shape when carried. There is an inside pocket in the lining with a matching zipper reinforced with leather. The corners are reinforced with three brass rivets on each side.

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FUNCTION

The Dakota Shoulder Bag measures in at around 14.5″ x 11″ x 4″. It’s the perfect size to carry a 13″ laptop, a notebooks, and everyday items. It’s only 4″ thick, which gives it slim profile that’s perfect for a bag with feminine accents like the scalloped edges and contrasting stitching. There’s a small zippered pocket inside, but other than that, it’s a very simple, functional bag.

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CONCLUSION

The Dakota Shoulder Bag has quickly become my go-to bag– it’s dependable, practical, stylish, and incredibly high quality. This is one of about a half-dozen Sandast bags I’ve been able to see in-person, and I really can’t say enough good things about their products. Absolutely no corners are cut in the making of these bags, which are made right here in the USA (you can even watch the bags being made live via webcam). The Dakota is a bag that anyone would be proud to pass on to the next generation.

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Intrepid Bag Co. Leather Tech Roll – $139

Picture this scenario: You’re traveling with a cellphone (as most would), a laptop, tablet, camera, and perhaps a kindle. You open your briefcase to retrieve the said cord to charge the right device and the inside of your briefcase is a tangled knot of cords and wires. Even worse, you can’t locate where one cord begins and the other ends.

Well in our age of multiple devices and other digital equipment, a professional and functional solution is needed to save time and perhaps embarrassment.

Intrepid Bag Co. has just released a new set of leather accessories to complement their original designs. Among them is this beautiful full grain saddle leather tech roll.

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Construction

The leather used in this piece is full grain USA saddle leather with a rich Mahogany color. The interior features a gray canvas lining with 3 cord slots, one middle pocket with a leather flap closure, and a large zippered pocket on the opposite end of the cord pockets. The entire piece is stitched with top quality nylon stitching.

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The roll is secured with two straps that fasten into simple leather closures.

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Rolled, the tech roll measures 7.5 inches long by 5 inches across and 1.5-4 inches deep (depending on how much you stuff in there). Unrolled it measures about 15 inches.

Having never really owned or used a tech roll before, I can say that at first I as hesitant to give it a fair shot in my daily carry as I usually like to pack as light and minimally as possible. But as I recalled SEVERAL incidents when traveling where I got slightly frustrated that I couldn’t find a cord or the cord I needed was wrapped around an article of clothing, so I decided to give it a fair chance.

One thing that was a little awkward was getting the cords in the pockets, but I imagine that in time it won’t be a big deal at all for the time and headaches you save on the road.

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 The function of the piece is to neatly organize cords, chargers, battery packs or external hard drives as well as a few other accessories like adapters or cleaning clothes. The interior’s 3 cord slots have slits in the bottom to allow the cord to feed through so it can be used without having to remove the whole cord.

The center pocket is large enough to hold a smart phone or thin battery or external hard drive with, again, a small slit in the bottom to allow a cord to feed through. As the zippered side pocket is all canvas, a good amount of small accessories can be stuffed in. However, the more stuff in the roll and pockets, the bulkier the piece is when rolled.

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 The mahogany saddle leather on the roll is very sturdy and already is breaking in nicely. As mentioned above, the roll does get bulky when crammed with a lot of stuff but what doesn’t? I really love the simplicity of the case and can tell it will age for many phone and device updates.

 At $139, I feel the tech roll Is well worth the money considering the material used and the design. Anyone who is looking for a solution to organizing varies electronics while maintaining a look of elegance, professionalism, and function will be happy with this piece. Check it out -here-!

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J. Ryan & Co Leather Shaving Strop Review

All strops are not created equal. As a matter of fact, I have heard countless times throughout my years in the wet shaving and barbering industry that a shaver’s strop is quite irrelevant, and “the cheaper the better”—a partial truth, to be sure, because who doesn’t like to get good quality products for good prices? In some cases, individuals will have gone out and found a quality vintage or used strop for a decent price, but with the recent explosion in wet shaving paraphernalia, this antique find is becoming harder and harder to acquire. Often times, someone coming into the wide and wonderful world of wet shaving or professional barbering will do a quick google search or stop by their local antique store only to be disappointed with cheap “pleather” products, or antique leather so dried out or heavily used that the tool would work better on display in a museum rather than in a washroom or on a barbering chair. Let it be known that a strop has the ability to either refresh your blade upon every pass, or roll the edge to a “perfect dull” with every pass. Therefore, I reiterate—all strops are not created equal.

Click here to buy.

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There are quite a few companies and artisans currently producing leather strops, many of which don’t have any experience professionally stropping an actual razor or even shaving with a straight razor, and this shows in the quality of their strop. No fault on the character or ethos of the company, they simply don’t know what is required of a strop that will last this lifetime, and maybe many more! A few months ago, I was checking out at a leather strop used by many of the wet shaving enthusiasts, and I was sorely disappointed with the quality of the product compared to the price. I thought, “perhaps the golden era of wet shaving products is over?” Then something quite wonderful happened—I received a J. Ryan & Co. strop.

j-ryan-and-co-strop-review-6Let me give you a little back story here. I run a small wet shaving site where I offer straight razor restorations and custom shaving brushes for those looking to get into artisan wet shaving products. I am also a consultant and marketing specialist for a large barber supply company which allows me to travel to barbershops all over the U.S., many of which ask me to hone their razors and teach them new techniques for blade maintenance and general straight edge practice. Over the past few years, I have honed and stropped thousands of razors of all various shapes, sizes, and quality. This means I have also used quite a few different strops. When the crew at BestLeather.org sent me the J. Ryan & Co. strop to review, I immediately knew that this strop was different than others—it wasn’t just a tool, it was clearly an artwork.

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I received the strop folded in a light-weight linen drawstring bag, and when loosened the twine, I was hit with that pungent, quality leather smell we have all grown to love so very, very much. At this point, I knew nothing of this product other than it came from a gentleman who makes strops. I knew nothing of the leather, nothing of the hardware, the width, length, etc…this was all a surprise for me, and boy was I surprised! Most leather strops on the market come in general width sizes with the most common sizes sitting somewhere between 1.5” to 2” wide. This particular strop I received boasts an impressive 3” width with an overall length of 30”, 17” of which is the proper stropping interval. When I pulled the strop out of the bag, I was immediately impressed with this behemoth’s overall size. The length and width are certainly not uncommon in the world of strops, but it does my heart well to see such a quality strop in this size.

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Now, when it comes to strops, the leather quality either makes or breaks the product. I have come across other strops that happened to be this size or even bigger, but each strop I have seen that can even be compared to its size lacks the leather quality necessary to be considered a viable straight edge tool. Quality leather is obviously not cheap, so crafters will often use cheaper leather in order to offset the cost of the strop’s length and width in order to keep the product within a certain price range. Not so with the crew at J. Ryan & Co. In fact, where most crafters will only use a single length of leather coupled with a single length of linen or cotton, the crafters at J. Ryan & Co. decided to use finest Horween leathers for all of it’s leather components. For those of you familiar with the different parts of a strop, you are already aware the purpose each side serves. For those of you wondering why one length of leather is not good enough, let me take a moment to elaborate a little on strop maintenance—in order to keep this as a brief introduction, lets refer to each side as the light side (secondary length) and the heavy side (main body).

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The light side of a strop serves two purposes. (1) to remove any burrs or rust on the edge of the blade in order to prepare the edge for a good “refreshing,” and (2) to warm the edge’s metal by means of friction in order to allow the heavy side to properly refreshen the blade. This obviously means that the heavy side is specifically for refreshing the blade in a quicker and more efficient amount of time than if you were to simply use the lighter side. Now that this is finished, lets get back to the review!

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The main body is crafted from Horsehide Chromexcel in what I am guessing is in 6-7 oz. leather, which certainly makes for an impressive main strop body given its heavy draw. The main body on the strop I received is beautifully dyed in rich burgundy, which only adds to the discerning character of this piece. Where other crafters utilize a length of linen or even cotton for the second part of the strop body, the crew at J. Ryan & Co. decided to trash the idea of cloth all together and dedicate this strop as a full leather product—something which resembles the quality strops of yesteryear, and quite a breath of fresh air for myself, if I might add. This lighter side utilizes Horween’s Snuffed Suede leather in what I am guessing is 4-5 oz. leather instead of a cloth substitute. A wise choice, in my opinion. It looks as though the suede side is dyed at the tannery in a stonewashed gray, something which compliments the burgundy wonderfully.

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Moving onto the rest of the strop, I am thoroughly impressed with the handles and hanging component J. Ryan & Co. included within this product. Lets start from the top and move down—first, the hanging component of the strop serves two purposes. (1) It attaches the hardware required to hang the strop, and (2) it binds both the light and heavy lengths together. This component feels like something you would find on a horse’s saddle—its rigid and unmovable! It feels and looks like leather, but its solid and sturdy like a hard material—a fantastic quality to have for this component! Because of it’s inherent purpose, this part of the strop usually always go out first. The constant wear on this “hinge” usually results in the strop falling apart from the top down, but I don’t see that happening with this component anytime soon. The handles of the strop are even more ridged and durable, as it is comprised of 3 layers of horsehide which have been bonded and stitched together. The handles are then hand beveled and rounded, then stained to match the rest of the strop and finished with beeswax for a high sheen.

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J. Ryan & Co. didn’t just stop with quality leather, they also ensured their product was adorned with quality hardware as well—solid brass. The hanging component is a solid brass bolt snap accompanied with a brass ring. This allows the shaver to comfortably use the hanging component with large hooks and small “clip on” surfaces alike. Should something catastrophic ever happen (dog chew toy, *cough* *cough*), take heart knowing that the lengths are bound together by solid brass Chicago Screws, so if you do need to change one length or another, you are able to do so with ease and more importantly, without having to purchase another strop.

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Lastly, I want to touch on what I think is one of the coolest parts of the strop—the logo. The stamp is deeply embossed in the leather handles and the strop lengths, which offers 4 opportunities to gander at this beautiful creation! Inspired by medieval artistry, the stamp exhibits a coat-of-arms and a bold font which scream “simplistic, yet exquisitely refined.” I recently returned home after a stint in Scotland, and the stamp artistry ushers me back to the castles I visited and the “old world feel” associated with 14th and 15th century Europe. No joke, when I look at this strop, it makes me want to go back to Scotland. There is certainly something to be said about that which invokes such emotions and memories.

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Now with the general information of the strop covered, let’s move on to my experience with it! When I received the strop, it was definitely new. So new in fact, that it was actually quite difficult to use the main body of the strop. This is of no fault to J. Ryan & Co., and really is not a fault at all. Good quality leather takes time to break in, especially with the main body sitting somewhere in the 6-7 oz. range! There are sturdy bags made with that kind of leather! It should be noted that the lighter side has been comfortable since day one, which once again is of no fault, rather the result of lighter leather. Before touching pen to paper with my thoughts on this strop, I wanted to spend at least a month with it. In one months time, I had the opportunity to use this strop every singe day, multiple times a day. I was able to strop somewhere around 50 razors with it, and used it for my personal razors every morning. Everyone has a specific way they like to strop, so I am not even going to touch on that theme here, but I will say that I stropped each razor approximately with 60 passes on the lighter length and 30 passes on the heavy length, so I have come to know this strop fairly well in such a short amount of time.

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j-ryan-and-co-strop-review-4I was not taught to use a stropping a blade on brand new Horsehide Chromexcel so that actually took a little getting use to. After a week, the leather finally started to break in and I was able to get an actual feel for what this strop was going to perform like. After two weeks, I actually got excited to use the strop, and at the end of the second week, I decided to perform a test. I took my favorite strop that I have been using for the last three years and compared it to the J. Ryan & Co. strop that I had been using for 2 weeks. I used the same razor, with the same number of passes, and conclude that the J. Ryan & Co. strop was more comfortable, and seemed to polish the edge of the razor so much better than my previous strop. I credit most of this to the lighter Horween Snuffed Suede leather length instead of a linen length, however, these can be no doubt the main body of the strop plays a huge  (if not the primary) role in refreshing the edge. For those curious, I used a Wade & Butcher true-wedge for this test, but most often used a late 1890’s H.G. Long & Co. french tip in quarter-hollow—my every day straight edge.

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One unfortunate thing about strops is that no matter how gorgeously beautiful they happen to be, you will inevitably cut gouges and slivers out of the leather over time. When you are performing thousands of passes with an instrument so sharp it could cut hair just by lightly passing the edge over the center, it is inevitable that you will damage the leather. After the first week, I cut a sliver in the top of the main length and nearly cried out of disappointment. After another week, you can barely tell that there was a sliver cut in at all, and I imagine than after another month or two, it will be completely gone. The Chromexcel leather was a grand choice for the main body, as my little mishap proves that minor scratches and slivers can be buffed out through further use.

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A month into using the strop, I couldn’t be happier. I have taken it to barber shops all across Washington state and Idaho within the past few weeks and have received many compliments over what an amazing tool this is. There is one thing that I feel obliged to include, not because it’s particularly an issue, rather because I would feel somewhat guilty if I had not offered some sort of criticism in a review. When I pulled the strop out of the bag on the first day, I noticed that the stamp on the top of the main length was slightly crooked. I thought perhaps it was an optical illusion of some sort since it is ever so slight, but after utilizing a ruler, I found that the stamp was off ever so slightly. Does this effect anything concerning the function or durability of the strop? Certainly not! However, given the nature of this luxurious item, I feel obliged to include it within the review, but I want to ensure the reader knows that this does not alter my opinion on the quality of the product.

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Let’s talk pricing. First, this is a difficult thing to compare. There really are no other strops on the market aiming to compete with the quality of this strop. From my knowledge, save for a few long term, low-quantity artisans, there isn’t really a directly related strop to fairly compare this with. It would be like me trying to compare a McLaren with a Kia. Sure, both will get you places, but one will probably do it in style and efficiency, and I’m not talking about the Sportage! (Disclaimer: I own a Sportage…don’t you even dare give me a hard time) At $200, this strop is about twice as much as other strops in the market, but I will say that it is over twice the quality as well. The J. Ryan & Co. strop is for the discerning gentleman’s washroom, and for the professional barber who sees multiple heads a day. This is a strop for the person committed to wet-shaving or professional barbering who doesn’t want to have to buy another strop again, and who wants the absolute best quality product, which gives the absolute best quality results for their razors. You spent $400 on your favorite razor, so why wouldn’t you spend the money on a piece of practical art which will last the rest of your life? Don’t just pass down that razor collection of yours, pass down this J. Ryan & Co. strop as well. And remember, all strops are not created equal.

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