Smith Cornejo Leather Wine Satchel- $600

Inspired by drinking red wine and riding horseback across Andalucia, this one-of-a-kind design is perfect for gifting a truly special bottle, picnics in the countryside, or slinging over your saddle horn (or bike).

ABOUT SMITH CORNEJO

Smith Cornejo is a family business in West Virginia dedicated to functional leather goods of both rugged durability and elegance. Although they design and make some of the products from their workshop in West Virginia, most of the products are made in Guanajuato, Mexico, one of the leather making capitols. The leather is carefully sourced from gold rated tanneries. Although the leather comes from Mexican tanneries, most of the hides are from the US. Their partnership with Mexico ties into the family’s Mexican roots and their commitment to skilled workers and crafters.

CONSTRUCTION

The bag is constructed with 5-6 oz. full grain vegetable tanned leather and the straps are 7-8 oz leather. The hardware on the bag features buckles, d-rings and lobster style clasps made of solid brass. Solid copper rivets are placed stress points. The stitching is a silk thread. Lastly, the bag is fully lined with thick shearling wool. The dimensions of the bag is 13 inches tall by 6 inches wide and 5 inches deep with a single wine bottle and is about 13 inches wide by 8 inches wide and 6 inches deep when expanded to carry two bottles. Empty, the bag weighs about 3 pounds.

FUNCTION

This tote features a design that aids in the versatility of what you can carry and how you can carry it. The bag can carry up to two standard sized wine bottle or related spirits by adjusting the to buckles on the side of the bag that extend or synch the inner compartment together. The bag closes with a lobster style brass clasp that can also be adjusted for length (for those taller bottles) with a buckle directly above the clasp.

When carrying two bottles, they fit snuggly in the shearling lining and do not clink together while traveling (or horeseback riding).

This is one tough little tote with the thick leather, brass and copper hardware and the shearling lining. It defiantly is strong enough to hold more weight than just two wine bottles.

Another great feature to this bag and design is that there a few (if not more) ways to carry it. There is a sewn in handle on the back for the most basic way of handing it. There is also a clasp attached handle that has d-rings in which a longer strap is fed through and attached to two bottom d-rings. This design allows you to either carry it over the shoulder, cross body, or as a two-strap backpack mode. I found that if you are solely using it for a shoulder or cross-body, it is helpful to remove the smaller handle strap as it evens out the balance of the tote. Although a little cumbersome to take off the various straps, it is a well-designed system. Either way you do it, the bag is designed impeccably to be adjusted to comfort and carry.

The handles on the back create the perfect system for mounting on ones bike, horse saddle, or wall. Seeing how this piece is artfully designed, hanging it on the wall or a nice hook is a great way to show off the piece when not being used.

AESTHETIC

When I first received this leather wine tote my initial reaction was “Wow this can’t get any fancier”. My second reaction was something along the lines of “This little tote is built solid and can be used on a mountain trek let alone a simple excursion to a friends house with wine.” Whether you plan an adventure or just want to show off a fancy (or less fancy bottle, for that matter), this bag will stand to the occasion.

My girlfriend and I took it down to a clearing in the woods where we staged an afternoon wine tasting. Although I don’t usually retreat to a clearing in the woods for a midday glass of wine, I can say that owning a bag like this just may bring out the snob in me.

The leather is tough but not too stiff, which is nice since I didn’t want to struggle getting a bottle in and out of the bag or with adjusting the straps. The shearling lining is luxury to the max. I love reaching in the bag and feeling the soft wool and imagine myself being able to crawl in there if I was much smaller.

Besides function, this piece is really a piece of art and should be displayed as such. Again, the handle is perfect for mounting on the wall. You could even put it near your bar (if you have a bar in your house) and use it to keep your favorite scotch, spirit or other treasured bottle.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

Although one might contest to the higher price I can say without hesitation that it is a solidly designed piece with no noticeable design or function flaws. I would agree that the price is high and intimidating but so is the price for any such handmade luxury item made from thick full grain leather, shearing lining, and quality hardware. I’m looking forward to the age and wear on the piece. Although meant to carry wine bottles or other spirits, it can, of course be used for various other daily carry. And when not in use, it is beautiful piece of art to hang and admire. Check it out –here-.

November 10, 2014December 19, 2017

Marked Leather Marked Satchel- $360

The majority of leather and leather production is focused on perfection. The goal is to harvest hides from animals with little imperfection, process them without damage, tan them without flaw, and create products with beautiful, pristine leather.

But, there’s an emerging, growing sector of the population that sees leather that is considered as imperfect as something to be appreciated. Marked Leather is at the forefront of producing high quality leather bags from scarred, marked leather and what they’re making looks fantastic.

About

Marked Leather is based in Minneapolis, MN and owned /operated by Scott Loeser and Rhea O’Connor. Marked Leather is the result of both Scott and Rhea graduating from The Maker’s Coalition. Now, Marked Leather is a champion for this program.

After getting the chance to email and speak with Scott, we agreed to review Marked Leather‘s Marked Satchel.

Construction

The Marked Satchel is a well-designed bag. It’s created from premium top grain leather. This particular bag’s leather came from Columbia, however future versions of Marked’s products will feature leather sourced from Thiele Tannery in Milwaukee, WI. The leather has a nice feel to it. One of BestLeather’s other reviewers referred to some leather he recently reviewed as “buttery soft”. Those words can aptly be applied to the leather of the Marked Satchel too.

The satchel features antique brass hardware and heavy gauge, nylon thread in a chestnut color. It also has a cinch strap buckle system for securing the main flap of the bag. These straps, along with the adjustable shoulder strap are made from a thick, canvas-like material. The interior of the bag is lined with an attractive plaid material from Mill Creek.

Function

As mentioned earlier, the Marked Satchel is a well-designed bag. It’s surprisingly large and will easily carry whatever you need for daily use. It’s also an excellent travel satchel and will definitely perform well as an overnight bag.

It has several pockets and storage areas. On the back of the bag is a large, open pocket that’s perfect for slipping your newspaper or magazine into while traveling. Under the main flap you’ll find a large pocket that is secured with a large snap button. In thinking about travel…especially international travel, this is a great spot to store your passport. In the large, main compartment is a small zipper pocket in the rear that will store all of your small pieces with ease (think keys, flashlight, wallet, gum, etc.). The satchel will easily accommodate a 15” laptop and lots of other stuff. That main compartment is big. The shoulder strap is thick, wide, easily adjustable, and comfortable. It’s easily carried on your shoulder, can be adjusted to wear cross body, or just use the soft, comfy handle.

One thing that took some time to adjust to…and I’m not still a big fan of, is the way the main flap has to be secured. It’s a little awkward and time consuming in order to fully secure the flap using the two cinch straps. Fortunately, the bag is easily carried whether or not you have the flap full secured.

Aesthetic

I think this bag looks great. The color of the leather, a nice chocolate-brown is visually appealing. And, I’m one of those people who have developed an appreciation for leather with scars, brands, stretch marks, and blemishes. There are certainly those detractors who’ll let you know that “stretch marks weaken the leather” and my usual reply is, I’m not carrying tons of weight in this thing, so the tensile strength on this leather will more than suffice for the rest of my life.

I do think the tide is changing on what’s acceptable in the leather marketplace. I’ve had lots of compliments on this bag – especially inquiries about the brand. People want to know about it. While some people anticipate having a bag with patina on it in time, this bag comes loaded with a story and yes, appeal. Whose brand is it? Where is it from? It creates questions and people enjoy it.

The other great thing is…I will most likely never run into someone who has the same bag with the same brand in the same location. If you’re looking for unique…look no further.

Conclusion

The Marked Leather Marked Satchel is a standout among others in the leather satchel market. It’s solidly constructed from quality materials and offers a unique, visually appealing style. At $360, it’s a good buy and will definitely serve you well for many, many years.

November 5, 2014December 19, 2017

Marlondo Leather Co. 14″ Leather Messenger Bag – $250

Someone is going to compliment me on it today. That is something I can always count on when I leave the house carrying my Marlondo Leather Co. Messenger bag. A woman at the grocery store tells me it looks good or an older businessman asks where to find such a piece; day in day out no matter where you take it. There is no denying that it is a really great looking messenger bag and will continue to look better and better as I use it.

When he began selling leather bags during his free time in college, founder Ma Londo decided that in order to ensure the quality of product he sold, he would need to make them himself. It has been three years since he opened up shop to craft attractive and durable products; these have been impressing the critics and buyers alike ever since.

My individual bag is a 14” messenger with laptop sleeve and detachable shoulder straps. The $250 price tag originally made me question what I was dealing with, since some pieces of comparable quality and size can be found at double the price. But after about a month and a half of daily wear and tear on my bag, I can finally confirm: this is simply a good buy.

FUNCTION & CONSTRUCTION

Thick full grain leather makes up the heft of the bag, with a pigskin liner for internal softness. By itself, the leather is not thick enough to suggest strong joints, but every weak point is riveted securely. Dog leash clasps secure the adjustable shoulder strap, and make it easy to transform into a briefcase. Though it hangs at an odd angle in briefcase form it is still useful enough to bring to the office. The shoulder strap is quite comfortable, though its leather is so thick it can be rough at first. After about a week of break in it has formed to my shoulder and keeps the bag (even when loaded down) from feeling like an anchor.

When adjusted this strap stays whatever length you choose without lengthening during use. Much of the exterior is single stitched with semi-thick nylon thread and stress points are double stitched. My main quibble is the amount of pocket space. There is a large sleeve pocket for a 14” laptop and one smaller pocket sewn into the front of the bag, with no other place to store pens, wallet, or phone.

Small items tend to be swallowed up if they are not placed in the laptop space which might, problematically enough, be inhabited by a laptop. This should not be considered a fatal flaw, since many full grain leather bags have little accessory space; just be prepared to lose anything you do not keep in the small pocket on the front.

AESTHETIC

People will notice when you wear it in public; the look is simple and minimalistic. The full grain leather is a beautiful dark toffee colour, wearing in a little darker when it begins to form a patina. This messenger follows in the rising trend of “it looks better the more you beat it up,” which I can personally testify to. Each new scratch or blemish makes the bag a little bit more individual, a little bit more me.

One of the most attractive factors of the leather is that it changes with the times, morphing with the wearer every step of the way. On the other hand there are a few true visible blemishes including a bit of sloppy sewing around the base. There is little to be found except under close examination, and all handmade leather products are somewhat imperfect. Still, if you want to find imperfections in the look you can, though that is not the point.

CONCLUSION

Marlondo has produced a sturdy, boutique-style leather messenger bag built to last as long as the person who buys it. Though a little lacking on accessory pockets and space, it is otherwise intentionally designed and functional. In the $250 price range, this is a great buy and a one of a kind bag: truly great value compared to its competitors. If you need a briefcase for the office, an everyday carry with room for your computer, an adventure pack with enough space to hold the bare essentials, or just something that will look great in and around the city, we recommend the Marlondo Leather Co. Messenger Bag. Just be sure to bring something to fit your small accessories into.

October 27, 2014November 17, 2022

Satch & Fable 13″ Leather Satchel W/Pocket Review – $139

Twelve years ago in India, Fabrizio Giuliani, an Italian teaching English to Tibetan monks, found a guy making “cheap” leather bags to tourists. Falling in love with unique qualities of the leather, he decided to use that leather to create his own bags with enhanced durability and construction techniques. Satch & Fable bags are created using the Buddhist concept of Wabi-sabi which finds natural beauty in imperfection and impermanence.

CONSTRUCTION

The most unique aspect of this satchel is the full-grain goat leather. Goat leather is naturally lighter and more water-resistant than cowhide. Fabrizio describes this leather as Moroccan leather. Although this leather is actually from India, it is tanned using traditional Moroccan techniques. “Traditional” Moroccan leather tanning is not nearly as pleasant nor easy compared to mechanized Western techniques. In a nutshell, the leather is arduously hand-washed at least five times. At the fourth wash, the leather is “shampooed” to remove odors (from what I’ve learned, this is the ESSENTIAL step). The leather is then gently dried in the sun for 2 hours, re-wet, and then hand-rubbed. Goatskins are smaller than cowhide so up to two goatskins are used to make a single bag. Because of the sourcing and traditional tanning methods, no two bags will ever be alike.

The goats are raised and sourced locally from Rajasthan, and the tanned skins are brought to the village workshop for construction. There are only 3-5 local workers who produce these bags by hand. The brass buckles and rivets are also from India. Vintage sewing machines are used to place the cotton stitching.

Satch&FableSatchel10 — Satch & Fable 13” Satchel with Front Pocket (on bottom) and Satch & Fable Pouch ( on top)

FUNCTION

This satchel breaks all the rules. It does not have a 100-year warranty. It is not made from military grade materials or imported fabrics from Italy or France. It will not stop a bullet for you. This bag is not 10 lbs. This bag is a lightweight, casual alternative to the rugged beast bags out there. My particular satchel is 13’’x10’’x5’’ although various size options are available. It comes with three internal compartments with a padded one just for your laptop, two zippered pockets, and an external front pocket. This featherweight entry to the satchel arena is a welcome reprieve to the pounding that my shoulder has taken from my full-grain cowhide briefcase that I use for work.

AESTHETIC

Who knew imperfect could be so beautiful? You can see every blemish on these tanned goatskins but they are subtle and gorgeous. This bag is not pretentious nor does it try to be something it’s not. This is one of those kids you hated in college – someone who doesn’t have to try, but always looks good and grabs all the attention. Out of the bag, it seems like a bag that has been loved for many years but there’s still years worth of aging and patina left for you to do on your own. There are darkened shadows and creases at just the right spots. The leather is so soft and light yet tough. According to the Wabi-sabi concept on the website, there may be an imperfect stitch here or there, but I can’t find a single one.

Here’s my favorite part – you really have no idea exactly what your bag will look like before you get it. Because of the traditional hand-tanning method, your bag’s leather may look COMPLETELY different than the next one. Opening up the bag is like opening up a Christmas gift or pulling a fish out of water.

Satch&FableSatchel09 — Yes, these are the exact same bags made of the same type of leather.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Satch & Fable 13’’ Leather Satchel with Pocket at $139 is a welcome alternative to the heavy full-grain cowhide bags flooding the new-entry market. It won’t break your back and it won’t break your bank. This bag is perfectly imperfect. If you’re looking for a beautiful broke-in bag that can save you several years worth of patina this is it. Consider PaydayMint if you’re in a financial bind and want Satch & Fable bags.

October 18, 2014December 19, 2017

Christensen Bags No. 7 Platypus Satchel Review – $225

The lowly platypus just doesn’t get enough recognition in this world with the likes of lions, tigers and bears roaming around. That’s a shame because the platypus is a fascinating creature. Endemic to Australia, including Tasmania, the platypus is one of just a few venomous mammals with seemingly more in common with a Tasmanian devil than with a duck. The days of the platypus staying in obscurity are soon to vanish though with the Platypus series of satchels by Christensen Bags. A waxed canvas and leather goods company based in San Francisco, California, Christensen Bags makes high quality goods with a focus on minimalism inspired by Danish mid-century Modern aesthetics. BestLeather was able to review one of their minimalistic satchels, the No. 7 Platypus.

MATERIALS

A bag is only as good as what it is made out of. Christensen understands this and chooses to work with some of the best materials available. They source their leather exclusively from the Horween Tannery in Chicago, which was established in 1905. They obtain their waxed canvas from Martin Dyeing and Finishing, which was established in 1838. The No. 7 is a combination waxed canvas and leather bag. The outside of the bag is made from a natural, khaki colored waxed canvas, while the interior is a black waxed canvas. The black interior is a smart move as the interior of a bag tends to attract marks, smudges, and stains. If you are unfamiliar with waxed canvas, it is smooth material where the wax is not readily apparent. The wax is impregnated into the canvas as a means of waterproofing the material.

It has become a popular material to use in the higher end bag market, where cost is a factor. Combining waxed canvas with high quality leather produces a super durable and classy combination. If you’re not into that combination and prefer all leather bags, then Christensen has you covered and you can get their No. 3, which is an all Dublin leather satchel with the same design.

I have to say that the leather used for the flap of this bag is impressive. Named Dublin by the Horween Tannery, character comes built into this leather. The leather has a similar pull up affect as Horween’s famous Chromexcel leather, but is all vegetable tanned, which means it will develop a beautiful patina with use. The leather is also thicker than most high quality leather bags and definitely thicker than boot leather. The underside of the leather is unlined, which I think is beautiful, and is also very smooth, an indication of a high quality leather. The same Dublin leather is used for accents as well, namely for the D-rings on either end of the bag, for the flap closure on the front of the bag and for the interior pen holders.

METAL AND THREAD

Keeping to their minimalist vision, there is not a lot of hardware on the bag. The D-rings and the lobster clasps on the strap are all solid brass with an antique finish, which marries well with the look of the bag. The materials are all sewn together with strong and durable no 128 bonded nylon. The perimeter of the flap of the bag is sewn with a dark brown nylon. Technically the thread is not necessary as it doesn’t combine two materials and is purely aesthetic. Personally, I like the look and think that provides a nice finish, but some might prefer the stitch less look.

DESIGN

Minimalism is an important focus for Christensen and the No. 7 is no exception. The bag is an appropriate size for a satchel, but is not a large bag. Measuring 14.5″ wide by 10″ high, by 2 1/4″ deep, the bag is meant to carry the essentials and not much else. Large enough for a 13″ laptop (my 13″ Macbook Air with case fit snugly), a notebook cover, an IPad or other electronic device, and some accessories, and you’re good to go.

The most noticeable feature of the bag is the obvious play off of our lowly platypus with a wide 3″ “bill” that inserts snugly into the front loop and is secured with a single button rivet. The look is surprisingly reminiscent of a platypus, but is still classy and sophisticated. There is something satisfying with not having to tangle with any buckles and clasps when opening or closing your bag. Unbuttoning and sliding out the flap is quick and easy and refastening it is the same. In using this bag, I never felt that the contents of the bag were unsafe with this closure. The bill fits snugly into the loop and stays there. The size of the bag helps with this as you’re not lugging around a significant amount of goods.

Neil, co-founder of Christensen Bags, takes prototyping very seriously. He tests and tweaks their designs, and uses the prototype until he feels it is perfect. He developed their No. 1 satchel to shuttle his necessities from work to home and wanted to sell something that he would love and use. He has currently been carrying a wallet prototype around for the past year, making notes along the way to ensure the perfect product. This fastidious focus on design is apparent in the goods they sell.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The No 7. platypus satchel from Christensen Bags is minimalists dream. It is lightweight, has one main compartment to carry your essentials and opens and closes with ease. It is made from high quality materials made by companies with long histories, and is designed to carry your goods in style. The price of $225 is right for a smaller bag made of premium materials and is designed well. Perhaps best of all, No Platyplus’ were harmed in the making of this review, or the making of this bag. We recommend the No. 7 from Christensen.

October 17, 2014December 19, 2017

Matoirs Vintage Style Tooled Women’s Bag Review – $197

Here’s a review of a beautiful piece that caught my eye from a designer and leatherworker on etsy from Australia. Melanie Hudson of Matoirs Leather Products has been selling handmade and hand tooled leather bags for about 2 years now but working with leather since she was very young, assisting her father binding leather books. Her etsy shop features vintage style handbags that are hand tooled or hand painted with detail and rich beautiful colors. Continue reading “Matoirs Vintage Style Tooled Women’s Bag Review – $197”

October 16, 2014December 19, 2017

Horween Leather Company and Thrux Lawrence All Leather Thrux Pack – $990

In the not too distant past, BestLeather received a hide of the Horween Leather Company’s latigo leather, in a chestnut color. Thinking of one of the best places we could take the hide to and develop it into something beautiful and functional, we immediately thought of Thrux Lawrence of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We asked them to craft something fine from the leather so that we can showcase Horween’s latigo leather and something fine they indeed crafted.

Tanden Launder, the proprietor of Thrux Lawrence, took the project a step further and crafted something new for them, an ALL leather Thrux Pack. They craft many of their thick 24 ounce canvas and latigo leather Thrux Packs, which are beautiful and extremely rugged, and which they sell online and at their brick and mortar store in Coeur d’Alene, but they had yet to make an all leather Thrux Pack. This was a serendipitous opportunity to try something a little new.

HORWEEN LEATHER COMPANY

The Horween Leather Company was founded in 1905 by Isadore Horween. The company has remained in family hands (currently run by Arnold “Skip” Horween, Isadore’s great grandson) ever since and is now the last remaining tannery in the Chicago area, and one of the few remaining industrial tanneries in the United States. Horween’s first product was shell cordovan for razor strops.

After the invention of the electric razor and the subsequent reduced demand for razor strops, Horween recognized the need to diversify it’s leather portfolio. The result has been some fine leathers, and some tanning recipes that are still being used today, decades later (think Chromexcel).

Avid readers of BestLeather will be very familiar with the name Horween. The simple reason for this is that many, many of the leather companies whose products we review use Horween’s leather. And the simple reason for that is because Horween produces some of the finest (if not the finest) leather for consumer goods. Their Chromexcel and Shell Cordovan probably get the most attention in the realm of high quality leather goods, but one line of leather that needs a little more recognition is their Latigo line of leather.

ABOUT THE LATIGO LINE OF LEATHER

Tanden with Thrux swears by latigo leather. In my conversations with him he has repeated that latigo is the time tested leather, and of course he is correct. Latigo is a form or method of tanning leather. Traditionally tanned from cowhide, latigo is normally combination tanned, usually chrome tanned and then vegetable tanned, which is how Horween still does it. Latigo has traditionally been used for horse tack, namely for saddle cinches. The reason for this is the durable nature of latigo. It is tanned in a way that makes it more stiff than many of your luxury leathers, with less stretch, and as a result is more durable. This is the main reason that Thrux Lawrence prefers latigo, its durable nature.

Another benefit in using Horween’s latigo is that their leather is struck through. This means that after tanning the hide, the hide is then dyed with the color of choice, and they allow the dye to penetrate through the entire hide. Many tanneries simply dye the exterior of the leather, but when cut into you see either a blue strip running through the middle of the leather (in the case of chrome tanned leathers), or a light brown strip (in the case of vegetable tanned leather). For the purposes of luxury consumers goods, this is unacceptable. Striking the leather through is more time consuming and expensive, but Horween doesn’t take any shortcuts and that shows in their leather.

ABOUT THE ALL LEATHER THRUX PACK

Like all of Thrux Lawrence goods, the All Leather Thrux Pack is ridiculously tough and overbuilt, which is just the way I like it. This particular Thrux Pack uses two different colors and weights of latigo. Horween provided BestLeather a chestnut hide that is four to five ounces in weight. This hide was used in the construction of the main body of the Thrux Pack, as well as the internal computer sleeve and pocket. Thrux used a darker brown latigo leather from Horween that is eight to nine ounces in weight for the shoulder straps, the top flap and straps, the handle, and their signature bucket tray, or bottom of the bag. Eight to nine ounce latigo leather in an of itself is thick and extremely rugged. Thrux takes that thick leather and doubles it for the shoulder straps and handle. The result is one hardy backpack that is bound to last generations.

To combine all of this beautiful and sturdy leather, Thrux uses very durable bonded nylon thread. For this Thrux Pack, they used a white thread which contrasts nicely against the chestnut colored leather. Note the double stitching for increased durability on the shoulder straps as well as the bottom tray, another indication of attention to detail. The hardware used for the buckles is solid brass. The zippers used are oversized, solid brass, YKK Zippers. And the rivets used to further secure the leather are solid brass rivets and burrs.

I stated in a previous article written for BestLeather that solid copper rivets are the toughest rivets you can use for leather, but I was mistaken. As brass is a combination of tin and copper, which results in a much harder metal than copper, solid brass rivets are much tougher than copper. The use of solid brass over solid copper rivets is indicative of Thrux Lawrence’s approach to leather crafting. They use only the very best materials in the making of their bags and goods.

With a lot of thick, sturdy latigo leather, the All Leather Thrux Pack is going to take some time to break in and be comfortable. On the flip side, after you use the bag for work or travel, you know your kid will be able to use it for college and work, and their kid will be able to do the same. The bag is that well made and the Horween leather that durable.

BEST LEATHER CONCLUSION

The All Leather Thrux Pack from Thrux Lawrence is a ridiculously well made bag. The choice of using latigo leather from the Horween Leather Company is the best choice. Latigo is time tested, is very durable, and Horween’s latigo is struck through and beautiful. $990 may seem like a lot to put down for a backpack and it is. But this really is not any ordinary bag. The attention to detail, the use of the best possible and most durable materials, and the quality craftsmanship means this is an investment in an heirloom quality good. The use of Horween’s latigo means you’re also getting the best quality leather that is used by the best leather companies in the United States and beyond. BestLeather definitely recommends the All Leather Thrux Pack and could not speak more highly of Horween’s latigo leather.

October 14, 2014December 19, 2017

Vicenzo Titan X Leather Briefcase Review – $229

Vicenzo Leather is a leather company based out of Houston, Texas. Desgned in the USA and manufactured in China, Vicenzo fuses together European design with western style, craftsmanship and materials. Besides briefcases, Vicenzo makes messenger bags, wallets, duffel bags, and other handbags.

The Titan X is the newest addition to Vincenzo’s line and is an updated version of their previous Titan briefcase. The Titan X features more pockets and compartments to help with convenience and organization.

Construction

The Titan X briefcase is constructed of full grain pebbled leather with a durable denim interior, brass buckles, snaps, leather reinforced seams on the inside, nylon thread stitching and zippers. The bag measures 16.5″ length x 12″ high and 5″ deep. Empty the bag weighs about five pounds.

The front of the bag features 6 compartments – two with magnetic snap closures and four with zipper closures. There are two main inner compartments with zipper closures. The front most compartment has a space for a laptop or portfolio with a velcro secured leather tab to secure. The back compartment is one large space with no dividers but has two pockets on the inner side for small items as well as two pen slots. Against the outer wall is another zippered pocket. The back exterior of the bag has one zippered pocket. To carry the bag, there are two snap removable handles on either side as well as one non removable handle directly on top of the bag. Lastly, The bag has a removable and adjustable shoulder strap made of nylon and leather with a leather shoulder pad.

Function

As noted above, this is a larger sized briefcase with a lot of handy pockets, pouches and other features. Any business traveler will agree that all the pockets are handy to keep things such as travel documents, small electronics and chargers, pens, small notebooks, and various other tools. The main compartments can hold several books, laptops, electronics and other tools. The bag can also hold some spare clothes making this a suitable overnight bag as well.

Aesthetic

My initial reaction to receiving the bag was that the color was not at all matching the color on the website. The website has the bag in a lighter and more weathered brown leather where the bag is actually a very solid dark brown. Also the pebble grain on the bag was not noted on the website. I felt slightly disappointed at first and felt the bag and company lacked quality. The bag had an off smell not like that of other nostalgic brand new leather smells I know and love. The denim cloth interior was also not noted on the website.

I’m not a huge fan of the fake snap buckles on the front two pockets but one might see the as a convenience if they need to get in and out of the pockets quickly. A few times already the snap has opened by rubbing up against something or catching on another object.

A great thing about this bag is that it is a lightweight bag (empty). I was able to have two small laptops, a full-sized portfolio, and a spare change of clothes for an overnight business trip without putting too much of a strain on my shoulder.

What seems as a design flaw is the overall imbalance of the bag with the use of the shoulder strap. The d-rings for the detachable shoulder strap are too low causing the bag to be top heavy when carried with the shoulder strap and in result, is very uncomfortable and awkward.

Another complaint that I have is that the shoulder strap seems a little flimsy and is already showing signs of fray around the edges. Having had several nylon shoulder strap bags in the past, I can say I am not a fan of them fraying and falling apart more quickly than most. Also the shoulder pad is a mere thin piece of leather with no real padding or comfort features. This may not be deal breaker for some since the overall lightweight yet spacious and pocket loaded nature of the bag is great. I would see myself buying a stronger and more durable strap to change over down the road.

BestLeather Conclusion

I would not have purchased this bag in person at the price listed. To me it seems a tad high. The pictures and lack of description on the website was misleading to me. However it is a convenient, spacious, and lightweight bag that may suit the needs to a busy traveler. It is also, as previously mentioned, a nice size bag to carry clothes in for an overnight or light weekend trip. Check it out –here-.

October 2, 2014December 19, 2017

Marlondo Leather Single Space Briefcase Review – $380

Marlondo Leather is back in action after a surprising hiatus. Some of you may already know that as a result of our review of his smartphone wallet back in August. This time around we’re reviewing one of Ma’s classic briefcases – the 15” Single Space Briefcase.

About Marlondo Leather

Ma Londo, founder of Marlondo Leather, made quite a splash when he entered into the leather bag world. He quickly garnered some good press, rave reviews of his creations and then, he was nowhere to be found. Fortunately, he is back and appears to be going strong with an updated website full of wonderful leathery goodness.

In non-typical form, Marlondo’s products are made in China…but with leather that is purchased and imported from the United States. In Ma’s own words, “Our bags are made to be used without worry. There are no cheap, breakable parts, no big, ugly logos, just products that will be loyal to you your whole life.”

Construction

I know it’s cliché to say, “it’s built like a tank” – but, the Marlondo Leather 16” Single Space Briefcase is built like a tank. Really. It ranks right up there with Saddleback and Thrux Lawrence as far as being über heavy duty in its construction. Thick, 100% full grain leather, heavy duty stitching, pigskin lining, solid brass nickel-plated heavy-duty hardware, and rivets…everywhere (40+ of those lil buggers).

For those of you who are, well…more “seasoned” in life (ahem, older) you might remember the American Tourister commercials with the suitcase being thrown around by a gorilla. Remember how it attempted to beat the snot out of it to no avail? I imagine this briefcase could easily withstand that same type of abuse. It’s solid, it’s heavy, it’s thick, and seemingly will last eons.

Function

As its name alludes, this briefcase only contains one main pocket in it. It’s spacious though and will easily transport a 15” laptop and any accessories you wish to carry. It does have one internal slot (a MacBook Air, iPad, or other thin device can slip into it easily), and on the side it features a couple of penholders and a key strap. Outside, it features a magazine/newspaper slot on the back, an open pocket on one side that’s suitable for a water bottle, while the other side has a pocket that is secured via a buckle and belt set up.

The other nice feature of this bag is that it has attachment d-rings all over it. There are plenty of aftermarket straps and accessories that will easily clip on to this bag allowing you to add on and customize it to your liking. And, you can reconfigure the hefty shoulder strap so that the bag may be carried as a backpack. The strap does include two soft, cushy strap pads making this an even more appealing method of carrying the bag.

Aesthetic

Aesthetically, it’s very pleasing. The nice dark brown leather is already aging well at this point and is garnering a nice patina. Currently my middle son is carrying this bag in college over in Montana. So, it is seeing daily usage. He has grown very fond of the bag and says it gets lots of compliments from friends, other students, and professors alike. Personally, I think the Marlondo Leather 16” Single Space Briefcase is an ideal every day carry bag. It sports enough capacity to carry whatever is needed and it does so in style. It doesn’t feature a unique design – but personifies the classic leather briefcase style really well.

In addition to the comfortable shoulder strap pads, it also features a thickly-padded handle. One thing to note – with a classic briefcase in this style (from virtually any leather company), you must completely close the main compartment’s flap via both buckles if you wish to carry the bag by the handle. It’s not a big deal – just something that needs to be pointed out about the basic functionality of this classically styled briefcase. If you prefer to keep the straps unsecured, you just need to plan on carrying it by the shoulder strap only.

Conclusion

Marlondo Leather’s 16” Single Space Briefcase is a solid performer. It truly is built like a tank and will take virtually any abuse you can shell out while still maintaining great looks. It’s fairly priced at $380 given its time-tested design and use of high quality materials. This briefcase is also available in a 14” version should you desire a slightly smaller version. Marlondo Leather looks to be back for good this time, so purchase with confidence and enjoy your leather.

September 29, 2014May 9, 2020

35% Off Select Saddleback Leather Products

Saddleback Leather is clearing out their inventory of discontinued or slow moving items. I haven’t seen a sale like this before and they claim they won’t do another for the foreseeable future. 35% off on a leather product is very significant considering the high cost of making these bags. On top of the 35% off Saddleback Leather is also offering free shipping on orders over $200

Use the code PIGSFLY on the items on their sale page for the 35% off these certain items.

Classic Briefcase in carbon (black) – $369 to 431

Beast Duffel (!) in carbon – $589

Thin Briefcase in carbon – $299 to $308

Side Pocket Duffel in carbon – $425

Front Pocket Briefcase in carbon – $377

Leather Bible Cover in various colors – $26 to $28

Leather Suitcase in carbon – $685 to $764

Thin Front Pocket Briefcase – $310

What do you think?

September 19, 2014December 19, 2017

Anthology Gear Wear “The Reckoner” Laptop Bag Review – $539

For those of us needing a refresher on music terminology, Google defines anthology as a published collection of songs typically issued in one album. With such a word as the name of your company, it is obvious that music related gear is a central focus. Enter Anthology Gear Wear, based in Greenwood, Missouri, a maker of some of the finest music related leather goods on the planet. Anthology focuses on designing and crafting gear that will last a lifetime and then some. After receiving their “The Reckoner” Laptop Bag to review, I became a believer in how they could offer a 100 year warranty on all of their goods.

CONSTRUCTION

After just a few minutes of perusing The Reckoner it was obvious that the bag was built and constructing to exacting standards by skilled craftsman, who reside in the heart of Mexico’s high end leather goods region. The bag’s primary purpose is to protect sensitive gear and it is built well to accomplish that. To open the bag, you must first unlatch the strap connected to the distressed nickel buckle. The distressed hardware on the bag, by the way, looks fantastic especially when married to the Aged Steel color of the bag, which is a dark grey. The bag also comes in a beautiful Black Whiskey (see picture at the bottom of the article).

Upon opening the top flap, you then unzipper the black, oversized YKK zipper which reveals a large pocket on each side of the bag and an open space in the middle. One end of the bag is clearly designed for a laptop as big as 15″, as its sleeve is padded between a layer of pigskin and a layer of finely ground suede. The other side of this sleeve is also padded, as is the bottom of the bag. This bag is clearly meant to protect your laptop, which is refreshing in the world of leather goods where much of the time your sensitive electronic equipment has no more padding than a single layer of leather.

Brian, Anthology’s proprietor, determined to layer the bag with a softer material where all electronic items would rest, this to prevent scratching and marring. The other end of the bag’s inside has a pigskin sleeve, where you can stash your music, chargers, or other miscellaneous gear. The bag’s size is somewhat misleading. At 12″ high, by 16″ wide, by 4″ deep, the bag is similar in size to many other briefcases on the market, but it seems to hold so much more. Other than holding my 15″ Macbook Pro and my Ipad, you can comfortably add some books, chargers and accessories to the bag with room to spare. When speaking to Brian about the bag he indicated that he carries most of his music gear in this bag when traveling to gigs. It fits a lot without feeling like a large bag. Anthology does offer the same bag in a larger size, for laptops up to 17″, in case you need to carry some additional space.

After opening the top flap you will find a smaller storage compartment meant for smaller gadgets and accessories. This compartment has some additional sleeves where you can secure your Ipad mini or similar sized tablet, your phone, and some pens (or really short guitar sticks). It also has a zipper that runs the length of the bag, revealing yet another compartment for separating some of your items. This compartment pulls out about four inches or so, providing additional storage space. The front of the bag also reveals a small, vertical zipper for stashing tickets, passes, or equivalent. The back of the bag has an open sleeve for adding your favorite sheet music or magazine while on the go.

We have established that the bag has a compartment or sleeve for just about anything you would need one for. The bag is also built so tough that you could probably throw it out of your car at freeway speeds and your laptop would still be just fine. It really feels that tough. I counted no less than 38 rivets on the body of the bag, as well as the strap, that help hold this bag together. That is on top of the tough as nails polyester thread used to stitch the bag together. The handle is also secured to the top flap by being riveted to a steal plate, that is covered with pigskin (the bag’s main liner).

The bottom of the bag is supported by what feels like an indestructible sheet of polycarbonate. It has a diamond embedded design and gives the bag an added degree of ruggedness, as well as helps the bag to stand upright easily. Tough Tough Tough.

DESIGN

Adding to a very robust design, this bag does not skimp on aesthetic appeal. It is not just extremely functional, but it looks great too. That is in part to the two strips of leather that wrap around the top and front of the bag. One is approximately 4″ wide and the other about 1/2″ wide. They are purposefully slightly off center and give the bag some visual appeal and a sense of higher design.

The majority of the bag’s edges are wrapped in either pigskin or the same leather used for the bag’s main construction. While some may like the edges exposed, this look is more sophisticated. It allows you to feel a little more comfortable carrying the bag to a business meeting, but still hauling your music gear to a concert. In general, I found the bag to be a mix of high end fashion design and rugged leatherworking. It is a bag that you can use and pull off in a variety of settings with ease.

LEATHER

The Reckoner is made with chrome tanned full grain leather. The outer shell of the bag, as well as the strap and front pocket, is made from cowhide leather that is approximately four ounces thick, a hearty boot leather thickness. As mentioned, The Reckoner uses generous amounts of pigskin, of the softer variety, which helps to save on weight (the bag weighs in at six pounds), but also gives the bag a smooth interior. The pigskin is not thick, probably one ounce thick or thereabouts, but it does not need to be. It is one of the strongest animal skins available and is very tough. The use of the finely ground suede also provides the softness that your electronics desire.

The handle of the bag is secured to riveted posts with a D ring on each side and is a combination of both leather and neoprene. The top of the handle is leather, the bottom is a soft neoprene. The bag was designed this way to provide a softer grip when carrying the bag for longer stretches. I tend to be a leather purist in a number of ways and would probably prefer an all leather handle, even though the neoprene feels a bit more comfortable. Some of the leather sleeves also contain some elastic bands that help keep things in place. I honestly do not know how durable this elastic is, but with a 100 year warranty, there is not much to worry about. These are small gripes though for such a ridiculously well made bag.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

Excellent design. Visual appeal. Sturdy as hell construction (hell is sturdy I suppose). Thick, beautiful leather. 38 rivets. A darn cool name. Loads of space for your laptop and music gear, or any other gear for that matter. The Reckoner Laptop Bag from Anthology Gear Wear has all of these features with more to boot. Does BestLeather recommend this bag? Oh yes, we do.

September 19, 2014December 19, 2017

Pact Leather 11″ Satchel Review – $500

Pact is a leather company based out of Spokane, Washington. Two friends put their creative minds together and produced an amazing concept for a leather company. Their products come from two designers who love quality and creativity. You can see this in what they have created. Their items are uniquely made 100% out of leather.

Appearance

This satchel has a very unique appearance. There is a major difference between this bag and others. That difference is that it is made completely of leather.

The designers at PACT design and construct items strictly out of leather. The result of that is beautifully weaved leather items. The patina of this satchel is a dark caramel color giving it a very classy look.

Design & Durability

The design of the bag is very innovative and different from anything I’ve seen. Between the weaved sides and all around design of it I get comments and questions about it every time I leave my house. The leather is strong yet soft and flexible. It scratches easily (in a good way) which adds to the patina and character of the satchel.

Construction

The construction of this bag is what makes it so amazingly unique and special. As I said before, this bag is made completely out of leather. This means there are no clasps, buckles, stitching, glue, or anything of the sort. Simply 100% beautiful leather. The bag is cut and weaved with such precision and attention to detail that it is not loose or in danger of falling apart in any way. The sides are both weaved leather from bottom to top and end up creating the strap. The strap is an over the shoulder strap with a simple, yet elegant, fold pattern at which you can undo and change the length of it. I personally love the way that they designed this bag with the weaved pattern on the sides and strap. It makes it so that it can be very professional or very casual depending on the situation. The front of the satchel has a flap that comes from the back, covers the top, and folds under a strap in the front. The appearance from the front is simple yet practical and aesthetically pleasing. The back has a pocket that is 3/4 the length of the bag and displays the small, unique PACT symbol.

Usage

The PACT Satchel is the perfect bag for taking your iPad, tablet, or 11 inch laptop to a business meeting. It’s also great for taking to the coffee shop with your computer and a few notebooks. It’s not the best for carrying around small items due to the lack of pockets. However, if it is used for books, notebooks, and a small computer or tablet it is very useful and classy looking.

Conclusion

I highly recommend the PACT Satchel. It is very practical, classy, and unique. It is made well with quality leather and will last for ages. It looks fantastic as a simple bag for your small computer and notebooks or it can accentuate your classy, professional side in a business meeting. Either way, you’re awesome points go up with this satchel by your side. Overall I’m very impressed with this bag. PACT makes a great product.

August 27, 2014December 19, 2017

$425 Origins Leather Company Briefcase Giveaway – Ends September 19th (Winner: Wayne B.)

Update: congratulations to Wayne B. for winning this lovely briefcase and thank you to everyone who made this giveaway a lot of fun!

How many products are you aware of that have lasted for 100 years? Perhaps a piece of furniture your great great grandfather made? Or maybe a gun that the same great great grandfather owned with an accompanying leather holster? My guess is that there are not too many items in your possession that meet this description. The Origins Leather Company has a mission to change this trend, for the benefit of your future progeny. They offer a 100 year warranty on all of their products, including their Briefcase, which we are giving away this coming month. The contest will be open till September 19th.

We had the opportunity of reviewing Origin’s Briefcase a couple of weeks ago, the review of which you can read here. This briefcase is an heirloom quality leather bag built to last generations. Though Origins is a relatively new leather goods company, they have contracted with one of the premium leather goods makers to produce their products. The result is a briefcase that has a premium feel, looks beautiful, and has purpose.

Origin’s Briefcase is an excellent example of Occam’s Razor in leather form. According to Wikipedia, Occam’s Razor is a principal of parsimony, economy, or succinctness used in problem solving. In leather form, applying Occam’s Razor means creating an item that efficiently serves its purpose, does so handsomely, and is stripped of unnecessary fluff.

The Origins Briefcase is made from thick, five to six ounce vegetable tanned leather, thicker than most boot leather. It has a pocket on the inside for your laptop, a couple of pens, and a small pocket for accessories. It has a sleeve on the outside that you can use to carry a magazine, newspaper, or other thin items. It is as simple as that. Oftentimes those items that are most simple are the most classic. The Origin’s Briefcase fits that bill.

The Origins Briefcase is a classy, well designed, durable briefcase that can be used at work, school, church, or a variety of other settings. It is a bag that is guaranteed for 100 years and is one that could be sitting on your great great grandchild’s desk one day if you win this giveaway.

What do you think?

August 15, 2014December 19, 2017

Waltzing Matilda Tom’s Bag – $450

Many hear the words “Waltzing Matilda” and immediately think of the song by Tom Waits (although the correct title for his song is Tom Traubert’s Blues). Others know it as Australia’s unofficial national anthem. Yet others know the title from the original poem written by Australian poet Banjo Paterson back in 1895 – he also penned other famous pieces such as The Man from Snowy River. Now the name Waltzing Matilda is becoming synonymous with quality, handcrafted, made-in-the-USA fine leather bags, and footwear.

About Waltzing Matilda

Not only is Waltzing Matilda committed to being made in the U.S.A. – they take it a step further by only using leather and other materials that are 100% sourced from the U.S.A. And, to top it off, all of their products are handmade. “Like a fine whiskey, Waltzing Matilda leather goods improve with age. The passing of time, use and personal journeys add depth, character and substance to these modern heirlooms.” Probably the best way to understand Mike Balitsaris’ passion for his products, how they’re made, and what they’re made from is to watch this short video of him discussing Waltzing Matilda.

Waltzing Matilda from Jesse Brass on Vimeo.

Construction

The Waltzing Matilda Tom’s Bag is created with leather from S.B. Foot Tanning Company in Red Wing, Minnesota. And, as mentioned in the video, Waltzing Matilda uses heavy gauge thread from Maine Thread Company. The leather used on the bag is incredibly soft and floppy. One of the unique features of Waltzing Matilda’s products is their use of hides that may not “pass muster” with other companies. In the photos here, you can see stretch marks on the front flap and what is probably a barb wire scar on the on the back of the bag. Some say those marks detract from the beauty of the bag. I tend to disagree, especially when one considers that there is always discussion about how everyone wants “patina” on their leather products. In my opinion, you’re just getting a head start on the patina process. And, what’s the story behind those scars and marks? I’m curious…I like stories and, again in my opinion, those marks simply add to the back-story of a piece of leather that has been beautifully crafted into a bag that I hope to carry for years. Back to the construction − in discussing Waltzing Matilda with Mike, he also enjoys incorporating old, or “up-cycled,” components into his products. In the case of the Tom’s Bag, the stud closures are from WWI Swiss Army ammunition pouches. He also uses hand forged rings from a local blacksmith for the strap adjustment. The use of these elements just further enhances the back-story that comes with the Tom’s Bag.

Function

The Waltzing Matilda Tom’s Bag is great for every day carry. The main compartment is roomy – large enough to carry a tablet or even a 13” laptop computer and other miscellaneous items. I’ve also used it as a quick, on the go photography bag with much success. It can carry two full size dSLR cameras with lenses and a few other items making it ideal for quick photo shoots. The inside flap pocket is large enough to handle a phone or iPod and the smaller slot is idea for business cards, or my favorite – customer loyalty cards that I don’t want to carry in my wallet.

The outside pocket under the flap is an added bonus where you can slip your headphones in the pocket, some change, etc. And you’ve got one more business card sized slot available. The strap is long enough that the bag may be worn cross body without issue. It’s also easily adjusted so that it may be worn on the shoulder conventionally too. There is not a handle on the bag and initially, I missed having one to grab. However, with use, I found that the bag functioned just fine and I forgot about the lack of a handle. It’s also important to note that there isn’t a way to secure the main flap of the bag. If you tend to turn your bag upside down, this may be an issue. I, however, have not found this to be an issue. Another little item to note is the stud closure on the small outside pocket. While I like it a lot, the back of that closure is exposed inside the pocket. It’s a little sharp and may potentially scratch a small electronic item or snag something inserted into that pocket. I wish there was a small piece of leather sewn around the backside of it to eliminate any issues. This is not an issue with the stud closure on the inside pocket.

There is only one thing that worries me about the bag and that is the stitching where the strap joins to the bag. It is an area that I’m going to keep an eye on over time. It’s probably going to be just fine – however, I wish that there were a couple of bar-tack stitches across the very last set of top stitches just to serve as reinforcements to prevent separation of the strap from the bag.

Aesthetic

It looks great. The exposed stitching is pleasing to the eye. The soft floppy leather gets a lot of attention from people. They’re surprised at how soft it really is – and yes, they frequently ask to touch it. The stitching, the strap rings, and the stud closures are also items that get noticed and remarked upon frequently.

Conclusion

The Waltzing Matilda Tom’s Bag is a great piece of handcrafted, leather art. At $450, it’s definitely an investment for the long run. But, you can be sure that the bag will endure for many years to come while allowing you to stylishly brandish it with your wares safely tucked inside. I look forward to carrying this bag and adding to the story it already had when it was delivered to me.

August 14, 2014December 19, 2017

Waterfield Rough Rider Messenger Bag – $335 to $355

WaterField Designs is a small studio operation in San Francisco, California, that was founded by Gary Waterfield in 1998. They make everything from gadget sleeves to handsome tote bags to Surface Pro covers, and their small, local operation allows them to quickly get multiple styles and sizes up and running (like sleeves for both Apple and Android devices), and they also crank out covers for random electronics like the Apple Superdrive, Apple TV, or even your wireless keyboard.

They also make some good bags, from a well-designed backpack to several different gadget pouches to the subject of this review, the Rough Rider Messenger Bag.

Appearance

The leather itself is from a (local to Waterfield) Sonoma tannery, and the bag is full-grain, slightly distressed, and scratches easily, in the best possible way. You can tell from the softness right out of the box that this bag will patina beautifully. The interior is unlined, allowing the softness of the leather’s underside to shine through.

You can see some character already starting to form ... — You can see some character already starting to form …

Design

The bag is constructed from four large pieces of leather; three make up the bag itself (except for the sides), and the fourth is sewn onto the third (back to back) so that the inside of the flap is also the full-grain leather. The shoulder strap crosses under a second strip of leather to come off the bag at an angle, allowing the bag to fit against your body in a cross-body style very easily (however, if you prefer to sling the bag just over one shoulder, it will rest a bit awkwardly). The front flap attaches to the bottom with snaps, and there are two sets, allowing the bag to be stuffed more fully and still close. There is also a leather shoulder pad, and this is removable, depending on your preference.

A laptop, plus a view of the canvas pockets.

The Rough Rider also has four pockets, though I found two of them to be in a curious location. On the inside of the bag, there are two waxed canvas pockets that are suitable for pens, cords, or some small goods; they could open far enough to accommodate my MacBook charger, for example. The other two are located on the outside of the front of the bag. They are almost a neoprene-like material (this is the color trim), so they are quite soft on one side. The other side backs up onto the exterior leather itself. On one hand, it is quite a shame to cover up the beautiful leather that is under the pocket. On the other, with the bag being fairly narrow, there is not exactly a plethora of space inside the bag, and the additional organization and storage is quite helpful. Once again, these pockets are quite narrow, but with the soft neoprene on one side, they are ideal for tablets, e-readers, or your smartphone. All in all, I would be curious to know if it was possible to make the bag slightly wider, put the second set of pockets on the inside somehow, and then let that nice leather be on the outside of the bag where it belongs.

Construction

The construction of the bag is very solid. Even though there is not a rivet to be found, the bag uses sturdy thread throughout and I had no worry that the bag itself would not last as long any other. However, there were a couple rough cuts on the bag, especially where the larger pieces of leather connected to the sides. The sides were not burnished, which allowed me to see that the leather was not struck (dyed) all the way through.

You can see the glue, uneven corner, and difference shades in the layers of leather.

Usage

iPhone (in sleeve), two notebooks, headphones, power adapter, and my MacBook.

The bag holds much more than its thin profile suggests. It will take a laptop, notebook holder, charger, pens, and a second book or two with no problems. It is not designed to be a bag for students or lawyers, but it is a perfect EDC size. I could load it up perfectly for a day of writing at my favorite coffee shop, and I also discovered that its size made for a handy “Daddy bag,” with the interior pockets helping me to keep the various necessary items for a day out with my kids organized and neat.

BestLeather Conclusion

The WaterField Rough Rider is a solid bag at a good price. It holds the right amount of things to make it a good choice in a fairly crowded field of challengers, and it has the added bonus of being constructed in (and using materials from) the USA. Check them out here.

August 13, 2014December 19, 2017

Origins Leather Company Classic Briefcase Review – $425

Back in March of this year we posted an article on an up and coming leather goods maker called Origins Leather Company. (You can see that post here.) Origins posted a Kickstarter Campaign that was successfully funded and helped jump start their brand and products.

Origins Leather Company was founded by Aaron Dean, Erik Sjolie, and Michael Sjolie. They formed the company in order to introduce high quality leather goods for both the business as well as the casual user. A commitment to the highest quality production, the highest quality leather, and the highest quality hardware was one of their founding principles. That introductory article in March has led to a review of their Classic Briefcase, on which BestLeather recently got our mitts on.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

As those who have had the experience of opening a box with their newly arrived leather good understand, the smell of the leather is usually the very first impression. There was no exception when I opened the box that contained The Classic Briefcase. The leather smelled terrific, as it usually does with vegetable tanned leather. I have often heard that one way (albeit not always 100% accurate) to distinguish vegetable tanned leather and chrome tanned leather is by the smell.

Considering vegetable tanned leather is tanned using natural and organic ingredients, the leather smells a little more natural. I asked Erik Sjolie why they used vegetable tanned leather instead of chrome tanned leather. The main reason was environmental friendliness. As a company, they wanted to produce goods that were environmentally friendly and vegetable tanned leather certainly has a significant leg up on chrome tanned leather in that department.

My next impression was how soft the leather felt. I have handled plenty of high quality leather goods, but for some reason the leather on The Classic Briefcase felt very soft. It felt as good as butter tastes. The feel can be attributed, I am sure, to the blend of oils and waxes used to finish the leather, but whatever the reason, it felt nice.

Like all of Origins leather goods, The Classic Briefcase is made from five to six ounce leather. That is thick leather for a bag, but it does not feel too thick and is not too heavy. The bag weighs in at only 3.8 pounds, a relative lightweight compared to some other classic briefcases we reviewed. One main reason for this is that the bag is unlined. I actually prefer my leather goods unlined. I really appreciate the finished side of leather, but also the unfinished side. It seems to give the bag a more natural feel and look. The unfinished side on The Classic Bag is very smooth, with no loose fibers and looks great.

CONSTRUCTION

The Classic Briefcase is made in “Old Mexico” by the same company that has been producing other high quality leather gear for many years. There is always a concern when buying expensive leather goods from an unproven company that you are not sure what you are going to get. Let me put your minds at rest and tell you that you have no need to worry about the quality of any of Origins leather goods. They are made to the highest of standards and with the highest quality products by a trusted and proven company.

The briefcase is made from five main pieces of leather: the back and flap, the front, both sides, and the bottom. If I tried hard to find a gripe with this bag, it would only be that the bottom of the bag is its own separate piece, which connects the front of the bag and the back of the bag. In other words, Origins did not use one solid piece of leather to go from the front of the bag all of the way to the back of the bag and then to the flap. Technically, one piece of leather would make the bag a little stronger, since the stitching is typically the weakest link. This does not concern me though for a couple of reasons:

First, Origins uses two straps to secure the bag, which run from the front of the bag, down the bottom and up the back to the flap. The straps are riveted to the top of the bag and are secured with loops on the front of the bag. This means that the straps serve to give the bag structure and support. The straps are also made from two pieces of five to six ounce leather sewn together and are therefore very hefty. There is no way that these straps would fail–unless you tied them to the back of your truck and attempted to tow your boat with them.

Second, the bag is sewn with marine grade polyester thread. Polyester thread is significantly stronger than the cotton thread that many manufactures use, but is also three to four times stronger than the nylon that other high quality leather goods makers use, so the bottom of this bag will never have any issues.

One benefit of using a separate piece of leather for the bottom is that the bag tends to sit a little flatter. If you use one piece of leather for the front, bottom, back and flap, then the bottom tends to bow just a bit. You don’t have this issue when the bottom is its own piece of leather.

The Classic Briefcase has a compartment for a laptop up to fifteen inches (my 15″ MacBook Pro fits snugly), with a small additional pocket for keys, phone or other paraphernalia, as well as two pen holders. The rest of the inside is a larger compartment to stash the rest of your office gear, paper, lunch, or other necessities. There is also another piece of leather sewn to the back of the bag where you can stash the morning paper, a magazine, or–more likely these days–your IPad. The bag itself is 15 3/4″ wide, by 12″ high, by 4 3/4″ deep.

The bag also comes with a carrying strap for hoisting the bag onto your shoulder or across your body for easier carrying. The strap is made with two pieces of leather sewn together and is fully adjustable. It has a shoulder pad that is just the right size and has plenty of padding.

HARDWARE

The Classic Briefcase is riveted together on major stress areas by solid copper rivets and burrs. The top of the bag has a one inch strip of leather that secures the handle as well as the bag straps. There are six rivets that keep this strap in place. There is a rivet that fastens both the front of the bag to the side, as well as the back of the bag to the side, on both ends of the bag. This is not totally necessary, as the polyester thread would probably be adequate to keep the bag together, but these rivets reinforce the bag and ensures it will not come apart. The D rings on each side of the bag are also sewn and riveted.

As far as I have found, these solid copper rivets and burrs are the toughest types of rivets you can get. What happens is that you punch a hole through the leather pieces that you want to rivet, place the rivet head and post through one end, put on the burr (basically a solid copper washer), and pound the washer tight onto the leather. The post is then nipped off, and the remaining post is pounded until it mushrooms out and virtually becomes one solid piece and virtually indestructible.

The D rings and center bar buckles for the straps are also made from solid brass, as are the swivel clips and buckles on the carrying strap. The result of the excellent hardware, as well as the premium leather and solid construction is that Origins offers a 100 year warranty on their products against defects. Only a serious belief in the quality of your product would lead to a warranty like that.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Classic Briefcase from Origins Leather Company is constructed with excellent craftsmanship, is made with some of the best leather you can find, also happens to be more environmentally friendly, and is a beautiful rendition of a classic style. The bag is roomy enough to carry everything you need for a day at the office, but light enough to not feel bogged down. The “trunk chestnut” color is beautiful and will eventually wear into a beautiful patina. At $425, the price is right for a high quality bag that will serve you and your posterity well for many years to come.

August 9, 2014May 9, 2020

Love 41 Weekender Bag Review – $578

This is the second piece that we’ve received from Love 41 (we reviewed their Men’s Fork Tine Bracelet earlier).

The Love 41 Weekender Bag arrived just in time for me to be able to use it on an extended weekend trip over the Fourth of July holiday. My initial reaction to seeing the size of the bag and the layout of the pockets was extremely favorable – lots of space, and pockets just where you want and need them. Needless to say, I was anxious to use it.

About Love 41

To give a brief refresher, Love 41 is the “daughter” company of Saddleback Leather. Suzette Munson designs many of the bags found on Love 41 and operates the company as an online retailer that devotes 100% of its profits to supporting work being done in Rwanda for orphans and widows there.

We encourage you to take a few minutes out of your hectic schedule to read about Love 41 and what’s happening in Rwanda due in part to their dedication and your purchases through the company.

Construction

If you’ve had the privilege of using and carrying a Saddleback piece of any kind, you’ll notice some similarities in construction here. The Love 41 Weekender Bag is built to last. Suzette designed this piece to handle years and years of use. The bag has a generous helping of thick, full grain leather and incorporates waterproof, heavy waxed cotton from Scotland into it as well. Cap it off with heavy-duty antique brass hardware (zippers, clasps, snaps, D-rings) and you have a superbly crafted bag. It’s also backed with a 41 year warranty, which further reinforces the fact that this piece is well-engineered and created with expert craftsmanship.

Function

Personally, I think the dimensions of this bag are right on the mark (22 1/2″W x 15 3/4″H x 10 1/2″D). I did not struggle at all to fit into it everything I needed to carry with me for the extended weekend. In fact, I had room to spare – which is an accomplishment for me. At 6’5” tall, my clothes are large. When I can throw a pair of size 12 shoes and the rest of my gear into one carry-on bag for a 3 ½ day weekend jaunt, I consider that to be awesome. The small zippered pocket inside creates a safe, easy to access area for storing watches and other small personal items that you don’t want just floating around in the main compartment.

The large front side pocket is ideal for carrying the now standard TSA-friendly see-through bag for your liquids and toiletry items. With the antique brass quick closure clasp on the pocket, you can easily remove it for screening and quickly put it back in after successfully navigating your way through security. Of course that pocket can be used for a myriad of other things – that was just how I chose to use it. The slot pocket on the rear is ideal for a magazine or newspaper. And never once have I had an issue with it fitting into any of the overhead bins on the various planes flown on to date.

The dual shoulder pads on the straps are very nice and comfortable – especially when you’re traveling by air and you have to change planes between two very spread out gates. Those thick pads allow you to carry the bag for long distances without it cutting into your shoulder.

Aesthetic

The great folks at Love 41 sent this bag to me because it has, for a lack of better terminology, “cross-gender appeal”. Since my trip to Florida, my wife has also used this bag on two separate occasions for short trips – once down to Sun Valley, Idaho for a weekend and once over to Seattle, WA for a family wedding.

We both find the color and combination of leather and canvas to be very appealing. The detachable pockets on each end are ingenious. The large single pocket has become an everyday carry purse for my wife. The included strap and its size makes for an ideal cross body purse in her opinion. I think it looks great when she’s wearing it.

The only very, very minor issue she’s encountered during her use of the bag is that when the bag is packed tightly, the end pockets have a tendency to come unsnapped from the end walls. Of course, my retort to that is…don’t pack so much stuff. However, that’s a battle I will never win. Like I said though, it’s an extremely minor issue and one certainly isn’t in danger of losing those end pockets, since they are also clipped onto the bag with d-rings and sturdy clasps in addition to the snaps.

Now, consider yourself forewarned here. If you don’t like questions and comments from complete strangers about what you’re carrying, then I suggest you stick to the same old nylon stuff that most people carry when traveling. This bag has elicited comments on every single trip to date. Hotel clerks, folks at rental car counters, flight attendants, random passersby – all have expressed comments and asked questions about the Love 41 Weekender Bag. Be prepared.

Conclusion

The Love 41 Weekender Bag is a great piece to own. At $572, its purchase price may sting a little at first. However, you’re definitely investing in a not only a superb quality piece of luggage that you will enjoy for years, but also investing in the betterment of Rwandans like John, Joyeause, Athanase, and others who will benefit from Love 41’s involvement there (read their stories here). At BestLeather.org, we think that’s a very wise choice and a great investment.

August 6, 2014December 19, 2017

Marlondo Leather Thin Briefcase Patina Followup

Here are some photos of this Marlondo Leather Thin Briefcase that has been in action for almost a year now. It’s beautiful. The back is smooth and shiney where it has rubbed against clothing and the front is rugged and smooth with use. No signs of any weakness or failures yet and I don’t suspect there will be.

Interestingly, as I was shooting these photos in the coffee shop a gentleman walked by with the oldest floppiest Saddleback Leather Classic Briefcase as well. There are two photos of that at the bottom.

July 29, 2014October 27, 2019

Saddleback Leather Medium Classic Briefcase Two Year Review – $568

Some people get to a point in life when they decide to take the leap from their college nylon messenger bag to a quality leather piece that excels in both form and function. If you search for “best leather briefcase” in Google, the first hit will be the Saddleback Leather Company website–and for good reason. Saddleback Leather (SBL) is a Texas-based company specializing in full-grain, fully tanned leather goods designed to last a lifetime and beyond. This is an online company whose commitment to well-made leather products have earned it a cult following among the style and leather forums across the internet. Out of all the products, the Saddleback Leather Medium Thin Front Pocket Briefcase is the earliest and best-selling product and a fine example of the quality of goods this company has to offer.

Construction

The classic briefcase is constructed in Mexico and comprised of only 4-5oz American-sourced, full-grain, fully chrome-tanned leather hides with subtle pull-up features. There are 4 interior pockets and 2 exterior side pockets. To make sure this bag makes it at least 100 years, only nickel plated D-rings, reinforced double stitched straps, UV resistant polyester thread, and 3 large leather sheets with minimal seams are used. Two years ago, the shoulder straps were constructed with dog leash style clasps that were later converted to stylish screw clasps. Unfortunately, these did not hold up as well to daily abuse and suffered problems from becoming unscrewed on its own to detaching at the hinge. The company has since switched back to the dog leash clasps. It took me one e-mail and the customer service rep handled the free exchange process immediately. Not only was the clasp replaced, but they kept the original leather strap which had two years of patina builtin.

SaddlebackLeatherMediumBriefcaseTwoYearReview1 — Temporary fix for the old screw clasp style

SaddlebackLeatherMediumBriefcaseTwoYearReview2 — Replaced and good as new!

Function

In the past two years, my briefcase has seen its fair share of abuse and travel. It works equally well as a daily carry for a professional environment as well as a personal item during travel. Due to the thickness and quality of the full-grain leather, this bag has some weight to it. Weighing in at 6.6lbs empty, it can easily become a strain on your shoulder and back once filled to the maximum. Add in a hot or humid summer day and running through an airport to catch a flight, and you may regret having thrown away that college nylon messenger with the torn corners. Once this bag is used as a daily carry however, it seems as if the body adjusts and the weight eventually becomes a non-issue. Certain features of the bag may see more or less use. The D-rings are less useful if you’re daily activities don’t require strapping on equipment and the open outer pockets, perfect for a soda can, are not ideal for smaller items which can easily fall out.

Aesthetic

This bag runs the gamut. Fresh out of the delivery box, it is smooth, pristine and tough as nails. Although clearly not a fashion bag designed for the runway, it can work for a casual business meeting where everyone else is carrying a boring zippered black leather briefcase. After some time, there is no guarantee what your bag will end up looking like. Coddle it and it will stand clean and firm. Abuse it and it will transform into a handsome rugged bag better suited for a camping trip or rodeo. Wipe off the dust, add some conditioner and you can bring it back to the office the next day. Two years later, my bag feels so much softer but just as strong. Areas of heavy contact at the edges and handle have collected the oils from my skin, leaving behind unique character and highly valued patina. So far the full grain leather and stitching has shown no indication of breaking down.

Best Leather Conclusion

The Saddleback Leather Medium Thin Front Pocket Briefcase is a durable and unique bag with a classic and versatile design. It is not for the buyer who is looking for a lightweight bag or prefers to keep their leather goods flawless. It may not work as an everyday carry bag for some, but it’s pros make this a bag worth keeping in your arsenal of leather goods. Based on my issues with the carrying strap hardware, the customer service is top notch and the company seems to be holding its promise that this bag will last a lifetime.

July 26, 2014December 19, 2017

Koch Leather Small Horween Tote Review – $165

Personable, pleasant, hard working, with a desire to create items that will last and last – that’s my impression of Josh and Jen Koch. Oh, and those items they’re making? Why, they’re beautiful, functional leather goods.

About Koch Leather

The genesis of Koch Leather (Koch is pronounced like “Coke”, not “cah-ch” for clarification) was their personal search for a good wallet. After an unsuccessful search for what they were looking for, they embarked on the process of making their own. That little foray turned into a small, part time business, which has steadily grown due to the popularity of their items, their stunning customer service, and of course, their high quality products. In fact, Koch Leather is gearing up to become a full time operation. They just launched a Kickstarter campaign to help them launch this new effort for their business. We wish them much success in this endeavor!

Construction

After speaking with Josh about Koch Leather, we determined it would be a good idea to review one of their popular tote bags. They offer two sizes, small and large, in their totes. The small tote measures 12″H x 10″W x 4″D while the large tote measures 15″H x 13″W x 5″D. The straps on the small tote feature a 10” drop while the larger model has a drop of 12″ to the top of the bag. These totes feature an interior pocket that’s perfect for keys, your smartphone, and a couple of other small items. Copper rivets and a silver stud flap closure keep it held together tight.

The Koch Leather Small Horween Tote sent to me was hand crafted using Horween Chromexcel in a rich brown color. The copper rivets are set off nicely with this color combination. The straps are constructed of Horween Chromexcel Double Shoulder in the same color, providing a little more substance and thickness to them that’s just right. All of the stitching, expertly done, just further enhances the bag’s appearance. This combination creates a very luxurious, high-end look and feel. Needless to say, upon seeing this bag, my wife immediately took possession of it and “claimed” it. Now she’s very happy with being able to use the Koch Small Leather Tote for whatever she wishes.

Function

The small interior pocket is really a nice feature on the tote. Out of everything on the bag, this little feature excited my wife the most. “I don’t have to fish around in it for my phone or keys…this is great!” she said right after commandeering the bag from me. The second feature she made positive note of was the strap length. For her, it’s the ideal length for shoulder carry as well as having it easily be carried down at her side.

As far as storage capacity, it has plenty of room. For test purposes, she stuck her keys, phone, and a couple of pens in the side pocket with room to spare. Then she loaded up her camera and her iPad Mini. It will contain several more items with ease and still close with the attractive strap and post closure setup. It even holds two Canon dSLR bodies side by side.

It seems to me that this is an ideally sized tote for one person – whether it’s used to transport personal electronics, for a quick trip to the farmer’s market, or even used as a stylish diaper bag for an evening out with your infant or toddler. It’s not big, cumbersome, or over the top in its style. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; it just does its prescribed job and looks really, really nice while doing it.

Aesthetic

Personally, I think Koch Small Leather Tote is very attractive. Josh and Jen offer their totes in several different color combinations and all of them look great. I think the dark brown Horween Chromexcel is extremely eye pleasing. As I mentioned earlier, this color really sets off the copper rivets and creates a very classy look.

I also don’t see how it’s possible to break this thing while using it in a reasonable fashion. Sure, you could probably rig it in-between a couple of Clydesdales and let them do a marvelous job of tearing it apart. But, is that really an accurate way to measure the durability of something like this tote? Of course not. I’m positive that you will be able to load this thing up day in and day out for years to come and it’s just going to continue looking better and better. Horween leather, copper rivets, and heavy gauge stitching…it’ll just improve over time. I have a feeling that you’ll wear out before the Koch Small Leather Tote.

Conclusion

The Koch Leather Small Horween Tote definitely falls into BestLeather.org’s Buy It For Life category. The price of $165, which includes standard domestic shipping, is not prohibitive at all given the materials used and the expertly hand crafted construction. The high aesthetic value and functionality of the tote just adds to that decision. Couple all of that with the bulletproof construction and materials and you’ve got yourself a tote that will easily be handed down to your kids and probably their kids too.

Be sure to check out their Kickstarter, which runs until August 17th. After that, you can always order the tote or other marvelous items created by them on their website.