Tag: Leather Bags

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Buffalo Jackson Jefferson Leather Briefcase – $524.95

While I’m a fan of standard briefcase designs, it’s refreshing to see one with a unique take. Buffalo Jackson’s Jefferson Briefcase diverges from the typical buckle closure to favor a two-compartment bag that’s a great option for a slim laptop carry.

About Buffalo Jackson

Buffalo Jackson Trading Company is the story of the Rugged Gentleman™, a flesh and blood character defined by the values of grit, honesty, pride, and character.

Founded in Colorado in 2009 and currently residing in North Carolina, Buffalo Jackson is a brand inspired by the great outdoors. Their aim is to bring quality products that keep us connected with the rugged wild that we came from.

Leather & Construction

The Jefferson is made of full-grain vegetable cowhide with a pull-up finish. The leather is thick and assembled to have a semi-rigid structure. The outermost seams are all turned inward, protecting the threads and giving a very streamline look to the bag. Internally the bag is lined with a durable cotton/poly material in herringbone. Construction is of high quality with no notable concerns.

Hardware is brass, a good balance of strength and low weight. Two thick handles make carrying by hand easy, and an adjustable strap with pad allows for shoulder carry as well.

Function

The Jefferson is made up of two compartments, symmetrically placed on either side with their own zipper. Both sides have a laptop or tablet compartment against the inner wall. On the other side are smaller organization pockets. Documents or books could fit between.

This alternate take on the briefcase does solve what I personally think is the biggest issue with the typical flap and buckle design: being able to pick up the bag quickly at any time. With the flap, you have to close the buckles before picking it up by the handle. Otherwise you’ll awkwardly pick up the flap and the bag hangs open. The Jefferson’s handles are attached to the sides of the bag where you can grab them and lift anytime, even with the zippers open.

The zipper does have its drawbacks. For example, I found myself using my hand to protect the zipper-side of my laptop as I pulled it in and out. Otherwise the zipper brushes against my laptop and I was nervous about scratches. Also, the zipper on my Jefferson was very sticky and caught frequently. I’ll definitely need some waxing to smooth them out. This may not be the case for every Jefferson produced as YKK zippers are usually reliable.

I think the best use case for the Jefferson is as a daily laptop bag. It’s compact and convenient to carry while still having room for more items. It can open and expand a bit more than you might think–I was able to fit about 2″ (5cm) of books or other semi-flat items in either side before it became difficult to close. The Jefferson is conveniently sized to be a perfect “personal item” on most major airlines.

Aesthetic

The Jefferson is a beautiful design to show off the polished, pull-up leather it’s made with. It gives off a vintage vibe in a way that doesn’t ever seem out of place. I’m a huge sucker for pull-up leather, and it really pops on the Jefferson. The variations and gradients reflect the light just right. You’ll be very proud to carry this bag into the office and probably get a lot of compliments along the way.

Conclusion

If you want a leather laptop carry but need to keep it minimal, the Buffalo Jackson Jefferson briefcase is a great choice. The zipper compartments are a unique feature for a briefcase with their pros and cons. It’s quick and easy to grab and go every day and can hold a fair amount of extras. It’s well built with gorgeous pull up leather. The price is around what you’d expect. The Jefferson is a great slim carry option that should last for decades.

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Forbes & Lewis Somerset Holdall – $426

I’ve always called these sorts of bags “duffle” bags, but holdall is more accurate, isn’t it? It truly “holds all” you need. Forbes & Lewis’ Somerset Holdall is an excellent entry in this category for a wide variety of purposes. The Somerset looks great and will fit in just about anywhere from business travel to an outdoor get together. 

About Forbes & Lewis

Forbes & Lewis is a family owned business based in England:

Forbes & Lewis was founded by now married partners Samuel Lewis and Katie Forbes in 2013. The Duo got tired of buying products at either end of the spectrum, designer goods that cost far to much or cheap products that fell apart. We wanted to produce a collection that was made from the finest quality raw materials and put together to last that we could afford.

Forbes & Lewis products are made in India.

Leather & Construction

The Somerset Holdall is stitched together with a waxy buffalo leather on the outside and a silky polyester on the inside. The buffalo leather is medium thickness, making it strong but not too heavy. The wax gives the leather some pull-up, meaning the color will lighten and have variation as the leather moves during use. Construction is very clean with no noticeable flaws. 

A lack of reinforcement rivets and use of a fabric lining make me think the Somerset isn’t built to endure a bomb strike as much as some bags we see, but construction is very clean and materials are quality. Forbes & Lewis offers a two year warranty on all their products, but I would expect this bag to last for several years beyond that with regular use.

Function

When my girlfriend saw me writing this review she asked, “Oh, is that the fun bag you use all the time?” She’s right…this is a fun bag, and I use it all the time. Interestingly, I believe I’ve only used it once for travel. It certainly stands up to the name “holdall.” I’ve probably been heading to about 10 events this summer, realized I needed to hold a bit more than a backpack can handle, and happily thrown it all in my Somerset. The large size and wide zippered opening make it easy to get everything in and out. I would estimate the internal capacity to be in the 40 liter range, enough for several days on a trip or a blanket, football, water, and some snacks when going to watch the fireworks. 

 

The fabric internal lining offers a nice array of organization options. On one side is a padded laptop compartment and some small pockets, on the other a single larger zippered pocket. Perfect for your laptop or tablet, keys, wallet, etc. These items are fairly easy to get to even with the bag mostly full. Pockets are located relatively high up on the sides of the bag. 

Note that here I’m reviewing the large version of the Somerset. 

Aesthetic

At the majority of aforementioned outings, at least one person has been kind enough to compliment the Somerset. It’s sort of interesting that a bag that is virtually just “brown” is as beautiful as this one is. Maybe that’s exactly the beauty of it. In one of my favorite movies, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, a character wisely points out: “Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” I think that’s where the Somerset shines. It’s not loud or flashy, but strong. Leather is a beautiful material, and the waxy buffalo leather on the Somerset has texture, character, and is great to look at. 

Conclusion

The Forbes & Lewis Somerset Holdall is lovely, highly functional, versatile, and well-built. This bag is easy to use…it’s easy to fill up, it’s easy to grab and throw in the car, it’s easy to fit in wherever it goes. It’s the “fun bag you use all the time.” The price is about what you’d expect for a product of this caliber. I’m happy to recommend the Somerset as a great option for anyone in need of a quality holdall.

September 6, 2019: The Somerset is currently sold out, however, Forbes & Lewis is holding a Summer 50% off sale on the rest of their equally impressive products!

 

 

 

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Mr. Lentz Medium Duffel Bag Review – $440

I’ve been impressed by a leather wallet assembled with rivets, but how about a whole duffel bag? The Mr. Lentz Medium Duffel Bag is a beautiful, sturdy, threadless overnighter that I’m happy to recommend for a variety of uses.

About Mr. Lentz

Mr. Lentz is an artist, a creator, and a cowboy. He believes in the value of creating something with your hands and from the heart. Each product is made to order. The leather and metal only products are a trademark of the company. In Mr. Lentz’ own words: “You just can’t beat that mixture.” Mr. Lentz also enjoys sharing his talents on his blog, encouraging others to get out and go back to the classic ways of doing things. Overall he’s a guy who puts a lot of passion into his work, and I definitely suggest dropping by his about page to read more.

All Mr. Lentz items have the Lentz brand and a product number.

Leather & Construction

Let’s talk about the two things in Mr. Lentz’ favorite mixture: leather and metal.

First, leather. Premium, full-grain, USA sourced leather makes up this duffel. It is as strong as it is pretty. It smells amazing. This is just plain, simple, quality leather. My favorite kind. Thickness is good for plenty of durability without overly weighing you down, based on the size of the bag. Edges are cut cleanly and smooth.

Next, metal. There’s a lot of durable thread out there, but none has the longevity of metal. If a well made leather item does need repair, it’s usually because the thread has worn out. Mr. Lentz avoids it entirely here. It only takes a few rivets to replace an entire row of thread. It would be challenging to make a direct comparison between the two options as to which has more pull strength, but in my experience the rivets hold up very well. It’s a unique concept and I’m a fan.

Function

This is the first bag that I’ve used around this size. It’s not as large as what I’d usually think of when I think of a “duffel.” This is a true overnighter; there’s just enough room for a change of clothes and a few other small items. I’ve also tried it as a basic computer or camera bag. My 13″ MacBook Pro fits, but only at an angle. A tablet computer would be a better choice for this bag. My small mirrorless camera fit with plenty of room–this would be an awesome camera bag with the help of a camera packing cube. I haven’t tested this myself, but I also suspect it could work well as a tool bag. It’s a really good size for a variety of day-outing or overnight applications.

A carry sample: small dopp, jeans, belt, paperback, socks, two t-shirts, wallet, charger, earbuds.

One of my first thoughts when I realized this bag was assembled solely with rivets was, what about small items? Couldn’t something like a pen slip through the gaps between rivets? So I tested this out. I was able to force a pen through the spaces between rivets, but it took a reasonable amount of effort. Only items much smaller than a pen would face any risk of falling out on their own. Everything larger will be well secured under the side panels, which can be secured with snaps, and the cover flap, held down with two buckles. The duffel isn’t waterproofed, though good conditioner can help prevent water damage.

Nothing bigger than a button will make it through gaps between rivets.

Aesthetic

The Mr. Lentz duffel uses strong, simple design to stand out. The appearance is clean and sophisticated, but simultaneously very rugged. The brass buckles and rivets are polished and lend themselves well to exhibiting sturdiness.

This duffel is a beautiful palette of natural tan colored leather. I personally think most leather products are at their best without dye, and I love the appearance of this bag. I’ve heard criticism of natural colored leather about it being too plain or lacking character, but that’s just nonsense. The individual markings and grain patterns from the cow are highly visible, ensuring you’re buying a one-of-a-kind product. Over time as this bag is used, treated with conditioner, and exposed to the sun it will continue to develop a beautiful patina. This patina will make it even more uniquely your own. This bag is beautiful now and will be more beautiful in the future.

Some of the natural, unique leather markings on my duffel.

Conclusion

I just love using products that focus on everything important and nothing that isn’t. The Mr. Lentz Medium Duffel Bag is a great example of this philosophy. Strong, beautiful leather skillfully (and cleverly) assembled into a highly functional design. This multi-purpose bag is going to treat you well for a lifetime–Mr. Lentz guarantees it with his 100 Year Guarantee. The price isn’t low, but you’re getting what you pay for. I recommend this duffel as a Bestleather Buy It For Life item.

Optional internal storage (+$80) provides a place for keys, wallet, etc.

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SALT Co. 3.5″ Leather Briefcase Review – $649

The classic leather briefcase. The gentleman’s staple. SALT Co’s 3.5″ Leather Briefcase embodies the best aspects of a formal brief while maintaining a humble look. Salt Co’s offering utilizes a unique stiff frame and is built to last. This impressively understated briefcase will serve its owner better and better over a lifetime of use.

About SALT Co.

Short for Standard Artisan Leather Trading Company, SALT Co. recently began operations based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Their approach is to make products that maintain the feeling of old-world, handcrafted items, but updated to meet the needs of today’s electronic-heavy world. SALT Co. aims to make items that are beautiful simply because they’re solely designed for function: “It has been said that if you eliminate everything that is not essential you will end up with something that truly is.”

Discrete, minimal logos are used on Salt Co. products

Currently the majority of SALT’s products are leather bags, but their catalog is always expanding. Even beyond leather–for example, they’ve recently listed a collection of premium wood valet stands.

If many of SALT Co’s leather products look familiar, that’s because they’ve hired Kendal, of the former Kendal & Hyde, to design for them. Many of his most popular designs are now available from SALT Co!

Leather & Construction

It might surprise you to learn that this formal briefcase is also built like an absolute tank.

Salt Co. utilizes thick, full-grain, vegetable tanned leather, and plenty of it. A simple way to know you’re getting quality leather is to ensure it’s a known tan from an established tannery. However, this isn’t the only way to get awesome leather. Salt Co. takes a more particular route, custom ordering leather that is tanned to their own specifications for strength and appearance. The result is fantastic. The leather is tough, beautiful, feels great, and has one of the best leather smells I’ve experienced!

The design of the bag exudes sturdy, lifelong function. They’ve employed several frequently overlooked build techniques. Rivets are placed such that stress comes sideways, rather than directly pulling apart the connection. The two primary closure straps extend all the way around the bag as a single piece, not short strips of leather sewn to the outside of the bag. A thick leather edge extending past the bottom of the brief protects these straps and the bottom of the bag from rubbing against the floor. This is the kind of stuff that separates a good bag from a truly great bag.

Thick, protruding edges protect and stabilize the bottom of the brief

It’s all expertly put together, too. A visual inspection reveals no issues with stitching or riveting. Stitching is uniform and reinforced with several passes and/or rivets at stress points. Thread is kept to a relative minimum, favoring large single pieces of leather. This means fewer points for wear and failure over time. The only place I’d have preferred an additional rivet is on the shoulder strap connection points. A single rivet is sufficient (especially with the stress-relieving design), but, as a primary load-bearing point, two would provide extra confidence.

Uniform stitches and stress-relieved rivet

Overall this bag is built well with quality materials that will last a lifetime. If any issues do come up, Salt Co. offers a lifetime guarantee.

Function

The SALT Co. Brief is a laptop and document type bag, and is ideal for a simple daily carry. I carry my 13″  laptop, charging cable, wallet, a couple small EDC items, pens, a few documents, and a camera (with pancake lens) or small water bottle without issue. I can throw a spare lens in one of the pockets as well, but should point out this is possible partially because I have a small mirrorless camera. This professional briefcase is well organized.

A single wide strip of leather is sewn over the bottom of the main gusset. This gives the briefcase a partially stiff frame, placing it somewhere between a hard attache and a soft leather briefcase. The footprint is stable and allows the brief to stand on its own without wobble. This is really appreciated if you’re used to a soft brief that needs to be balanced or leaned against something.

Stands well even on carpet

There is one drawback to using this amount of thick leather: weight. It’s tough enough to last forever, but all that leather comes in at about 6.4lb (2.9kg). I’ve had larger briefcases that weigh less. While an extra pound or two may not seem like much, it can wear on you after a long day. This is something to consider based on your use case and body type.

The sturdy carry strap is made well to alleviate this extra weight. The pad is full leather, strong enough to distribute weight evenly across your shoulder. The underside is unfinished leather which minimizes slipping.

Aesthetic

Understated: “presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way.” This is the best word I can come up with to describe the appearance of the Salt Co. Brief. Lines are strong and well defined. No extra details are added for the sake of appearance. It’s beautiful because of its simplicity.

The leather itself is consistent with this theme. From even a few feet away, it appears to be a simple natural tan colored leather. But if you get up close, you’ll see that this tan has a certain translucent quality that makes the grain very visible. Unfortunately I found this difficult to capture in photographs!

My review bag is Salt Co’s ‘whiskey’ color. A darker and more brown option, ‘cafe,’ is also available. Note that a new ‘whiskey’ bag will come with a lighter color than mine. This is because my bag has developed patina from use and treatment.

Conclusion

The Salt Co. 3.5″ Leather Briefcase is a top-of-the-line Buy It For Life product. It’s tough, it’s professional, it’s beautiful. A fantastic choice for a minimal everyday laptop carry. While expensive it’s a good value and the right price for a bag of this caliber. This would make a great choice for a professional looking for their last briefcase or as an heirloom level gift. You’ll be just as impressed with this brief as I am.

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Go Forth Goods Gunnar Leather Duffle Bag Review – $400

We have partnered with Go Forth Goods to give this leather duffel bag away to one lucky winner. You can enter into this giveaway here!

I got really excited when the opportunity to review the Go Forth Goods Gunnar Leather Duffle presented itself. A classic military style top-loading clip closure duffle, but made with gorgeous, full-grain pull-up leather. This duffle is made sturdy, has both modern and vintage appeal, and I think you’re going to love it.

About Go Forth Goods

Founder Nathan Martin began Go Forth Goods in 2014 when bags currently on the market just didn’t fit the bill. Now they create leathergoods that are based on tried-and-true timeless designs of the past, while looking toward the future. Products are designed to last a lifetime.

Go Forth Goods remains a small operation in Georgia where orders are made individually or to-order. They hope to provide quality items as well as inspire: “So no matter where your journey takes you, go forth and do good!”

Leather & Construction

The Gunnar is constructed entirely from full-grain, pull-up leather, without a lining or other materials (except the brass hardware, of course). I’m personally a big fan of pure leather products. Lining in these sorts of bags tends to break down relatively early in the product’s lifetime, and the leather is much better looking (and smelling!) anyway. The main body has thick leather for strength, but it’s also tumbled for softness. The carry handle and strap are much thicker and stiff 10oz veg-tan leather. The strap has a buckle that is adjustable for length.

The main body is stitched together around the bottom and center seam. The carry handle and strap are both reinforced with rivets. Construction is well done, with no notable imperfections or irregularities. One change I would have made is a rivet or addition reinforcement at the end of the center seam on the opening side. This stitch does seem somewhat vulnerable when items go in and out of the bag. However, all seams are reinforced with triple backstitching, and so far I haven’t seen any issues.

Construction and materials are all done so this bag will last a lifetime–which Go Forth Goods guarantees!

Function

If you’ve used a military style top-load bag before, the function of the Gunnar will be familiar to you. It’s essentially a large bucket of space. To close it off, you fold down the pin near the top, then fold down the three rivets onto the pin. There’s a clip at the end of the carry strap that is then used to hold the rivets onto the pins, which both completes the carry strap connection and secures the duffle shut. It may not be familiar to some, but it’s fun to use and very effective for securing items.

The single bucket of space takes some organization to use effectively. It’s best to put least-used or just-in-case items at the bottom. I’ve also learned a trick of using a small cinch bag or something similar to keep smaller items together in one place within the duffle.

One way the Gunnar really hits a sweet spot is its size. If it was much larger, not only would it be harder to organize well, but it would also start to feel like a more cumbersome piece of luggage. The size is good for both holding all you need for a couple nights and feeling very portable and easy to use.

So far I’ve taken the Gunnar on camping trips, to the gym, and on a quick overnighter or two. The just-right size and easy to use military closure have made it a pleasure to use in every case.

Aesthetic

I don’t think I’ve taken the Gunnar out without receiving at least one compliment. This bag is gorgeous. Pull-up leather is always beautiful, but across the wide landscape of a duffle bag, it turns heads! The soft leather will move quite a bit as you fill and carry it. This causes the pull-up to create a subtle marbled pattern that is always changing.

The strap and carry handle are additions to the Gunnar that leaves the duffle with an overall simple, understated, beautiful look. It’s stunning yet unpretentious. You’ll love the way this bag looks hanging over your shoulder.

Conclusion

I find myself looking for excuses to use the Go Forth Goods Gunnar Leather Duffle whenever I can. Each time I do it serves me well. It’s made well, fun to use, hits a sweet spot for carry capacity, and fantastic to look at (and be seen with!). The price may seem high for those used to more common polyester duffles, but is actually quite reasonable for the caliber of leather and assembly. If you’re gawking at the photos of this bag as much as I was, I suspect you won’t regret springing for the Gunnar. It’s a guaranteed Buy It For Life product that I highly recommend.

If you want to have a chance at winning this awesome bag for free you can enter the giveaway below:

[RF_CONTEST contest=’5917′]

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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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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.