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Colsen Keane Minimalist Standard Leather Satchel in Crazy Horse Review – $695

I flew into Charlotte, North Carolina, at the beginning of this year on my way to visit some family in Valdese.  At that time, I hadn’t heard of ColsenKeane or their passion for crafting enduring, rugged leather products, nor did I know they are based in Charlotte.  To my chagrin for not having found this growing company earlier, I was also delighted to be asked to review their Minimalist Standard Leather Satchel in Crazy Horse.

Saint Ambrose was right when he said “where a man’s heart is, there is his treasure also” – this is a company that loves what they create, and creates what they love. I always have an initial impression and reaction when I first view and hold a leather product.  After carefully photographing the packaging (it was nicely done) on receiving the satchel, I unwrapped it like an early birthday gift.

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Quite honestly, I’ve not seen another leather satchel that immediately overawed me as this one did, and still does.  Think Pony Express meets Sam Elliott (Tombstone, 1993)  to get a sense of the rugged individuality and good looks this bag conveys.

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About Colsen Keane

I had a chance to talk at length with Scott Hofert, creator and owner of ColsonKeane, about his vision and products for the present and the future.  As Scott put it, educated customers are the best customers.  A self-admitted leather junkie, he’s been crafting unique leather ideas into reality for the last 8 years.  While not an artist by trade, having worked in the non-profit sector for years, Scott’s passion for quality leather goods and vision for seeing niches in the leather industry that need to be filled have driven ColsenKeane to become the growing success it is today.

Reflected in his products is his love for the beefier (no pun intended) leather hides found in many of the products they produce.  He understands that these types of hides retain their constitution and will last a lifetime, a guarantee he puts behind all of his products.  And the way he came up with the name for his company? You’ll just have to ask Scott; he’ll welcome you into their store the next time you stop over in Charlotte.

Construction

The name of the bag is shrouded in a bit of mystery – why “Crazy Horse” Leather? Scott intimated that its origin may lie with the gentleman from whom he purchases the hides for the satchel.  What is not a mystery is the construction of the bag itself: full grain cowhide measuring 3.9 mm thick held together by copper rivets and a waxed polyester thread that would be suitable for stitching sails on a main mast.

The satchel is one solid piece of hide, except for the sides, which are stitched in to help the bag keeps its shape throughout your lifetime of owning this product. The benefit of a bag that retains its shape is better protection of the contents inside versus something that may soften too much over time.

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The D-rings, snap swivels, and buckles are all heavy duty pre-distressed nickel plated steel that add to the rugged look of the leather. He’ll also be the first to admit the bag is over-engineered, an intentional design element.  I couldn’t see it designed any other way after having a few weeks with it.  The double-stitched thread holding the sides in is the only stitching on the bag, the rest held by the copper rivets.

Function

Need to carry a laptop up to 17″ along with your important files? This satchel will do the trick.  If you want to carry accessories including your wallet, phone, a couple pens and some bank cards, you’ll want to go for the optional leather insert.

ColsenKeane-Minimalist-Standard-Leather-Satchel-in-Crazy-Horse-008The leather insert is cleverly designed to not only minimize the interior space it uses, but will also allow you to put documents behind it.  It’s an excellent conservation of space in a layout that is already generous.

The adjustable carry strap looks great when added to the bag, and adds an important element of functionality when you choose to sling the bag across your shoulder. I prefer carrying the bag cross-shoulder as it leaves my hands free to carry my morning coffee, a phone, or to stick them in my pockets on a cold day.

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Aesthetic

Let’s get this out of the way: the satchel is a beautiful, over-constructed piece of craftsmanship that is difficult to not fall in love with. This satchel has a tendency to slow me down wherever I go.  I don’t mind though; people see it and want to stop and comment on its beauty, or where I got it.  The longer you own and use this bag, the more unique it will become, the look tailored to the experiences of your life.

I asked Scott specifically about the copper rivets, and yes, they are extremely difficult to find.  His philosophy is that they are not only beautiful and will  develop a beautiful patina over time, but that he eschews shiny metal on bags that would have an otherwise rugged look.  However, as copper is too soft for the buckles and d-rings, he went with a distressed nickel look that fits right in.

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The straps holding the bag closed are thick and perfectly sized for the buckles and add to the rugged look of the bag.  Even after only a few weeks, I’ve noticed the scratching on the leather doesn’t detract to the bag, but gives it character you won’t see anywhere else.

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The Final Word

Everything about this satchel indicates love of, and pride in, your craft. With the purchase of your Minimalist Standard Leather Satchel in Crazy Horse coming in at a $695.00 retail, you’d better be serious about your love of leather and those goods crafted to last a lifetime.  If you’re just looking for a serviceable bag that is nothing special, this isn’t the one for you

As if their available product line isn’t enough, you always have the option to stop by their shop in Charlotte and talk to Scott about custom designing a leather piece that reflects you and your lifestyle.

Scotch whisky, also known as uisge beatha or “water of life”, is best when aged and enjoyed for what it is: a product of craftsmen with a love for the process and product.  This satchel is no different.  I predict that this bag will age with you, accumulating the wealth of knowledge and experience that is your life.  While I have only had possession of this bag for a few weeks, the quality and aesthetic have spoken, and that is what I heard.

Scott and his team are not only artisans, but they want to share their love of the craft and philosophy of doing what you love with others.  In addition to the 200-plus product concepts Scott keeps tucked away in his notebook, he hinted at offering a multi-day “leather experience” to teach the craft and business of leather working.  His idea came about as a result of area businessman coming into the store and finding themselves drawn to the lifestyle and passion everyone at ColsenKeane exhibits through their craftsmanship and eagerness to share what they do.

If you want a high-quality, thoughtfully designed satchel that will (and is guaranteed to last you a lifetime), you’ll want to start here. Educate yourself on their products through the numerous videos and articles available online, and you won’t be disappointed.

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Wilsons Leather Dark Rugged Double Gusset Brief Review- $249.99

If looks were everything, there would be no question about picking up Wilsons Leather Dark Rugged Double Gusset Brief. Dark leather, contrast stitching, and antiqued brass combine to give this bag an appeal that is universal to the modern business world.

Wilsons offers the brief as a lightweight bag to hold your laptop, tablet, and office accessories. With the aesthetic appeal of the bag being obvious upon inspection, the question is whether or not the bag will hold up to the daily demands of the office and the roads you travel on to get there.

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About Wilsons Leather

Wilsons Leather is a U.S. leather retailer, selling jackets, belts, shoes, handbags, and gloves. At its peak in 2002, the Minneapolis-based retailer had 763 stores in Canada and the United States.

In 2008, the G-III Apparel Group purchased Wilson’s Leather and E-commerce divisions.  Today, Wilsons Leather offers in-season, designer products at their outlet stores. Their online stores offer an even more extensive line of products in addition to increasing brand awareness and improving customer experience.

Construction

The bag is constructed of semi-vegetable tanned cow leather sourced in China, measuring 16” x 12” x 4” and is light for its size and construction. It weighs in at 2 pounds, 14 ounces (1.2 kilograms) without the strap or 3 pounds, 3 ounces (1.5 kilograms) with it. The lightness is due in part to the 2 mm thickness of the leather shell.  The leather shell is well supported by foam padding encased in nylon between each section of the bag.  The foam padding on the smaller accessory pockets is a nice touch.

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On the outside of the bag, everything is held together by gold contrast stitching using polyester thread. Antique brass rivets hold down the D-rings (for attaching the carry strap) and one piece of the handle.  The other side of the handle is inset into the bag and stitched in place.  The zippers are constructed of the same antiqued-brass slides and plastic elements (the teeth) and are non-branded, unlike the traditional YKK zippers found in many of Wilsons Leather products.  I would like to see metal elements in the zippers to increase product longevity even with the minor weight increase to the bag.

The insides of the bag are made up of two main compartments and three outer pockets.  The small outer pocket has slots for cards, pens, a smartphone, and room for other accessories. The larger exterior pocket adjacent to it is available for slightly larger accessories.  The outer pocket on the other side of the bag is identical to this pocket.

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The main inner pocket has three large side pockets (5.5” wide by 8.5” deep) for electronics and a velcro nylon strap for securing your laptop.

The last piece is the carrying strap, made of nylon with a sliding leather pad for your shoulder.  At the end of the pad, antique brass swivel snap hooks allow you to attach the strap to the bag.

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Function

I work in an office and occasionally in the field, so need an all-in-one bag to carry my laptop and various sundries around.  This bag does just that.  With numerous zipped inside and outside pockets, it was very easy to store and access all of my equipment on the fly.

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The adjustable-length canvas strap was nice for longer walks.  Even with the sliding leather pad on the strap, keeping the strap crossed over my opposite shoulder was the easiest way to carry it. I was able to access the zippered pockets even with the bag slung over my shoulder, which was nice when reaching for my wallet or phone.

If you need more space, you’ll appreciate the double gusset zip-around for more storage. It adds 3 inches of width to the bag, which is very generous for a bag of this type.

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Aesthetic

The dark brown leather looks good with almost any business attire.  The stitching is even and well done, a must when you use a contrasting thread color.  The black zipper elements add a subtle appearance, though antique brass elements on the zippers would fit in well with the sliders.

I like the size of the bag for carrying it around.  It’s easily going to fit in the overhead compartment of any plane, though you’ll probably elect to carry it with you considering the cargo it carries.

While you may not find yourself looking at the interior of the bag that much, it bears mentioning.  The copper color of the nylon has a nice sheen to it, and the stitching is equally well done.  Attention to details like this are what help to elevate a leather product over other designs.  Of note, the blue tags around the zippers are there as a protectant and easily removed.  I left them on in some photos to show detail in packaging of this product.

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Conclusion

The Dark Rugged Double Gusset Brief is a professional, lightweight case that will serve you well in the office and on the road.  It is attractive, has plenty of room, and should hold up well in the world of a business executive, college student, or anyone else needing a small briefcase.  As I mentioned earlier, my biggest concern is the use of plastic zippers if you’re constantly getting in and out of the bag.  Time will tell, though as of this writing, I’ve not encountered any issues.

Considering the price point of $239.99, the bag is a good value for a cowhide leather brief.  What I appreciate about Wilsons Leather is that they often have sales on their products, whether you are shopping online or at one of their outlet stores; they tend to have quite a few sales where everything is 40% off online, meaning you could pick the bag up for $149.99 – an excellent deal.  In the world of leather briefs, this bag would make a great gift for the young entrepreneur or graduate student.

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Stock & Barrel No. 32 Minimalist Satchel Review – $345

It seems that almost everything these days is jammed packed with multiple features. If a widget doesn’t perform umpteen different functions, it just isn’t good enough. Personally, I find that tiresome at times. So, it’s really refreshing to find a product that keeps it simple and does a job well. And, if it looks good while doing it…well, that’s icing on the cake.

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About Stock & Barrel

Stock & Barrel is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Parker and Whitney Lichfield. With all of their products handmade in Ogden, Utah this duo hopes to revitalize a sense of adventure with each of the products they create. They work hard to reinforce their own “Carry Well” mantra. According to Whitney, “The idea of carry well is to surround yourself with things and people that are important to you. We believe that carrying quality products enables a more quality life.” And, from what we can tell, they’re doing a great job of providing those quality carry products.

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Construction

The Stock & Barrel No. 32 Minimalist Satchel is a thing of beauty. The leather is sourced within the United States and is fully struck through (dye permeates through the entire hide). In speaking with Whitney about Stock & Barrel’s construction process, she had this to say, “We roll out the hide, trace the pattern, cut out the pattern, rivet, punch, etc., and then hand-stitch everything. At this time we don’t have any heavy machinery, we love the look of the hand-stitched, rugged, simple look. We aren’t opposed to machinery though and if demand continues to grow like it is machinery will be our next step!”

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The leather is thick and has a nice pull up affect to it. It should develop an awesome patina with time and usage. Along with the great leather and exposed hand stitched seams, they utilize brushed stainless steel hardware, which I appreciate. It’s not flashy and allows you to focus attention on the bag as a whole.

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Function

In keeping with its minimalist name, the satchel has just one compartment. It will easily hold a 15” laptop, your iPad, charging cords, and various accessories with ease. Its 15.5″ x 10.5″x 3″ footprint is deceptive…it will hold a lot! One thing that I really appreciate is the “rain flaps” it has on the sides. Living in an area where it rains and snows frequently, it’s important to have a satchel that keeps your precious, expensive electronics dry. And the Stock & Barrel No. 32 Minimalist Satchel definitely does that thanks to this nice design feature.

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The main flap uses a tuck-in closure to stay shut. It’s simple and is just another feature that adheres to the minimalist approach. No zippers, straps, buckles…just leather – really nice leather.

The shoulder strap is the only component of the bag that requires the use of hardware. It attaches to the satchel with D rings and lobster clasps. The strap is adjustable and wide enough that you don’t need a shoulder strap (keep it simple…remember?).

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Aesthetic

The thick, exposed thread and brushed stainless steel hardware when combined with the heavy leather create a visual feast for the eyes. With no pockets or hardware in the way, you’re immediately drawn to just the leather, which looks fantastic. The simplicity of the design definitely catches people’s attention. In carrying this bag on a few trips to a couple of my favorite coffeehouses and to church, it always elicited questions and comments. The vintage brown color is great too. It’s not as light as a natural vegetable tan finish, but it’s not a dark brown color either. “Vintage” is definitely an accurate descriptor because the leather appears to be old…”pre-patina’d” so to speak. But, what’s great is that you’ll definitely be able to develop your own unique patina with time and use on this satchel.

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Conclusion

The Lichfield’s are definitely creating high quality leather carry goods. By using top quality leather, handmade attention to detail, and minimalist design features the No. 32 Minimalist Satchel is a stellar choice. At $345, it is reasonably priced – especially considering the fact that it will allow you to “carry well” for many, many years and then you can give the bag to one of your kids or grandkids so they can continue to use it.

*Be looking for another review coming soon for some of Stock & Barrels accessories (yes, the same ones seen in some of these pictures).

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Basader Handmade Classic Messenger Bag with Gusset Review – $400

Since BestLeather.org began reviewing products a few years ago, we have watched Basader grow from an Etsy store into one of the mainstays of the leather goods market. Based in Brooklyn, founders Philip and Elin Antonelli come from a fashion background, which is evident in their stylish products. All of their products are dyed, cut, and assembled by hand in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In 2013, we reviewed their Messer Leather Briefcase, and posted an interview with Philip. Since then, they’ve sold quite a few messenger bags to customers who have broken them in and given them feedback. Thus was born the Handmade Classic Messenger Bag with Gusset, a customizable combination of everyone’s favorite Basader features.

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THE LEATHER

Crafted from 7 oz bridle leather, the Classic Messenger Bag is durable yet soft. It hasn’t lost its shape after daily usage, nor will it ever. The inside of the bag is smooth and supple, and the divider is made with raw leather. This medium brown color option is a rich reddish-brown, with a subtle luster that looks very sophisticated. The bag comes in three different color options: medium brown, dark brown, and black. Even the edge color is customizable in four colors: dark brown, medium brown, black, and natural. To get a better feel for the color options, check out the color guide on the Basader blog.

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CONSTRUCTION & FUNCTION

The construction of the Handmade Classic Messenger Bag is immaculate, with clean double-stitching and sturdy brass hardware to hold it together. The bag has minimal seams on the front and back, giving it a very sleek, understated look. The standout feature on this bag is the gusset. A gusset is a reinforced seam that provides structural strength or reinforcement. In this case, it does both, while simultaneously adding a divider that runs through the middle of the bag and provides two pockets and pen holders. The thick divider is a great feature for laptop users to keep their computer safe and scratch-free. This 16-inch, 4.5-pound bag keeps a 15″ laptop nice and snug without killing your shoulders. The size is functional for every day use without being clunky or in the way.

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The top handle has an extra leather covering for additional comfort. The removable shoulder strap is attached with D-rings and lobster-style clasps. Of course, the metal hardware is customizable as well, in three finishes: brass, nickel-plated brass, and nickel-plated matte.

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There is the option to add an adjustable backpack strap, which attaches to three O-rings that are added onto the back of the bag if you select this option. You also have a choice when it comes to the two front buckles. You can stick with the classic buckle or upgrade to faux buckles with hidden tuck locks for quick and easy access, a feature that is great for the less dextrous.

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CONCLUSION

The Handmade Classic Messenger Bag with Gusset ranges from $400-450, depending on what features you choose. It’s $20 to size up from 14.5″ to 16″, $20 to add a backpack strap (and necessary hardware), and $10 to upgrade to the hidden tuck locks on the front buckles. This is a very, very nice bag that will last you a lifetime due to its high quality materials and superior construction. It’s worth every penny; possibly more. It’s American-made from high-quality leather and handmade exactly to your specifications. The simple and timeless style will never go out of fashion, and the leather will get even more beautiful the longer you carry it. What more can you ask for?

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74Street Bags Lucky Double 15″ Vertical Messenger Bag Review – $485

One of the things I enjoy most about the leather industry is that you always seem to find someone doing something really well that you haven’t found out about just yet. Such is the case with a husband and wife team from Transylvania, Romania.

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About 74Street Bags

Mircea & Daciana Bule are the powerhouse couple behind 74Street Bags. Mircea is a licensed fashion designer and he has been handcrafting with leather for more than 20 years. In my conversations with Daciana, she enjoyed referring to him as “the brains of design and handwork for 74Street”. Daciana, a manager by profession, is also a fashion design student, and “the brains of the business along with being Mircea’s apprentice in learning more and more everyday about the vast skills needed for handcrafting leather”. Together from their studio in Romania this duo designs and creates some unique bags – which seem to be very popular through their Etsy storefront, which shows a 5 star rating and healthy sales. For our initial review for 74Street Bags, we received their Lucky Double 15” Vertical Messenger Bag.

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Construction

This particular bag features full grain Crazy Horse leather, which they source from a tannery in Italy, in a color they refer to as Dakar Café – a nice dark brown. Crazy Horse leather (also referred to as cowboy or saddleback leather at times) is a type of pull up leather. It is heavily infused with oils under pressure at high heat during the tanning process. This gives the leather a very rugged finish that is well suited to moist or dry environments. It will remain soft and pliable forever and offers high durability. 74Street Bags does not exclude using leather that has natural markings from the cow’s life such as stretch marks, scars, and brands.

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The thread is heavy gauge and the sewing is done by hand with a 19th century Singer manual machine – one that is manipulated by hand, not foot.

When asked about their construction process, Daciana sent me the following info:

“We work with patterns created by us. My husband Mircea is a very good specialist in patterns. He draws the bag first and then turns it into a pattern. In the next step we take the pattern and transfer it onto the leather and cut the pieces with our hand cutter. We enjoy this “old school technique” because we also use old tools. We apply all the metal hardware and after that we glue the smaller pieces where necessary with special leather glue. Then we stitch the bag.”

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Function

There is a lot of leather in this bag, yet it’s not too heavy or bulky. The overall dimensions are 38cm x 30cm x 10cm (15 x 11.8 x 3.9 inches). It will easily fit a 15” MacBook Pro, charger cords, and more in either of the two main pockets. The center divider has two large pockets sewn on it that are capable of holding Field Notes, a smartphone, or any other similarly sized items. The extra pocket on the front is large enough to house an iPad or a class sized Moleskine and other accessories. Finally, there are a couple of pen/pencil loops and a small pocket on the very front that is large enough for a small cell phone, your iPod, or a healthy stack of business cards. The antique brass hardware all functions well and feels sturdy.

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The strap is easily adjustable allowing you to carry the bag either on your shoulder or cross body. The handle is nicely padded and large. The bag lays nicely on your hip in shoulder or cross-body carry mode. Vertical messenger bags are a nice alternative to traditional messengers. Having a thinner profile can be useful in certain situations (crowded commuter trains come to mind).

Aesthetic

Upon arrival the Lucky Double Messenger Bag had a strong chemical smell to it. In spite of the smell, the bag’s visual appearance is very appealing. I actually just set it next to my desk with the main flap open and let it air out for a little more than a week. It’s now fine and there is no residual chemical odor. I’m not sure what caused the odor – the tanning process, the glue used in construction, or a combination of both.

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The Dakar Café leather is very attractive and the symmetrical lighter colored stitching creates a nice contrast. The symmetry of the stitching is intentionally broken up in just a few spots…according to Daciana this is a stylistic signature that is incorporated into every one of their bags. It is very subtle and only occurs on the shoulder strap of this particular bag.

In carrying the bag, it does get noticed quite often. People ask and comment on it frequently. Its pleasant color and design have traditional leanings, but also indicate that it’s a custom designed piece, which I think is why it stands out to most people.

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Conclusion

The 74Street Bags Lucky Double 15” Vertical Messenger Bag is definitely a standout since it’s uniquely designed, constructed of quality materials, and hand made. At $485 it’s definitely an investment…but, you definitely get your money’s worth since the quality of this bag will allow it to serve you well, in a stylish fashion, for decades to come. 74Street Bags has a multitude of bag designs, cases, and accessories – be sure to visit and peruse their collection.