Comments on: Review: Saddleback Leather Company Large Briefcase

By: outdoorsyjake

outdoorsyjake — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:48:51 +0000

I just bought my briefcase yesterday … so stoked about getting it! I was questioning my purchase until I read this review, but now I'm so glad I bought it!

By: Gucci Sunglasses

Gucci Sunglasses — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:32:45 +0000

this bag was cool and good, i like the over all of it, its fashionable and can be carried with many things inside it.

By: Bill Ramos

Bill Ramos — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:33:35 +0000

The bag will last several generations or more. Mine have travelled all over the world and it looks better every day. Mexicans have been making exquisite ful grain leather since the days of the spanish and nothing in the US can hold a cadle to this bag. I believe it to be the best in the world and I have had many, but having many attests to the inferior quality, this bag will be my last.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:35:21 +0000

Quick update...

I've had my bag for about a year now. No real huge issues. It's slumped some, but it was a "second" so I expected it. Now that it's broken in, it reminds me of a baseball mit, which is a good thing. So far the bag has seen Europe and Grand Cayman so multiple people have tossed it around. It's my everyday work bag. I tote around my netbook, some other tech stuff and a jacket / vest. Pretty good fit for this use.

One thing I will note... I am glad to see Saddleback leather has forklifted their old site. They are now a little more up front about the mfg of their items. However, some of their items sold through Ebay are more expensive than purchsing them direct off the website. I guess if you can pull it off, fine. But I suggest checking prices closely for those looing to buy again.

Otherwise full steam a head. Odds are I'll purchase one for my wife for Xmas this year.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:48:35 +0000

Oh how funny, I didn't even notice! But just today I finally went out and got some of the Chicago screws and they really do work great. I like the 3/4 inch size for the backpack strap and lower profile 1/2 inch size for the side straps. I didn't think they would make that much difference to me… but they really do since I use mine backpack style a lot. Kudos to you for coming up with such an awesome idea and making a great bag perfect!

By: Forge42

Forge42 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:40:00 +0000

@Sarah:

Yup. The chicago screw works great. Note the name of the OP in the forum post you linked… ;)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:10:13 +0000

A well-placed Chicago screw is also a good solution it seems for the sliding strap issue while wearing the bag as a backpack… found here: http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=20935.0

I love the leather that these bags are made of. To me, that’s what sets them apart from all other bags. It’s just the best leather out there and I’ve had about every name brand bag to compare them to.

By: jimmunsw

jimmunsw — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:55:35 +0000

Dear Forge42 & readers ,

I have found a sure way to make the straps ( x 2 ) stays fixed to the big middle O steel ring :- U got to buy another big main strap from Dave at about Usd 35-40 then now u got 2 straps with 4 fast clips . Clip 2 to middle O ring , run 2 long straps around the bag , then clip the balance 2 clips to the same middle O ring . Adjust the 2 straps before u put them over your back shoulder , not too tight yet not too loose , there u go , now u have a nice firm shoulder straps that connects the center O ring , no hard practice applicable . However it may look overly strappy & uncomfortable, but it’s just an idea , and if u dont find it to be practical then revert to Dave’s original idea of strap going through the O ring . Anyway thanks for reading and best regards to you all :) Dont forget to get one of Dave’s bag in your lifetime , it’s like a treasure lost & found by you !

By: jimmunsw

jimmunsw — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:18:53 +0000

Dear readers & everyone ,
Please dont be too sensitive when it comes to this product made in usa or mexico or china or timbuktoo or anywhere , because its the actual product quality that matters . I am from Malaysia and by just looking at pictures from internet , i took a chance and bought it to try it out , and it’s a blessing in disguise as it turns out. I really dont understand why some (that i read) say bad reviews or comments or experience of this wonderful bag ? Either they are very unlucky , very very high expectation , or they might have a more rugged bags they have seen – please share with us if u really have ! I have compare my Sbl with LV and Gucci etc… but they are all beautiful bags but cost 3 to 4 times more of Sbl , and they are not rugged at all , quite thin in fact , so u need to compare on a apple to apple basis here . Also it’s designed by America , so what if it is sourced & made from Mexico , we are now a globalised borderless world in doing business sense , it’s not wrong to source & assemble your product elsewhere that is cheaper because u need Profit to carry on your business and also R&D ! U have thousands of US company’s product that is sourced and assembled from all over the world and it must be cheaper to do so otherwise why would do the same thing . Apple & Intel just to name 2 . Question is why are they made not from USA ? But i m not here to argue this point but i think for Sbl case is Okay to tell u that to buy from them doesnt mean it’s not supporting USA product . In fact if Dave didint mention of its bag originality on his homepage & others , let’s say it’s actually assembled in China and it’s leather sourced from Mongolia , i will still buy from Sbl , please look at the finished product carefully before u say no , no really – see it to believe it , it’s a damm good product , and it’s price – out of this world man , u cant be wrong in this investment :)
Cheers to all .

By: jimmunsw

jimmunsw — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:49:03 +0000

Dear Forge42,
Thanks for nice review of Saddleback . I would like to say the followings :-
Use bag as backpacks – it is not a nuisance at all , u just need practice because it is not tied at the middle “O” steel ring to the strap , that’s why it is difficult to put on & stay put without holding the strap . Using it as a backpack can be usefull in case u need to make a quick dash at the airport or something like that but of course not your daily usage unless u can somehow self modify to make your strap tied firm to the middle ring & with lots of practise .
No internal thin pockets – not true as it does comes with 2 small pockets on the front partition . I think too many pockets will not be good either , maybe user should use small soft casing or pouches to put in their smaller items then into the bag just to be more organised . Maybe the pockets are really a bit too thick for it to bend or collapse in but mine comes with 2 thin pockets – it’s rare , lucky me & i m loving it :)
Flaps over external pockets – yes maybe it will look nicer & more rugged with flaps & antique tie strings just like the Sbl rucksack backpack . But should Dave do it , please dont charge too much for it :)
One hand to handle buckle ? – U mean u carry too many things that u only have one hand to open / close the buckle ? It is a classical rugged bag without velcro , buttons , zips etc… therefore again u need to practise more to do an articulated one hand job of opening / closing the buckle – it’s not that hard if u try , on the other hand i sometimes dont buckle up my front flap for fast n easy of extracting out my personal items from my bag , as the front big flap is heavy enough to maintain a closing position – flap down , so things inside my bag wont fall out even if u walk fast but not run madly or it also wont deter the third hand of a common pick pockets to steal yout items as its not buckled up . So it’s up to u to improvise on how u like to use this wonderful bag . So far it is perfect to me – out of this world man :)

By: Scott K

Scott K — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:18:15 +0000

My wife and I have several of these bags and I agree with much of what forge42 said in his review. I also don’t feel the company misleads anyone with Mexican production of the bags. When you read the intro on the website, it’s pretty clear he worked with a Mexican leather craftsman to design the bag, which strongly suggests their origin.

That being said, I do think quality control can be an issue. I have read reviews of bags that were poorly put together, and we returned a bag that had many issues. Perhaps quality control suffers as the company grows.

Fortunately, customer service is excellent, and we were able to return the bag without a hitch. So my advice is to check the bag over carefully when you receive it to make sure you didn’t get a lemon. The bags we own are practically indestructible.

By: Brandi Hagerman

Brandi Hagerman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:46:44 +0000

I recently purchased one of the large briefcases online and was very disappointed. The leather wasn’t the quality I was expecting (very thin in some places) and there were a couple of loose rivets. Seriously, not worth ~$500. Buyer beware.

By: tollman57

tollman57 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:56:45 +0000

I have owned a medium sized breifbag for several months. I concur completely with Forge42’s review. I add these two tidbits – I am a very frequent flier and this bag holds up well to the rigors of travel. Second, when TSA screener tell you that you have a good looking bag, you have something. Thanks to Dave for making such a great product and kuods to Forge42 for an excellent review.

By: John Lynch

John Lynch — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:43:50 +0000

This bag is made in the traditional Mexican way which is extremely tough. In Mexico quality always comes first as money is hard to find and the people most cognizant of that are the middle and upper class Mexicans. I purchased a rather expensive full grain suit case 34 years ago, it was not fancy hand tooled, looked ruggend yet handsome and after so many years I still get compliments worldwide. I has survived, a flood in my apartment, my son accidentally ran over the damm thing and I overcram things and nothing yet has broken. With time it looks more handsome by the day. I only wish we made this type of quality here in the states.

By: brad

brad — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:10:51 +0000

I have had the medium bag for several months. It is the exact bag pictured in this review.

I have a couple of points:

1. The bag is every bit as awesome as he says.
2. The bag is heavy. Compared to most lightweight briefcases, it is very heavy. But you get what you pay for.
3. I have a white MacBook. The leather DID transfer the “tanning residue” to the laptop and “stained” it. I use a sleeve now, but just a warning.
4. The website is packed with info. If you read any of it at length, it is obvious that the product is made in Mexico.

Buy it….you will love it.