Briefcase Appreciation thread

Anyone?

TheFoo said:

Anyone have experience or perspective on Metier London’s leather bags?

Looking for something more casual than a traditional briefcase that can act as a travel bag and go with me to work/meetings.

This one (the Vagabond) caught my eye:

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No experience with the brand but it's a good-looking bag. I do wish the hardware was brass but that is a personal bias.

Jr Mouse said:

No experience with the brand but it's a good-looking bag. I do wish the hardware was brass but that is a personal bias.

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All the hardware they use is brass.

Doesn’t look like brass in the pictures but good to know

Jr Mouse said:

Doesn’t look like brass in the pictures but good to know

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I believe it is solid brass that is then plated (i.e. it will be silver in color).

A future Fugee briefcase, now I have to survive long enough for it to be made:

What is the quoted wait time?

pasadena man said:

FYI: An old SF review of a Swaine case, and cursory comparison with the Filson satchel:

Briefcase Review -- Swaine Adeney Brigg Short-Strap Westminster (Filson Satchel comparison)

Briefcase Review Swaine Adeney Brigg Short-Strap Westminster (Also, comparison with Filson Satchel) In 2008, I posted on the AAAC forum a comparison review of two classic briefcases, the Swaine Adeney Brigg Westminster Wrap-Round and the Filson Satchel. You can find that review here...

www.styleforum.net

The review comparison is not an apple to apple comparison with Validus' bag, which I believe is vegetable tanned leather. The Filson satchel, discontinued and highly sought after on Ebay, is of bridle leather. Still the Filson is a half strap over (vs. the full strap around on the Clegg) and gives a view of English vs. American approach from someone who has owned both.

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This actually reminded me of my purchase of the Swaine case courtesy of that exact review almost ten years ago, and these are the pictures of roughly a decade of sporadic carry and wear for anyone who is still interested or curious. I have usually employed it as a carry on luggage case during flights, plus some errands where larger papers and documents could not fit into the pockets of my jacket or overcoat.

I would buy a swaine Adeney briefcase like the one pictured,if I were you. I own this briefcase , plus a few others from them. They are now called "Swaine London" ,and under new ownership. The new parent company also owns Cambridge Satchell Co ,maker of nice but lower priced leather goods , all made in the UK. I spoke at length to a manager at Swaine and except for modernizing the store and a few styles , they are committed to manufacturing in England and making top quality briefcases and luggage. Sadly , there are so few of these legacy British companies left that make fine leather goods. Equus and Whitehouse Cox both went out of business in the past year. There really is nothing like these traditional briefcases , for style and for quality

Shanghaining said:

This actually reminded me of my purchase of the Swaine case courtesy of that exact review almost ten years ago, and these are the pictures of roughly a decade of sporadic carry and wear for anyone who is still interested or curious. I have usually employed it as a carry on luggage case during flights, plus some errands where larger papers and documents could not fit into the pockets of my jacket or overcoat.

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Looking very good for a decade on planes. The thing about bridle leather is that it really goes the distance; probably could pass it on to the next generation.

Has anyone compared the Lotuff and the Frank Clegg zip-top briefcases in-hand before? It seems like Clegg has a better reputation, but not sure if it's worth the nearly 70% price increase ($1,250 vs. $740) over the Lotuff.