The RACHford Files: Linjer Soft Briefcase TestDrive

Original thread:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/417448/...fficial-affiliate-thread/100_100#post_7405792

Several members requested that I get a look at the Linjer bags before they launched, so over the weekend they let me test drive the soft briefcase in black.

Executive Summary: Stellar bang-for-buck. It’s every bit as good as the pics/discussion imply on their affiliate thread. Sub $500 bag range… it’d be hard to beat.

Intro: In previous threads, I’ve praised some under-the-radar bag brands like Ohba, Graae, or April in Paris. While we all agreed they were beautiful bags, the common question was, “But what if you don’t have $2000 or more to spend on a bag?” I had trouble answering, especially since go-to brands like Lambertson Truex went out of business or personal favorites (like Somes or Figo) were only available in Japan. Linjer seems a great fit for that desperately needed mid-range pricepoint.

What I like: No logos, good leather, simple/minimal design, good lining. Size is not too small to be “purselike” but not so big to be like a suitcase. Sturdy removable strap; the rolled handles have a nice feel to them. Clasps/buckles/handle attachments are sturdy as well. Interior is well designed; I like that it has a (slightly) padded inside spot for a tablet or small laptop.

At this pricepoint, they hit all the right buttons with no obvious drawbacks. Typically, an “affordable” bag will give you decent leather with cut corners everywhere else. Not so here; even the dustbag is nice (a thick white cotton with brown drawstrings).

Longevity/Future wear: Only had it for the weekend, so can’t say how it will wear over time. But, they seem to have picked the right kind of leather/thickness (vege-tanned) to patina/wear nicely the more you use it.

Overall Assessment: Assuming the final product is as good as the sample I test drove, I’d call it a “must buy.” I’m thrilled to see this kind of bag in the USA at this pricepoint.

Price: Retail is $449; Kickstarter launch price is discounted to $359. Quoth Lee Iococca: "If you can find a better car, buy it."

Hi Rach,

Great review, can you please answer some questions:

How does the leather feel, soft & supple or hard?

Is it matte or burnish?

Is it easily scuffed or scratched?

Shapewise, is it billowy or straight?

At $350 I'm getting the dark brown one regardless but would still like to know the answers to those questions

TIA



jorijori said:

(1) How does the leather feel, soft & supple or hard?

(2) Is it matte or burnish?

(3) Is it easily scuffed or scratched?

(4) Shapewise, is it billowy or straight? 

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(1) It's fairly soft, but not supple. However, it's not stiff. Setting it down, it sits up on its own, but you could easily bend it if you really tried.

It appears to be a pretty standard/classic vegetable tanned leather; if you've had a bridle leather belt, it's sort of like that (only not quite as thick). It's relatively light-weight as well so it didn't break my arm when I put a few books/folders/tablet in there.

(2) Matte. It's soft/flat without being shiny.

(3) Since I had a sample, I didn't intentionally scratch it, but I DID bump it around like I'd use it on a typical day. It doesn't scratch too easily. It also has four "feet" on the bottom so it won't get scuffed when you set it on a bare floor.

Typically, IME vegetable tanned stuff is good about hiding scratches, or will buff out with a good leather moisturizer. It definitely does NOT scratch like Box Calf or the softer/shinier leathers.

(4) Definitely not "slouchy" or billowy. When you set it on the floor, it doesn't billow toward the bottom or lose its shape. The leather is also thick enough that when it's full, the handles don't pull on the leather where it flattens out at the center (I don't know if you know what I mean, but some bags with leather handles will "pull" when weighted down with stuff and look really ugly when you carry them).

Thank you for your response, I guess it's crazy not to get it at that price. Do you remember how many metal studs on the bottom, it will be nice to have six studs for more protection.



jorijori said:

Do you remember how many metal studs on the bottom, it will be nice to have six studs for more protection.

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Four.

I disagree re: six; the bag is slim so I think six feet would be overkill. The bottom is pretty thick so even with all my stuff in it the middle portion (where I'd assume you meant to put the two extra feet) never touched the ground.

jorijori said:

I guess it's crazy not to get it at that price.

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I agree. You don't really get that much in a leather bag for $350 these days. Even a plastic/glue Kenneth Cole garbage bag will run you close to $300.

6 is a bit much but I need that cause my office floor is nasty (cracking cement floor). I added extra rubber pads so it won't make screecthing sound.


For $350 you won't get much for designer brands but I was able to get the Brooks England Eton satchel for that much.

So rach....lambertson truex level?



HRoi said:

So rach....lambertson truex level?

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Short answer... YES.

It's certainly better than Coach, better than most of the "major" brands, but definitely not an LV Nomade, Hermes Barenia, or Swaine Adeney Brigg (nor is it meant to be). (full disclosure; Hermes Berenia is oil tanned, not vege... but still).

Longer answer... LT was sort of going for an older/more established clientele and used different kinds of leather (their "flagship" was a softer grained calf than a vege-tanned cowhide), so it's not really a point-for-point comparison. But in terms of quality/simplicity/durability... yes I'd say it meets or exceeds what LT used to offer. Though I always thought their pricing was very fair, LT was also more expensive; their soft briefcases were $695-895.

At this stage I'd say get in early while the prices are still affordable. Using my magic speculative crystal ball... my hunch tells me that in a few years after the line gets more well known it could easily settle into a $595-695-ish retail price.

Rach, it's Mismo.

Off topic, do you put some kind of water protector on your leather bag? My Brooks developed swollen marks (looks like insect bites) when it got rained on, most have disappered but some are still noticeable. Is this normal for vegetable tan?



jorijori said:

Rach, it's Mismo.

Off topic, do you put some kind of water protector on your leather bag?  My Brooks developed swollen marks (looks like insect bites) when it got rained on, most have disappered but some are still noticeable. Is this normal for vegetable tan?

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Mismo is a good comparison, though I think each is distinct enough that you could be a fan/customer of both without much overlap. I did some reviews of Mismo a year or two back, so I definitely like both brands. Mismo is also about twice as expensive.

To your other question, get some Collonil leather protector. Linjer says on their main thread they are developing a line of products, but until they do get the spray can of the Collonil stuff (I think it's called "Colonil Premium Protect"). It's pricey and will stink up your house (so do it outside), but it's great. I also protect it with the matching leather moisturizer.

rach2jlc said:

What I don’t: At this pricepoint, they hit all the right buttons with no obvious drawbacks. Typically, an “affordable” bag will give you decent leather with cut corners everywhere else. Not so here; even the dustbag is nice (a thick white cotton with brown drawstrings).

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Hi Rach, thank you for your review but I'm a bit confused. You mentioned what you don't like about the bag but your actual explanation seemed positive rather than negative. Thanks



rach2jlc said:

Short answer... YES.

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patliean1 said:

Hi Rach, thank you for your review but I'm a bit confused. You mentioned what you don't like about the bag but your actual explanation seemed positive rather than negative. Thanks

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Good point; I went back and edited to avoid confusion. I just meant that at this price point, there is really nothing I don't like about it or any major "OMG!" warning signs that I usually find in affordable/mid-priced bags. At some future point after they get off the ground I DEFINITELY want to see added colors (navy/espresso brown/etc.), but I can't really fault them for not having that at the very start when they are still just a tiny start-up. 90% of their target customers are going to buy black; that's why for the sake of objectivity I test drove that one (though personally I don't tend to use black bags for my own daily wear).

Beyond that, would I prefer big M8 Riri zippers? Sure. Would I like a soft cream colored pigskin lining? Definitely. Would I like leather zipper-pulls reinforced with a thin strip of aluminum? Oh yeah. Would I like the feet attached not just to the bottom but to a separate perpendicular tab in a matched (but thicker) leather with double-reinforced stitching? Ok.

But I'm not going to get that at this price point and don't expect it.

Nice - thanks for the review. I'm 90% sure I'm getting one.

I'm getting the navy if they offer it. Espresso would also be an option. I like the current colors but I already have enough black, brown and cognac bags