Briefcase - good European ones? Customhide equivalent

[rossi]

I'm looking for suggestions for a sturdy and big briefcase, for my polyvalent needs as a student and occasional business internships.
I like the Custom Hide Scholar 3, but I would prefer if there are any European manufacturers in the same price and quality range. So far, there has not really been much talk about this here on SF.
I'm aware it's going to be hard to beat CH price and customizeability (especially with the $ so low on the €)

One of the reasons being, that I would like to actually see and touch something before I buy it. Online is really still too much of a gamble for something that expensive (for a student at least).

 

[rossi]

This is a local Belgian brand that I'll have a look at in the shops. Could you comment on the quality of the leather on the pics?


http://cgi.benl.ebay.be/Ruitertassen...item3a54dc7548

http://www.ruitertassen.be/

 

[JensenH]

Originally Posted by rossi

I'm looking for suggestions for a sturdy and big briefcase, for my polyvalent needs as a student and occasional business internships.
I like the Custom Hide Scholar 3, but I would prefer if there are any European manufacturers in the same price and quality range. So far, there has not really been much talk about this here on SF.
I'm aware it's going to be hard to beat CH price and customizeability (especially with the $ so low on the €)

One of the reasons being, that I would like to actually see and touch something before I buy it. Online is really still too much of a gamble for something that expensive (for a student at least).

Have you considered Gold Pfeil? They are a German firm so you may find stores in Europe that carry them. If not, here's one on Ebay for about $300.


http://cgi.ebay.com/GOLDPFEIL-NEW-WI...item20add9a56d


If you are willing to go up to $550, here's another one

http://cgi.ebay.com/GOLDPFEIL-NEW-BL...item1e576091af

 

[rossi]

Thank you, they are very nice. Do you have good experience with it?

 

[RJman]

HT leather?

MacGregor and Michael

Chapman Bags

There are a few others, but Google these.

\\

 

[JensenH]

Originally Posted by rossi

Thank you, they are very nice. Do you have good experience with it?

Yes, I carry one (brown, triple gussets with laptop lining) daily for about 10 years now. It has held up well so I am very pleased.

 

[comrade]

Originally Posted by rossi

I'm looking for suggestions for a sturdy and big briefcase, for my polyvalent needs as a student and occasional business internships.
I like the Custom Hide Scholar 3, but I would prefer if there are any European manufacturers in the same price and quality range. So far, there has not really been much talk about this here on SF.
I'm aware it's going to be hard to beat CH price and customizeability (especially with the $ so low on the €)

One of the reasons being, that I would like to actually see and touch something before I buy it. Online is really still too much of a gamble for something that expensive (for a student at least).

"Custom Hide Scholar 3" : I have no idea what you are talking about. However, I can recommend
a briefcase from a venerable firm in Firenze :

http://www.ottino.com/

The Best!

I have one of their briefcases which is 25 years old. The lock still works. It has a smaller
case that fits inside or can be used separately. It looks new. Not cheap.

 

[Sterling Gillette]

You might want to have a look at Marstaller (based in Munich) also. Former supplier to the Bavarian Kings.

 

[Dob]

You may wish to also search the thread on MW Traveler started by Srivats. We have both bought one and could not be more pleased with it. It is made of wonderfully tanned horsehide from the same factory that tans the cordovan for Alden and others. The style is very similar to the Custom Hide you mentioned but the quality is much better, I think. I love mine. There are pics on his thread.

 

[radicaldog]

Tanner Krolle? For something cheaper, consider SageBrown.

 

[89826]

+1 for Goldpfeil. Try and find the boiled leather goods. They are awesome and very durable.

 

[Britalian]

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