Briefcase Appreciation thread

[fazalmajid]

I would add Chester Mox in Los Angeles to this list.

Definitely, and in that higher price range, April in Paris (which is actually in San Francisco) as well (Mrs. Amblard trained with Hermès).

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Just finished applying some conditioner so I thought I’d share:

 

[Leander walker]

Ghurka Examiner. Fabulous briefcase. Ghurka is still a great American made product with really classic design.

 

[brax]

@Equus Leather
Have you ever run across this issue? This is a Swaine attaché where the spring inside the clasp has apparently broken so the clasp is loose. There is zero structural damage.

 

[Leander walker]

Very unusual to see this on British made products,almost all the companies there use British made fittings,which are top quality. Swaine Adeney would not use the cheaper quality Italian made fittings so this is odd.

 

[SDeacon&Son]

Do you still have the pieces that came loose? I would imagine it would be relatively easy to repair. Strange it happened in the first place, looks like the pin just managed to come loose.

 

[Patek]

I have not used my custom made Simon Baker hand stiched bag for a few years as I work in technology now and let's just say that it is overkill. This thread reminded me that I owned it so I went and dug it up. Lots of wax on the surface of he leather but a quick coat of conditioner and it is looking good again. Definitely the nicest piece of leather that I own (followed by my Himel Bros unlined horsehide jacket). I also conditioned an old Ferragamo hand dyed overnight bag which is nice but can't hold a candle to the Simon Baker bag.

 

[Equus Leather]

@Equus Leather
Have you ever run across this issue? This is a Swaine attaché where the spring inside the clasp has apparently broken so the clasp is loose. There is zero structural damage.
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I haven’t seen it but I have heard of it. I’ve never come across the hasp falling to bits though. Did the axle come out also?
The case should be repairable. If you get in touch with SAB I’d be very surprised if they weren’t able to fix it for you

Ultimately on cases like this it’s the metal parts that are the weakest links and will at some point need repairs, so they should be designed so they can be. The English hardware is very good but not immortal, though I’m guessing this isn’t a very old case??
Charlie

 

[Patek]

You want Appreciation, I'll give you Appreciation. Here is my Simon Baker bag. When I received it in 2012, I promptly sold my SAB as it just couldn't compare. I think I paid $1,000 up-charge to have the whole thing hand stitched (which Simon did a beautiful job on). He insisted on no zippers or lining as those are the things that fail so I did add a small inner bag of pig skin on a lanyard to keep suff like a wallet or passport from falling out.

Overall, this is the thickest and stiffest bag I have handled. I was hoping for some sun today but its raining cats and dogs so you have to deal with unnatural lighting and pictures snapped from my Moto phone (amateur Appreciation?).

 

[oscarthewild]

You want Appreciation, I'll give you Appreciation. Here is my Simon Baker bag. When I received it in 2012, I promptly sold my SAB as it just couldn't compare. I think I paid $1,000 up-charge to have the whole thing hand stitched (which Simon did a beautiful job on). He insisted on no zippers or lining as those are the things that fail so I did add a small inner bag of pig skin on a lanyard to keep suff like a wallet or passport from falling out.

Overall, this is the thickest and stiffest bag I have handled. I was hoping for some sun today but its raining cats and dogs so you have to deal with unnatural lighting and pictures snapped from my Moto phone (amateur Appreciation?).

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Have you considered kangaroo suede or camel for lining? Apparently very durable.
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[Patek]

Have you considered kangaroo suede or camel for lining? Apparently very durable.
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"Had" would be the term here. This was commissioned in 2012. I don't remember the whole conversation and process with Simon but I do remember him being pretty adamant about not linings or zippers. He, of course, would build it how you liked it but he was against it.

 

[SDeacon&Son]

Hi everyone, my name is Sam and I am new to the forum. I wanted to share a couple photos of a briefcase that I made last year in my workshop in the United States. I'll try to keep this short, but I am happy to answer any questions if there is interest. The bag is made out of Wickett & Craig English Bridle and it is fully lined with Alran Chèvre goat skin. As mentioned above in the post about the Simon Baker bag (which is gorgeous BTW), goat skin is a great option for lining as it is super durable and scratch resistant, albeit quite expensive. The bag was hand stitched by me with Fil au Chinois thread. Thanks for looking!

 

[Leander walker]

Wow! Between the incredible Simon baker briefcase and the last one posted with a blue leather lining - what a treat to be hold. Why anyone would carry a backpack or nylon or canvas bag when such beautiful items as these leather briefcases are still made is beyond me. The extra weight of the leather is clearly worth the pleasure of owning and using something so wonderfully made and delightful to behold. And encouraging that such a craft is still alive

 

[brax]

Do you still have the pieces that came loose? I would imagine it would be relatively easy to repair. Strange it happened in the first place, looks like the pin just managed to come loose.

That’s right. But it’s more of a spring than a pin. It pops the latch open and keeps the clasp attached to the hardware plate that popped out and is missing.

 

[brax]

I haven’t seen it but I have heard of it. I’ve never come across the hasp falling to bits though. Did the axle come out also?
The case should be repairable. If you get in touch with SAB I’d be very surprised if they weren’t able to fix it for you

Ultimately on cases like this it’s the metal parts that are the weakest links and will at some point need repairs, so they should be designed so they can be. The English hardware is very good but not immortal, though I’m guessing this isn’t a very old case??
Charlie

Thanks a lot. I appreciate your insight. If I understand the terminology correctly the hasp and spring are both missing. In other words, there is nothing in the cylinder of the clasp.

The bag is about ten years old but doesn’t get much use as it is small and I only use it when carrying a small file or two. I have a cordovan attache that is normal-sized that I use more often based on my usual paper load. And on more informal occasion, I have a Simon Baker case (more later) that I use.

I live in USA. Any ideas of who may be able to fix this on this side of the pond?