Briefcase Appreciation thread

[TamtuB]

Do you prefer normal size or slim size leather briefcases? also, what do you think would be a reasonable price for a briefcase manufactured by artisans in southern Europe and using Vegetable Tanned Italian Leather?

 

[Pierre Alefjord]

Hi,

Does anyone have experience from Moshi leather? Considering buying this one:https://www.moshileatherbag.com/pro...ather-briefcase-laptop-bag-men-s-handbag-nz02

 

[OMEN-Cuoio]

Do you prefer normal size or slim size leather briefcases? also, what do you think would be a reasonable price for a briefcase manufactured by artisans in southern Europe and using Vegetable Tanned Italian Leather?

Well, this is really tough question...
Quality of materials are of course a factor (italian veg tanned leather varies like every other country production as far as quality is concerned), but manifacturing can be ENORMOUSLY different from a certain kind of product to another...
Maybe it's easier to compare practical examples of products you're interested in, IMHO...

 

[Paul902]

Can anyone identify this, or give me an approximate age? I found it today at a thift store after months of looking for something I liked in brown leather. The only distinguishing marks I see on it are "A" on all the zipper pulls, and "SV" on the rivets that hold the handle on.

 

[WilYa]

Overwhelmed by my recent purchase, purely hand-stitched by an artisan from Shanghai

 

[Fanfare]

Can anyone identify this, or give me an approximate age? I found it today at a thift store after months of looking for something I liked in brown leather. The only distinguishing marks I see on it are "A" on all the zipper pulls, and "SV" on the rivets that hold the handle on.

Difficult to say. The lock is off-the-shelf hardware from Amiet, a Swiss locksmith, based on the shape of the keyhole and the bifurcated centre pin. Unfortunately that doesn't necessarily narrow down the timeframe much since Amiet's been manufacturing since 1945.

 

[razl]

It looks fantastic, congrats!

Overwhelmed by my recent purchase, purely hand-stitched by an artisan from Shanghai
View attachment 1105953 View attachment 1105954 View attachment 1105955

 

[Paul902]

Difficult to say. The lock is off-the-shelf hardware from Amiet, a Swiss locksmith, based on the shape of the keyhole and the bifurcated centre pin. Unfortunately that doesn't necessarily narrow down the timeframe much since Amiet's been manufacturing since 1945.

Hi Fanfare, welcome to SF! Thanks for that detail. I googled Amiet and see that style of lock and that they made some briefcases. Do you know if they also made zippers. Mine are branded "A" not the ubiquitous "YKK." Do either of these detail pics tell you anything else?

 

[Fanfare]

Hi Fanfare, welcome to SF! Thanks for that detail. I googled Amiet and see that style of lock and that they made some briefcases. Do you know if they also made zippers. Mine are branded "A" not the ubiquitous "YKK." Do either of these detail pics tell you anything else?

Thanks for the welcome! I'm not sure that Amiet ever made briefcases; I've only ever known them as a foundry: primarily simple locks and other hardware for the leather goods industry. They don't make zippers as far as I know.

A lot of briefcases on the web that are labelled Amiet are, I think, confusing the "Amiet" stamp on the lock escutcheon with the case manufacturer.

It's quite unusual for rivet heads to be stamped, and the insignia likely indicates a custom order, perhaps for a department store? Apart from that, I'm afraid that my guess is as good as yours as to what the stampings might mean.

 

[ErikW]

Overwhelmed by my recent purchase, purely hand-stitched by an artisan from Shanghai
View attachment 1105953 View attachment 1105954 View attachment 1105955

Very nice, where is it from?

 

[WilYa]

Very nice, where is it from?

From a non-pro from Shanghai who initially made the bag for himself but thought it was too heavy (1.4 kg) when it’s done. I was then happy to have it for very little money. The leather and crafts are just unbelievable.

 

[LordCho]

Hello!

I’m super interested in the Lotuff Triumph but can’t decide between the I or II sizes. Does anyone have experience with either? Perhaps a photo of it loaded to see how it changes the overall shape.

I’m leaning towards the I because the silhouette just seems better. Colour I’m eyeing is green as well

 

[sclemmons]

I love the look of the I but my load would fit the II better. If you get the II, it will look better longer. If you overload the I, it will stretch and look like crap compared to the catalog picture. If you don't overload the II, it will collapse to look more like the I over time. If you can swing it, and your load justifies it, get the II. Don't overload the I whatever you do.

Sorry about your wallet.

 

[masayako]

My humble contribution to this great thread.

 

[Equus Leather]

Hi Guys,

The launch of our next film "The Making of an Equus Attache" launches in 5 mins (16:30 UK time) - come and join us for the launch!



This was shot entirely on 16mm film, and on location in our workshops and the foundry where our fittings are cast. Its taken a lot of work, I hope you'll enjoy it. It documents the making of one of our cedar framed attaches you can see here

Charlie