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Briefcase Appreciation thread

sclemmons

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What's your guys opinion on the harness belting leather vs the tumbled leather on the Clegg briefcases? Thinking either chocolate or chestnut colour.

Harness is harder. Tumbled is softer.

I recommend you call Frank and talk to him. That is what I did. He put me on to the chocolate shrunken. I did not want something that would waterspot in the rain and the shrunken nailed that requirement. I have the double gusset zip top and it does the job. It might be tight with a 15” computer. I would not want it smaller particularly with the chargers we all carry. The triple gusset is tempting but feels too bulky to me.

You might also look at the new grained goat leather. I have a toilet kit out of this leather and I am tempted to do a larger bag with it. Have you looked at the Frank Clegg Leatherworks folio on Instagram? Check that out and then ask Frank. Or Ian if you can’t get Frank.

You might also speak to a retailer. Bauman’s in Little Rock has several pieces in stock. They are great guys and will be glad to help.

Good luck.
 

Sdig14

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Harness is harder. Tumbled is softer.

I recommend you call Frank and talk to him. That is what I did. He put me on to the chocolate shrunken. I did not want something that would waterspot in the rain and the shrunken nailed that requirement. I have the double gusset zip top and it does the job. It might be tight with a 15” computer. I would not want it smaller particularly with the chargers we all carry. The triple gusset is tempting but feels too bulky to me.

You might also look at the new grained goat leather. I have a toilet kit out of this leather and I am tempted to do a larger bag with it. Have you looked at the Frank Clegg Leatherworks folio on Instagram? Check that out and then ask Frank. Or Ian if you can’t get Frank.

You might also speak to a retailer. Bauman’s in Little Rock has several pieces in stock. They are great guys and will be glad to help.

Good luck.
Thanks for the help!

Yes, I may just have to call them. being in Canada, can't really go to any retailers or anything. I have some leather swatches being sent to me, so I am hoping once I can get them in my hands that will help quite a bit as well.
 

jnorm15

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What's your guys opinion on the harness belting leather vs the tumbled leather on the Clegg briefcases? Thinking either chocolate or chestnut colour.

I much prefer the belting leather to the tumbled leather, but I like my bags to be stiff. YMMV.

Regarding color, I like the chocolate more but chose instead to go with chestnut because I think the quality and beauty of the bag is more pronounced with the lighter color.
 
Last edited:

jnorm15

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Furthermore, I am looking to spend about $1,000 USD maximum on a new leather briefcase that I plan to carry most of my day-to-day items to and from the office, with a laptop sometimes and some papers. I have a larger leather bag with wheels if I am carrying lots of paperwork, so don't need anything crazy big.

Any recommendations for any other brands to check out? Currently leaning Frank Clegg Zip-top. I would like the following:

1. Zipper on the top with good range in order to expand as much as possible.
2. Most likely double gusset.
3. Must have inside compartments for phone, charger, business cards, pens, etc. (most do I feel like?)
4. Don't want any straps or buckles preferably, pretty clean design.
5. has to be big enough to fit a 15" laptop.

You should reach out to @Ian Clegg and he will sort you out. I just ordered a green zip-top from him yesterday.
 

mwh

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Furthermore, I am looking to spend about $1,000 USD maximum on a new leather briefcase that I plan to carry most of my day-to-day items to and from the office, with a laptop sometimes and some papers. I have a larger leather bag with wheels if I am carrying lots of paperwork, so don't need anything crazy big.

Any recommendations for any other brands to check out? Currently leaning Frank Clegg Zip-top. I would like the following:

1. Zipper on the top with good range in order to expand as much as possible.
2. Most likely double gusset.
3. Must have inside compartments for phone, charger, business cards, pens, etc. (most do I feel like?)
4. Don't want any straps or buckles preferably, pretty clean design.
5. has to be big enough to fit a 15" laptop.

The Commuter? I ordered one in black tumbled leather with silver hardware. I thought about getting the zip-top, but to me it seems like the Commuter is sized (approx.) between the single- and double-gusset zip tops. I hope it's perfect for me at least.
 

mwh

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I just received mine today - here's a photo
DH7cQME.jpg
 

Sdig14

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I just received mine today - here's a photo
DH7cQME.jpg
Beauty. Would you mind taking pics of the inside? The ones on the site aren't great.

How long did it take to receive after you placed your order?
 

mwh

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Anything specific you'd like to see? Here's one photo:
8GOj0ZO.jpg


I ordered it November 13th, and it arrived today. So less than four weeks, not too far off Christmas. That's pretty good I think.
 

Sdig14

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That's a solid time frame I would say, given it is holiday season.

That is what I wanted to see, just a good picture of how big the interior pockets are and how much room it looks like it has in the interior. I plan to carry my work laptop, then my phone, a charger, business cards, pens, etc. So looks like it should do the trick.

I tend to carry my small wallet in there too as I don't like having it the pocket of my suit jacket or sport coat when it is on, ha. And some sunglasses, so looks like lots of extra room for EDC items.
 

mwh

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That sounds like what I’ll use it for too. I like the fact that it has one big room, which could also hold a rolled up sweater, or something of a similar size. I thought the bound edge zip-top would be a tad too slim.
 

Sdig14

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That sounds like what I’ll use it for too. I like the fact that it has one big room, which could also hold a rolled up sweater, or something of a similar size. I thought the bound edge zip-top would be a tad too slim.
Yes, this is my deliberation as well, ha.

I thought perhaps the double gusset might be nice to separate laptop on one side and personal items on the other, but can't really tell if it will be too slim on each side or not. First world decisions here, for sure.
 

mwh

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I've read about canvas rain covers that come with some (expensive) briefcases. I have tried looking for photos of such a cover, but haven't found any. Does anyone know what they look like? A photo perhaps?
 

haloitsme

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Hey guys. How would you rate this bags and what would be a reasonable price for each? Quality top notch (I think .. and was told)
Best

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SimonC

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They do look quality - as demonstrated by the use of ostrich inside. They are all a little dated, especially the first and last. That may also constrain values - it depends whether you are buying for yourself or trying to flip for a profit, I would suggest $300 for the first one, $400 for the last one and $5-600 for the middle one. That's strong achievable selling prices, assuming you take better photos and are willing to sit it out for your buyer to come along (and potentially listing at a higher price and accepting an offer a little lower).

I recognise those prices are potentially 20% of what MSRP might have been, but that's the nature of the market for classic briefcases - no-one really needs them any more.
 

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