Discuss Swaine Adeney Brigg cases

[MoosicPa]



Are the Sterling & Burke wallets made by Swaine Adeney brigg?

I understand that SAB doesn't make wallets anymore.  Is that correct?


How do SterlingBurke wallets compare to Peal and Co. for Brooks Brothers?   http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Peal-Co.®-Wallet-with-Coin-Case/814F,default,pd.html


If anyone knows and can help me or direct me to the SAB experts in the forum, much appreciated!

In the past S&B used to retail SAB cases and umbrellas. About 10 years ago I had purchased some items from them. But their business association ended a couple of years ago, so I would say No SAB probably does not manufacture S&B's wallets.

 

[chobochobo]

 

[HoratioNelson]

I thought I'd bump this thread, as I am thinking about buying an attache case from SAB.

Before that, some generic observations about their shop presence in London and customer service (which have been hot topics previously in this thread):

• They are still trading in the Piccadilly Arcade. For some time, there was talk about them opening up a shop on South Audley Street, but that never got off the ground it seems. This is probably a good thing, because they don't need to spend money on huge amounts of retail space.
• Their current shop in the arcade is interesting - when you walk in, it's pretty much all umbrellas, with a few wallets at the back. I had been in about 3 or 4 times to discuss a wallet repair and buy an umbrella (which is great) without realising that there is a basement floor which has all of their leather luggage. It's a shame that the leather goods are downstairs, because there isn't any natural light so you don't get to appreciate the leather colours in all their glory. But it's a decent space.
• While in the shop, I heard the saleswoman take a telephone call from someone who was clearly an online customer. They were unable to provide any assistance from the shop and kept instructing the customer to email enquiries@swaine-adeney... I appreciate that many businesses have separate teams/systems dealing with bricks and mortar and online retail, but for what is a relatively small (and supposedly high end) business, I'd have expected the retail store to be slightly more helpful.
• The staff in the store are nice and competent, but some more so than others. Most of the times I have been in recently, there is a young woman who can't be much older than late 20s and although she is professional and knows the products fairly well, she wasn't aware of one type of attache case (the Carrington, which is on the website but possibly not in store). I find it strange that there are no "old-timers" around who have been with the business for years who know all of the models inside-out.

Anyway, despite the above I am very keen to buy a case from SAB. They are timeless, beautiful pieces. I do worry that the brand/shop may not still be around in 5, 10 or 20 years time (which would mean that they can't easily be serviced or repaired), but that would also mean that I'd miss the chance to buy a new one.

My only hesitation is that attache cases are not only old fashioned looking (in that way that neckties and double cuff shirts are to some), but they would look positively odd for someone working in the City (of London) in their early 30s, but also extremely impractical. For me, I think it would be practical, because I'm a lawyer and carry papers around quite often. In my current bag (a single zip document case), I can't even fit a standard size A4 ring binder. I'm tempted to go with it, as I'm sure even if they look unfashionable now, the attache case will become fashionable at some point in the future once the trend for softer man bags disappears.

 

[clem93]

Apologies for bumping this old thread, but I thought to give a small update since I bought the Pullman carryall from them just this November and there are earlier comments on the change in quality from SAB.

Customer service via email was responsive and helpful in my experience. Don't expect replies in 24 hours, though, it takes at least 2 days to hear from them. Personally the website and correspondence in general could benefit from more reference photos, it would save the customer and customer service time answering basic questions about measurements and what the interior looks like.

I read on this thread that the wait time can be weeks and months, so it was to my surprise that my order was ready in just two weeks.

The leather didn't face any problems absorbing leather balms; I tested with their leather feed and saphir universelle. However I detected some creasing with light use over two days, which caused me a bit of concern. I actually wondered whether it might crack, hence the test with leather balms. The leather quality otherwise is excellent, smooth, thick and rigid, the kind I was expecting with bridle leather. I don't know if the creasing is unusual as this is my first bridle leather item, but an earlier post mentioned creasing only after years of use. Any thoughts on this would be helpful.

The main letdown though is that the glazing looked a little rough (it doesn't approximate the clean, subtle and polished look that many members here have shown on their briefcases), and on the brass hardware I noticed a black smear which looks to me like glazing that had been left there by accident and not cleaned off. Considering how much was paid for a SAB bag this came as a surprise. Not sure if this is usual for a handmade item, or a hint at the reduction in quality.

 

[dieworkwear]

Apologies for bumping this old thread, but I thought to give a small update since I bought the Pullman carryall from them just this November and there are earlier comments on the change in quality from SAB.

Customer service via email was responsive and helpful in my experience. Don't expect replies in 24 hours, though, it takes at least 2 days to hear from them. Personally the website and correspondence in general could benefit from more reference photos, it would save the customer and customer service time answering basic questions about measurements and what the interior looks like.

I read on this thread that the wait time can be weeks and months, so it was to my surprise that my order was ready in just two weeks.

The leather didn't face any problems absorbing leather balms; I tested with their leather feed and saphir universelle. However I detected some creasing with light use over two days, which caused me a bit of concern. I actually wondered whether it might crack, hence the test with leather balms. The leather quality otherwise is excellent, smooth, thick and rigid, the kind I was expecting with bridle leather. I don't know if the creasing is unusual as this is my first bridle leather item, but an earlier post mentioned creasing only after years of use. Any thoughts on this would be helpful.

The main letdown though is that the glazing looked a little rough (it doesn't approximate the clean, subtle and polished look that many members here have shown on their briefcases), and on the brass hardware I noticed a black smear which looks to me like glazing that had been left there by accident and not cleaned off. Considering how much was paid for a SAB bag this came as a surprise. Not sure if this is usual for a handmade item, or a hint at the reduction in quality.

All leathers naturally crease.

 

[RobinMA]

SAB modified Peel attache case, made for Mr. Porter's Kingman Collection....













SAB modifoed it slightly for the Mr. Porter, making it wider in length and width, but retaining the 3" depth of their traditional Peel case:

I could be totally wrong but maybe maybe SAB just took the slim version of their Papworth model and put a SAB label inside?

 

[Leander walker]

I have purchased Swaine briefcases,both 10 years ago and recently be assured there is no difference in quality. They still manufacture some of the best business cases in the world. The traditional styles and colours are a refreshing antidote tontodays "gentlemen" carrying nylon backpacks and messenger bags to the office. Now called 'Swaine London",these products are an investment and always in good taste