Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[BLNDRWMN]

Thanks for the advice. What kind of sandpaper did you use? I assume you did it by hand?

There's a whole discussion about 257KM earlier in this thread, years ago. @OtterMeanGreen knows the most about it (as usual).

Sorry, I missed your question. I don't recall the sandpaper grade, but it was at the softer end and I just aimed for a gentle scuffing. It was a bit of an experiment for me at the time, seeking just to take off the rougher lumps and spikes, and worked down the strap taking a few swipes, checking and smoothing, taking a few more... I recall having to test the best angle of approach as I went but don't be so gentle as this totes isn't a highly tuned, closely calibrated affair. I wholly suspect that in factories the undersides of bridle leather straps are quickly blasted against sanding belts, and perhaps that particular one didn't get enough time on the scrubber!

As for it getting rougher due to patina, well, wouldn't one expect both straps to patinate equally if they were prepared equally to start with? I've not ever noted increasing roughness in the underside (rough side) of leather over time, and cannot fathom why that might be the case; given useage, especially on a part so highly mobile as a strap, I'd expect smoothing over time as it rubs against the bag. The fact that one strap is relatively smooth underside whilst the other significantly rougher speaks more to unequal manufacturing in my mind than uneven patination.

 

[mgrennier]

Sorry, I missed your question. I don't recall the sandpaper grade, but it was at the softer end and I just aimed for a gentle scuffing. It was a bit of an experiment for me at the time, seeking just to take off the rougher lumps and spikes, and worked down the strap taking a few swipes, checking and smoothing, taking a few more... I recall having to test the best angle of approach as I went but don't be so gentle as this totes isn't a highly tuned, closely calibrated affair. I wholly suspect that in factories the undersides of bridle leather straps are quickly blasted against sanding belts, and perhaps that particular one didn't get enough time on the scrubber!

As for it getting rougher due to patina, well, wouldn't one expect both straps to patinate equally if they were prepared equally to start with? I've not ever noted increasing roughness in the underside (rough side) of leather over time, and cannot fathom why that might be the case; given useage, especially on a part so highly mobile as a strap, I'd expect smoothing over time as it rubs against the bag. The fact that one strap is relatively smooth underside whilst the other significantly rougher speaks more to unequal manufacturing in my mind than uneven patination.

This might be overkill, but I found this video on youtube about this. Whether or not it's a good solution for what you're trying to do or not, I at least learned of a tool that I do not have in my toolbox, which is always interesting to me.

 

[cattraveller]

Hello, I am trying to buy a Filson 258 , the seller said he bought it from Brooks Brothers. Could you tell if the bag is authentic. ? I am seeing some of the Filson bag has a tag with a leather hang tag, this bag just has some tags with plastic hang strap. Thank you.

 

[FilsonDude]

Hello, I am trying to buy a Filson 258 , the seller said he bought it from Brooks Brothers. Could you tell if the bag is authentic. ? I am seeing some of the Filson bag has a tag with a leather hang tag, this bag just has some tags with plastic hang strap. Thank you.

100% Real

 

[BLNDRWMN]

Am having impure thoughts about the Heritage Sportsman Bag, mostly the orange version. I need a campus gym bag to stash in my office and lump over one shoulder whilst I waddle down to the gym and back. (Basically I need to get strong to improve my ultrarunning, but properly hate the gym and all forms of indoor sweat-dripping and weight-waggling, so am now stooping to bribing myself!)

So, if anyone has one they need to offload, I'm ya gal! Does not need to be perfect condition at all... what's a bit o' patina between friends?

 

[mgrennier]

Hello, I am trying to buy a Filson 258 , the seller said he bought it from Brooks Brothers. Could you tell if the bag is authentic. ? I am seeing some of the Filson bag has a tag with a leather hang tag, this bag just has some tags with plastic hang strap. Thank you.

That's legit. That tag is the older style they used to use

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Hello, I am trying to buy a Filson 258 , the seller said he bought it from Brooks Brothers. Could you tell if the bag is authentic. ? I am seeing some of the Filson bag has a tag with a leather hang tag, this bag just has some tags with plastic hang strap. Thank you.

Motto Tag Era looks like. The tag is kinda blurry but it looks to be post 3 digit nomenclature, so that would mean it's a Bedrock era 70258. Not sure if asking the seller for another photo is out of the question, but the little white tag on the interior is a tell-all. If I was forced to guess I'd say it's between an early 2012 to late 2013 build.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

If anyone is a size 40 and in the market for a brand new (with tags) Style 175 Whipcord Cruiser, check this out. Build date era's are between mid to late 1960's to maybe 1980's. @old.timers.closet could probably be more efficient at dating this. Quality like this, and in brand new condition is something that just doesn't exist anymore and is quite the rarity. The price is certainly on the high side, but then again a new modern Single Mack is $495 so realistically it's not much of a premium to pay for such well preserved old world quality.

Filson Vintage Whipcord Cruiser - NWT!! - Size 40 | eBay

Don’t sleep on this one. For sale is a truly exceptional item. It is in perfect condition.

www.ebay.com

Style Tag

Never seen tags like this before, how cool! (on the left)

I just think how lucky I am to have my 1960's Forestry Cruiser. I haven't seen one like it since, with the style and dry clean tags still attached to the immaculate Union Made label.

 

[Coldsnap]

What's the best way to treat some old bridle leather on a Filson bag? The old back I picked up, the leather is pretty dry feeling.

 

[cattraveller]

Motto Tag Era looks like. The tag is kinda blurry but it looks to be post 3 digit nomenclature, so that would mean it's a Bedrock era 70258. Not sure if asking the seller for another photo is out of the question, but the little white tag on the interior is a tell-all. If I was forced to guess I'd say it's between an early 2012 to late 2013 build.

Thank you everyone for replying. I bought the bag, I came with the receipt from Brooks Brother outlet in 1/2021. However, there is no tag inside the bag . Maybe it was a final sale at the outlet and it got removed ? It looked great. It has a 70258 on a Tag

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Thank you everyone for replying. I bought the bag, I came with the receipt from Brooks Brother outlet in 1/2021. However, there is no tag inside the bag . Maybe it was a final sale at the outlet and it got removed ? It looked great. It has a 70258 on a Tag

Awesome!!! Happy to help.

As for the build tag, that’s odd a 70258 with tags still attached, would have the build tag removed. The location of the little white “build tag” in this particular briefcase can be found in the main compartment on the inside of the first pocket. Just for reference sake.

 

[Count de Monet]

What's the best way to treat some old bridle leather on a Filson bag? The old back I picked up, the leather is pretty dry feeling.

Try Bick-4. It won’t darken leather nor be over absorbed. I’ve used it on shoes, leather bags, goat skin jackets. It is a great conditioner.

 

[cattraveller]

Awesome!!! Happy to help.

As for the build tag, that’s odd a 70258 with tags still attached would have them removed. The location of the little white “build tag” in this particular briefcase can be found in the main compartment on the inside of the first pocket. Just for reference sake.

OtterMeanGreen,

Thank you very much for helping again. It is indeed in the first pocket . I am super happy to have this bag.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

OtterMeanGreen,

Thank you very much for helping again. It is indeed in the first pocket . I am super happy to have this bag.

You're most welcome! Delighted to hear that you are happy with your new briefcase, hope it brings you decades worth of passionate service. By the looks of that "Build Tag" I was right in my dating estimation. Build Date is November 2013. You have one of the last Motto Tag 70258's built considering the commencement of the transition to this tag took place in January 2014, when Bedrock Manufacturing started distancing their somewhat newly acquired company (Filson) from the century old company motto. I say somewhat because Bedrock did wait on or about the two year mark before the transition.

 

[Count de Monet]

Ok, it may be dumb to buy something you don’t exactly need because it is half off but what’s done it done. Tan medium field bag.

I’m very curious what some of you use it for, where it excels, or what you found disappointing.

Do you carry it cross body or on your shoulder? Since it has a single hand strap I guess those are the only two possibilities.

It appears many use it as an EDC but my 15” laptop won’t fit (but I guess that’s what my 256 is for). I might try it on day hikes this winter.It should hold an 32oz bottle, jacket snacks, light.

Anyway, all thoughts are welcome and appreciated.