Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[Mujib]

If any of y'all are looking for the coveted (discontinued) Field Satchel, I just posted one in like new condition in B&S. Send me offers.

Filson Field Satchel - Black

$800 shipped ConUS Very gently used, probably less than a handful of times. This beautiful briefcase was discontinued by Filson and is now very hard to find, especially in this condition. As many of you know, this briefcase was regularly...

www.styleforum.net

 

[stubbsj20]

Does anyone have an unpadded bridle leather strap that they would be willing to part with? I recently purchased a Talon era 257 that did not come with a strap and is the reason I am looking for one.

 

[mgrennier]

Does anyone have an unpadded bridle leather strap that they would be willing to part with? I recently purchased a Talon era 257 that did not come with a strap and is the reason I am looking for one.

Yes - IM me.

 

[BLNDRWMN]

If any of y'all are looking for the coveted (discontinued) Field Satchel, I just posted one in like new condition in B&S. Send me offers.

Filson Field Satchel - Black

$800 shipped ConUS Very gently used, probably less than a handful of times. This beautiful briefcase was discontinued by Filson and is now very hard to find, especially in this condition. As many of you know, this briefcase was regularly...

www.styleforum.net

Stunning! Which version is this, and what price on it please?

 

[FilsonDude]

Stunning! Which version is this, and what price on it please?

3rd gen Field Satchel

 

[Mujib]

3rd gen Field Satchel

I wasn't aware. What does this mean? Please share some details.

 

[BLNDRWMN]

I wasn't aware. What does this mean? Please share some details.

I found more info since posting. The v1 had one rivet on the clip on the flap, the second version two rivets, and this one you cannot see the rivets at all; I guess that's the slide to pop the latch open. Here's a v1:

And a v2:

 

[qfise]

Anyone selling journeyman 1st gen please let me know!

 

[stubbsj20]

Yes - IM me.

PM/IM sent via chat function.

 

[qfise]

Looks like Filson started making bags outside USA :/

 

[TinMan3]

Looks like Filson started making bags outside USA :/

Yep, tin cloth bags went overseas this year. Journeyman, 24hr and 48 hour duffle. Twill is still us made… for now.

 

[qfise]

I managed to get my hands on one quite rare and popular bag that I have been looking for quite some time now pics coming up soon!

 

[garigo]

Yep, tin cloth bags went overseas this year. Journeyman, 24hr and 48 hour duffle. Twill is still us made… for now.

Do you guys expect the quality to go down because of that? I was waiting for a restock of the journeyman in otter green.

 

[TinMan3]

Do you guys expect the quality to go down because of that? I was waiting for a restock of the journeyman in otter green.

This is totally my opinion and I have not see the imported Journeyman. The overseas made bags and clothing are of excellent quality and very little difference can be see in most cases. The tin cloth pants are an exception. Still not terrible, but they made some concerning changes on those. The bags so far seem to look great.

My concern with overseas manufacturing is that (1) Filson for the first 110 years of its existence was synonymous with quality USA manufacturing. The appeal of Filson was for most of us “high quality, American made, lifetime warranty” and I was ok saving up and paying a lot of something I really wanted. This brings me to my next point (2) the price stayed the same. You’re telling me making these bags overseas didn’t cut the price of manufacturing in half? Granted, that’s probably a difference of like $30 per bag, but still, the perception is that Filson is relying now solely on its brand and potentially the quality to justify the price.

This will almost certainly work out for Filson’s owners in the end, boosting margins and increasing their earnings multiplier, but Filson as many of us knew it is dying. That death was slow at first but now it’s really picking up speed. They’ll keep the plants in Seattle going for at least a while to produce “limited edition” or “archival reissues” for double or triple the price of the other options, the solid, American made, prideful company that was around for a century is quickly turning into LL Bean. I still love the brand, maybe I always will, but it’s not what it was and it will keep going this direction.

 

[TomWambsgans]

This brings me to my next point (2) the price stayed the same. You’re telling me making these bags overseas didn’t cut the price of manufacturing in half? Granted, that’s probably a difference of like $30 per bag, but still, the perception is that Filson is relying now solely on its brand and potentially the quality to justify the price.

This is the part that really bothers me. If Filson wants to make bags overseas, I can understand that. But to keep the prices high (and/or raise them) just screams, "Yes, we're private equity owned. Tough s**t!" And so, I only buy used Filson now. I'm discovering it's more of an adventure this way.