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Saddleback Leather THIN Briefcase review?

pauliec

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Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and actually found it by searching for reviews and pictures on the Saddleback briefcases. There is a lot of info out there on their regular briefcase, but I am more interested in the thin one. I've read over the threads here in the past where people were accusing Saddleback of shilling or whatever, and I'm not interested in any drama, frankly -- I'd just like some info on the thin case. I'll be graduating from grad school soon and I thought that might be a nice gift to ask for.

So if any has any impressions, experiences, and/pictures of the thin case, that'd be great. Thanks.
 

david123

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I have one in chestnut. I use it to carry my huge laptop. I think it looks great and it has worn well. It's the right mix between rugged and classy, at least for me (also a grad student). I've seen a couple of the thick ones on campus and to be honest I think they look a bit silly. I had originally planned to get one of those, but for everyday purposes as a briefcase, I'm quite glad that I have the thin one instead. That said, if you want something really formal for the courtroom or whatever, this is probably the wrong choice.
 

pauliec

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Originally Posted by david123
I have one in chestnut. I use it to carry my huge laptop. I think it looks great and it has worn well. It's the right mix between rugged and classy, at least for me (also a grad student). I've seen a couple of the thick ones on campus and to be honest I think they look a bit silly. I had originally planned to get one of those, but for everyday purposes as a briefcase, I'm quite glad that I have the thin one instead. That said, if you want something really formal for the courtroom or whatever, this is probably the wrong choice.

Could you possibly post some pictures? I'll be using it after I graduate, once I enter the workforce (government type stuff). Why do you think it would be the wrong choice for formal settings? Too rugged?
 

intellx

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I have one in chestnut as well and pretty much have the same review. It's flawless in design and I foresee it lasting many years, however if you're looking for something that will last you into a more formal setting aside from casual wear/schooling you may want to op for their briefcase in black. All of their colors, black excluded, scratch rather easily and develop a sort of patina. It's definitely a bag with character and is actually encouraged to be beat up so "each mark on your bag has a story behind it." It sounds decent in theory, but really after awhile you just end up with a scratched looking bag. I love mine to death and can't see myself having anything else purely because of the quality and the weight of it (they are a bit heavy, but I quite like the sturdy feel of it), however I'd purchase another bag entirely for a work environment if I wanted to look crisp and clean.

In terms of space I can fit quite a bit into mine. I generally carry a 15" MBP, charger, book, planner, pens, headphones, iPod, wallet, a few papers and a granola bar or something along those lines with room for more.
 

intellx

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Here are some pictures

img00051201102191552.jpg

img00052201102191552.jpg
 

mktitsworth

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Anybody have any experience with their messenger bag. I've got one I carry at the moment that's canvas, and while I love that it's light and it fits just about everything for me, It's not going to last too terribly much longer. I like the messenger style, and while I can read the dimensions, I have no idea how its capacity compares to my current one. As a grad student as well, I have a similar amount of stuff to carry.
 

Zackb911

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Mudhiker

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Originally Posted by intellx
Here are some pictures

img00051201102191552.jpg

img00052201102191552.jpg


I think a good quick rubdown with some Lexol or other conditioner would diminish the appearance of those scratches.
 

pauliec

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Originally Posted by intellx
Here are some pictures

img00051201102191552.jpg

img00052201102191552.jpg


Hmm, that is quite a bit of scratches. I hadn't considered the black one as I am more of a brown leather kind of guy.
 

Doc4

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Originally Posted by david123
I have one in chestnut. I use it to carry my huge laptop. I think it looks great and it has worn well. It's the right mix between rugged and classy, at least for me (also a grad student). I've seen a couple of the thick ones on campus and to be honest I think they look a bit silly. I had originally planned to get one of those, but for everyday purposes as a briefcase, I'm quite glad that I have the thin one instead. That said, if you want something really formal for the courtroom or whatever, this is probably the wrong choice.

Originally Posted by intellx
I have one in chestnut as well and pretty much have the same review. It's flawless in design and I foresee it lasting many years, however if you're looking for something that will last you into a more formal setting aside from casual wear/schooling you may want to op for their briefcase in black. All of their colors, black excluded, scratch rather easily and develop a sort of patina. It's definitely a bag with character and is actually encouraged to be beat up so "each mark on your bag has a story behind it." It sounds decent in theory, but really after awhile you just end up with a scratched looking bag. I love mine to death and can't see myself having anything else purely because of the quality and the weight of it (they are a bit heavy, but I quite like the sturdy feel of it), however I'd purchase another bag entirely for a work environment if I wanted to look crisp and clean.

In terms of space I can fit quite a bit into mine. I generally carry a 15" MBP, charger, book, planner, pens, headphones, iPod, wallet, a few papers and a granola bar or something along those lines with room for more.


I have the thin tobacco. I don't find it too scratch-prone, at least once I get a couple coats of Obaneuf's on it. But these things have a $h!tload of super-shiny D-rings all over the place, which makes it hard for them to transition well into a formal work environment. Also, the closure/strap is a bit rustic.

That said, otherwise this is a great bag, so if the look is to your liking, go for it.
 

intellx

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The bag has had pretty consistent use for about 2 months now. It's holding up great. I may try to condition the leather to see if the scratches can be improved.
 

wj4

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I have one in chestnut as well and pretty much have the same review. It's flawless in design and I foresee it lasting many years, however if you're looking for something that will last you into a more formal setting aside from casual wear/schooling you may want to op for their briefcase in black. All of their colors, black excluded, scratch rather easily and develop a sort of patina. It's definitely a bag with character and is actually encouraged to be beat up so "each mark on your bag has a story behind it." It sounds decent in theory, but really after awhile you just end up with a scratched looking bag. I love mine to death and can't see myself having anything else purely because of the quality and the weight of it (they are a bit heavy, but I quite like the sturdy feel of it), however I'd purchase another bag entirely for a work environment if I wanted to look crisp and clean.


In terms of space I can fit quite a bit into mine. I generally carry a 15" MBP, charger, book, planner, pens, headphones, iPod, wallet, a few papers and a granola bar or something along those lines with room for more.


Sorry to resurrect the thread. I am semi interested in this item too, and would use it primary to carry around my laptop and such. To fit your 15'' Macbook Pro, did you go with a medium or large? Thanks!
 

MyOtherLife

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Originally Posted by intellx
Here are some pictures
img00051201102191552.jpg
img00052201102191552.jpg

I think a good quick rubdown with some Lexol or other conditioner would diminish the appearance of those scratches.
+1 Some preventative measure suggestions: pay attention to more frequent fingernail clipping and beware the full moon.
 
Last edited:

videocrew

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The vast majority of "government types" are lucky to carry a gym bag to work, much less anything as nice as a Saddleback. I carry my Filson every day, still the nicest bag in the office.
 

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