Strong Eye Leather briefcases?

[Curated]

In searching for the perfect leather briefcase, I just ran across a small company called "Strong Eye Leather" out of NYC that looks to be making some interesting stuff. They've got a model that's more rugged (ala Saddleback) and a more sleek version (ala not Saddleback).

Does anyone have any experience with these guys? Although not in SAB territory, they aren't cheap and I'd rather not make a big mistake.

Here's a link to the more rugged case called "The Crown": www.strongeyeleather.com/crown



The sleeker case:

 

[Rankiz]

Bump. Intrested in purchasing a custom made briefcase from them.

 

[celery]

I wouldn't be interested in them. At most of their price points I'm a bit surprised to see chrome tanned hide, no finished edges, and no lining.

For $400 you should be getting those things. Construction seems proper, it's just the lack of finishing touches that bother me.

If you're worried about buying a bag for the long haul, you want to make sure the stitching and fittings are done well because those are what will kill your bag over time. If the bag is full grain and is maintained, I can't see it deteriorating.

 

[jtolochko]

I'm not a big fan. The first one looks rugged just for the sake of looking rugged. IMO, it unnecessarily adds weight and complications to what should be a fairly straightforward bag.

For both of them, the lack of a lining is a big turnoff, and the unfinished edges don't help.

Lastly, for bag #2, squared off edges are rarely a good idea. With just a little bit of wear and use, they'll start looking shabby.



Co-Founder
http://www.restrepoleather.com

 

[Curated]

As an FYI, when I was looking for a briefcase and this one crossed my radar, I contacted the developer about the weight of the more rugged looking case. Turns out, it's about 9 lbs — extremely heavy given that the current heavyweight champ, the Saddleback, is 7.5 lbs in a large size.

It also looks like he's got a whole new selection of bags on his site — the rugged one shown above seems to be discontinued (probably due to the increased floor bracing required to store multiple 9 lb bags).

The new model — the John Locke — looks nice though:

 

[Rankiz]

The owner of Strong Eyed Leather have been very responsive and we have exchanged many emails. I'm in the process of getting a custom made briefcase from them. Veg tanned leather and of course finished edges. Their bags are fully hand made and hand stitched. All their products also comes with a lifetime warranty and a cotton storage slipcover.

The whole briefcase is made of Herman Oak steer veg tan leather (front, back, gusset, handle, back newspaper section, straps everything) except the inside divider. For the divider he prefer to use Chrome leather because it's lighter and finish it of with a 10oz bridle bridle strip along the top seem to add support.

Honestly, I don't need a lined bag imo, but I did ask why their bags wasn't lined and here's the response:

"I do not line the bags. The high quality bridle veg tan leather I use is hand finished very smooth stuffed with oils, waxes and tallows. Manufacturers use lining to either hide inside of inferior leather or to make thinner cheaper leather look thick or for "designer"cases and women's handbags. The inside of the case is so fine that it could be mistaken for the outside. Plus this keeps weight down."


I also asked him where he recommended to fasten the rings for attaching the shoulder strap:

Up to about 30 pounds your fine with both top or side gusset. The side gusset will yank on the screw post over time and it will bulge out, probably not break, but will stretch. You don't get that with the top d rings and the way I have literally engineered my handle. And it is far more comfortable if the bag hangs from shoulder like top dees instead of pulling from side like a messenger bag. Its all preference i guess. My primary concern is building a strong case, if it looks good too to my customers as well, that's an added bonus.


So right now the briefcase I want is similar to the one underneath, but with a different handle:

Handle:

And it's going to be in this color: (deep chestnut)

 

[Curated]

DId you get your briefcase yet? Interested to hear your thoughts...

 

[Rankiz]

Will be finished on monday.

 

[aen]



Will be finished on monday.

Waiting with excitement for you to post actually as I'm about to order one I think.

 

[Curated]

Did you receive the case?

 

[Rankiz]

I ended up purchasing a customized John Locke briefcase, so I will create a review thread once I get it.

 

[Doydee]

I ended up purchasing a customized John Locke briefcase, so I will create a review thread once I get it.

I wanna get their Boone 1057 too.
Do you have a partial review already?

 

[Rankiz]



I wanna get their Boone 1057 too.
Do you have a partial review already?

He ships the briefcase today, but shipping time from USA to Norway might take some days. Judging by the picture, I'm very satisfied:

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

What was your total cost for customizing it not including shipping?

Looking forward to pics at receipt.

 

[Doydee]

Quote:

We've have been emailing then they give you free revit reinforcing on stress areas(ala-saddleback).

im still finalizing my customized specs for my planned bag.