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Swaine Adeney case colour

medwards

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Originally Posted by AlanC
I believe RJman may have removed his straps for daily use, fwiw.

That would not be a problem; you can just slip them off.
 

RJman

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My ears were burning!

This is slightly off topic but I think it needs to be mentioned. I also would be interested to hear my fellow Swaine Adeney owners' experiences in this regard.

My Brigg flap-over document case began to show excessive wear at the brass buckles. Namely, the buckles connecting the case to the shoulder strap abraded each other to the point where the buckle was very thin. The leather itself seems OK. I've owned the case five years but only used it since entering into wage-slavery three years ago. Since purchase its already expensive purchase price has nearly doubled. I purchased the case because I'm a Bond fan (sigh) and more importantly because I wanted something sturdy and bulletproof-tough. The case has been well used, and I often carry heavy loads in it, but not, I thought, excessively heavy.

I contacted Swaine Adeney about this problem, and they told me to send it back... for a quote on repair. As whenever I have anything to do with them, it costs a hell of a lot of money (and takes a little time), I asked my bottier in Paris if he knew someone. He directed me to a friend of his from his days as a Compagnon du Devoir who now has a boutique in the Marais. The fellow was also surprised at the amount of wear in the buckles and commented that it wasn't usual for this to happen, wondering if the brass used was a cheap alloy. He replaced the buckles within the day and now has my custom for local bespoke leathergoods. Has anyone else had problems with their SAB buckles? Complicating the issue is that SAB can be very peremptory in any matter of customer service.
 

medwards

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Originally Posted by RJman
My Brigg flap-over document case began to show excessive wear at the brass buckles. Namely, the buckles connecting the case to the shoulder strap abraded each other to the point where the buckle was very thin. The leather itself seems OK. I've owned the case five years but only used it since entering into wage-slavery three years ago. Since purchase its already expensive purchase price has nearly doubled. I purchased the case because I'm a Bond fan (sigh) and more importantly because I wanted something sturdy and bulletproof-tough. The case has been well used, and I often carry heavy loads in it, but not, I thought, excessively heavy. I contacted Swaine Adeney about this problem, and they told me to send it back... for a quote on repair. As whenever I have anything to do with them, it costs a hell of a lot of money (and takes a little time), I asked my bottier in Paris if he knew someone. He directed me to a friend of his from his days as a Compagnon du Devoir who now has a boutique in the Marais. The fellow was also surprised at the amount of wear in the buckles and commented that it wasn't usual for this to happen, wondering if the brass used was a cheap alloy. He replaced the buckles within the day and now has my custom for local bespoke leathergoods. Has anyone else had problems with their SAB buckles? Complicating the issue is that SAB can be very peremptory in any matter of customer service.

I have not had that problem. Of course, I've never used the shoulder strap.
smile.gif
I believe we got our cases around the same time. I use my virtually everyday...and while I do not tend to carry heavy items nor reams of legal documents, it has stood up very, very well. My own experience with SAB customer service has been very positive. I'm always a bit surprised to hear reports to the contrary, but inasmuch as such complaints seem rather widespread, it is one aspect of their business that is sorely in need of repair.
 

AlanC

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Originally Posted by RJman
Complicating the issue is that SAB can be very peremptory in any matter of customer service.
Well, a discount retailer really can't be expected to devote much to customer service.
 

RJman

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Originally Posted by AlanC
Well, a discount retailer really can't be expected to devote much to customer service.
??
 

JBZ

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Originally Posted by RJman
My ears were burning!

This is slightly off topic but I think it needs to be mentioned. I also would be interested to hear my fellow Swaine Adeney owners' experiences in this regard.

My Brigg flap-over document case began to show excessive wear at the brass buckles. Namely, the buckles connecting the case to the shoulder strap abraded each other to the point where the buckle was very thin. The leather itself seems OK. I've owned the case five years but only used it since entering into wage-slavery three years ago. Since purchase its already expensive purchase price has nearly doubled. I purchased the case because I'm a Bond fan (sigh) and more importantly because I wanted something sturdy and bulletproof-tough. The case has been well used, and I often carry heavy loads in it, but not, I thought, excessively heavy.

I contacted Swaine Adeney about this problem, and they told me to send it back... for a quote on repair. As whenever I have anything to do with them, it costs a hell of a lot of money (and takes a little time), I asked my bottier in Paris if he knew someone. He directed me to a friend of his from his days as a Compagnon du Devoir who now has a boutique in the Marais. The fellow was also surprised at the amount of wear in the buckles and commented that it wasn't usual for this to happen, wondering if the brass used was a cheap alloy. He replaced the buckles within the day and now has my custom for local bespoke leathergoods. Has anyone else had problems with their SAB buckles? Complicating the issue is that SAB can be very peremptory in any matter of customer service.


See the below link. Only $169 and guaranteed for life.
wink.gif


http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...p&feat=4517-tn
 

kolecho

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Originally Posted by RJman
My ears were burning!

This is slightly off topic but I think it needs to be mentioned. I also would be interested to hear my fellow Swaine Adeney owners' experiences in this regard.

My Brigg flap-over document case began to show excessive wear at the brass buckles. Namely, the buckles connecting the case to the shoulder strap abraded each other to the point where the buckle was very thin. The leather itself seems OK. I've owned the case five years but only used it since entering into wage-slavery three years ago. Since purchase its already expensive purchase price has nearly doubled. I purchased the case because I'm a Bond fan (sigh) and more importantly because I wanted something sturdy and bulletproof-tough. The case has been well used, and I often carry heavy loads in it, but not, I thought, excessively heavy.

I contacted Swaine Adeney about this problem, and they told me to send it back... for a quote on repair. As whenever I have anything to do with them, it costs a hell of a lot of money (and takes a little time), I asked my bottier in Paris if he knew someone. He directed me to a friend of his from his days as a Compagnon du Devoir who now has a boutique in the Marais. The fellow was also surprised at the amount of wear in the buckles and commented that it wasn't usual for this to happen, wondering if the brass used was a cheap alloy. He replaced the buckles within the day and now has my custom for local bespoke leathergoods. Has anyone else had problems with their SAB buckles? Complicating the issue is that SAB can be very peremptory in any matter of customer service.


RJ,

Did you really remove the straps that go around the case? Was it because the straps are cumbersome to use?
 

RJman

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K:
The straps are easily removable -- they are just belts which fit in a few straps around the case. I found that I didn't need them and that they made opening and closing the case a lot more cumbersome, not to mention that constantly buckling and unbuckling the straps made me think I'd wear those out too. The case looks fine without them. However, medwards had the inspired idea of using the straps to clip his Blackberry and other electronics. Pretty clever!
 

kolecho

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I can see how the straps can be a pain to use. Would you recommend getting one without the straps?
 

medwards

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I do not find the straps an inconvenience, but I do not have to open and close this case terribly often throughout the day. (and as RJman notes...I have put them to a bit of extra use
smile.gif
) Just taking the straps off is easy enough. They are just placed through leather loops at the top of the case and in front and in back. However, while the top loops look fine without the accompanying straps, I would think these strips of leather on front and in back would look a bit odd without the straps running through them...so if I were to forego the straps, I would order a different model of case -- one that was made to be strapless.
 

Edward Appleby

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Looking at their site, I noticed that they also do clothing, mainly country stuff. Anyone have any experience?
 

kolecho

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I saw some of their casual jackets. They look well made, and according to the sales guy, they are made in England. They were on good discount the last time I was in the St. James store.
 

kolecho

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Originally Posted by medwards
I do not find the straps an inconvenience, but I do not have to open and close this case terribly often throughout the day. (and as RJman notes...I have put them to a bit of extra use
smile.gif
) Just taking the straps off is easy enough. They are just placed through leather loops at the top of the case and in front and in back. However, while the top loops look fine without the accompanying straps, I would think these strips of leather on front and in back would look a bit odd without the straps running through them...so if I were to forego the straps, I would order a different model of case -- one that was made to be strapless.


I like the look with straps but I like quick access also. Guess it has to look good and be practical as well, at least for me.
 

medwards

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To meet this need, some manufacturers have made cases with straps and buckles, but rather rather than actually having to unbuckle the straps, they snap open and close. I personally find this a bit like cheating...lakin to a pre-made bow-tie.
frown.gif
 

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