Horsehide leather briefcase from mw-traveler: comments?

I am looking to buy a solid, no frills leather briefcase that I can grow old with. I don't want to spend too much on this briefcase; and I need to purchase this in the next 1 or 2 months. As much as I like the looks of SAB/filson, both are overkill (and overly expensive). I have tried customhide once and while they did a great job, I had to give the bag as a gift to someone else. I want to go higher up in quality this time around. I also feel that Saddleback is overkill and I don't like the looks of their briefcases much (look too rugged for my tastes).

I asked Nick Horween for recommendations and he suggested looking at mw-traveler, who use horween leather (horsehide!) for their briefcases. As you might already know, Horsehide has long been appreciated in the leather jacket community for its toughness and the patina it develops with age. Aero leather jackets (though sometimes badly cut) are a sight to look at.

Does anyone own a briefcase made by these folks? I am extremely close to pulling the trigger on the below briefcase - it look outstandingly well made, with really good leather:

Looks nice, if heavy. Have you checked out the bags from Saddleback Leather?

Originally Posted by imatlas

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Looks nice, if heavy. Have you checked out the bags from Saddleback Leather?

I don't like the looks of saddleback briefcases.

I wrote to mw-travelers and they replied saying that the bag weights about 6lbs empty, which is above what I'd like but not too bad. They also make a non-laptop version that is cheaper and lighter. If I buy, I'll probably go for the laptop one since I hate using laptop sleeves.

I really like the last pic I posted above - seldom do we see full grain leather used on the *inside* of the bags. The bag also comes with a quick-release mechanism with snaps, which I really like:

Personally, I like the bag. Looks durable as hell, and at my size, I could care less about the weight.

Well I've been wondering what the rest of the horse hide gets used for after these boys here buy their cordovan shoes. I like that bag very much. It looks rough & rugged and will only get more beautiful with age. Will they sell you a backup shoulder strap seperately? Because it looks like that bag will out-live at least 1.5 shoulder straps. I'm no bag expert but I like it.

I like the style - it's very similar to my customhide scholar. Quality looks good from the photos so I'd be tempted.

Originally Posted by srivats

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they replied saying that the bag weighs about 6lbs empty

... which is the equivalent of carrying a second laptop. Not a fan.

I would take this over a Saddleback in a heartbeat. Despite the fact that they are a new sponsor and seem to crop up in any briefcase post, I don't think they are very quality bags. I like the appearance of this one very much. Please let us know if you get it....

Thanks for the replies, folks. I am probably going to buy this bag, and I'll post pics here if I do.

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint

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Well I've been wondering what the rest of the horse hide gets used for after these boys here buy their cordovan shoes. I like that bag very much. It looks rough & rugged and will only get more beautiful with age. Will they sell you a backup shoulder strap seperately? Because it looks like that bag will out-live at least 1.5 shoulder straps. I'm no bag expert but I like it.

That is a good point. I have to ask them about that, and I hope they do give a backup shoulder strap. The bag comes with a lifetime warranty, so it should not be a problem I think.

Originally Posted by alliswell

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... which is the equivalent of carrying a second laptop. Not a fan.

6 lbs is a lot, but I won't be carrying the laptop all the time. The regular bag is lighter, but I hate using laptop sleeves so I don't mind the extra weight. I have a ballistic nylon bag now, and while it is durable and is good functionally, it does not get any points for look or style.

Good looking bag. Are there lighter color options?

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

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Good looking bag. Are there lighter color options?

No, color options are this brown and black.

Originally Posted by Dob

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I would take this over a Saddleback in a heartbeat. Despite the fact that they are a new sponsor and seem to crop up in any briefcase post, I don't think they are very quality bags. I like the appearance of this one very much. Please let us know if you get it....

Do you own a Saddleback? I'm just curious on what you're basing your opinion of their quality.

Originally Posted by imatlas

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Do you own a Saddleback? I'm just curious on what you're basing your opinion of their quality.

My personal experience - bought one and returned it for quality issues, got a replacement which also had issues and returned that one as well.

Originally Posted by Dob

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My personal experience - bought one and returned it for quality issues, got a replacement which also had issues and returned that one as well.

That sucks, sounds like a major hassle. Were the issues in the sewing/manufacturing, or with the leather itself?

The former, not the latter. I think the leather actually is good quality (although the corner on one bag did begin expanding and shredding).