Leather briefcase- Question

[rickshah]

Hi All,

Long time no see. A question for everyone.

My family recently purchased me a very nice black leather briefcase from Swaine Adeney for my 25th birthday and a new job. I managed to scuff the bag pretty quickly and now am conflicted about whether or not to polish the scuff out.

Part of me thinks I should polish it out. The briefcase is immaculate otherwise and truly functional art...

But another part of me (with a louder voice) is telling me to leave it as is. It is now officially "mine", these things are meant to be used and used regularly, and beyond that, it should be worn and scuffed... what sort of career is one having if they own an immaculate briefcase after years of use?

What say you?

[Alaskan Eagle]

I'm a big fan of making things your own. I hate when I buy something new and it's obvious that it's new. My briefcase has many scuffs and scratches but they just add character.

[Fnord5]

You could also scuff the rest of it to match...

That is part of the reason I don't like black leather.

[SpyvSpy]

Get that thing clean.

[knlgskr]

Suppose it was your shoes instead of your briefcase. Fine leather deserves care as does anything of quality. Why have something of quality if you do not know how to give it the care it deserves. Just think a bovine gave its life and the shirt off its back so you could have a briefcase. Aintcha awed by its sacrifice? Your accessories tell others about you and how you view/think of yourself. Look like a bum and others will think U R A bum. Take care of your briefcase and it will serve you long and well.

Things of quality, beauty, utility are joys forever. End of sermon.

[Hemingway]

I bought a nice leather briefcase from Saddleback leather company, who makes some of the best leather products I've ever seen. I say leave the scuff, gives it character. In fact, I took mine to a tattoo artist last week and got a tattoo of my initials in old english script on the top.

[Doc4]

I'd say polish it out. The briefcase is still new, and should look the part for the next few years. Eventually, the briefcase will take on a "patina of life" from years of use, and at that point all but the largest of wounds should be left alone, when the silent message will be "look, this briefcase has given me decades of good service" rather than "I scratched up my brand new Swayne Adney something nasty."

[KarthVader]

i'd say polish it out. The briefcase is still new, and should look the part for the next few years. Eventually, the briefcase will take on a "patina of life" from years of use, and at that point all but the largest of wounds should be left alone, when the silent message will be "look, this briefcase has given me decades of good service" rather than "i scratched up my brand new swayne adney something nasty."

+1

[Tolduonce]

I'd say polish it out. The briefcase is still new, and should look the part for the next few years. Eventually, the briefcase will take on a "patina of life" from years of use, and at that point all but the largest of wounds should be left alone, when the silent message will be "look, this briefcase has given me decades of good service" rather than "I scratched up my brand new Swayne Adney something nasty."

Before I read this post, I was all set to say "leave the scuff." Now my mind has changed. Make that bad boy look brand new. If you're worried about the whole character thing, here's a little twist you may wanna adopt. Stick with me here. You say you're 25 with a new job? How about being the guy with the perfect leather accessories? The brief case, the shoes, the belt, all pristine. Granted, it is quite a statement and may not be for you, but you can't say you won't be noticed. Oh yeah, perfect shave, but that goes without saying.

[professorchaos]

Polish it out. That scratch will be all you see and detract from your enjoyment.

[DSB]

If you decide to polish it out, I would take it to a good old fashioned cobbler. A good cobbler can work miracles.

[joel]

I bought a nice leather briefcase from Saddleback leather company, who makes some of the best leather products I've ever seen. I say leave the scuff, gives it character. In fact, I took mine to a tattoo artist last week and got a tattoo of my initials in old english script on the top.

Just got one in the mail today... really, quite an impressive piece of craftsmanship. I'll be doing a detailed review - and possibly a comparo. Maybe a B&B Saddleback briefcase...

[Jethro1984]

Battle Scars make it unique and yours. Only polish it out if it really bothers you.

[RoyalKooparillo]

I'd say polish it out. The briefcase is still new, and should look the part for the next few years. Eventually, the briefcase will take on a "patina of life" from years of use, and at that point all but the largest of wounds should be left alone, when the silent message will be "look, this briefcase has given me decades of good service" rather than "I scratched up my brand new Swayne Adney something nasty."

+1. I'm not sure a big scuff on a gorgeous new SAB is in the realm of "aged patina." I'd probably buff that bad boy out.

[strat1117]

There are two schools of thought on this and, of course, they are completely opposite. Personally, I love the battle-worn look of my ten+ year old Coach briefcase. It's never been near any polish. On the other hand, there are many whose opinions I respect, like the senior partner at my firm, who believe that a gentleman's leather briefcase ought to be impeccable and flawless. He keeps his spotless and replaces it every year or two (just when it starts getting good)! :wink:

So do whichever will make you happy. That way, whatever you decide will be the right decision for you.

[Alacrity59]

I am a huge believer in maintaining. On the other side of the coin . . . that maintaining should be subtle . . .nobody should see you dusting little flecks of dust off . . . just keep it looking newish without looking obsessive or making your office smell too much of some fancy wax . . .

Not sure if I'm exactly making my point . . . one more try . . . a good business person is a good steward of assets under their control . . . you do with your stuff what makes good business sense to you. People actually do judge you on this stuff.

Someone in this thread said scratch the rest up to match or somesuch . . I think I kinda get where this came from . . . I have a leather jacket I like that is 25 years old that is a tad worn . . . and looks it . . .

I clean this leather jacket carefully every year . . . apply a nice leather oil . . and try to keep it in shape. . . ok it looks a tad old . . . all our stuff will look vintage like this in time. . . don't rush it. . . OK?

Just my 5 cents on a rant so it turns out.

Good luck

Mike

[Mejnoon]

I'm with the "polish it out" crowd.

There are certain items that can benefit from patina, and certain items that should be kept as pristine as possible...a black leather briefcase is absolutely one of the latter.

[texbilly]

Depends on the style. Can you provide photos? The Wall Street, crisp and shiny leather cases deserve polish. The laid back, loose and casual need to be left alone a bit more....

[whodat]

You gotta find a middle ground. I work around leather-case fiends (attorneys) and by far the best looking leathers are the ones that the owner has meticulously maintained, but used well. Not sure if this is coming across right. A leather case that's been bounced around and used, but all the scuffs have been cleaned up, starts to get a certain look to it -- it's different than the case that's all scuffed up and has never seen the inside of a can of leather polish. Hard to put into words.

Simple answer, clean it up, but don't let the cleaning stop you from continuing to really use your case! :)

[Isaac]

Leave the scratch. I have a Coffee Brown Briefcase and the more it is being broken in, the better it is looking :)

[jazzman]

Just got one in the mail today... really, quite an impressive piece of craftsmanship. I'll be doing a detailed review - and possibly a comparo. Maybe a B&B Saddleback briefcase...

Sign me up!

I'm a big fan of their products.

[Robert Adams]

It's a SAB. I would kill for one of those. Which model is it?

Can you post a pic?

You will be rubbing in leather care to maintain your briefcase - but if it's light brown I wouldn't do anything else. If black or havana then contact the makers and ask for recommended product to refinish.

[Unknownsoldier]

On an item like that I'd say polish it out, on my shooting belt, I have left scuffs on there as they have been done through hours of shooting and made the belt work better (scuffs and rubs have helped loosen the leather up making cartridges slip out in to my hand easily...).. However I agree with the shoe analogy, mine are always bulled to a glass shine, wouldn't have it any other way! :D

Tom

[bwatts]

I think it would give a bad impression you wouldn't turn up to work with scruffy shoes

[rgc]

I voted prior to reading your post, because I am an idiot.

Nice case you got there and I would polish it out. That being said, on a brief bag in belting or the like I would leave the scuff. I do agree though that one should try to take care of it like you do your dress shoes.

[rth97601]

I carry a massive 3-compartment Custom Hide (great briefcase, by the way, handmade in the U.S. and very sturdy), and I wear once-nice plain brown oxfords that have been recently resoled. I rarely polish the shoes, and have let the briefcase be. They look lived-in, and the briefcase at least is gorgeous for the wear.

I happen to be a scholar in the humanities, however (deep in my poor grad student/adjunct instructor period), and a certain amount of shabbiness is accepted (even expected). I certainly wouldn't be carrying this briefcase or wearing these shoes to an office job, but they are appropriate to my various academic positions (and my habits, to be fair).

So ... what look is most appropriate for your position?

[Monkeydad]

Polish it, when it's 10 years old it can have some "character", but take care of it while it is still new.

[DESkydiver]

Scratches and scars will happen, while they contribute to the uniqueness of your article I believe the quality leather products still need to be taken care of. I usually perform an annual conditioning, about every 12 - 14 months with all my leather products. I would use saddle soap or Lexol Leather Cleaner to clean and let dry for 48+ hours, then condition with Lexol Leather Conditioner or mink oil depending on the color; mink oil will typically darken the article.