High End Briefcase Comparo Solo, Saddleback, HLASKA and Mitchell Leather- Part 1 of 3

**pras** · 12-06-2009, 08:27 AM

I don't know if Tusting is a brand that backed out when they heard who the competition is, but I swear by my Tusting Grafton. This bag was a gift when I graduated from lawschool from my wife.

Here is a link:

http://www.tusting.co.uk/Grafton_Lea...Floodlight.asp

Mine is the saddle leather like Joel mentioned earlier. I have never seen anyone else with this bag. The bag is lined with a heavy weight canvas. The middle slot is padded with a velcro closure to protect your laptop. As you can see from the photos on Tusting's website, its got a zipper top.

I have had this bag for 2.5 years and I use it daily. It is starting to develop a rich patina. Hopefully this will develop nicely over the next 30 years. Because it is saddle leather, it is very heavy. If you want to return it to its original look you can wash it with saddle soap.

This is a great bag.

Phil

p.s. I will post some pictures once I get my laptop back from repair. Once I can save up some money, I will be getting a duffle or two from Tusting!

**blackfoot** · 12-06-2009, 08:36 AM

Awesome and great write up! I am very jealous.

**rudy812** · 12-06-2009, 01:40 PM

When I bought my 2005 Vespa PX150 limited Canadian Series, a special USA made, limited Canadian Series Vespa messager bag came with it. I thought this is very cool and have not seen anything like it. It is very well made, very well priced and I very happy to own it and use it, but it did not fully fit my needs. Just about everyone who are into Vespa tell me that I should not use it because it is a collector item. When I find a bag that is better then I will not use it; I like all bags that are mention, but one look at the Saddleback and I am sold. It is nice to know there are high quality products still available that last and are timeless. Just about everytime I find such products, there price range becomes exclusive and over rated. Eventhough the price is high, as long as it reflects quality and workmanship, with acceptable profit margin, I am willing to pay for something that will last my lifetime, otherwise I stick to cheap deposable, one year throw away products.

**SRock** · 12-07-2009, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by blackfoot

Awesome and great write up! I am very jealous.

+1 So many great bags in this review and in the responses! I really do want that Saddleback!

**adamant** · 12-07-2009, 10:56 AM

Just for a comparison, a gallon of milk weighs about 8 pounds.

**On the Edge** · 12-07-2009, 02:49 PM

I'll give ya $5 for the dog...

**Frowzy** · 12-07-2009, 05:38 PM

I liked the Solo Classic MSRP the best. Looks like a college appropriate bag ...for a college budget

**adamant** · 12-08-2009, 11:53 AM

I've been checking 'Dave's deals' at Saddleback leather as often as I can. There are quite a few items up for sale at a pretty big discount! They seem to only have defects that I know I would have made anyway.

EDIT: Ok well there were 2 briefcases when I looked earlier, but they have since been sold!

**joel** · 12-08-2009, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by supershaver

Thanks! I must buy a belt from them. I've never had separate belt buckles. Does that work with business dress clothes? I'd imagine they'd be too large? I don't know. Thanks again.

Yep - works find, you can get SUPER nice/classy belt buckles. I wear mine with a suit and tie all the time.

**Rudy Vey** · 12-08-2009, 04:15 PM

Love that dog!! Got two Wieners myself, the best dogs in the world!

**baldguy** · 12-09-2009, 06:11 PM

Wonderful article! Excellent writing, And great photographs. Thank you Joel.

**Evbo** · 12-09-2009, 07:14 PM

Not to derail this thread, but fwiw ... after looking @ all the goodies on Saddleback's website, I went ahead & ordered myself a new wallet.

It's supposed to show up tomorrow. Can't wait to check it out!

**supershaver** · 12-14-2009, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by joel

Yep - works find, you can get SUPER nice/classy belt buckles. I wear mine with a suit and tie all the time.

If it's not too much trouble, could you post a picture of one that you are talking about? Something that a young person can wear professionally in a hip, urban area like Los Angeles (that's where I am). Thanks.

**supershaver** · 12-14-2009, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Evbo

Not to derail this thread, but fwiw ... after looking @ all the goodies on Saddleback's website, I went ahead & ordered myself a new wallet.

It's supposed to show up tomorrow. Can't wait to check it out!

i was just about to do the same thing, I want that super thin wallet.

**joel** · 12-14-2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by supershaver

If it's not too much trouble, could you post a picture of one that you are talking about? Something that a young person can wear professionally in a hip, urban area like Los Angeles (that's where I am). Thanks.

Google hopi belt buckle or belt buckle and you'll find thousands which will suit all different styles.

**supershaver** · 12-16-2009, 06:10 PM

[sorry for continuing this off-topic; last one!]
Joel, thanks for the beltmaster recommendation. I just got a belt and the quality is fantastic. I think I got it a little too casual, so I may get some fancier ones. Their prices are unbelievable. For the same price as a lame belt from Ross, you can get a Beltmaster that is made of great leather and with infinite styles.

**Thomas More** · 12-17-2009, 06:28 AM

I have a Saddleback bag and it is great. It is worth every penny. Great company too.

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-17-2009, 06:43 PM

The thin briefcase is almost just what I've been looking for. Their other ones were built the way I want, but their design just wasn't "fine" enough for what I was looking for. The thin briefcase is a big leap forward, but it's not quite there yet.

Here is one design issue that I just can't understand - look at the length of the strap that is used to close it. It is way too long. In their own photos, it is so long that it bends outward when set on the floor at what looks like a typical loading. That means that it is going to get ratty looking on the end, and with the heavy leather that they use, it is going to stick out as it takes a "set" from being constantly bent out. That is going to look about as classy as a pocket protector. There is no way that anyone is ever going to stuff one so full that they would need that excess length (even if you did, the section where the grip attaches would be sideways).

What were they thinking??

I think I'll wait until they change that - or until they at least allow a shorter one as a customer request. I really want to buy one, but if I'm going to spend that kind of money, I don't want something that is going to be bugging me for the rest of my life - even such a "little" thing as that.

Please change it, Saddleback!

I wish they would also make the extra D-rings an option - or simply drop them altogether. I want a handsome, rugged, well-made briefcase, not a backpack. On the big original ones, OK - just not the thin one. They're missing the boat a bit on what many of their customers are looking for.

**ada8356** · 12-17-2009, 07:12 PM

C. Colonel -

It might be worth emailing/calling them. If I remember correctly they say they are receptive to some customization... it might just take a while to get your piece.

The changes that you are asking for seem so minor that they most likely could easily (and happily) accommodate.

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-17-2009, 07:59 PM

Thanks, but here's what they have on their FAQ page about that:

Can you make minor changes to my bag?

No. It sounds really easy to have one made without d-rings or with an extra pocket, but it really is a whole lot of work. Please believe me.

I wouldn't mind having to wait for it, but it doesn't like that is an option.