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

**biomesh** · 12-18-2009, 05:41 AM

They may not customize your specific bag, but they are very open to feedback. You should send your suggestion, just to be heard. The worst they can say is no.

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-18-2009, 05:58 AM

I know that Saddleback says that they do not make changes for orders, but I suspect that if a group of us said we would like to order a batch made a certain way, they would go along with it. I, for one, would gladly pre-pay for a thin briefcase, large size, with the following changes from their regular one:

• Shortened strap, so that it does not extend past the bottom of the bag when buckled in the second hole (as shown on their photo).
• Omit the extra D-ring on the top near the handle.
• Omit the 4 extra D-rings at the bottom.
• Omit the 4 extra D-rings at the top, leaving only the two in the middle that are used for the shoulder strap.

For Saddleback, they would be saving the cost involved in adding 9 different items to the briefcase and that should way more than pay for any logistical inconvenience involved - especially when it is a group of them. Although I like the idea of having a somewhat unique briefcase that way, it would also serve as a nice marketing proto-type for them in case they decided to add that to their product line. I am certain that there is a real market for a high quality briefcase for those who understand what a briefcase is for (and it is not for clipping and hanging a bunch of "stuff" to the outside or wearing as a backpack). Saddleback has the opportunity to build the first real "old school" classic briefcase made in decades. I sure hope they go with it. I will be waiting for it.

Would anybody else be willing to go along with approaching Saddleback with a list of folks who would pre-pay for such a batch order?

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-18-2009, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by biomesh

They may not customize your specific bag, but they are very open to feedback. You should send your suggestion, just to be heard. The worst they can say is no.

I think I will do just that. First though, I want to see what feedback there is from folks here on Badger & Blade. They would be more likely to listen if it came from a group of men who are from their most likely customer base.

**ada8356** · 12-18-2009, 08:29 AM

hmmm, I wonder if that's new?

I could have sworn I had seen something almost the opposite of that (a year or so ago)... oh well.

**diro** · 12-19-2009, 11:02 PM

Saddleback group buy anyone? What kind of discount could we expect for 10-100 of these at once?

**SRock** · 12-19-2009, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by diro

Saddleback group buy anyone? What kind of discount could we expect for 10-100 of these at once?

Actually we already looked into this. Jim put out a feeler poll that ran for some time after the end of this years Carnival.

There wasn't enough interest to get us near the numbers needed for Saddleback to offer a worthwhile discount.

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-20-2009, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by SlagleRock

Actually we already looked into this. Jim put out a feeler poll that ran for some time after the end of this years Carnival.

There wasn't enough interest to get us near the numbers needed for Saddleback to offer a worthwhile discount.

While a discount is always nice, I would be quite happy to just get them to run a batch of thin briefcases with the changes I described previously. What do you think the chance of that might be if we got 10 folks to order a modified thin briefcase?

**rickshah** · 12-22-2009, 11:07 AM

Hey Folks,

Any thoughts on the Filson field satchel?

http://www.filson.com/product/index....=field+satchel

It's definately pretty sharp and from what I understand well made.

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-22-2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by rickshah

Hey Folks,

Any thoughts on the Filson field satchel?

http://www.filson.com/product/index....=field+satchel

It's definately pretty sharp and from what I understand well made.

It looks beautiful, and Filson has a well-deserved reputation for quality. I have a Filson hunting vest and it will outlast me - I'm certain of that.

The only two problems I see with it are:

• Those little locks always seem to stop working after not a lot of use. I doubt there is any way to build something like that so it lasts. If anyone could do it, Filson could, but I am still very leery of it.
• $800. I am quite willing to pay for quality, but that is simply more than I am willing to pay for a briefcase - no matter how well it is made. I just cannot justify that kind of money for a briefcase.

Since I haven't seen any interest from others in getting Saddleback to do a custom batch (at their regular price), it looks like I'm going to have to give up on that idea. I'll continue using the nylon briefcase that I've been using for the past 18 years. If Saddleback comes out with an "old school" version of the thin briefcase like I've described, I'll be ordering one of the first ones out. Until then, I'll use what I have.

**SRock** · 12-22-2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by rickshah

Hey Folks,

Any thoughts on the Filson field satchel?

http://www.filson.com/product/index....=field+satchel

It's definately pretty sharp and from what I understand well made.

It's nice looking but for the cost I'd rather save a few hundred dollars and get the Saddleback.

**The Nid Hog** · 12-22-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by SlagleRock

It's nice looking but for the cost I'd rather save a few hundred dollars and get the Saddleback.

I think that the Saddleback is the way to go. Any aspiring exec would be wise to keep the D-Rings too. If business falls off, they'll be just right for attaching a bedroll.

**SRock** · 12-22-2009, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by The Nid Hog

I think that the Saddleback is the way to go. Any aspiring exec would be wise to keep the D-Rings too. If business falls off, they'll be just right for attaching a bedroll.

**Redig** · 12-23-2009, 07:02 PM

It's not a purse, it's a satchel.

**BobS** · 12-26-2009, 05:04 PM

I am really getting close to pulling the trigger on a Briefcase from Saddleback, but cannot decide between the thin briefcase and the satchel.

Does anyone know if the satchel has has extra padding in one side to protect a laptop?

**insomb** · 12-28-2009, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Confederate Colonel

Since I haven't seen any interest from others in getting Saddleback to do a custom batch (at their regular price), it looks like I'm going to have to give up on that idea. I'll continue using the nylon briefcase that I've been using for the past 18 years. If Saddleback comes out with an "old school" version of the thin briefcase like I've described, I'll be ordering one of the first ones out. Until then, I'll use what I have.

I was interested in getting a custom saddleback too, without the logo and brass hardware. They said they will only do it if the order is (if I remember correctly) 50+. That's a big group buy. I really really like their stuff but the small aspects are enough to keep me from making a purchase.

**Confederate Colonel** · 12-28-2009, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by insomb

I was interested in getting a custom saddleback too, without the logo and brass hardware. They said they will only do it if the order is (if I remember correctly) 50+. That's a big group buy. I really really like their stuff but the small aspects are enough to keep me from making a purchase.

Wow - 50 pieces! In an economy like this, a company selling a high-end luxury item will need to learn pretty fast that flexibility will be the key to staying profitable. Companies could get away with that when times were good, but I suspect they will have to change their ways - and soon. It doesn't make me an expert, but I've been running my own business for just short of 15 years. I have learned that my customers are the best design and marketing team I could ever hope for. I hope Saddleback learns that lesson before they get left behind. As you said, they have it almost right. Unfortunately, when you're talking about a high-dollar luxury item, "almost" isn't good enough - especially when the manufacturing cost would actually be less for the customer-requested design. Apparently there are plenty enough people who like what they have to offer now enough to buy it as-is, but I suspect that a high percentage of them would have preferred something just a bit different. There is probably a much larger number of would-be customers for whom that small design issue made the difference between buy and don't buy. I know that I'm one of them. What they sell is a rather specialized item, and at some point, rising market saturation will cross declining economy, and they will need to do something to win those "would have bought" potential customers.

I'm not holding my breath for a change, but I'm not going to buy their current design.

**burnwood** · 12-29-2009, 09:26 AM

I said to wife "Look at..." she stopped me with a "NO" before I could finish. Yep I have 0 need for a briefcase but that Saddleback is gorgeous.

**SRock** · 12-29-2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by burnwood

I said to wife "Look at..." she stopped me with a "NO" before I could finish. Yep I have 0 need for a briefcase but that Saddleback is gorgeous.

Look at it this way, at least your wife knows you very well!

**Crouse229** · 12-30-2009, 01:29 PM

Being from Texas I'm kind of partial to Texan stuff. King Ranch is a big brand down here, but I was curious as to how they stacked up in the leather goods department with these other folks. Anyone had experience with King Ranch leather goods from their Saddle Shop?

http://www.krsaddleshop.com/briefcas...ction/showall/

**BobS** · 12-31-2009, 09:23 AM

I am still hot for a Saddleback but the King Ranch briefcases do look pretty nice. I wish that they told more about the construction and showed the inside.