Had a Saddleback. Got something better now.

G

gtshin

Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Messages
74
Drooled over SB briefcases for months and researched similar bags until my family thought I was nuts. Finally got one and was happy! For about a month. Then, when the shiny feeling of "Yay! Happy new thing!" wore off, I began to see that the build and material quality did not justify the expense. Particularly the main front panel, which sagged and was rapidly becoming shapeless, and really allowed the whole structure of the piece to collapse. It was just dreck.

I bought the bag used and so didn't feel I could go back to SB and complain. And it was actually in good shape when I started, so I was kind of stuck. But, I've done some leatherwork, so I thought, "Maybe I can fix this..." so I replaced the front panel, but still...there was no escaping the fact that this bag just was not what I dreamed of.

So, I cannibalized the hardware and made my own. If you have a google account, you can see pictures here:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?tab=mq#photos/110670272039084728421/albums/5704237659393912737

Now, I have a briefcase that I'm truly proud to call my own.
 
Glad you are happy, but IMO making a post like this in the maker's own forum lacks class.
 
gtshin said:
I bought the bag used and so didn't feel I could go back to SB and complain.
Click to expand...

Well, isn't that kind of what you are doing here? And then talking about how much better your work is?
Interesting choice for an initial post.
 
I just got a Saddleback Messenger bag a few weeks ago and I have to say it is by far the finest bag I have ever seen. I don't have a google account so I can't look at the bag you have made but I can say that I have to disagree with you on this. Saddleback bags are supposed to lose the shiny new feeling, this is the point where the bag becomes your own and forms its own character.
 
Can you post pictures here. I'm really interested to see how great your work is compared to SBL.
 
Awesome. I'm glad you felt compelled to post that on this forum.

files_troll_2.jpg
 
Believe it or not, I really did not intend to be such a troll. However, I fully understand in retrospect that posting this in what I now understand to be a manufacturer-owned forum to be churlish, to say the least. I truly was just trying to share a genuine, personal experience, and would gladly agree to have this thread moved to whatever forum would be more appropriate.
I apologize for my boorishness, and if I ever figure out how to post pictures, would be glad to entertain critical commentary on my work. This is perhaps how I should have framed it to begin with. However, to avoid giving any further offense, I'll wait to do so until I learn where this discussion is better situated.
 
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I've used my SB large black briefcase every day for almost a year now, it's not even close to being broken in or sagging. It was certainly worth every penny.
 
gtshin said:
Believe it or not, I really did not intend to be such a troll. However, I fully understand in retrospect that posting this in what I now understand to be a manufacturer-owned forum to be churlish, to say the least. I truly was just trying to share a genuine, personal experience, and would gladly agree to have this thread moved to whatever forum would be more appropriate.
I apologize for my boorishness, and if I ever figure out how to post pictures, would be glad to entertain critical commentary on my work. This is perhaps how I should have framed it to begin with. However, to avoid giving any further offense, I'll wait to do so until I learn where this discussion is better situated.
Click to expand...

Everything you ever wanted to know about posting pictures, and then some:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...AL-Displaying-your-photographs-on-BladeForums
 
Emailing a moderator to see if the thread should be moved. Once I hear, I'll post pics as appropriate.
 
Did the whole attachment option for sharing pictures go away? I can't find it in the advanced reply window, as described in bulgron's post.

Anyway, here's a way to view the pictures, without needing a google account:

https://plus.google.com/photos/110670272039084728421/albums/5704237659393912737

I just opened without being logged into google, so it should work for everyone.

You will notice that this is a simpler design than SB's; I found the multiple straps to be unwieldy and largely useless. I also reduced the riveting, relying instead on saddlestitching for all seams and attachments. I'm particularly pleased with the handle. SB uses some kind of plastic insert to give their handle shape, and consequently feels hard; mine has a solid leather core, and then wrapped in the same weight leather as the main body of the case. The result is a firm, lively grip that conforms to the hand.

The interior pocket design is similar, with two main compartments. The rear compartment fits my HP laptop perfectly (14.75"). In the front compartment, I added a few custom touches like specific pockets for an epi-pen, my leatherman Wave, and a dedicated fountain pen holder between the two main interior pouches, but placed slightly lower to protect it from impact.

Finally, my main crticisim of the SB briefcase was the quality of the leather, While I am sure it was the weight they specify, I found it to be far too flaccid to bear the weight of the overall piece without sagging and drooping. I never felt I could carry my laptop in it without extra padding. The leather I used for this piece is ostensibly the same weight (4-5 oz.) but is far sturdier and able to hold its shape. I've been carrying it daily now for two years, and, while it has acquired a rich patina and suffered any number of scratches and bumps, it weathers all such trials without a worry, while protecting anything I carry very safely. In fact, my kids think it's probably bulletproof. Thats one test I'm NOT willing to try, though.:p

My bag is missing some touches: I did not line it, so the interior looks a bit raw. I also did not try to replicate the backpack conversion functionality. I didn't like it in the SB design; it was just never comfortable, and it adds extra pieces of shiny metal which, to my eye disrupt what should be a clean, uncluttered profile.

Ok, so that's my briefcase. I like it. What do you think?
 
gtshin said:
if I ever figure out how to post pictures, would be glad to entertain critical commentary on my work.
Click to expand...

Now you know
 
I say nice bag....and it does look like it's bullet proof....and it also looks very heavy.
That's one project I keep threatening to do, so I've researched quite a bit myself. I bought a bag I liked the looks of on ebay about 4 years ago, with the intention of taking it apart and using it for a pattern for my build. Turned out the bag was too nice to tear apart, so I made a couple mods to make it "mine" and it's good for another 100,000 miles.
I do know if and when I make mine it will not be made from veg tan cow.....here's where I think you're wrong in your assessment of the "quality" leather you used as opposed to SB's. Because your leather is firmer does not make it better "quality" than SB's...it's just different.
Veg tan leather, and chrome tan (just as an example) can be the same thickness but will feel differently, but the "quality" is still there...and both will make fine bags, just take on different shapes in time.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but my point is, you really should be more careful with your wording.
Again, high marks for your craftsmanship.
 
I'm sure gtshin, that everything of yours is much better than anything of ours.. from your "name brand" socks to your dental floss, I can Pretty much guarantee that everything you do own is superior,... your A OK in my book, Champ.........
 
rayban said:
I say nice bag....and it does look like it's bullet proof....and it also looks very heavy...
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here, but my point is, you really should be more careful with your wording.
Again, high marks for your craftsmanship.
Click to expand...

It is heavy, but being a pretty big guy (~250#), it suits me.

Thanks! For both the praise and the good advice. Taking more care with one's words is rarely a wasted effort.

Perhaps a better word in this case would be "character", in that I did not care for the character of the leather SB chose to execute this particular piece. Rather than imply it was low grade, I meant to convey that its lack of firmness as a quality was disappointing.

Thanks for the taking the time to look at my briefcase, as well. I was looking at your work the other day; very fine! So, your opinion, as with any professional assessment, carries an extra weight.
 
Bowxpress said:
I'm sure gtshin, that everything of yours is much better than anything of ours.. from your "name brand" socks to your dental floss, I can Pretty much guarantee that everything you do own is superior,... your A OK in my book, Champ.........
Click to expand...

Well, no, I'm sure not; but does that mean you liked the bag?
 
The lack of rivets along with what seems to be waxed cotton thread make me question the long term durability. It is unlined, which will carry nicer, but if you spill something or have a pen leak you will never get the stain out.I would be worried about the bag buckling when picked up with a very heavy load. That is the advantage to Saddlebacks aluminum bar.
 
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