I wrote two other reviews that are slightly critical of SB... this one is different. When I first got the briefcase I initially thought it was a 3 star product.... but after using it for a month I'm liking it more and more. I'll do the negatives first:
-The center leather strap is too long. Looks like an elephant trunk. If the bag is not overstuffed you can cinch it up to the very top strap. I think that looks bad. More worrisome is that if the leather stretches there are no more holes to work with.
-The leather scratches too easily. It seems like it is designed to look rugged without putting the work in. After owning it for a month it looks like I've owned it for 4 years. Patina should take work!
-The handle is a little close to the top of the briefcase. Often my knuckles will scrape the metal ring.
-Backpack mode is stupid and uncomfortable. You will look silly.
-Price. I think you are looking at something that cost far less to produce. Dave kind of has the market cornered on this type of product though, so supply and demand kicks in.
Here is what i like about it:
-Quality. This is NOTHING like the Samsonite leather briefcase I carried as a cadet. The leather is much stronger and not as likely to rip.
-Rivets and double stitching. Again it goes back to quality. This is why SB can gouge you on price... no other company makes them like this.
-Color. I've owned products in Tobacco and Dark Coffee Brown. Both are amazing looking. I prefer the tobacco... (interestingly that's what the personality test said I would like). Very laid backprobably wouldn't be the most professional choice. Then again as a laid back guy I don't care :)
-The carry strap is very good. Ask them to include the dog leash style clips. The screw style clips are garbage.
-The large size is perfect for me. I'm 5'10" and 155 lbs. It can hold my lunch, iPad, gym clothes, any documents I need and still have plenty of room leftover.
-The key holder is a nice touch. The first time I've seen one that doesn't look like a cheap afterthought.
-The two drink holders on the outside are very nice. They are awesome for stashing your keys in a pinch.
-The outside newspaper pocket is great for an iPad or magazine, or stuffing in documents without opening the briefcase.
Some common complaints are that the briefcase is too heavy and hard to open. In my daily use I do not find either to be the case. Again I'm a skinny guy with a runner's build and do not find it too heavy. Then again I'm active duty military and workout a decent amount so take that for what it's worth. It's easy to open. The bigger complaint should be the strap length.
I do get complimented on this bag often. Being military usually the compliments are casual insults followed by envious glances. The common one is, "Nice man purse." This will be followed by the guy coming over and checking out the bag, then asking where I got it. Lots of Indiana Jones comments too... so just be ready for that.
I am very happy with my briefcase. I would buy one again if this was stolen (don't steal it, please). Just know some of the downsides going in and you won't be disappointed at all.
If there is a sturdier or more beautifully made leather briefcase out there, I don't know where you'd find it. After owning this for a couple months, I understand the company slogan, "They'll fight over it when you're dead." There is no point in waxing euphorically for paragraph after paragraph of how much I like this case, so let me pick the nits, so to speak.
First, if you carry a small footprint, "road warrior" laptop as I do, then the "medium" size bag I purchased will work for you. However, the larger "desktop replacement" laptops with 17"+ screens and more robust footprints will require the "large" bag, which is an inch or so wider than the "medium." I personally can't imagine needing the "Xtra-large" size, but if you carry a full office-load of stuff when you travel--say a laptop, projector, and portable printer--then maybe the large case would work as a one-bag solution. It should be noted that all Saddleback gear is made with thick leather and sturdy hardware, which translates into pieces that are heavier than your average designer leather accessories, so picking the smallest size briefcase that fits your needs is recommended. The heavier weight is mitigated by the fact you can repurpose the case into a backpack by running the shoulder strap through the "D" ring in the middle of the bag's cover, so lugging it long distances through airports (or wherever) won't wear out your shoulder or pull your arm out of its socket.
The only real quibble I have is that I don't personally like the "pincher" type fasteners that attach the shoulder strap to the bag. I really don't know what I might like better--maybe nothing--but they can get accidently twisted and open involuntarily. I also own two wallets, an iPad case, and some other small accessory pouches made by Saddleback, and all of their gear is equally superb.
Botton line: I cannot recommend a company or line of products more highly than Saddleback.
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This is truly an incredible bag. A buddy of mine got one for completing his PhD and showed it off. I was astounded at the construction, the design and the sheer quality of the Saddleback briefcase. I did some research and went to their website, I think almost daily to discover all I could about them. I purchased the medium Saddleback briefcase and got it in about a week. I was absolutely blown away. I can see why their tag-line is A bag "They'll Fight Over When You're Dead!" I loved the bag so much I ended up buying the Waterbag and an iPad cover a few days later. If there is one negative, it would be that my MacBook Pro (15.4") barely fit. I was able to get it in with a little light squeezing. I bought it for my laptop and and as my briefcase and had a moment of fear when it wouldn't slide in easily. After a week the leather has stretch a bit and, though it still goes in very snuggly, I'm happy.
Do yourself a favor, spend the money on this bag. I have purchased literally a dozen briefcase/messenger bags from $50-$300 (canvas to leather) and this blows them all away. Not only will they fight over this one when I'm dead, it may very well be the last briefcase I ever purchase. Great job Saddleback Leather Co.! You've got a customer for life!
Read Best Reviews of Saddleback Leather Classic Briefcase, Tobacco Brown Here
When you receive this bag it will start a friendship that grows from year to year.
You might become addicted to the quality and buy more of Dave's products like I did.
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And I finally bought it! I love this case -yes, it's big, yes, it's heavy. But I can fit all I want into it. Macbook, iPad, folders, handheld video, and more. I love how solid the bag is, and feel like everything inside is well protected. Best of all, I know it will only become more useful and attractive as it gets broken in!
My high school aged daughter had this bag less than two months and it has completely disintegrated! And of course it is too late to return it. She has been careful with it because she loves the Doctor Who theme and it fit everything she needed for school. It's the most expensive backpack I have purchased and it is a piece of junk!
