Reply With QuoteThere's a few interesting cases and satchels here, and some are in the sale...
http://www.regenttailoring.co.uk/men...gage?limit=all
Might be worth a look?
Steve
I need to replace my briefcase and have been looking for awhile with no success. My current one is now REALLY on its last legs and I can envisage the top handle breaking free in the next few weeks (hanging on by a thread is no overstatement).
I need it to carry around an iPad, wallet, phone and a few A4 files; therefore, it doesn't need to be massive but it does need to be durable and strong.
I'd like a tan/brown leather and want to find a nice hide that will get patina over time.
I like the look of these but the Dunhill has been discontinued for a few years and I'm not sure of the quality of the Jekyll & Hide (feedback from anyone who has one would be great.
And this one, without the naff shoulder strap:
Does anyone have any other online shopping recommendations for durable, leather, document cases?
Thanks in advance
There's a few interesting cases and satchels here, and some are in the sale...
http://www.regenttailoring.co.uk/men...gage?limit=all
Might be worth a look?
Steve
I use one of these on the odd occasion I need to go out, holds a laptop, ipad and a few other things.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Visconti-Vin.../dp/B00481EMFG
Texier, they are excellent.... Even though they are French.
Cheers,
here you go - might be a 'little' expensive but I can vouch that it's a nice case.......& its nice & modern & quite stylish........
http://www.mulberry.com/shop/mens/me...atural-leather
I haven't used a briefcase for years now though & use a Tumi back-pack that ticks all the boxes.........much easier to carry too......
These guys are both supposed to be very good
http://www.htleather.co.uk/category/briefcases
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/Shop/Bags-Briefcases
I don't own either brand but have read great reviews of both. The first link is to a guy in the UK. He has been referred to as the "Toshi" of bags in the past on this forum.
Hidesign. That is all
Gray
I think you should get one of these
or maybe one of these
Not sure where they're for sale though. I "found" mine.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
I have "one" of those.Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne
An old leather school satchel and an old flight case. Love the patina on both but they are not suitable for work.
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.
I had looked at Mulberry, but found them too feminine looking.
Henry Tomkins is an interesting idea but is a little too unrefined.
I've looked at the other suggestions and either colour or style isn't quite right but I do appreciate the input.
I'm probably looking for something that doesn't exist!
I have a Swain Adeney Brigg Westminster 2, which is not dissimilar to the Dunhill you've shown. Nae cheap, but absolutely top quality materials and finishing.
http://www.swaineadeney.co.uk/produc..._dc/index.html
http://www.leathergoods-online.com/the-bridge/
Take a close look at The Bridge range - excellent leatherware - not cheap initially, but last you a lifetime !
Good luck !!
Have a look at www.theleatherbriefcase.co.uk
I got a ruitertassen briefcase from them but they have lots of different makes, models and sizes. Their customer service is excellent.
How about these ones: http://www.htleather.co.uk/category/briefcases
I've always found stuff from The Bridge of a superior quality:
http://www.thetannery.co.uk/c/542/The-Bridge
A huge vote for Henry Tompkins here.
My girlfriend got me this - http://www.htleather.co.uk/briefcases/the-full-monty - for my birthday almost two years ago. It's an abslolutely superb piece of craftsmanship. I looked at a lot of other briefcases before settling on this and it's easily better than any of the designer brands, which are a lot more expensive.
The quality of the leather and the stitching are top class. You can see the attention to detail used when it was being made. I use mine every day and after two years it's in excellent condition and the leather is aging very nicely. It's extremely durable and it still gets admiring comments from people. Henry was a gent to deal with throughout the transaction. There was a small delay due to one of his suppliers letting him down but his comunication to me couldn't have been better. The anaolgy to Toshi is well warranted. Henry's stuff is like a fine pair of shoes from Northampton. I've no doubt I'll still be using it in 20 years.
I would also have a look here.
http://www.tusting.co.uk/leather-bri...-satchels.html
Have bought a couple of items from them over the last couple of years, and have been very impressed with the quality!
I second Ht I bought the slim version, very well made and a great bloke to deal with. I am letting mine slide about in the car and it's ageing great!
http://www.htleather.co.uk/category/briefcases
Last edited by justin44; 30th January 2014 at 19:19.
It's still listed on their web site (in a darker colour), although it appears to be available through shop only. Have you enquired about one?I like the look of these but the Dunhill has been discontinued for a few years and I'm not sure of the quality of the Jekyll & Hide (feedback from anyone who has one would be great.
http://www.dunhill.co.uk/the-shop/le...-document-case
Another vote for Saddleback... so need one of these in my life
cool blog about the bag http://www.hossedia.com/saddleback-leather-briefcase/
Or:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Boys-...item1c34e4a4d8
Cheap, tough, classless, unobtrusive. Had one for 10 years, spent the rest on a watch...
Got one from these guys
http://www.scaramangashop.co.uk/fash...en/cat_21.html
Really good quality - just needs to wear in and supple up...
I have a Texier handbag that must be 20+ years old and its an excellent bit of kit, would recommend them
Also have a Scaramanga satchel, Medium Overlander use it every day for work. Picked it up from Ebay in their sale for I think £19 as it smelt a bit musty. Smell soon went and it takes plenty of abuse
Last edited by LuBee; 30th January 2014 at 20:39.
I'm really after a tan/saddle colour leather that will show patina over time.
Thank you to everyone else for all their suggestions.
I'm not a fan of pockets on the front and want to avoid the satchel look, so that rules out many of the links.
I'll revisit the Henry Tompkins link based on all the praise.
Many thanks for all the advice.
Last edited by AM94; 31st January 2014 at 10:47.
The Henry Tompkins stuff looks great - I like that you can effectively spec what you want - sounds potentially ideal for you
After using various bought messenger bag / satchels on a daily basis, I sketched the case I needed, and talked the design through with a local saddler. Just two weeks later I collected my bespoke leather satchel handmade using the soft buttery leather, brass fittings, and coloured thread I had selected from the selection the saddler offered.
The leather has taken on a lovely patina in the six months I have been using it. The cost was well under the £195 of the Fossil messenger bag I was considering, and I have a lovely bespoke case which is just perfick.
I know you're going to want piccies... I haven't got any yet, but when I take them I can assure you they won't come with the rich leather aroma that hits me every time I open it...!
MW
Ditto.
Henrys a great guy to deal with. If you have a design he doesn't do on his website, he can copy. All the stuff I've had from him is first rate.
My experience approaching HTLeather to create a bespoke bag was nowhere near as good as others have mentioned above so I choose to talk with a local guy who makes leather products for the horse owners - similar to Mike - it was a great success.
For ready made items I would recommend Sage Brown in London. They are good online as well as having shops where you see/feel the items. They do briefcases similar to the one mentioned by the OP. Have a look at http://www.sagebrown.co.uk/index.php...roduct_id=2478
There a lots of other options and I understand they so a bespoke service but I have not tried it.
I have a Tusting. Also take a look at Matt Fothergill.
This has been mine of choice for many years now.
http://www.mulberry.com/shop/mens/me...atural-leather
Absolute bombproof and ageing with dignity
Paul
I got mine from Henry Tompkins as well. His prices are reasonable but his work is stunning.
You can pretty much spec the whole thing yourself. I asked for a dark brown leather, a single divider, gunmetal fittings and a buckle rather than a clasp.
It came out exactly as I hoped and I'm really pleased with it.
After following this thread I visited Custom Leather in Camden Lock today and bought myself a Henry Tomkins briefcase. It's a Full Monty in tan and I couldn't be happier with it.
+1.
I also have a mullberry one which I'm a fan of.
I know this is an old thread but I happened upon it. Anyone revisiting after a current opinion - I bought a ‘Full Monty’ briefcase from Henry Tomkins back in 2017, I still use it today, it has aged beautifully and the make is bombproof. I bought it for around three hundred back in the day - you could easily pay four figures from a bigger name for comparable quality. It’s unbelievably well made and I have every confidence it will outlast my career.
I’m hugely pleased and very impressed with the case.
I bought my wife a Hunting bag to use as a handbag, she loves it and I bought her a ‘large shopper’ to use as a work bag - I’m in the good books again.
The bits we’ve bought have a rustic look and feel and that’s very much what I wanted. Henry is easy to deal with, he’s direct and clear in his comms, really one of the gems of the artisanal community.
I’d recommend Henry today as much as I did five years ago, if not more so.
Perfect timing, as I’ve been looking for a new work bag.
Had a good look at his website and I’ve just ordered one of the ‘full monty’ bags from Henry Tomkins, in black with gunmetal fittings.
I’ll post some pics when it arrives!
The Post Office like a lot of other government departments used to issue some of their staff with black leather briefcases that had no logo on them so as they did not stand out as a thief target. They were plain and did not have a shoulder strap but the quality of the leather and manufacture was really up market. Mine took a daily bashing for 22 years and was still in as good condition at the end as it was when new.
One little perk was that you could keep the case when you left and I still have mine tucked away somewhere and I cannot for the love of me remember who the maker was. I know that they did not come cheap.
If there is ever a case (pun not intended) to buy just once at the top end, a good leather case is it.
Tusting brown leather briefcase slung to the back of a cupboard in March 2020, never to see the light of day again or the hustle and bustle of the daily commute. It was a good servant, so long to you, suits, shirts, ties, shoes, warm & rain coats and fancy pens & pencils.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Pricey but superb quality. I have one from 1989 still going strong.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I was very lucky in that I managed to buy 3 briefcases from RFClark before he retired.
He used to work as a master craftsman for Swaine Adeney. When he retired he made briefcases in his home workshop in a similar style (think Westminster and the Westminster wrap) but upgraded in a few key areas (only used the more expensive British bride butt saddle leather and entirely hand cut and sewn by him). They are truly heirloom quality.
At the time there were was pretty much no one making briefcases of the quality and craftsmanship he offered.
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