Saddleback Leather Company (based in Texas, USA)
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I'm a sucker for high quality leather bags. Coach used to make some gorgeous stuff. About a decade ago, I splurged on the most beautiful large burgundy leather duffle-bag I've ever seen – have yet to see anything comparable in quality and size. Even 10 years ago, I paid about $600 for this Coach item. I took this Coach bag with me to London/Paris...it was all I needed for clothes and toiletries.
Today, Coach unfortunately makes trendy, frilly, ugly shit (in my honest opinion). It's really difficult to find the old school leather products -- possibly on ebay but even on ebay you get VERY slim pickins.
I don't own any of this company's (Saddleback's) stuff, but check the website out -- link below. Their stuff looks BEAUTIFUL ! Nowadays, everyone is into roller luggage. Admitted, the stuff made by Saddleback is perhaps inconvenient compared to the roller-luggage everybody's rolling with today. But part of the reason people need the roller crap is because they over-pack to start with. If you pack respectably and light, Saddleback bags (as well as Iron Heart ones) should more than suffice !
Check it out :
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/?icc=adwords0904&gclid=CMyp6vqpkp8CFQZfagod0jpAxQ
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Once more I must concur completely. Saddleback is very nice and Coach now sucks, no other way to put it.
Here is a thread on FT I started on luxury luggage, you should find many nice suggestions in there:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/982758-luxury-luggage.html#post13137876And another on a brand that I call the Vuitton of nylon luggage: Andiamo Valoroso.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/976321-andiamo-going-out-business-look-great-deals.htmlI own several of their pieces and they are plain gorgeous, very practically laid out and built like a tank. Read the thread and you will see which models are interesting and where to buy them at the cheapest prices. Some of the satchels can be had for under $100 now and were more than $300 retail. The stuff is absolutely amazing.
Since you are in San Fran you should check out the Mulholland Brothers shop and report back. The big Longhorn in Latigo Stout leather is something I have been eyeing for a long time. Let's say I got some Ironhearts instead.
Till
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Till, I was waiting for your response. I knew you'd respond ! Thanks for all of your extremely useful suggestions. That Andiamo luggage looks highly durable and classy. There's a rumor that they're going out of business ? I had to google around to find info since the link posted in the article didn't work – but the stuff is being marked down huge ! And as for the Mulholland Brothers shop on Sutter Street (downtown San Francisco), I have "window shopped" there several times. Even from the store window, their stuff looks incredible.
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@shubharamani:
Till, I was waiting for your response. I knew you'd respond ! Thanks for all of your extremely useful suggestions. That Andiamo luggage looks highly durable and classy. There's a rumor that they're going out of business ? I had to google around to find info since the link posted in the article didn't work – but the stuff is being marked down huge ! And as for the Mulholland Brothers shop on Sutter Street (downtown San Francisco), I have "window shopped" there several times. Even from the store window, their stuff looks incredible.
Shubha. Got any links to the marked down stuff? G
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Here's some (gotta look for Andiamo Valoroso – that's the heavy duty line):
http://lazarsluggage.com/anva.html
http://www.luggageguru.com/product.asp?pid=4287&cam=googleprod_product_4287
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The best markdowns are a www.uwantsavings.com .
Check the basement section. Prices are incredible. I ordered several bags from them for me and friends. All arrived quickly and in great shape. Even had an email exchange with the owner-co-founder. Asked him to find some specific models for me. We'll see if he can come up with something.
That Andiamo (daughter of Paragon Pathfinder) is going out of business is not a rumor but a fact. The phones are disconnected already. So even if there are places where the discounts are not quite as high as you'd like you can most likely negotiate more.
If you read the whole thread I linked there are many detailed descriptions that should give you a good idea. There is also a spec sheet of how they are constructed.
The black looks super macho, real secret agent like. Wouldn't that be something for Shuba007? The grey is about the most special color I've seen on luggage. It has a slight blue-green cast and is very extraordinary if you have the subtle eye needed to recognize these things. That means it will totally fly under the radar and look inconspicuous to thieves and luggage screeners and handlers but cognoscenti and people with taste will notice. I bought two black bags and one grey to start with. After I had seen the grey I got only grey bags from them. I had them monogrammed with a silver hotstamp on the leather patch. The leather is beautiful full-grain belting leather by the way. Does the patch on our jeans honor.
The satchel at under $60 (use UWANT10 gift code) is a total no-brainer. It's a single compartment but if you know how to pack it, it does just fine.
Here is a link with packing tips that will turn you guys into master packers. You won't believe how much better this stuff is going to make your travel experience:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1024268-packing-tips-masterthread-includes-how-pack-suit.htmlCheers to all explorers,
Till
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That Saddleback stuff looks quite simply stunning 8). My other half is in love with Mulberry luggage which i must admit will be nowhere no as hard wearing as the Saddle but i can say first hand it does age beautifully and sensual to the touch.
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I know this is an old thread now, but just to let you know I've had the large Saddleback briefcase in Chestnut for a few years and it's great. Very tough, rugged construction, the only downside being the weight. I find I only really want to use mine in the Autumn-Winter months, as the sheer heft of the bag when full is a bit much on the shoulders when just wearing a t-shirt or shirt, despite the excellent shoulder strap.
It's worth checking out their Facebook page, loads of good comments and pictures on there.
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i got the medium briefcase as a dave's deal. use it daily, love it being in my life. the rear has picked up a whole bunch of indigo thanks to being slung over double denim a bunch of times. anyway, i would highly highly recommend one to anyone sitting on the fence. absolutely worth it.
very new, chilling with landon's aldens
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Old thread, just wanted to say that for leather luggage/wallets/goods in general, few things beat Saddleback Leather. The quality of materials, the incredible sturdyness and the classic looks? Amazing. Got a wallet and a Large classic briefcase myself, could not be happier.
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Couldn't agree more, I've got a wallet of theirs, excellant stuff!
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that wallet looks rad. Beuatiful colour.
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Didn't they'd started to do wallets? Great stuff!
I've got a briefcase which gets used pretty much every day. They're a bit rough around the edges compared to some but they're as tough as hell, the real 'Landrovers' of the bag world. This is a photo from a couple of years ago, i'll try and update it soon so you can see how it's evolved.
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This bag Has outlasted , I dont even know how many pieces of luggage (carry on size) & backpacks… I've destroyed them all.. I've had this classic Briefcase for about 7 years now.. Ive put it through complete HELL dragged through 15-20 countries, airports, hotels, motels, villas, lofts, cars, trucks, buses... Rain, sleet, snow... And it has TOTALLY delivered.. Other than the top leather piece that holds the center ring, through which you work the shoulder strap to make it into a backpack, breaking on me, (from the tons of shite I've loaded it with over the years on a daily basis) I've never been happier, and the quality is outstanding...I wish everything I bought was built to last like this..
keychains from daughter, a bottle opener
sneaker hangtags…
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Looks like you've had some serious Adventure Time with it….....ok ill go sit in the corner now
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Hey Blackfrostt, I love the bag, man. I've been looking at their XL briefcase for a while now, but just haven't quite been able to pull the trigger. I'm wondering how much stuff you are able to fit in it? And do you have any trouble carrying it on with most airlines? I prefer traveling light, and I am curious if I could use it as my only luggage for an extended weekend trip. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.
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Looks like you've had some serious Adventure Time with it….....ok ill go sit in the corner now
My nine year old daughter turned me on to Adventure Time and the Regular Show! I actually just finished up watching the complete 1st season of AT on dvd.. BMO is my Fav!
Hey Blackfrostt, I love the bag, man. I've been looking at their XL briefcase for a while now, but just haven't quite been able to pull the trigger. I'm wondering how much stuff you are able to fit in it? And do you have any trouble carrying it on with most airlines? I prefer traveling light, and I am curious if I could use it as my only luggage for an extended weekend trip. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks.
I've used this bag as a carry on for nothing but clothes for awhile (sneakers, socks, underwear, 2-3 T-s, 2-3 shirts, socks, 2 pairs of jeans,a sleep mask, deflated air pillow and my travel throw for sleeping)…. Now it carries all of my electronic crap to work daily (17" MacPro, power supply, Ipad, PS Vita in a case with the cord and games, wireless keyboard, magic trackpad, 1TB Portable drive, sync cords a macally usb/power strip, knifes, my sony a77, 2 lenses, A77 vertical grip, battery chargers,2 surefire flashlights, a book, writing pad, mail,markers,pens)...lol...I'll lay it all out tommorow at work and take a pic..I'm sure theres a few small items Im forgetting...
I've never had an issue with it on airlines as a carry on, Delta,KLM,Emirates, though most of the time I'm sure its VERY much over their weight limits, I pick my ticket counter agents accordingly and turn on the charm..
Traveling Light? You will not have any issues....I usually take the kitchen sink..