Got the V2 of this bag, larger size, same color a couple years back. Chosen in no small part to the reviews of you and others on here. It's been solid. I have zero regrets getting it. I'm still largely working from home, so it doesn't get the sort of use I anticipated it would, but it comes with me any time I go to work, fly, or ride a train or bus. I get more complements for the bag than anything else I own. It's genuinely sharp looking. If anyone is on the fence, don't be. It's worth every penny.
I ordered this very bag in Large exactly three years ago right on the verge of them introducing the 2.0 Version, based solely on your honest and insightful review. Then I upgraded my order to the 2.0 and really couldn't be happier. Like you always say there is a sense of engineering in its design that makes it outstanding, professional, practical and so beautiful.
I'd been lusting after the Heirloom 2 for four years after watching your earlier review. I finally gave in and my bag arrived three months ago. I asked them to use the "Jim Crane aging technique" and they produced it in a beautiful "aged natural" finish. And yes, it still comes with the personalized metal dog tag. After yet another of your videos, I spent several times a day over the next month rolling, bending, kneading, folding, prodding, rubbing, and poking the leather to break it in -- a process akin to breaking in a new baseball glove. The leather gradually morphed from near-plywood stiffness, to bendable, and finally to flexible. This is a heavy duty yet beautiful bag that will far outlast me. The attention to detail is second to none. The only thing I'd do differently is get it in medium instead of small.
I ordered this exact bag about seven years ago, largely based on your initial review and could not be happier. I also recently purchased the same bag in size small but had them add the extra layer of internal leather 'padding', which is normally only offered on the 2nd Generation Heirloom Messenger. For my 2022 bag I stuck with the 1st Gen design because I don't like the double buckle closure or the redesigned carry handle on the 2nd Gen bag. In my opinion, one of the best features of the 1st Gen bag was having the carrying handle attached to the body of the bag, rather than the top flap as in the 2nd Gen. This allows you to move the bag around without having to fully latch the flap. It has been interesting comparing the minor updates between my seven-year-old 1st Gen bag and the 2022 1st Gen Bag. On the 2022 bag they now make the entire internals from a lighter-colored veg tan leather and the pen holders and glasses pocket are constructed of a thinner, more pliable leather, which makes pen retrieval a bit easier. Also, one of the two cell phone pockets is deeper, which I've found is perfect for a checkbook or larger cell phone. Other than that, not much has changed from their original design. Two words of warning to anyone considering purchasing this bag in the tan color. While the dark reddish brown is absolutely stunning, the waxes and oils used to get this color can sometimes transfer to lighter-colored clothing, leather jackets, and documents carried inside the bag. I have a leather jacket which now has a slightly discolored strap mark from carrying the bag, cross-body. Also, I've had some papers and magazines that have wicked-up small oil spots from the leather. Nothing a document protector can't solve though. I will continue carrying these bags for the rest of my life. I've lost count how many people go out of their way to stop me out in public and ask about the bag. It really is a stunning piece!
Thanks Greg, I loved reading your comments and observations. Thanks for sharing the differences between the two generations of this bag. I'm sure your comments will help others when making their purchase decision! Thanks for being a long time subscriber!
Good question, they are two different animals all together. The Diamond Creek Satchel is the Hummer of leather bags, though as nails, indestructible, heavy and thick leather all hand made and hand stitched using the durable saddle stitch. The Heirloom Messenger Bag is a Cadillac, smart, well balanced, feature rich, flawless in construction and appearance. I love both bags and will never depart with either. I hope this helps you!
I’m calling bullshit. You say ‘I’m hard on my bags’ and you have used this a lot over 8 years lol… - The handle has no darkening simply from oils on you hands - The shoulder strap no discoloration to suede- BS - You said you just put the bag down anywhere and there’s absolutely no way that the bottom of that bag after four years of heavy use looks like that more BS So, thanks for the completely dishonest review.
Thanks, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. Being in the medical field working with patients all day, I wash my hands about 50 times each day, so my hands aren't oily or dirty, but actually rather dry. The last thing I do before I leave the clinic each day, is wash my hands, then I pick up my bag and head for the car. Which is why most of the handles on my bags are not blackened. I usually wear a leather jacket or I have my lab coat on, and they are always clean and well taken care of, so the shoulder straps on my bags don't collect oils or discolor very much although they get quite soft and broken in, and I don't carry my bags on my bear shoulders ever. As for the bottom of the bag, there are lots of scratches and dings, but I do condition the bottom of this bag on a regular basis. The leather used on this bag is very tight grained and does not lend itself to deep scratches, and the conditioner I use camouflages the scratches very well. If you watch some of my other long term updates, you'll see the bags made from softer leather,s such as Horween Leather, you'll see the bottoms, despite my conditioning, are very well scratched almost to a velvety look and feel. It really depends on the hardness of the top grain that determines how much scratching you will get. I certainly wouldn't doubt if I were in construction or a cowboy, or a traveling sales rep. my bags probably wouldn't look as good as they do.
Got the V2 of this bag, larger size, same color a couple years back. Chosen in no small part to the reviews of you and others on here. It's been solid. I have zero regrets getting it. I'm still largely working from home, so it doesn't get the sort of use I anticipated it would, but it comes with me any time I go to work, fly, or ride a train or bus. I get more complements for the bag than anything else I own. It's genuinely sharp looking.
If anyone is on the fence, don't be. It's worth every penny.
I ordered this very bag in Large exactly three years ago right on the verge of them introducing the 2.0 Version, based solely on your honest and insightful review. Then I upgraded my order to the 2.0 and really couldn't be happier. Like you always say there is a sense of engineering in its design that makes it outstanding, professional, practical and so beautiful.
I couldn’t agree more Ali! Thanks for the comment!
I'd been lusting after the Heirloom 2 for four years after watching your earlier review. I finally gave in and my bag arrived three months ago. I asked them to use the "Jim Crane aging technique" and they produced it in a beautiful "aged natural" finish. And yes, it still comes with the personalized metal dog tag.
After yet another of your videos, I spent several times a day over the next month rolling, bending, kneading, folding, prodding, rubbing, and poking the leather to break it in -- a process akin to breaking in a new baseball glove. The leather gradually morphed from near-plywood stiffness, to bendable, and finally to flexible.
This is a heavy duty yet beautiful bag that will far outlast me. The attention to detail is second to none. The only thing I'd do differently is get it in medium instead of small.
Kenneth, thanks for your comments, and I'm pretty sure you will get decades of use from this top shelf messenger bag. Best Wishes! Jim
I ordered this exact bag about seven years ago, largely based on your initial review and could not be happier. I also recently purchased the same bag in size small but had them add the extra layer of internal leather 'padding', which is normally only offered on the 2nd Generation Heirloom Messenger. For my 2022 bag I stuck with the 1st Gen design because I don't like the double buckle closure or the redesigned carry handle on the 2nd Gen bag. In my opinion, one of the best features of the 1st Gen bag was having the carrying handle attached to the body of the bag, rather than the top flap as in the 2nd Gen. This allows you to move the bag around without having to fully latch the flap. It has been interesting comparing the minor updates between my seven-year-old 1st Gen bag and the 2022 1st Gen Bag. On the 2022 bag they now make the entire internals from a lighter-colored veg tan leather and the pen holders and glasses pocket are constructed of a thinner, more pliable leather, which makes pen retrieval a bit easier. Also, one of the two cell phone pockets is deeper, which I've found is perfect for a checkbook or larger cell phone. Other than that, not much has changed from their original design. Two words of warning to anyone considering purchasing this bag in the tan color. While the dark reddish brown is absolutely stunning, the waxes and oils used to get this color can sometimes transfer to lighter-colored clothing, leather jackets, and documents carried inside the bag. I have a leather jacket which now has a slightly discolored strap mark from carrying the bag, cross-body. Also, I've had some papers and magazines that have wicked-up small oil spots from the leather. Nothing a document protector can't solve though. I will continue carrying these bags for the rest of my life. I've lost count how many people go out of their way to stop me out in public and ask about the bag. It really is a stunning piece!
Thanks Greg, I loved reading your comments and observations. Thanks for sharing the differences between the two generations of this bag. I'm sure your comments will help others when making their purchase decision! Thanks for being a long time subscriber!
i just ordered messenger 2 natural because of your reviews; Ken did ask what I wanted on the tag. I chose color based on your briefcase review.
I ordered the heirloom messenger 2, excited to get mine.
I just found your last update two days ago! What timing for an update!
I wish i own this bag
Thx
Hey guys! Place a comment on how you feel about the journey awesome Moose bag and don't forget to like the video because it deserves it! Cheers!!
Always appreciate your reviews, James. If you had to choose between this or the Gfeller bag, which would you choose?
Good question, they are two different animals all together. The Diamond Creek Satchel is the Hummer of leather bags, though as nails, indestructible, heavy and thick leather all hand made and hand stitched using the durable saddle stitch. The Heirloom Messenger Bag is a Cadillac, smart, well balanced, feature rich, flawless in construction and appearance. I love both bags and will never depart with either. I hope this helps you!
@@JamesCrane Thanks for your quick response, James. We think alike. I also own both! :)
Thoughts on this vs the V2?
Nice review! How heavy is it?
Thank you, this bag is approximately 3.5 pounds empty.
Also if you don’t mind me asking, where did you get the leather strap for your new Apple Watch? That’s the newest Apple Watch, correct?
Yes Tanvir, it is an Apple Watch Ultra and the strap is from Amazon the seller is "sansui"
What’s your thought on the size. Do you ever wish it were smaller? Is this the medium?
Doug, there are certainly times I wish I had a small version of this bag to use.
I’m calling bullshit. You say ‘I’m hard on my bags’ and you have used this a lot over 8 years lol…
- The handle has no darkening simply from oils on you hands
- The shoulder strap no discoloration to suede- BS
- You said you just put the bag down anywhere and there’s absolutely no way that the bottom of that bag after four years of heavy use looks like that more BS
So, thanks for the completely dishonest review.
Thanks, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. Being in the medical field working with patients all day, I wash my hands about 50 times each day, so my hands aren't oily or dirty, but actually rather dry. The last thing I do before I leave the clinic each day, is wash my hands, then I pick up my bag and head for the car. Which is why most of the handles on my bags are not blackened. I usually wear a leather jacket or I have my lab coat on, and they are always clean and well taken care of, so the shoulder straps on my bags don't collect oils or discolor very much although they get quite soft and broken in, and I don't carry my bags on my bear shoulders ever. As for the bottom of the bag, there are lots of scratches and dings, but I do condition the bottom of this bag on a regular basis. The leather used on this bag is very tight grained and does not lend itself to deep scratches, and the conditioner I use camouflages the scratches very well. If you watch some of my other long term updates, you'll see the bags made from softer leather,s such as Horween Leather, you'll see the bottoms, despite my conditioning, are very well scratched almost to a velvety look and feel. It really depends on the hardness of the top grain that determines how much scratching you will get. I certainly wouldn't doubt if I were in construction or a cowboy, or a traveling sales rep. my bags probably wouldn't look as good as they do.