I must check your website out because I love those. I've been looking for these type of suitcases but in mix with steamer trunk type for travelling and maybe with the wheel and puller or what you call them. It is Beautiful!
Why don't you reinforce those handles by using thin laminated braided stainless steel as piping to the leather? You get that worn look of a leather handle without all the stretching and tearing. It's not really cheating because that handle attachment is already leather versus the square ring. And the square ring's not budging.
I was in mediation with the managing partner of my firm and I noticed that the side of his square, hard leather briefcase and had blown out. And I almost recommended that he get a SBL briefcase, but I realized he prefers the square-type that opens like a suitcase rather than the softer briefcases that open from the top. Then I thought, "What SBL needs is a square briefcase sorta like one of their miniature luggage suitcases...."
Will the medium and small make its way back or is it just the large from now on.....also for the love of God keep it around long enough for me to get it this Xmas 🙏
These suitcases are some of the most beautiful leather products I have ever seen! I BADLY want a pair but after watching this video and the other reviews on youtube (about a dozen times) and reading the comments I have the following questions / comments / concerns: 1) The previous design had "roller buckles" that make closing a suitcase easier. It looks like Dave did away with the rollers on this design. The current buckle is like the one on my Thin Briefcase and on my Waterbag which is my only complaint about both of these products. The curve of this type of buckle often "hangs" when I'm trying to open or close them. Rollers seem like an obvious need on this design to make it easier to open and close. 2) I don't understand the hole design on the side straps. I would expect that I would want to slide my duster (coat), umbrellas, and jackets against the side of the suitcase and be able to "cinch" them down against the sides of the bag to make them easier to carry together. Or I may want to slide a rope under the straps to hold the suitcase onto the top of a vehicle. It appears you can't do that with this design because the holes start where the straps are at their tightest. Why not put holes all over the last two feet of the straps so you have some "play" to accommodate items between the suitcase and the straps? 3) Would love the option to have you add a monogram. I am fine if I can't return it if I have it monogramed but this just seems like such an obvious add-on. Perhaps add a spot you can cut out if the monogram needs to be removed like Tumi does. 4) I absolutely agree with your comments about wheels. I use a luggage carrier wheels would be an abomination on an item this beautiful. The leather work and rivet design are just BEAUTIFUL also I love the way you sculpted the handle. I travel a lot and would LOVE to add a couple of these to my luggage. Big Fan! Tom
Saddleback Leather Tim, Thanks so much for the follow-up. I think you misunderstood which rings I was talking about. I agree that the new locking method that Happy details in his video is perfectly suitable for that purpose. What I was mentioning was the previous version of the suitcase had three "Roller Buckles" to help close the suitcase, two on each side and one in the center (only Saddleback product I have seen with these). Roller buckles help pull and hold the straps tight by minimizing the friction between the leather and the buckle. The current version of the buckles actually INCREASES the friction of pulling the belt closed. They create an inverse "U" shape in the leather that increase friction as you try to close the buckle. As you try to close, pull, and adjust the closure strap to line it up with the "pin" that goes in the hole punched in the leather it sometimes hangs (sticks where you don't want it to) and you have to mess with the strap more than I would like to get it closed because the friction holds the leather in place. This is much more aggravating on the Waterbag than the Thin Briefcase. I don't own the suitcase but assume that this is actually worse on a suitcase which may have bulky clothes resisting the closure of the lid. I picked up on Dave's comment, which you mention above but the limited number of holes seems as though it would make is more difficult to find a configuration that would work both holding the suitcase tight and fitting around the tie down points. I would prefer to just run a strap (or rope) through the existing straps (which you can't do now unless the strap or rope is VERY thin) to hold it in place. Again thank so much for listening - not 2nd guessing Dave he may (and probably does) prefer the current buckles over the old ones and may prefer looks over function or roller buckles may not last as long as he requires. On the Monogramming I have tried to find someone locally (Tulsa OK) but have not found anyone. Any thought to giving folks that do custom work a chance to post their cards on your site. I plan to keep my Saddleback Bags for 30 - 40 more years (God willing of course) so I would love to have them Monogramed. If someone reads this that provides a monogramming service and is in Tulsa or Dallas PLEASE let me know. I just reread my post and it sounds very negative so I will end on a more positive note - I LOVE Saddleback products, I LOVE my Waterbag and my Thin Briefcase. I think I would prefer roller buckles but I do NOT regret my purchase at all and recommend your products often. Regards, Tom
Saddleback Leather WOW thanks for taking all that time. I tried both of those before and neither could help but TY so much for taking the time to look them up. The screen shot was exactly what I was discussing. Notice how those are flat and have small rollers on them, but the new one is curved the opposite way I think most would want. I think most would prefer that surface you are pulling against to be flat or even curved the other way but the current style definitely looks better. Tim - you're awesome!
My suitcase is great thank you for making such a high quality product. It would be great to watch how it’s made video.
OMG I LOVE THAT!!! I am actually learning to work on leather to make for my self cases and trunk kinda like that!!!
They need to bring these back!!!
Patterned after Globetrotter. Beautiful look to these.
I must check your website out because I love those. I've been looking for these type of suitcases but in mix with steamer trunk type for travelling and maybe with the wheel and puller or what you call them. It is Beautiful!
Man these are beautiful! They remind me of the old classic suitcases seen in old African safaries. Is that wood on the inside?
You should make a steamer trunk like ppl used to travel with back in the day that'd be awesome!!
That would be a beast to make.
Athalia I wish they did make trunks louis vuitton style it would add to their brand as does lv they still make them but as a hefty cost
They do make a leather trunk ... www.saddlebackleather.com/leather-trunk
EXCELLENT!
What type if wood is used for the frame?
Why don't you reinforce those handles by using thin laminated braided stainless steel as piping to the leather?
You get that worn look of a leather handle without all the stretching and tearing. It's not really cheating because that handle attachment is already leather versus the square ring. And the square ring's not budging.
I was in mediation with the managing partner of my firm and I noticed that the side of his square, hard leather briefcase and had blown out. And I almost recommended that he get a SBL briefcase, but I realized he prefers the square-type that opens like a suitcase rather than the softer briefcases that open from the top. Then I thought, "What SBL needs is a square briefcase sorta like one of their miniature luggage suitcases...."
Will the medium and small make its way back or is it just the large from now on.....also for the love of God keep it around long enough for me to get it this Xmas 🙏
These suitcases are some of the most beautiful leather products I have ever seen! I BADLY want a pair but after watching this video and the other reviews on youtube (about a dozen times) and reading the comments I have the following questions / comments / concerns:
1) The previous design had "roller buckles" that make closing a suitcase easier. It looks like Dave did away with the rollers on this design. The current buckle is like the one on my Thin Briefcase and on my Waterbag which is my only complaint about both of these products. The curve of this type of buckle often "hangs" when I'm trying to open or close them. Rollers seem like an obvious need on this design to make it easier to open and close.
2) I don't understand the hole design on the side straps. I would expect that I would want to slide my duster (coat), umbrellas, and jackets against the side of the suitcase and be able to "cinch" them down against the sides of the bag to make them easier to carry together. Or I may want to slide a rope under the straps to hold the suitcase onto the top of a vehicle. It appears you can't do that with this design because the holes start where the straps are at their tightest. Why not put holes all over the last two feet of the straps so you have some "play" to accommodate items between the suitcase and the straps?
3) Would love the option to have you add a monogram. I am fine if I can't return it if I have it monogramed but this just seems like such an obvious add-on. Perhaps add a spot you can cut out if the monogram needs to be removed like Tumi does.
4) I absolutely agree with your comments about wheels. I use a luggage carrier wheels would be an abomination on an item this beautiful.
The leather work and rivet design are just BEAUTIFUL also I love the way you sculpted the handle. I travel a lot and would LOVE to add a couple of these to my luggage.
Big Fan!
Tom
Saddleback Leather
Tim,
Thanks so much for the follow-up. I think you misunderstood which rings I was talking about. I agree that the new locking method that Happy details in his video is perfectly suitable for that purpose. What I was mentioning was the previous version of the suitcase had three "Roller Buckles" to help close the suitcase, two on each side and one in the center (only Saddleback product I have seen with these). Roller buckles help pull and hold the straps tight by minimizing the friction between the leather and the buckle. The current version of the buckles actually INCREASES the friction of pulling the belt closed. They create an inverse "U" shape in the leather that increase friction as you try to close the buckle. As you try to close, pull, and adjust the closure strap to line it up with the "pin" that goes in the hole punched in the leather it sometimes hangs (sticks where you don't want it to) and you have to mess with the strap more than I would like to get it closed because the friction holds the leather in place. This is much more aggravating on the Waterbag than the Thin Briefcase. I don't own the suitcase but assume that this is actually worse on a suitcase which may have bulky clothes resisting the closure of the lid.
I picked up on Dave's comment, which you mention above but the limited number of holes seems as though it would make is more difficult to find a configuration that would work both holding the suitcase tight and fitting around the tie down points. I would prefer to just run a strap (or rope) through the existing straps (which you can't do now unless the strap or rope is VERY thin) to hold it in place.
Again thank so much for listening - not 2nd guessing Dave he may (and probably does) prefer the current buckles over the old ones and may prefer looks over function or roller buckles may not last as long as he requires.
On the Monogramming I have tried to find someone locally (Tulsa OK) but have not found anyone. Any thought to giving folks that do custom work a chance to post their cards on your site. I plan to keep my Saddleback Bags for 30 - 40 more years (God willing of course) so I would love to have them Monogramed. If someone reads this that provides a monogramming service and is in Tulsa or Dallas PLEASE let me know.
I just reread my post and it sounds very negative so I will end on a more positive note - I LOVE Saddleback products, I LOVE my Waterbag and my Thin Briefcase. I think I would prefer roller buckles but I do NOT regret my purchase at all and recommend your products often.
Regards,
Tom
Saddleback Leather
WOW thanks for taking all that time. I tried both of those before and neither could help but TY so much for taking the time to look them up.
The screen shot was exactly what I was discussing. Notice how those are flat and have small rollers on them, but the new one is curved the opposite way I think most would want. I think most would prefer that surface you are pulling against to be flat or even curved the other way but the current style definitely looks better.
Tim - you're awesome!
Saddleback Leather Tim,
Thanks so much! Very interesting responses. I really appreciate the time you took to respond.
I'd be curious to see a drop test.
You don't make this in the carbon color? Has it always been that way, or just a recent thing?
Saddleback Leather aww, ok
If this luggage is 100% leather and no frame underneath does that mean it will get soft and flimsy with time like your classic briefcases?
I just got my suitcase. I notice there is no D rings that was on the previous design. How do you lock the new one?
Saddleback Leather Thanks Keenan. I just ordered myself the Eagle Creek TSA cable lock with the keys.
Some day
It's well worth the wait! I always get stopped and asked, "WHERE did you get that?!" ~Susan~