Briefcase Question

[SCWilson]

So I have been looking for a new briefcase for quite some time. I love Ssaddlebacks. They look absolutly fantastic! I also like some of the options and customization from Custom Hide (www.customhide.com). I've been comparing the two companies. From what I can tell from the webpages Saddleback leather is 4-5 oz thick chrome tanned leather and Custom Hide leather is 5-6 oz vegetable tanned leather. Both companies seem to make bags that are durable as all get out. Pricewise the Custom Hide seems to be the better buy. What are your opinions?

 

[Alacrity59]

Interesting point. I looked up the two tanning methods. It seems that chrome tanned leather stands up to water better than vegetable tanned leather.

 

[joel]

So I have been looking for a new briefcase for quite some time. I love Ssaddlebacks. They look absolutly fantastic! I also like some of the options and customization from Custom Leather. I've been comparing the two companies. From what I can tell from the webpages Saddleback leather is 4-5 oz thick chrome tanned leather and Custom Hide leather is 5-6 oz vegetable tanned leather. Both companies seem to make bags that are durable as all get out. Pricewise the Custom Hide seems to be the better buy. What are your opinions?

4-5oz is MIGHTY thick/heavy... for me it's at the upper thresh hold on what's reasonable. 5-6oz, in my opinion is WAY too heavy/cumbersome. Keep in mind - my EMPTY saddleback is heavier than a Tumi with a laptop and paperwork in it.

 

[DESkydiver]

Not familiar with "Custom Leather" and my web search has multiple "Custom Leather" companies listed.
I am very familiar with Saddleback Leather products and have used their briefcase daily for about 7 years. An annual treatment with saddle soap sure does clean up well, looks good as new only softer with a slight worn / patina look.
I agree the SBL briefcase, messenger, satchel, backpack and duffel are heavier EMPTY than most like items with stuff in them, but then I am sure my Saddleback bags will last years longer than any Tumi or Ellington bag I have purchased.

 

[Doc4]

Not familiar with "Custom Leather" and my web search has multiple "Custom Leather" companies listed.
...

OP appears to be modified now with a link to that site.

 

[SCWilson]

I sent off an email to Custom Hide asking about the Scholar with pockets briefcase. It is 11"high x 16" wide x 6" deep and weighs about 4.5lbs. Where as the large Saddleback is 16" x 12" x 9" and weighs about 7.5 lbs. The Custom Hide bag is about $300 less than the Saddleback as well. I;m trying to consider which bag is the better value and get past all or most of the marketing hype.

 

[thebikingengineer]

The Custom Hide bag sounds closer to the Saddleback Thin Briefcase in dimensions. I've got one that I absolutely love. I think the leather is about as think as I'd ever want it. I wouldn't say the bag's too heavy, it seems pretty weighty when you've got it in your hands but in day to day use it fades into the background pretty well. As an engineering student it's loaded up with papers and books every day so 7 pounds for the bag isn't much compared to 30-40 pounds of gear.

It feels sturdy more than anything else and it's definitely not wearing out any time soon. I've had my bag about two months now, carried it to and from work and school (~3 miles of walking every day), and taken it on a cross-country flight and I've been nothing but happy with it. Rain makes the leather darker while soaked, but I've not seen any coloration changes upon drying, and the contents stay dry as well. I do wish the straps were just a little bit shorter but that's not a huge deal.

Another thing I like about Saddleback is the staff. I initially had a problem with my shipping address (my fault, never order things on an iPod Touch) so I called the customer service number. I got the owner's wife (I believe, definitely related) on the phone, got my problem solved, and ended up talking for 20 minutes about leather care, school, and travel. It really put me at ease that I made a good purchase, and if there are any problems down the line I don't forsee any trouble in getting them resolved.

 

[texasPI]

I sent off an email to Custom Hide asking about the Scholar with pockets briefcase. It is 11"high x 16" wide x 6" deep and weighs about 4.5lbs. Where as the large Saddleback is 16" x 12" x 9" and weighs about 7.5 lbs. The Custom Hide bag is about $300 less than the Saddleback as well. I;m trying to consider which bag is the better value and get past all or most of the marketing hype.

So, did you ever decide on anything? I'm in the same boat right now...