Saddleback Large Satchel as a Notebook bag ?

[fidjit]

I've been deliberating over a Saddleback purchase for a while now.

Was originally looking at the medium briefcase but drawing up the 9" width on paper this thing and taking into account the 6.5lb weight I'm a bit worried it might not really be what I'm looking for. Too big and heavy ?

Then started looking at the Large Satchel. Seems much lighter @ 3 lbs .

During the week I carry the gear indicated in the photos. The first issue is will the notebook fit into the large satchel??

The machine is a Toshiba M600 which according to the specs measures 31 cm x 22.7 cm x 3.4 cm

The other machine I carry is a Lenovo X300 which according to specs is 12.4" x 9.1" x 0.73" - 0.92"

Compared to the size of the satchel indicated on the website 13" x 11" x 5 ½" (33.02cm x 27.94cm x 13.97cm) it would appear that both these notebooks should fit fine.

I've read various reports of fitting 13.3" screen notebooks into the satchel though, some say they'll fits, some saying they don't ?!?!?!

Secondly will all this equipment fit into the satchel with a bit of space left ( sometimes taken up by a small lunchbox or a paperback novel ) ?

Again measuring up on a piece of paper, the 5 1/2 " width would seem to leave quite a bit of space in the satchel ( given how thin the notebooks are ).

On weekends, it'll be a camera ( DSLR ) , MP3, phone maybe a coat or jumper which would seem to swim in a medium briefcase.

I know the sales/marketing answer is buy both but that's not an option much is the pity.

Can anyone assist me here ??? ( Come on you know it's more fun spending someone elses money than your own )

 

[miner]

I have just received a large briefcase from Dave at Saddleback and here's my thoughts (after 3 days!!)

First up, no question this will last way beyond my lifetime, 100 years is a very conservative guess. Beautifully made..

Size wise, its good for me about the same as a standard laptop bag

Base width is 20cm (8in in the old etc etc)

Very stiff on arrival but it will get better with age, the leather at the moment shows every scuff, which can be rubbed out..

Before..

After

Inside there are two pockets, one empty at the back and at the front 4 pockets for odds and sods, nothing specific so if you need a pen holder this is not for you..

My laptop fits in the back section fine (Dell 15.6in screen). With my work gear in it, the case is empty, loads of room for files and docs. Also it covers the "overnight bag" role really well. Ditch the PC, charger etc and there's lots of room for the shaving kit!!

Weight appears to be an issue but this comes in at just over 3 kg (about 8lb in the old money) but my old case was 2.5kg so the weight gain is worth it IMO. Also the case comes with a strap like none other I have ever got, its a damn fine belt!!..

With great padding on the shoulder strap and there are two of them..

.

And the handle is mansize too, nice chunk of leather to grip..

I'm a miner by trade and this looks good on site and in the board room.

So fidjit not sure if I helped with the size query but for me large briefcase is the way to go.

Cheers

PS ofcourse I'm a bit of a leather freak..

Panerai on leather

Cheers

 

[ezmike]

fidjit,

I'm in the same situation. I cannot make up my mind between the medium briefcase and a satchel, either medium or large. Here's what I think, and I've been talking to the ladies there in Customer Service and none have tried to sell me anything. I think the laptops may fit, tight at first but better over time, but forget your lunchbox, maybe a paperback will fit. The messenger bag might be a better choice. I considered it but it's a little too tall for me.

I passed on the beautiful chestnut medium briefcase yesterday in Dave's Deals (a real nice savings) exactly for the same reason that you're having trouble deciding, not the length or height but the width, 9" is a lot of bag.

I'm past the impression making stage of my career so I don't carry work around in my bag. Mostly things I need, keys, pens, glasses, novel lunch... so I'm thinking either a large or medium satchel.

Mike

 

[fidjit]

So fidjit not sure if I helped with the size query but for me large briefcase is the way to go.

Thanks Clive, think that helps me a fair bit... that 9" width really is big !!!

fidjit,

I'm in the same situation. I cannot make up my mind between the medium briefcase and a satchel, either medium or large. Here's what I think, and I've been talking to the ladies there in Customer Service and none have tried to sell me anything. I think the laptops may fit, tight at first but better over time, but forget your lunchbox, maybe a paperback will fit. The messenger bag might be a better choice. I considered it but it's a little too tall for me.

I passed on the beautiful chestnut medium briefcase yesterday in Dave's Deals (a real nice savings) exactly for the same reason that you're having trouble deciding, not the length or height but the width, 9" is a lot of bag.

I'm past the impression making stage of my career so I don't carry work around in my bag. Mostly things I need, keys, pens, glasses, novel lunch... so I'm thinking either a large or medium satchel.

Mike

Mike

Glad it's not just me

Yep I don't like the messenger height being more than the length.

Been checking Dave's Deals and Ebay every day, but I'm getting to thinking if I'm going to spend this much money, I might as well buy it new !

I'm going to see a local leatherworker this week to discuss him hand making me one ( do you know how few leatherworkers exist these days ? )

In some respects I'd rather keep the money locally and it means I can customize. I'm thinking of "
-leaving the medium 14"X11"
- lose the 4 top d-rings
- Just have the single middle buckle and not the two outside ones.

Still undecide if I go satchel style and basically just go with the slightly bigger 14X11 satchel
or
- cut the width down to about 6" ( 2 X 3" ) in a briefcase style
- make the middle divider a lighter softer material than the full grain

Hopefully this gives me the size I want and cuts down on the weight a bit.

The first quote I got for an exact copy of the medium briefcase was around $650-$700 AU , on par with me importing a Saddleback ( with paypal fees and shipping costs and conversion rates )

Will let you know how I go !

 

[wrl]

I have just received a large briefcase from Dave at Saddleback

Which color is your briefcase?

 

[miner]

Which color is your briefcase?

Chestnut

Cheers

 

[Gallo]

As far as I am concerned, the Satchel is not appropriate to carry a laptop. You should check the dimensions chart at saddlebackleather.com

 

[wrl]

Chestnut

Cheers

Cheers

 

[ezmike]

Thanks Clive, think that helps me a fair bit... that 9" width really is big !!!



Mike

Glad it's not just me

Yep I don't like the messenger height being more than the length.

Been checking Dave's Deals and Ebay every day, but I'm getting to thinking if I'm going to spend this much money, I might as well buy it new !

I'm going to see a local leatherworker this week to discuss him hand making me one ( do you know how few leatherworkers exist these days ? )

In some respects I'd rather keep the money locally and it means I can customize. I'm thinking of "
-leaving the medium 14"X11"
- lose the 4 top d-rings
- Just have the single middle buckle and not the two outside ones.

Still undecide if I go satchel style and basically just go with the slightly bigger 14X11 satchel
or
- cut the width down to about 6" ( 2 X 3" ) in a briefcase style
- make the middle divider a lighter softer material than the full grain

Hopefully this gives me the size I want and cuts down on the weight a bit.

The first quote I got for an exact copy of the medium briefcase was around $650-$700 AU , on par with me importing a Saddleback ( with paypal fees and shipping costs and conversion rates )

Will let you know how I go !

Ian,

Have you checked the deals lately?

How's your dealings with the leathersmith going?

There's a medium satchel there now but not in chestnut, a dark tobacco brown. I waited too long on the chestnut satchel there last week and missed it. I'm wondering if I should just by this one and if I don't like it use the credit towards another one in chestnut but then I'll be out the shipping to me and back to them and then back to me which would make Dave's Deal not a deal. Hey, I think I just solved my problem.

Mike

 

[fidjit]

Medium satchel won't fit my Lenovo X300 definetely too small.

Saw the leatherworker Wednesday,

Decided on 14"X11"X7" satchel style.

Lose the top D-Rings , have a big back internal pocket for the notebook with a couple of small pockets ( 1/2 height ) sewn onto that ( internally facing ) . The two side 1/2 pockets ala SB and I"m debating whether the external magazine holder ( weight vs usage ) is necessary and also if I put another full length pocket in the front with a couple more sewn on 1/2 height pockets.

Think that address' my concerns of weight and pockets and I think might be a bit more flexible without the divider down the middle like the briefcase.

He reckons the satchel will cost me under $500A but I"m just waiting on the final pricing.

Then again the $AU is pretty good at the moment and I've got a good tax return coming and I've just had a whole lot of commission back pay paid out............

If it gets over 90c ( Should drop shipped price to around $650AU ) I MIGHT just bite the bullet on a brand new firsts medium briefcase ..

ARGHHH!!!!!

 

[miner]

Ian
After a week with the SB large and I'm well and truely hooked, it's fantastic, although weight is not and issue with me, not that I'm 8ft tall, I just drive everywhere!

Was at a meeting yesterday and all the files and paperwork fitted into the case no worries, ended up weighing 12kgs!!

Just make sure that the piece you get is future proof, lots of $$ you are about to divest. I have 3 briefcases in good nick in my office that were swapped out because my laptop changed size. I reckon if I'm going to buy a briefcase that will last 100 years and cost many pesos then get something that will be adequate for 100 years, ie bigger was better for me! Not sure if I need the space right now but luckily my meeting yesterday helped.

The SB also will do as a good overnight bag too.. And it looks amazing .

A couple of spanners in the works I think !!

Cheers

 

[fidjit]

Hokay, I'm weak , the Australian Dollar is strong and you guys are just a big bunch of enablers

The $AU is around US91c...the money was in the bank thanks to back paid commission and a nice tax return...so a medium DCB briefcase is on it's way to Tasmania Australia.......

The wait begins.....

 

[TSWebster]

Well done Ian.

May it be the first of many......

 

[fidjit]

So..... 7 (working ) days from Texas to Tasmania and.....

First impressions, this thing is ruggedly made and I suspect their 100 year warranty is a good one on their part. Don't see this falling apart in the near future. The leathers nice , stitching good and it smells really nice

It's heavy though 2.9 kg unloaded, I suppose you don't get rugged and light together

Here's a quick reminder of the stuff I'm carrying ( Toshiba M600 13.1" notebook, power supply and mouse, Panasonic TS1/FS1 camera and battery recharger, cable case, filofax and 500ml drink flask. No picture of me lunch as it's actually 1 AM here .

Here it is empty ( 2.9kg ) and full

So I'm glad I only went the medium case. The 13.1 notebook fits nicely. Don't think it needs another case around it as the leather's pretty protective.

You can see I've still got a fair amount of room to store additional stuff in both compartments . I think the large would be too big and probably heavy for my "manly" 5'7" stature.

Hopefully something that will last me ( the rest of ) a lifetime

 

[Mr. Imperial]

That thing is gorgeous. My wife promises me that when I finish school I can have one, but we'll see about that!

 

[craig87c]

You can see I've still got a fair amount of room to store additional stuff in both compartments . I think the large would be too big and probably heavy for my "manly" 5'7" stature.

Yeah, I'm 6'1'' or 2'' and the large is pretty big even for me. But then again, it can store a 15" laptop (mouse and charger too) along with enough clothes for an overnight or weekend trip too.

 

[ezmike]

Ian,

Very nice! Here's my new large satchel:

[/IMG]

I don't carry nearly as much as you guys. I'll post a fully packed photo later.

This is one excellent bag. I can see how they become habit forming. I'm looking for a Dopp kit, I know Dave created a small travel bag that would suit this purpose but I'm having difficulty with the $$$$ (at least until I rationalize it enough and somehow find it). Nope, I just can't do it!

Mike

 

[hereandnow]

So..... 7 (working ) days from Texas to Tasmania and.....

Pardon me for asking, fidgit, but isn't that a SBL briefcase that you finally got, and not the large satchel that you were originally considering? The reason I ask is because I'm considering a medium or large satchel, and I just want to make sure about the design of the satchel as compared to the briefcase.

 

[fidjit]

Pardon me for asking, fidgit, but isn't that a SBL briefcase that you finally got, and not the large satchel that you were originally considering? The reason I ask is because I'm considering a medium or large satchel, and I just want to make sure about the design of the satchel as compared to the briefcase.

Yes correct, that's the medium classic briefcase. I don't believe I would have been able to fit everything I wanted into a large satchel.


The satchel is a single compartment
Large 13" x 11" x 5 ½" (33.02cm x 27.94cm x 13.97cm)

The classic briefcase is 2 X 4.5" compartments.
14" Medium - 14"w X 11"h X 9"d (35.56cm X 27.94cm X 22.86)

EZMikes got the large satchel above however

 

[hereandnow]

fidgit, what color briefcase did you get? It's difficult to determine by myself just by looking at the photos. But that's a handsome color.