Our hope is that you’ll be proud of your bag because of the compliments you get and how long it lasts. But our deeper hope is that you join our community of those nurturing the vulnerable and loving the unloved. We do more than just quality leather bags; we do quality in all areas of our business.
Our purpose is not to change the world by loving orphans, single moms and ex-prisoners one at a time. It’s to work with a Love 41 community/family of loving and nurturing people to do it. If you want to but you’re not sure how, then join us on Facebook or sign up for our newsletter to learn more. We’ll help you get plugged in.
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Our leather is the strongest we can find (full-grain boot leather, but thicker). The top layer of a leather hide has all of the grain in it, and the grain is the toughest, most protective and longest lasting part of the hide. The grain is like the shingles on a roof. Most companies shave off the top layer (grain) of the hide to get rid of scars so they can use almost every inch of the hide in production and therefore save money. But in doing so, it's like they're shaving the shingles off of your roof. Kind of insane.
The thread is unbelievably strong industrial marine grade UV resistant polyester thread. It's what they use on sails and parachutes (things your life depends on). We use it to hold together leather briefcases.
This mid-1800's English style Gladstone Bag closure is just plain cool on this leather briefcase. It opens wide and stays open until you say otherwise. Pilots love this feature to put next to their seat. For closure, I chose a single leather strap with holes punched all the way out to the very tip, just in case your bag is way overstuffed or you want to stick your umbrella or blueprints under the strap horizontally or leave the laptop bag open to stick your stuff out vertically. The front pockets are built and then sewn on, so there are hidden pockets behind the pockets.
We use tough, but soft pigskin lining, which is stronger than the cow leather, instead of some pretty shiny fabric with a world map on it. There's also a false bottom inside that serves two purposes: First, it adds an extra layer of reinforcement. Secondly, you can hide cash, passports, etc. under there, but please don't hide drugs. Drugs are bad.
Our custom hardware is the amazing 316 Stainless Steel (please please google it). A metallergist told me that it was way overkill and that I really didn't need it to be so strong. I guess it's like killing a fly with a shotgun for a leather briefcase, but we NEVER have problems with our hardware.
The removable, adjustable shoulder strap is a handy feature. You can take it off your briefcase to tie the Christmas tree to the rack of your car. The strap on this briefcase is as tough and durable as our quality full grain leather belts.
This is more than a leather laptop bag or briefcase for pilots — it’s a legacy piece designed to be fought over long after you’re gone. We believe your bag should outlast your career, your travel miles, and your wildest adventures. Buy it once. Break it in. Pass it down.
If something does go wrong, we’ll fix it under our 100-year warranty — because your leather bag shouldn’t give out before you do.
The last small plane we were on was from Nairobi to Lamu. From there we took a 2 hour small boat ride to an island off the Northern Coast of Kenya, next to Somalia where a Kenyan friend of ours told us was a really super cool place for holiday. We didn't know about all of the Al-Shabaab terrorist activity and kidnappings in the area or we probably wouldn't have chosen it for our family vacation, but ignorance is bliss? The last night there was a little freaky. Okay, a lot freaky hanging out and discussing theology with the witchcraft practicing angel prophet of Islam, but that's for another place and time (or bag description).
So we finally get to our destination called Mike's Camp, run and owned by a British Kenyan named Mike. A charming chap who had made a barefoot luxury Gilligan's Island resort built almost entirely from woven reeds. The walls and floors were 100% woven and the ceilings were thatched. All of it was supported by branches and sticks.
It was SUPER COOL. Unbelievable. And that's why billionaires fly in to stay there all the time. Since we're not billionaires, we flew into Lamu and then took the little skiff to the island, but there are people who fly in at low tide, land on the beach and walk up the sand dunes to the camp. It's where you completely unplug. No laptop bags allowed. To read about the Angel prophet of Islam and our walk through the terrorists, go to the Slim Leather Briefcase page.
Anyways, each of those small plane bush pilots that land on the beach or take people to Lamu, have a smaller flight bag briefcase next to their seat. It's just what you do when you need all of your things in one small cramped place.
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I've been a longtime fan of SBL. I've been itching for a new bag for a while and decided to pull the trigger on a flight bag in tobacco. I carried it for a couple of days before I realized that I didn't care for the color (in particular, my sample had some orange hues). I didn't want to return it after I used it and contemplated selling it locally. Reading through the FAQ, I found a mention of mink oil. I spent an evening rubbing down the bag and it's developed the most wonderful dark brown weathered color. I can't wait to get some scars and sun on this bag. Highly recommend. The flightbag carries my 16" MBP in the inner pocket, something that I couldn't verify otherwise. A couple of books, large headphones, a large cable/dongle bag, and a 32oz yeti bottle. The front pockets carry my pens, extra charger and cable, and HP12c. I have a medium thin briefcase, xlarge classic briefcase, and medium classic briefcase. This is now my favorite bag. I'm looking forward to the covid overreaction subsiding and getting out in the world more with this beauty.
The reason you are considering a Saddleback bag in the first place is for to the legendary quality and construction. These do not disappoint. The strength of the bag, it’s weight, the thickness of the leather, the smell... it’s all part of the experience. You won’t find another bag as extreme as this and it is built to go the distance. There isn’t another like it. I suppose I wouldn’t have minded at least a key lanyard and maybe an interior zippered pocket or at least a few pen/pencil loops, but these are quibbles. Other bags with these bells/whistles will have long hit the dust bin while this bag is still drawing envious looks. Get it while you can. You will be glad you did.
Ok so this bag is a present I gave myself for just turning 50, I pondered over some of the light weight options on this sight but never doubted I would get a Saddleback (ever) This is a bag I have wanted since it came out, when I received it my expectations were exceeded 100 fold, I have had it for about a month and I stuff it with everything, there is always some new little usable detail of functionality I am discovering. Before I received it I questioned if I really needed to spend this much on my bag, But I have zero doubts it is truly worth every penny! not some guilty pleasure but an absolute necessity. My only wish is that I got it sooner.
I was worried about the MacBook Pro 16in fitting in the pocket sleeve but it fits no problem very snug in it. The bag will probably seriously outlast my lifetime. looking forward to seeing it patina. Beautiful leather. Heavy but sturdy and beautifully made and designed. love the Gladstone closure.. Quality is worth the price to be honest.
Phenomenal bag! I love the classic briefcase I have, but this Gladstone opening is very nice, for instant access and in tight places. It will only get better with time.
