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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The materials in our leather briefcase are full grain leather, pigskin lining, 316 stainless steel hardware, and German industrial marine-grade polyester thread. Our leather is tough and resilient, and our pigskin lining is super strong. Our hardware is 316 stainless steel and is rated to hold up to 750 lbs. Our thread is UV-resistant and German industrial marine-grade polyester thread. In addition, our hidden reinforcing straps ensure that the bag will never stretch and those straps will never deteriorate. This is over-engineering.
Full Grain Leather is the key to a quality leather briefcase. If you take off the top part of the leather (grain) it's like taking the shingles off of the roof. They get rid of the toughest and most resistant layer of the hide. When tanneries get a leather hide from the slaughterhouse, it's really thick. So, the tannery splits the top half with the grain from the bottom half. Now they have two hides to sell. The tough and beasty hide that still has the full amount of grain (full grain) is expensive, and that's what we buy. The bottom half is great for making low quality budget leather briefcases or laptop bags that will dry out and fall apart in a short time.
We glue and sew tough, strong pigskin leather to the cow leather. And the pigskin is even stronger than the cowskin. We've chosen this instead of using a shiny pretty fabric lining. We want all of our real leather bags to be durable, rugged, and sturdy.
Our custom hardware is 316 Stainless Steel. If you are a metallurgist, then I'm sure you just gasped. It's the metal you want to be used when your life depends on it. The testing laboratory told us that our clips were rated to hold up to a 750 lbs. bag of cats.
Our thread is unbelievably strong and UV resistant German industrial marine-grade polyester thread. It doesn't deteriorate when the sun hits it like nylon thread does. And we use the thick double ought version of it. It's the same thread used on ship sails and parachutes (things your life depends on).
Polyester is good and bad. The good is that it doesn't stretch and never deteriorates. The bad is that it never deteriorates. When it comes to polyester in your sheets and blankets, you won't sleep as well. But, when it comes to polyester straps sewn into the stress points of a bag, it's the best there is to get that extra strength.
The classic leather briefcase converts into a laptop backpack with a shoulder strap with two shoulder pads. Clip one end of the strap onto a d-ring on the bottom, run the strap through the o-ring, and clip it to the opposite side and you've got yourself a backpack. Now your hands are free to carry the wife and kid's luggage.
You can remove the side straps to use as an emergency size 36 full grain leather belt, tie-down, or tourniquet (hopefully you won't need that). But on the bag, they are great for holding wet umbrellas and blueprint tubes to the top of the flap.
The d-rings on the bottom are designed to strap on blankets, dirty boots, fly rod tubes, or blueprints. And you'll use these d-rings to convert your leather briefcase into backpack mode. The d-rings up top are great for clipping keychains, carabiners, or extra gear too.
The shoulder strap is adjustable (40" - 65") and it's removable. You can take it off to tie down the Christmas tree to the roof of your car. The shoulder strap comes with two strap pads for backpack mode.
There is a hidden flap on the bottom of this leather briefcase for hiding passports, extra cash, your collection of rubies, or whatever else you don't want anyone to know about. This false bottom can be a lifesaver in itself.
A small detail, but the main center strap has a hole all the way at the tip for closing when your laptop bag is really overstuffed. This gives you that much extra space in your leather briefcase, for "just in case." Comes in handy when you need it.
There is a pocket on the side, a pocket on the back, and pockets on the inside. From a place for your pens to a spot for your wallet in case you lose your pants. With two main compartments inside, you can take two laptops if need be, with room for chargers and accessories. These quality leather briefcases will protect your belongings and your reputation.
Classic Leather Briefcase Explained by Dave
Large Sized Briefcase Comparison
The Classic Briefcase in depth description and explanation on design
How to Knock Off a Saddleback Leather Co. Briefcase
It is my intent that this review will be a little different than most. Most of the reviews are posted shortly after folks receive their briefcases and they are excited, which is certainly understandable. My wife purchased my Classic Brief case for me 5 or 6 years ago (I lose count). The bag is exceptional, the craftsmanship and styling/design is exceptional, and the quality of the product is exceptional. This brief case has traveled through many airports and to several different countries. I still get stopped by someone almost every time I go in to an airport and complemented on my brief case. I promised my 10 year old that when he begins his professional career that I will either give him my brief case or I will buy him a new Saddleback brief case, his choice. Folks this kind of quality is difficult to find in today's market. I am a trial attorney by trade and this bag is the envy of many who are still figuring out that an investment in this type of tool is just that, an investment and worth it. This bag is built to stand the test of time and has exceeded all reasonable expectations. Good work Dave!
After doing some research on briefcases, it was clear Saddleback offered exceptional products. I recently ordered the extra large classic briefcase and the medium waterbag. The classic briefcase is without a doubt the best I have ever seen. The attention to detail, quality of design, materials and workmanship - all simply extraordinay. I have seen briefcases at three times the cost that cannot hold a candle to the Saddleback. The waterbag is a fascinating travel bag, unique in its design and versatility. I needed a combination bag for days when I need to carry a bit more than usual including two laptops, several books and all my other daily things. The waterbag design is an incredibly interesting design, a beautifully crafted bag that can be size adjusted. It is well balanced and extremely comfortable to carry. I love the fact I can take a few less things and simply adjust to the six inch insert. The additional handle is an added benefit making it even more comfortable to carry. Despite a few comments that the briefcase and waterbag are heavy, I disagree. These are both exceptionally designed leather products, unique, beautiful that I will enjoy for years. All the best, John
My Large DCB Classic Briefcase has finally arrived (after being painfully delayed due to Storm Juno!). While I have nothing unique here to add (rest assured, it is more amazing than you think), I do have to say that my biggest relief is that I can stop staying up late nights watching Dave's and Youtube's videos about this bag and debating between DCB and Tobacco. I can finally rest and just enjoy the pinnacle moment of my bag ownership.
I have had my bag now almost 10 years, thought it might be time to write a review on it... On top of being absolutely gorgeous, it has remained rock solid all these years, and just seems to get more beautiful the longer I have it. It's been across the the country and around the world with me, and it doesn't matter where I am, not a week goes by where someone will compliment me on my beautiful bag and ask me where I got it (I should be getting a commission :) ). I have the XL Briefcase, it holds my 17" MacBook Pro perfectly, but it is indeed a heavy beast, just make sure you hit the gym before attempting to lug this thing through the airport. :)
After debating to buy for years, I took the plunge. I have been carrying the large dark coffee brown briefcase for two months. I use it to carry a Dell E6540 plus my power cord, two notebooks, a daily devotional, a Leatherman tool, and other accessories. I will occasionally carry my Sig P220 in there as well along with an extra mag. It is a beautiful, well made bag and never fails to catch looks. The handle is comfortable and the hard ware is heavy. Concerned about the weight? It is heavier than a polyester bag, but it also sends a message that you mean business. I love it. I like the strap length, as I am over 6'2", but because of my size (I wear a 54L jacket), the backpack conversion doesn't fit me well. The side water bottle pockets are a touch small. You have to work to get a 16 oz water bottle into them. They will not hold my 20 oz Yeti mug. This is a great piece of luggage and worth the money.
