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
Just received my briefcase. After being in courthouses for 15 years, I always admired the briefcases carried by older attorneys. In speaking with them, many times, they would tell me stories of how their father or grandfather was an attorney or judge and how the briefcase had been passed down a generation. I would look at the briefcase and just picture the many jury trials and legal fights that were supported by the books and briefs transported by the briefcase. To me, I was just in awe of the briefcase - almost as if the briefcase itself had a magical aura. Imagine my happiness in receiving my own briefcase and have the initial thought that it looked exactly like the briefcases I had always admired. At only 42, I could now look like a seasoned attorney with a history of my own. Even though neither my dad or granddad were attorneys, I could now appear like I came from a family of legal scholars. Instant confidence booster to me - if I looked like an experienced lawyer, I must be a great lawyer. Thank you for building such a wonderful product. The thought that keeps coming to mind is "Built like Granddad's with the power to continue the family legacy for generations." Simply beautiful. A. Castillo
Yes -- I've also become addicted to awesome Saddleback Leather. I started with a simple credit card wallet...followed by an Ipad 1 case, Large Classic Briefcase and keychain, and set of Medium Utility Straps. All in Dark Coffee Brown. Just got the straps in the mail today....already thinking of ways to use them and what I could hang from / strap to my Briefcase.... About the briefcase: tough as nails. I used to worry about my old 'padded' computer bag. I used to fuss over it, worried about a raindrop or two, and overly careful with it. But that's just not my style. I wanted something tough and rugged and of lasting quality. This bag checks every box. I regularly carry my Macbook Pro, Ipad, notepad and papers, power cords, sunglasses case -- and I always carry a baseball, as I've got Spring Training fever right now.... Plenty of room for all those things and more. I would not consider the bag heavy. Rather, I would suggest that all lesser bags are lightweight. Next on my radar will be a Saddleback Notepad Holder or Belt -- haven't decided on which yet.... Thanks to Dave and everyone at Saddleback.
This is a great bag and I wholeheartedly give it five stars. I can put my Lenovo Thinkpad, small notebook, travel first aid kit, mouse, wireless hotspot, miscellaneous cables, Leatherman, odds and ends and still have plenty of room for whatever shows up during the day needing a place to hide out (Remington 1911A1 Enhanced for instance). And I'm told it's the best looking manpurse by everyone who sees it. There are a couple on things that aren't perfect - (1) One rivet popped out after a couple of months. Not a big deal, I put in a chicago screw instead of sending it back for repair - I didn't want to go without the bag for a week or two! Its on one of the straps and is hidden so I'm not worried about it. (2) The strap isn't quite long enough to use as a backpack on my 6' tall 290 lb body. If your chest is less than 72" around you'll be fine. Again, not a big deal - I bought some of Dave's d-ring straps to use on the rare occasions I actually make it into a back pack. (3) the biggest problem is the shoulder strap screw links can come loose at random times. I'll go to pick up the bag and the strap has come loose. I guess I can get out the vise grips and snug it down, but them I won't be able to remove it without a tool. It may just be my strap and not a common problem. Other than that, this thing is bullet proof.
Awesome bag. I purchased the Chestnut large. I bought it with a 10% Dave's deal. Can't even see the "imperfection." I used the money saved to get 2nd day delivery.
Just got my back, was one of Dave's deals. Dave must be aweful picky since I cannot find any flaw at 10 feet let alone 2 feet but thanks for the discount. Have traveled last 14 years and went through God knows how many suitcases and laptop backs/backpacks. Not any more love this case and will be my last one. Built to last, worth every penny and don't be scared about Dave's deals.
