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
I just got back from a trip and my Large Classic Briefcase in Chestnut had arrived. From the first moment I picked it up I was seriously impressed and convinced that the expensive purchase will be well worth it. Here's another thing; this was one of Dave's Deals with a 15% discount, but I haven't found the flaw yet, the bag looks to be in tip-top condition. My better-half tells me it sounds like I'm saddling-up to ride out whenever I'm using it! Great product, really. Thanks, Ian Fox
I got the large classic briefcase in coffee brown and it just arrived. Cost me 25 per cent to clear customs so this is something to keep in mind. I will say it is very nice. But some people love it and others hate it in my office, but everyone has something to say about this. I like to keep my life simple, so I like that I can use it with a suit and look good and also use it around town on the weekend. I live in the city so it is nice there is plenty of room in it to lick up groceries on the bike on the way home from work. I will say that it seems to be wildly over engineered. I think 100 years is an understatement. The leather might even be too thick for this type of use-it is very stiff. Hopefully it will become more supple with time. Also all of the hardware seems a bit unnecessary and clutters up the esthetic of it, and I don't think I will use it. There are also two small loops on the back that keep the two closing straps in place that don't seem necessary and rub on the back while wearing it which makes it a bit uncomfortable. I think the size is good though for what I use it for. I think it will only become better looking and easier to use after it breaks in. It is a bit clumsy right now with everything so stiff, it is a bit like hose tackle-ish. In all, I am very satisfied and I am convinced it will be in my will to be inhereted by my decendants and most likely the last briefcase/day bag/ carry on bag that I buy.
Good Day, Friends. I own an XL Briefcase. I am about 300# and 6 feet tall. This bag fits everything about me: My Build, My style and My profession. I am a High School Band Director and I need ALL my stuff. I have a tremendous amount of paper, computers, accessories etc. This Bag will last me the rest of my career. I wish I owned one earlier in my life but at my age (now), it adds a touch of class I did not have earlier.....I do not feel old, I feel distinguished. Musically yours, Eddie in INDY
I bought this bag in Dark Coffee Brown color and large size somewhere between 3 and 4 years ago. It's a fantastic bag, and it holds up really well. My bag is still somewhat stiff in its body, but I haven't really stretched it. I can travel for about 3 days with just this bag (taking a laptop, clothes and even a pair of dress shoes) if needed, haven't done it a lot. Some people mention the leather cracking on the back of the flap, I have this too, but very superficial. The best way to combat this is to put a ton of that leather milk product on. I might try my "Le renovateur" shoe leather treatment which does wonders on beaten up shoes. But it's not bad, but on my next SBL bag I'll slap a bunch of treatment on the flap before I start using it. This bag got me tons of compliments. A lot of TSA people like it too. I always mention the 100 year warranty and people are amazed. When I just got it, it was all pristine. First nick in the leather got me a bit annoyed, so I can fully recommend just taking your keys and making a scratch on the flap yourself. Like a new car, just scratch it, the first little thing is always the worst, so just get it out of the way! Then rub it, skin grease is supposedly a good thing for leather too. In every day use, going to the office, it's a bit big actually. I'm considering the classic messenger for this. It can hold a ton and it's bulky too. Nevertheless, I like it.
I read "how to convince my spouse" and reviewed the available bags many times before ordering a medium briefcase in chestnut. In my case it was not me convincing her but her convincing me. I travel weekly for work about 50 weeks per year and travel quite a bit in between those trips on my own. I was going through a standard ballistic bag or even two a year at roughly $50 each. The lining would tear, a zipper break, some portion of the carrying system would give out... you name it I broke it. I started looking at leather bags but the up front price always had me balk. I am a believer in quality but somehow when coming to bags the cost to perceived value just would not level out in my mind. Once my wife convinced me that the cost would be at least the same if I had a single bag for even a few years compared to how often I was purchasing them; I started my hunt. The cost and weight of the Saddleback bags really had me unsure but I LOVED the designs and the reviews and videos and warranty and return policy and... you get the idea. I won't lie, even though it is not that expensive in hind sight after having the bag almost a year, but the up front cost really worried me for some reason. From the day I got my Saddleback, the beauty and craftsmanship began easing that concern. Then the weight, fairly substantial even empty, was a worry. After realizing how easy I could strap to my suitcase with the medium accessory straps combined with the adjustability and comfort of the carrying strap design I realized this too was not really much of a concern. The stares and comments of admiration for the bag are unbelievable. I have not once traveled without at least one comment on the bag or being questioned by someone who had been contemplating a Saddleback purchase. In all cases I have to say I was a fool not to purchase sooner and any need for a product which Saddleback has an option for; Saddleback is the only vendor I shop. That's right, when it comes to the products they make I am so certain theirs will be the best I no longer comparatively shop. They are that good. Thank you Saddleback.
