Saddleback Leather Company (based in Texas, USA)
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The horrible thing with USPS is that once it reaches France, packages are then handled by the French Post Office, which uses different shipping numbers, so it is impossible to track the shipments or know which PO branch is handling the package or whatever. At the end of the day, I always have my things, but the aggravation of having to go to the post office, ask a lady to assist in tracking can be a pain in the butt… Mind you, the ladies working at the post office here are really nice, and do try to help, no problem there. It's just not like Fedex or UPS.
And of course, once again USPS and French PO fucked up. The goods are sitting somewhere at a custom center because nobody has the invoice apparently. Of course they did not notify me or Saddleback Leather. I had to contact SL because here nobody was able to tell me anything and they found out about the issue.
Next time I'll click on UPS and not UsPS…
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Finally received my shipment from SBL.
Truly and sincerely and truthfully: Fantastic stuff, better than pix and vids can depict
I picked chestnut and boy it looks wonderful
The texture feels very sturdy and thick
The construction looks like it is indeed waranty-able for 100 years.I dont like the swivel clips they chose (to open, one needs to unscrew them and it is a bitch as the screw needs to be properly aligned) and will see how to change them, but thats a matter of personal taste/mania.
The briefcase is so big, one could almost use it as a small travel bag instead. It doesnt fit in my motorcycle trunk so I've had to use the shoulder strap and turn this beast into a back pack to drive back home, which is real cool, actually. I didnt feel the heavy weight when it was turned into a backpack.
Big can be good, though: I like the fact I can slide my nylon computer pouch inside one of the two compartments. I dont have toworry about my mac being shaken around inside the briefcase. One thing I'd have loved is for SBL to include a few slots for pencils and pens in one of the two inside pockets. And maybe a slot to put business cards in.Conclusion: Im getting ready for more stuff from these guys. The waterbag is intriguing and the backpack looks really yummy.
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gbougard, jealous, man. Did you go with the XL?
Also, re: the backpack, if you look at their videos for the front pocket version, they have a video preview of a larger backpack that will release later this year. It's worth checking out as I feel like their current backpacks are too small. You may disagree because you have the briefcase, though.
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Seanocono, can you show me the link for the video on the upcoming backpack? I cant find it.
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gbougard - I believe Saddleback will change the clasps for free for you. They're phasing them out, and will swap them out with the new ones if you send your strap in. A couple year ago they did something similar, and I sent in my strap, and got back in a week or so with new clasps. Shoot them an email to find out.
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Seanocono, can you show me the link for the video on the upcoming backpack? I cant find it.
Thanksgbougard, after revisiting the Saddleback site, I can see why you had trouble finding it.
The video, below, used to include a disclaimer that this backpack, being described by the warrior, would be available later in 2013. I am not sure why they have removed the disclaimer; but, if memory serves, the medium has been available since the outset, so the backpack in the video is not yet available:
Here is some additional evidence of the larger backpack. It comes from Dave's blog, dated 7/6/12:
I think the backpack, from the video above, looks bigger than the one on Suzette, below:
I am not certain, though. Suzette is only 5'3", so the bag still looks pretty big on her. I think the best thing to do would be to email them with any questions. In my experience, they have excellent – if not a little quirky, true to Dave's style -- customer service. Good luck and report back!
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Boy their stuff is addictive
I've been drooling over their products over and over again. Their thin briefcase, their mac sleeves, satchels look darn tempting… -
I think I'm going to sell my old large chestnut Saddleback briefcase and my Tusting briefcase to help fund the thin Saddleback briefcase. See luggage, want luggage, buy luggage!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Yeah, that thin briefcase is tempting.
The large is large! I'm developing a relationship with it. I love it and yet… It's not EXACTLY what I expected out of it. And yet, these unexpected and unwanted traits (weight and size) are becoming likable, if you see what I mean...
The large can hold a lot of stuff, and that's nice to have all this space, but man is it heavy if you do use the space!!!
I cant fit it in my motorcycle trunk so I'm using the strap to turn it into a backpack. Which I'm getting to enjoy.
