I’ve owned this exact bag - right down to the tobacco leather - for the past 5 years. I was fortunate enough to buy one before the price hike (for about $500). I can honestly say it’s the best EDC decision I’ve ever made. I may carry a different knife daily. I may wear a different watch, or bring a different pen, but this bag goes everywhere I go. It’s functionally flawless and aesthetically beautiful. People compliment me all the time on it, and my life has become so much more organized because of it. Best of all, it looks even better today than the day I got it. Full grain leather ages beautifully. I can’t recommend this bag highly enough, even at the new price point.
@@danmcarthur8077 Congratulations Dan! I have absolutely no doubt that you're going to love it for years to come. I still carry mine every day and it continues to age beautifully. Rest assured you've made a great purchase.
@@EldenLord84 Gotta say, I bought this before the price surge or I wouldn't have bought it. Needed one model, not two, but one. Have had it for a year and 5 or 7 months. I purposefully didn't clean this or coat it with anything. Just last month I emptied her out and turned it upside down and went to work on the leather. I'm 55 yrs. old, I'll make no bones about it - it will outlive me - - which is what I wanted. You get to a certain time in life and u have somethings figured out. I Know what I carry and need on my person's everyday. It has made the old days of "where's this" or "where's that" done. DONE. No more having a cop bringing me my wallet or cards (2 seperate times) to my home. Everything has it's place and I can find everything in a pitch black room, I've added a few more mods because IT IS MY bag. But I finally got it conditioned properly and it sure looks fantastic and makes my life easier. Ultimately isn't that one of the things we're shooting for? Buy once. Forever. Done. It bothers me having to purchase something that if I'd have just THOUGHT I wouldn't be in the quandary. Bottom line : Life is more easy. Life is easily organizable and the days of loosing or misplacing things are DONE! FWIW I just used it as a backpack not more than a week ago. Woaaaa! Even easier, having the weights distributed across my back n shoulder was God Sent. The you Lord for allowing me to afford and purchase this cuz it ain't cheap.
I've been all over the world with my Saddleback front pocket. It's heavy as heck and sometimes I'm cursing it in airports but man does it deliver. I'd happily buy anything from them. My wallet is a Saddleback as well and I've had it for 4 or 5 years and it looks better than it did new.
Great review. Spot on assessment! I’ve owned my saddleback for 7 years and have been happy with it. Companies like TUMI charge a premium, but offer similar lifetime warranties and return shipping. I have used saddleback warranty service, they do a great job of making you feel special, but typically won’t pay shipping unless it’s a manufacturer issue. I still get compliments when I use my bag, and it’s perfect for my line of work. Cavernous, organized, and professional. Lift with your legs...
I have four Saddleback bags, three that I use regularly, including the one you are reviewing, and I love all of them. They are beautiful and I get compliments on them all the time.
I’ve got a 10 year old medium briefcase, added a Chicago Screw to the strap so, in backpack mode the straps don’t slide around making putting it on and off a pain. Agree 100% on the questionable ergonomics of a heavy load carried on one shoulder.
Good review/ company. I've owned the large version of this bag for about seven years. Mine is very well made and have only two complaints - it's very heavy, and (more importantly) it doesn't stand straight up, without falling over.
It feels very Chris-Reevy to me: good warranty, extremely well made, but the materials are similar to what you would get anywhere else for half the price.
I got a bag that looks very similar to that, same basic form factor, but it's from India and made of Goatskin. Got it off Amazon for $80 Canadian. Not nearly as nice, the leather is pretty thin and the stitching isn't the best but I can swing $80 Can over what amounts to about $940 Can with the current exchange rates..
This is the link to the actual bag I bought www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PTWIUEW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 But the bag I actually got looked more like this one (the handle is a bit different on mine but it's 99%), and I didn't get anything but the bag. www.amazon.ca/Leather-messenger-laptop-computer-shoulder/dp/B01IEZTZGC/ref=sr_1_85?ie=UTF8&qid=1539269100&sr=8-85&keywords=leather+messenger+bag It's actually come down in price a bit. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years and other than the stitching coming undone on the flap on one of the side pockets it's served me well for what I paid for it.
After getting a Saddleback and using it for a year, I switched to a Filson. It was lighter, easier to get into, and cost less. Felt like-new after several years.
Good looking bag but too pricey for my consideration. Have a medford midi slim headed my direction. Thank you for your review on that blade. Hope to see you review a curtiss f3 soon!
As far as I know Saddleback Leather is a US company (Texas). At that price point the products should be made in the US. I really think that they should support the US economy. Not that it matters for quality, but at 700$ they do not have to cheap out on labor. To me that feels like a Swiss company making their watches in Slovenia. I´m sure the quality would be good ... but still. A premium product not only buys you the item but also a feeling (can I put it like that?).
I'm all about American made goods, but honestly mexicans are good at making things with leather. Most places in America have lost that skill. This isn't Swiss watches in slovenia, this is Mexican bags in mexico. I'm glad that Saddleback makes their stuff in Mexico, and I know that he isn't getting rich off of this so I'm sure the price is used to invest in quality of life for the people that work for him down there.
How many knives can you organize in there? I see the pocket between the pockets to be a great place for the z-hunter. And maybe put your zt knives on that external pocket. I don’t know, figure it out and do a video on that!
I have a Hidesign briefcase in a similar size and style. It’s just as beautiful, but, as much as I love it, I just don’t use it. It’s too big, too heavy and two inconvenient! Instead I carry one of several Tom Bihn bags that weigh in at between 1 and 3lbs empty and have great straps from a single shoulder to hidden backpack style. Their well made, tough and, for my American friends, they are all handmade in Seattle, Washington USA. (They don’t pay me by the way!)
I've had a thin briefcase for 8 years and for a few years used it every day. I found even with the smaller model, it's just too damn heavy. It's tolerable if you're just going from car to office and back, but when I was traveling all over the country, it became too much of a burden. I can't fault them on quality, though. The price doesn't seem that out of line considering the materials and craftsmanship. You mentioned 10 years, but I would be surprised if it doesn't out live me. I got 10 years out of my nylon Arc'teryx. Now I use it as a range bag, where the sturdiness is more justified and the weight less noticeable. At least it feels light once the lead has been fired down range.
Next up: sock review. Nice briefcase. Two major issues for me: I like belt fasteners on briefcases, but they're a pain in the ass. I'm moved to clips or snaps only. Also can really only do a true backpack. When travelling with a laptop and other stuff, a shoulder bag is just too cumbersome when you have luggage. If I didn't have t travel this might be an option.
Hey Nick, that bag is really nice and all but 720$ for stitched leather? Wow that is expensive. You mentioned you were wearing a 700$ watch, what was on your wrist exactly? I couldn't make it out but it looks like a really nice time piece.
The fact that other bags are even more expensive doesn't make this one 'reasonably priced'. It would be utter lunacy to spend this much on a satchel unless your last name is, say, Kardashian.
paul greenwood you could say the same about pretty much any other luxury good; cars, watches, knives, clothes, etc. No one is saying that it's 100% logical and reasonable to pay $720 for a bag, but that guy down the street with a $720K sports car isn't getting called gullible or laughed at even if it does the exact same thing as a 5 grand second hand truck.
You can get them used for less. You can also pay attention to the website and get a discounted bag via Dave's Deals. Also, keep in mind, you can use this bag for the rest of your life.
Ill be asking my mate Trumpy to buy me one ....cos thats the only way ill ever to be able to own one of these babies....to be used for special shopping days at the local Tesco
Saddleback Leather is some overpriced bullshit, I prefer the other overpriced bags from Filson, great quality and looks better after some wear. Take a look at the Filson 257.
I like filson (well, old filson, their new stuff ruins the brand by making it a brand of metrosexuals and people who don't work for a living) but the quality is very different. This bag is one that is designed to literally be indestructible, like used in the desert sun for 80 years rugged. The filson bags are designed for carrying to your white collar board meeting to make a statement about your lifestyle choices rugged.
This is a bag people at least in the Netherlands did use to go to school 20+ years ago not really a bag for grown ups, bud maybe that is a culture thing.
They are made to carry heavy loads and thats what they do well but cant really imagine its a nice bag for normal use its way to bulky and heavy. Thats probably why i haven't seen them for quiet some years. Its cool tho that you still use them. I bet you get some nice reactions from people that have used them in school.
Classy? Maybe if you were going to a livestock auction. This might be the worst, most overpriced thing you’ve ever endorsed. It’s not something that I’d feel comfortable with going into an important meeting with. No pockets for pens, phones, business cards. Totally too small for Redwelds. I absolutely loathe the bag. This is your first miss for me. And it was a big miss.
You're my favourite fashion blogger
omg! 😂😂😂
FireBird- amen
I Couldn't quite get the size comparison as it was not compared to a standard US Quarter
Kakashi Hatake agreed lol
I want to see a non standard US quarter
I’ve owned this exact bag - right down to the tobacco leather - for the past 5 years. I was fortunate enough to buy one before the price hike (for about $500). I can honestly say it’s the best EDC decision I’ve ever made. I may carry a different knife daily. I may wear a different watch, or bring a different pen, but this bag goes everywhere I go. It’s functionally flawless and aesthetically beautiful. People compliment me all the time on it, and my life has become so much more organized because of it. Best of all, it looks even better today than the day I got it. Full grain leather ages beautifully. I can’t recommend this bag highly enough, even at the new price point.
Hi Greg, just picked this up they are having a 25% off sale right now. Hope it’s as awesome as you say :)
@@danmcarthur8077 Congratulations Dan! I have absolutely no doubt that you're going to love it for years to come. I still carry mine every day and it continues to age beautifully. Rest assured you've made a great purchase.
@@EldenLord84 thanks Greg! Really appreciate that feedback! Have a great day, sir.
@@EldenLord84 Gotta say, I bought this before the price surge or I wouldn't have bought it. Needed one model, not two, but one. Have had it for a year and 5 or 7 months. I purposefully didn't clean this or coat it with anything. Just last month I emptied her out and turned it upside down and went to work on the leather. I'm 55 yrs. old, I'll make no bones about it - it will outlive me - - which is what I wanted. You get to a certain time in life and u have somethings figured out. I Know what I carry and need on my person's everyday. It has made the old days of "where's this" or "where's that" done. DONE. No more having a cop bringing me my wallet or cards (2 seperate times) to my home. Everything has it's place and I can find everything in a pitch black room, I've added a few more mods because IT IS MY bag. But I finally got it conditioned properly and it sure looks fantastic and makes my life easier. Ultimately isn't that one of the things we're shooting for? Buy once. Forever. Done. It bothers me having to purchase something that if I'd have just THOUGHT I wouldn't be in the quandary. Bottom line : Life is more easy. Life is easily organizable and the days of loosing or misplacing things are DONE! FWIW I just used it as a backpack not more than a week ago. Woaaaa! Even easier, having the weights distributed across my back n shoulder was God Sent. The you Lord for allowing me to afford and purchase this cuz it ain't cheap.
I've been all over the world with my Saddleback front pocket. It's heavy as heck and sometimes I'm cursing it in airports but man does it deliver. I'd happily buy anything from them. My wallet is a Saddleback as well and I've had it for 4 or 5 years and it looks better than it did new.
Great review. Spot on assessment!
I’ve owned my saddleback for 7 years and have been happy with it.
Companies like TUMI charge a premium, but offer similar lifetime warranties and return shipping.
I have used saddleback warranty service, they do a great job of making you feel special, but typically won’t pay shipping unless it’s a manufacturer issue.
I still get compliments when I use my bag, and it’s perfect for my line of work.
Cavernous, organized, and professional.
Lift with your legs...
I have four Saddleback bags, three that I use regularly, including the one you are reviewing, and I love all of them. They are beautiful and I get compliments on them all the time.
I think i have those exact socks
SmartWool?
I’ve got a 10 year old medium briefcase, added a Chicago Screw to the strap so, in backpack mode the straps don’t slide around making putting it on and off a pain. Agree 100% on the questionable ergonomics of a heavy load carried on one shoulder.
Great review as always Nick, love this bag. Mine is chestnut. I'm off to watch White Heat.
Good review/ company. I've owned the large version of this bag for about seven years. Mine is very well made and have only two complaints - it's very heavy, and (more importantly) it doesn't stand straight up, without falling over.
It feels very Chris-Reevy to me: good warranty, extremely well made, but the materials are similar to what you would get anywhere else for half the price.
You can mix up on the Ontario Rat 1 and 2... but ... NOT on wife and fiancée.... #notabriliantman
I got a bag that looks very similar to that, same basic form factor, but it's from India and made of Goatskin. Got it off Amazon for $80 Canadian. Not nearly as nice, the leather is pretty thin and the stitching isn't the best but I can swing $80 Can over what amounts to about $940 Can with the current exchange rates..
DeadnCold interested in the bag you bought. Link?
This is the link to the actual bag I bought
www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00PTWIUEW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But the bag I actually got looked more like this one (the handle is a bit different on mine but it's 99%), and I didn't get anything but the bag.
www.amazon.ca/Leather-messenger-laptop-computer-shoulder/dp/B01IEZTZGC/ref=sr_1_85?ie=UTF8&qid=1539269100&sr=8-85&keywords=leather+messenger+bag
It's actually come down in price a bit. I've had it for about 2 1/2 years and other than the stitching coming undone on the flap on one of the side pockets it's served me well for what I paid for it.
I've been eyeballing christopher ward trident watches for awhile. Cool to see that a review is probably in the future!
Already aired!
Sock review coming up next, right?
After getting a Saddleback and using it for a year, I switched to a Filson. It was lighter, easier to get into, and cost less. Felt like-new after several years.
This dudes accent... while bitching about the size and cost is hypnotic... could listen for more without hesitation... subbed!
Good looking bag but too pricey for my consideration. Have a medford midi slim headed my direction. Thank you for your review on that blade. Hope to see you review a curtiss f3 soon!
Holy “cow”
Great review as usual. Thanks Nick.
If it came with two straps, maybe you should use both for "backpack" mode. : )
Don't think he said it came with two straps, but two strap pads.
Two pads, not two straps.
You can actually turn the back into a backpack pretty easily and it's rather comfortable in that mode.
As far as I know Saddleback Leather is a US company (Texas).
At that price point the products should be made in the US. I really think that they should support the US economy.
Not that it matters for quality, but at 700$ they do not have to cheap out on labor.
To me that feels like a Swiss company making their watches in Slovenia. I´m sure the quality would be good ... but still.
A premium product not only buys you the item but also a feeling (can I put it like that?).
I'm all about American made goods, but honestly mexicans are good at making things with leather. Most places in America have lost that skill. This isn't Swiss watches in slovenia, this is Mexican bags in mexico. I'm glad that Saddleback makes their stuff in Mexico, and I know that he isn't getting rich off of this so I'm sure the price is used to invest in quality of life for the people that work for him down there.
How many knives can you organize in there? I see the pocket between the pockets to be a great place for the z-hunter. And maybe put your zt knives on that external pocket. I don’t know, figure it out and do a video on that!
I have a Hidesign briefcase in a similar size and style. It’s just as beautiful, but, as much as I love it, I just don’t use it. It’s too big, too heavy and two inconvenient! Instead I carry one of several Tom Bihn bags that weigh in at between 1 and 3lbs empty and have great straps from a single shoulder to hidden backpack style. Their well made, tough and, for my American friends, they are all handmade in Seattle, Washington USA. (They don’t pay me by the way!)
I've had a thin briefcase for 8 years and for a few years used it every day. I found even with the smaller model, it's just too damn heavy. It's tolerable if you're just going from car to office and back, but when I was traveling all over the country, it became too much of a burden.
I can't fault them on quality, though. The price doesn't seem that out of line considering the materials and craftsmanship. You mentioned 10 years, but I would be surprised if it doesn't out live me. I got 10 years out of my nylon Arc'teryx.
Now I use it as a range bag, where the sturdiness is more justified and the weight less noticeable. At least it feels light once the lead has been fired down range.
Gotta check out Copper River Bags Nick. I absolutely love mine and couldn’t argue with the price.
@bloomjack8 They're full grain leather. No zippers either. Maybe you looked up the wrong company?
Next up: sock review. Nice briefcase. Two major issues for me: I like belt fasteners on briefcases, but they're a pain in the ass. I'm moved to clips or snaps only. Also can really only do a true backpack. When travelling with a laptop and other stuff, a shoulder bag is just too cumbersome when you have luggage. If I didn't have t travel this might be an option.
I live in San Diego, California. I want to meet you the famous Nick Shabazz. There is a knife shop on Miramar Drive. Very affordable prices.
Have you used the SBL Thin Front Pocket backpack or the new drawstring backpack?
I shall equip all of my sherpas with these.
will go great with lumberjack beard and flannel shirt
The slim one is better, but I’m not sold. Check out Levenger’s bomber jacket line.
Do not get into leather! wait, what?
Reminds me of a leather saddle bag on a Harley Davidson lol nice bag though.
Danny Bushaw (wormsdroid) ha agreed
All's well Nick, but some people will not appreciate looking at man feet the entire video lol
My main question: does it accommodate bitch hands? ;)
Knife pouches?
Piquadra leather bags run circles around this brick all day, and on all levels.
At these prices I would appreciate if they used vegetable tanned leather from an American company.
Don’t tell me. It’s Corinthian Leather!
Great review... not for me but awesome video nick
It'd be cheaper to buy your own cow and make a purse out of it.
When do you start reviewing shoes?
Hey Nick, that bag is really nice and all but 720$ for stitched leather? Wow that is expensive. You mentioned you were wearing a 700$ watch, what was on your wrist exactly? I couldn't make it out but it looks like a really nice time piece.
Ian Beausejour A Seiko 1968 diver
If the NY mafia did reviews, it would sound like this.
I feel disturbingly compelled to ask, what size of foot do you have?
I was going to say something snarky, but a big part of me wishes I worked in an industry where I could be this pretentious.
I guess you could say,"DON'T GET INTO BRIEFCASES"!
If it isn't a car, a house or a knife it isn't worth that money
Are those Mountain Khakis your wearing?
Yup!
@@NickShabazz Would love a good, great, bad, and ugly on them!
That's a good looking Murse!
CrashOverDrive well fashion bloggers usually carry a murse
CrashOverDrive , why does this remind me of an episode of Seinfeld?
I used to buy from Saddleback.........$$$$$$.
Marlondo offers better products made of better leather at a better price. It's worth a gander.
"bulk multiplier" Nick oh Nick, you sir are a cunning linguist!!!
Stopped watching after the $720 comment. It's making fun of a gullible public.
hipsters would buy it
The fact that other bags are even more expensive doesn't make this one 'reasonably priced'. It would be utter lunacy to spend this much on a satchel unless your last name is, say, Kardashian.
paul greenwood you could say the same about pretty much any other luxury good; cars, watches, knives, clothes, etc.
No one is saying that it's 100% logical and reasonable to pay $720 for a bag, but that guy down the street with a $720K sports car isn't getting called gullible or laughed at even if it does the exact same thing as a 5 grand second hand truck.
You can get them used for less. You can also pay attention to the website and get a discounted bag via Dave's Deals. Also, keep in mind, you can use this bag for the rest of your life.
“Case” closed XD
crome treated leather, not for me.
Purse 👜
Gods men of America where do you suggest we use to carry our laptop, files, folders, books?
Backpack 🎒
@@wickedwonderingdream Saddleback makes backpacks too. I have one.
Ill be asking my mate Trumpy to buy me one ....cos thats the only way ill ever to be able to own one of these babies....to be used for special shopping days at the local Tesco
Heard the price-
I’m leaving.
Also I don’t like at all how it wears. Looks really beat up. That’s no $700 bag.
Feet match the hands 😋
American foot lol
Saddleback Leather is some overpriced bullshit, I prefer the other overpriced bags from Filson, great quality and looks better after some wear. Take a look at the Filson 257.
I like filson (well, old filson, their new stuff ruins the brand by making it a brand of metrosexuals and people who don't work for a living) but the quality is very different. This bag is one that is designed to literally be indestructible, like used in the desert sun for 80 years rugged. The filson bags are designed for carrying to your white collar board meeting to make a statement about your lifestyle choices rugged.
Do not get into fashion blogging
feet
This is a bag people at least in the Netherlands did use to go to school 20+ years ago not really a bag for grown ups, bud maybe that is a culture thing.
I'm Dutch and still carry a leather messenger bag to work every single day... They are awesome.
They are made to carry heavy loads and thats what they do well but cant really imagine its a nice bag for normal use its way to bulky and heavy. Thats probably why i haven't seen them for quiet some years. Its cool tho that you still use them. I bet you get some nice reactions from people that have used them in school.
Classy? Maybe if you were going to a livestock auction. This might be the worst, most overpriced thing you’ve ever endorsed. It’s not something that I’d feel comfortable with going into an important meeting with. No pockets for pens, phones, business cards. Totally too small for Redwelds. I absolutely loathe the bag. This is your first miss for me. And it was a big miss.
Bag is too heavy, cheap leather, stupid buckles, edges not burnished, price is stupid. You seriously gonna use all the buckles?
Mort is that you ?