At the dawn of mankind, when dinosaurs started falling behind as a species and the humans felt strong enough to establish themselves as a relevant force, they could finally start doing what they were always predestined to do: catch small- to medium-sized animals and make leather bags out of them! Even that early in the development of our species, leather bags assumed their rightful position as an important contraption, and subsequently, a fashion accessory. Their rugged appearance speaks volumes about carrying stuff, stylishness, and also, of dead animals, if you're the glass half-empty type of person.
If you do know how to enjoy a well-built and well-designed leather briefcase, however, you've come to the right place, for we here at TopProducts are in the business of propagating some pretty cool models we were able to find just laying around on the vast landscapes of the World Wide Web. In this section, we'll present to you our words of advice on what you should be paying attention to if you're about to embark on the adventurous journey that is the state of owning your own leather briefcase! They just have an air of superiority over regular briefcases that we can’t explain!
Behold ye who deem the old-fashioned briefcases of tradition an overpriced artifact, as we're about to deconstruct before your very eyes the glorious qualities that a true, masterfully designed and constructed briefcase must possess!
First, the leather. Typically, leather briefcases of yore, like the ones we're used to seeing in cowboy films, are made from
cowhide, and this is the path that many tanners and artisans go down in their manufacturing practices, as this hide is relatively inexpensive compared to some of the more outlandish solutions, such as crocodile skin. The way a manufacturer treats the hide can be of massive importance to the overall quality of the bag, as a poorly-handled cowhide of great initial quality can turn out to be a rather rubbish-looking bag or briefcase with a hefty price tag on it. Therefore, getting informed about the manufacturer, and possibly about their respective practices when it comes to bag-making, might be a good place to start if you're on a mission of finding the optimal leather briefcase for yourself or someone you know!
Nowadays, it's become a trend that the producers of leather briefcases adapt the sizes of their newest models to match with the standard sizes of laptops, as more and more people have to carry these machines around for their jobs, or otherwise for leisure and travel. So, do expect your new briefcase to include at least one big compartment where you can hold your laptop (of course, you can hold other items in it as well). Other than that, various buckles, fasteners, and other means of closing up your briefcase are also a matter of personal style, and many manufacturers go out of their way to ensure that the type of buckle they equip their briefcase with is not in dissonance with the overall style of the bag.
Since there are so many possible options available on the market, from excellent brands such as
Samsonite and
Kenneth Cole, we wanted to give you a helping hand to make sure you're making a great decision. After all, you’re going to stick with your leather briefcase for at least one or two years, so it is paramount to make the right decision. By the way, if you travel a lot, have you considered getting a wheeled briefcase such as the
Italian Leather Wheeled Briefcase from McKleinUSA? This will help you carry your belongings easier, and a wheeled briefcase always looks great from every angle!
Now it’s time to take a look at some more consideration factors in greater detail. Let’s get to it and see what's what!
Price
Funnily enough, in this day and age, one of the first things that springs to mind when someone mentions a leather briefcase is how expensive these bags are. With the competition of a range of cheap, synthetic materials, old-fashioned rugged leather models have become the most expensive accessories on the market. Luckily for anyone who's concerned about the cost, we can say with a degree of certainty that once you've bought a leather bag, you won't have to buy another one for a long period of time! Heck, some manufacturers even issue 100-year warranties, so even though they can be pricey, leather briefcases are definitely still worth every penny!
If you want specific numbers, we discovered that budget-friendly leather briefcases can set you back roughly $50 or less. However, don’t go for excessively cheap leather briefcases (priced around $20) because you know the story—they'll get ripped after a few days and you will probably end up saying bad words about the manufacturer.
If you want more features, interior space, or a better design, go for middle-range briefcases which can cost between $50 and $150. Lastly, if exquisite looks and complete practicality are your main priorities, go for a high-end briefcase which can cost between $150 and $300 or even more, depending on various factors. For example, if the bag is fully handmade or incorporates exotic materials, its price tag might be higher, but you'll probably have one of the most beautiful briefcases in town!
Features
Leather briefcases might not be the most complex accessories out there, but there are still some important features to take into consideration before you decide to buy a certain type of leather bag. In this short section, we'll present to you the most important parameters of a leather briefcase, so that you get your dream model from the first shot!
The list of features to look out for when you decide to get yourself a brand-new leather bag:
- The Type of Leather
- The Number of Compartments
- The Overall Size of the Briefcase
- Lock Closures
- Personalization
- Interior Pockets
- Shoulder Straps
- Handles for Carrying
- The Type of Stitching
- Warranty
Models with notably reinforced stitching are typically more durable than the ones with just the regular factory or handmade stitching, so if you're after extra durability, do go for a tightly-stitched model.
Construction and Design
Since many leather briefcases are handmade, the question of their construction can sometimes also be a matter of personalization, which can be great for anyone looking for a model they can stick their name onto!
For all the rest of the leather briefcase customers, it's fair to say that most of the bags come with a sturdy construction, sporting a different number of various compartments. Also, the kind of leather and the color can be an important aspect. So, go ahead and pick your own style of bag depending on your needs, and don't worry about it failing you anytime soon due to poor construction.
Performance and Ease of Use
A leather briefcase is possibly one of the easiest objects to care for, as all you need to do is apply some specialized oil to it every now and then, keep it away from damp environments, and that would be it.
Some models come with detachable shoulder straps so that you may wear it in different ways depending on how you feel that particular day. Other than that, you should check your stitching for any ruptures occasionally, so that your items don't fall out of it at an inconvenient moment!
Whether you'd like to present yourself to the world as an old-fashioned, gunslinger type of Wild West medic, or you just have an affinity towards well-made accessories in general, getting yourself a leather briefcase may be a perfect way to not only enhance your appearance, but also to embrace the tough guy or girl style you know you deserve! To pick your weapon, ahem, briefcase, of choice, read through our top-five list of features and learn more!
At TopProducts, we know what being a responsible grown-up is all about: paying your bills, keeping your word, and most importantly, owning your own leather briefcase! While we aren't necessarily interested in making you a better person, we do care for selling high-quality products to people from all walks of life, and working with various budgets. Read through our top-five list of the best leather briefcases and pick the one that tickles your imagination! Still not satisfied? Take a look at all else these brands have to offer!
