Henry Tomkins - Satchel / Book Bag

[Paul Hurst]

I can only wonder just how better it is in the hands or on the shoulder.

 

A very valid point - no good just looking at the thing, so took it on my one hour walk through the village and woods today.

 

Normally have a jacket or coat when working or travelling, but went without to see if there were any problems with less padding.

 

Size and format means the bag fits behind comfortably behind, without getting in the way. Rough unfinished reverse side of the strap gripped onto shirt, no problems with sliding about. As my normal journey using the strap is about 15 mins, and about 5mins using the handle, I split the time accordingly. No problems with 45mins using the strap, I was going to swap hands when using the handle but forgot (daydreaming, I'm afraid) - handle got a bit warm, but is wide enough and has enough give. Pretty comfortable.

 

Conclusions

Because of potential capacity, if using stuffed with books or computer thingies it would all get pretty heavy. For anyone wanting to lug a big load over longer distances it would be worth considering the rucksack straps. But with a normal business cargo, and for car-station-office journeys, quite possible to just use the handle and save the strap for 'one hand suitcase, other hand tickets/passport' usage.

 

Changes

I've been asked if there are any changes in design I wish I'd made. The internal pockets are in the normal configuration, didn't specify anything different as my loads vary quite a bit. If you always carry the same items, it would be worth having the inside customised to suit. I'll know what I should have asked for after a few months to a year of actual use!

 

Only change so far would perhaps be to add an extra hole to the strap so that it can be shortened to fit right up close underneath if not in use. Probably worth specifying if ordering one, can't hurt!

 

Will report if anything comes to light later on.

[dapv]

Very helpful post.

[Paul Hurst]

Update:

Took bag on a visit today, the client I was seeing wants one, and his tenant upstairs put in an order - exactly the same apart from an extra 1.5" in height to cope with his laptop (bag size 15.5" x 12"). Estimate for extra cost = £15.00. Henry is now going to make them all with extra holes in the strap as suggested.

[fountainpen92]

My bag is a messenger bag from Tenba. It can hold a 17" laptop and has a lot of pockets for my fountain pens.

[Mockingbird]

Thanks for the review.

 

Are there any leather satchel bags with a water bottle holder/umbrella holder on the side of the bags?

With that addition, this could be my dream bag.

[Paul Hurst]

Thanks for the review.

 

Are there any leather satchel bags with a water bottle holder/umbrella holder on the side of the bags?

With that addition, this could be my dream bag.

 

Must be worth a call, letter or email to the chap to ask if they can be added...found him very willing to make what I wanted.

 

Probably best to have exact sizes for the bottle and brolly to hand first - I'm assuming one on either side?

[trent]

Saddleback satchels are rugged and good looking, but they are terribly heavy, to the point that I cannot use them as often as they deserve. I wonder if those U.S. Army satchels from Custom Hide are a little lighter?

[nunez]

Saddleback satchels are rugged and good looking, but they are terribly heavy, to the point that I cannot use them as often as they deserve. I wonder if those U.S. Army satchels from Custom Hide are a little lighter?

 

I don't have a saddleback, but I do have the custom hide, and it's pretty heavy. That's the main reason it doesn't get much use. If I were living in a 'car culture', where I only have to carry it to and from the car I might use it, but we walk a great deal 'down under' and it's a bit heavy to carry long distance.

[Hetty]

Thank you for this fantastic post, Paul. Have looked at Henry's site and it looks amazing. I just need to save up now for new bag!

 

Many thanks.

 

Hetty

[erratik]

You'll have to email gfeller, and get them to send you a paypal invoice to ship outside the US.

 

As for Satchels, anyone heard of these guys?

 

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/97-Satchels-Medium/products/2033-Leather-Satchel-Medium-ipad-Dark-Tobacco-Brown

 

They have a "100 year warranty" and seem to have some pretty good designs.

ugh gosh I've been in love with the small satchel for months. the only thing stopping me is the want for a new monitor and being torn between tobacco brown and chesnut . . .also looking at getting one of their monitor pads as well :'(

[jlepens]

Try Poetic Earth. I saw their satchels at the Festival of Books last weekend. Much lighter leather and canvas lined.

http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss262/jlepens/IMG_0565.jpg

 

http://poeticearthjournals.com/

[trent]

Did the Poetic Earth bags look tough and sturdy? Like they'll last a long time? I wish they had more photos on their website...

[jlepens]

I handled a couple of the bags and they seem very strong and amazingly light. The leather was of good quality.