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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: mozar on July 12, 2015, 01:15:43 PM

Title: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: mozar on July 12, 2015, 01:15:43 PM: My dad's beloved briefcase has died after many years. He says that there are mildew issues in his apartment and it got moldy or something. There was a good thread about buying things that last forever but I don't remember any briefcases specifically. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: JohnnyDollar on July 12, 2015, 01:27:45 PM: BIFL briefcase: http://www.saddlebackleather.com/briefcase
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: mozar on July 12, 2015, 01:30:15 PM: Nice!
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: pbkmaine on July 12, 2015, 01:33:30 PM: http://www.coach.com/shop/men-bags-briefcases

I have a few 30-year-old Coach bags that look better than new. Better, because age has given them a lovely patina.
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: Zamboni on July 12, 2015, 01:39:43 PM: Sorry to hear about the mold :-(

I have a coach briefcase that I bought in Vegas after a craps winning streak 25 years ago (I know, face punches all around.) Still looks absolutely fantastic. Definitely a buy it for life item. Now I've got a coach wallet and purse as well (purse is also ~20 years old). Indestructible and look perfect, and now the purse is even officially "back in style" according to my fashionista co-worker; hilarious for me since I don't care about purse style trends.
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: pbkmaine on July 12, 2015, 03:29:39 PM: There are two kinds of Coach bags being made today: the original ones that are made of the same kind of leather used for baseball gloves, and the new, trendy ones of thinner leather, cloth and vinyl. Needless to say, you want the original type. If you go into a Coach store, the difference is obvious. Look for thick, buttery soft leather.
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: forummm on July 12, 2015, 04:44:55 PM: Here's the mustachian briefcase I like to use:

(http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/plastic-bag_thank-you.jpg)
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: mozar on July 12, 2015, 04:49:54 PM: Being that my dad is going to a meeting where he will be asking for a 1.5 million grant, I don't think a plastic bag will suffice.

How do you tell if you are getting an original coach bag if you are ordering online?
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: sol on July 12, 2015, 04:54:46 PM: Quote from: mozar on July 12, 2015, 04:49:54 PM
How do you tell if you are getting an original coach bag if you are ordering online?

You order direct from the manufacturer, or you don't. Even then, you maintain a caution skepticism.

I've basically decided that any product made by a company with an advertising budget is likely to be overpriced. Coach may make lovely bags. But unless you're deliberately buying the brand for the status it conveys, you're paying too much. There are surely other high quality leather bags out there, made by companies or people without multimillion dollar ad campaigns, that would be equivalent or superior at a much more fair price.

If you search "leather breifcases for men" on google and click the shopping tab and sort by price, you'll see hundreds of full grain leather bags for under $300. Surely some of them have positive reviews. You might start there, if you're interested in paying full retail.
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: forummm on July 12, 2015, 05:05:49 PM: Joking aside, I bought 2 really nice briefcases for about $50 each. That was awhile ago. But you ought to be able to find something that looks nice for $100 or so. Amazon (cheaper) or find a store in the mall (you can see it but it will be closer to $300).

For men, you don't need a brand name. Just a classy leather look.
Title: Re: Best artisan briefcase for dad?
Post by: mozar on July 12, 2015, 05:56:29 PM: I already do enough for him, so I won't be researching into bags. I'll just go with the saddleback. He'll go find a store if he wants to.
Thx.