Win it: The Saddleback Medium Thin Briefcase

Saddleback Leather Co. Medium Thin Briefcase – $461.00

Consider this week five days of saying thank you. Without your readership, your emails, your terrific comments, and your willingness to spread the word, Dappered wouldn’t exist. The collection of good guys who frequent this corner of the internet is by far the greatest achievement of this website. And to say thank you, we’ve put together five, splurge-worthy giveaways that’ll hopefully express our gratitude. Good luck, and thanks a million.

 

Luggage Salesman: Have you thought much about luggage, Mr. Banks?

Joe Banks: No, I never really have.

Luggage Salesman: It’s the central preoccupation of my life.  You travel the world.  You’re away from home.  Perhaps away from your family.  All you have to depend on is yourself – and your luggage.

– Joe vs The Volcano

And thus began the century-long test of Saddleback’s Thin Briefcase here on Dappered. Why 100 years? Because that’s how long Saddleback’s guarantee is good for. And with a mere 97 years and 7 months left to go, this thing has just started to settle into its own. A unique patina is developing on the surface, but the structural integrity remains rock solid. There are no signs that’s going to change either… y’know, between now and the dawn of the 22nd century.

A Saddleback, just starting to get broken in.

The styling looks more like something from the 19th century instead of the 22nd. But these briefcases are simple enough to look “right” with any sort of work-wear. From on-site steel-toe boots and jeans, to corner office appropriate suits, a Saddleback is impressive no matter what the carrier is wearing. Plus, that design is incredibly functional. There are no breakable parts on this thing. Not a zipper, not a snap, nothing. Those gadgets are too newfangled and unpredictable. Just thick, 100% full grain boot leather that’s been stitched together by marine-grade thread, reinforcing rivets at all stress points, and a buckle, flap-over closure.

At 4.5 pounds, those with noodle-arms might find it heavy, but that’s a selling point to most. Our reviewer (and all around renaissance man) Ben went so far as to say the thickness of the leather “feels like it could stop a knife.” Probably not a good idea to test this theory in person, but you get the idea.

Saddleback’s briefcases, bags, and other leather goods have earned an army of fans for good reason. The only drawback to owning one is echoed in their slogan: “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” Indeed. And here’s to hoping there’s no one in your Will who’d artificially accelerate your demise, just so they can get their hands on your briefcase.

Enter here to win (Update: entries are closed) a Saddleback Medium Thin Briefcase in your preferred shade of leather. One entry per person. Deadline for entry is 11:59 pm ET 8/15/13. Thanks to Saddleback for providing one of their outstanding briefcases for our Reader Appreciation Week.

Update: Congrats to Andrew K. from Hamilton OH who won the drawing for the Saddleback!

Some things really do get quite a bit better with age.