'Si quid Latine dicatur, profundum videbitur'

Briefcases

14" Medium  - 14"w X 11"h X 9"d (regular laptop)  - 6.5 lbs.

16" Large- 16"w X 12"h X 9"d (average 17" laptop)  - 7.5 lbs.

18" Extra Large  - 18"w X 13"h X 9"d  - 8 lbs.

Suitcases  

Small 23" x 17" x 7" - 15 lbs.

Medium 25" x 18"x 8" - 16.5 lbs.

Large 27" x 19" x 8" - 17.5 lbs.

Messenger bags 

14"H x 12.75"W x 3.75"D

Pouch and Satchels

Pouch 6" x 8"- almost 1 lb. and expands to fit cameras, wallets etc.

Satchel 10" x 9" x 4" about 1.5 lbs.

Will my laptop fit?

Measure your laptop from side to side since a laptop's advertised size is defined by the diagonal width of the screen. Most 17" laptops have a 15.4" wide body. Measure your laptop and see how wide it is and then buy a 14", 16" or an 18" bag accordingly.

Which size briefcase should I get for just everyday use?

You want the bag to fit your body size. If you're huge, then you'll look even bigger with a smaller bag and if you're small then a big bag will make you look like a real little fella. In my humble opinion:

• Pituitary Giant circus performers and men over 6' 5" I recommend an 18"

• People 5' 10" - 6' 5" I recommend a 16". It's a nice size for air travel and for larger laptops.

• Folks 5' 4" - 5' 10" should get a 14".

• Smaller framed folks - 12".

Color

Will the color rub off on my clothes?

No.

Is the color in the picture the exact color I get when I order?

Usually, but not always. The leather in the pictures has been used, burned by the sun, oiled or is wet. Some are just really dirty. Expect a possible 20% lighter or darker variation from the pictures.

Which color should I get?

Pick the one that fits who you are. I've observed what the bag owners tend to be like based on the color they have chosen over the years. The category below that fits you best is probably the color you'll enjoy most. Also, to help you decide, you can take this test http://www.oneishy.com/personality/personality_test.php

You'll be amazed at how it helps you decide. Remember, your first inclination is usually the correct one.

Tobacco Light Brown (Sanguine)

• Easy going

• Laid back and casual

• Likes old Land Cruisers

• Forgives quickly

• Creative (enjoys writing)

• Loves big dogs

• Traveler

• Never met a stranger

• Low maintenance

• Lots of random thoughts

• Inventor

• Funny

• Loves the outdoors

• Adventurous

• Only wears clothes because you have to

Carbon Black (Phlegmatic or Choleric)

• You look good in a thick black leather jacket

• Rides a cruiser type motorcycle

• Wear thick black framed glasses

• Drives a Volvo or Saab

• Perfectionist

• They know your name at the coffee shop

• Sci-Fi is your favorite genre

• Are very interested in Oriental culture

• Prefer cats over dogs

• Loves modern contemporary style square furniture

Chestnut Reddish Brown (Choleric or Melancholy)

• Professional

• Highly educated

• Belongs in a Mercedes Benz or Jaguar

• Classier than most

• Perfectionist

• Has excellent taste in dressing and decorating

• Great sense of humor

• Intellectual

• Smokes a pipe instead of a cigarette

• Appreciates the finer things

Dark Coffee Brown (Phlegmatic or Choleric or Melancholy)

• Loves the outdoors

• Is the best friend of many people

• Reads a lot of books

• Loves big dogs

• Intellectual

• Loves adventure

• Independent

• Musical

If you still aren't sure, then just buy all four colors.

Which color is the bag in the picture?

Zacatecas, Mexico - Tobacco with 2 coats of dark "Paramo" Oil (not sure of translation)

Mexican Federale - Dark Coffee Brown

African Desert - Tobacco well traveled

Bled, Slovenia - Tobacco well traveled, lightly oiled and soaking wet outside, dry inside

Punchbowl Falls Oregon - Tobacco

Costa Rica - Tobacco

Mexico/United States - Tobacco used as backpack

Budapest, Hungary - Tobacco well traveled and dirty

Bocas del Toro, Panama - Tobacco well traveled

Sahara - Tobacco oiled and dirty used as backpack

With side satchel connected - Chestnut Reddish Brown

South Pacific - Tobacco honeymoon bag

Krakow, Poland - Tobacco oiled and soaking wet

Tahitian Islands - Dark Coffee Brown

Salzburg, Austria - Tobacco

Red Sands, Texas with Blue-Tobacco w/ lots of Blue drool

Jack Anderson's "Antarctica Penguins" Photo 18" Tobacco

Benson Ward's "Machu Picchu" - 14" Tobacco

Brian Dewey's "End of the Day" - 14" Dark Coffee

Geir Baekholt's "17th Century House Norway" - 16" Chestnut

Dustin Ballard's "Grand Tetons" - 14" Dark Coffee

Tom Thurman's "Kandariya Mahadeva" - 18" Dark Coffee

Max and Mistress Bag 'n Satchel - 14" Dark Coffee

Brett's "Tyrannosaurus in Costa Rica" 16" Dark Coffee

John's "Great Wall of China" - 18" Tobacco

Franck's bag in Hollywood â€" 14" original Tobacco w/ dark oil

Curtis' bag at Black Hills Biker Rally - 16" Tobacco

David Bouchard's "Indian Elephant" - 16" Dark Coffee

Marco's "Harmonica" Bag in Switzerland - 14" Dark Coffee

Shipping and Payment

How long to get it once I place my order?

We take between 2 - 4 business days to process your order, go over the bag with a fine toothed comb and give it to the carrier. How long it takes from there depends on which method of shipping you chose and how close you are to Texas. In Texas, it's usually next day. New York, Miami and Seattle are usually 4 - 5 days using basic UPS ground shipping. Outside the United States is usually 4 - 6 business days with hopefully no more than 2 -3 days in customs. We ship by UPS Worldwide Expedited for most international locations.

Military Addresses APO/FPO

APO (Army Post Office) and FPO (Fleet Post Office) are military designated addresses that allow mail to be delivered to overseas military locations. APO addresses are associated with US Army or Air Force installations. FPO addresses are associated with US Navy installations and ships in the United States.

When completing your Shipping Address during checkout, please make note of the following.

The City must be entered as either "APO" or "FPO"

The State must be selected as either "AA" "AE" or "AP"(AE for Armed Forces Europe, AA for Armed Forces Americas, or AP for Armed Forces Pacific).

You must enter your Zip code.

You MUST choose U.S. for country code under shipping options; otherwise shipping fees will be calculated incorrectly.

Can I change my order?

You have 12 hours to change your order. After that, you can contact us, but it could already be en route.

Do you insure the leather pieces you ship?

Yes we insure most pieces.

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE USA, TAKE NOTE: To keep the postal service from taking all of your hard earned money, shipping cost on the small and passport wallets to countries other than the US will NOT include a tracking number or insurance. If you would like those services on your order, please contact the gals at customer service and they can add those services to your order for an increased shipping price.

Do I have to sign for it?

UPS doesn't require a signature and USPS does. If you ask us when you buy, we can require a signature. You can also call or email the carrier and give them specific instructions e.g. put it on the back porch, leave it with the neighbor etc.

Can I pay for this via check, money order or bank draft?

Yes. I will accept any form of payment as long as it clears my bank. Sometimes it takes several days before the bank gives the thumbs up.

Leather Care

How do I care for my leather?

Oil or condition it after you've had it for 6 - 12 months then, once a year or so after that. You don't want to do it too often, because you don't want to saturate the leather. It's just not good for it. And, it won't kill it if you wait a little longer than 12 months.

Which leather care products do you recommend?

Baby Oil is good and smells great. Mink oil waterproofs whatever it touches and darkens it some. Lexol Conditioners and Oils are great, and can darken it a little. Not really sure about Beeswax.

How do I darken or lighten my leather?

DO NOT USE DYES OR STAINS. Use only oils. Mink oil darkens leather and so do a number of other oils you can find at a feed store or leather supply shop online. I'd recommend putting the oil on a small inconspicuous part of the leather first so that if you don't like it after it's dried, then you can try something else. Sun darkens cowhide like it does human hide it just takes a little longer. You can only get it lighter by bending or scratching it.

Will water hurt it? Saltwater?

Our leather laughs at water. The leather is tanned with oil and therefore repels water after a few hours or even a few minutes. The tobacco and black leathers are 100% waterproof like quality hiking boot leather is. Your leather will be fine if it gets rained on and there won't be spots afterwards.

If you fall in the ocean with it, then soak it in freshwater for 24 hours. Change the water about 12 hours into it. That's what I did when I took my bag shark diving with me for pictures. I now use it as my diaper bag. If you only get a little salt on it, then clean it off with water and then oil it. The rivets corrode though.

Will the color fade?

Cheap leathers fade, black to grey, red to pink etc. Our leather is not cheap. It won't fade but will usually darken a little in the sun.

How do I get scratches out of the leather?

Elbow grease is the best for scratches. Rubbing the heck out of it with a rag and conditioner or oil should do it. Personally, I like scratches. They tell stories and make people wonder.

How can I get ink off of my leather?

Well, you're pretty much screwed. One person said that hairspray worked to get their ink out, but there's something cooler you can do. Take it to a tattoo artist and have him make a sun or cross or something like that with it. It'll look cool and you'll have a good story too.

Custom Work

Do you do custom work?

Let me think about it for a sec........ Nope. But, you can email me your idea, because I may have already thought of it and it might be just about ready to put on the website for sale.

Will you burn my name or initials or design on it?

No, I'm afraid of fire. Actually, it's a great idea to have it done somewhere. No one will want to steal your bag as much and it will look even cooler.

Can you make minor changes to my bag?

No. It sounds really easy to have one made without d-rings or with an extra pocket, but it really is a whole lot of work. Please believe me.

Photo Contest

Will you explain the contest?

The contest is for the coolest, most creative, unique, hardest to get or in an exotic place on Earth.  If you can be the first to get a picture with one of the famous comedians Steve Martin or Chevy Chase or Jackie Chan, Joe Montana, Henry Winkler or Sting standing on your leather piece or a pic of a leather piece in the country of Irkutsk, Russia, on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro or at the North Pole, then you automatically win $500 credit on the website. For the rest of the pictures, there will be one winner on June 21st (my birthday first day of summer and longest day of the year) and one winner on Dec. 7th (Pearl Harbor anniversary). The winners will get a $500 gift certificate good for any leather pieces on the Saddleback Leather Co. website. 

There are usually so many cool pics that I can hardly decide who wins, so I give out prizes to runners up too.  There will also be a $100 credit for the best picture of a child with the leather and another $100 for the best picture of a pet with the leather.  Even if you don't make it to the top of some cool mountain or never even leave your state, I really want to see your pic.  It's just what SBL family members do.   One of the past winners was the person's bag next to a fireplace.  It was cool. 

Any ideas for pictures?

If you work at a bank, then maybe get a picture with your bag with $1,000,000 cash or that much in your suitcase. If you live in London, maybe a picture of it being run over by a double-decker bus or with Big Ben. If you know someone famous, take a picture with them with it. If you live in the country, leave it out in the field with deer feed laying around it overnight and then in the morning with your telephoto lens, get a picture of it with deer all around it. If you're a surgeon, take a picture of you performing a surgery on it with nurses all around. Be creative. With your pet, a cool bridge, in front of a nice door, etc.

Miscellaneous Questions

Why don't you make the bags with brass hardware?

Which is the better metal to make a door knob out of?  Iron or Bronze?  Is nickel plated metal not strong enough to be a buckle?  I see the hardware as bag jewelry.  It accents the bag and draws attention to it instead of blending in.  Imagine a woman wearing a brown dress with brown jewelry.  She wouldn't look nearly as beautiful as if she had highly contrasting silver jewelry. 

Can the shoulder strap be adjusted for my size?

Yes, the shoulder strap for the briefcase, messenger bag and duffel bag adjusts from 59" to 36".  I've put in extra holes in the shoulder strap. You can also take the strap to a shoe repair person and have them take out the rivet that holds the clip on, cut the appropriate amount of leather off and rivet the clip on again. I make the strap long enough for anyone to wear and easy to tailored for a custom fit.  They do the same with quality suits.

The cool medallion hanging on your bags, where can I get one?

Try tying on a memorable piece of something that has a story behind it like a shell necklace from a vacation or a keychain from your alma mater. That's what I do on my bags on trips etc.

If you really want one of those old 5 peso coins then catch a plane to Mexico City. Get off the plane and go to the western most bus station "Observatorio" via "El Metro" (the subway). Catch a bus to Toluca and then get on a bus headed for Ixtapan de la Sal. When you get off the bus, catch one of the green and white taxis and tell them "Tecomatepec" OR there's a guy who lives kind of behind the bus station and to the right named Pedro. He has a burro he'll let you use if you tell him you know Dave. Don't worry, his burro knows the way.

Several hours later, when you get to Tecomatepec 3 miles away, get off the burro at the corner where the drunk guy with the missing teeth is (you'll know) and walk up the alley about 3 doors past the tortilla factory and ask for Senora Lupita and tell her Dave sent you. She should have one or two left. Hope that helps.

How much do they cost you, Dave?

Well, I lived for three years in a $100 a month apartment in Mexico with no hot water, because of these bags. My dog, Blue, and I drove for thousands of hours all over the North American continent because of these bags. I had a crooked Federale sent to kill me because of these bags (I convinced him that Seaor Alarcon would never pay him and we became friends). I've shed gallons of blood and tears and sweat and at least a quart of other people's, because of these bags. I've slept in my car or on the rack of my old Land Cruiser at least 150 times because of these bags. I've lost weeks of sleep and have gone hungry for days because of these bags. I was broke for years and even had to trade two of Blue's little puppies for a month's worth of tacos in order to eat because of these bags. I've been detained by who knows how many Mexican police because of these bags. I've thrown away thousands of dollars and made hundreds of mistakes because of these bags. I've been stolen from, taken advantage of and robbed because of these bags (they even stole Blue once, but I got him back). All of these things and more have happened to me because of these bags. They cost me a lot.

Can you help me justify spending this much on a piece of leather?

Buy the best, cry once. It's all about the cost per year. In college, I bought a pair of very expensive shoes for my job as a waiter. I couldn't afford them, but I bought them anyhow. They were really light and comfortable and took me through two years of waiting tables and one year as a limo driver and another year of occasional use. And then they still looked good for a month of Sundays. Cost per year was about $25. Most of the other waiters bought a new pair of $55 heavy and uncomfortable shoes every 6 months because theirs wore out and looked ratty by then. One of the principles the successful in the world understand is this: If one buys quality from the start they save money. Don't be penny wise and dollar foolish. This will be one of the most savvy investments and inexpensive leather pieces you'll ever have. And remember, you must truly love yourself before you can love others. A couple of other things to think about you'll be more popular. Everybody isn't buying one. I'll invite you to my birthday party. What's wrong, you chicken?

Is the briefcase comfortable as a backpack?

I once used it for about 6 weeks as my daily backpack. It's not as comfortable as a true backpack. You'll be the coolest cat on the bus for sure.

How do I change the bag into a backpack?

Disconnect the shoulder strap completely. Attach the end of the shoulder strap that is closest to the buckle of the shoulder strap to a rear bottom d-ring. Run the shoulder strap through the d-ring beneath the handle along with one shoulder pad and then attach the other end of the shoulder strap to the opposing rear bottom d-ring.

The bag I purchased has some markings on the exterior...is that a defect ?

NO, absolutely not ! Unless you are talking about a damaged bag (knife cut, etc.) you are probably seeing the evidence of a scarring event somewhere in this animals history. Actually, scarring is a common feature, and for some of our customers the more scars the better...the scars give the bag more character.

Are some scars more valuable, or sought after than others ?

YES, Absolutely ! For example, some of our products have pigskin interiors which generally have a smooth, higher finished quality however, sometimes one of these pieces will have a scrape or scar-type marking on it these are, in fact, scars associated with the sex life of the pig. More than most other animals, the pig is known for its violent mating behaviors it is aggressive, selfish, and, generally demeaning to its female partner the male pig bites, scratches, gouges, and anything else he can think of to have his way (in some rare cases pigs have been known to use other strategies, like cleaning the pigpen, bringing flowers, showing kindness to her relatives, etc,) thus, many female pigs, at least the desireable ones, are pretty scarred-up. In the pig culture, this is a sign of status, and in pig libraries you can find alot about this under 'pigskin erotica'. Now, back to the point of your question : the best hides for our purposes (i.e. creating the best leather bag possible) are the female pig hides (girls just have better skin) and, so, our pigskin products will sometimes have various scarring patterns. We refer to these as 'love scars'.

Is it possible to order a bag with special scarring ?

You can request one, but they are not easy to come by, and there is no way to know, in advance, what type of scarring will show up these bags are sought after and are usually sold at a higher premium.

Does the same type of scarring occur with the cowhide products ?

No, except in cases of what we call "Bad Cow Disease"...most of the time cows are docile, polite, and caring in their mating behaviors.

Are the animals tortured before they are slaughtered?

Absolutely not ! With some pigs we do use waterboarding and sensory deprivation techniques previous to slaughtering them, but the cows do not require any special handling.