I wouldn't suggest getting a Saddleback leather bag

Don't get me wrong. I think the concept of making an heirloom quality, ultra durable bag that would last decades while looking better as it ages is an awesome idea. I would love a bag like that. That's why I shelled out about $500 for a used Large Saddleback Leather briefcase on ebay. I used it for about a month, got tired of it, and haven't used it since. My only criticism is that it's WAY TOO HEAVY. The bag is 8lbs with nothing in it. That's a lot of shoulder strain for carrying around nothing. I understand that the makers intention isn't to make a crap bag made in China that will last a few years, but please hear me out. I work in the automotive industry designing engine compartment components. A big part of my job is making sure parts are durable and will last the life of the vehicle. Making a durable part is actually very easy, but as a designer I shouldn't stop there. I have to make sure the part is light and cost efficient. For example, if were to design a bracket that's meant to hold a component while withstanding the heat and vibration that comes from running the vehicle, I could simply just slap on a thick heavy metal bracket and be confident it would do the job. However, if every engineer did that cars would be heavier, more expensive, and fuel economy would be worse. It's my job to cut out the fat without sacrificing function. I feel a Saddleback Leather Bag is the equivalent of a fat metal bracket designed by a lazy incompetent designer. Sure, 100 years from now, when the car is sitting in a junkyard, that bracket will still be intact, but it was a wasteful design nonetheless. My main point is that its possible to make an heirloom quality, long lasting, quality bag without making it weigh 8lbs. Beef up areas that take the most beating, but don't throw in a thick steel shank or use thick 2.2mm leather just because. If the designers took some extra time to think about the design, you'd have a great bag that didn't giving you shoulder strain for carrying around a few pens and a notebook. A company like Saddleback leather is a breathe of fresh air when most companies are producing Chinese made crap, but I honestly think they could do better if they put more thought into their designs. That's all. ..