The messenger bag project begun in February moved to the next stage this week, when Glaser Designs showed me their prototype (ignore the color - prototypes are made from scrap leather and this week's scrap happened to be purple). They asked me to bring the things I would normally carry in the bag so we could be certain there would be a place for each of them.
The principal purpose of this messenger will be to carry the contents of my jacket pockets when I am not wearing a jacket, but I asked for something large enough to hold an iPod and an iPad or Kindle at the same time. Designer Kari Glaser came through. My only change was to ask for a handle so I can carry the bag when I am wearing a jacket and do not want to use the shoulder strap. I was also careful to confirm that the production version would be in the requested brown leather. 
One side of the bag has a quick entry side pocket for a wallet. Another zipper provides quick access through the top to a cell phone.
Still a third zipper opens the bag up on three sides as necessary to get to the other contents. There are actually two compartments inside, along with holders for smaller items that might otherwise take time to find.
The Glasers recommend that travellers carry two underpacked carry-ons rather than a single over-stuffed briefcase, and the messenger looks like it will complement a computer bag. I hope to test that theory next month.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Ignore the Color
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16 comments:
Will
Check out SaddleBack Leather
http://www.saddlebackleather.com
I think you may find what you are looking for, even though it will not be bespoke, it will be tougher than what you are looking at.
cheers
george
Will,
Nice project. I think the handle will make it even better. Maybe two small incisions to provide a place for pen and pencil would also be a good idea.
Best,
Luis
The Saddleback stuff looks well made but it's a bit rustic for my taste.
Will
Every time I stop by, it is a learning experience.
Thanks
Please -- don't be suckered by the iPad; no more than an iPod touch for the visually-impaired, as one commentator described it
Unless you're carrying diplomatic dispatches, a change of clothes, or specialized equipment required by your job or hobby, that's just a purse. Say no. If you can't step out to an event that doesn't call for a jacket without a bag full of stuff, you're carrying way too much stuff.
Titus, perhaps you don't spend ten hours at a time on airplanes.
Will,
I really like this prototype. Purple is far and away my favorite color and I've been looking for another accessory in the color for some time now.
Are you going to send it back, or do you keep it?
Conor, the prototype belongs to Glaser, not to me. Perhaps they will sell it to you if you contact them.
Thanks, Will. Just sent them an email. I'm a college student, and my current bag is falling apart from daily use, so I'm in the market for a new bag.
I have to say, I'm not loving this thing. The 3-sided zip just turned this thing into a laptop bag.
What we need are *small* high-quality, masculine, messenger bags. This doesn't really fit the bill. Widening the shoulder strap would make this look a bit more masculine (and make the strap more comfortable). And who wants to set a messenger bag down to access gadgets?! I would rather by a very small leather carry-on from a company like Tanner Krolle or LV, stuff it full of what I need, than buy this.
Sorry for the drastic feedback, but this bag feels like more of the same to me.
Will,
I'm in the market for a bag very much like you are working on here. I'm wondering if, once yours is done and it's basically what I'm looking for if I can order one too, but in a darker brown?
This is assuming you don't mind duplicates. I don't want to step on toes if you'd like to keep yours one of a kind.
Regards,
Jason
The one thing that I would add to the bad would be a slit at the back so that the bag can be attached to a rolling case or bag. When hurrying for a flight, it is sometimes hard to rush while having the bag around your body; nicer to be able to attach it to the luggage you are lugging along with wheels.
Jason, I'm sure Glaser Designs will be happy to sell you one in the leather of your choice.
Kind of difficult to determine scale. Can you tell us what the dimensions are?
Rob, 10" by 10" by 3" excluding handle and strap.
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