The fact that you have a dedicated shelf for your collection shows how important those bags are to you. Thank you from a maker's perspective for the respect you show for the crafters. Also the bag is absolutely amazing and will last for a life time indeed!
I love the value to match with the high quality of the bag Jim! I was surprised that it's not made in Italy or the USA. It was made in Indonesia so I can understand your concern. I'm glad they use Veg tan leather to make this affordable product! They want the extra mile to eliminate any fail points to increase the longevity and the durability. I love espresso color!
Very thorough review! I’ve been a Saddleback guy for many years now, but I’ve been sort of unhappy with their designs as of late and I just recently discovered Cravar. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about FC15 or FC13; the Alpha is a gorgeous bag, buy kind of a more traditional briefcase, which means it won’t get much use because I already have a traditional style briefcase and I don’t use it that much compared to my smaller, more rugged satchels. So far everything I’m seeing about Cravar has been very positive and the price seems excellent. I love the quality of craftsmanship and veg tanned leather in this price range (most of Saddleback’s is chrome tanned as well as more expensive, but I do have a veg tan bag from them), but I’ll be honest, their twill bags have also caught my eye. Some of them are under $300 and look really well made. I definitely see a Cravar bag (or two) in my future.
Hey James! I’ve purchased Coronado Americana Messenger #201 from Coronado. I believe it is a beautiful bag, I’ve used it in Romania and I’ve gotten a lot of positive complements. I wanted to get your opinion on it! not sure if you have reviewed it or not!
Hello civetricamoto, I've owned the Americana Messenger from Coronado before, but I never reviewed it. I think it is a fantastic well made bag. Coronado Leather is certainly one of the winners in my opinion. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
Once my eyes finished bugging out, I recognized a Seattle Leather bag on your storage shelf, bottom row, third from right. Is that the only storage shelf you have? Or perhaps a leather wing to your manor? Never mind, that sounds kinky.
Yes Ken, that is an Heirloom Messenger from The Leather Shop. There are two other shelving units stocked with leather goods in that room and six drawers of wallets and small leather goods as well. I don’t own a bass boat so….lol!
Thank you so much for the review. Also, your collection is mind-blowing. Quick question: Could you please tell me the height of the laptop compartment? My laptop has a width of 1.25 inches and I am wondering whether it would fit.
Hello, yes the laptop sleeve is 15 inches wide, 9.25 tall and a bit less than an inch deep front to back. Your laptop would probably fit in the front compartment though. Thanks for the question.
Thank you for asking, no there is no padding on the bottom of the laptop sleeve, but the gusset is raised from the floor when you set it down, so I doubt it would harm your laptop at all.
The laptop slot is exactly 15" wide. The sides of the slot are flexible, but it would be a really tight fit especially when new because the veg tannned leather is pretty firm. After it has broken in, it would probably work, but I can't say that for sure. Thanks for the question. Cravar does make bags from softer leather which would certainly work!
Hi Flank, Did you purchase the bag? My laptop is 14.87 inches wide and I am curious to know whether the bag worked for you (your laptop's width vs. bag's width).
@@omehoque hi, yes I bought this bag. It’s beautiful and very nicely made. It fits my laptop easily in laptop compartment. The only thing is the bag is on the heavier side thats all.
The fact that you have a dedicated shelf for your collection shows how important those bags are to you. Thank you from a maker's perspective for the respect you show for the crafters. Also the bag is absolutely amazing and will last for a life time indeed!
Thank you Mr. Sertkaya, coming from one of the leather masters, that means a lot!
I broke into a big smile on your opening scene. Of course James Crane would have a bag 'bookshelf'! Love it!
I’ve always wanted to see how you store your wonderful collection. Another great video. Thanks for showcasing all these makers.
I love the value to match with the high quality of the bag Jim! I was surprised that it's not made in Italy or the USA. It was made in Indonesia so I can understand your concern. I'm glad they use Veg tan leather to make this affordable product! They want the extra mile to eliminate any fail points to increase the longevity and the durability. I love espresso color!
I love your collection of bags! Your organization is amazing. Thanks for the review. Enjoy your weekend.
I have been waiting years to see that opening shot! What an incredible collection!
Very thorough review! I’ve been a Saddleback guy for many years now, but I’ve been sort of unhappy with their designs as of late and I just recently discovered Cravar. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about FC15 or FC13; the Alpha is a gorgeous bag, buy kind of a more traditional briefcase, which means it won’t get much use because I already have a traditional style briefcase and I don’t use it that much compared to my smaller, more rugged satchels. So far everything I’m seeing about Cravar has been very positive and the price seems excellent. I love the quality of craftsmanship and veg tanned leather in this price range (most of Saddleback’s is chrome tanned as well as more expensive, but I do have a veg tan bag from them), but I’ll be honest, their twill bags have also caught my eye. Some of them are under $300 and look really well made. I definitely see a Cravar bag (or two) in my future.
Wow! Love this bag! Great find, Jim!! Fantastic and so thorough review!! Thank you!! Love the strap.
Yes Shawn, it really is a well made satchel and I love all the little details built in. Thanks Shawn!
Love my Cravar bags!
I have the Rana 15, the camera bag variant. Bag is well built and for roughly the same price, is a better value than my Ona leather camera bag.
Hey James! I’ve purchased Coronado Americana Messenger #201 from Coronado. I believe it is a beautiful bag, I’ve used it in Romania and I’ve gotten a lot of positive complements. I wanted to get your opinion on it! not sure if you have reviewed it or not!
Hello civetricamoto, I've owned the Americana Messenger from Coronado before, but I never reviewed it. I think it is a fantastic well made bag. Coronado Leather is certainly one of the winners in my opinion. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
@@JamesCrane Thank You James! I love the chanel
Once my eyes finished bugging out, I recognized a Seattle Leather bag on your storage shelf, bottom row, third from right. Is that the only storage shelf you have? Or perhaps a leather wing to your manor? Never mind, that sounds kinky.
Yes Ken, that is an Heirloom Messenger from The Leather Shop. There are two other shelving units stocked with leather goods in that room and six drawers of wallets and small leather goods as well. I don’t own a bass boat so….lol!
I've been looking at this bag and the Satchel and Page's mailbag. Do you have any thoughts as to Cravar or Satchel and Page's bag?
Yes, I prefer the Cravar bags, they are better built in my opinion and have more features compared to S&P. Thanks for the question.
@@JamesCrane Thank you for the info. I will take closer look at the Cravar.
Thank you so much for the review. Also, your collection is mind-blowing.
Quick question: Could you please tell me the height of the laptop compartment? My laptop has a width of 1.25 inches and I am wondering whether it would fit.
Hello, yes the laptop sleeve is 15 inches wide, 9.25 tall and a bit less than an inch deep front to back. Your laptop would probably fit in the front compartment though. Thanks for the question.
@@JamesCrane Thanks much for the dimensions. I greatly appreciate your input.
Is there any padding at the bottom of the the laptop compartment or a raised bottom?
Thank you for asking, no there is no padding on the bottom of the laptop sleeve, but the gusset is raised from the floor when you set it down, so I doubt it would harm your laptop at all.
Hi, I’m looking in to this bag but my main concern is my laptop is 15.6” . Would that fit in to this bag?
Thanks!
The laptop slot is exactly 15" wide. The sides of the slot are flexible, but it would be a really tight fit especially when new because the veg tannned leather is pretty firm. After it has broken in, it would probably work, but I can't say that for sure. Thanks for the question. Cravar does make bags from softer leather which would certainly work!
Hi Flank, Did you purchase the bag? My laptop is 14.87 inches wide and I am curious to know whether the bag worked for you (your laptop's width vs. bag's width).
@@omehoque hi, yes I bought this bag. It’s beautiful and very nicely made. It fits my laptop easily in laptop compartment. The only thing is the bag is on the heavier side thats all.
Thanks. Could you please specify your laptop's dimensions?
Cravar this bag model is nice EXCEPT the freaking brass stud design for closing and opening the bag. It is just too hard to close and take an effort.
Holyyyyyy crapppppppp