Hi James - great review. I actually purchased this bag last month (Feb 2020) in part based on your review. On their website, they still show this bag exactly as you review it, but when it arrived I was disappointed to find they have made a number of changes (none of which are shown or pictured on their website). For example, they have eliminated the folds on the front (it is now flat like a regular messenger - not like a traditional mailbag) and they have eliminated much of the inside organization (it is now essentially one small pocket). I contacted them to point out that the bag I received is significantly different than what is pictured and described on their site and I had a kind response from their sales department essentially stating that their website was "a bit outdated" and they had made some cost-cutting changes. I'm keeping the bag in spite of it not being exactly what I wanted. Your viewers should know that, even though the bag on their site is exactly what you review, it is no longer the bag you receive when you order it.
Rick, thank you for your comment, I hate when that happens! I base 90% of purchasing decision on the photographs and 10% on the description. I would be just as upset, if not more, if this happened to me. I would not hesitate to return it if it is not what you were expecting or if it didn't fit your needs. I am going to verify this and then either change my written description or remove the review.... again thanks Rick!
@@JamesCrane - Hi James ... just got an email from Coronado this morning (4/27/2020) introducing the "NEW" Americana Mailbag (which is what they sent me about one month ago. It's on their website now and the old version which you review here is now gone. Stay well!
Tom Olofsson I’ve never paid that much for a backpack before or any luggage but I love leather and am a believer in that you get what you pay for. I’m looking at it as an investment.
I love all of your videos-thank you for sharing them. In this bag, the side-straps (at the top) seem to have their holes slitted the wrong direction. As the weight of the bag falls forward, the side straps are supposed to support the front panel. The studs on the front panel, on this bag, would pull against the slits in the holes. Won’t that fatigue the slits and cause splitting? From an engineering standpoint, the stress should be placed against the holes, not the slits. Hopefully you can comment. Thanks.
John Nguyen you are both correct and incorrect! The straps are suppose to be used to relieve the stress on the seam between the front panel and the gusset but not because the weight of the contents puts stress on that seam. Stress is placed on that seam when the bag is loaded. When someone pulls open the bag wide, as in the Post Office, to load it with lots of letters, small packages, etc. that stress’s that seam. Those straps typically are not adjustable, they are fixed. In this bag the designer decided to use adjustable straps for some reason (they are more for visual interest as opposed to being really useful in my opinion). They could have used small buckles but choose Sam Brown studs instead. Because you would be pulling the strap off of the stud by pulling toward the side of the bag, the slit needs to be toward the inside to make it easier to release from the stud. I find that these adjustable straps aren’t really useful, so it’s not really critical, but you have a good eye for detail!
James, thanks for the helpful reply, but helpful more so because you feel the adjustable straps aren’t as useful as they are visually interesting. My decision came down to this bag and the Heirloom Messenger (from Moose). I just ordered the latter... thanks also to your video review. Cheers.
A.ROMERO78USN when I first started down the rabbit hole of finding a good carry bag in leather I too stumbled across saddlebacks website. Now having had the luxury of owning true quality pieces I’m trying to off load all of my SB stuff.
@@johnharper3257 I have owned a couple of them in the past. Over the years J. Peterman has used several different suppliers to make the bag. I would try to stick to the original versions, the ones that utilize copper rivets, they are built the best and have the highest quality as compared to the newer versions that I believe are built overseas now.
Nice bag! I have been following you for a while. I noticed the bags you review are generally of a classic design. What is your opinion on bags made by DEFY, which uses modern enclosure elements and belt webbing? Thanks!
Mine just arrived. Nice piece of craftsmanship. So I have this bag and a Bleu de Chauffe postman bag in medium. Comparing the two because I do not think I will keep both however much I may want to. Two different bags. Any thoughts on Bleu?
Hi James, Thank you for your wonderful videos. I really like this bag a lot and considering a purchase. I also like one other Coronado bag they have called the vintage stonewashed mailbag. I like that one because it looks "broken in". My biggest issue with a beautiful leather bag is the "break in" factor. I would want it to look as perfect as the one in your video for as long as I could take care of it. How would this bag hold up to getting wet? The goal is not to take it out in the rain but sometimes you can get caught in the rain and I wonder what damage as in water streaks would occur. Do you take your bags out in any weather? Do you put any kind of protection on your bags? My idea for the stone washed bag I mentioned is that if is "broken in" by Coronado design, it might hide rain damage if I took it out. Thank you for your great videos.
Thank you for the question. The leather used in this bag is infused with many oils and fats so it is pretty much impervious to rain damage. Raw untreated leather is prone to developing dark water spots and streaks, but this leather will not do that. You do want to treat it if you are going to use it in the rain. Mink oil would be best, don't use Neatsfoot oil on this bag. I do use my bags in all kinds of weather. Personally, I like the look of a well weathered bag. The stone-washed version of this bag is exactly what the bag above will look like in 10-15 years of use, same leather.
Thank you for the review! Been wanting to buy a bag for my father. Have you ever bought any of their leather outerwear such as the jackets? I'm thinking about buying one.
Great to see you reviewing again. I thought about picking one of these up but no back pocket is a deal breaker for me these days sadly. Are you going to review the new VP doctor bag?
John Harper yes I owned one and sold it about a year ago. A nice bag that I would purchase again if needed. Made from a special waterproof leather that also is very difficult to scratch.
Whaler bags are meant to be great....Please review if you wish. Oh, and if you can afford one, check out the $10K Fischer Voyage, although sadly it's mixed tannage leather. And please consider a lamp or handheld torch when showing the insides of the bags, it's quite dark without extra light, and close ups of interior and fittings would help to improve your videos too. Constructive criticism, not insults. Thanks !
@@JamesCrane Thanks for taking the time to reply James. I believe Fischer do ex demo items at a reduced price occasionally...only around $6K I think...!? I had a good look at one in Harrods, London a few years ago, very nice, of course. In the meantime, Whaler review....?? Thanks.
@@civetricamoto This is Horween Dublin leather which is manufactured with lots of oils and waxes infused into the hide which makes it pretty much impervious to all weather conditions and will remain soft and supple for decades.
I like them both! Billykirk products are well made and tend to be lighter in weight by using thinner leathers and simple designs. Stock and Barrel are more robust designs, but I like them both.
I'm sorry but I don't consider products made from Chrome tanned leather with a sprayed on color and finish that can vary from week to week, a mixture of pot-metal and stainless steel hardware (which has been discovered and discussed in numerous online forums), with an over abundance of quality control issues such as flaking and bubbling surfaces, rivets popping off, uneven or loose stitching, scars and blemishes, and the need to reinforce the product with nylon webbing because the chrome tanned leather itself can't handle the rigors of everyday use, to be a premium product. I just can't do that. Premium means "the best leather, the best materials and hardware, the best craftsmanship and build quality" not just a premium price. In my opinion, Saddleback Leather does not meet all those criteria.
@@JamesCrane Thank you very much for taking the time to fully explain your position. I really appreciate it. I've been impressed with your videos and I give your opinion significant weight so your thoughts on Saddleback is much appreciated. I do have a few Saddleback products so thank you for your opinion. It was very kind of you.. Happy New Year.
the only good thing about saddleback leather is their canvas stuff and i dislike not only saddleback leather marlondo also because they both use a sh#tty pig skin lining.
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I just received my Mail Bag No.280 by Coronado Leather...Your review was the deciding factor, thank you for great review and insight into the product.
Great video. Not sure how a better quality bag can be made. Amazing quality. I just bought their Bison Leather Jacket.
Beautiful leather and beautiful bag. Thanks for another great review!
Hi James - great review. I actually purchased this bag last month (Feb 2020) in part based on your review. On their website, they still show this bag exactly as you review it, but when it arrived I was disappointed to find they have made a number of changes (none of which are shown or pictured on their website). For example, they have eliminated the folds on the front (it is now flat like a regular messenger - not like a traditional mailbag) and they have eliminated much of the inside organization (it is now essentially one small pocket). I contacted them to point out that the bag I received is significantly different than what is pictured and described on their site and I had a kind response from their sales department essentially stating that their website was "a bit outdated" and they had made some cost-cutting changes. I'm keeping the bag in spite of it not being exactly what I wanted. Your viewers should know that, even though the bag on their site is exactly what you review, it is no longer the bag you receive when you order it.
Rick, thank you for your comment, I hate when that happens! I base 90% of purchasing decision on the photographs and 10% on the description. I would be just as upset, if not more, if this happened to me. I would not hesitate to return it if it is not what you were expecting or if it didn't fit your needs. I am going to verify this and then either change my written description or remove the review.... again thanks Rick!
@@JamesCrane - Hi James ... just got an email from Coronado this morning (4/27/2020) introducing the "NEW" Americana Mailbag (which is what they sent me about one month ago. It's on their website now and the old version which you review here is now gone. Stay well!
That is absolutely terrible service from a business.
Great review, thank you!
I have carried a Coronado Leather bag for about 6 years. I really like them.
I just ordered the Coronado leather top zip Americana backpack. The photos just ooze of quality. Can’t wait for it to be delivered.
Dirt Therapy They wear like iron.
Tom Olofsson I’ve never paid that much for a backpack before or any luggage but I love leather and am a believer in that you get what you pay for. I’m looking at it as an investment.
Dirt Therapy Buy once cry once.
I love all of your videos-thank you for sharing them. In this bag, the side-straps (at the top) seem to have their holes slitted the wrong direction. As the weight of the bag falls forward, the side straps are supposed to support the front panel. The studs on the front panel, on this bag, would pull against the slits in the holes. Won’t that fatigue the slits and cause splitting? From an engineering standpoint, the stress should be placed against the holes, not the slits. Hopefully you can comment. Thanks.
John Nguyen you are both correct and incorrect! The straps are suppose to be used to relieve the stress on the seam between the front panel and the gusset but not because the weight of the contents puts stress on that seam. Stress is placed on that seam when the bag is loaded. When someone pulls open the bag wide, as in the Post Office, to load it with lots of letters, small packages, etc. that stress’s that seam. Those straps typically are not adjustable, they are fixed. In this bag the designer decided to use adjustable straps for some reason (they are more for visual interest as opposed to being really useful in my opinion). They could have used small buckles but choose Sam Brown studs instead. Because you would be pulling the strap off of the stud by pulling toward the side of the bag, the slit needs to be toward the inside to make it easier to release from the stud. I find that these adjustable straps aren’t really useful, so it’s not really critical, but you have a good eye for detail!
@@JamesCrane The name of the brass studs is Sam Brown's, not John Brown's....Just sayin...
Natasha Collis Of course Sam Brown! John Brown is my next door neighbor!
James, thanks for the helpful reply, but helpful more so because you feel the adjustable straps aren’t as useful as they are visually interesting. My decision came down to this bag and the Heirloom Messenger (from Moose). I just ordered the latter... thanks also to your video review. Cheers.
Great review! Great bag. So great they are non-existent on the website any more.
Shawn Hampton I believe it’s just the Pre-Sale funding pieces that are sold out. I’m sure others are to follow.
I sold every saddle back item I had...all gone.
A.ROMERO78USN when I first started down the rabbit hole of finding a good carry bag in leather I too stumbled across saddlebacks website. Now having had the luxury of owning true quality pieces I’m trying to off load all of my SB stuff.
All of these reviews are time well spent watching. Your thoughts on WP Standard quality?
Sorry, I'm not a fan of WP. Thanks for watching!
That was my hunch. Thanks. Going with Coronado.
Your thoughts on the J. Peterman “Counterfeit” bag? My guess is you have been asked about it.
@@johnharper3257 I have owned a couple of them in the past. Over the years J. Peterman has used several different suppliers to make the bag. I would try to stick to the original versions, the ones that utilize copper rivets, they are built the best and have the highest quality as compared to the newer versions that I believe are built overseas now.
@@JamesCrane Thanks once gain.
Nice bag! I have been following you for a while. I noticed the bags you review are generally of a classic design. What is your opinion on bags made by DEFY, which uses modern enclosure elements and belt webbing? Thanks!
fantapainter it looks like they have some interesting bags, I’ll have to look into to them, thank you for the suggestion!
Beautiful bag BUT why don’t they add a strap on the back to put over the handle of a rolling suitcase. Airports are hard enough to get through.
Mine just arrived. Nice piece of craftsmanship. So I have this bag and a Bleu de Chauffe postman bag in medium. Comparing the two because I do not think I will keep both however much I may want to. Two different bags. Any thoughts on Bleu?
What did you end up keeping
Great video! Any thoughts between this bag and the satchel and Paige slim mailbag?
Yes, this bag is far superior to the Satchel and Paige bag, better leather, better construction and better hardware, thanks for asking!
What do you think about Sandast?
What are your criteria for debuting a new bag?
Hi James, Thank you for your wonderful videos. I really like this bag a lot and considering a purchase. I also like one other Coronado bag they have called the vintage stonewashed mailbag. I like that one because it looks "broken in". My biggest issue with a beautiful leather bag is the "break in" factor. I would want it to look as perfect as the one in your video for as long as I could take care of it. How would this bag hold up to getting wet? The goal is not to take it out in the rain but sometimes you can get caught in the rain and I wonder what damage as in water streaks would occur. Do you take your bags out in any weather? Do you put any kind of protection on your bags? My idea for the stone washed bag I mentioned is that if is "broken in" by Coronado design, it might hide rain damage if I took it out. Thank you for your great videos.
Thank you for the question. The leather used in this bag is infused with many oils and fats so it is pretty much impervious to rain damage. Raw untreated leather is prone to developing dark water spots and streaks, but this leather will not do that. You do want to treat it if you are going to use it in the rain. Mink oil would be best, don't use Neatsfoot oil on this bag. I do use my bags in all kinds of weather. Personally, I like the look of a well weathered bag. The stone-washed version of this bag is exactly what the bag above will look like in 10-15 years of use, same leather.
@@JamesCrane Thank you very much James, I really appreciate your help and advice.
Thank you for the review! Been wanting to buy a bag for my father. Have you ever bought any of their leather outerwear such as the jackets? I'm thinking about buying one.
Jorary209 no I’ve never purchased their outer ware, but if it’s anything like their bags, it will be first rate!
Great to see you reviewing again. I thought about picking one of these up but no back pocket is a deal breaker for me these days sadly. Are you going to review the new VP doctor bag?
Try satchel and page...the slim mail bag...
Hi James, which would you choose: Coronado mailbag or the Satchel & Page mailbag?
If I had to choose, I take the Coronado Mailbag. It’s hard to beat Horween leather and made in America.
Jim, did you ever see the Filson weatherproof messenger?
John Harper yes I owned one and sold it about a year ago. A nice bag that I would purchase again if needed. Made from a special waterproof leather that also is very difficult to scratch.
Like like like :)
Whaler bags are meant to be great....Please review if you wish. Oh, and if you can afford one, check out the $10K Fischer Voyage, although sadly it's mixed tannage leather. And please consider a lamp or handheld torch when showing the insides of the bags, it's quite dark without extra light, and close ups of interior and fittings would help to improve your videos too. Constructive criticism, not insults. Thanks !
Natasha Collis I would love to but I just haven’t convinced myself to purchase one, they are pretty expensive, but really beautiful bags!
@@JamesCrane Thanks for taking the time to reply James. I believe Fischer do ex demo items at a reduced price occasionally...only around $6K I think...!? I had a good look at one in Harrods, London a few years ago, very nice, of course. In the meantime, Whaler review....?? Thanks.
How does that bag look 2 years later? I just order one .
I have to say it looks pretty much the same as new. Just a bit of patina, the high quality leather holds up really well to abuse.
What brand would you recommend to condition this type of leather!?
This leather doesn't require very much conditioning, but when I do condition it I use Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP. $14.99 on Amazon
Why do you say it does not need much conditioning!? sorry I am learning about leather, I hope you can educate me more. Nice videos by the way.
@@civetricamoto This is Horween Dublin leather which is manufactured with lots of oils and waxes infused into the hide which makes it pretty much impervious to all weather conditions and will remain soft and supple for decades.
great information! I imagine it will
last a lifetime as long as you take care of it! like Veg Tan
Agree. Don't ever buy Saddlebeck leather. It's all junks.
thoughts on billykirk and stock a barrel pls. thank you
I like them both! Billykirk products are well made and tend to be lighter in weight by using thinner leathers and simple designs. Stock and Barrel are more robust designs, but I like them both.
thank you.
James, great. Question to you on Coronado or Tomahawk as a buy. Both are fine quality.
Billykirk make the best wax canvas stuff ever. And made in the USA
do you consider Saddleback leather as a premium brand?
I'm sorry but I don't consider products made from Chrome tanned leather with a sprayed on color and finish that can vary from week to week, a mixture of pot-metal and stainless steel hardware (which has been discovered and discussed in numerous online forums), with an over abundance of quality control issues such as flaking and bubbling surfaces, rivets popping off, uneven or loose stitching, scars and blemishes, and the need to reinforce the product with nylon webbing because the chrome tanned leather itself can't handle the rigors of everyday use, to be a premium product. I just can't do that. Premium means "the best leather, the best materials and hardware, the best craftsmanship and build quality" not just a premium price. In my opinion, Saddleback Leather does not meet all those criteria.
@@JamesCrane Thank you very much for taking the time to fully explain your position. I really appreciate it. I've been impressed with your videos and I give your opinion significant weight so your thoughts on Saddleback is much appreciated. I do have a few Saddleback products so thank you for your opinion. It was very kind of you.. Happy New Year.
Excellent commentary on Saddle Back, Thank you. @@JamesCrane
Give me veg tan or give me death 💀
the only good thing about saddleback leather is their canvas stuff and i dislike not only saddleback leather marlondo also because they both use a sh#tty pig skin lining.