Chamberlain's Leather Milk #1

I bought the Chamberlain's Leather Milk Liniment #1 and put on a coat of it to keep the leather in tip-top shape- I feel like the leather has been drying out a bit over time, so I'd figure I'd try some of this stuff.  It was a stupid idea to buy the stuff without doing some research because once I got it, lo and behold, it came with a coupon code and I could have saved 15% off.  I really have to check this stuff before I just buy things.  

Anyways, my loss is your gain- the deal is 15% off your total purchase only at www.leathermilk.com and it's good through 01/31/13.  The promo code is CLMCHRISTMAS12.  

First off, it takes awhile to apply it- the front and back are easy.  It's the sides and bottom with all the little creases that make it a bit difficult.  I applied one coat, let it dry a bit and buffed it up.  It looked a bit darker when I was applying it and chalked it up to it just being wet- but now I'm not so sure- I wouldn't say it's significantly darker- you can judge for yourself with the before & after shots, but something is different...  Not that it's ugly and or anything like that.  The stuff buffed out some of the minor scratches and it looks newer.  Stuff smells good too.  

Before...

After...

The straps were not conditioned.  The bag after being conditioned.

An update- it's been a little over a year.

I've used it on/off during this time to go to work.  In an office and not in the jungles of South America fishing for piranha by stuffing bits of raw meat in the bag.  The bag hasn't had to go through any feats of strength.  The worst abuse it's gone through were a few rain showers.  It's a spoiled bag, I guess.

Overall, the bag is tough and still looks good.  The leather has softened up a bit more but still is fairly firm and rigid.  The leather is as durable as what the website says- but the metal bits not so much- I usually sling the bag a la messenger bag style or just carry it like a briefcase.  From the pictures you can see where the metal has been wearing down which is concerning because I bought this to last a lifetime.  I have no concerns about the leather.

I'm glad I got this- it's OK if it gets scratched up and I don't really care if it is raining or snowing or whatever.  This bag has a cowboy business look to it.  It's casual but still appropriate for work.  I've never used the bag in the backpack mode- I think it just looks silly like that.  In terms of color, I've have no regrets- the black and dark coffee brown were too dark.  I was torn between the chestnut and tobacco but in the end, the tobacco light brown works the best for me.  Size-wise, the medium is enough to hold a few folders of paper, a 13" Macbook Pro and random stuff in the front pocket.  But it will get heavy.  I don't think a bigger size would have been better for me either.

Usually I get bored of things quickly and start to look for something new- not with this bag.  I might eye a nice briefcase at the mall now and then, but that's about it.  Lately I feel like the leather is a bit dry and needs a bit of conditioning so I bought the Chamberlain's Leather Milk #1 that they recommend.

Monthly update

The leather is stretching out, softening up, breaking in.  The pen sleeves, the leather strap to the main compartment, everything is loosening up.  What is most noticeable is the rigidity of the bag.  When I first got it, I felt like I could stand on it and it would hold it's shape.  Now it's more flexible.  The leather holding the D-rings are loosening up and now they clank a bit as I walk around or in the car when I'm driving.  That huge ring that digs into your back when you sling it across your shoulder?  Problem solved.  Since the handle has loosened up, I can just tuck it and problem solved.

Metal pieces digging into your back?  Just flip it back!

I've walked out in the rain with the bag- twice it was nothing, just a few sprinkles.  One time it was raining a fair bit.  I didn't know what to make of the leather when it got wet- would the water roll off like it was made of Gore-tex?  Laugh at water like the website says?  When it gets wet, it's like any other material- the leather absorbs the water and darkens.  When it dries up, no spots.  Now I'm not sure what would happen if I was walking around in a rain storm- I drive everywhere so I'm not really exposed to the elements.

A little blurry, but you get the idea.

I'm not sure when I'm gonna condition or clean the bag- so far it's not that dirty and it's holding up well.  I'm thinking I might do it yearly, if that.  No trips to the amazon or anything like that so I'll play it by ear.  I'm not too concerned with it because it seems like it's tough enough to handle my daily life.  And this is one of the big reasons why I got this bag- it doesn't need to be babied.  Look!  A scratch?  Life goes on.  Gets a bit wet?  Whatever.  Just use it and forget it.

Saddleback as a day bag

Over the weekend, I took a short trip out to Michigan and had an opportunity to use the Saddleback as a day bag while walking around the entire day.  I was a bit concerned with the weight, but what's the worst that could happen?  I get fed up with the bag and walk back to the car and drop it off.  So off it went.  I didn't use it as a backpack, I used it as a messenger bag like I did with my Patagonia bags while living in NYC.  

To sum it up- yeah, it's heavy.  On short trips, on the way to work, on the way to Starbucks, it's fine.  On a flight with 13 layovers in the wrong way of your final destination?  It's good.  Even on a 30 minute walk, it's fine.  But try going out and about for the entire day- 10am to 10pm.  It gets heavy.  And on a hot day, it doesn't help either.  I found myself shifting the bag from one shoulder to another, holding it like a briefcase, putting it down at stores, etc.  The Patagonia?  I would have forgotten it on the day trip.  The Saddleback is also a little bulky- I was at a crowded farmer's market and it got pushed around a bit as I navigated through the crowds.  It was a relief to put the sucker down for lunch and dinner.

The skeptics among you may be thinking, "Ah!  I bet you were carrying around a liter of water, a laptop, the special edition of War & Peace with the solid lead book cover, a SLR, and your trusty traveler's 10lb dumbbell!"  Touché... Well I was carrying my car keys, my apt keys, my iPhone, my wallet, a USA today, some loose change, a few papers with my hotel reservations and an umbrella.  That's it.  

I guess the next step is to try it out like a backpack.  But then it looks a bit off, like I'm some grade school student on his way to classes in the 19th century.  And it's still gonna be heavy.  The bag also looks a little too formal, esp. when I'm wearing t-shirts, shorts, and gym shoes.  In terms of security, the buckle is probably harder to pick pocket compared to a bag with a open sleeve or a zipper.  So that's a plus.

Oh yeah, it rained a bit.  My bag got a bit wet and when it dried?  No spots.

Would I go out exploring next time with the Saddleback?  Yeah.   But I'd definitely bring the other shoulder strap and transform it into a bookbag to try it out.

Size does matter...

So I got asked a question about if this bag would be too big on a particular body type.  I'm skinny and 5'9.  The medium thin briefcase I think is the perfect size for me.  I actually got out a tape measure to measure it out (dorky, I know) to get an idea of the bag would look like.  I used my 13" Macbook Pro as a starting point to get an idea of the size of the bag.  When I got it, I asked my girlfriend what she thought of the bag and she gave it a thumbs up- and she's not afraid to tell me if something is too baggy, too tight, etc.

The medium thin briefcase's dimensions are: 15" x 11 ½” x 4 ¼”

In other words, it's about the size of 4 15" Macbook Pros (if they were slightly larger) stacked on top of each other.  If you're looking for a slim attache to hold a few files, this isn't the bag for you.  If you're looking for a bookbag like the ones I used in high school where I roll 4-5 textbooks deep between classes, this is not for you.  I think this is just right for my daily work- I carry some files, some trade journals, a few tiny reference books, an iPad on occasion, and lots of ID badges, keys, cell phone charger, and other tiny stuff for work.  I've fit one of those Sigg insulated coffee travel mugs in the compartment as well.

As a day bag, yeah... the Saddleback, it's a bit big.  But I've been lugging it around everywhere I go.  For a work bag, that will see a lot of office action, it works well.

I don't really know how I would stack up against the other briefcases.
Hey Dave, el presidente, wanna send me a me a couple other bags in different sizes?

And to show that I'm not totally biased, I'd also be willing to try out a carbon fiber Zero Halliburton, a Berluti, some Prada briefcases, you know whatever.  So if anybody out there can get me one, let's make it happen!

Pictures

So here are two pictures after a few weeks of daily use:

The leather is softening up a bit, still looks new.

The leather gets marked up easy- I swear I don't have acrylic nails!!!

August update

So I'm at work in a quiet period now. 

Some observations-
-those D-rings could be hazardous to your car- you know how sometimes you've got your bag slung across your shoulder as your reach into your car to get something and the bag slips off?  I've heard the D-rings clink against the car in some cases.  It also does that if I'm in a rush and pull the bag out of the car quickly- no damage to the car, but not a pleasant thing.
-The bag does get heavy with stuff in it.  Today I had some light stuff, the usual- the keys, IDs, 3 cookies, my one file, two magazines, and an ipad.  Definitely heavier than my old bag.  But not a dealbreaker. 
+I did get complemented on the bag, twice in one day.  I guess I have to retract the statement I made earlier about those testimonials on Saddleback's website now. 
+for a work bag, it's the perfect size for me
-for a  daily bag, it's a bit big, but I'm still gonna use it daily because it's cool.  And it can handle it.
+it still smells good, but it no longer envelops the room in a leatherly smell
+the leather buckle thing is getting easier to open/close.  I can do it with one hand now- why does that sound dirty?
-It's still a pain to unbuckle it- it's fine for going to work and back, but another drawback when using it as a daily bag, i.e. opening the bag to get the car keys, house keys, etc.
-The leather is breaking in a bit- the d-rings are sliding around more, the leather strap to open the case is easing up, as is the shoulder strap.  The pen sleeves I whined about are now loosening up.  If this is a problem for any current owners- just shove in two bic pens in both sleeves, give it a few weeks, problem solved.  The big mama pocket is still stiff and covers up the space below it. 

I'm still gonna use it as a daily bag- if this thing has a 100yr warranty, I'm gonna get my money's worth.  So far it's been on journeys to various branch offices, gone apt. hunting, and accompanied me on an apple picking adventure at the local grocery store!  Hardcore stuff, I know.  It grows on you, this bag.  When I get home, I'll take a picture of it- the leather is scratching up, but it's a known fact it does that.  The greatest thing about that is the bag is not a prissy, prima donna bag that you have to worry about.  Surprisingly, I haven't worn it when it's rained yet.  I suspect after this winter, the bag will look different after all the snow.  I am a bit jealous of the classic briefcase design- it's got more pockets on the inside, aside from that the thin briefcase is about 1000x better.