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alecl
13
Jul 15, 2017
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Edit 1: I noticed that in the pictures that @DrFunkelstein and I posted, we had the pens in the holder incorrectly. There's little slits to tuck the pens in, rather than into the big folds. The folds need to be there for the outer part of the strip to hold the pens - it's a little counterintuitive, but holds the pens much more securely. I've edited the pictures to show how I think the pens should be held.

Another review to address some of the points brought up by others. In no particular order:
- This is a very well constructed bag. I can't tell 100%, but based on the back-peddling on the stitch (see close up) that would lead me to believe that the bag is saddle stitched. Saddle stitching is considered the most durable, best quality stitch in leather goods. - The leather is excellent quality: very supple, thick, and well tanned. I got the "Laurel tan" color. I was a bit hesitant because I didn't really like the 'greenish' look of the color in the Massdrop pictures, but the LMProducts account posted some other pictures of this color and it was a richer red/brown oak color. My bag fell in between, enough towards the oak color that I'm happy enough. - Bag size - preference is subjective here. In my pictures, you can see a somewhat chunky 13" HP laptop along with some standard size notebook and a hardcover book (DnD Player's Handbook for size reference). - Bag design. This one is the most mixed aspect. @Gnerd brought up some good points, though I'd argue that the zippered pockets, dividers, and other tuck spots for items are a lot harder to come by on full leather bags. You'll see even really high priced bags switch to a textile interior to allow for zippers, pockets, etc - or they'll stay full leather and be very spartan with it's compartmentalization. See some examples at the end of my post. Thick, full grain leather isn't easy to manipulate like a textile offering, not to mention the extra weight and space. I've not seen a full leather offering that offers as much organization features as a textile bag. Notes on specifics: ---- (edited) The pen holder does hold onto the pens securely enough - see Edit 1 above. It's a little weird at first, but if the grip on the pens is the same, this might actually be a nicer spot to put the pen holder than higher up due to it being less visible when looking at the bag. ---- The pocket on the back side of the bag is too small for regular documents and it's position makes odd-shaped items a no-go. I'm unsure of what the anticipated use case is for this pocket. ---- The leather envelope is too small for laptops and documents, except maybe a MacBook Air? It is just a tiny bit too short for letter sized documents. ---- The main bag is open, no dividers. The stitching and cuts are nicely done so that the bottom stays relatively square and defines the cavity well. ---- The straps are again very high quality and the hardware sturdy and feels like quality brass.
Overall rating: 8/10 This is definitely a great bag. I think with some small design tweaks, LM could really have an all-out category winner. Still, there's no denying that this is a top class offering, price considered. AMA if you have questions.
Massdrop note: One odd thing about this transaction is the day before (or the morning of?) the shipping notification, everyone got a notice that the bags were delayed significantly. I'm not sure about the confusion.

Review appendix: Some other bags that I considered before purchasing this one:
Full leather, no real pockets/organization. $600 https://coronadoleather.com/collections/americana-collection/products/americana-vintage-saddle-bag-am230
Uses textiles inside to allow for pockets. $395 https://www.willleathergoods.com/products/kent-messenger
Interior dividers, customizable pocket additions. Full leather, but allows for this by being very bulky. $600 https://web.archive.org/web/20160520085015/https://kendalhyde.com/collections/briefs-leather-briefcases/products/classic-satchel-new-design
Full leather (though thinner, lower quality leather than the LM Calhoun - a friend has this one). Only divided space at all is laptop section. $200 https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/85872?feat=leather%20bag-SR0&page=signature-leather-messenger-bag&csp=a
Jul 15, 2017
Gnerd
17
Jul 16, 2017
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aleclThank you for your comments. Looking over the alternatives you considered, if I had it to do all over again I'd have probably gone with the Will Leather Goods messenger. It lacks the style of the Calhoun, but it looks to be magnitudes more functional. Still, I wouldn't pay almost $400 for it. Not to be snarky, but I simply can't grasp the point of carrying a bag that doesn't accommodate and have a way to organize the tools of daily life. I'd gladly "shoulder the extra weight" to have that, although again, there's a limit to what I'd pay for it. If I saw a Calhoun and a WLG messenger at a garage sale with $50 price tags, I'd buy the messenger. Great leather and construction techniques are only worth so much to me, and definitely not reasons by themselves to own something.
When I saw the outside of this bag, I got really excited. It's gorgeous. When I saw how completely absent of function it was, I thought to myself, "Man, I could have bought a gun for that money!" No gun in that price range will be pretty or tack-driving accurate, but they'll by-and-large be functional and reliable. Given the trade-offs, if the shit were to hit the fan, I'd take a functional gun and some ammo with me over a pretty, limited/no use office bag - although the Calhoun might be able to hold a couple of pheasants from a hunting trip. Hmmmmmm. ;-D
That old cliche, "form follows function" comes to mind here. It might be abused to the point of being a groaner, but it's packed with truth. From my perspective, the Calhoun violates it in every conceivable way.
Jul 16, 2017
heartsleeve310
163
Jul 17, 2017
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GnerdAnd that is one person's opinion. I am just as impressed with it as you are, unimpressed. It is an ANALOG dream satchel. And since you knew the dimensions going in, bitching about the size after the fact is.... duh!
Jul 17, 2017
Gnerd
17
Jul 17, 2017
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heartsleeve310That's fair enough. I'm glad you like it. If no one liked them, no one would make them. I didn't bitch about the size, though. I bitched about the lack of provisions for storing and organizing the tools required for everyday office life - pockets and slots for a flashlight, a knife, a small first aid kit, a small sewing kit, pen/pencil loops that make sense. Office/data center survival stuff. I don't like that stuff just dumped in a big pocket; too pursey. "A place for everything, and everything in its place." The bag is beautiful, but fell far short of its potential for me.
Jul 17, 2017
heartsleeve310
163
Jul 17, 2017
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GnerdAhhhh - well, yes. I'm retired, so I'm not packing those kinds of essentials. My leather covered journals are flat and thick and long, so this works like a charm - no added nooks and crannies that take up valuable interior real estate, and yet the exterior slim pocket will hold a library book. More flat, slim than small and boxy.
Jul 17, 2017
LMproducts
412
LM Products
Aug 11, 2017
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GnerdGnerd - Ouch! haha I appreciate your honesty on it though. I'm definitely sorry it fell short for your needs. That's very disappointing to hear - truly is. I take all the comments, positive & negative very, very seriously. I hope that the features were accurately listed and nothing in the description led you to believe it was something it was not. I definitely stand by our quality and practicality of design. It has worked for my needs for years and hopefully many others. But I see from the list of items you carry, it may not be suitable. I wish I had more to offer you but I wanted to reply so you would know your disappointment, thoughts, and recommendations do not fall on deaf ears.
Thanks, Tyler - LM // CEO
Aug 11, 2017
Jstryder
33
Jan 15, 2018
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heartsleeve310Update: I had previously had concerns about the size of the bottom of the bag but it looks like they (already?) made changes to accomodate larger 15' laptops. LM Products is amazingly responsive to this community and they have earned my business for as long as I'll be using leather bags.
Jan 15, 2018
LMproducts
412
LM Products
Jan 15, 2018
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JstryderJstyder - I just received your email. Look forward to sorting this out for you. Thanks, Tyler // CEO - LM
Jan 15, 2018
Jstryder
33
Jan 15, 2018
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LMproductsHi Tyler, we havn't spoken directly and you seem to care about your product but to be fair this item clearly listed the dimensions as 15.5' wide, which is only true at the top of the bag. The bottom is 14" across. Thats a hugely significant detail for some that was left out. If your going to lest a dimension it should really list the smaller of the two limiting dimensions. Who cares if the openning is 15.5" if you can't get a 15.5" item into the bag with the flap shut? That detail was presented both here, and on a number of other sites where this is sold.
I am not saying this is a low quality product. But you stated that you hoped the features were described acccurately and unfortunately that's not entirely true.
Jan 15, 2018
LMproducts
412
LM Products
Jan 15, 2018
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JstryderJstryder -
I totally hear what you're saying. I sent a couple emails just now. Thanks for bringing me your concerns. We'll pick it up there.
- Tyler - CEO // LM
Jan 15, 2018
Jstryder
33
Jan 29, 2018
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LMproductsHI Tyler, it was good speaking to you a coupld weeks back. Any updates on our last conversation?
-Jason
Jan 29, 2018
BenSherman
1
Aug 16, 2019
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aleclI walked with such bag and were other similar bags, at one moment I got tired and switched to just a backpack, put a MacBook without a cover a couple of times, scratched it on other things, then I bought Macbook leather case, Harber firms, stuffed the laptop into the case and it immediately seems like it is in full protection + not scratched.
(Edited)
Aug 16, 2019
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