Expedition / Messenger Bag

[the180fury]

Hi Guys and Girls,

This is my first post here, I am making an Expedition / messenger bag for my laptop and other work related stuff.

I have not done any leather work since i was teenager - made a simple wallet last week and forgot how much i enjoyed it.

Apart from the wallet this is my first saddle stitch attempt . For this project i was not after perfection as i need to get it together as quick as i can to be able to use it, so far it has taken me two days.

Note to oneself : Do not attempt to saddle stitch for a whole day without prior conditioning lol, my right hands cramped up and i know i will be sorry for it tomorrow.

Any way here are some pics of the progress so far and of a stitching pony i made too which has been a godsend for this project.

Hope you enjoy and criticism welcome.

Regards,

Dan

[MonicaJacobson]

It looks great, Dan! Especially the handle. Cool pockets inside, too. It'll look cool, and congratulations on getting back into leatherworking!

[the180fury]

Finally finished the bag - just need to spend some time on the shoulder strap.

[plowboy73]

What a project to get started back up with! I like it. One of these days i will have to try one.

[MonicaJacobson]

Great job! It turned out really nicely, and I'm sure you'll love using it.

[Feraud]

Looks great. I hope to tackle something like that one day.

[byggyns]

OK, how about the details?

what weight & type of leather?

hardware?

[the180fury]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the positive comments.

Mr byggyns to answer your question the leather is oil tanned Kodiak Hide from Tandy - beautiful stuff pics dont do it justice - in a weight of 4 -5 oz.

All of the hardware is Solid Brass.

I have reinforced the strap points and handle with polyester webbing for strength.

I have also used a 1 inch wide piece of aluminium under the handle covered in thin hide for support and drilled through this to attach the handle with 4 brass bolts. The lifting points for the shoulder strap are also reinforced and bolted through the three layers of leather on each end which form the gusset/centre divider .

The main wide strap in the centre uses a Brass Sam Brown stud for quick access at the office if required.

Feel free to ask if you have any more queries.

Thanks

Dan

Edited October 7, 2014 by the180fury

[byggyns]

Thanks for the info.

It does look great, especially for a project done after such a short reacquaintance with the hobby. By the photos, it looks like you did not use a liner. Is that accurate?

I'm still in the studying / planning phase of making my own bag, hence the questions.

I hope to soon be in the "acquire supplies" phase.

Edited October 7, 2014 by byggyns

[the180fury]

No Problems at all.

No I did not use a liner because one i was in a rush - had a 3 day turn around to get it done and two - for this particular style of bag i felt did not require a liner due to its kind of old school simplistic rugged feel, if that makes sense.

The leather is also pretty thick already - not sure if sometimes they employ liners to make up for thickness/weight ?? apart from looks.

I will probably add a couple of small pockets for odd little items as i go at a later stage .

First day of use today and it feels great considering how heavy it is with laptop and other bits and pieces in it. Will make the shoulder strap for it on the weekend i think.

[msdeluca]

Nice job... bag looks great.

[the180fury]

Forgot to add a feature i thought was cool , to try to keep the cows brand scar on the bag so i incorporated it into the back.

Edited October 8, 2014 by the180fury

[MonicaJacobson]

Oh yeah, that is cool. I have some of the same leather, and I made a journal with the brand on it. If you ever get around to burnishing the edges, it takes some work, but it does work okay with gum trag, and I think you'd be impressed with the improvement.

[the180fury]

Awesome thanks for the tip !

[builderofstuff]

looks excellent!

[the180fury]

Finally completed the shoulder strap for my bag.......i thinks its done lol.

I ended up reinforcing the 2 inch wide strap through its full length with a 1 inch wide tie down webbing strap for no stretch and found a neat trick to punch the holes through and make them really neat. . Not sure if this is usually done or not but due to the webbing i cannot punch the buckle holes right through, so i punched either side and removed the little leather plugs then used a pointed tip soldering iron to shrink back and melt through on either side to create a perfect sealed hole. Worked really well if anyone has the same issues as i did.

Knowing myself i will be adding the odd little pouch here and there on the inside , even thinking of an external water bottle carrier ?

will have to design it in a way to look good though and match the design of the bag.

Edited October 12, 2014 by the180fury