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Wrap your gear in handcrafted leather

No material works as well in a variety of settings with as much style.

Canvas and felt I love, but there is something inspiring about the lasting quality and handsome patina of leather. A leather bag reminds me of my youth and my leather boots, baseball glove and the bags I had later to carry my trumpets.

Here is a small collection of quality handmade leather goods, perfect for traveling to the Café or to the transit lounge, made by companies where you might actually know the name of the person who made it.

Ghurka Express bag

Founded in 1975, Ghurka has become one of the most distinguished makers of fine leather goods in America. Ghurka's exceptional bags feature the finest materials, enduring American design, elegant hardware, and a distinctive look and feel that will never date.

The Ghurka Express bag is one of their first designs and a true classic. It features a roomy interior, numerous pockets, loops for an umbrella, luggage tag and an adjustable padded shoulder strap. This is a perfect bag for short getaways and with all the pockets a breeze to pack.

Ghurka Express bag

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Want Les Essentiels de la Vie Kansai computer portfolio

Made by fellow Canadians Dexter and Byron Peart, Want Les Essentiels de la Vie was conceived out of a want for the luxury trappings of travel's past. Their collection traces influences from old world luggage, mid-century modern architecture and furniture by Eames and Prouve.

The Kansai computer portfolio is an elegant traditional a4 sized portfolio to carry your business essentials which ideally would include a MacBook Air or possibly something slightly larger. Perfect to also carry your notepad, iPhone, business cards, pens and more. Beautifully finished and available in black, white, grey, dark brown, green, Macintosh red or burnt henna.

The Kansai computer portfolio

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2UNFOLD Laptop Bag

From my favourite maker of fine felt based sleeves, wallets and cases is the new 2UNFOLD Laptop Bag. Its a laptop bag that doesn't look like a laptop bag. The 2unfold has the ability to fold down compact or to open to full size, revealing a number of different bags in one. I love their attention to detail and timeless design. In their own words:

The new 2Unfold is handmade from a beautifully characteristic Italian vegetable tanned leather. Available in two versions, a hazelnut brown and an asphalt grey both juxtaposed with a matt black Italian vegetable tanned leather shoulder strap. Debonair and refined but laid back and down to earth, adapting to whatever style you want to rock.

Each limited edition 2UNFOLD is individually numbered and carefully assembled by a family of leather artisans in the rolling hills of Tuscany with the utmost attention to detail.

It looks like a beautiful update to the version I mentioned a couple years ago.

2UNFOLD Laptop Bag

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Moore & Giles Traynham

Similar to their weekend bag, the more compact Traynham features an expandable compartment with one interior zipper and two pockets for personal belongings. The padded leather shoulder strap should make carrying a breeze. Made of their most unique leather, Brompton, which is produced on the finest hides available, then processed with pure water straight from the Italian alps. Brompton's hot wax tannage highlights the natural tones and rich colors that give the leather its depth and character.

Perfect for weekend getaways or another race to the transit lounge.

Moore & Giles Traynham

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Billykirk Shoulder Satchel

Any mention of handmade leather goods these days inevitably brings the recommendation for the work of Billykirk. Getting their start with watchbands, they apprenticed under a third generation leather maker in L.A. where they learned the skills of the trade. After they moved east to New York, they began utilizing the talents of the Amish leather makers. A collaboration which has resulted in some the highest quality craftsmanship that you can find today.

Billykirks hand-stitched shoulder satchel was inspired by a WWII Belgium Map Case. Their version is slightly larger and is made from one solid piece of cow hide which is stitched with heavy wax cording. All the hardware is cast in white bronze. The bag comes with an all leather adjustable strap. Perfect detailing. A classic.

Billykirk Shoulder Satchel

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