6 Tips on How to Find a Top Quality Briefcase

 6 Tips to Find a Top Quality Leather Briefcase

In today’s blog post we'll talk about the six key characteristics to look at to help you identify a top-quality leather briefcase. 

1) Leather quality. You’re looking for full-grained leather with no blemishes.

Now, when I say full-grain, we are talking about the best type of leather there is. In a hide, you have three separate and distinct layers: the epidermis, the thin outer layer; the thick central layer, often referred to as the corium or dermis; and the fatty subcutaneous layer. Choosing which layer for the construction of a high-quality briefcase really comes down to durability and water resistance. 

Full-grain leather is produced from the outermost layer of the hide. This is the strongest part of the skin and it produces the most durable leather. Full-grain leather also develops a natural patina as time goes on, giving it more of an authentic or ‘vintage’ look and feel. 

2) Look at the stitching inside and out. 

You want to look for a single stitch and where it needs to be straight, it should be straight. Where it needs to curve and follow the lines of the leather, it needs to do that. So, bad stitching is often a sign of mass production and the person doing the stitching not paying attention. The type of thread used also plays a vital role in the longevity of the stitch. 

3) Next up, let’s look at the lining. 

The internal lining, if you can pull it out, it's a bad sign of poor quality. It should stay in the bag and look strong enough to last. 

4) Look at the zipper and hardware. 

Right here you can often distinguish a quality briefcase from a cheaper knock-off. When you zip up and close the bag, is it catching on anything? If it catches on the inner lining, this is a sign of poor quality. You want to be sure that the zipper will last for as long as the case, so it needs to be solid. Same with the hardware.

5) Look at the handles, straps, and internal compartments. 

All of these components should fit your needs. Can the straps be adjusted for your body? Are they lined? Are the handles big enough for comfort or do the handles bite into your palm? Nothing is more frustrating than your smartphone not fitting the assigned pocket. Make sure that your laptop can fit easily into the briefcase and there are room and organizers for files, chargers, and writing utensils. 

6) Design. 

Last but not least, let’s talk about briefcase design. Of course, the design is always a matter of personal taste. However, a high-quality briefcase is a long-term investment something that if you purchase it now, your grandson may want to use it someday. So, look for something that is going to stay in style. So, when you’re identifying great design, look at how they mix functionality with the style. Take note of the small details. For me, what stays in style is simplicity, a classic design that’s both functional and stylish.

If you want to buy a briefcase that is timeless, functional, made-to-order specifically for you, and that you could hand down to the next generation, Glaser Designs in San Francisco is the company for you. Glaser Designs goes beyond custom-made, they produce each leather briefcase and all other leather bags to your specifications. For sure, when it comes down to attention to details, to quality, Glaser Designs can’t be beaten. You can meet with them on a Zoom call to discuss your needs, colors, and design, and learn about their process to get you the briefcase you want. Just visit their website and get the process started.

 

Hand-Burnished Leather Bags - What's the difference?

Hand-Burnished Leather Bags - The Ultimate in Style 

It is common for leather handbags to be embellished with buckles, charms, and clasps. The purpose of these items is to make the handbag look more fashionable and unique. However, sometimes the most simple-looking bags are the ones that have the most personality. You might even call them timeless and classy.

One of the most stylish leather handbags on the market today are the ones that look like they were custom-made. If you know someone in leathercraft, they may be able to tell you where you can get such a handbag. If you are looking online, there are a few suppliers that specialize in custom-made bags and if customization is what you are after, you can even find a unique specialty store like Glaser Designs in San Francisco. Many of these leather stores also have other leather accessories such as wallets, organizers, portfolios, and more.

For a business executive, it is especially important to carry a bag that not only is prestigious looking but also can easily accommodate laptops, files, and other miscellaneous items in a well-organized fashion. 

A classy-looking and stylish leather backpack is a great choice for the female executive on the go who doesn't want to carry a heavy briefcase. A backpack is smaller and much more portable. It will store all of your small items and is an excellent place to put your keys and cash. Since they are usually made out of soft leather, they will not scratch or snag your skin.

But backpacks are not exclusive to women, men are increasingly opting for backpacks as well, especially for traveling. Glaser Designs has seen a huge increase in demand for backpacks for men.

If you are buying a hand-burnished leather bag, you will find that it comes in a variety of leather bags, from totes, briefcases to travel bags. You can choose a bag based on your needs or your mood. Do you want a small tote to take your daily necessities and a large tote for all your fancy designer wear? Do you need a handbag for business purposes or for leisure? Are you looking for a specific look and color to match your wardrobe? No matter what you are looking for, you will be able to find something that you will love at Glaser Designs.

Burnished leather is considered a luxury. This means that it will cost a little more than regular leather due to the extra amount of labor involved in the production. If you are willing to pay a little bit extra, you will get a bag that will last a long time and keep you looking great for many years to come.

With hand-burnished leather, the hides go through a final step called burnishing. The heat and friction in this process patinas the leather and brings the oils to the surface which brings out all its characteristics. You can see all the grain and marks that set Full Grain Leather apart from the rest. Hand-burnished leather bags are not that hard to find, in fact, you can find them at any store that offers leather. However, finding a hand-burnished leather bag that was custom-made for you may cost a little more, but you will not have to worry about having to replace the bag as often

It is important to remember that when you buy a hand-burnished leather bag, you are getting something that is high quality and a great investment. Many people feel that these bags are too expensive, but that is not true at all. You will be amazed at how wonderful these bags are, and everyone will notice how great they look.

If you are looking for a high-quality leather purse that was designed to fit your style and specific needs, look no more. At Glaser Designs, we produce leather bags that are made-to-order according to your specifications using only the highest quality hand-burnished and hand-colored leather. We focus a lot on the leather we use for our bags. We can make the best bags in the world but if we use inferior leather none of that matters. Ordering your unique Glaser Designs bag is easy. Just request a Zoom meeting, or visit our store and tell us what you are looking for and we will get to work for you.

Article written by Joe Brancatelli of the Business Journal

I have just recently come across an article that was written way back in June of 2007 by By Joe Brancatelli  –  Business Travel Columnist, of the Business Journal.  What was written about in this article and most of what he says still holds true today so I would love to share what Joe Brancatelli had to say about our briefcase then. This article was originally posted here.

He says:

"Before I agreed to plunk myself down in seat 2B, I went to the Condé Nast Portfolio offices in April for a meet and greet with my prospective editor. “What a great briefcase!” she said as I tossed my tan leather briefcase on the sofa.

I get that reaction a lot. People come up to me at airports and inquire about the provenance of my Glaser Designs garment bag, a distinctive combination of brown milled leather, black ballistic nylon, and brass fittings. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve given out Glaser Designs’ telephone number to a seatmate who lusted after my carry-on, which features supple walnut leather and a clever internal design.

What’s most amazing is this: I haven’t bought a Glaser bag since before 9/11. My garment bags are 15 years old. Ditto for a duffel I use on weekend trips. My carry-on and briefcase are both at least seven years old. They take a ton of wear and tear yet look as if they just left Glaser’s San Francisco studio.

In an era of disposable $99 bags, famous luggage brand names slapped on mediocre imported products, and insane prices for designer luggage, Glaser Designs stands apart. Myron Glaser and his wife, Kari, finish everything by hand, as they have for 32 years. Every bag or suitcase reflects the particular needs and specifications of the buyer. The Glasers mix their own pharmaceutical-grade waxes and oils and finish all of the leathers themselves. They edge all their bags by hand so that the seams disappear. They lavish attention on the design of the shoulder straps, the handles, the internal lining, and even the little leather identification tags.

Yet the bags are inexpensive by artisanal standards—as little as $700 for a leather-and-fabric garment bag and less than $1,000 for a leather carry-on. (Glaser only sells direct to customers because he doesn’t want a retail markup to inflate prices.) Even luggage made with hand-burnished, hand-grained calfskin or exotic-animal hide sells for a fraction of what some travelers pay for mass-produced designer bags.

But Glaser’s products aren’t easy to score. He and his team of six can only produce about a thousand bags a year.

“It’s the handwork involved, and every single bag is customized,” Glaser says, explaining the relatively low luggage output. “When you’re making something that is going to last 15 or 20 years and is a reflection of the person buying it, it takes a long time to make it properly.”

Because the process is personalized, getting a bag made also requires a time investment from the customer. Although Glaser maintains a modest website, most of his customers call and speak directly with Glaser or his wife, who will conduct a sort of interview to determine their needs.

Want a garment bag or other piece of luggage? Before he makes a recommendation, Glaser will quiz you about your travel patterns, clothing preferences, and body size. The information helps Glaser and his team craft a bag into which your garments are virtually guaranteed to fit, and come out wrinkle-free.

Want a briefcase, tote, or carry-on bag? Glaser wants to know what you carry, how much paper you pack, what size laptop you use, and which other electronics you prefer. He’s designed a series of inserts to organize and store virtually anything you carry, and the more he knows about your habits, the better he can plan your bag’s construction.

“We’re making special things for people with special needs,” Glaser says. No two people work or travel in exactly the same way, so there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. “It’s not just about the quality of the leathers and the quality of the workmanship. It’s about the travel strategies and tactics of the people who carry the bags,” he adds.

Case in point: When I needed a new carry-on bag eight years ago, I scheduled an appointment with Glaser during a business trip to San Francisco. Out of my frustration over fumbling with zippers at airport security checkpoints came a Glaser solution: a quick-close tab that allows me to secure the contents of my carry-on without zipping it up. A year or so later, when I switched laptops, Glaser created a special insert for it in my carry-on bag.

In fact, there’s just one thing you can’t get from Glaser Designs: wheels. His team doesn’t make rolling bags, Glaser says, because he has never found a cart that meets his exacting standards.

“We specialize in functional things that are made well and last for years,” he explains. “That wouldn’t be the case if we put a bag on a rolling cart.”

The Fine Print

Travelers have faced a new challenge since the Transportation Security Administration ruled last year that all carry-on liquids and gels must be packed in a clear, one-quart bag. This means we’re all carrying our stuff around in flimsy kitchen bags. But 311 Travel Bag has created a sturdier and more stylish solution: Its $24.95 toiletry kit meets T.S.A. standards and comes with a zippered vinyl bag and travel-size bottles. "

This article pretty much sums it up on how we are different from all the other bag manufacturers out there. Because of our made-to-order approach, we are pretty sure that we do not have much in way of competition.

If you travel a lot for business and are frustrated of your bag not serving your purpose arrange for a zoom meeting to discuss your needs and the look you desire for our leather bag.

Carrying smaller laptops and less paper than before?

We have lately received many requests for smaller, thinner, freestanding cases. But as the depth of cases diminishes, so does their stability. 

In response, Kari’s newly designed semi-rigid pedestal base reinforces the stability of our business backpacks. The soft construction of the upper part of the backpack assures the comfort of your deceptively capacious pack when you carry it by its custom-length, felt-padded, adjustable straps. 

Join us via a Zoom video call. We’ll help you determine the made-to-measure dimensions that suit you, and make your backpack to sizes ranging from 15 x 11 x 3” to 18 x 13 x 5”.

Our optional, featherweight modular organizers further personalize the storage space within your backpack to manage documents and smaller items to keep them always in sight and easy reach.

During your video call, we hope you will have time to explore the custom mixed colors of our hand-grained, vegetable-tanned leather collection and the hand-painted shades of linen we custom color for our linen and leather styles.

If you have questions, please call our San Francisco workshop: 1 (415) 552-3188. Or email us at w@glaserdesigns.com.

We’re open 9 am to 7 pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, and 12 am to 7 pm Saturday.

Who is Glaser Designs?

Glaser Designs in San Francisco creates hand-colored, made-to-measure leather briefcases, totes, and travelers’ bags custom made in San Francisco just for you. 

When you are looking for that special leather bag you can join them in their workshop via a Zoom® video call. The purpose of the video call is to create together your one of-a-kind Glaser bag. You will be able to talk with Kari and Myron directly about the styles, dimensions, colors, features, modular organization, and handle and strap lengths you need to be comfortable with your bags. 

When you place an order, Glaser Designs will cut and make your bags of high-touch, sustainable materials that you select.

The standard leather colors include hand-burnished, tannery-colored, espresso or black leather, or hand-burnished natural leather that patinates toward caramel brown as it ages.

By special order, Glaser Designs will mix to-order solvent-free dyes and pigments to custom color the hand-grained, hand-colored leathers, and their new, colorfast, water and stain-resistant linen and leather collection.

Glaser Designs These bags are made to last and are loved by customers all over the world as some of the testimonials will confirm:

"Myron Glaser makes the best leather products you will ever find, and that includes things in Italy and Spain. I have several pieces that are now over 20 years old, and they are still in wonderful condition. These are things you buy for life!"

Myron's bags are my absolute favorites. I have two, a Litigation Bag and a Duffel, as well as insider organizers and other accessories. You cannot go wrong here. When people ask about my bags, I tell them, what a good reason to go out to San Francisco. Or, you can just call Myron." R. Grant

"I've been a client for close to a decade... a former finance exec turned entrepreneur and I've purchased several cases from Myron and Kari and Co. Simply stated, they don't make them like this anymore and this craftsmanship is a dying art form. Sad to say but true. Working with Glaser is a true treat; a real consultative approach to design and execution. Consider me a lifetime client." N. Langley

If a custom, made-to-order, leather bag is what you are looking for, schedule your zoom call today or email Myron at w.glaserdesigns.com. Alternately, you can give them a call at (415) 552-3188.

5 Reasons to Buy a Leather Tote Bag from Glaser Designs

One of the best investments you can make in yourself is a custom, made-to-measure leather tote bag. If you have ever owned one, or you are thinking about getting one, then you need to know a few things first. Like other good leather products, there are many varieties, styles, and shapes of leather totes out there, and knowing what is out there will help you make an educated purchase. You also need to know what size and shape you should get. You can find leather tote bags in almost any size imaginable. Some totes are just big plastic bags with no real structure and others are so structured it feels as if you're carrying a giant cereal box in your arms.

One of the main features of a leather tote bag is the top handles. Like any other top handle, it allows for easy access to the interior of the bag, but also adds to its style and helps it stand out as part of the overall product. The most popular type of tote bag is the flat top, where the entire bag is completely covered in leather and its contents are protected by a zipper. This zipper area is usually made of a durable nylon fabric that is closed with a hook & loop strap. In this case, you can use any style or design of the handle, whether you like a more traditional look, or something a bit more trendy.

Another option that leather tote bag consumers have available to them is the open totes. The open-top is one that looks exactly like a tote bag, but instead of having the interior protected by a zipper, the bag will be open for easy access. With a Glaser Designs, made-to-order leather tote bag with open top handles you can also supplement your tote with an internal zipper organizer, allowing you to keep things arranged with ease. The real benefit of this feature though is the ease with which you'll be able to access the contents of the bag.

If you'd prefer, you can also find a large tote with magnetic closures that are perfect for outings and trips to the gym. With these bags, you won't have to worry about your bag being susceptible to the harsh elements of the environment because it will be virtually water-resistant thanks to its sturdy, protective zipper. In addition, with its magnetic closure, you can avoid having to deal with confusing straps that are sometimes hard to use and difficult to figure out. Magnetic closure bags also usually have adjustable straps, which allow you to choose a firm fit that's comfortable for you. 

How Do Glaser Design Tote Bags Differ From the Rest?

For starters, Glaser Designs Tote Bags are custom made and made to order. What does that mean? It means you give us information on size, the sizes of your required internal pockets to fit your smartphone, and whatever else you may want to carry. We will help you personalize the vertical and horizontal storage space, manage cords and chargers tangle-free and allow you to freely adapt the organization of your tote for your changing needs and evolving technology. You can also specify the color of your choice and the styling you are looking for. We will meet with you via Zoom to gather all the information and show you our manufacturing process. We hand-burnished the leather and only use leather of the finest quality.

Leather tote bags can really enhance your wardrobe and we dare say that you haven't lived until you experience a made to order tote. Whether you're looking for something to use during the day and throughout the year, or you're looking for a convenient purse you can use when you need to carry more than just necessities, a custom leather tote bag is a smart investment. One that will serve you for years. You can choose from a variety of colors, and closures, making it easier than ever to find just the right size, design, and style to suit your needs.  Request a Zoom meeting today to get the tote that is just right for you.

 

 

An Introduction to Glaser Designs in San Francisco

Glaser Designs, located in San Francisco specializes in custom, made-to-order high-quality leather bags ranging from briefcases, backpacks, totes, travel bags, pedestal bags, platform portfolios, organizers, and an assortment of accessories. 

Who hasn't at some point become frustrated with the lack of functionality of their leather bag? Inside pocket not large enough to fit the smartphone, keys getting constantly lost inside the purse, the briefcase not fitting under the front seat on a plane, you name it. We have all been there.

That is where Glaser Designs comes to your rescue! You can literally meet with them on Zoom (or at their store) and talk with Kari and Myron about the style you want, dimensions, colors, and required features. You can even specify the modular organization as well as handle and strap lengths needed for you to be totally comfortable with your bag. It doesn't get any better than that. Once you have placed your order, Glaser Designs will cut the materials and custom make your bag of the materials you selected and color them to your specifications. You will be presented with many options of standard leather colors that include hand-burnished, tannery colored, espresso or black leather, or hand-burnished natural leather that patinates toward caramel brown as it ages. 

Glaser handbags have become incredibly popular over the past few years. In fact, overseas visitors that discovered our store in San Francisco order from us repeatedly just because they are so happy with the product they purchased from us. And we could not be prouder and we are happy to ship nationwide and overseas.

What is Hand-Grained Leather?

Hand-graining leather is a traditional process in which one "grains" vegetable tanned leather hides by folding them multiple times in multiple directions. On a video call, Glaser Designs will show you examples of leather that was hand-colored so you can see how they differ from tannery colored hides. They will also explain why hand-grained effects differ within each hide and from one hide to another. The folks at Glaser Design will mix water-based dyes to the colors the customer specifies. The color-fast, pigment-free hues enhance the hide's natural characteristics further thus creating a one-of-a-kind look.

Their line of custom made leather bags are designed with a variety of functions and features as requested by the customer. Some are designed with additional compartments and pockets for added functionality and organization. Others are designed with an interior zipper pocket and chain to allow a safe space for smartphones and keys. Based on your unique needs additional compartments and features can be added to create room for pens and writing materials and such.

As a leading leather goods manufacturer, you can be assured that when you order a bag of any type from Glaser Designs you get the highest quality product available anywhere. Only the finest rawhide is used, and each bag is made by hand according to your requirements.

In addition to bags Glaser Designs also offers a wide range of Glaser accessories. These range from wallets, coin holders, clutches, portfolios, Ipad and clipboard holders, and more. 

The quality and craftsmanship that go into producing these bags are renowned all over the world. When you buy a handbag from Glaser Designs, you know you are getting a bag of timeless elegance that is as beautiful as it is comfortable. Your style will be a hit wherever you go. This is the kind of bag you want for yourself and to give as a gift. And you will find that it will be hard to part with once you have bought one.