24 May 2016

Classic English Briefcase with a slightly different design



























This briefcase is more or less the same as the previous one I made. The differences are:
  • The flap is slightly longer which means that then end of the flap is in the middle of the bag.
  • The thread is dark brown (fil au chinois dark brown 432)
  • The edges are also dark brown (same color as the main bag) Normally I use black.
  • The partition board goes all the way to the top.
  • It has two pockets on the partition board.
  • It uses the buckles london dee (25mm).
  • A line is creased along the straps and on the flap.
  • The straps around the briefcase has a running keeper and the buckles are to be positioned further up (in the middle of the flap)
  • I removed the lacquer from the lock.
  • I used an inflatable drum sander mounted on a drill for burnishing the edges which saved me hours of work and gave even better edges.
Things I will do differently next time:
  • The current way the handle is made is a bit fiddly. Instead of wrapping a circular filler with thick leather I will fold a long strip of thick leather and glue two semi circular fillers on to it and then wrap it with thin leather. (like most other leatherworkers do)
  • Remember to burnish the top straps before they are folded.










I did not take that many pictures of the process but here are the ones I did take:

To help get the folds in the gusset start a bit from the edges I tried to fold the edge up beforehand. I don't know who much of a difference it made.



The two pockets on the gusset along with my logo. For the lock hole I used a dremel with a router bit to make the two cuts next to the hole itself.







The inspiration for this bag came from the  Swaine Adeney Brigg Westminster Legal Case:


11 comments:

  1. The blog looks fantastic, and I love this briefcase. Do you have a pattern for the updated design? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I have not had time to update the pattern but I will see If I can do it in the near future. The pattern is however almost identical to the "old" briefcase pattern. The main differences are that the flap is a few cm longer and the lock is positioned a few cm lower.

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  2. Love your blog. Keep up the good work!

    Andrew

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    Replies
    1. Hi Andrew,

      I'm glad you like it! Just now I finished a new sharpening jig for the round knife. It is the best one I made so far. I will make a post about in the near future.

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  3. I am intrigued about the sharpening of the round knife. If the profile was truly round, I don't understand what the problem would be. I guess they're not.
    Andrew

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    Replies
    1. Most round knifes are not truly round. If you can sharpen normal knifes free hand then a round knife is only a little more difficult I guess. The problem with free hand sharpening is that you will never be as accurate as when using I jig. Also it takes a lot of practice. I think its more fun to make a jig and get a super sharp edge every time.

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  4. Hi,
    I am very interested in your products.
    Any possibility to contact you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Write me an email: jonasboandersen@outlook.com

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  5. It's too cool and very beautiful blog which i really like it well done.
    leather briefcase

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  6. Большое спасибо, что вы поделились своим опытом. Замечательная работа! Great job, thank you!

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