I purchased this bag around June 2022, although didn't begin to use it until the end of that year (December 2022). It is a beautiful bag, no question; however the quality of workmanship seems questionable. One of the zipper leather attachments broke off in a matter of weeks, although given you only have to use one zipper, it didn't really bother me. Last month (October 2024) the leather has come away from the zipped side pocket (photograph attached). I'm really quite disappointed, as it was not a cheap bag, and really would have expected more from a brand such as Oliver Sweeney. If you are considering this bag - which is beautiful - be aware that it may not last as long as what Oliver Sweeney would have you believe.

Pros:
- Nice subtle finish on the leather, allowing the natural beauty of the leather to come through.
- Lots of organisation pockets inside.
- Nice and big brass hardware on the strap and its connecting points.
- Leather padding on the strap is a premium touch.

Cons:
- Biggest flaw: no hardware connecting handles to body makes them flap about halfway between up and down when using the strap. If you break in the leather I guess it would sort of drape down by itself, but at that point it would also look worn out due to a wrinkly handle. Needs to be fixed.
- Main zipper is of average quality at best, quite hard to work and impossible to open close one-handed without a firm hold on the bag.
- Another big flaw: 90 degree angled corners on the zipper are near impossible to open/close even with two hands. Might improve with time but it would take months/years to break it in unless you were explicitly trying to do so.
- No back pocket/luggage passthrough; it would have been an easy and practical addition.
- Not a fan of the front zipper pocket and its flap cover. I guess it was for protection from rain, but the flap makes it hard to access the pocket. I would have preferred either a waterproof zipper (quite common) with no flap at all, or even better a magnetic pocket with a slightly bigger flap.
- Mine smelled bad, 'cheap leathercraft shop in Spain/Morocco' kind of smell.
- It doesn't have a country of origin tag anywhere but I'd bet money on Turkey or India.

Great product

An amazing briefcase, superb quality and style. Love it.

An amazing briefcase, superb quality and style. Love it.

That Cranstall has been my daily carry for the last 6-months, prior to that is saw infrequent use as I tried my best to preserve the finish of this fantastic looking bag. However after more frequent use, the leather around the zip enclosure began to part at the corners of the bay where the zipper moves to come down the sides of the case. Furthermore, the attachment point for the shoulder strap for from the bay during my short walk from the office (the contents of the bag has never exceeded a 15" laptop, a notebook, a pair of glasses a couple twin pen and a notebook). Very disappointed with this great looking bag.