review: the American-crafted classic man bag

after a number of years of searching high and low, i got my boyfriend the J.W. Hulme brief bag for Christmas. he has now been using it regularly for over a year, so i thought i would give this bag a proper review.

longtime LAM readers may remember my disappointing experience with a poorly-made Billykirk satchel a few years ago. i had been on the hunt for a replacement since then, but nothing really stood out. some of the more luxe options just had too much of an overly manufactured, 'Wall Street' vibe, not to mention most of them all clocked in the very steep $1,000 price range.

therefore, i was excited when i spotted the J.W. Hulme bag. it seemed like a worthy contender for the classic, functional man bag that could roll with the punches of daily city/commute life. i wanted to wait to write this review for at least 12 months to reflect how the bag stood up to real wear and tear.

the leather: thick and sturdy old-school cowhide (vintage 1970s/1980s Coach comes to mind), which was exactly what i was looking for. this type of leather adds a bit of weight to the bag, but not so much as to make it cumbersome. i was told by JWH costumer care that the bag didn't need to be treated, so these photos show the bag without any leather treatment products after regular use.

after 15 months, it looks like the leather has aged well. the smooth texture of the leather does pick up little fingernail marks easily, so that is a consideration if you do want a spotless, uniform finish. i rather like the patina, though, and the wear marks will likely blend into the leather with time and be buffed out with some occasional leather conditioning cream.

the design: straightforward and a good mix of old-school details (like the brass turnlock buckle closures) without straying too much into frontier-town or hunting/fishing territory. perfectly suited for use as a city work bag, but also works well as a travel/small carryon satchel. the main flap is secure and relatively easy to access. the thick and adjustable shoulder strap is comfortable.

the craftsmanship: excellent, and matches the price point. i appreciate that JWH bags are made in America, and with a lifetime guarantee. these days, buzzwords like 'heritage' and 'legacy craftsmanship' are bandied about by nearly every brand, but in this case they completely resonate with the product. the stitching is tight and uniform, the edges are all finished with rolled piping which appears to be well reinforced. the brass hardware is sturdy and secure. like most guys out there, my boyfriend definitely uses his things, and this bag was put to use from day 1. it's holding up quite well.

the space: just right for stashing a laptop (fits a 11" Macbook Air easily with plenty of room to spare), files, papers, notebooks, an umbrella, and all the other usual odds and ends. there are a few slotted pockets for smaller items and pens, and a large front compartment divider. i like that the bag maintains a slim side profile while having enough room for the everyday essentials. some of the other briefcase bags i looked at seemed huge in comparison, or were too boxy to maintain a certain style factor.

the look: classic stylishly functional. done and done.

worth it? yes, if you're willing to splurge a bit, this is my top pick for a handsome, timeless man bag that will last.

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what do you think? do you have any J.W. Hulme bags?