I'd like to buy a briefcase

[crazyjoe]

I’d like to buy a briefcase to help keep all my work-related stuff organized as I haul it from place to place.

However, I have a few caveats, and I haven’t found a lot of places that review briefcases (or at least the type I can afford).

Here are the caveats:

I’m looking for a traditional (ie hard-sided, rectangular shaped) briefcase. Not a soft one, which I already have and don’t like. It should have an expandable filing section with an area for pens and pencils.

I’d like it to be real leather or aluminum or something…in other words, not cheapo vinyl that’s goign to split or tear on me.

The latches should be of a finish that is not going to rub off or permanently discolor (I had one where the brass finish started coming off and you could see the steel underneath). If this means steel or nickel, fine…it does not have to be a brass finish.

The latches should not spontaneously open, even if the combination dial (assuming there is a combination dial, it’s not a must-have) is set to the opening combination. My old briefcase (from when I was a cheap college student) used to just pop open on me if I left the combination dialed in.

I have searched amazon.com and epinions.com and not had a lot of luck finding items that had ratings on them.

Also, I am hoping to keep the overall cost under 100 or near to it. I don’t want a cheap unit, but I’m not a wall-street high-roller, either.

Any recommendations are welcome (provided they meet my criteria) Thanks!

[Missy2U]

My boss suggested luggageonline. In fact, the first one, a Samsonite, is very highly rated and in your price range.

Also, giftsforprofessionals has a few.

[clnilsen]

@crazyjoe

I’d like to buy a briefcase to help keep all my work-related stuff organized as I haul it from place to place.

However, I have a few caveats, and I haven’t found a lot of places that review briefcases (or at least the type I can afford).

Here are the caveats:

I’m looking for a traditional (ie hard-sided, rectangular shaped) briefcase. Not a soft one, which I already have and don’t like. It should have an expandable filing section with an area for pens and pencils.

I’d like it to be real leather or aluminum or something…in other words, not cheapo vinyl that’s goign to split or tear on me.

The latches should be of a finish that is not going to rub off or permanently discolor (I had one where the brass finish started coming off and you could see the steel underneath). If this means steel or nickel, fine…it does not have to be a brass finish.

The latches should not spontaneously open, even if the combination dial (assuming there is a combination dial, it’s not a must-have) is set to the opening combination. My old briefcase (from when I was a cheap college student) used to just pop open on me if I left the combination dialed in.

I have searched amazon.com and epinions.com and not had a lot of luck finding items that had ratings on them.

Also, I am hoping to keep the overall cost under 100 or near to it. I don’t want a cheap unit, but I’m not a wall-street high-roller, either.

Any recommendations are welcome (provided they meet my criteria) Thanks!

They are a bit pricey, but if you’re looking for something that will last a long time, take a beating, and look good, check out Hartmann leather cases. They are certainly as well build as the old Louis Voutton cases, last just as long, but don’t have the $$$/Bling factor that LV does now.

For Aluminum cases, the Halibuton Aluminum cases are quite nice.

Also, I’ve had good luck on buying used high end cases off ebay, and cleaning them up w/ saddlesoap/leather cleaner. A nice way to get something that has a cool patina to it.