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Misty Meadows Leatherworking

Heavy Hitter - Courbette Saddle Convertible Backpack & Tote Bag

Heavy Hitter - Courbette Saddle Convertible Backpack & Tote Bag

Regular price $475.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $475.00 USD
Sale Sold out

This design is dubbed the "Heavy Hitter": named after my favorite horses, Draft Crosses! These versatile horses are great at everything from foxhunting to dressage to pulling logs from the forest. Likewise, this bag is designed to fulfill multiple needs - you can use it as a backpack for your laptop, water, book, etc, a carry-on, or as a tote. 

This bag is made from the flap of a Courbette Pandur Spezial All-Purpose saddle on the front, and a skirt from the same saddle in the flap. The back is from a rich chocolate bridle leather, and is ultra soft to the touch. The generous gusset (4.75") and top flap utilizes a flexible but strong dark brown oil tanned leather. The hardware on this bag is all reclaimed heavy duty brass. 

The strap is super cool - the three snaps can be moved to quickly convert the bag from a tote to a backpack. 

Care Recommendations

Cleaning: Gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. For a deeper clean, use a leather cleaner suitable for high-quality leather.
Conditioning: Apply a premium leather conditioner periodically to maintain suppleness and prevent drying or cracking. I recommend Effax Leder Balsam. *** Note! Be very careful applying conditioner to ANY gusset. The gusset leather I use is all "new" leather - it may discolor with oil or other agents. If this happens, I recommend applying the product to the entire gusset to ensure an even color when it dries.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use a dust bag if available to protect it from scratches.
Moisture Caution: A small amount of water won't harm the leather, but if it becomes heavily wet, allow it to air dry naturally and condition it afterward.

NOTE: For any Nubuck leather, ONLY use special nubuck/suede cleaner!!!

Reused Leather

Each leather piece tells its own story. The reclaimed materials naturally bear marks and imperfections from their storied past, which only enhance the character of this unique bag.

Please note that when you buy an item made of leather, especially reclaimed/upcycled leather, there are differences in color and texture than that of a mass produced, big box store item. This is what gives natural materials their character, and with reclaimed materials, show the love the leather received over decades of use. With new leather (some parts of this item) you may see original differences in the hide which is a reflection of the cow it came from. Colors are different from screen to screen (phones/tablets/computers/etc), and while I do my best to photograph items in natural light, there is always the possibility that your device shows the color differently. I am happy to take additional photos by request.

Craftsmanship

100% handmade - from design, cutting, punching, and hand stitching by me in my little workshop in VA. Every bag is unique due to this process, and I only use high quality materials to augment the repurposed saddle leather.

The Saddle Stitch is the stitching method that I utilize, rather than relying on machines or other quicker and more efficient methods. This time-honored method ensures robust construction; even if one stitch falters, the integrity of the seam remains intact, reflecting true artistry and personal dedication. All major luxury brands (Hermes, Gucci, Ferragamo, etc.) use this method to ensure high quality end products.

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