Italian Leather blog

July 16, 2009

Buying Document Bags – What do you need to know?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 10:47 am

Document Bags Overview

A document bag is one in which (surprise!) you keep important documents. Of course, almost every bag is suitable for carrying papers. But when it’s important for you to keep them safe and if your lifestyle is such that it constitutes a constant need for keeping your papers around you, a special bag is called for. One that caters to your needs. In this article, we take a look at some of the essential features you must look out for.

Features of Document Bags

Protection

This is one of the two most important considerations when selecting a document bag. It must ensure that your papers are kept as safe as possible. This includes protection from hazards such as fire and water. Of course, you won’t get a watertight bag that is still flexible, but it must at least ensure that your documents will not suffer from a heavy downpour. Messenger bags such as those used by delivery boys are particularly vulnerable to this sort of danger.

As far as fires go, some bags come with fiberglass constructions that can keep your documents nice and safe even if a major fire breaks out. Such bags can withstand temperatures of upto a 1000 degrees!

The Document Bag

The Document Bag

Size

The other most important feature of your bag is the size. This is not a set rule since a great deal depends on the type of documents you’re carrying. Think A4 size papers if you’re unsure of what to buy. They must fit in comfortably. In fact surprisingly, many bags will fail this test. You don’t want to cramp your papers in – that would defeat the purpose of a specialized document bag.

Lockable vs Accessible

Ideally, for the paranoid, a foolproof locking system would not be out of place. However, sometimes you need quick access to your papers that can be hampered by such protection. The choice is yours as to which is more important. If you go for accessibility, try and get a bag that closes using velcro instead of a zip. It’s easier to use and ensures that your papers won’t get accidentally caught in the zipper.

Finally, you may want to get a bag which you can sling over your shoulder as a shoulder bag for convenience. Or for an extra dash of style, go for one with a carry handle.

Summary

There are lots of choices when deciding to buy a sturdy document bag. Ensure that you buy a good leather one that will serve you for years on end!

June 26, 2009

Using a Netbook Bag

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — admin @ 11:20 am

Introducing the Netbook Bag

The next step in computational devices is already underway and the trend is clear – netbooks are going to eat up a chunk of the market. They’re small (but not too small) and are perfectly poised to satisfy almost all of your needs on the go. However, this introduces a new problem. Which netbook bag to use? Netbook bags are somewhat different from the regular multipurpose laptop cases that we’ve looked at recently, in that they not only need to be smaller, they need to mould themselves to the unique ways in which netbooks are used. Let’s look at the characteristics of the typical netbook bag.

Leather Netbook Bag

Leather Netbook Bag

Characteristics

Smaller Netbook Bag size

Though you can fit your netbook into a regular size latpop bag, this is not ideal for several reasons. For one, the netbook will not fit snugly into the case and will move around. This can cause it to get damaged as you sling your bag all over the place. In addition, there will be a lot of wasted space since you can’t keep anything else inside that will scrach your precious netbook

Place for accessories

Netbook users will carry many more accessories than their regular laptop toting counterparts. This is because of the age group difference as well as the fact that some accessories make it easier to use – such as a regular mouse, as well as an external hard drive for example.

Other accessories include and iPod, headphones, a charger (and perhaps a backup charger too) as well as a USB cable. In addition, these accessories will need to be held in place by straps or a cover that prevent them from moving around and getting all tangled up.

Various Styles of Netbook Bags

Netbook bags come in many different styles. Since style is very important for the age group that is typically a carrier of the Netbook, this includes color and they way it is carried as well. Some travelers, may want to have bags that are checkpoint friendly in nature for easy clearance at airports.

Shoulder bags are by far the most popular type of bags amongst the Netbook carrying crowd. A final aspect to look at is the material. A leather netbook bag is perfect in terms of softness, reliability and style. You can find several designs and types of bags on this website. Just find one that suits you!

Summary

The Netbook bag is slated to be a top fashion accessory in the coming years. Buy one now and be a trend setter!

May 29, 2009

Using a Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: , — admin @ 10:44 am

The Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag – an overview

Starting last year, manufacturers have begun to produce the checkpoint friendly laptop bag which reduces hassle for a large number of travelers in airports. This article tries to describe what these bags are and what makes them checkpoint friendly.

Airport Screening Delays

Air travel has been a commodity experience for quite some time now. However, airport restrictions and procedures relating to screening have only become stricter over time. From removing shoes to being unable to carry liquids and creams. Frequent business travelers tire of this and seek the most efficient way to get through these procedures to save time.

Laptops and Screening

Current regulations for those carrying laptops require that they be removed from their cases and laid onto the scanner’s conveyor belt. This is done to ensure that a clear view of the laptop is obtained without obstruction. While this procedure makes sense, it’s an increased burden for passengers who sometimes have to dig through their luggage, retrieve their laptop, and finally store it away again. Saying that this is inconvenient is an understatement.

Enter the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

In 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approached the manufacturers of laptop bags and asked them to design bags that meet certain criteria which would allow passengers to leave the laptop within their bag without compromising the security scanner. The five criteria included specifications such as no zippers inside or outside the bag and no pockets either. Manufacturers responded fairly enthusiastically to the idea and created the checkpoint friendly bags according to the specifications.

Laptop bag styles

The primary feature of checkpoint friendly laptop bags is that they must have a section within them that is dedicated for the laptop only. In addition, the bag must be constructed such that it enables that particular section to be exposed and laid flat on the conveyor belt, thus giving an unobstructed view of the laptop.

The other main feature is that there must be nothing between the laptop section and the scanner – no pockets, zips, or any other item other than the laptop. There are three primary styles of laptop bags. They are:

  1. The Butterfly Style
  2. The Trifold Style
  3. The Sleeve Style

The three styles are show below:

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Summary

With the advent of checkpoint friendly laptop bags, passengers don’t need to inconvenience themselves anymore by fumbling in their cases. These bags are a welcome addition to the range of laptop bag choices available on the market.

May 22, 2009

The Leather Travel Shoulder Bag

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: , , , — admin @ 10:34 am

Traveling casually

We’ve seen in earlier posts what to look for when carrying a briefcase on your travel trips. However, those were only for formal trips where it was important to convey an air of sophistication and importance. For those sort of trips, we saw that the briefcase styles must be sober and yet strong. The overall image was one of a careful business person. A leather travel shoulder bag however, creates an entirely different impression.

What if you want to convey a more rugged look? What if you’re not the serious sophisticated kind of guy, but a more fashion savvy and modern type? Carrying a slick leather briefcase just doesn’t cut it. It stands out like a sore thumb. In such cases, you need something that suits your style and is yet properly functional and suited to your needs.

The leather travel shoulder bag

A leather travel shoulder bag is one that you sling over either of your shoulders instead of carrying in your hand. It’s more informal and is amenable to a wide range of styles – each of which conveys a different impression. Such is the power of leather, that it can portray several completely different types of people!

The Leather travel shoulder bag

The Leather travel shoulder bag

For example, a leather travel shoulder bag that is distressed goes well with the rugged jeans look. The sort of wolverine type. There is a prevailing impression that shoulder bags are girly, but that certainly isn’t so. Hugh Jackman himself has been spotted carrying one, and so it certainly can’t be all bad! They can even come in double strap styles which allow them to be slung over both shoulders. However, that look isn’t for the macho types. It’s for a more college going hip sort of guy.

Features to look for

Basically, since leather travel shoulder bags come in so many different sizes, you have to look out for what purpose you want to use it for. For frequent travelers and students, you might want to carry a laptop. However, if it’s a netbook type of laptop, then it needn’t be very large. In any case, the type of image conveyed doesn’t really go well with a business laptop, so my guess is that would be less of a consideration.

However, other factors like proper cushioning and plenty of pockets still hold. Adjustable straps that can go all the way without hitting the shoulder pad are important. Unlike a briefcase however, they need not be detachable.

Summary

It’s good to have different sorts of accessories to carry around. A leather travel shoulder bag is certainly useful when you just want to chill out and not take yourself too seriously!

May 7, 2009

What features to look for in a fine leather briefcase

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: — admin @ 11:46 am
Fine leather briefcases have undergone several changes over the years as a demanding public changed its needs, its budget, and its sense of style. From the old days of Kennedy carrying a large strong briefcase for all his papers, briefcases nowadays have grown even more functional with spaces for laptops and more convenient slots for PDA’s etc.

Also, many briefcases today can be carried either by men or women – a reflection of the gender neutral attitude of society. Nevertheless, if you’re a man and are buying a fine leather briefcase, you might want one that is distinctly masculine. So what do you look for in such a case? Let’s find out.

Leather Briefcase Size

It might seem obvious, but as with wallets, the size of the briefcase is the primary factor. For this you need to critically evaluate your needs. Do you carry around a phone, and a camera separately? Do you carry a laptop? How many folders and papers are required on your person? For example, lawyers constantly need to have dozens and dozens of papers around them for quick reference. Their needs will be very different from someone who has all their papers on a computer.

Also take into consideration how organized you are. If you’re the kind of person who prepares for each day, then you can get by with less space as you remove stuff you don’t need. If you find your briefcase getting overstuffed, then a bigger one is the right choice for you.

Straps

For frequent travelers, a good set of straps for the briefcase is essential. When walking down the long corridors of an airport from terminal to terminal, a heavy briefcase can easily become a huge burden. A pair of straps to dangle it from your shoulder is essential. Ensure that the straps are strong and have a good padding.

Sometimes, the padding piece hits against the buckle when the strap is really short – making it impossible to position it over your shoulder. Test all this out before you make a choice. Take care to see that the pad is nice and roomy and is properly cushioned. If you have shoulder pain, this point is a very important factor.

Laptop space

Most fine leather briefcases come with a dedicated laptop area. Ensure that there is still plenty of room for other things besides the laptop. Some manufacturers make the mistake of taking up all the space for it, and this is a huge no-no from the point of view of usability.

Also make sure that there is sufficient padding for the laptop in case it falls down.  Fine leather briefcases almost always have some padding, but you can’t be too careful.

Leather quality

Whole grain leather is the best for briefcases – both for style as well as longevity. As good leather ages, it becomes softer. You want your briefcase to be like a good friend – adapting to your needs more and more as time goes by. Get the best quality leather, and you won’t regret it.

Have fun shopping for your fine leather briefcase! Hope it lasts as long for you as Kennedy’s did.

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