What would be the ultimate leather bag for a surveyor?

I have carried this everywhere for about the past 15 years.

It's cowhide belting leather and I will pass it on to number two son, who has asked to inherit it. It will be around long after I am gone. It has been all over the US and Canada and has outlasted several laptops. Rummaging through it right now I have found my Timely template, a Carl Zeiss Jena 90 prism, a can of Vienna sausages, and other usual surveyor stuff. Really thick leather is the only type which will hold up over time. If the zippers wear out or the stitching comes loose, the local shoe repair shop will put it in order.

would have to be either a plumb bob holder or machete scabbard.;-)

Carl,

That's a nice bag, but I don't like the postage stamped-sized "x" spot attach spots. I'm really bad at tearing them loose in when I get it caught on something. I'd need to have those attachments at least 4" or more longer for weight displacement. And I'd probably need a secondary backing behind it (within the bag) for reinforcement.

Nice bag though.

> If you could custom design your own leather bag, pouch, briefcase or whatever, what would it look like? What features would it have?

Wendell, if you are looking for customized bags, I think D J Fenton (Dennis) has a brother in law or something that does some some really nice ones.

> If you could custom design your own leather bag, pouch, briefcase or whatever, what would it look like? What features would it have?

Wendell,

I'm thinking a "European shoulder bag". It could be a gift. 🙂

That reminds me, I need to take my instrument backpack over to the shoe guy to see if he can restitch the shoulder straps. I'm not sure if he can with the padding in there. They are still attached but have started to come loose.

I have a Samsonite roller case which can hold a 17" laptop (or 15" laptop in a removeable case), all my various and sundry cables, files, phone chargers, pens, business cards and so on. It also has a separate compartment in the back which will hold a couple of nights worth of clothing but I put junk in there too.

I would think soft briefcase with a wide shoulder strap that has a lot of compartments for chargers and cables and can hold a 17" laptop plus a separate area to put files would be a good start.

I have a cloth case issued to me by the department (made by inmate labor) that is pretty good. It has pen slots and places to put chargers plus it's divided into three compartments. I use it for my State-owned chargers and files but there is no place for a computer. The State issued computer has its own case. The Samsonite case has my personal stuff in it. I probably bring way too much stuff.

The joke on our crew is Chiefs get 2/3 of the backseat and Range Ds (rank & file) get 1/3.

A LOT OF MONEY FILLED with unpaid Surveys & an A Ticket to the Cayman Island's.
I will except a paper bag!!!!!!!

jmac

You will except a paper bag from what?

one that will pass the ultimate TSA pat down

😉

Go to Bass Pro Shop and check out the Bob Timberlake bags. They last like they are made out of cast iron. There are leather bags and the leather and canvas versions. They are a tad pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Cabella's also has some very good bags.

>
> 😉

:good: :clap: Me LIKEY him!! 😉 :party:

If it were made of man flesh or some type of endangered animal, that would be a plus.

And a business card pocket.

I sort of like this bag, but with scruffier leather with a brand or wire cuts:

laptop bag

This WWII briefcase is cool looking:

http://www.customhide.com/custom_1945_US_Army_briefcase.html

but it may have a few too many buckles for everyday practical use. I want something large enough to hold a 5" legal-size file wallet, but rough enough that I can put it in the truck and not worry about spoiling the leather.

WAL-MART ONLY!!!!!!
jmac

Heavy-duty fabric for briefcase

This one isn't leather, of course, but a heavy-duty fabric that is more suitable for field use. It would almost double as an overnight bag, but wouldn't be fun to take to the courthouse for research if it were loaded up with stuff in the various pockets.

Tactical Briefcae

Heavy-duty fabric for briefcase

But to list the basic requirements they would include:

- extremely rugged design,
- carry handle and detachable shoulder strap,
- no plated metal parts, solid only
- scuff-resistant material,
- weatherproof (meaning large flap closure
- large enough pocket to hold 16"x10"x5.5" file wallet,
- padding for carrying laptop,
- side pockets large enough for fieldbook, extra pen, pencil and lead