Skytop's Pullman Briefcase: Saddleback toughness with extra class?

DJackson · May 30, 2012

I was ready to pull the trigger on a SBL medium slim briefcase and right before doing so I found myself taken aback by this:

I think my thoughts were simply OHHHHH MYYYYYYY..... So anyways, now I have to re-evaluate my briefcase choices. The Skytop Pullman is roughly 2x the price of the SBL medium slim briefcase but it's got sweetness oozing out the attic, plus it's a semi hard case made of 8oz (pretty damn thick) Wickett & Craig bridle leather. I am digging the latch release hardware and I haven't seen any similar briefcases that are molded semi hard cases. In fact, it seems Skytop Trading started out selling molded slr camera cases. Thoughts on this one? I see no reviews anywhere and I think this may be a new product from Skytop based on the March 30 2012 youtube post date here: Skytop Trading's Saddle Leather Pullman Briefcase

Just to give some background I originally lusted after Moo's custom case from Narragansett Leathers and was heartbroken to find they recently stopped taking orders for the foreseeable future. I then began a frenzied internet search coming across customhide, Gfeller, Henry Tomkins, SAB ($$$!), a handfull of others I don't recall at the moment, and finally back to Saddleback (who were always in the back of my mind). I'm looking for a lifetime case where I won't want another (he says that today - this guy :fu:

on my shoulder), you know one of those better with age briefcases that can pull dual purpose in the office and with jeans on the weekend. I though the SBL slim brief was good for that if not a little too casual for the office. The Skytop Pullman on the other hand looks way more classy to me and is still a man's rugged kind of case.

I think I'm just posting out of excitement but please let me know if you have any experience with the Skytop as I cannot find any more info than shown at www.skytoptrading.com & their youtube videos.

DJackson · May 30, 2012

I forgot to mention I travel every week, so white collar seems to have replaced my blue collar. I do still enjoy the outdoors when I can but let's just say whatever case I get will be pulling frequent carry-on duty.

ohhh F it I just bought it. Shitps June 26th. Happy fathers day to me :slayer:

pictures will be posted.

edit: still looking for feedback though (60 day return policy)

DJackson · Jun 1, 2012

No one know anything about Skytop? That's a shame. They seem to make really well constructed cases.

PipersSon · Jun 1, 2012

Interesting- I would like to see how it looks 'in the real world' so pics would be great when you do get it.

DJackson · Jun 13, 2012

It arrived on Monday. I'll try to get some pictures this weekend.

edit: ...that is, pictures this weekend after I return home. Thus my absence of opinion about the briefcase so far.

Ayrton · Jun 13, 2012

I saw Skytop's products a couple of weeks back (print add), and I would pull the trigger right now for the brief/laptop/iPad combo if it were not so damn expensive.

Looking forward to reading what you think.

DJackson · Jun 18, 2012

I managed to snap some photos this weekend. Overall I am really happy with the case. My one complaint is there are no traditional pen holders inside. However, there is a holder in the front compartment about the right size to hold a pair of glasses that would also hold pens just fine. Also, the inside dividers are removable which lends themselves to easy modification. Quality of the stitching, leather, and case forming technique seems excellent and the quick releasing latch is way easier than closure snaps or buckles. I was a little concerned about the latch accidentally opening but it seems to be a non issue; even when you hold the case by the handle you can unlatch the case without worry since everything stays upright and the case hangs naturally only slightly open. Also, the more weight, the more resistance to open the latch. I don't have much time at the moment so here are the photos. I'll have to show the inside later.

edit: oh yeah, I don't own a saddleback but given how pretty this case is I find it hard to imagine beating it up as I might have if I bought a saddleback. Is the Skytop Pullman tough though? Really seems so...

Curated · Jul 8, 2012

Uggghhhh! ANOTHER briefcase to consider! Seriously though - this looks awesome. As you said, it looks like it would be a really nice combo of business + casual as needed. Having had it for a bit, what do you think? Still like it? My only concern (beside the fact that it's essentially the same price as a Glaser…) is the size. Do you find it to be a little small to hold a laptop?

Curated · Jul 17, 2012

FYI - it looks like Skytop is now making a larger version of the Pullman designed for larger (15") laptops. It's pretty pricey though — in Glaser territory.

lordkelvin76 · Jan 3, 2013

I just ordered the espresso colored Pullman case. It looks like yours is about six months old. What do you think of your case after 6 months of use? I have laptop bags laying around all over the place and have been looking for a quality bag for quite a while now. I have looked around locally and at some outlet mall's and have just been appalled at the poor craftsmanship in $150 - $200 bags. I found some at BrooksBrothers that had good quality but I don't like the pebble grain look. After much hand wringing I decided nuke my laptop bag habit by getting the best/classiest case I could find. Let me know how your's is holding up. Thanks!

Frankie22 · Jan 3, 2013

DJackson said:
I was ready to pull the trigger on a SBL medium slim briefcase and right before doing so I found myself taken aback by this:

I think my thoughts were simply OHHHHH MYYYYYYY..... So anyways, now I have to re-evaluate my briefcase choices. The Skytop Pullman is roughly 2x the price of the SBL medium slim briefcase but it's got sweetness oozing out the attic, plus it's a semi hard case made of 8oz (pretty damn thick) Wickett & Craig bridle leather. I am digging the latch release hardware and I haven't seen any similar briefcases that are molded semi hard cases. In fact, it seems Skytop Trading started out selling molded slr camera cases. Thoughts on this one? I see no reviews anywhere and I think this may be a new product from Skytop based on the March 30 2012 youtube post date here: Skytop Trading's Saddle Leather Pullman Briefcase
Just to give some background I originally lusted after Moo's custom case from Narragansett Leathers and was heartbroken to find they recently stopped taking orders for the foreseeable future. I then began a frenzied internet search coming across customhide, Gfeller, Henry Tomkins, SAB ($$$!), a handfull of others I don't recall at the moment, and finally back to Saddleback (who were always in the back of my mind). I'm looking for a lifetime case where I won't want another (he says that today - this guy

on my shoulder), you know one of those better with age briefcases that can pull dual purpose in the office and with jeans on the weekend. I though the SBL slim brief was good for that if not a little too casual for the office. The Skytop Pullman on the other hand looks way more classy to me and is still a man's rugged kind of case.
I think I'm just posting out of excitement but please let me know if you have any experience with the Skytop as I cannot find any more info than shown at www.skytoptrading.com & their youtube videos.

Is that a sabertooth tigers canine there in the middle?

lordkelvin76 · Jan 5, 2013

MY wife says it looks like an elephant's trunk. That is one of the things that attracted me to this case. I hate push snap things that take me seconds to open every time I go to open a bag. This case appears to be really well designed.

DJackson · Jan 9, 2013

Whatever it looks like I really like it. I travel a lot and I can get in and out of my case with ease at the airport. Even at work (normal situations), it's way faster than a zipper. I keep my 14" laptop, modest amount of papers, two moleskin notebooks, laptop & phone chargers, writing implements, keys, various cables, vitamins, and other junk I can't remember in there with space to spare. It hasn't lost its form and is wearing in nicely.

I don't use the passport pocket on the back because I find the snap difficult to use and I really don't need a passport holder anyways so no big deal. I still give it a thumbs up.

BTW - recent crappy iphone pic:

DJackson · Jul 6, 2013

FYI this thing is holding up really well. I'm actually having a hard time making it look "used". I think it will be a looooooong while before this case needs to be retired. Still thumbs up.

Mr M · Oct 14, 2013

Hi DJ,

I should have seen this thread earlier. I was spending thousands on SBL stuffs and was never satisfied. May I know how heavy this briefcase is?

Skytop's Pullman Briefcase: Saddleback toughness with extra class?

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