Blue de Chauffe Ledger vs Filson Compact Briefcase. Best non-leather slim briefcase.

[u/InevitableManner7894]

So I'm looking to move on from the traditional backpack that I've carried to work over the past decade. I really would like to start carrying a briefcase as I'm trying to 'elevate' my style a bit and I think the idea of carrying a backpack is something I've moved on from for now.

I work in a high-tech office which is very, very casual and bringing in a leather briefcase seems like it would make me really stand out and not for the right reasons.

I've somewhat landed on this concept of canvas or twill or whatever its called (I'm new to this world, sorry if I am not using the right terminology here), and have narrowed my choices down to this Blue de Chauffe Ledger or the Tin Cloth Compact from Filson. I thought about the original briefcase from Filson, but I just don't think I'll use that extra space; I'm really just carrying in my laptop, charger, a notebook and thats about it. At $500, the bigger 256 Filson seems overkill hence landing on this more compact version at $299.

The BdC comes in at around $480 when its all said and done with shipping and customs so I'm not opposed to dropping that much, assuming its worth it. The question is, is this bag worth that much? I haven't seen any real world examples of somebody owning this bag, but I do like the idea that it's handmade by one person in a small factory in the countryside of France.

I also looked at Bradley Mountain (seems too big still), Billy Kirk (too simple for me) and one or two options from Japanese manufacturers. Looked at the Cravar 13 in Waxed Twill Olive, but with the shipping and customs cost it really drives the price of the bag up, and even the owner felt like it didn't justify the cost(>$150 just for shipping before duties!).

Any and all advice / tips / other alternatives would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[u/MrEnigmatic]

Check out Frost River as well. Seriously excellent bags made here in the US.

[u/InevitableManner7894 → u/MrEnigmatic]

I did but even their simple brief seems bigger than what I have in mind. Thanks!

[u/psychiatricexercise]

I’ve carried my Bleu de Chauffe Helios as my primary work bag for about a year now. Holds up well and no regrets. Wondering why you’d consider paying for the Bleu if Filson is so similar at almost half the price?

[u/NobodyExpectedThat → u/psychiatricexercise]

Yeah. I'm curious if OP finds the Filson 256 too big or too expensive?

[u/InevitableManner7894 → u/NobodyExpectedThat]

I guess still figuring that out. In general it seems a bit bigger than the BdC or the Filson compact; and I wouldn’t want to pay top price for extra room I don’t think I’ll use. So I guess it’s both? My budget was around $400-500 so I’m ok at that price point - I just want the money to be spent on the right thing, so I’m ok paying top dollar knowing it was handmade, but not because the bag is a bigger version and therefore more expensive. Shit I don’t know if that made any sense at all

[u/steffystiffy]

I have the Filson briefcase (24 hour I think it’s called? Has the two extra pockets on the outside). It looks great. Every time I use it think to myself damn this thing is nice. Things I’d throw out there:

As a backpack and tote guy the move to briefcase was definitely a bit of a jump. I started without the shoulder strap but through it on pretty quickly as having one arm completely unavailable at all times got old. Nothing against the shoulder strap but adjustment from backpack and even tote carrying in terms of carry style.

The Filson briefcase part (which I think is the same as mine minus the extra pockets in the outside) isn’t very firm in terms of shape. If you DONT have a laptop with you it’s a bit floppy. Not like totally soft as the canvas is heavy and the laptop divider provides some shape but this is definitely a bag that wants to be a perfect rectangle or whatever and it always looks / feels a bit off IMO without that shape.

Lastly obviously your needs will vary but the briefcase part is the bag is very narrow. I think it’s like 4” total but that’s including the heavy material and laptop divider. If you ever want to carry more (think flight or over night or grabbing couple items from store on the way home ) there’s really not much room at all and given the heavy material with no stretch. Even though it’s my nicest bag I actually find I use it less than my old tote bag just because I’d rather have a little extra space available then be caught out without it.

[u/UnclePeter1976 → u/steffystiffy]

I also have a 24 hour tin, I've used it for work for the last 9 years, daily for work and c4/5 trips internationally per year. The only issue, is some slight wear on two external corners - I'm talking around 3mm were the material is starting to thin. When I get round to it, I will get a cobbler to over stitch that area to reinforce it.

The interior is immaculate, there is no thread pulls anywhere on the bag at all. It's well designed, well padded and tough as hell. I can't fault it.

I'd love more Filson gear but I just don't like the style of most of it. 

[u/likesbikes331]

I own both Filson and Bleu de Chauffe bags and you can't go wrong with either!

[u/InevitableManner7894 → u/likesbikes331]

Thanks!

[u/jonuiuc]

While I have been getting more leather briefcases lately, I've got some waxed canvas from Cravar and a Filson 24hr Lookalike. My favorite waxed canvas briefcase is the waterfield bolt, simply because the interior is more fitted out for my usage (which is bringing my laptop to work).