15 yr review - Lost Worlds horsehide courier bag

[arahat]

I bought the bag new from Lost Worlds and I've had it about 15 years now. I believe it was one from the early production runs. I use it every weekday so it has seen use in all weather. It's been in thunderstorms, Australian summers etc.

I have recently replaced it since the main zip has an entire zip tape length torn off with significant cracking around the veg-tanned handles etc. It's tricky to find a skilled and reputable leather craftsperson here that could mend it.

Nevertheless, I am attached to the bag. It's served well and it's been a while. And yes, lost world's horsehide does accumulate patina, it just takes time. Here's the photos.

Link to album if photos don't show for you
https://photos.app.goo.gl/XuZ9icRZ3wXHWtyN7

 

[Carlos840]

I'm not seeing any pics.

 

[Marc mndt]

I'm not seeing any pics.

I can see pics.

Amazing how a leather bag can survive 15 years of daily use.

I had a pretty sturdy leather RRL bag which I used on a daily basis. After 4 years, the leather became weak from abrasion at some points and I had to have it repaired / reinforced. After 6 years the inner lining began to tear and it needed some spot repairs. After 8 years the inner lining was falling apart and needed to be completely replaced plus it needed some major leather repairs. That's when I decided the bag was end of life and I therefore bought a new bag.

I think it says a lot about the durability of LWs leather (and construction quality) that, with a couple of small repairs, your bag will probably be good for another 5-10 years.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

I can't see the pics either. I'd love to see it.

 

[Marc mndt]

I can't see the pics either. I'd love to see it.

Just discovered that they only show on my computer, not on mobile.

 

[Monitor]

No pics for me either.

 

[Edward]

I'm not seeing them on Chrome, on my computer.

Leather can be great for a bag - ideally with few zips, and those being chunky brass YKK in order to minimise any chance of them being damaged. I'm currently looking at a very utilitarian roll-top leather backpack on Etsy. Not a vintage design as such, but one which would very much fit my aesthetic nonetheless. Just got to decide what colour to go for - currently, I'm leaning towards the olive green option because it will go with more of my wardrobe than either the black or the brown one.

 

[arahat]

The courier bag is pretty durable if nothing else. Here's the link to the album for those who cannot see the photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XuZ9icRZ3wXHWtyN7

 

[Carlos840]

The courier bag is pretty durable if nothing else. Here's the link to the album for those who cannot see the photos.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XuZ9icRZ3wXHWtyN7

Nice!
That's probably the first time i am seeing patina on a LW item, you did it!
If i where you i would send it back to Stu to have the zipper changed and i would use it for another 15 years.

 

[arahat]

Cheers Carlos. I am definitely considering sending it home to get it mended. Either that or Dena at Great leather or a local Australian craftsperson (if a good one can be found).

 

[sweetfights]

Cheers Carlos. I am definitely considering sending it home to get it mended. Either that or Dena at Great leather or a local Australian craftsperson (if a good one can be found).

Near where I live is an old style shoe cobbler.
I have gone to the cobbler on multiple occasions to have a main zipper replaced (one that I supplied).
They charged me $20 labor each time and the results were fantastic.
They are used to dealing with thick leather when working on all types of shoes and boots.
Most skilled cobblers could handle our thickest of jackets.

 

[arahat]

Near where I live is an old style shoe cobbler.
I have gone to the cobbler on multiple occasions to have a main zipper replaced (one that I supplied).
They charged me $20 labor each time and the results were fantastic.
They are used to dealing with thick leather when working on all types of shoes and boots.
Most skilled cobblers could handle our thickest of jackets.

Good point sweetfights. I have been meaning to send some boots to have them resoled anyway so that's convenient. Cheers.

 

[Logician]

I have two LW horsehide courier bags, one in black and one in brown. They are about 10 years old and still brand new. Really I have never used them. Believe it or not Stuart made me a price on the purchase of two! The stitching on the sides are a little crooked. Perhaps because the leather is very thick. There was a stopper missing on the main zipper on one of the bags. Stuart sent me a few in the mail. These bags are really huge. They are a bit bulky if you carry them all day. But they match well with LW's leather jacket. I'm not surprised that the weak point of the bag is the main zipper. It was to be expected.

 

[DanielPetmr]

I can see pics.

Amazing how a leather bag can survive 15 years of daily use.

I had a pretty sturdy leather RRL bag which I used on a daily basis. After 4 years, the leather became weak from abrasion at some points and I had to have it repaired / reinforced. After 6 years the inner lining began to tear and it needed some spot repairs. After 8 years the inner lining was falling apart and needed to be completely replaced plus it needed some major leather repairs. That's when I decided the bag was end of life and I therefore bought a new bag.

I think it says a lot about the durability of LWs leather (and construction quality) that, with a couple of small repairs, your bag will probably be good for another 5-10 years. whglobalpack.com

So I'm ready to add some luggage to my Audace and I've narrowed it down to Hepco & Becker's Courier Bags as my 1st choice and SW Motech also has a nice pair of Saddle bags I checked out at Americade this year. The H&B uses the C-Bow mounts and the only thing I'm reluctant about the C-Bow mounts is how far out they appear to put the bags from the fender. I prefer a close fit which is why the SWMotech saddlebags are my 2nd choice. Has anyone out there installed either of these products and if so could you post some pics from different views? I would love to purchase the original Moto Guzzi canvas courier bags but from what I've been told the mounting brackets are unobtanium and the bags are close to $1200 for a set vs $599 for H&B. Doesn't Moto Guzzi usually put something like the bags on deep discount close out since the mounting hardware is no longer available?