Top Frame Briefcase
It is not just a bag; it is a lifelong companion. Experience the legacy of craftsmanship and the luxury of premium materials with our Top-frame Briefcase.
The design of our Top-frame Briefcase is steeped in history. The top-frame style, which gained popularity in the early 20th century, was originally favored by lawyers and bankers who needed a reliable and stylish way to carry important documents. This briefcase’s distinctive structured frame and top-handle design harken back to an era when attention to detail and durability were paramount.
While maintaining its classic exterior, our Top-frame Briefcase boasts a highly customizable internal design. Modern needs are addressed with features like a secure laptop compartment, ensuring your devices are well-protected. Additionally, the option for gold embossing allows you to add a personal touch, highlighting its exclusive features.
- Crafted from premium J & E Sedgwick bridle leather, sourced from the UK.
- Lined with luxurious vegetable-tanned sheepskin.
- Dimensions: 45x32x16 cm. Please note that, as each item is handmade, dimensions may vary slightly.
- Features durable and elegant brass locks and hardware.
- This bag is exclusively Made to Order, with a production time of 8-10 weeks.
If you need any further assistance with customizing details, please contact us at info@yearnshoemaker.com.
The Craftsmanship
Each Top Frame Briefcase requires approximately 50 hours of dedicated handcrafting by Mr. Jiang and his team, passionate leather craftsmen and close friends of Yearn’s director, Tim. Their friendship is built on a shared vision: to introduce the world to the beauty of Chinese handcrafted products. Utilizing traditional techniques, every stitch, cut, and finish is executed with meticulous precision, ensuring the highest level of quality. Our dedication to craftsmanship means that every briefcase is not just a bag, but a timeless piece of art.
J & E Sedgwick bridle leather
J & E Sedgwick’s bridle leather, also known as "bridle butt," is meticulously crafted using a traditional vegetable-tanning process that is both eco-friendly and renowned for its durability. During production, the leather undergoes hot stuffing, where it is treated with a blend of natural oils, waxes, and tallows. This process not only enhances its suppleness but also imbues it with a deep, lustrous finish that highlights the natural grain. Each piece is then meticulously hand polished to achieve a smooth, glossy surface, ensuring a consistent and luxurious appearance. Ideal for our Top-frame Briefcase, this leather ages beautifully, developing a rich patina over time that adds to its allure and character.
Cutting
Based on the specific leather characteristics needed for each part of a handcrafted bag, the artisan carefully selects and manually cuts the most suitable sections of the leather. In doing so, they meticulously avoid any scars or imperfections to ensure that the bag's surface is as flawless as possible.
Punching
To facilitate later stitching and ensure neat, consistent seams, the craftsman uses specialized tools to pre-punch the leather at various points. The holes are made at a parallel, slanted angle, allowing the resulting stitches to form a wave-like pattern.
Adhesive
The glue used for bonding is Italy-imported Intercom water-based white glue, which is environmentally friendly, safe, and odorless.
Hand Stitching
We employ the double saddle stitch technique, expertly hand-sewn to create wave-like stitches that lend the final product an elegant and refined appearance. We use handcrafted linen thread, which is naturally waxed, further enhancing the texture and quality of the finished product.
Edge Trimming
Our craftsman will smooth out any sharp edges to create a rounded finish, then polish them with a special agent to ensure a sleek, smooth surface. This significantly enhances both the tactile feel and durability of the edges.
