My "Professor Bag"

Bags, Boots, Shirts and all other gear should be discussed here.

Moderators: Mike, Cajunkraut, Tennessee Smith

Post Reply
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2550
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

My "Professor Bag"

Post by bearbeast »

I had some thinnish leather around, left over from another project, and I wanted to make a messenger bag for my laptop. What better design to use than Indy's Raiders professor bag?

I did not find a big enough brass tuck lock clasp, so I used a normal brass buckle. The two straps are removable, and to bypass the use of the buckles each time you open the bag, I used some snaps to connect the buckles to the belt.

On the back I hid two brass rings to be able to attach a should strap, while maintaining the original look of Indy's briefcase. I did not find brass rectangle rings for the handle so I sacrificed two brass buckles and since I love the aspect of stacked leather I went with that design for the handle, deviating from the original.

I would have like to have only one compartment inside, but I felt that the accordion look of having two compartments was vital. AND it posed a big challenge, since sewing a bent piece of leather around a radius was something I have been avoiding in all my designs in the past.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Hope you like it! :TOH:

Cheers,
Bear
User avatar
Western New York Indy
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Posts: 162
Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2024 1:52 pm
Location: Lost in a museum somewhere...

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by Western New York Indy »

This is an awesome take on the Raiders professor bag! I love that you retained the overall look and essence of the original, but also added some great touches like the shoulder strap and the snaps to connect the buckles. Now you've got me wishing I had an Indy style bag to carry my laptop in. My regular old non-Indy backpack is just so boring :rolling:
I'm continually amazed by the quality of leather work you do. Every little stitch and detail looks great. Absolutely beautiful work, my friend!

-WNY Indy
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10205
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by Indiana Jeff »

As always, excellent work.

I have to disagree with the use of the magnetic snaps, though. I don’t like “fakers” on bag straps regardless of how practical they may be. [-(


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
Canyon
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 6137
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2003 3:16 pm
Location: Swooning over my husband (and Indy!!!)
Contact:

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by Canyon »

Stunning piece of work, Bear! :clap:

Did you go to school to learn leatherworking?
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2550
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by bearbeast »

Western New York Indy wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 9:16 am This is an awesome take on the Raiders professor bag! I love that you retained the overall look and essence of the original, but also added some great touches like the shoulder strap and the snaps to connect the buckles. Now you've got me wishing I had an Indy style bag to carry my laptop in. My regular old non-Indy backpack is just so boring :rolling:
I'm continually amazed by the quality of leather work you do. Every little stitch and detail looks great. Absolutely beautiful work, my friend!

-WNY Indy
Thank you very much, WNY Indy, you are too kind! :notworthy:

I am very glad to inspire in you the desire for more Indy-gear! By the way, there is a new thread where there are a few recommendations for Indy-esque laptop worthy backpacks.

viewtopic.php?t=75231

Maybe you like one of the options?

Cheers,
Bear
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2550
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by bearbeast »

Indiana Jeff wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 10:49 am As always, excellent work.

I have to disagree with the use of the magnetic snaps, though. I don’t like “fakers” on bag straps regardless of how practical they may be. [-(


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Thank you loads, Indiana Jeff! :TOH:

No magnetic snaps here, though. :lol: \:D/ They are spring loaded snaps, two pieces per each strap. I am a big fan of over-engineered-russian-style designs. No way for them to come off under axial load.

Cheers,
Bear
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2550
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by bearbeast »

Canyon wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 12:33 pm Stunning piece of work, Bear! :clap:

Did you go to school to learn leatherworking?
Thank you loads, Canyon! :D That question is a big compliment! :o

No school, I learned the hard way, through a lot of trial and error. Used to make clothes for my sister's dolls, when I was five, then when I was 10-15 all kinds of costumes/gear for myself. They came out very rough, but they meant the world to me.

Fortunately at some point in my 20s I got access to the internet and was able to pick up more and more info on how to properly do things. :rolling:

So if I were to count the earliest trials... I've been trying my hand at leatherwork and sewing for 30+ years. And it started with a few long years of errors. :rolling:

Cheers,
Bear
User avatar
Canyon
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 6137
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2003 3:16 pm
Location: Swooning over my husband (and Indy!!!)
Contact:

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by Canyon »

Thanks for your reply, Bear! :TOH:

Your work is exemplary! :clap:
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2550
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by bearbeast »

Thank you for the kind words, Canyon! Means a lot! :TOH:

Cheers,
Bear
User avatar
Indiana Jeff
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10205
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:59 am
Location: TX Panhandle

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by Indiana Jeff »

Can you show pictures of the snaps? You hid them so well it’s no obvious to me how the straps/snaps are configured.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
User avatar
bearbeast
Legendary Adventurer
Legendary Adventurer
Posts: 2550
Joined: Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:31 am
Location: Lost in the search for gear...

Re: My "Professor Bag"

Post by bearbeast »

Indiana Jeff wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 11:55 pm Can you show pictures of the snaps? You hid them so well it’s no obvious to me how the straps/snaps are configured.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff
Yup, below is an album with the snaps. I am on my phone so I cannot resize them to post as images directly. ](*,)

From the side they are very obvious, since the snaps add a lot of thickness, but when viewed from an angle or the front they are inconspicuous.

https://imgur.com/a/5yLsT1o

Cheers,
Bear
Post Reply