The Man Purse Aka. THE MURSE YES or NO ?

[galopede]

Here's my day to day bag. A British traditional fishing bag, the Troutbeck 14 by Chapman bags.

http://www.chapmanbags.com/rod-gun/...www.chapmanbags.com/rod-gun/troutbeck-14.html

 

[Lean'n'mean]

I've got a couple of man bags.
Firstly, a canvas jobbie I made myself, which I use when going for extra long hikes with the mutt, it will contain water, collapsable dog bowl, camera & sometimes lunch. This pic was taken soon after it was made, it's a little more grubby now.


Secondly I have a German Army gas mask bag. This will usually accompany me on my camping trips, packed with my cooking kit & various bits & bobs. As it's waterproof, I will sometimes use it to protect the camera if I'm planning to take some pics in iffy weather.

 

[DJH]

Ah, that reminds me lean-n-mean, I also have a dog walking bag - an old Roadwired that is still going strong.

Room for 2 water bottles, collapsible bowl, phone and keys.

The photo isn't of mine.

 

[Edward]

Not to offend anyone but I find this post to be somewhat closed off.

American Men have some serious gender issues. I lean towards the European ( Italian ) Latin America role model.

When I grew up ( In NYC ) I was taunted for having style and being into fashion. It was GAY in America. Not true in other parts of the world.

Backpacks although useful don't look good with dressy attire when a briefcase would be overkill.

It does seem to be a pronounced thing in parts of the US, though looking in from the outside perhaps it's simply a reflection of a wider set of controversies over issues of gender and sexuality which are less of a big deal here in Europe. Which is, of course, not to say that it doesn't occur here at all. There are tracts on England not too many miles outside of even Swinging London where it's considered "a bit gay" to be seen reading a book. Or even able to read.

Here's my day to day bag. A British traditional fishing bag, the Troutbeck 14 by Chapman bags.

http://www.chapmanbags.com/rod-gun/...www.chapmanbags.com/rod-gun/troutbeck-14.html

Nice; very much in the same vein as Brady Bags, and around the same price.

 

[Sonero]

Here's my day to day bag. A British traditional fishing bag, the Troutbeck 14 by Chapman bags.

http://www.chapmanbags.com/rod-gun/...www.chapmanbags.com/rod-gun/troutbeck-14.html

Brits have cool bags. I will order a key lanyard from them...Thank You

My Brady Bag will arrive next week....Ariel Trout Small in Navy.

 

[robrinay]

If you like Brady and Chapman bags look out for Liddesdale bags on eBay - similar designs and quality but little known so sometimes cheaper. They were taken over by Barbour and then stopped trading years ago but I believe John Chapman worked for them after he left Brady and before setting up Chapman bags.

 

[Edward]

If you like Brady and Chapman bags look out for Liddesdale bags on eBay - similar designs and quality but little known so sometimes cheaper. They were taken over by Barbour and then stopped trading years ago but I believe John Chapman worked for them after he left Brady and before setting up Chapman bags.

Ah! I didn't know there was that link between Brady and Chapman. Explains the obvious commonality in style.

 

[Cocker]

The Finnish Army gas mask bags don't look too bad neither:

 

[Sonero]

Absolutely, yes. I've carried a bag for over twenty years now out of necessity; very common here or in any city I've encountered where people use public transport rather than drive. Never had a problem. My choice of daily carry bag varies depending on what I'm doing, but for just going out and about and carrying the sort of stuff the OP mentions, I find a Brady fishing bag most effective. Triple layered canvas and plenty waterproof, doesn't have the more formalised loo of a briefcase (though I have one of those for the office too), and as it's canvas, markedly cheaper than a similar-quality leather option. www.bradybags.co.uk I think the best option for a general purpose manbag is the Ariel Trout model.

Question about the Brady Bag.

I received mine today...Ariel Trout Small. Good size for everyday carry.

Do you open your bag by undoing the buckle or do you use the leather/brass notch on the top of the leather strip ? At first glance the leather/brass notch seems much easier but looks like it ( the leather ) could loosen up too much with use which would make it difficult to stay on even when not in use. Looks hard to repair as well.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks

 

[DJH]

Your Brady bag looks to be the same design as my Billingham.

My bag is probably six years old and I've aways opened it by pulling the straps over the little metal tabs. They still work as well as the day I got the bag.

 

[Sonero]

Lots of similar looking bags from the UK but so classy just the same.

I ordered this " cartridge " bag from Chapman. The color is just too beautiful to pass up as a regular bag.

 

[shadowrider]

Some of the pictured bags are really nice, I especially like the one Lean'n'mean made himself. Awesome job!
However, what is with the world wide hatred agains fanny packs? I agree that some are truly ugly, but others are just fine.
I wear mine proudly. And it's red, marked Coca-Cola nonetheless.

 

[Sonero]

I've got a couple of man bags.
Firstly, a canvas jobbie I made myself, which I use when going for extra long hikes with the mutt, it will contain water, collapsable dog bowl, camera & sometimes lunch. This pic was taken soon after it was made, it's a little more grubby now.


Secondly I have a German Army gas mask bag. This will usually accompany me on my camping trips, packed with my cooking kit & various bits & bobs. As it's waterproof, I will sometimes use it to protect the camera if I'm planning to take some pics in iffy weather.

So you actually made a pattern then used a sewing machine to make the first bag ? Kudos to you. That is quite some skill you have.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

So you actually made a pattern then used a sewing machine to make the first bag ? Kudos to you. That is quite some skill you have.

Nope, no pattern to speak of & all hand sewn, I don't have a sewing machine. ......I have done a lot of sewing in my time though.

Just to prove that I did actually make it, here it is prior to the finishing touches..

 

[Edward]

Question about the Brady Bag.

I received mine today...Ariel Trout Small. Good size for everyday carry.

Do you open your bag by undoing the buckle or do you use the leather/brass notch on the top of the leather strip ? At first glance the leather/brass notch seems much easier but looks like it ( the leather ) could loosen up too much with use which would make it difficult to stay on even when not in use. Looks hard to repair as well.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks View attachment 55601

The idea behind the design is that you can use the buckles to set the strap at the preferred length, then the post on top as a quick release mechanism (it is, in my mind, not only a forerunner of, but also infinitely superior to the mechanical clips you see on the udnerside of so many buckles nowadays). I use them as designed - i.e. the quick release open / close by flipping the strap off the post at the top. Never had a problem - though I gather Brady do carry a full line of repalcement straps should it ever become necessary. Under normal use, I'd be surprised if it was a problem in the first ten years.

However, what is with the world wide hatred agains fanny packs?

Aesthetics, mostly, I'd say... though I also hate the nomenclature. In the UK, they're known as 'bum bags' (same concept), yet noone ever wears them round the back ,on their bum.... Why on earth did they get a name like that when noone uses them that way? It's like calling shoes gloves.

 

[shadowrider]

The manliest way ever would be to carry a leather saddle bag over your shoulder.
Pair with a Stetson for maximum effect.

 

[Edward]

The manliest way ever would be to carry a leather saddle bag over your shoulder.
Pair with a Stetson for maximum effect.

I remember a character in that late eighties / early 90s sitcom A Different World carrying saddlebags - Dwayne Wayne(?) rings a bell.... first time I'd seen them, I had no idea what they were for a long time.

 

[Sonero]

I received my bags and wanted to post a photo of them. Online photos do represent them well for the most part but I always like to see " real " pictures of things I am interested in buying.

My Thoughts ?

LOVE the style....a million times over. You cannot find such class in America. To be honest they do have a gender bender edge to them but I think that is what makes these bags so appealing to me. If you are man enough to rock these types of bags and look rugged while doing it all the power to you. Just like rugged males who wear unisex perfumes.

The two Brady bags in the back are made from a soft canvas. I wanted something a little more supple but now have changed my mind. They fold down nicely and fit into tight spaces like a knapsack. I now welcome the fabric. The bag has plenty of room in the main pocket and two outside pockets represented by flaps.

The Chapman is different. The bag arrived with monogrammed Chapman tissue paper and an elegant seal. Also accompanied by a beautifully done photo illustrated brochure of their company and work that they do. I will look at it in its' entirety. I also ordered two leather key chains from them which are DASHING. I don't want to open the packets yet. Id rather gaze at them for a while.

My cartridge bag is made from a super thick canvas. The inside is lined with what feels like a waterproof PVC in white.

Thank You so much to the UK guys that turned me onto these brands. Forever Grateful.

I've got a few other UK websites bookmarked on my computer since I last posted......

Oh Lord Have MURSEY on me !

 

[scottyrocks]

I alternate mostly between a MkVII gas mask bag, and a string bag. The advantage of the string bag is that it is completely out of my way when walking or standing, and it's not terribly obvious that I'm wearing it, especially over a black garment, and I managed to find one in a nice blue tartan. Disadvantages: only two compartments, one very large and one very small, so things can be hard to find inside, and I can't drive while wearing it. And those attributes of both are opposites of the other: the MkVII is nicely compartmentalized for my needs, I can leave it on while driving, but it is somewhat in the way while walking/standing.

 

[robrinay]

Question about the Brady Bag.

I received mine today...Ariel Trout Small. Good size for everyday carry.

Do you open your bag by undoing the buckle or do you use the leather/brass notch on the top of the leather strip ? At first glance the leather/brass notch seems much easier but looks like it ( the leather ) could loosen up too much with use which would make it difficult to stay on even when not in use. Looks hard to repair as well.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks View attachment 55601

My Leather Barbour Tarras has Sam Browne fastenings like yours and I never use the buckles. So far the straps are holding up well.