Well I finally bought the bag that I have been drooling over for about a year now! The Belstaff 554, which I bought at a store that carries them in downtown Chicago.
I first learned of this bag from the EDC Forums, not the movie I am Legend like a lot of other people. I never even saw the movie until 2 weeks ago. Someone on EDC Forums had one, Britishblades Forum had photos and even Usual Suspects had photos. It was then I learned about the movie and thought that I wanted to see how it looked, since photos of it on people are far and few between. Only two that I have found were Will Smith and Brad Pitt.
After staring at photos for forever I found a local store last week. It was not long before a call was made. Because these bags are so hard to get, especially in mountain brown, I almost got a repro out of China. Sucks I know but it was that or spend well over $500 out of Germany. Low and behold I found out last week that J Crew actually sells them but in a khaki color, not bad either but shortly after that I discovered the local store with the color I wanted.
I blame my wife because she immediately said that there is no way in hell that I am going to get a repro when I now have access to the real thing. I am truly a lucky man! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> As I said, yesterday she and I went and bought it.
Stats:
Bag Number - 554
Color - Mountain Brown
Size - 16" Length by 12" Height by 5" Width
Pockets - Two pockets on front with snaps, two pockets on the side with leather flaps and strap and buckle closures, on main compartment with sturdy fabric lining and zippered pocket on the back interior
Back of bag - Not pictured, has a strap loop for securing to a belt on a jacket, so it stays in place on your back while on a bike.
Buckles - All brass
The canvas is thick and the leather distressed and is soft and hard (if that makes sense)at the same time. The smell is great being leather and canvas.
Overall, this bag is one solid piece of kit that will serve well over the years as an EDC bag. I cannot explain the sound it makes when dropped onto the bed or sofa... It is a combination of brass clanking, leather and canvas that is music to my ears.
Description from Belstaff:
This particular bag is meticulously crafted from sturdy English cotton canvas that's been woven on an original loom to replicate the original irregularity of the fabric and specially washed and finished to achieve that had-it-forever feel, with exquisitely detailed leather trim and pockets galore.
Ok, onto the pics!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
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With kit that I actually use in Kenya. My charting/drawing equipment (all brass), Authentic British military Stanley G-150 prismatic compass (brass construction painted olive drab, mother of pearl card) from Trademark London (compass restoration) circa 1990's, Johnnie Black Label (I actually have blue as well but was too lazy to get it), my enamel cup and Peterson Pipe. We drink a lot of Johnnie in Kenya!
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Now witht he EDC stuff.... Maxped pocket organizer with assorted writing tools and soft cover moleskine in back pocket on the left, right side contains FAK, sewing kit and bic in back pocket, Executive E2E Elite Surfire, CRKT Get-a-Way Driver Torx Set, Leatherman Skeletool, pocket prybar from Mashed Cat Outfitters and two small tech screwdrivers with double bits. Para cord is in the mesh pocket on the front. I have already used the hell out of the Skeletool, prybar, light and get away tool putting a desk together and other household stuff. I was not sure about the get away driver but put a lot of torque on it and it held up.
The Pelican case holds a FAK and paracord.
These two kits fit perfectly in the two front pockets.
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The Busse Bad Boys!! Not new, but you guys will like them. The SHBM was my first back in 1997. It served with me for 2 months on an expedition in Kenya and is still going strong. I have rarely posted pics of it... The rest need no introduction!
The Scrapmuk sheath was made by our own Rainwalker. It was literally one of the first he made when this knife came out. Attached to it is the firesteel loop that he made as well. This knife had been abused! I have chopped small branches/sticks for fire, sharpened hotdog sticks for 30 kids, cut a square hole in the ground for a fire pit and more... Yes, I have pics of all of that!
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More Shots of SHBM and DF, along with a spine shot of the SHBM.
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