2016 Saddle Bag Club!

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Saddle bag owners - I'm thinking about a whiplash saddle, but the way the buckles angle over the top and impede the flap seems like it would get annoying and possibly wear on the leather. Has anyone noticed this or consider it an issue in real life?
 
Saddle bag owners - I'm thinking about a whiplash saddle, but the way the buckles angle over the top and impede the flap seems like it would get annoying and possibly wear on the leather. Has anyone noticed this or consider it an issue in real life?

The flap curves inwards a bit around the buckles but you do need to push it in a little to avoid touching the buckle completely when opening it up. I notice it but it doesn't really bother me. The flip side seems to be that the flap stays closed even on windy days. I've my bag since Feb 2nd and haven't noticed any major wear or tear around the area. I don't know if it makes a difference but I have the glove tanned version in the smoke colour. A lighter colour might show wrinkles more easily but I have yet to see any.
 
Saddle bag owners - I'm thinking about a whiplash saddle, but the way the buckles angle over the top and impede the flap seems like it would get annoying and possibly wear on the leather. Has anyone noticed this or consider it an issue in real life?

Yes! I have both the medium and the 23, and the flap, especially on the medium, is a little annoying when getting things in and out of the bag because of the position of the buckles. It doesn't seem as bad on the 23 maybe because it's a smaller flap, but this one issue is making me wonder whether I truly love my medium bag. Everything else about it is perfect for me except for this. 😕
 
Soonergirl - I can understand your concern. I had a medium glove tanned in black & returned it...not mainly because of this but just because I'm not a fan of the glove tanned leather (feel it shows wear too easily). I have the whiplash in oxblood & love it. Yes, the same flap issue is there but this luxurious pebbled leather is super cushy & forgiving. I think this allows it to open & close more easily...this leather is just very flexible & seems to get softer with use. Ive seen all of the whiplash saddle colors in person & you can't go wrong, IMO. Good luck with your decision!
 
Soonergirl - I can understand your concern. I had a medium glove tanned in black & returned it...not mainly because of this but just because I'm not a fan of the glove tanned leather (feel it shows wear too easily). I have the whiplash in oxblood & love it. Yes, the same flap issue is there but this luxurious pebbled leather is super cushy & forgiving. I think this allows it to open & close more easily...this leather is just very flexible & seems to get softer with use. Ive seen all of the whiplash saddle colors in person & you can't go wrong, IMO. Good luck with your decision!

After hearing this I wish I would have waited for the pebble leather ones to come out. I have the black/oxblood and love how the leather looks but just wish it was more squishy. Any ideas how I could make it more pliable?
 
After hearing this I wish I would have waited for the pebble leather ones to come out. I have the black/oxblood and love how the leather looks but just wish it was more squishy. Any ideas how I could make it more pliable?
Sorry, wish I had a suggestion for you. I didn't keep my black/oxblood long enough to find out. How long have you had yours. Maybe in time it will soften.
 
Posting pics of my whiplash oxblood. Note this is after I took the fringe off and reattached only one small piece on each side under where the strap attaches. I can't describe this leather...its the best pebbled Coach I have...squishy and soft. Love the bag after I "defringed" it :)
Gorgeous bag, I saw this at the store and wasn't crazy about the fringe, how did you defringe it?
 
You could try conditioning it.

I put blackrocks on it but that didn't really make a difference. I've started scouring the rehab thread for ideas on what else to do. But then got fascinated by people's rehabs and spent a lot of time reading those instead of my original intentions!
I did take the strap off of the bag and conditioned it and bent it and twisted it back and forth for about an hour. That really seemed to helped loosen it up and made opening the bag a little easier. But still not quite right yet.
 
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The flap curves inwards a bit around the buckles but you do need to push it in a little to avoid touching the buckle completely when opening it up. I notice it but it doesn't really bother me. The flip side seems to be that the flap stays closed even on windy days. I've my bag since Feb 2nd and haven't noticed any major wear or tear around the area. I don't know if it makes a difference but I have the glove tanned version in the smoke colour. A lighter colour might show wrinkles more easily but I have yet to see any.

Yes! I have both the medium and the 23, and the flap, especially on the medium, is a little annoying when getting things in and out of the bag because of the position of the buckles. It doesn't seem as bad on the 23 maybe because it's a smaller flap, but this one issue is making me wonder whether I truly love my medium bag. Everything else about it is perfect for me except for this. 😕

Soonergirl - I can understand your concern. I had a medium glove tanned in black & returned it...not mainly because of this but just because I'm not a fan of the glove tanned leather (feel it shows wear too easily). I have the whiplash in oxblood & love it. Yes, the same flap issue is there but this luxurious pebbled leather is super cushy & forgiving. I think this allows it to open & close more easily...this leather is just very flexible & seems to get softer with use. Ive seen all of the whiplash saddle colors in person & you can't go wrong, IMO. Good luck with your decision!

Thank you all! The bag is gorgeous and the leather is amazing but I've decided against it :sad: for the price I want to LOVE it, and it's just not there. The flap would annoy me and I know if I have to talk myself into a bag I won't end up using it much. Boo!
 
Gorgeous bag, I saw this at the store and wasn't crazy about the fringe, how did you defringe it?
Once I read it could be "defringed" & that the fringe pieces were not attched to the main whipstitching, I just took a closer look, unknotted them & slowly pulled them out. Each had a small stitch of thread that kept it together but that came apart easily. Did have to actually cut the ones (I think just one set) that are secured at the side of the bag, by the buckle but then I took the smallest of the fringe pieces & reattached them on each side by weaving them through some stitching there & you would never notice any of this if you weren't looking for it. As I said, once I did this, the bag was perfect. Ive heard from my SA that the fringe is a dealbreaker for many, who feel its overdone...at which point she pulls out the pics of mine to give them another perspective. But, I admit it was scary to do it not knowing how it would turn out & I can certainly understand folks don't want to pay that much for a bag only to deconstruct it. I'm so glad I did though. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.
 
Once I read it could be "defringed" & that the fringe pieces were not attched to the main whipstitching, I just took a closer look, unknotted them & slowly pulled them out. Each had a small stitch of thread that kept it together but that came apart easily. Did have to actually cut the ones (I think just one set) that are secured at the side of the bag, by the buckle but then I took the smallest of the fringe pieces & reattached them on each side by weaving them through some stitching there & you would never notice any of this if you weren't looking for it. As I said, once I did this, the bag was perfect. Ive heard from my SA that the fringe is a dealbreaker for many, who feel its overdone...at which point she pulls out the pics of mine to give them another perspective. But, I admit it was scary to do it not knowing how it would turn out & I can certainly understand folks don't want to pay that much for a bag only to deconstruct it. I'm so glad I did though. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Teagaggle, I'm on my phone and can't find the pics where you showed this, can you give the link?
 
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