Hardware definitely makes it heavy and makes the opening difficult to access, not an everyday bag. Beautiful but maybe too expensive to justify to keep, still on the fence.
I have about 20 bags so I switch out on a weekly basis, I did use my drawstring recently and I don't really see the leather as being delicate - but it is luxurious and gorgeous, but not delicate. it is however a heavy bag, but since I only use bags for a week at a time, it's not that much of a concern. I did carry it around one night when DH and I ended up going downtown for a walk and I was finding it quite heavy.
BTW the beige in this bag is just beautiful.