The Same, But Different?

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Goofydes

Goofydes

O.G.
May 18, 2010
294
754
#1
I have the Western Rivets Whiplash Saddle Bag and absolutely love it, so I took the plunge and also bought the Oxblood Whiplash Saddle Bag for 50% from Coach's Winter Sale. I got the Oxblood one today and I should not be surprised that the only thing consistent about Coach is their inconsistency. To me it seems like the Oxblood one feels "cheaper" than the Rivets one. The strap on the Rivets one is a little longer and it has a cool stamp on it. Also, the suede lining is totally different. The Rivets one is a light tan and feels softer and a bit heavier and the Oxblood one looks Tang orange compared to it and thinner. Just by handling the 2 bags I can tell that the Rivets one was made by hand and the Oxblood one seems mass produced. The pebbled leather on the Rivets one also seems a little thicker and was a lot smooshier straight out of the wrapping while the Oxblood one seems smooshier, but stiffer. The story patches are also different. The Rivets one has the little story about the saddle bag with the drawing and the Oxblood one just seems to have generic one. Maybe it is because the Rivets one is a special limited bag and the Oxblood one is part of the general 1941 collection. Maybe I am just overthinking things. Either way, I do adore the Oxblood one and plan on keeping it, it just seems like the Rivets one is a step above it. Plus, I was doing the math and with sales, shipping and tax I paid less for both bags combined than for the Oxblood one full price :p I might even use the black strap on the Oxblood bag for a different look.IMG_0999.JPG IMG_1001.JPG IMG_1003.JPG IMG_1004.JPG IMG_1005.JPG
 
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#2
Funny how those of us in bags, notice these things. I do believe some styles had more detailed patches than others, but couldn't specifically break it down on which do.

Coach still says handmade, unless i am just tired and recalling wrong so therefore differences will occur, that is typical of handmade vs mass produced. I also know as someone who has been around a lot of leather, the hides vary, some are just softer and/or less marked, you can often pick up several bags and find one that maybe softer or more grained(if that is the type it is) than others.

Sometimes even the color can change the feel too. I recall picking up a brown Edie in a department store(i own a true red) and despite being the same pebbled leather the brown felt nicer lol.

Nice bags though, enjoy!!
 
#3
Too funny. I actually have the black whiplash (which was, to my knowledge, only ever sold at Nordstrom as Coach never got it). My black has the tanner interior suede and is my most smooshy (in comparison to my Oxblood and Chalk I have in the same bag). I think I mentioned it before...if I didn't already have the black, I'd have splurged on this one...I find it very interesting that sometimes select department stores get exclusives that are far more desirable than the ones the actual Coach stores have. Glad to hear you are enjoying your new bag!
 
#4
Unfortunately I know all too well about leather and thier variations (which probably makes me extra picky). In my mid 20s I was a manager at a leather boutique and they sent me on a 2 week trip to learn about different types of leather and the dying process. It also doesn't help that now I work in QC at an aerospace part manufacturer and my job is to have an extremely critical eye. I love the color of the oxblood and am excited to use it for a few days now that the rain has let up in California. I know if I use it for a few weeks it will soften up nicely.
 
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#5
Goofydes said:
Unfortunately I know all too well about leather and thier variations (which probably makes me extra picky). In my mid 20s I was a manager at a leather boutique and they sent me on a 2 week trip to learn about different types of leather and the dying process. It also doesn't help that now I work in QC at an aerospace part manufacturer and my job is to have an extremely critical eye. I love the color of the oxblood and am excited to use it for a few days now that the rain has let up in California. I know if I use it for a few weeks it will soften up nicely.
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Yeah, that would make you have a hawk eye for differences. Sounds like cool jobs that you have held though! great knowledge to have imo. :coolio:
 
#6
Has anyone else seen the stamp markings shown on the rivets strap on another bag? I just noticed the same markings on my Dinky in the crease behind the front pocket on the bag's left side. Do you know what it means?
 
#14
Goofydes said:
I have the Western Rivets Whiplash Saddle Bag and absolutely love it, so I took the plunge and also bought the Oxblood Whiplash Saddle Bag for 50% from Coach's Winter Sale. I got the Oxblood one today and I should not be surprised that the only thing consistent about Coach is their inconsistency. To me it seems like the Oxblood one feels "cheaper" than the Rivets one. The strap on the Rivets one is a little longer and it has a cool stamp on it. Also, the suede lining is totally different. The Rivets one is a light tan and feels softer and a bit heavier and the Oxblood one looks Tang orange compared to it and thinner. Just by handling the 2 bags I can tell that the Rivets one was made by hand and the Oxblood one seems mass produced...

We're they made in two different regions? I had a saddle that was recently made in Europe. The western turnlock embroidered one. It was a tad different than the others.
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