My Billykirk No. 237 Briefcase

Oh man, I love this bag. But let me go back to 2019 when my old J.Crew canvas messenger bag was on its very last leg. I went looking for a replacement. In my hunt I looked at Filson, L.L.Bean, J.Crew, Orvis, and a few others but for one reason or another something wasn’t right. It might have been the size, the color, the interior pockets or lack thereof, or that it had a flap (I was now looking for something without a flap).

I met Chris Bray from Billykirk back in 2016 in D.C. when he came through the shop I was working in and ever since then I've always admired their products. They had an olive green waxed canvas bag with medium brown leather for years and when I went to go look at it again… it was sold out (the No. 237). Of course there were other colors of the bag available but I wanted the olive. So I reached out to their customer service team on the slimmest chance that there was one of these bags left around the shop and that it could become mine. After working with their customer service team they were able to locate one left that had been used for photos and display.

I was so pumped that this bag was going to be mine. I loved everything about it but the thing I loved most was the amount of interior pocket and the varying sizes. I use my bag for work and travel so having the ability to put something in a space that feels like it's made for it feels so good. Starting with the open middle space, it’s big enough for my laptop and charger to fit along with papers or an issue of The Rake that I still am reading. Then interior side walls have a full length pocket on one side that can contain any papers I have and the other side has smaller accessories pockets for an iPhone charger or my passport along with pen holders which I always am using.

The exterior has this amazing stiff waxed canvas that allows the bag to hold its shape. This is paired with soft full grain vegetable tanned leather and metal fitting. All of these have aged so gracefully over the last couple of years. They take their knocks and scratches with pride and they only add character. Last but not least there is a leather shoulder strap that is on the thinner side with a larger leather shoulder pad just where it needs to be.

This bag has been the perfect companion back and forth to work everyday and also international trips to Scotland and Egypt. If you are looking for leather and canvas goods made with genuine quality and functionality check out Billykirk.

Cheers,

Jake Shields