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Ashley Clarke England

Heritage Leather Briefcase: C.F. Stead Waxy Commander Edition

Heritage Leather Briefcase: C.F. Stead Waxy Commander Edition

£975.00 GBP
£975.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.

Made from Waxy Commander suede - the same hard-wearing leather used for boots - this Heritage Briefcase is built to work. Handcrafted in my Lincolnshire workshop with bridle leather and solid brass, it’s designed for years of hard use, not just the office.

Premium features

  • 100% leather throughout
  • Custom shoulder strap length – choose from S,M, L
  • Two full width external pockets
  • One 36cm x 20cm internal pocket
  • 4mm thick bridle leather handles, shoulder strap and base
  • Solid brass hardware throughout
  • Internal accessory tabs with eyelets to keep valuables safe
  • Designed to carry a 17” laptop, A4 notebook, plus your everyday essentials

Dimensions

Briefcase:

  • Width 40cm (15.7”)
  • Height 31cm (12.2”)
  • Depth 10cm (3.9”)

Shoulder strap custom lengths:

  • Small 120 – 135cm (47” – 53”) (standard briefcase strap length)
  • Medium 135 – 150cm (53” – 59”)
  • Large 150 – 165cm (59” – 65”)

Product care

I make my products to stand the test of time. This briefcase is crafted from a durable, heavily waxed, waterproof leather which will only look better with age.

However, you can give your briefcase some extra TLC by:

  • Wiping any dirt from the surface of the leather with a damp cloth.
  • Buffing out small scruffs or scratches from wear using a cotton cloth. This brings the natural oils to the surface of the leather.
  • Feeding the leather with Original Sedgwick Leathercare to protect and replenish the natural oils in the hide. Please note that this product will slightly darken the colour of the leather permanently.

Made to order

Each leather briefcase is handmade to order in my workshop, using traditional techniques. It takes three weeks to craft a briefcase, from the point of order to shipping.

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More information

This edition of the Heritage Briefcase is made to order in limited numbers from Charles F. Stead’s Waxy Commander suede - a heavy, waxed leather usually used for boots. You can customise yours by choosing the shoulder strap length that suits you, at no extra cost.

Featuring hand-dyed edges, fully leather-bound seams, logo-embossed zip tabs, and a base that takes inspiration from our falconry lures - a nod to where I started with leatherwork.

The briefcase has the space for a 17" laptop, an A4 notebook or folder, and everything else you carry daily. Mine’s usually full of pens and four or five notebooks - I design it to be used, not babied.

It’s smart enough for the office, but rugged enough for the field. Built from heavy-duty materials, it combines straightforward function with a classic look.

Designed, cut, and sewn by hand in my right here. By us.

Crafted from the finest materials

The leather comes from Charles F. Stead in Leeds — one of the finest suede tanneries in the world. Their Waxy Commander is a heavy waxed suede, normally used for boots. The hides are shrunk during tanning to tighten the fibres, giving it real strength. The wax finish makes it waterproof and quick to take on a patina.

The handles, strap, and base are Sedgwick bridle leather - tough stuff made for horse tack. Hardware is solid brass from Abbey England, the country’s last traditional brass foundry.

Every material is chosen to be hard-wearing, reliable, and built to be better with use.

Designed to last a lifetime

I chose a leather for this briefcase that stands on its own. It’s thick enough to keep its shape without any synthetic lining. My test is simple: does it look good, and can it take a day out in the British weather without giving in? If the answer’s yes, it makes the cut.

When I sit down to design a product, I want it to look good but it has to be able to perform in the real world. Scuffs and scratches aren’t flaws - they’re proof of use. Over time, your briefcase will build its own patina and carry the marks of where it’s been.

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Made in England

Every briefcase is made start to finish in our Grantham workshop, and that includes the design. No shortcuts, no outsourcing - if we didn’t make it, it isn’t here.

Made in England and made right here is a pride thing for us.