Hands On: Form Function Form

Despite having acquired a number of bracelets, watchbands, and other pieces of wrist-ular ephemera over the last few years, I never moved far past my “NATO and those beads I got at Capsule that one time” phase. Nothing much behind it; just never found anything that stuck. Well, luckily enough, round 2 of the Sartorial et Al. worked out pretty well for me. Shawn from Form Function Form hooked me up with a couple of expertly executed, hand crafted pieces that I can safely say I’ll keep in rotation for a good long while.

First up, the bow shackle bracelet. Mine is made from Horween’s natural Essex veggie tanned leather, and finished off with royal blue cord, but you can also go for natural Chromexcel, plus a ton of other cord colors. As for the closure, well, that one’s pretty self-explanatory. (It’s a bow shackle.) It’s drawn its fair share of comments in the last few weeks—with good reason.

And part two? A shell cordovan watchband. “Oh, but that’s been done before,” you declare. Well, not exactly. Cut exactly to size and finished with a one-hole button stud closure, it’s a refreshingly understated take on the style. It’s also fucking awesome. Seriously. I want a backup, just in case some wristwear-obsessed criminal manages to abscond with it at some undetermined point in the future. Or, you know, just to have another color option (the current one’s natural).

Take a leap over to the site to see Form Function Form’s other styles, and hit up A Headlong Dive to check the rest of the coverage by the other guys from the Sartorial et Al. A massive thanks to Jeremiah for putting this all together, and to Shawn for supplying such fine product to work with.

—Jonathan

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Hands On: The Waskerd Studio Card Case

Alright first off: I’m back. At least, I’m trying. The day job, she’s been keeping me real busy as of late. So that’s that. Moving on…

I recently got an email from a gentleman named Derek Shaw from Waskerd inquiring about whether I might want to get my mitts on one of his handcrafted card cases in exchange for posting up my thoughts on it for all the Interweb to see. I’m normally a wallet guy, but he caught me at a good time. Thoughts of paring down the back pocket arsenal had already been kicking around my head, and I was looking to try something new. So I took him up on the offer, and ordered up a Studio 2-pocket card case in a rich, rusty hue dubbed “Hereford Red.”

I’ve been using it for a little more than a month, and have been holding off on posting until I put it through a little abuse. Well, abuse it’s taken, and I can honestly say this thing’s a great pickup. The leather is soft but sturdy, the design minimal but functional, and it feels like it’s going to last for ages. There’s a whole range of options available over at the Waskerd site, ranging from the slim to the don’t-fuck-with-me style hefty. He’s even got one, the Broadsheet, designed specifically for use with a topcoat.  I’d recommend any, though with the note that if you opt for the seriously beefy ones, you should be ready for a sincerely thick hunk of leather in your pocket.

Oh, and did I mention that when dude says handcrafted, he means done entirely with hand tools and without the use of electricity? Sounds exhausting, but still pretty awesome.

If you’re at all like me, you’ve put off almost all of your holiday shopping until now. And I’m just puttin’ it out there, but this’d probably make a good present. Derek offers custom branded monograms, too, so you can get all personalized with it.

Many thanks to Derek, and hopefully it’ll be a whole lot less than seven months before my next post.

—Jonathan

Waskerd urban tour photos by me.

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Artifact Bag Co. – No. 105 Tote

Really digging this tote from Omaha, Nebraska’s Artifact Bag Co. (AKA Chris Hughes, the designer and craftsman behind the line). It’s made from 14 oz. American-made waxed canvas, reinforced with American-made cotton webbing, fitted with Horween leather straps, and finished with hand hammered copper rivets and American-made poly thread (seams are double stitched, for strength). It’s also backed by a lifetime guarantee.

So, to put it briefly: this bag is made to last, by hand, using components from the good ol’ US of A. It also looks pretty damn good, and comes in four different colorways: Khaki/Brown, Olive/Black, Olive/Brown, and Olive/Charcoal/Black.

Top everything off with two external side pockets, a multi-section internal pocket, and an internal key fob (always immensely handy), and you’ve got one solid everyday bag on your hands.

What’s that you say? You’d like to see a collection of detail shots, running the gamut of all the colorways? But of course:

It’ll run you $125, direct from the source. Everything is handmade to order, so give it 4-6 weeks for production.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Artifact Bag Co.)

Ed’s Note: If you’re not looking for a carryall, there’s always the Waxed Canvas Lunch Tote.

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Archival Clothing Webbing Belt

This is a great option for anyone who’s looking for a ring belt. Or, really, just a good belt in general.

I haven’t had hands-on experience with the belts themselves, but I have dealt with the webbing before. It serves as the straps on my Archival tote bag (an Xmas gift from my lovely lady), and let me tell you: This stuff is no joke. It’s British military-spec, and it’s tough as nails. Luckily, despite its general fortitude, it’s not uncomfortable to deal with—the hand is great, and it’s actually quite pliable. It also softens up with use, but doesn’t lose its general feeling of “don’t fuck with me” sturdiness. Not bad.

Top it off with solid brass rings, a Horween leather tab, a versatile 1″ width, and Archival Clothing’s signature bar-tack (in either red or tan), and you’ve got yourself a damn fine specimen.

I’m going to pick up the tan and the navy—both with the red bar-tack—once the navy comes back in stock in my size (Medium). That will hopefully be around mid-July, according to the fine folks at Archival.

If you’re interested in securing something now, though, just head over to Archival’s online shop (unless you’re looking for the navy/red or the tan/tan version in Medium).

Oh, and did I mention these are all made in the States (Springfield, Oregon), and cost a mere $24 a pop? No? Well…they are, and they do.

Get on it.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Archival Clothing)

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Barena – Canvas Bag

This bag—from Italian company Barena—is absolutely killer.

Perfectly simple, made in Italy from heavy canvas, lined in tartan twill, and complete with brass hardware and a removable shoulder strap.

No muss. No fuss. Just a great everyday carryall.

It’s $150 at Très Bien Shop (minus 20% for non-EU customers). With shipping to the States, it works out to $144 total.

Not bad at all.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Très Bien Shop)

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Corter Leather – For Japan Bracelet

In the wake of the earthquake and tsunamis last week, Eric of Corter Leather created this bracelet as a way to show support for Japan—a great, simple piece set off by a hand painted red button.

It’s only $20, and 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Cross to support their efforts in Japan. Available in sizes from 6.5″ to 8.75″.

Get one at the Corter website and be sure to tell your friends and neighbors.

—Jonathan

(Image courtesy of Corter Leather)

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Apolis Activism Wool Neckties

I’m really digging the simplicity of these ties. 100% virgin wool, handmade in California.

They look to be somewhere around the 2.25″-2.5″ territory at the widest point. If it’s nearer to the lower end of that spectrum, they might actually be a bit too slim for my tastes.  I’m hoping that’s not the case, though. Because with a $58 price tag–and a really spot on olive green version available–I want one.

Aside from the aforementioned olive, Apolis has navy and charcoal options on offer. There’s also a black version, but it’s currently sold out. Maybe they’ll restock.

Available at Apolis Activism’s online shop.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Apolis Activism)

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MAKR Carry Goods – Utility Bag and Flap Rucksack

These hit the MAKR online store recently. The Utility Bag is shown in the first shot, and the Flap Rucksack in the second. Both models look fantastic. Made with heavy cotton duck and Horween leather (brown Latigo on the natural versions, black Manitoba on the black), and topped off with YKK Excella zippers. Everything is designed and produced in the USA.

I think the Utility Bag would be my personal choice for the day-to-day. I’m especially fond of the fact that you can carry it three different ways: by hand (tote handles), shoulder/cross-body (large strap), and as a backpack. The final method requires only a simple reconfiguration of the strap, as shown here:

It’s not a method I’d use regularly, in all likelihood. But on those days where the bag is just too damn heavy for comfort, something like this would come in very handy.

The really tough question, then, is whether to go for black or natural canvas? Both are great, so that one isn’t getting answered immediately. Though right off the bat, I’ll admit I’m leaning towards the natural version…

A few more detail shots of both models are below, plus prices. Click the text for each model to hop over to MAKR and grab one for yourself.

Utility Bag – Natural – $320:

Utility Bag – Black – $275:

Flap Rucksack – Natural -$410:

Flap Rucksack – Black – $410:

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if each and every one of these sells out. If you’re into any of the models, I’d start thinking about pulling that trigger soon. I know I am.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of MAKR Carry Goods)

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Two Moods: Pierrepont Hicks SS 11

Quiet:

Earnest – $92 – Available mid-March

100% Italian Linen, made in NY

Loud:

Briggs – $82 – Available mid-March

100% Cotton, made in NY

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Pierrepont Hicks)

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Forestbound

Forestbound is the nom de guerre of Alice Saunders, a Boston local who crafts some damn good looking bags and totes from salvaged vintage textiles. Think canvas from 1930′s laundry bags and WWII era military tents, or an envelope-style carry pocket repurposed from a 1950′s hiking pack. Some are reinforced with individually sourced leather pieces, and everything comes complete with heavy-duty hardware that Alice herself hunts down throughout New England. So basically, you don’t have to worry about a lack of authenticity here.

And as you can see from this collection of images, you don’t have to worry about aesthetics, either. From the expertly executed staging to the self-evident appeal of the bags themselves, it’s a win all over.

Her Etsy shop is currently well stocked with a selection of everyday bags and weekenders with an impressive mix of old school inspiration and modern execution (like pockets for your phone/iPod/assorted gadgetry), and in a couple of weeks she’ll be presenting a new line of offerings at The Shiny Squirrel‘s pop-up event at the Ace Hotel in NYC. I’m looking forward to seeing them in person, and I’ve got to admit that I won’t be shocked if I walk away with one in hand.

And a heads up to the NY folk out there: LAYERxlayer and Symmetry Goods (two labels that recently hit my radar and piqued my interest) will be showing at the same event, along with a bunch of other solid brands. Seems like it’s gonna be well worth a visit, so give me a shout if you’re looking for something to do Feb 21-23.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Forestbound and The Shiny Squirrel)

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