Customer Reviews

Bucket Boss Brand 06005 Contractors Briefcase

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had been shopping around for an over the shoulder strap day bag for some time but nothing seemed to suit my needs until I found this one. I am not a contractor but I find this bag perfect for my daily needs. It is less expensive, more durable, and has ten times more pockets than the competition. I especially like the outer straps for blueprints. Granted, I don't carry any blueprints around but its great for newspapers and magazines not to mention a wet umbrella that you may not want to put in the bag. I highly recommend this bag.

I was looking for a replacement for my Lands End briefcase [I've had three of those but I'll never go back]. One of my complaints about the last one I had was that it was navy blue and things like my black cell phone would get lost down in it [along with other things]. With only a few small but deep pockets inside, there wasn't a good place for the phone, and things tended to get very disorganized. I'm a clinical psychologist with 3 offices [and a home office] so I tend to carry around a lot of junk, including charts, other papers etc. and with the Bucket Boss I'm no longer always rooting around trying to find something that I tossed in there. In my search, I looked at other canvas bags that could take the beating of all the moving about that I need to do - the Lands End ..., the L.L. Bean case ... and one from Duluth Pack ... but I saw this one in the ... Tool Crib catalog for... and it kept intriguing me - in part because of the lighter color, which I thought would help with being able to find my "lost" things. At that price there seemed little to lose but boy, was I pleasantly surprised when I got it. The pictures and text do not do it justice. It has tons of pockets, places for pens, wallet, checkbook...you name it. I've used it for over a month now and I can't find anything I'd change in the design, nor any flaws in the construction. In fact, I love it so much that I'm going to order a "replacement" now, so that when I wear this one out I'll have one already. My only qualm in doing that is that it is so well made, it may never wear out, but I'm sure my heirs will be able to put it to good use long after I don't need it any longer.

I've been carrying my Bucket Boss briefcase on a daily basic for two years now, and it still looks new. It may be designed for contractors, but there are plenty of features that make it perfect for computers geeks as well. There's room for a laptop, of course; a special pocket for a cell phone that lets you hear the phone ring, tons of pockets for pens, pencils, screwdrivers, pliers, a digital camera, books... whatever you need to carry. It's rugged, looks good in almost any setting, yet doesn't attract the attention of thieves like the typical laptop case or fancy briefcase. Highly recommended.

There are others, but not as inexpensive nor with half the quality and durability of this briefcase. I've had 3 over the past 6 years, & will soon buy another one. The failure point has always been the metal attachments that hold the shoulder straps in place; they only last a year or two, in my experience. The mesh cellphone pocket is nice & roomy, too. It has room for several books (plural!), notebooks, and odds&ends to my delight, with a couple better-designed large & deep compartments that have velcro flaps. Everything about this case says it's roomy enough to carry what I've discovered I need to carry around, and durable enough to last. (And it makes a nicer statement, I think, than a leather oh-so-so briefcase!)

This item fits my needs perfectly. I have a place for my phone, keys, Pocket PC, GPS receiver, pens, notepads, food, water, tools, where do I stop!?!

I truly recommend this for people in engineering or any technical field. It even stands up to an accidental coffee spill!

The one I received is an older model and doesn't look like the picture (I received mine in November), this newer version looks like it has more pockets. But that doesn't take away from the quality of this product. I am not a contractor either and like the other reviewer I purchased this as a commuter bag. Its many pockets are perfect for holding just about everything and the main compartment is big enough for a laptop computer if needed, though it doesn't have the padding a lap top case would have. If you carry a wide lunch box, it may not fit in this bag. I frequently bring medium sized tupperware bowls for lunch and they will not fit in the main compartment unless I put it in sideways. The one I have doesn't have a blueprint sleeve but I wouldn't have used it any way. Convenient pocket in the flap to put documents for easy access when the top is closed and zippered pocket inside as well as a metal hook for keys. BucketBoss is part of Fiskars and has the same high quality products. I don't own other BucketBoss products but I'd definately buy more based on this item.

...this would be a perfect bag. It wants for a zipper under the main flap for the primary compartment. In its existing state papers get wet in a rain storm.

I work(ed) as a project engineer traveling throughout the country, carrying this bag, for 2 years. It survived over 200 flights per year, being dropped in the dirt at job sites, has been overstuffed with my laptop, power brick, 2" of file folders, 2 to 3 engineering books, cell phone, pda, mouse, a dozen CDs, checkbook, gloves, eyeglasses, safety glasses, half a dozen legal pads, two dozen pens and pencils, two drafting rulers, lan cable, power adapters, usb cables, usb 4-port hub, mini-multi-outlet, travel network hub, and more. Sure it's jammed and wieghs a ton when it is that full, but the bag can hold it and hold up to it. It is soft-sided, so when it isn't jam-packed full it 'feels like a much smaller bag'.

It isn't as 'elegant' as some bags, but in my hands it outlasted my Samsonite rolling contractor bag, my Tumi toughbag, and any of several attempts at leather bags. To me, elegant is being able to carry everything I need without the ultimate loss of elegance -- not having something, or having a bag that self-destructs while I am at a customer's site.

The two features I find most helpful are: 1) The laptop compartment faces up, allowing you to pull your laptop out at airport security very conveniently while keeping the bag on your shoulder, and 2) all the exterior pockets are well secured with big zippers and compression straps, to make sure your stuff doesn't sprawl all over the floor when you do eventually accidentally drop it.

For someone who is looking for a highly versatile, exceptionally durable laptop or document bag that happens to be availabe at a great price -- this is your bag.

After 2 years of abusive service mine looks very rough, one of the metal clips that hold the shoulder strap did break but was easily replaced with a $1.99 caribiner, and one of the zippers is stubborn but functional.

No, I'm not a contractor. I work in a major trauma center working 24 hour shifts. My briefcase/messenger bag is my life-line when I'm at work.

I found the Bucket Boss to meet all my needs. I carry tons of stuff with me to work. Books/Guides/Stethoscope/Folders/Files/Pens/Pencils/Multi-tools/Cell Phone/PDA

It's very functional and well-built.

-----------ONE YEAR UPDATE-------------

The case is still going strong! No rips, no tears. It has put up with bad weather, vomiting babies, and a nasty ex-wife!

Currently, my case weighs 8lbs 10oz! Yes, it's full of stuff.

---------THREE YEAR UPDATE-------------

Wow, it's hard to believe that I've had this case for over 3 years now.

The case has held up superbly. Yeah, it's a little dirty and scuffed up a bit but it's like an old friend. Always there.

One of the inside key clips finally broke. I had a little LED light attached to it. In the key clips' defense I did yank a little too hard.

I now carry a Netbook with me. The case swallows the Netbook with ease and keeps it protected.

My laptop is too big for it, also there is no padding for one like a laptop bag should have. I would like to see an improved version of this a bit bigger with the proper padding to protect the computer. Maybe a few extra tool pockets. I would happy to pay more for a better bag.