If you have been thinking about buying this bag, I would say one hundred percent, pull the trigger! You can tell when you first hold the bag that a lot of forethought has been put into it, especially with the materials and overall design. I personally have searched for similar bags that close to or near replicas of the british gas mask bag,
and out of all of them, this one stands out with the highest regard for a real, everyday use satchel. One of the best features of this bag is the internal layout, it's got pockets and pockets for all your stuff that you're carrying! The interior has 3 main lengthwise parallel compartments, with the middle containing 6 smaller pockets for pens, lights, or blades. The other 2 are perfect for journals, books, smaller pouches. I can even fit a 32oz Hydroflask in it in a pinch when fully kitted out. This was a serious feature that was lacking from other similar bags around the same price. And of course there's ample room to put your own internal pocket organizer, if thats what you like. Another feature that did surprise me was the secondary cover flaps inside the bag that hold out any sort of rain or debris from entering it. At first I wasn't convinced that it was necessary thinking that it would just get in the way, but they do become useful in rainy conditions and you do get used to them. Speaking about wet conditions, the wax canvas on this bag was much more substantial and well-coated than what I was finding in replicas and similar satchels, which for me was a big plus! [Please note, my bag did have some loose and hanging threads on the stitching but this seems like excess and would/did not compromise the waterproof integrity or overall structure.] The brass buttons on the bag also proved to be very secure, with the center being a magnetic quick close for when you are opening it frequently. There is one downside to this bag for me but it was entirely preferential and it was the total length of the strap. I'm a fairly tall man, standing at 6'2 and 240lbs and when I first got the bag, I noticed that it sat right at my hip level fully extended. Honestly, that's gonna be perfect for most guys with the way they're carrying it. But I wanted a strap that hung a bit lower, almost near the upper thigh so i can carabiner clip it when riding moto. Unfortunately, the strap is anchored on the brass loops with a screwless rivet. Once I removed and replaced it with my own leather/brass strap it ended up being perfect. I can really see myself using my bag for years to come, if not decades when well taken care of and maintained.