Bucket Boss Brand 06005 Contractors Briefcase

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 am 100% satisfied, especially for $29. As an engineer in the industrial world (chemical plant, utility, infrastructure, etc.) I need to take papers, folded plans, tablet, food, folders, folding carpenter's rule, gloves, safety glasses, cell phone, and assortment of normal small stuff (pencils, pen, etc.) with me when I visit "field". The field is not always clean nor are tables or chairs often available. Leave the "nice" briefcase in office or car.The Bucket Boss case has three main compartments. Two are covered by a single flap-over cover and one has zipper. Plenty of practical pockets and compartments. The zippered compartment has its own set of pockets and can hold folders/pads. With the zipper shut, the case can be upside down and nothing can fall out. Good quality zipper, snap buckles, and other hardware. All works very well. Very good design and construction, high-quality rugged fabric, heavy stitching and hems. Also, the fabric is pliable and not stiff as one might expect at first sight.The only drawbacks are the non-adjustable shoulder strap and it is on the small side for some users. Several standard pads and folders will fit in each compartment. I do not carry a lap top in it, but I think the smaller ones will fit. For me, the size is perfect.The color is brownish green and has a good finish. Looks good for what it is.Almost perfect. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 only due to non-adjustable strap, though it doesn't bother me.You cannot lose with this one.

I didn't think I carried that much into work each day, but I had trouble putting more than a few small items and pieces of paperwork into this briefcase. It does not seal securely and I found that things (anything carried in the main pocket), would fall out without warning during normal use. Not fun to lose a cell phone or sunglasses! It's probably okay if you really only carry a few things back and forth, or have a set of screwdrivers and wrenches to carry around to jobsites, but most of the little pockets are so constrained that it was not useful for general use by me.It is rugged and it weared well for a couple of months, but I had to switch to something bigger and more secure in holding onto its contents. If the main flap went all the way to the bottom it would probably be much more secure -- the top flap barely overlaps the main pocket. Also, the central clasp makes the bag tend to fold in half around it. As a result you end up with a curved bag that looks funny and tends to warp pads of paper, instead of a straight bag more like a briefcase or messenger bag that keeps its contents safe.

The long and short of it is this is a pretty good bag. I have had problems finding similar products at reasonable prices, and this one fits the bill. If you used to own a bag that looked like this, be aware that it will not be identical to the old one- the fabric is now quite a bit lighter than the originals I have (still have), and it is "laminated" on the inside with a type of plastic to give strength.Whats Good:1. pretty good capacity2. Nice inside storage compartments similar to a tool palette.3. Strap for carrying4. Place for documents, or something other than tools.5. Weight: Actual bag weighs very little.What I don't like:1. Colors- Why are they stuck on this combination? Its kind of ugly, and it always was.2. Material: The material these bags are made with has changed since the first few I have bought, and they are now a lot lighter and thinner.3. Tendency for small items to disappear in the crevices of the bag.4. Bag loses its form when loaded with tools due to the lighter weight fabric.5. Prone to "wear through" in places where pointed or heavy objects sit.

The case arrived with the front clasp missing so I returned it. I probably would have returned it without the defect, as it is much smaller than it appears online.