Mitchell Leather Factory & Store
Fine Leather Goods - Made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA Since 1968 - 414-272-5942
Fine Leather Goods - Made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA Since 1968 - 414-272-5942
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Mitchell Leather Briefcases
The Classic Briefcase - Over 30 Years of Continuous Refinement Has Resulted in Our Masterpiece.
Is this the last briefcase you will ever buy? We think so. Just ask any of our customers, many of whom have been carrying a Mitchell case for over 20 years. Each and every briefcase is made one-at-a-time, by hand, in our factory located in the Historic Third Ward District of Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We use only the finest quality materials such as carefully selected leather hides and solid brass hardware. Our hides are chosen for their distinctive character, feel, color, and grain, making every one of our creations unique and timeless. Aside from our concern for the aesthetic quality of our products, we recognize that a briefcase must be a workhorse that can survive years of physical punishment. Never before has a product in this category been so carefully engineered to prevent damage by wear and tear at all of the most critical stress points. Our briefcase benefits from patented design elements that were specifically created to address the most critical problems of structural integrity and strength. Our current versions are the result of over 30 years of continuous refinement and improvements.
Our Classic briefcase has the following features:
- Mitchell patented Modular Handle - U.S. Patent #5127500
- Mitchell patented Strap Holder with resistance pouch - U.S. Patent #5931270
- Our special outside back pocket that will not sag
- Adjustable leather shoulder strap with all-leather comfort shoulder pad
- Triple gusset construction with three large main compartments
- Each of three main compartments can hold most laptop computers up to 11" x 16.5"
- Multiple smaller pockets for cell phones, wallets, etc...
- Large inside zipper pocket
- Snap-on leather key holder
- Pen holders
- Leather-lined solid brass feet
- Solid brass hardware
- Edges are finished with binding and are hand stained
Mitchell Classic Briefcase: $980 -$1280 (depending on leather and options)
Custom built to order add $100. Call or email to inquire.
Limited Edition Signature Classic Briefcase in Select Horween Leathers
Chromexel Classic: From $1280
Chromexel + Shell Cordovan Trim: From $1490
Click Here For More About Horween Leather Options
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The Messenger Briefcase - A Modern Twist On Our Classic
The Mitchell Messenger is one of the most attractive and streamlined designs we have ever made. It is based on our Classic Briefcase with a similar triple-gusset main compartment and a full size outside back pocket. Like the Classic, there is ample room for a laptop computer and all of your documents, books, folders and other belongings. There are multiple pen holders, a key holder and pockets for cell phones, wallets and other small items as well as a large inside zipper pocket. The Messenger is a pleasure to carry because of our unique shoulder strap and large all-leather comfort pad. This bag is built to last a lifetime and features a version of our patented resistance strap holder which has proven to be virtually indestructible in decades of use on our Classic Briefcase. We have gone a step further than any other messenger-type bag by incorporating a steel support plate in a critical location to prevent the bending and sagging that normally occurs with other designs. The aesthetic is modern-classic all the way with a combination of ruggedness and elegance that is rare at any price.
Prices: $980 -$1280 (depending on leather and options)
Custom built to order add $100. Call 414-272-5942 to inquire.
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The Compact Classic Briefcase - Elegant & Efficient
The newest Mitchell creation is a smaller version of our venerable Classic briefcase. Known as the Compact Classic, this case is perfect for today's new netbook computers, iPad and 8.5 x 11 letter sized documents. It measures 13" wide by 11" tall and uses the exact same ultra-rugged patented construction as the Classic, including the modular handle with integrated steel frame, resistance strap holders and leather lined solid brass feet. There are two main compartments (approximately 12.5" x 9") with multiple inner pockets, a key holder, pen holder and an outside back pocket. We also include the same heavy duty double layer adjustable strap with your choice of a small or large shoulder pad. Shown here in a black Italian Steel pebble grain leather, the Compact Classic is available in a variety of other leathers.
New: We can build in a special custom fitted pocket for your iPad!
Priced from $790 for in-stock cases. Custom build to order add $100.
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The Document Briefcase - A Classic Slimline Case
Our Document briefcase is perfect for someone who doesn't need the large capacity of our Messenger or Classic briefcases but still appreciates a hand-made classic. Shown here in a rich brown Italian Glazed Leather, the Document case features a large zippered single main compartment (11"x17") with a three-quarter high front pocket. Inside there are pockets for your cell phone and wallet as well as a pen and key holder. The all-leather strap features our comfort shoulder pad made from the same leather as the briefcase.
Priced from $499 for in-stock cases. Custom build to order add $50
The Compact Classic Briefcase - Elegant & Efficient
The newest Mitchell creation is a smaller version of our venerable Classic briefcase. Known as the Compact Classic, this case is perfect for today's new netbook computers, iPad and 8.5 x 11 letter sized documents. It measures 13" wide by 11" tall and uses the exact same ultra-rugged patented construction as the Classic, including the modular handle with integrated steel frame, resistance strap holders and leather lined solid brass feet. There are two main compartments (approximately 12.5" x 9") with multiple inner pockets, a key holder, pen holder and an outside back pocket. We also include the same heavy duty double layer adjustable strap with your choice of a small or large shoulder pad. Shown here in a black Italian Steel pebble grain leather, the Compact Classic is available in a variety of other leathers.
New: We can build in a special custom fitted pocket for your iPad!
Priced from $790 for in-stock cases. Custom build to order add $100.
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The Document Briefcase - A Classic Slimline Case
Our Document briefcase is perfect for someone who doesn't need the large capacity of our Messenger or Classic briefcases but still appreciates a hand-made classic. Shown here in a rich brown Italian Glazed Leather, the Document case features a large zippered single main compartment (11"x17") with a three-quarter high front pocket. Inside there are pockets for your cell phone and wallet as well as a pen and key holder. The all-leather strap features our comfort shoulder pad made from the same leather as the briefcase.
Priced from $499 for in-stock cases. Custom build to order add $50
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FAQ & General Information
What are your briefcases made from? We use cowhides of varying color, texture, weight and finish. We have over 10,000 sides of leather in inventory and regularly purchase special leathers for briefcase exteriors. Everything on our bag is made from leather with the exception of the hardware. We make our own binding, handles, straps, key holders, etc...
Where does your leather come from? All over the world. We have leather from many different tanneries. Much of our leather used to come from the Midwest because there were more tanneries here than anywhere else. That has changed in recent years.
How should I take care of my briefcase? That depends upon the leather. Some leather needs to be oiled or conditioned periodically, while other leathers are impregnated with a lot of oil or have a waxy finish and don't need any special care at all. "Naked" leathers, those without any finish, are more delicate and prone to being spotted or stained, while leathers with a finish will resist staining. Your best bet is to ask us how to best care for your particular briefcase.
What if my briefcase breaks? We will try to fix any Mitchell briefcase for free, for life, if we can (if you run it over with your car or start it on fire, there isn't much we can do). There are times where a problem just can't be fixed, but we have gone to great lengths to make our briefcase extremely durable. Should you encounter a problem, just let us know and we'll do our best to take care of it.
Why don't you use "easy access" closures instead of buckles on your Classic model briefcase? I see many other briefcases that have these quicker closures hidden underneath a faux buckle. We have tried literally every kind of closure known to man over the last 30 years. For a while we offered our Classic case with combination locks and other heavy duty push-button closures. Over time some of them would break because the entire weight of the bag is pulling on that mechanism when you carry it with the handle. We eventually decided that the buckle is the only indestructible closure. Some people think the buckles are too time consuming to open and close, and for those people we recommend our Messenger briefcase which uses magnets for quick and easy access (which we can safely do because there is no handle to lift the bag from). My father would say, "why are you in such a hurry?" But we also believe that once you know the proper way to open and close the buckles and you do it a few times, it becomes quick and easy too.
Can you customize a briefcase for me? Yes we can within the context of our available styles (Classic, Compact Classic, Messenger, and Document). You can tell us what color and type of leather you want for the exterior, interior, binding and trim. We can also customize certain aspects of the inside of the case; things like adding a pocket to fit your iPad or other special need. Our designs have evolved over the years to be as durable and functional as possible, so they are what we make. We don't typically do one-off designs because they would be extremely time consuming and cost prohibitive, not to mention unreliable and untested.
I want a briefcase that looks perfect, no marks etc... Well then leather is not what you're looking for, at least not full grain leather. You might be better off getting a bag made from synthetic materials or corrected top grain leather (re-finished to cover the animal marks). We use mostly natural full grain leather and yes, that means that you will see lines and scratches and other "imperfections" because the hide came from an animal. We try to incorporate the "good" marks in artistic ways on the most visible areas of the bag and minimize the visibility of the imperfections. Personally I prefer when a briefcase has more natural character visible on the front of the bag, but everyone is different. We can always work with you to ensure that your briefcase reflects your taste.
I just put a big scratch in my new briefcase. What should I do? That depends. Some leather gets scratched very easily and other leather is much more resistant to scratches because of a heavy finish. The bags that tend to scratch easily can sometimes have marks rubbed out or minimized, but these leathers tend to look great as they collect more marks and age. It's kind of like a favorite old baseball glove or bomber jacket, they develop character. The leathers that are intended to stay more pristine can sometimes have stain applied to minimize a scratch. Each leather is unique. Generally, a briefcase is meant to be used and will gather scars over the years, so try not to get too worried when a new mark appears.
Do your briefcases hold a laptop or netbook computer? Yes they do. The basic dimensions of our three main cases are approximately 16.5 by 11 inches, which will accommodate most 16" (or 15.4) and smaller laptop computers. We can also design your bag with a custom leather insert that acts as a divider and will separate the middle compartment to provide a snug fit for your computer.
Mitchell Innovations and Patents
My father, Jerry Mitchell, was obsessed with solving problems, especially when it came to the critical support areas of a briefcase. There are two places where every briefcase is most likely to fail: 1) the two points at which the handle connects to the top of the bag and 2) the two strap holders which are stitched and/or riveted onto the side or back of the bag. We address these two "problem" areas in ways that no one else has before or since.
First, is our patented Modular Handle with Integrated Frame. Instead of attaching the handle to leather at two points as is commonly done with a stitched and riveted technique, our handle is screwed through a long steel plate that is sewn in between two layers of leather and stretches across the entire width of the top flap of the bag. The purpose of this is to transfer the stress from two small points in the leather to the entire long steel plate. Whatever weight is being carried by the handle, is spread evenly across the entire width of the steel plate. In order to prevent the steel from hurting the leather by cutting through it over time, we make special leather "pouches" that are fitted around the ends of the plate to encapsulate the edges. Also, because the handle is screwed through the steel bar and two layers of leather, if something were to go wrong with the handle, it can be replaced in a matter of minutes.
Second is our patented Resistance Pouch. Unlike most bags where stitches and/or rivets have to carry the entire weight of the briefcase, ours has two pieces of Velcro stitched into a pouch that forms our strap holder. When tension is applied to this pouch, the force is spread across the entire surface area which includes the Velcro. By trapping the Velcro in place inside the pouch, much of the force is dissipated as the two opposing pieces of material (hook and loop) try to move in opposite directions but cannot. This technique has been so successful that customers who carry a lot of weight in their bag for many years actually wear through the solid brass hardware instead of the leather and the stitches! When this happens we can quickly install new hardware at no charge.
Other things we do to make our Briefcases better...
We use four leather trimmed solid brass feet to protect the bottom of the bag from wear and provide a nice additional detail to the appearance of the case.
We stitch the entire bag twice. First the bag is assembled and stitched to lock the structure in place. Then binding is applied which provides a second layer of stitching and a finished and aesthetically more pleasing look than rough exposed edges.
We stain any and all visible leather edges on the inside, outside and strap of the bag.
We make our own straps, binding, handles, pockets, lining, etc... from scratch and use the same leathers that we use to make the rest of the briefcase.
We make our own shoulder pad (improved as of 2009) that uses three layers of leather for maximum comfort when carrying a heavy load.
We do not rely on rivets alone (which have a tendency to eventually tear leather) in any of the critical stress points on our briefcases or straps.
We use double layered leather on our straps for exceptional durability (they are actually much tougher than the metal hardware) and have an elegant finished look.
FAQ & General Information
What are your briefcases made from? We use cowhides of varying color, texture, weight and finish. We have over 10,000 sides of leather in inventory and regularly purchase special leathers for briefcase exteriors. Everything on our bag is made from leather with the exception of the hardware. We make our own binding, handles, straps, key holders, etc...
Where does your leather come from? All over the world. We have leather from many different tanneries. Much of our leather used to come from the Midwest because there were more tanneries here than anywhere else. That has changed in recent years.
How should I take care of my briefcase? That depends upon the leather. Some leather needs to be oiled or conditioned periodically, while other leathers are impregnated with a lot of oil or have a waxy finish and don't need any special care at all. "Naked" leathers, those without any finish, are more delicate and prone to being spotted or stained, while leathers with a finish will resist staining. Your best bet is to ask us how to best care for your particular briefcase.
What if my briefcase breaks? We will try to fix any Mitchell briefcase for free, for life, if we can (if you run it over with your car or start it on fire, there isn't much we can do). There are times where a problem just can't be fixed, but we have gone to great lengths to make our briefcase extremely durable. Should you encounter a problem, just let us know and we'll do our best to take care of it.
Why don't you use "easy access" closures instead of buckles on your Classic model briefcase? I see many other briefcases that have these quicker closures hidden underneath a faux buckle. We have tried literally every kind of closure known to man over the last 30 years. For a while we offered our Classic case with combination locks and other heavy duty push-button closures. Over time some of them would break because the entire weight of the bag is pulling on that mechanism when you carry it with the handle. We eventually decided that the buckle is the only indestructible closure. Some people think the buckles are too time consuming to open and close, and for those people we recommend our Messenger briefcase which uses magnets for quick and easy access (which we can safely do because there is no handle to lift the bag from). My father would say, "why are you in such a hurry?" But we also believe that once you know the proper way to open and close the buckles and you do it a few times, it becomes quick and easy too.
Can you customize a briefcase for me? Yes we can within the context of our available styles (Classic, Compact Classic, Messenger, and Document). You can tell us what color and type of leather you want for the exterior, interior, binding and trim. We can also customize certain aspects of the inside of the case; things like adding a pocket to fit your iPad or other special need. Our designs have evolved over the years to be as durable and functional as possible, so they are what we make. We don't typically do one-off designs because they would be extremely time consuming and cost prohibitive, not to mention unreliable and untested.
I want a briefcase that looks perfect, no marks etc... Well then leather is not what you're looking for, at least not full grain leather. You might be better off getting a bag made from synthetic materials or corrected top grain leather (re-finished to cover the animal marks). We use mostly natural full grain leather and yes, that means that you will see lines and scratches and other "imperfections" because the hide came from an animal. We try to incorporate the "good" marks in artistic ways on the most visible areas of the bag and minimize the visibility of the imperfections. Personally I prefer when a briefcase has more natural character visible on the front of the bag, but everyone is different. We can always work with you to ensure that your briefcase reflects your taste.
I just put a big scratch in my new briefcase. What should I do? That depends. Some leather gets scratched very easily and other leather is much more resistant to scratches because of a heavy finish. The bags that tend to scratch easily can sometimes have marks rubbed out or minimized, but these leathers tend to look great as they collect more marks and age. It's kind of like a favorite old baseball glove or bomber jacket, they develop character. The leathers that are intended to stay more pristine can sometimes have stain applied to minimize a scratch. Each leather is unique. Generally, a briefcase is meant to be used and will gather scars over the years, so try not to get too worried when a new mark appears.
Do your briefcases hold a laptop or netbook computer? Yes they do. The basic dimensions of our three main cases are approximately 16.5 by 11 inches, which will accommodate most 16" (or 15.4) and smaller laptop computers. We can also design your bag with a custom leather insert that acts as a divider and will separate the middle compartment to provide a snug fit for your computer.
Mitchell Innovations and Patents
My father, Jerry Mitchell, was obsessed with solving problems, especially when it came to the critical support areas of a briefcase. There are two places where every briefcase is most likely to fail: 1) the two points at which the handle connects to the top of the bag and 2) the two strap holders which are stitched and/or riveted onto the side or back of the bag. We address these two "problem" areas in ways that no one else has before or since.
First, is our patented Modular Handle with Integrated Frame. Instead of attaching the handle to leather at two points as is commonly done with a stitched and riveted technique, our handle is screwed through a long steel plate that is sewn in between two layers of leather and stretches across the entire width of the top flap of the bag. The purpose of this is to transfer the stress from two small points in the leather to the entire long steel plate. Whatever weight is being carried by the handle, is spread evenly across the entire width of the steel plate. In order to prevent the steel from hurting the leather by cutting through it over time, we make special leather "pouches" that are fitted around the ends of the plate to encapsulate the edges. Also, because the handle is screwed through the steel bar and two layers of leather, if something were to go wrong with the handle, it can be replaced in a matter of minutes.
Second is our patented Resistance Pouch. Unlike most bags where stitches and/or rivets have to carry the entire weight of the briefcase, ours has two pieces of Velcro stitched into a pouch that forms our strap holder. When tension is applied to this pouch, the force is spread across the entire surface area which includes the Velcro. By trapping the Velcro in place inside the pouch, much of the force is dissipated as the two opposing pieces of material (hook and loop) try to move in opposite directions but cannot. This technique has been so successful that customers who carry a lot of weight in their bag for many years actually wear through the solid brass hardware instead of the leather and the stitches! When this happens we can quickly install new hardware at no charge.
Other things we do to make our Briefcases better...
We use four leather trimmed solid brass feet to protect the bottom of the bag from wear and provide a nice additional detail to the appearance of the case.
We stitch the entire bag twice. First the bag is assembled and stitched to lock the structure in place. Then binding is applied which provides a second layer of stitching and a finished and aesthetically more pleasing look than rough exposed edges.
We stain any and all visible leather edges on the inside, outside and strap of the bag.
We make our own straps, binding, handles, pockets, lining, etc... from scratch and use the same leathers that we use to make the rest of the briefcase.
We make our own shoulder pad (improved as of 2009) that uses three layers of leather for maximum comfort when carrying a heavy load.
We do not rely on rivets alone (which have a tendency to eventually tear leather) in any of the critical stress points on our briefcases or straps.
We use double layered leather on our straps for exceptional durability (they are actually much tougher than the metal hardware) and have an elegant finished look.
Please call with any questions you may have or to place an order.
When visiting Milwaukee be sure to stop by for a tour of our factory.
Mitchell Leather Factory
226 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-272-5942
email: dave.mitchell@ultrafi.com
Visit and Follow OUR FACEBOOK PAGE for new updates:
226 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-272-5942
email: dave.mitchell@ultrafi.com
Visit and Follow OUR FACEBOOK PAGE for new updates: