Custom work?

Q. Hello there Dave, I’m 6’ 4” and 510 lbs. and I’m having a tough time finding chaps that fit right. Do you do custom work?
A. Let me think about it for a sec…….. Nope.

Which color?

Q. Hi Dave, I want everyone to like me. What’s your favorite color?
A. You want to carry a bag that fits who you are, not what everyone else wants. Be yourself. I have observed a few things, but they’re not always true:

Tobacco light brown if you are more of an easy going, laid back casual person. If you are the creative type and love big dogs and traveling. If you are fairly low maintenance and have a great sense of humor. If you love the outdoors.

Carbon Black if you look good in a thick black leather jacket. If you wear thick black framed glasses and drive a Volvo and are a regular at Starbucks. If you are really into Sci-Fi movies and comic books. If you are very interested in Oriental culture and love cats and not so much dogs. You are very likeable.

Chestnut reddish brown if you are a professional and creative at the same time. If you are a little classier than most people. If you have excellent taste in dressing and decorating and usually dress nicely. If you have a great sense of humor.

Dark coffee brown if you are more of a natural person and love the outdoors. If you are a successful professional. If you have lots of friends. If you read a lot of books. If you are an intellectual.

If you still aren’t sure, then just buy all four colors.

Justifying the cost?

Q. Hi Dave, I’ve never even spent this much money on my spouse, how can I justify spending this much on a bag?
A. In college, I bought a pair of very expensive shoes for my job as a waiter.  I couldn't afford them, but I bought them anyhow. They were really light and comfortable and took me through two years of waiting tables and one year as a limo driver. And then they still looked good for a month of Sundays. Most of the other waiters bought a new pair of $45 heavy and uncomfortable shoes every 6 months because theirs wore out and looked ratty by then.  One of the principles the successful in the world understand is this: If one buys quality from the start they save money. Don't be penny wise and dollar foolish.  This will be one of the most savvy investments and inexpensive bags you’ll ever have. And remember, you must truly love yourself before you can love others.

Comfortable backpack?

Q. Hey man, I just lost my driver’s license because of drunk driving. Does it make into a comfortable backpack for walking?
A. I used it for about 6 weeks once as a backpack daily. It’s not as comfortable as a true backpack, but it is fine and sure does look cooler.

Leather Care?

Q. Hi there, I was too lazy to read your follow up letter, so could you explain to me how to care for the leather?
A. I already did. Read the letter I sent you while your bag was in the mail. To sum it up, Lexol leather conditioner or mink oil every 6 months should keep it looking great and saddle soap if it gets super dirty.

How long to have one made?

Q. Hi there Dave, I’ve waited 82 years to find a bag like this. If you don’t have it in stock, how much longer will I have to wait?
A. Expect to wait 2 -6 weeks.

How long for shipping?

Q. Hello Dave, I’m going to jump bail and travel the world instead of go to jail for 15 years for something I didn’t do. Can you get me one before my sentencing date this Friday?
A. Well, we charge you enough for shipping so we can get it to you within around 2 – 3 days from the time you order it. We’ve had some people get it within a day and a half. You can pay extra for next day if you want. It is normally 4 – 10 days for international shipping Happy trails.

Personalization?

Q. Will you burn my name or initials in it?
A. No, I’m afraid of fire.

Cool medallion on bag?

Q. Where can I get one of those cool medallions hanging on your bags?
A. Okay, so you get off the plane in Mexico City and go to the western most bus station “Observatorio” via “El Metro” (the subway). Catch a bus for Toluca and there get on a bus for Ixtapan de la Sal. Then, when you get off the bus, catch one of the green and white taxis and tell them “Tecomatepec” or there’s a guy who lives kind of behind the bus station and to the right named Pedro. He has a burro he’ll let you use if you tell him you know Dave. Don’t worry, his burro knows the way.

When you get to Tecomatepec, get off the burro at the corner where the drunk guy with the missing teeth is (you’ll know) and walk up the alley about 3 doors past the tortilla factory and ask for Señora Lupita and tell her Dave sent you. She should have one or two left. Hope that helps. If you can’t make the trip, try tying on a memorable piece of something that has a story behind it like a shell necklace from a vacation or a keychain from your alma mater. That’s what I do on my bags.

How much does a bag cost you?

Q. Hey Dave, I know you’re making a killing on these bags. How much do they cost you?
A. Well,   I lived for three years in a $100 a month apartment in Mexico with no hot water, because of these bags. My dog, Blue, and I drove for thousands of hours all over the North American continent because of these bags.  I had a crooked Federale sent to kill me because of these bags (I convinced him that Señor Alarcón would never pay him) and we became friends). I've shed gallons of blood and tears and sweat and at least a quart of other people's because of these bags. I've slept in my car or on the rack of my old Land Cruiser at least a hundred times because of these bags.  I've lost weeks of sleep and have gone hungry for days because of these bags. I was broke for years and even had to trade two of Blue's little puppies for a month's worth of tacos in order to eat because of these bags.  I've been detained by who knows how many Mexican police because of these bags.  I've thrown away thousands of dollars and made hundreds of mistakes because of these bags. I've been stolen from, taken advantage of and robbed because of these bags (they even stole Blue once, but I got him back).  All of these things and more have happened to me because of these bags. I’m underpaid.

Shoulder strap adjustment?

Q. Hi, I’m a 4’ 11” horse jockey. Can the shoulder strap be adjusted for my size?
A. Yes, I’ve put in extra holes in the shoulder strap for men just like you.

Will laptop fit?

Q. Dave, I am trying to compensate for being a small man by buying a gigantic laptop. Will it fit in the bag?
A. A laptop’s size is defined by the diagonal width of the screen. Most 17” laptops are only 15.5” wide. Measure your laptop and see how wide it is and then buy a 12”, 14”, 16” or an 18’ bag accordingly.