ARCHIBALD

Brand Scorecard:

★★★★☆

Leather: 4.5

Hardware: 3.5

Design: 4.5

Engineering: 3.5

Craftsmanship: 4.5

TOTAL: 4.10

Brand Website: archibaldlondon.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Brief History

• Five Pillars of Good Leathercraft

• Reading My Assessment Score

• Audience & Customer's Perspective (Poll)

• Products Reviewed

The Jules Briefcase - What Makes a $2,000 Briefcase Worth It? Archibald London Answers

First Impressions: Touch, Smell, and Style

The Leather: Hurts to Cut, Looks Divine

Craftsmanship: Time, Skill, and Care

Structure and Build: More Leather Than Reinforcement

Hardware: Built to Last

Cost Breakdown: What Does It Take to Make This Bag?

Final Verdict: Worth Your Money?

Scorecard

BRIEF HISTORY

Archibald London was founded in 2014 with a mission to bring artisan-quality goods directly to consumers—without luxury markups. Originally known for its Japanese-made eyewear, the brand expanded into leather bags, apparel, and home goods, sourcing from skilled workshops in Italy, Japan, and beyond. With a focus on craftsmanship, transparency, and timeless design, Archibald positions itself as a slow fashion alternative to traditional luxury.

FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT

READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES

AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE

How would you rate Archibald as a brand?

How would you rate Archibald as a brand?

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PRODUCTS REVIEWED

What Makes a $2,000 Briefcase Worth It? Archibald London Answers

Archibald's The Jules Briefcase

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This week on the Rip My Bag Challenge, we’ve got a new contender—Archibald London. We anonymously sourced their Jules Briefcase from the U.S. market (where the brand is mainly focused), meaning Archibald had no clue this piece was headed into the studio. And that's exactly how we like it. No special treatment, no PR fluff—just leather, tools, and the truth.

DISCLAIMER: The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process.

First Impressions: Touch, Smell, and Style

Upon unboxing, the first thing that hits you is the leather. The Jules briefcase is made with Italian vegetable-tanned leather, which immediately stands out. The texture, the smell, and the finish evoke a sensory connection that only high-end, naturally finished leather can deliver. This isn't your average chrome-tanned, mass-produced material. This is the kind of leather that carries memory—rich in oils, waxes, and tradition.

The bag’s outer styling fits the mold of a traditional briefcase—structured, classic, and clean. It features a magnetic outer pocket, an external zip pocket, and interior compartments lined with a fabric that feels refined and durable. The zippers are especially noteworthy—substantial in size and weight, they run smoothly and confidently. The edges are beautifully painted, and clearly, someone took their time here.

Design score: 3.5/5

The Leather: Hurts to Cut, Looks Divine

Let’s talk leather. This one’s tough—for me emotionally, not technically. I don't care if it’s a $100 bag or a $10,000 one—when you’re cutting into Italian vegetable-tanned leather, it hurts. That’s how special it is. This is leather that will age like fine wine, developing a patina over time and telling its own story. It’s a beautiful, naked finish that shows off the natural character of the hide, infused with tallow, oils, and waxes to give it richness and depth.

Leather score: 4.5/5

Craftsmanship: Time, Skill, and Care

Opening up the bag, the craftsmanship becomes even more evident. Stitching is clean, ends are closed properly, and there’s a level of tidiness and consistency that suggests this was made by skilled hands—not on a factory line, but likely in a small artisan workshop. Each stitch feels intentional. Whoever made this bag cared about how it would look and feel—not just on the outside but inside too.

Workmanship score: 4.5/5

Structure and Build: More Leather Than Reinforcement

The Jules briefcase isn’t heavily structured with stiffeners or foams. Instead, it relies on the natural body of the veg-tan leather, with a touch of microsuede backing to soften the feel and add just a bit of fluff. For some, this might lack the rigidity expected in a briefcase, but for leather purists, this is a testament to the material-first philosophy.

Structure score: 3.5/5 

Hardware: Built to Last

The bag uses palladium-coated hardware, and it’s no gimmick. It resists scratches impressively and feels substantial in the hand. The belt-style buckle closures are the kind you typically see on luxury pieces sourced from Italian metalworks—not cheap parts. These buckles alone likely cost €50–€60 wholesale, and they speak volumes about the decisions made in production.

Hardware score: 4.5/5

Cost Breakdown: What Does It Take to Make This Bag?

Here's where things get interesting. Based on the leather surface area (about 18 sq. ft.) and the Italian vegetable-tanned source, the leather alone would cost around €136–€140. Labor and workshop time in Florence, paired with the premium hardware, push production costs to around €440 total.

Our anonymous buyer paid $1,682 (although the current price is listed at $2,040). Factoring in taxes and shipping, Archibald likely nets around €1,400 per bag. This brings the multiplier to just over 3X, which, in the world of artisan leather goods, is actually modest.

Final Verdict: Worth Your Money?

So, is the Archibald Jules briefcase worth $2,000?

If you value true artisan craftsmanship, high-quality Italian vegetable-tanned leather, and durable hardware, this bag punches way above its weight in value. The pricing multiplier is on the lower end for a product of this caliber, and that's a refreshing rarity in today’s luxury landscape. This bag isn’t trying to be trendy or flashy. It’s built to last decades, and look better with age.

Archibald London seems to be walking the talk when it comes to slow fashion—making fewer things, better. And in a time where fast fashion dominates and leather quality is often sacrificed for branding, the Jules briefcase offers something real.

Final thoughts: If you're looking for a durable, artisan-made briefcase with timeless materials and build quality, the Archibald Jules briefcase is a very strong contender for your hard-earned $2,000.

Scorecard

TANNER'S APPROVED

★★★★☆ - 4.10