Me and Maria (Alexander von Bronewski Manufaktur & Feinschmuck ) went for our annual Indian Summer Bivouac up the hill for less than 24 hours – offline. A great time to exercise, being outdoors, collecting the thoughts, getting inspired, watching shootingstars, drinking some good redwine, roasting some sausages, watching a fire burn, watching deer, eating blueberries, making good coffee, trying to name the surrounding mountains and exploring new paths – priceless!
I just finished a improved version of my leather tote bag. First of all the leather is a bit darker and has even more character. Then I extended the length of the straps a bit. The major change went trough the inner pocket. It is now out of the same material as the other bag. I added 2 loops to hold a pen and a bigger Mont Blanc pen or Kaweco (or a mini maglite) and as well a pocket for a small knife.
Thanks to my friends of Passion France to equip me with some of the nicest pocket knifes France has to offer. Not only can I offer the Douk Douk or a Sujet various knifes from Thiers, Laguiole and St-Martin are on stock now.
On the 2nd last image you see a scar on the hide. I did choose to not hide it or cut around it. Leather is a natural material which should be treated with respect and care. The scar adds character to the bag and let us memorize that it was actually from a living creature which has its life and accidents. (since the scar is hardly a fraction of a millimeter deep, rather just on the surface, it won´t seriously harm the strength of the bag).
+++ Update October 2019 +++
More than 5 years later, I made quite a few of this bags. My leatherworkshop became my profession and passion. The bag in it´s style and concept has envolved just a bit since. To get more information an updated images please check my website – Alexander von Bronewski Manufaktur
Recently I had the chance to have a closer look at the Passion France knife collection. A real nightmare to narrow down your first choice with so many options. Be prepared to buy at least one and leave with at least one (which you did not buy now) on your wish list.
So the one I choose was the “Poisson Culut Bu” which can be obtained here.
This Laguiole knife with a box wood handle (buchbaum) has the traditional salvia/sage shaped blade. I love the elegant, newer design of the Laguiole blades but I went for this knife for a more rugged looking one. The box wood looks a bit like ivory. After I bought it Wolfgang told me it´s a traditional sailors knife by its design. The steel plate at the end of the handle serves as a tobacco / pipe tamper, which is a nice feature. (however its a bit too big for my Missouri Meerschaum Corn Cob pipe).
The leather sheat wasn´t an option for me at first look be-cause I think a knife should be able to withstand the abuse made by other contents in a trouser pocket. BUT if you see and touch this nicely leather sheats hand made in France – not buying it wasn´t an option anymore.
Thanks Sabine and Wolfgang for this, to say in in Eric´s words a life time gear.
The timing for the parcel by Passion France could not have been better. Right on the spot for Maria´s Birthday the shipment of her Survival Knife (ask Wolfgang why only a knife with a corkscrew is regarded by Frenchmen as a real survival knife).
At the B-74 5th. Anniversary Party we were presented the new Feinschmuck Collection right next to Passion France. Hmm, guess what the whole Feinschmuck team is now officially equipped with the finest knifes by Passion France. Thanks a lot to Sabine and Wolfgang.
Laguiole self made set – Bausatz:
Another great present my sister and her boyfriend gave to me for my birthday. It took a while to finally start to assemble the Laguiole knife. Getting the bolts (esp. the last) in, with the tension of the spring was the most difficult task. The rest was just polishing and smoothing the edges down a bit. Not bad, not bad I would say for my first pocket knife.
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