**REVIEW** Leather Backpack/Rucksack From Komal’s Passion Leather

Before the purchase:

 For the first time in about 12 years, I am getting myself a new backpack - or as I heard our European cousins call it, "rucksack". 

Whatever this one is called, I think of it as more like a backpack-purse combo.  My previous backpack was made of canvas and nylon. It was great and lasted for around 6 years (maybe more). 

That old backpack made a lot of trips between home, the library, work, travel to and from the Lower 48, and other outings - all in the mostly cold and/or damp Anchorage weather. I think it might have lasted longer if I'd taken better care of it. I never really cleaned it (beyond wiping off any water and spraying it with odor killers) or babied it in any way. It was a great bag. It's just beyond beat-up-ugly now and somewhere in my brother's storage.

This new bag though... Oh boy, I have high hopes for this one. For one thing, it is made of leather (water buffalo, no less) and made for rough duty. Of course, I will be babying this one as far as cleaning it and keeping it conditioned. 

Even though I have a really nice and very sturdy tote, I wanted this one to replace the old pack for when I travel. It's not like I can afford to be a jet setter, but I do visit my family in another state and my local family and I drive quite a way back and forth to some of our doctor's appointments. I figured, at my age, get a bag that I will (hopefully) never have to replace. And, also, let me quit fronting - I really just wanted this bag! 

So I will not give my first impressions about this bag. When I get the bag, I will complete the review. Let's go.

Pre-impressions:

When I saw the bag online, I loved the design. From seeing a different bag that belongs to a neighbor, I expected quality materials. However, from the photos of this particular bag, I couldn't truly sense the size. Also, there were no photos of the inside of the bag.

The description states that this is "Grain Water Buffalo Leather" which would make one look twice. "Grain" indicates the longevity and durability and can be "full grain" (highest in quality); "top grain" (2nd highest) and the commonly see "genuine" (the lowest quality). However, Komal's also indicates elsewhere on the product page that this is "full grain washed" leather. That's reassuring. (This link gives more info on grain types.) 

This is a collage of partial photos of what I could see online. No matter how hard I tried, I could not find photos of the inside or of it on a person's body. That would have been nice for an idea of the real life size. The bag is described online as "12 inches wide 15 inches high and 6 inches deep." I have trouble visualizing from given dimensions. Is that just me? 

I knew that this bag was considered to be rather large for use as a convertible backpack/purse but I did want something that, if need be, could hold my laptop. Remember, I plan to use this for long road trips and possible plane travel - maybe even long-distance bus travel...

The ordering process was more than decent. I liked the fact that the price of the bag included shipping and personalization - expedited shipping at that... 

As soon as my bag had shipped (well, a few days after), I got a nice email from someone at KPL. They thanked me for my business and let me know that they had gifted me a leather journal in the order. Wow, right? When I was reading Amazon reviews of KPL products, I'd heard about the thank you letters but to get a gift too? Nice.

Receiving the bag:

The bag arrived with an added pleasure. As they said the would, KPL gifted me with this gorgeous leather-bound journal:

look at that binding!!!

This buffalo leather is SOFT!!!

The paper is super-high quality. I was blown away that they enclosed a gift at all but the fact they sent something this nice... I'm telling you that if you have a journal enthusiast in your life, this will rock their world.

But, back to the bag...

Since this is the first thing I've owned (or even seen) made of buffalo leather, I was surprised that it was so smooth on the surface. Maybe I was worried that it would be rough and, real-live-buffalo-like??? It's not. 

Of course, since this is brand new, it's stiff. The first thing I did was to coat it with mink oil. I'm probably going to do that every day for the next week. I can tell you that the leather feels really nice underhand.

By the way, I am on my second day of using the bag. I have it stuffed, and I can say that it handles the punishment well. I like how much the inner pockets can hold and that front flap is a good spot for my phone, chapstick, and some throat lozenges. 

I said that I would oil it daily. I oiled it as soon as I got it and again this morning. I can already see how the mink oil has very slightly darkened it. I love that! 

I went extra on the initials...

Before I finish, there is one more detail that I want to point out. I tend to carry the pack with one strap over my shoulder, and I so admire the sturdy way that the strap is anchored at the bottom.

both straps 
are anchored like 
this at the bottom

That's genius.

I did get the personalization and... I should have just gotten my 3 initials instead of the first 2 and my entire last name, but I am always doing too much! If (hopefully, when) I get another tote (I am looking for another, slightly smaller on that is more purse-sized), I will stick with the 3 initials. 

Guys, I do love this bag so much. I feel like I have gotten hold of one of those cherished But It For Life items that Redditors talk so much about. This bag is one that will get better and better with age.

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER:   As usual, I was not paid/compensated in any way for this review. My views, both positive and not, are my own opinion.