Synapse Update

The Synapse in Navy/Solar is now sold out. It is available for backorder and ships by late December. All other colors are still on schedule to ship within the next two weeks. Below is a selection of comments posted in the TOM BIHN Forums by those who have received their Synapse:

“Just wanted to say that I’m in love. Although I have quite a few Tom Bihn products I haven’t bought a backpack. I’ve been waiting for the perfect one. And it’s finally here. I haven’t used it yet but it’s the perfect size for me and so comfortable.” - mrae

“Wow. Seriously. Wow. Very much worth the wait. Thank you for making something genuinely special. And it got here just in time for the fall fishing trip.” - JoelSmith

“The Synapse just made its appearance in my office in all of its Navy/Solar glory. I have to say that I am impressed with this bag even though I have played with it for only a few minutes. It is deceptive in appearance in that it really looks small, yet it holds far more than one might guess just looking at it. I have loaded with with my typical daily load – 13in Macbook in its brand new cache(another fine bag!), the power adapter, an assortment of TB pouches, a couple of files (about 1 inch of paper), various pens, post it note pads, phone, etc. and ther is lots of room to spare. The straps are comfortable and the bag has the smoothest operating splash proof zippers I have had to date. This likely will become a daily bag and I can see using it for a travel bag (as personal item for laptop, kindle and assorted stuff). I look forward to using it over the next several days to put it through its paces.” - rabergnc

“the pockets on the front are especially surprising–they look smallish, but i keep being able to put stuff in that i didn’t think would “go.” the water bottle pocket does indeed stow a 1.0L sigg bottle (that’s what i’m carrying in there today… yesterday, i carried my 16oz. contigo travel mug in there). ” - bluedawg

“Like many others, I am also the recipient of a navy Synapse. I haven’t had the opportunity to put it to daily use yet but it is clear that significant thought went into the design. Everything from the comfortable padding to the snag resistant zippers to the detachable waist strap appears to be made from quality materials. Well executed!” - residue

“I’m so happy I have Synapse! This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for all these years. I haven’t actually used it yet because I want to make sure I’m happy with the Steel (wondering if I should get black instead) before I take it for a test drive, but color aside, this is absolutely the right backpack for me. It fits exactly how I want it to. It sits perfectly on my back; not too high and not too low. I’ll post pictures once I have more time (and fix my camera/buy a new one… It stopped working recently).” - timarelay

TB Crew | 9 November 2009 12:56 pm

Your Swift in Cork? (In A Small Way) Helping to Save Cork Forests

The Cork fabric we use to make our Swift in Cork, Cork Organizer Pouches, and
Imago in Steel/Cork/Wasabi is real cork, harvested from cork oak trees in Portugal.
A single cork tree with a lifespan of up to 200 years can be harvested for its cork
bark every nine years. Sadly, many wineries are choosing to use plastic “corks” or
metal screw caps for their wines, and the ancient cork forests of Portugal are
economically threatened: the cork forests may be replanted with fast-growing
eucalyptus or neglected entirely.

Environmentalists fear decline of corks made from cork

“A quarter of last summer’s bumper cork crop remains unsold and farmers have seen prices fall by up to 30 percent over the past five years.

Such stark figures are raising concerns about the future of the rural economy in one of the poorest parts of western Europe, and about a unique forest environment that’s home to some of Europe’s rarest wildlife.

“Unless the commercial value of cork stoppers is maintained, there’s a risk that these cork oak landscapes will face an economic crisis, an increase in poverty, an intensification of forest fires, a loss of irreplaceable biodiversity,” warned Nora Berrahmouni, head of forestry at the World Wildlife Fund’s Mediterranean office in Rome.”

Read the full article at the MinnPost.

TOM BIHN Swift Bag in Cork

Above: The Swift in Cork

TB Crew | 9 November 2009 9:58 am

Pictures by wihlemina: Thanks Tom Bihn! I love my bags!!

“Wow! 24 hour delivery, now that’s service! OK, I live in Seattle but still didn’t expect my new order to arrive quite so soon

I just got my Side Effect in Plum and I love it, I can put everything I need for a walk and then some inside. Also, I ordered the Ultrasuede Shoulder Strap Wrap for my Small Cafe Bag and it’s really nice. No more sliding around on my rain jacket. And of course, had to get another mini Clear Organizer Wallet because I love accessories. (Did I mention the mini is perfect for our metro Orca card?)

I already have an older Buzz Bag, Small Cafe Bag, Swift In Cork (even though I don’t knit), and various small accessories. I use my Swift for needlepoint and its accompanying paraphernalia.

All these bags are great; I use them all the time and for everything. Thanks again!!”

- Posted by wihlemina in the TOM BIHN Forums.

The TOM BIHN Swift in Cork

TB Crew | 7 November 2009 10:27 am

The Smart Alec and Typhoon Ondoy

“I recently let my son borrow my Smart Alec for his 5 week trip to the Philippines. He was staying in Manila when they were hit by Typhoon Ondoy earlier this month. He and his fiancee were stuck at a Mall for a couple of hours during the worst of downpour and then they decided to try to get back to their apartment. He wrapped his laptop in a store bag inside the Smart Alec and set the bag on his head and they started walking through waist deep water. They eventually made it home although it took a couple of hours walking. He was amazed when he pulled the laptop out, that it still worked, and although the Smart Alec was soaked, the inside was only damp and the laptop unscathed. He couldn’t believe it. He carried that bag every day for 5 weeks. Now I know I’ll never get it back from him. That is one tough bag.”

Posted by Kinsale in the TOM BIHN Forums.

Unicef continues to accept donations for victims of Ketsana/Ondoy.

TB Crew | 6 November 2009 2:30 pm

57 Pictures: Gadgeteer Review of The Tri-Star

The TOM BIHN Tri-Star travel carry-on bag reviewed by the Gadgeteer

“I gather that Tom Bihn designed this case to address the more restrictive carry on luggage rules that we have in Europe. So it is a quite a bit smaller (33 l.) than the Aeronaut (45l.) I reviewed previously. Fully loaded like it appears in the picture it fits perfectly into the luggage size testers at check-in desks. Being about 3″ shorter than the aeronaut it was a lot easier to fit into overhead baggage compartments, especially those on small commuter jets.

Another aspect of the Tri-Star is that it actually looks like a large pilot’s briefcase, and so does not appear out of place if you take the whole thing to a business meeting.”

Read the full review by Michael Shulver at The Gadgeteer.

TB Crew | 6 November 2009 10:17 am

Pictures of the Synapse by bluedawg

TOM BIHN: The Synapse Backpack Pictures by bluedawg

View bluedawg’s photographs of the Synapse, respond in the forums, or see the Synapse.

TB Crew | 5 November 2009 11:51 am

Picture: Synapse Backpacks Ready To Ship

TOM BIHN: The Synapse Backpack

The Synapse in Navy/Solar is now in-stock and ships within one business day. Other colors should be in-stock within the next two weeks.

TB Crew | 5 November 2009 9:03 am

Pictures: Ristretto for Netbooks

TOM BIHN: Pictures of the Ristretto for Netbooks by gmich

Above: Pictures by gmich of the Ristretto for Netbooks. See larger versions of the pictures here. Or, see the Ristretto for Netbooks.

TB Crew | 4 November 2009 12:54 pm