Tom’s Recent Forum Posts: Fabrics and Horizontal Freudian Slip

Last week, Tom responded to your questions on the forums, explaining the differences between 1050 denier Ballistic Nylon and 1000 denier Cordura:

“There are two significant tehnical differences between cordura and ballistic nylon. First, ballistic is a “filament” yard, vs cordura which is texturized. This means ballistic nylon yarns are smooth & slick; cordura yarns are slightly fuzzy, actually discontinuous, more like a natural fiber. This gives cordura somewhat higher abrasion resistance, while the ballistic has higher tear strength. However, in both fabrics the tear strength and the abrasion resistance are so much higher than neccessary, the end-user will seldom if ever experience any difference between cordura and ballistic.”
Read Tom’s entire forum post about fabrics.

Tom also gave us an update on the design of the Horizontal Freudian Slip. Read that post here.

TB Crew | 22 May 2007 11:43 am

Macworld Review of the Buzz

Sling away with laptop sling bags
By Dan Frakes

Excerpt:
“Perhaps the best feature of the Buzz is its build quality. The materials are thick and rugged, and the bag uses large, sturdy zippers. The pack looks and feels well made—made in the U.S., in fact, unlike most laptop bags these days—and includes a lifetime warranty.”

See The Buzz
The TOM BIHN Buzz Laptop Sling Bag fits the 15.4

TB Crew | 22 May 2007 11:25 am

NotebookReview.com Reviews the Ego Messenger Bag

Excerpt:

“With many uses, even without a notebook, the Ego is a great bag for anyone. Although on the expensive side, it’s definitely worth the cost of it, it’s not a mass produced bag made in another country, it’s designed and made in Seattle. The customization, warranty, as well as the bag’s quality itself guarantees a full lifespan. When combined with a Brain Cell, the Ego makes a great notebook bag, stylish yet with the utmost protection it can have. My Super Ego is almost three years old, and it doesn’t even look old, it looks brand new, with no open seams nor scratches. I know the Ego will do the same.”

NotebookReview.com Reviews the TOM BIHN Ego Messenger Bag

  • Read the full review at NotebookReview.com
  • See the Ego Messenger Bag
    • TB Crew | 18 May 2007 11:31 am

    In Stock: The Archetype with Shoulder Strap Attachments

    The Archetype Molded Cork Laptop Case, updated with shoulder strap attachment points, is now in stock and ready to ship in all sizes.

    Close-Up of Cork Fabric used on the TOM BIHN Archetype Molded Cork Laptop Case

    TB Crew | 18 May 2007 11:21 am

    Does the Dell D620 Fit in the Buzz? Yes and No.

    TOM BIHN Sales Associate and Laptop Fit Expert Amy has been receiving quite a few emails from you asking if the Dell D620 laptop will fit inside of the newly redesigned Buzz sling bag. Here’s the response she posted in our forums:

    “Essentially, the built-in sleeve within the Buzz will fit laptops that are 14.1 x 9.6 x 1.3 or smaller. That said, if your D620 does not have an extended battery on it, then it will fit. The extended batteries unfortunately add another inch or so, thus making the depth about 10.3″, and compromising fit inside the Buzz.”

  • Read Amy’s Entire Post
  • The Buzz
    • TB Crew | 17 May 2007 2:22 pm

    If you’ve sent an email to us and haven’t received a reply…

    We receive emails every day from people asking all kinds of different questions – about our bags, our shipping policies, or about Tom’s dog Riley.

    Occasionally, when we reply to one of these emails, our response will bounce back to us for one of a few reasons: the inquiring person’s email address is invalid, their mailbox is full, or a typo was made in the email address field in the contact form.

    If you’ve sent an email to us and haven’t received a reply, it’s not because we didn’t reply to you: either we never received your email, or we couldn’t send a reply to you.

    We want the opportunity to answer all of your questions. If you haven’t received a reply to the email that you sent to us, please call us at 1-800-729-9607 or +1-206-652-4123.

    TB Crew | 17 May 2007 1:19 pm

    Gadgeteer Review of the Ego and Super Ego Messenger Bags

    The Gadgeteer Reviews the Ego and Super Ego Messenger Bags

    Excerpt:

    “In sum, I can recommend either of the Ego bags without reservation. I think the choice of Super Ego or Ego is really one of personal preference, though smaller framed people may feel a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of the Super Ego. Either way you chose you will find that they are superbly designed and constructed with high-quality materials. This means, of course, that they are not inexpensive – if you are looking for a low cost bag then don’t look at Bihn’s bags. However, these bags are great values, even outfitted with the optional items described above. Be sure to get a color you like as you will likely live with it for a long time, as you will likely not be in the market for a new bag any time soon – that’s been my experience, which is a relief to both Casey and my overstuffed closet.”

    The Gadgeteer Review of the TOM BIHN Ego and Super Ego messenger bags

    TB Crew | 17 May 2007 12:21 pm

    The Archetype: Redesigned With Shoulder Strap Attachments

    Tom has redesigned The Archetype Molded Cork Laptop Case to include shoulder strap attachments. All sizes of the Archetype now feature an attractive and unobtrusive triangle shoulder strap attachment that accepts our Absolute, TerraGrip, or Simple Shoulder Straps.

    Be sure to check out the May issue of Domino magazine (on newsstands now). The magazine profiles a “day in the life” of Simran Sethi, an environmental reporter and cohost of the Sundance Channel’s new series “The Green,”, and host and writer of Treehugger Radio (produced by Jacob Gordon, Treehugger Radio is informative, fascinating, and entertaining and we highly recommend checking it out.) Part of Simran’s day includes packing her MacBook inside of our Archetype laptop case. We feel proud when we see people who make a difference, like Simran Sethi, using our products.

    The TOM BIHN Archetype Molded Cork Laptop Case

    TB Crew | 11 May 2007 4:53 pm

    Now Shipping: The Style Kit

    The TOM BIHN Style Kit is now in-stock and ready to ship in all colors: Black, Crimson, Steel, Hunter, Grape, and Kiwi.

    The Style Kit holds whatever tools you use to create, style, or fix: pens, drafting supplies, toiletries, make-up, small tools, art supplies, iSight and cables, or any other small items that you may have. Even more than that, the Style Kit is a hand-held piece of portable architecture.

    The TOM BIHN Style Kit Accessory Pouch / Toiletry Kit

    Above: The Style Kit, ready for final inspection, in the TOM BIHN Seattle factory.

    TB Crew | 11 May 2007 4:44 pm

    The ID Messenger Bag: A Customer Describes What It Can Hold

    Customer D.P. sent us this review of our ID Messenger Bag:

    “In case anyone else is wondering how much the new ID bag holds, I wanted to post my experiences. The short answer: it holds a lot.

    I just bought my ID bag, along with the Brain Cell for my 13-inch MacBook, about a month ago. I needed a bag to travel with my MacBook, but with more flexible space arrangements than a briefcase. The ID met my needs perfectly. Here’s a description of what I had in the ID for my flight:

  • 13″ MacBook in Horizontal Brain Cell
  • Laptop power supply, cables, remote, small corded mouse
  • Contax G2 rangefinder camera, plus 3 lenses, digital spot meter, blower, misc accessories
  • Medium-sized paperback book
  • IPod Nano, headphones + earplugs
  • cell phone
  • Various cards, pens, keys, normal small travel stuff
  • Lunch
  • Snack food
  • Water bottle
  • A few papers like boarding pass, itinerary, notes, etc.
  • On the return trip, all of the above plus breakfast

    • It was a little heavy with all that stuff in it, but surprisingly comfortable on my shoulder.

    While at my destination, I removed the camera equipment and used the ID to carry my laptop and lunch to work each day. Also, on the weekend I took out the Brain Cell and used the ID to carry my photo equipment, food, and water on a hike through the woods.

    After one trip I am so far a very satisfied customer. The bag is versatile, well-designed, and a pleasure to use. How often do you get a new product, and in your first use of it not experience a single frustration? That was the ID for me, a truly exceptional product.”
    – D.P.

    TB Crew | 11 May 2007 12:42 pm