****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
To begin with:Some of the negative/neutral reviews are absurd- the description says fastener bag so that top pouch isn’t designed for a tape, the right hand pouch is for tools, and has a specifically designed tape pouch that works awesome for a 25’. Anything over a 25’ tape is useless where I live, the rain will just trash them and I’m physically having to push the tape back the last foot or so, then it ends up in the trash. Anything over 25’ and I grab the 100’, and that’s not often.Too big? Like a purse? Do you even work as a carpenter??? It’s like reading reviews for work boots from guys that say they are too clunky to wear to the office (not a joke sadly). Thanks hipsters for driving up the price on American made quality boots to almost 3 bills, and thanks again homeowners and handymen for trashing quality stuff you don’t use as it was intended.These are designed for construction.Want something lighter/smaller, get some Home Depot bags, or if you want occidental leather’s quality, they make smaller sets for that.My review:I’ve been in remodeling for over twenty years, had lots of bags including all leather occy’s that I retired prematurely (they were far from worn out) because of weight for nylon CLC bags, and that was not a trade up to be sure.My previous set before these bags were CLC signatures, combo of leather/nylon like these, and though the layout was as good as I’ve found, they were the cheapest pos’s $130 will be wasted on. The leather trim on top of the pockets was thin and wore through quickly exposing the piping that eventually fell out leaving the bag like a wet paper sack. The padded nylon belt was unsupportive and thin, would defom and bunch pulling down my pants, and the whole setup lasted me 8 years. Worst of all, it wasn’t a comfortable 8 years and they were threadbare when I bought these new bags.I knew what to expect with these in terms of weight and quality, but the price tag was hefty so I waited a bit too long to pull the trigger on them. When I pulled them out to inspect them I was not surprised by their build quality, very thick leather lining the pockets, leather cats paw holder, very beefy and they will obviously give me a lot of use. I got the right side-tool specific individually too and a Gatorback padded belt, very nice, so my whole rig is around to $260. For a set of bags I expect to last me 10 years+, a very worth while investment.As a remodeling carpenter I have my hands in everything from concrete, demolition, framing, siding, decks, windows, doors, trim, cabinets, and all sorts of miscellany. I carry a lot of stuff and need a comfortable rig, so with the setup I have and some padded suspenders (the Gatorback belt has suspender attachment points, huge plus), I’ll be very comfortable for a long time.I can tell guys looking at reviews that are aimed at spending money wisely, these are a great set of bags from a great company. CLC makes nice stuff, but they are definitely a big step down. If you want bags to last you a very long time, these will suffice.Just get it why are you reading this you know occidental looks and works great, yea it’s expensive but you know it works just get it you know you’ll love it. Once I bought mine I realized I waited too long and should have got it sooner. It’s been too long trying to make other options work and guess what it works way better that all the other things.Big pockets, solid pouchMy old multi-pouch nail bag, which had been with me since the mid-80s, finally wore out. Couldn't find another one exactly like it and even toyed with having a replica one custom made, but finally made the switch to this bag.Glad I did, as it's wonderful. Three nail compartments, the main one being so big you could pile 20 pounds of fasteners in it if you wanted to. Has a built-in slot for a speed square and several other small tool holders. I'm keeping extra markers, nail sets and driver bits in those, and still have room for more stuff. Tape measure sits right in the top pocket, exactly where it's supposed to be.The main compartment is so deep I've found I have to bump the bag up on my thigh a little to reach the bottom of it, but that's turned out to be a minor inconvenience. On the plus side, it's big enough to stage small materials or extra tools in if you're climbing ladders or scaffolding. You can take a lot of stuff with you at once.Highly recommended.Overall a good feeling tool bag, hard to beat the smell and feel of work heavy leather. I know Occidental bags are supposed to be the best you can get and last forever but it appears that their quality control has gone down in this example.I'm not a professional leather worker but I do know that in high wear areas on leather goods, a shallow groove is made for the stitching to lay down in, so to keep it protected. In this case several areas including the back of the pouch where it rubs all day against your waist, as well as several interior pockets locations that will be in contact with tools were not. I just can't imagine the stitching holding up to my metal file or beat up channy's rubbing against it all day every day.Might take another look at Occidental again in the future and chalk these bags up to covid quality.As a union carpenter this is the best tool bag I've had so far. I've had this for 6 months and I would have already went through two bags from Home Depot or Lowe's in the same time. They get snagged on everything from rebar tie wire to scissor lifts and they never rip or tear, oftentimes I'll be worried that I rip them and look down and to my surprise they are perfectly fine. They are a little heavier than bags from Home Depot or Lowe's but they are balanced better so they feel lighter. The layout for all your tools are perfect, the only problem I've had is the speed square will fall out a couple times a day but not everybody that has these bags has that situation. The pockets are deeper than they look and holds plenty of nails. I also love that they are made in America.I am a carpenter and this tool belt is great for work! Highly recommend!It is a little too bulky, I am a carpenter and I use it on the job everyday.Great quality, leather harder than wedding night dick, the bag is large with enough room to store plenty of nails maybe even a smallYorkshire terrier. I've seen clowns with smaller pockets. Overall lovely bit of kitGreat pouch! Massive can get the world and his wife in there ?Un très bon produit les matériaux sont de qualité.le seul défaut que j'ai trouvé.cest que la poche est un peut grosse et ne plie pas aussi bien que un sac en cuir100%! Nothing but the best from occidental leather. Don’t waste money on other brands it’s not worth it. Even the parts that is not leather is extremely high quality material. Occi leather is pricy but well worth it, made to last a lifetime.Occidental nail bag are one of the best out there, I get a lot of tradies asking where I got them from as they look great too
