#abaghabit

[abaghabit]

Putting the Prima back into rotation.. Because magnets. #everydaycarry #abaghabit #boundarysupply #prima https://www.instagram.com/p/B4cSl8QDwmf/?igshid=1fyj2dbejgown

[abaghabit]

#abaghabit #spottedintokyo #coteetciel

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aBAGHabit Dialogue with RuckSack Village

Q. A quick introduction of yourself and what RuckSackVillage does.

My name is James Kamo and I design things through making. Rucksack Village is my answer to today's mass produced vs handcrafted manufacturing battle. I make one pack at a time. Each pack is different and addresses the needs put forth by its future owner. I don't market anything other than posting photos of packs I've made on my website and instagram. I charge a minimum fee and allow the customer to determine any monetary exchange beyond that. To mimmic a customer's experience in a store where they get to try something on before they decide if they want to buy something and pay for it, I don't allow the customer to pay for their pack until after they receive it and deem that they are happy.

Q. How did you get started pack making? What was the driving force behind the unique individuality of each pack that you make?

I started making backpacks when I was attending art school. I always had a love for their forms and one day I decided to make one. Part of it was probably driven by laziness. I didn't like that clothes had to be in different sizes to fit different people. I like that one backpack can fit quite a lot of body types with a few adjustments of the straps. The driving force of Rucksack Village is to be a rebel, it's my middle finger to mass consumerism.

Q. What's the favourite product that you have designed/made?

To be honest I can't think of any that really stands out. Each time I make one, it takes quite a lot out of me so once I package it up and send it out, I have to move on and work on the next order. I can't think of any specifics but I do get a lot of joy from making mistakes, or forgetting steps then finding new ways of constructing a component or discovering new functionalities due to those mistakes/missteps.

Q. Who/What inspires your designs? How do you get so many ideas?

I definitely get inspired by people, mostly mentors and friends that have helped me in the past. I admire them a lot and whenever I think back on things they've done or advice they have told me, it drives me to be better at what I do. There's no way I would be here without them, I hope they know who they are. As for my ideas, it's very function driven. I do look at solutions that other companies come up with to address certain problems, but when it comes to solving my own, try hard to do it in an objective way, to do it in my handwriting, which might not be the most efficient way, but it's a way that works and a way that I believe in.

I am however going to transition to more of a high fashion inspiration process. Where instead of chasing trends and money, I want to be able to live life and grab design elements from that life that I live. I'd like to be able to walk by a tree, admire it then design a pack based off what the tree is.

I thought I might as well line up the 3 bags that I have with me at the workshop. These look odd together but I'm so stoked with them.

The white haze on the bottom is actually just the out-of-focus table that I set the camera on to take the photos.

Q. Any favourite stories/pictures to share from your RucksackVillage journey?

I get a big kick out of seeing photos of people using the packs I make. When I see someone wearing their packs out hiking or traveling somewhere in the world, it makes me super jealous that my pack gets to be there instead of me but it also makes me happy that at least a part of me gets to travel and live out so many different lives.

Q. Who else is making the carry world a better place?

Without a bias I can easily say that Teppei, the owner of Teranishi is making the carry world a better place. I hope that the people that work at other carry companies care about their products as much as Teppei does. He is seriously obsessive, literally never stops thinking about the way his products are, and is so enthusiastic about the whole process. I'm stoked to have had the chance to work with him on creating what we believe is great work. (The guy in the photo below is Teppei)

Q. What are you carrying at the moment?

Sometimes I make warm-up backpacks before I make a customer's pack if I haven't made one in a while. So I'm using one of those right now. It's just a clamshell pack with one main compartment, a vertical zip front compartment, skate straps, and felt wool straps. Super simple, functional, everything you need without all the BS. (Photo below)

Q. If your house was burning down and you could only grab one pack, what would it be?

So I live out of a 1978 Volkswagen Bus right now. There's two packs in there: one is a military duffle my best friend gave me, which is filled with my clean clothes, the second one is my daily use clamshell. If my beloved bus started burning down, I'd probably go for my clamshell because clothes are replaceable but my laptop is probably in the clamshell and priceless things are stored on that laptop.

Q. What advice would you give to someone looking to buy a pack?

I always think that you should buy from a company that has values that match your own. After you figure that out, then you can be practical and find a pack that fits what you need the pack for.

Q. Anyone you'd like to give a shout-out to? Anything else you’d like to add?

Firstly, I'd like to thank you, Howe, for giving me the pleasure of doing this interview. The rest of my thanks goes to my friends, family, and my customers because I wouldn't be here without them.

[abaghabit]

Met a guy to sell a pack yesterday and started chatting.. He heard that I liked patches and just ripped this TAD ranger eye off his pack and gave it to me.. :) Love making a friend with common interests.. Thanks for the patch!

[abaghabit]

Another installment of "Hit & Run" coming right up!

Stay tuned!!

[abaghabit]

Bags Beaten & Bruised: Greenroom136 Rainmaker L

Patrick from Greenroom136 said he had something up his sleeve and I received a package a little more than a month ago with the Rainmaker neatly packed inside. I've been carrying it around quite a bit on the everyday commute to work and here’s the run down.. 

How It Looks

The Rainmaker is going to fit right in at school or work. A minimalist no-nonsense vibe will attract the college student with a laptop, a bunch of files, notes, and books, and also the mobile warrior who’s headed to that big meeting with a bag of stuff on his back!

How It Packs

Whether you choose the Medium (19L) or Large (22L), the 2 main compartments will swallow everything that you throw at it. Unless you have a huge everyday load or just like huge bags (like me), just go with the one that fits your laptop and all should be good when you choose which size to purchase!

A built-in laptop sleeve in the main compartment keeps your laptop secure and safe in transit. A4 folders and documents have a safe place in a slot behind that sleeve and the rest of your books, cables, gadgets and gear go into the main compartment. A zippered pocket in the front allows for other little things easy to find in the huge main compartment.

The front pocket has an organizer sewn in for your pens and little notebooks. I’ve begun to really enjoy the GR136 keyfob that has an extension strap to reduce the jingle of your keys and makes it easy to find. Again, there is more than enough space here to throw some of the smaller stuff you might wanna reach more quickly.

How It Carries

It carries like a backpack for the office.. Only MUCH MORE comfortable. The 2” shoulder straps are a joy to use and just makes the load so much easier to bear. 

What It Does Well

The Rainmaker will haul all your office/school stuff with ease and comfort and the understated look will fit right in at school or at the office.

The D-rings on the shoulder strap can be used to thread and store the extra bit of the sternum strap through. This is understated and attention to detail that I really appreciate!

What It Doesn’t Do so Well

If there was a niggle, it would be that the bag would look a little “deflated” if there was not enough stuff in the bag. It just looks better with a little load. 

Similar Bags in the Market

There would be tons of bags that fit into this category and it would be futile to list every single one. The Eastpaks and Jansports might fit but they are just not the same in terms of build and quality. In the same space, I would probably compare the Rainmaker to Goruck’s Slickline 26 less the Molle inside.

In a Nutshell

A definite upgrade to any office or school laptop bag! Easy to take from work to play, which is always an advantage for any pack.

More information about the Greenroom136 Rainmaker and if you like what you see, you can swoop one up over at the online store here. 

There’s also a little video here that shows it in action!

[abaghabit]

The next installment of "Bags Beaten & Bruised" drops tomorrow!

[abaghabit]

Hit & Run: Custom Field Notes Cover by Obbigoodlabel

I’ve been fiddling with more than a couple of types of notebooks over the past year but none have stuck more than the Field Notes and Doane Paper ones. The covers of these notebooks tend to last just about the 2 months that each stay in my back pocket. 2 months is a decent lifespan but I like a ‘lil more longevity and finally decided to pull the trigger on a custom cover.

So I headed down to local boys Obbigoodlabel to see what they they had to offer. The good guys listened to requirements, suggested modifications, and offered different options. And this is the result..

I’m enjoying the cover very much.. I have their wallets too and the quality is top notch. Do check out Obbigoodlabel out and hit them up for your custom leather needs!

Enjoy the pics!