The good people at Folk Leather were kind enough to send one of their leather bags that they've launched. I've been using the bag for the better part of 3 months, and I have to say, it's a solid bag.
The best part about the bag is the price: it's only $148. If you compare that to other leather bags, that is a huge price cut. Leather bags are often 2 to 3 times more expensive, so you're getting a lot of bag for little money.
The bag is made with full-grain buffalo leather, uses brass hardware and polyester stitching. What's even more bold is the 100 year warranty that they give with each bag.
I love the minimalist look of the bag, which lets the leather do the talking.
I have been pleasantly surprised with the bag, but I will give a disclaimer: it's a barebones bag. There is no padding, no extra bells and whistles. If you're wanting to tote around something expensive like a laptop, you might want to invest in laptop sleeve, which will set you back an extra $10. There is only a thin piece of leather separating the laptop from the ground if the bag accidentally drops.
The shoulder harness for the bag is sturdy, made with a thicker piece of leather.
If there is any point on the bag that won't last 100 years, it's the straps. The straps are fairly thin, and I can imagine with more daily use they'll wear a bit.
The bag is currently in the middle of an IndieGoGo campaign to launch, so an initial investment of $148 will snag you a bag.
Final thoughts
If you're in the market for a minimalist leather messenger bag, than this bag is great. It's handsome and understated, and gets the job done at a very affordable price. If you're going to put a laptop in it, buy a cheap laptop sleeve.