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Introducing ourselves: TOM BIHN Bags

Discussion in 'Tom Bihn' started by TOM BIHN Crew, Nov 8, 2012.

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    TOM BIHN Crew Loaded Pockets

    Hey everyone,

    We're TOM BIHN: we make backpacks and travel bags in our Seattle factory. Tom Bihn -- the guy -- has been designing and making bags since 1972.

    Using the best materials (and using them in the right application) is one of the things for which we are known. 1050d U.S. high tenacity ballistic nylon (in our own custom colors), YKK zippers, and two weights of Japanese nylon/Dyneema rip-stop, are just a few of the tricks up our sleeves.

    And we design everything we make:
    "The constant operating principal behind the process is this: I don't want to make something that is already out there. It has to be unique — work better, look better, last longer, fill a niche that no one else has filled. I keep in mind that, because our products last (almost) forever, I have a responsibility to make them be very useful and as handsome as possible as well: I personally don't like being around things that are not pleasing to the hand and eye, especially on a semipermanent basis. I feel in a small way like an architect." —Tom Bihn

    If you discover our bags and our company through these forums and choose to place an order with us, put this code in the comments box during the checkout process on our website: EDCForums

    This will identify those of you who found us through these forums and help us, in turn, support the EDC Forums.

    If you have questions about our bags, need help finding the right bag, or even have a question about materials, let us know -- we'd be glad to help. Keep in mind that we're a pretty small company and it might take us a little while to post a response, though we'll try our best to be prompt.

    We're glad to be a part of such an awesome forum and have already been welcomed by some of you in another thread: thanks, it's great to be here.
    TOM BIHN Crew, Nov 8, 2012
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    stargazin, Pilgrimm, Sniperx7 and 27 others like this.
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    keeper Uber Prepared

    WOW, Jon, you are getting real cool stuff on the forum. This is great, thanks for organizing all this
    keeper, Nov 8, 2012
    #2
    ChrisJ, Cornholio2188, 72hours and 1 other person like this.
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    Kripto Evil Sid

    Pretty awesome! The bags look great and I like the organizational stuff as well.
    Kripto, Nov 8, 2012
    #3
    Cornholio2188 likes this.

    Blerv Uber Prepared

    Love your products! Glad to know of another great company in Seattle. :)
    Blerv, Nov 8, 2012
    #4
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    sveqs Uber Prepared

    welcome to EDCF guys and thanks for your support
    checked out site, you have some really cool stuff, one can tell there is lotsa thinking going into those bags :)
    sveqs, Nov 8, 2012
    #5
    Cornholio2188 likes this.
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    SAKplumber Resident plumber

    You're just in time!! I'm in need of a new bag! :) Thanks for your support of our favorite playground:)

    Out of curiousity, I'm wondering what support you are helping to give when we buy from Tom Bihn.

    I got my wife a Bihn bag due to the recomendation of members here, and I will defineitly take a second look at your products for my own needs, simply because of your support. Thanks again!
    SAKplumber, Nov 8, 2012
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    billybag, Philippe C., Cornholio2188 and 2 others like this.
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    Rawls Uber Prepared

    Rawls, Nov 8, 2012
    #7
    TOM BIHN Crew, SAKplumber and Cornholio2188 like this.

    Chimay Loaded Pockets

    I purchased a Tom Bihn bag 4 years ago, it is the Empire type or one of the sizes of that model. I carried it for 1 year in a prison, laptop, papers (the dividers are very useful) etc in the main area and tools (networking, coax, cable pulling) in the area under the flap and after that 3 years in more typical office environments. The bag doesn't look the least bit worn. Excellent product and worth every penny.

    I'm glad to see such an excellent product partnered with the forum. If (I say if because I'm not sure my current one will ever wear out) I need another bag for a similar purpose they will be the first place I check.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
    Chimay, Nov 8, 2012
    #8
    TOM BIHN Crew, SAKplumber and Cornholio2188 like this.
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    Kombi Uber Prepared

    I'm freaking ecstatic about this news. I've been looking for another bag and your gear was on the short list, your association here will make it harder to consider the other candidates.
    Kombi, Nov 8, 2012
    #9
    Syclone1436, SAKplumber and Cornholio2188 like this.
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    tower Uber Prepared

    Tom, Welcome to you and your crew! I have coveted your gear for a while now. I wanted to order a Synapse, but couldn't find the color combo I wanted. I would love solar (or even wasabi) innards with a steel dyneema or almost any color exterior. If I can get that AND help our EDCF, I'm on board. You can have my Amex digits NOW. Any chance? I know your website says no custom color combos, but I am old and my eyes really appreciate the brilliant interiors. Thank you and again, welcome!
    tower, Nov 8, 2012
    #10
    SAKplumber and Cornholio2188 like this.
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    jimw451 Loaded Pockets

    Loving that Synapse bag after checking it out! Nice gear and welcome!
    jimw451, Nov 8, 2012
    #11
    Cornholio2188 likes this.
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    JonSidneyB Uber Prepared

    When I first started talking to Tom Bihn it was mentioned that they would take input from the forum and it might influence the creation of some products. :)

    Maybe this can happen. :)
    JonSidneyB, Nov 8, 2012
    #12
    bud760, Syclone1436, Philippe C. and 4 others like this.
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    KDOG08 Uber Prepared

    Hello. I have been eyeballing that Packing Cube Backpack (Tri-Star, Western Flyer) as a secondary back back but I am quite concerned about the strength and durability of the 200 denier Dyneema nylon ripstop. Can you (or anyone) comment on the strength compared to 1000D Cordura? Also, I see the only "masculine" color is that Steel checkered. Are solid colors going to be available? And finally, I do think it would be a good idea to include or make available some shoulder strap pads for it. It may be designed for light loads, but on a long day walking around with it those thin strap edges are going to start to cut into a persons skin. Just a thought.
    KDOG08, Nov 8, 2012
    #13
    Philippe C. and Cornholio2188 like this.
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    Cornholio2188 Uber Prepared

    I must also agree!
    Cornholio2188, Nov 8, 2012
    #14
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    evolutionglitch Uber Prepared

    Jon, thanks for getting cool people on the board!

    Tom, I want a bag that is forest green or similar color, so it can disappear in the brush and not be a military color. I want it to have waist strap that that tucks away until I need it. I want it to have a frame sheet so it is rigid and carries loads better. I want it to have a CCW pocket so the firearm attaches to the back of the frame sheet so its comfy and secure. I want that pocket to have a vertical zipper that can be accessed while still being worn, (like drawing from small of back.) I want the zipper to be attach to a rip cord on the shoulder strap for quick access. I want molle rows on the ouside/back. I want those molle straps to be covered by a compression panel so the bag remains stealth and a sweatshirt or something can be crammed in it at a moments notice. I want it to have a well organized admin storage area/pocket. I want this pack to have some type of water storage. I want this pack to be about 20-25 liters in size. Lastly, I want a hidden pocket for ID/cash... if the bag was stolen and ditched, the ID/cash would remain unseen (perhaps a pocket in a pocket behind the frame sheet.) So... CAN YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN?

    Anyone who reads this and would be interested in a bag like this, please chime in!
    evolutionglitch, Nov 8, 2012
    #15
    billybag, Philippe C., Fukurai and 1 other person like this.
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    Cornholio2188 Uber Prepared

    Cornholio2188, Nov 8, 2012
    #16
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    SAKplumber Resident plumber

    AND
    Wow. And I thought I wanted one;)

    :rofl_revamped:
    SAKplumber, Nov 8, 2012
    #17
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    tower Uber Prepared

    You sure want a lot of stuff. I'm thinking you may want a custom pack-maker, too.
    Last edited by tower, Nov 8, 2012
    tower, Nov 8, 2012
    #18
    evolutionglitch and Philippe C. like this.
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    evolutionglitch Uber Prepared

    Well, these are some of the things that I want and constantly see threads, here and abroad, saying do you know of a pack with these features... I figured that a pack with those features would be dead useful to A LOT of people and not put off too many either. Besides, if I can get a stellar bag maker like Tom Bin on board, then they will have an awesome pack that fits a need and fills a niche and isn't produced. And more importantly I will then have the best EDC pack ever! :D
    evolutionglitch, Nov 8, 2012
    #19
    SAKplumber and jacobwilson99 like this.
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    JonSidneyB Uber Prepared

    I really didn't organize anything with Tom Bihn.

    Tom Bihn came to us awhile back, I had been too busy to really talk to them for awhile but they came with a different attitude and than any bag company has ever before. They seem like great people. They want this to be a two way street. I am happy they found us.
    Last edited by JonSidneyB, Nov 8, 2012
    JonSidneyB, Nov 8, 2012
    #20
    tower, Fukurai, powerring and 2 others like this.
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