“A bit damaged and yes, a bit pleather.”

“This is a heavy duty briefcase and it's weight feels that way. Could probably handle a commuter's needs well. Not as small as I expected so it will hold a reasonable amount of stuff. I purchased it for the rare business meeting I have where I need a lovely looking briefcase that will hold both papers and my small pc note book. Unfortunately, I seem to have received the first reviewer's, Ramo from NYC's return, and there is a definte problem with the leather on the lower portion of the front. The leather is as stiff as can be and this looks as if someone rolled it a bit to get it in the plastic bag or the box. Stiff leather just can't take that and will and here has actual crack lines that can't just be polished out because they have broken through the finish and then down through the dye and left permanent creases. I may order another one right now to avoid Ramo's re-return but I agree with the "pleather" reviewer: this isn't $500 briefcase leather and it's pretty obvious. The trim on the flap for instance should have been dyed in the same lot but wasn't so it's a bit on the pink side rather than the mahogany that was obviously intended and it is noticeably off. That could be fixed with polish over time. And this sort of stiff leather does need polish and care before you walk out the door. One personal dislike is the heavy looking handle that makes it a bit more masculine that I would like and yet the case overall is too small for the average guy. I will give it another go because I want a mahogany colored briefcase and this is that - and on the dark side. And Sierra is nice enough not to ask for those $500 because then I would just return it.”