Hippo Leather Products
Category: Shopping Fashion Leather Goods Leather Goods [Edit]
Box 777Port Townsend, WA 98368
(206) 467-9370
2 reviews for Hippo Leather Products
2 reviews in English
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Review from Ivan C.
Seattle, WA
5/27/2010 1 photo
First off, I must state that I recently built a website for Hippo Leather Products. BUT, the reason I built the site was because I loved Hippo's products so much that I offered to trade services with the owner, and built him a new shopping cart site in exchange for a custom leather satchel. I met him at Seattle's Fremont Sunday Market, and did not know him before we entered this arrangement.
That said, Hippo Products are the child of Dan Groussman, an extraordinary leather craftsman who's been building leather bags for something like 20 years. I say 'building' rather than 'designing' or 'sewing' because his stuff is RUGGED. Dan hand stitches every bag he sells. His work has that classic Indiana Jones look and feel. Dan specializes in satchels, knapsacks and purses, and also makes a few leather journals and wallets.
The satchel I took in trade was the Saranella, which is big enough to carry my 17" MacBook Pro. Ironically, now I carry an iPad, and the Saranella's way too big for it, but Dan's Nicolina is perfect for carrying an iPad and all its accessories. (Excuse me for geeking out there.)
Dan's rugged construction pays off with massive durability which, apart from style, was the other major factor that attracted me to his work. My habit has always been to carry one bag exclusively until I wear it out... but I can't imagine that I'm going to wear out either of these bags any time soon. And even if I do, Dan offers a lifetime guarantee (his life, that is) - which is actually pretty nuts, but it shows you the confidence and commitment Dan has in his craft.
The best place to see Dan's work in person is at the Fremont Sunday Market. He brings a booth every week in Spring, Summer and Fall.
In summary, if you like durable leather bags with that classic adventurer's look, I can't recommend Dan enough. Since all his work is basically custom work, you can even collaborate with him to design exactly the bag you want. -
Review from Mark D.
Johnson City, TN
1/9/2011
I bought Dan's medium leather book. Extremely well built. Highest quality materials and workmanship. An excellent value since it will last for my life (and probably that of my kids and grandkids). Dan himself extremely personable and a truly excellent salesperson - really tries to perfectly match your needs to his products. I will buy a wallet next. My expensive ones don't last but 3-4 years. Dan's wallets look and feel like they will last forever.
