MabefSketch BX Backpacker Studio Easel, tan

I'm giving 4 stars since I haven't been out to paint plein air with it yet. I love the easel, however it arrived damaged and was not the exact easel I ordered. In the photo the easel was the version with see-through structure in the area where the canvas is held. I received the solid version (as pictured here). Half of the back of the drawer was broken off. I've seen other reviews where this happened. It's a Mabef issue I suppose as they package their easels for shipping and there is no protection whatsoever for the easel. it is in a box much larger than the folded easel and I can see why it sustains damage. It also had scratches and dings in the wood. As far as the straps, I agree with other reviewers that they are sub par. They need to be thicker and sturdier as also the palette which is not usable with the hardware where it folds in half. It will hold any supplies steady in the drawer while in transit, however. I contacted the vendor about the issues and was given a small percentage refund. Overall, I'm happy with it from what I have seen so far. I think it's going to serve me but Mabef should listen to the suggestions especially about the shipping box!

Received mine today. Coincidentally, it arrived as I was modifying (fixing) a half-easel for a friend. Friend's was another make.So I had the two easels -- Mabef and knock-off -- side by side in my workshop.I was modifying the knock-off with a magnet to keep the rear leg from falling out every time you picked it up.NO comparison:- The Mabef has a cover over the drawer. The knock-off uses the folding palette as a cover. (You keep the palette over the drawer, whether you like the palette or not .. or all your stuff falls out on the ground.) The Mabef has a cover.- The Mabef hardware is SOLID. The leg wingnuts are HUGE.- The Mabef rear leg locks in and stays in.- The Mabef shoulder straps are leather. A bit small, but ... optics make you feel good.- The Mabef wood has a smooth, solid, kiln-dried feel and appearance.- The Mabef rear leg adjusting nut does _not_ smash into the underside of the storage compartment. On the knock-off, the nut is reversed. The wings of the nut push into the underside of the storage compartment.- The Mabef tin tray has much better-designed dividers than the knock-off.

After reading some of the negative reviews, I had tempered my expectations on build, hardware, and finish quality, and was prepared to remedy the short-comings myself. But when it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. Nice beech wood construction with fine joints, the wood is oiled, and the hardware is more than adequate. I only experienced one small defect in the way of a pop-catch that pulled out of the wood on one leg, but this was easily repaired with a spot of epoxy glue. I have used this easel extensively, hauling it around the countryside in Spain. The size is perfect for 'plein air' use. Only product improvement I could suggest is to see more substantial leather straps for backpacking it - leather handle is fine.

this easel is OK but the shoulder straps are awful. they attach at a single point at the top of the easel. Each strap on an actual backpack has its own anchor on the right and left. the point at which the two straps converge and attach digs into the back of your neck. i can't believe they would manufacture an otherwise nice easel with such a glaring design flaw. to use this in the field you're going to have to throw away the straps it comes with. mount 2 of your own backstrap anchors to the right and left, rip off the backstraps from your old backpack and put those on this easel. which is of course what I've been doing to all my french easels for years.

I have had the Jullian and the Mabef half box French easel now and the Mabef, although more expensive is farsuperior to the Jullian except for one problem, the folding palate sent with the Mabef is not of the samequality (although usable) as the Jullian's, which is strange since the easel itself is lighter and better constructed.I upgraded to the Mabef because the Jullian I was using completely fell apart on me after about a year and a half of use.One of the best things is the Mabef locks down to stay shut during transportation instead of relying on aeasily bendable too small hook.

Nothing inside box to protect vulnerable parts of the easel in transit. You can see in the second photo where the mast head was crushed into the cardboard. Last photo added just now because wood on inside tray was broken too. This is the same end of the easel where the mast head was broken. Very disappointed with the manufacturer's packaging decisions.I'm going to use some wood glue and just live with these flaws (begrudgingly) because I'd rather get painting than hassle with return process.Easy fix: add some extra cushioning around protruding parts to keep them safe from impact!

Breaks down easily, sets up easily, solidly constructed, plenty of space for regular brushes, paint tubes, pencils/erasers, and a few jars of medium. Can hold very small and surprisinly large (40") canvases. Much more portable and more sturdy-feeling than the larger model. I like it so much I bought 2, one for where I live, and one for extended visits to my hometown. Built out of metal and wood, like an old-style cuckoo clock.

I purchased this easel as an alternative to my full french easel which was too cumbersome for trekking any distance overland and was also too heavy for me to set up one-handed. I also was tired of my pochade box which I felt restricted my gestures. This easel has great hardware and the scale is perfect for my size (smallish female) without restricting the size of my canvas or panel. I personally feel it is superior to the Julian and is worth the slightly higher cost. It is very stable and I have used it on the beach, in fields and on rock surfaces. I love this easel.

Very well made - a bit on the heavy side Have not gone with it -30 degrees.