I have 2 of these old
Samsonite Oysters and no matter what gets thrown at them (or them getting thrown around) they arrive intact and perfect, ready for my next trip.
However, they are not easy to carry anywhere due to their old design. You have to lift the corner up by the handle and roll the suitcase on the back wheels. This puts a lot of the weight on your hand and your back (you'll be slightly hunched down to the side while doing this). Also the wheels are on the narrow part of the suitcase and you can't exactly run in the airport with them (or anywhere). The only real way of pulling it around is on a luggage trolley of some sort.
It is interesting to note that this is the standard suitcase issued to all Lufthansa staff (in the 27") even today.
They tried updating this style a few years ago to make it more ergonomic, the failed New Oyster collection (suitcase was wedge-shaped and weighted at the bottom) which was way to heavy and unwieldy. And then the
F'lite collection which was a dream to wheel around but was brittle and the handle lever mechanism would get dented too easily.
I also have an old Eagle Creek Switchback that refuses to die and an old (original) Lark that weighs a ton (steel frame).
What would I recommend now?
If you do a lot of door-to-door A to B travel and can get easy access to a trolley then get the old Samsonite Oyster. A friend who is and has been a tour operator for the past 30 years and travels weekly, is still using his original one. The current clearance price is fantastic.
If there will be a bit of wheeling around (but not carrying) then I would recommend the smaller version (28") of the F'lite. But
only if you fill the suitcase to capacity. It is quite sturdy when it is fully packed, but I wouldn't trust it if you're carrying it half empty. I use the 28" for dive gear.
I would pass on any of the newer Samsonites. Bought several new hard-sided ones and they have all cracked and chunks are missing from the corners.
As for other brands, I've have several Kiplings broken into and stuff just grabbed from the top. However, a cousin of mine travels (and checks) a genuine Louis Vuitton, Hermes and MCM (!) and has been extremely lucky and incident-free for the past 10 years.