I'd like to post a review and photos of the leather Moleskine cover made by Gfeller Casemakers. http://www.gfellercasemakers.com/ Gfeller primarily makes leather goods for geologists and scientists who need to carry tools on their person. It is my understanding that these are carried over many many years of hard use. Most of the leather they work with tends to be very light when new, and ages with a wonderful patina. They have a pantone guide on their site that indicates how the leather changes color over time. My cover has already changed in color.

I first saw this cover on a blog written by Paul Saffo. http://www.saffo.com/journal/entry.php?id=721 He had the prototype which is slightly different than the one I purchased. I had several email exchanges with the owner of Gfeller, Steve Derricott. He was really nice, and very prompt in responding to my questions.

After speaking with Steve, I placed my order. It arrived via priority mail in a flat envelope. When I opened the package I was amazed at how flat the cover was. The leather was light in color, waiting for age and use, and very soft. It begs to be touched. The inside flaps are sewn part way to allow access to the back pocket. The craftsmanship was wonderful. Each cover is numbered individually, and stamped with the Gfeller trademark.

The cover itself seems very much in keeping with the style of Moleskines themselves. It is slim and understated. This cover offers wonderful details, such as access to the back pocket AND the elastic strap. Even before it is "broken in", it still allows the notebook to lie perfectly flat. I really like it. I am actually more faithful to journaling and writing notes in it because the cover and notebook are such a joy to use.

You can see photos of it on my flickr account.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16085142@N00/2238249368/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16085142@N00/...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16085142@N00/...in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16085142@N00/...in/photostream/

I am not affiliated with Gfeller Casemakers or Steve Derricott, I just love pens, notebooks, etc.

Kind Regards,
April

Gorgeous product - thank you for the review and great photos!

Thanks for that review. Interesting product.

That is a very, very beautiful cover...

By the way: Yours looks very different than the one in Paul Saffo's photos -- not just the material but the shape as well. Do you know whether the one that's in the price-list on their website is made in the same style as yours, or as his?

It is my understanding that the journal on Paul's site was a prototype. Mine is the one that will be for sale. The colors are very different, and I can't wait for mine to darken and develop the look of a well-used friend. The one thing that I particularly like on mine, that I did not see on the protoype is the flaps of the leather. It may be hard to tell from the picture, but they extend the width of the back pocket, but they aren't sewn down that entire width, so it provides protection of the pocket while giving full access to it. It is pretty swell IMO. The leather would be more like a natural or "raw" leather. It is thin and does not add bulk, but it is also very strong. There is very little extra bulkiness to the notebook itself.

That sounds excellent, and I love the look of yours, even before the leather has aged. Congratulations on acquiring this beautiful item.

The cover looks and sounds great - I love to see this type of initiative. Now if only the Moleskin folk could apply the same levels of quality to their journls and sort out the poor quality paper I would buy one.

There is an Australian pen shop that has their own covers made for Moleskin - they are superb but not cheap.

http://www.pencity.com.au/index.php?cPath=...139f0c2034dc9fd

Excellent find. Would you know if a pen loop is possible?

Thx.

Excellent find. Would you know if a pen loop is possible?



I don't know if a pen loop is available or not. I'm sure the folks at Gfeller could tell you. I think it would be nice to have one, but I wouldn't want to mess with the sleekness of the design too much. I clip my pen to the elastic (but it isn't a fountain pen...shhh! don't tell.) I'm sure part of the issue w/ a pen loop is that pens vary so much in diameter.

--April