What would be the best thing to put a journal in to keep it protected and from other prying eyes around the house? This isn't for myself, it's for one of my best friends. He is having problems right now in his personal affairs and as he put it "there's certain things that he can't talk to anyone about." This includes me. I've told him that I feel this way as well so I journal about it rather than keeping it all inside causing more axiety etc. I wanted to buy him a journal, perhaps the size of a moleskin, maybe thicker, maybe a different brand I am not quite sure yet. However, I do want to get him some sort of small wooden or metal container with either a integrated key lock or a combo/keyed lock that can be put on it to protect it. Any replies will be greatly appreciated .

Regards,
Dennis

There should be lots of locking boxes to come up on a google search. However, if you want something made to order, try AzWoodman.com. You can get a very simple box with a lock with a custom fit for a very reasonable price. The only catch is you finish it yourself.



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edit: spelling, as usual.

You could get one of those little girl journals with the lock. I just keep mine with a bunch of other books where it doesn't stand out, I don't think anyone has ever noticed it before.

If the box doesn't have to be portable then there are small document safes available at most office supply places and even Walmart for about $20. They are about the size of a briefcase so not convenient to carry around all day, but certainly suitable at the home or office. It'd take some seriously determined effort with tools to get anywhere with one.

There are some fireproof document safes that are even smaller than a briefcase. Plus, they can hold other things when the "crisis" is over.

Shorthand. If your friend knows any system.

Or he could keep two sets of books!

Set A: "My darling roommates are so clever. Everything they say makes me laugh"

Set B: "I shall strike tonight while they're asleep!"

Just don't get them mixed up. I hate it when that happens to me...

You beat me to it. I found a smallish metal box, 10x12x4, with a three-digit spinlock on it. Can't remember what I paid but it was cheap and did the trick.

For extra security, use Noodler's Blue Ghost invisible ink.

The best place to hide something is where everyone can see it, as a film-quote once ran. This means to put the item which you want hidden, in a place where nobody would think of looking for it because it would be so obvious that everyone would overlook the location as a possible hiding-place.

I suggest buying a smart-looking journal with a strong lock. And hiding it amongst other books in a bookcase full of books. Or even better, hiding it behind the books. That's what I'd do.

The document safe suggestion is probably a good place to go. Some small lock-boxes sold as gun safes might be a good choice as well.

However, when selecting any kind of security measure, one of the main questions you have to ask is what kind of attack are you defending against?

If your prying eyes are interested in keeping their prying secret then a wax seal might be sufficient as long as they couldn't keep it from being obvious that it had been opened.

If they don't care that you know, and they're willing to just steal the entire box, take it back to a workshop, and ruin drill bits on it for a couple of weeks, that's something else entirely. Most real situations fall somewhere in between, I expect.

Thanks for all the tips guys, I am sure I will find something

And leave Set B on a bus or the subway.


Yeah.

When I was a kid I kept a diary for a while. I also have a younger sister. Boy with diary is bad enough, but boy with diary and a nosy mouthy sister is much worse. My solution was a book within a book. I took a much larger book and cut a suitable opening in the pages (I know, I know) creating a space to secret the diary. The diary was concealed within the book which resided in the middle of other books on my bookcase. Worked for a long time - up until I became overly paranoid about what I was writing and stopped all together. Man I wish I had some of those diaries and journals from back then. Sidebar - sister is still just as much of a busybody and general pain in the patootie. I do love her dearly. /Craig

Was that Irene Adler in A Scandal in Bohemia?

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