Refillable leather journal

[Paul Hurst]

I wanted a leather journal, but hated the idea of not being able to change the pages.

 

A bit of Googling turned up the 'Colonel Littleton Nº9 journal, available in Blighty from Orvis

The price is pretty steep (£99), but should last long enough to see me out. The pages are laced in through 6 holes.

 

And not wanting to be hostage to having to buy their paper refills, I've bought a Rexel 420 hole punch from Amazon plus two extra die cutters from Mayfair stationers.

Can now have any paper type/colour/quality I want, and no worries about replacing any botched sheets.

 

Will now sit back and wait for a flood of emails telling me about better/cheaper alternatives!

Edited May 21, 2010 by Paul Hurst

[xiewadu]

Will now sit back and wait for a flood of emails telling me about better/cheaper alternatives!

You won't get that from me, Paul. A journal is such a highly personal thing, and needs to fit within *your* financial parameters for what is reasonable. It also needs to fit into your personal needs, and whatever emotionally-based wants you have. If it does that, then it's perfect.

 

And holy cow, while $144 is definitely salty, so are some of the pens we buy

- Jen

[Ipno Tizer]

Hmm. Might look one out one day. If you think about the cost of some bound leather journals, £99 for a re usable isn't that bad.

[Highbinder]

That is a VERY cool journal. Money well spent in my opinion.

[HelzBelz]

Considering that one leather journal tends to cost around £40, £99 for one which last the rest of your life seems pretty good value - the 'cost per usage' would be quite low in a shortish space of time. It's a nice-looking journal, too - good choice!

 

I have a similar, but cheaper option - an A5 leather journal cover from Aspinal of London, which retails at £49. I've currently got a Moleskine in it, and will probably move to Clairefontaine A5 books after that.

[KCat]

If it had everything I wanted in a journal - I'd consider that cost a good deal. It will last you a lifetime. Well worth it if you love it and use it.

 

They have some beautiful stuff.

 

I do have to ask - what is "native American steer"?

 

The only native "steer" that comes to mind is Bison. I guess it sounds more interesting than "genuine cowhide"?

 

Ah well - don't fault 'em for creativity. Just curious.

Edited May 21, 2010 by KCat

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http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/exacompta-forum-journal--chelsea-leather-cover.html

 

comes to mind.

 

Or this

http://www.molecover.com/products/black-moleskine-cover

[StyloBug33]

How is it to write in? Does it lie flat enough to be practical. It is really awesome looking.

[Paul Hurst]

How is it to write in? Does it lie flat enough to be practical. It is really awesome looking.

 

Ordered last week, will post details on arrival...

[Paul Hurst]

http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/exacompta-forum-journal--chelsea-leather-cover.html

 

comes to mind.

 

Or this

http://www.molecover.com/products/black-moleskine-cover

 

Thanks! No 'buyer's remorse' yet - both too small, and I wanted a wrap-round style. Don't know why, just prefer the look.

 

Did find the Legacy journals, but seem to need their own bound refils.

Edited May 22, 2010 by Paul Hurst

[Paul Hurst]

How is it to write in? Does it lie flat enough to be practical. It is really awesome looking.

 

Turned up today, so comments as promised.

 

Firstly - the cunning plan re using own paper: Hole punch with two extra cutters was easy to set up to match. Depth of holes from the edge is the same (hadn't thought about that!) but holes made by punch are a bit smaller, Shouldn't be a problem. If necessary, I have some thin goatskin strips of leather which should thread through okay. If not, I'll use a shoelace.

 

Quality - cannot fault. Superb.

 

Paper - recycled, so slightly brown and textured. Fine to write on, and ink does not seep through to the other side, unlike the Moleskine and Roma Lussa journals I've used so far.

 

In use? - Well spotted that man above! When trussed up, not the easiest journal to use. Top 15 pages are fine, especially if you only write on one side (did before, but that may change now), gets harder as you go deeper...BUT it takes less than a minute to loosen off the leather, and then it lays quite well - giving 8.5" x 5.25" (216mm x 133mm)working areas. This way, it is easier to use than the Roma Lussa.

 

How will I use it? - Part working file, part archive. Plan to use it to collate working ideas and finished pages as references at the back, with current notes at the front. By the way - an A4 page folded to offset for the margin with the holes will fit in beautifully, so I can add maps, charts, family trees - whatever - and fold them out to read them in full. Or to to have a handy 'crib'/reference sheet out to the side whilst writing on pages higher up.

 

Happy with it? - Yes! It will probably take a bit of time to get the most out of the beastie, but should be a very flexible and practicable system long term. One thing's for sure, it won't wear out in a hurry!

 

Hope that helps.

[Highbinder]

I take it it's ~ A5 sized? I was contemplating getting one until I realised it wasn't A4 sized Looks real good tho, I've bookmarked the page for further ruminations - it seems like the perfect journal for sustained traveling - once you fill it just take the insert out and post it back home.

[Paul Hurst]

I take it it's ~ A5 sized? I was contemplating getting one until I realised it wasn't A4 sized Looks real good tho, I've bookmarked the page for further ruminations - it seems like the perfect journal for sustained traveling - once you fill it just take the insert out and post it back home.

 

It could be if you have the hole punch! Their pages are 158mm x 217, so a bit wider and deeper. Welcome to have a gander if in SE.