Should I Buy This Leather Cover With The Seven Seas Standard Notebook? (Plus Additional Question)

[TestTube]

Right now, I'm looking to purchase this:

 

https://www.nanamipaper.com/products/copy-of-seven-seas-standard-a5-blank-journal.html

 

It has absolutely amazing reviews and for the amount of pages of Tomoe River in it, the price is pretty decent as well. However, a few potential problems:

 

#1. This website, as far as I can see, is notorious for not always having their items in stock. So, I almost want to buy 2 or 3 of these notebooks because I'm also afraid of the website just plain shutting down (just like www.paperforfountainpens.com seems to have done)

 

#2. I AM definitely going to buy 1 of these notebooks, but there is also this beautiful leather cover to go with it, custom made for this exact notebook, for 76$:

 

https://www.nanamipaper.com/products/herz-of-japan-leather-cover-a5.html

 

So...I'm not sure if I should also purchase this leather cover as well. As far as the comments I've seen for both the notebook and the cover, people pretty much drool over both. I've also heard that the notebook itself holds up rather well even without a cover, so I'm kinda at a crossroads here considering all of what I said above (what I just said + the fact that I can't know how reliable this website will be + their stocking problem etc)

 

What do you guys think? Should I just go for it? Should I buy the notebook first, see how I like it, and THEN buy the cover (for an extra 10$ in shipping for a 2nd order) if I do?

 

Decisions decisions.....

 

EDIT: Lets say I don't want to spend an entire 76$ on that cover anyway, even though it's real leather and custom fit, how difficult (and how expensive) do you guys think it would be for me to find a replacement for it somewhere down the line in the worst case scenario that this website does shut down or is perpetually out of stock?

Edited February 1, 2020 by TestTube

[DrDebG]

I use Nanami Seven Seas notebooks almost exclusively now. I usually buy 2 or 3 at a time. And I usually buy either the Standard or the Crossfield.

 

I have never seen them out of the Standard notebook. Some of the others have been out for some time. The Crossfield, for example, was unavailable for a year or two. So, my advice is that if you want the Standard, go ahead and order just one. But if you want any of the others, order more than one.

 

I don't know about the Herz leather cover. I have a Franklin Christoph leather zipper cover that I use. My Seven Seas notebooks fit inside them just fine with a bit of room to spare. I also have a Bond (now Loclen?) black zipper cover that I use when I go out into the field. The Seven Seas notebook fits snugly in this cover as well. I prefer the zippered covers since they seem to protect the notebook a bit.

[inkypete]

I have the Herz leather cover. It is a hardish leather, wears well and very durable. It is not the softish leather that some people prefer. I like the cover a lot and feel it is very good value.

Edited February 1, 2020 by inkypete

[TestTube]

Okay cool. I am still incredibly indecisive (especially more over the cover now that I know that they keep the notebook itself in stock all the time) about the cover.

 

If anyone else has experience with this notebook but also knows about a cover that would work as well as the covers they offer, please let me know.

 

Thanks.

[sanphoemo]

Well, I don't know the Journal, but I bought a leather notebook cover at Galen Leather and I love it. It's less expensive and they also have a 400pages Tomoe River notebook for 25 Euro. The quality of both is really nice.

The covers are handmade in Turkey.

Edited February 1, 2020 by sanphoemo

[TestTube]

I'm definitely set on this notebook. For sure. I'm just wondering about the leather cover.

 

I think what I'm gonna do is buy the book just to make sure I absolutely love it, and then if I do, since if I love it I'm gonna buy another anyway, I'll use the shipping cost to attach one of the covers along with it.

 

Curious though, does anyone have experience with covers that aren't custom made to fit notebooks, that end up working well anyway?

[WLSpec]

Looks like a nice notebook! The leather looks nice as well.

[countrydirt]

I'm definitely set on this notebook. For sure. I'm just wondering about the leather cover.

 

I think what I'm gonna do is buy the book just to make sure I absolutely love it, and then if I do, since if I love it I'm gonna buy another anyway, I'll use the shipping cost to attach one of the covers along with it.

 

Curious though, does anyone have experience with covers that aren't custom made to fit notebooks, that end up working well anyway?

I bought a couple from Etsy sellers and they seem to fit just fine (and no, I can't link it, I'm not that tech smart - but a simple search ought to get you there) I'm still writing in my first Standard notebook and it just stays on my desk, so I don't have it a cover. The crossfield in a cover is in my briefcase and I think it will last a bit longer, but those Seven Seas notebooks are pretty robust on their own.

[katerchen]

Whoa. Back up back up back up. Forget a second about the Standard.

 

I haven't checked the site in a couple of months now and he has a *new* Crossfield, going back to the basics with the tiny crosses instead of the intrusive grid or the gigantic dots.

 

Also -- and I realize this may increase your anxiety about too many choices -- Arthur at Innovative Journalling also has a Nanami cover:

 

https://innovativejournaling.com/nanami-journal-covers/

 

I got one of those when he first offered them. He *always* has some sale going on (free shipping, 20%off, second item at half, etc. etc. etc.) so wait for one of those. Or just ask directly.

 

-k

[Winslo]

I did what countrydirt, did. I went to Etsy and did a search for leather cover for Hobonichi Cousins. It approximately the same size. Prices vary but you might find something in your budget.

[Karmachanic]

The Gfeller covers on Nanami are first class in fit, design and functionality. An added benefit is that the soft natural leather patinates beautifully over time, and develops wonderful character.

 

They will also accommodate standard soft covered A5 journals if you decide to change brands

Edited February 1, 2020 by Karmachanic

[dudleian]

The Gfeller covers on Nanami are first class in fit, design and functionality. An added benefit is that the soft natural leather patinates beautifully over time, and develops wonderful character.

 

They will also accommodate standard soft covered A5 journals if you decide to change brands

 

+1

[inkypete]

The Gfeller covers on Nanami are first class in fit, design and functionality. An added benefit is that the soft natural leather patinates beautifully over time, and develops wonderful character.

 

They will also accommodate standard soft covered A5 journals if you decide to change brands

The Herz cover is standard A5 and I use it with Clairefontaine and Apica notebooks so it will not be useless if you don't like the Nanami notebook. I am also a huge fan of Gfeller and have a few in A5 and an A4. They are fantastic, but more expensive. The leather is a little softer and more like leather to the touch than the Herz. You cannot go wrong with either cover - they are both excellent quality and both take just about any standard A5 notebook. The leathers are different but again I love them both.

 

Take the plunge and buy one - you won't be disappointed and you will have them for a long time.

Edited February 1, 2020 by inkypete

[inkypete]

Well, I don't know the Journal, but I bought a leather notebook cover at Galen Leather and I love it. It's less expensive and they also have a 400pages Tomoe River notebook for 25 Euro. The quality of both is really nice.

The covers are handmade in Turkey.

I don't have one of these but must say I am very tempted because the rules that apply to notebook purchase also apply to covers. There is no such thing as too many.

[ArchiMark]

Have several covers mentioned so far;

 

- Galen Leather, like photo in post above. Great design and workmanship. Thick hard leather.

 

- GFeller, great design and workmanship, Soft thin, light cover, patinas over time as mentioned above.

 

- Innovative Journaling, great design and workmanship. Light weight.

 

Can't go wrong with any of these.

 

Mark

[TestTube]

Thanks for all the responses / suggestions guys. I didn't know about several of these.

 

I wonder how difficult / expensive it would be to try to make my own leather cover...hmm...and then once I get good at it I can start doing that for all my softcover books / journals....HMMM!!!....

[Karmachanic]

Also happy with these in A5 and A6

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000090825090.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.2.735f43fas4rUIv