I have an extensive collection of leather notebook covers and folios that I rotate through semi-regularly, and even more have passed through my hands at one time or another for review purposes. Over the years, I’ve developed fairly strong instincts as to what I’m going to like or dislike, often before I ever have the product in my hand for review. Back in November, UK-based Harber London reached out to me to ask whether I’d like to review their Leather Notebook Cover, I initially hesitated, concerned that this particular product - though it looked very nice - might not be distinct enough from others I’ve reviewed to add to the conversation. Honestly, I’m glad I checked myself and went for the review, because this type of cover has a refreshing simplicity that gets away from the overcomplexity of many modern portfolio-style covers. As it turns out, I really liked it.

Life x Kleid Noble Note — The biggest selling point, to me, is versatility. It’s easy to swap a wide variety of A5 and “A5-ish” notebooks into this cover. (Shown here with the Life x Kleid A5 notebook.)

Design and Configuration

As I mentioned above, I’ve used many different leather notebook covers and portfolios in various configurations, and I have a pretty good idea of what I like and what I think will stick long-term. This particular product has a LOT to offer, and there are several design choices that could make it work for me, including:

Strong Magnetic Closure. I’ve grown to dislike “zipfolios,” since they take a long time to open, the zippers tend to get stuck, and once they’re busted, well, your portfolio is more or less done unless the manufacturer will repair or replace it. It sometimes annoys me that the zippers also tear up the edges of your notebook, especially if you’re like me and try to push the limit of what the folio is designed to carry. The Harber London doesn’t have this issue, with two very strong magnets embedded into the front and back covers that keep the folio closed without having to work the zipper. It’s a design similar to the excellent Bellroy pocket notebook cover, only I a (much) larger size, and the pebbled cowhide leather is less stiff than Bellroy.
You Can Easily Change the Notebook. I have three or four different A5 notebooks in rotation at any given time, mainly project-specific books that I don’t work with every day, but I occasionally want to take to the library, a coffee shop, or to the office to doodle in on my lunch break. Because the Harber London cover fits so many different A5 (and A5-ish) notebooks, it’s easy to swap in whatever notebook you’re using at that particular moment.
The Cover Doesn’t Try to Do Too Much. So many modern portfolios have a multitude of pockets and loops ostensibly designed to allow you to carry everything from headphones to power cords to keys to batteries to — just stop. In an age when we’re already carrying far too many devices, gadgets and accessories with us wherever we go, I can appreciate a notebook cover/portfolio that executes its primary purpose well and doesn’t attempt to do more. An A5 notebook, a few notecards or a pocket notebook, some folded sheets of looseleaf scrap paper, and maybe a pen if your pen of choice is slim enough to fit in the pen loop/cutout - that’s more than enough for me, and honestly a bit refreshing.

Harber London Pen Loop — The Baron Fig Squire is about as thick a pen as you’re going to fit here. It’s an interesting design, but I’d honestly prefer a traditional-style pen loop, or just go full-minimalist and omit a pen loop entirely.

Build Quality

The Harber London Leather Notebook Cover is made from full-grain cowhide leather and crafted in Spain (though the company itself is based in the UK). It immediately strikes you as a high quality product, with soft leather, consistent stitching, and no flaws in the finish. While I personally prefer softer leather, if I had to express any single “concern” regarding quality, it’s that this leather might scuff easily if you carry this portfolio/notebook cover stuffed in a bag. That said, for many people scuffs and dings only add to the character your leather goods accumulate via regular use. Overall, I’m impressed, and given the positive reviews other Harber London products (computer bags, luggage, etc.) have received, I’m looking forward to exploring the rest of their line.

Harber London Musubi Folio — The Harber London Leather Notebook Cover will even hold thicker notebooks such as the Cosmo Air Light A5 Folio from Atelier Musubi.

The magnets are strong enough to hold the cover closed, even with a thicker notebook like the Musubi Folio shown here.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Harber London makes an excellent soft-cover leather folio. The leather is high quality, and the magnetic closure works much better than I expected, even with fairly thick notebooks. My primary critique would be the impractical pen loop, which I found didn’t really work for anything other than the slimmest gel pens and ballpoints. Since I don’t really use pen loops that often, and generally carry my pens in a separate pen case, this isn’t a huge issue for me personally but it could be for some people. I’d also love to see a larger A4-ish portfolio or pad holder in this same material.

You can purchase the Leather Notebook Cover directly from the Harber Leather website. The A6 version is priced at £69.00, and the A5 version shown here is priced at £79.00. The price point surprised me, as I expected these to cost more. If you are looking for a leather cover that’s more polished than the rustic finish on alternatives from companies like Galen Leather, I would recommend you give Harber London a look. The company also has a wide range of briefcases, computer cases, luggage, wallets, and other accessories to choose from. Many thanks to Harber London for making this review possible.

This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links. Harber London provided the Leather Notebook Case featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Up until a couple of years ago, I used to be fastidious about keeping my gear clean and free from marks, tears, scuffs, etc. For example, if a pristine leather notebook cover, briefcase, or pen somehow got a ding or scratch on it, I literally couldn’t carry it anymore because all I could do was “see the damage.” This hang-up obviously hampered my enjoyment of the hobby, especially since I’m a “user” as opposed to a collector. What pen or bag, or notebook - if it’s actually used for its intended purpose - isn’t going to receive the inevitable battle scars?

Note the difference between my relatively new Galen Leather 12 slot Hard Pen Case and this years-old Nanami Paper Cafe Note Gfeller leather cover.

So how did I get over this issue? I started collecting and using natural undyed leather. How did this help? Because the scratches, stains, dirt, and signs of wear are features, not defects, given that it’s literally impossible to keep this leather clean, and that’s the whole point. If you want to use the product at all, you have to get over it getting dirty, really fast.

Natural Undyed Leather Ink Splats — Once upon a time these black ink spots and the grey halo around the edges of the notebook cover would have driven me crazy.

Natural leather changes color over the years and months you use it. Even the oil on your hands will cause it to change color and develop the signature grey-bronze patina, and if you’re lucky you’ll also accumulate a few ink blotches and splashes along the way. While it may be hard at first to watch that pristine surface gradually disappear, I found that my hesitancy to truly “use” my other products vanished along with it. Case in point: check out these pics of this old Baron Fig wallet (which used to be “grey”).

These days, I’ve largely moved on from black and dark brown, and actually appreciate leathers in lighter finishes such as tan, natural undyed, and even grey and yellow, specifically for the patina they accumulate over time. Fortunately, natural leather notebook covers, portfolios, and pen cases are fairly easy to come by. In addition to the Galen Leather product line, Nanami Paper carries undyed Gfeller leather covers for their “Seven Seas” and “Cafe Note” series, and of course there’s the classic Midori MD natural goat leather covers that we sell in our own shop. To me, nothing is more satisfying than showcasing a well-made, well-worn, yet still-perfectly-functional piece of gear that bears your own signature finish, made unique by your own years of use!

Other than the Galen Leather Hard Pen Case, which I received from my friends at Vanness Pens, I purchased all products featured in this post with my own funds. This post does not contain third-party affiliate links. T.G.S. is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!