Case Review: Lochby Field Journal Notebook Cover

April 20, 2022

Continuing my series of reviews of products that are easily accessible to me (i.e., being carried with me everywhere I go while my home and office are under construction), I turn to another recent addition to my daily carry: the Lochby Field Journal in brown. Currently, this particular notebook cover holds my Theme System Journal and a Nanami Paper Seven Seas Writer that I use for a NaNoWriMo novel-in-progress (that, sadly, has fallen by the wayside). Paired with my Standard Traveler’s Notebook in blue, the Field Journal is with me pretty much every day from mornings at home through, more recently, longer nights at the office. Is this case a good fit for you? I discuss some pros and cons below.

Lochby Field Journal Size Comparison — The Lochby Field Journal, compared against the Standard Traveler’s Notebook (right), and a 13-inch MacBook Air (top).

What I Enjoy About This Case

Durable Waxed Canvas Build. Like all Lochby products, the Field Journal features vegan-friendly waxed canvas, with no leather components. While I’m not vegan, I love the look of waxed canvas in general, and multiple items in my personal daily carry share this aesthetic. Waxed canvas is water-repellant, and looks great as it ages. Plus, all Lochby covers and cases are double-stitched and bartacked for durability. The aluminum clip attaches securely to canvas loops on the cover, and you can pull the strap to tighten the closure. (It will hold!)
Yellow Interior. Ok, so this is a personal point, but if a product is made with yellow or dark red interior, I will buy it. There simply aren’t enough stationery items on the market with this color scheme for me not to go all-in. (And for those of you who would prefer something a bit more muted, note that the interior lining to the Navy and Charcoal Field Journals feature different shades of tan.)
Notebook Versatility. The Field Journal fits standard A5 notebooks, and can fit up to six “softcover slim" notebooks, like the refills sold by Lochby. To fit this many notebooks in the cover, you use a Traveler’s-style cord system to attach four refills, as well as slots inside the front and back covers for two more. As I mentioned above, the cover easily holds two relatively thick, full-size notebooks like the Theme System Journal and the Seven Seas Writer, both of which I attach using the cords.
Compatibility with Other Lochby Products. The outside pocket of the Field Journal is designed to hold either the Quattro Pen Case or the Pocket Journal, so you can use the Field Journal as your main daily carry item if you want a smaller, handheld carry-all. Lochby includes a strap on the spine of the Field Journal for this purpose.

Lochby Field Journal (Brown w/ Yellow Interior) — The interior of the Brown Lochby Field Journal. You can secure the refills using the four cords or the cover flaps.

If yellow isn’t your thing, the Charcoal and Navy Field Journals (pictured here) feature different shades of tan interior.

Potential Drawbacks

Closure. Some people may not appreciate the strap and metal clip. While I don’t find the Lochby mechanism particularly cumbersome, especially as the loops soften up over time, it does take some getting used to and may add a few seconds to the time it takes you to close your notebook when you’re finished working.
Open Sides. While the Lochby Field Journal closes securely, and will certainly remain closed in your bag, it does feature open sides, meaning the edges of your notebook and whatever papers you keep inside aren’t protected from the elements or other items in your bag. Personally, this isn’t a big deal to me. I use other open-sided cases like the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter and Traveler’s Notebooks, but many prefer the ultimate security of a case with a full zipper that extends all the way around the outside.
Size. The Field Journal is not a slim case, and can get pretty thick but if you’re someone who carries up to six A5 notebooks with you at any time this likely won’t be an issue for you.

I use two larger A5 refills, secured by cords, and then use the interior cover slots to hold index cards.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Overall, the Field Journal is an excellent utilitarian notebook cover capable of holding multiple refills and daily essentials, and pairs well with other items in the Lochby lineup. At $59 (including one 68gsm Tomoe River refill), it’s attractively priced, leaving you room in your budget to stock up on more paper or even another case like the Quattro (which holds four pens) or the Pocket Journal (which holds pens and a pocket notebook). I’ve been using the Field Journal regularly as a larger counterpart to my Traveler’s Notebook, and I don’t see myself swapping it out anytime soon.

Lochby Field Journal with Traveler's Notebook — I have no fear of carrying thicker notebooks.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop carries a selection of Lochby Products, including the Field Journal in three different colors. Each Field Journal ships with a dot grid refill, with other rulings (lined, blank, and planner) available for purchase separately. All Lochby refills feature 68gsm Tomoe River paper, which is fountain pen friendly and gives you a high page count in a thin format. For further reading, check out my recent review of the Lochby Quattro Four-Pen Case, which is back in stock.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Lochby and all other products we stock.

My Traveler'sRoterfadenLochbyPlotter Notebook "System"

March 30, 2022

Working at a large corporate organization can be a masterclass in how different people manage large volumes of information. If there’s one constant I’ve noticed, it’s that even today, the majority of people use a hybrid analog-digital system to keep a calendar and take notes. For me, this acts as a failsafe - important dates and notes (especially dates and deadlines) are double-recorded in analog and digital formats. My own “system” is a bit of a mess in that it involves several different notebooks in regular rotation, all with different notetaking and writing styles depending on use. (As you all know, in addition to my full-time job, I have a lot of serious hobbies and other outside interests that I track in different notebooks.) That said, my methodology makes sense to me, and it’s provided the opportunity to evaluate a number of different notebooks and notebook systems over the years. I thought it might be interesting to offer my general thoughts on four that I’ve been using fairly regularly recently, including what I like about them, what I would improve, and who I think this notebook system would be good for.

Traveler’s Notebook

The Traveler’s Notebook is the system I’ve used the longest and most consistently, going on six years now. My Blue Standard Size serves as my daily work planner, notebook, scratch-pad, and travel wallet, and I typically keep it kitted out with 2-3 separate refills, a few folders and a zippered pouch. It’s honestly the one stationery item I can’t see myself giving up. Part of this is sentimental, since there are more versatile and less proprietary options out there, but the way in which the Traveler’s Notebook’s size and functionality dovetails with my own portability needs and notetaking style makes it difficult to replace.

Who It’s For: Those who value portability and move around a lot. (Hence the name). I enjoy the Traveler’s Notebook for work because it’s easy to slip into any bag or suitcase, and it’s also compact enough to easily carry around from meeting to meeting so that I have my notes and calendar with me at all time. It provides just enough room for me to do the kind of writing I need without taking up the space of a full-size A5 notebook.
Advantages: Traveler’s Company makes a wide array of refills and accessories that allow you to customize your notebook, in addition to third-party options. The long+narrow paper format is excellent for those who take notes in a bullet-style or list format. (I am one of those people.) The leather covers are extremely durable, and if the elastic cords stretch or break they are inexpensive and easy to replace.
Disadvantages: Some might find the long+narrow paper format too restricting for journaling or long-form writing, in which case they might consider a Roterfaden or a Lochby. Also, most Traveler’s and Traveler’s-compatible refills don’t have a high page count (unless you opt for lightweight Tomoe River refills), but you can cut down larger A5 notebooks and make your own.
Where to Get One: Traveler’s Notebooks and refills are readily available at stationery retailers around the world, including the T.G.S. Curated Shop. (And we appreciate your support!)

Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter

The German notebook system with the long name is probably the most versatile of the bunch, in that it uses metal binder clips that allow you to fasten a wide variety of refills (and full notebooks) into various standard-size covers. I don’t use my Taschenbegleiters on a daily basis, but I have two: one Traveler’s-sized one that holds some irregularly used refills containing parts of my personal journal, and another A5 cover that holds some project-specific notebooks.

Who It’s For: Those who manage a large number of separate notebooks and value the ability to easily swap them in and out of a cover regularly, as well as those who want to avoid systems that require proprietary refills.
Advantages: Versatility, versatility, versatility. As long as you have the correct size Taschenbegleiter, you can probably figure out a way to make your favorite notebook work. Metal notebook clips are very durable and will not stretch or need replacement over time like elastic cord-based systems.
Disadvantages: The cover can get quite bulky if you try to include more than 2-3 thicker refills, making it hard to lay the notebook flat for writing. The edges of the binder clips can fray and even tear the pages of your notebook if you prefer thinner paper like Tomoe River. The elastic band that closes the notebook tends to stretch over time. While Roterfaden covers are generally well-made and durable, they are also expensive.
Where to Get One: While Taschenbegleiters are becoming more popular worldwide, and some U.S.-based retailers such as Baumkuchen stock them, if you want a specific size or color you may need to order directly from Roterfaden in Germany.

Lochby Field Journal

My Lochby Field Journal is new to the rotation, and I’ve used it to hold my personal “Theme System” journal as well as a Nanami Seven Seas Writer that I’ve been meaning to use for some long-neglected creative writing projects. Two key selling points of the Lochby are the aircraft-grade aluminum clip closure, durable waxed-canvas construction, and integration with other items from the Lochby lineup such as the Pocket Journal and “Quattro” four-pen case. These smaller Lochby cases can actually fit in the back pocket of the Field Journal, though it may be a tight squeeze if you keep the notebook overstuffed.

Who It’s For: Those who want the versatility of a Roterfaden with a more secure closure that won’t stretch, and heavier-duty construction. Those who prefer waxed canvas to leather, which Lochby expressly states is Vegan-friendly.
Advantages: Feels indestructible. Cord-and-pocket binder system allows you to include up to six softcover-slim notebook refills, which Lochby sells in 68gsm Tomoe River paper, allowing for easy management of multiple projects in one notebook. Notebooks lie flat relatively easily, even when the cover is at capacity. For the quality of construction, the Lochby Field Journal represents an excellent value proposition at around $60.
Disadvantages: The aesthetic may be a bit too “industrial” or “tactical” for some. Clip closure takes some getting used to. I could personally live without the “handle” or strap on the spine.
Where to Get One: Lochby is a relatively new brand, with a small retail footprint. I am proud to be a Lochby stockist and sell this product directly.

Plotter

I adore my “narrow” Plotter notebook but am still struggling to find a regular use for it. This classic six-ring Japanese notebook system from DesignPhil, the makers of Midori and Traveler’s Notebook, features high-quality construction, excellent in-house paper options, and a clean aesthetic. My own difficulties with it stem from the fact that I just haven’t discovered where this particular notebook fits into my workflow, particularly since the “narrow” size limits the use (for me at least) to quick notes and short to-do lists. Currently, I’m using my Plotter cover as a portable binder to organize brainstorming notes on various in-progress posts and projects for T.G.S. Look for more Plotter-related content in the future, as I’m slotted to purchase a larger A5 size soon, which might break into the regular rotation.

Who It’s For: Those who prefer a ringed binder system that allows you to easily organize and reorganize your notes and other content on a page-by-page basis, as well as those looking for a ringed notebook system that has excellent paper readily available in Plotter-compatible
Advantages: Highly integrated system with notepads, notebooks, folders, and binders all designed to work with one another. For example, you can write on a fountain-pen friendly Plotter notepad (which is bound like a notebook), and then decide later whether to tear off a sheet and add it to your binder, where you can organize loose notes by topic. I like that the Plotter notepads can be kept intact and used independently of the binder system, though I have yet to test their durability for daily carry.
Disadvantages: The highly integrated nature of the system could be seen as a disadvantage to many. Plotter is relatively new, and the cost of entry is high. The rings on Plotter binders/notebook covers are fairly small, limiting capacity. Those who carry a thicker notebook because they use a lot of paper or take a lot of notes will probably want to explore something that holds more paper.
Where to Get One: Currently, Plotter is sold directly via the Plotter USA website.

This post is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of any single “notebook system”, but rather a quick reference guide to help you discover which, if any, might be right for you. Everyone’s needs and preferences are different. Is there a notebook system that you use and love that you think I should know about? Please drop me a line or leave a comment!

This post does not contain paid advertisements or third-party affiliate links, though the T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of both Traveler’s Notebook and Lochby products. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Folio Review: Harber London Leather Notebook Cover

February 9, 2022

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.

Italian Leather Notebook Covers from The British Belt Company

November 21, 2018

More excellent leather goods to show and tell! A couple months ago, The British Belt Company reached out and requested that I review one of their leather notebook covers. Not having purchased from this company before, and always looking for new manufacturers and retailers entering the stationery space, I of course agreed.

I opted for the pebbled burgundy leather option. At least nine different color options are available.

Immediately upon handing this notebook cover, I knew that it would be a hit. The cover is made from thick, full grain leather, with nicely finished edges and a suede interior. It feels great in the hand, and smells even better. (Yes, I smell all my leather.) The British Belt Company was kind enough to emboss my initials in the lower right-hand corner of the cover, which I always do if I have the option.

British-Belt-Company-A5-Notebook-Embossed

This notebook did ship with a lined, A5 refill, but it’s not the most fountain-pen friendly paper and devoted fountain pen users will probably want to swap in something else. A Seven Seas Writer from Nanami Paper fits perfectly, and I suspect that another A5 notebook like the Taroko Design Enigma or the Hobonichi Techo Cousin would also work.

My A5 Nanami Seven Seas Writer snug in its new home.

A comparison shot of three leather notebook covers that find their way into my daily rotation: The British Belt Company A5 (bottom), a custom One Star Leather Baron Fig Confidant Cover (middle), and the Gfeller English Kip leather cover for my Nanam… — A comparison shot of three leather notebook covers that find their way into my daily rotation: The British Belt Company A5 (bottom), a custom One Star Leather Baron Fig Confidant Cover (middle), and the Gfeller English Kip leather cover for my Nanami Paper Cafe Note B6 (top).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Based on what I’ve seen so far, The British Belt Company makes high quality leather goods, and I can add this notebook cover to my list of recommendations, alongside One Star Leather and other quality makers. You can purchase this product, along with a wide range of leather belts, bags, and other accessories, directly from The British Belt Company via their website or via their Etsy shop (which has slightly lower prices). The Italian Leather Notebook Cover, plus refill, is currently priced between $80-90, which is about standard for a leather notebook cover of this size and quality. I’ve also decided to include this product in the TGS 2018 Holiday Gift Guide. Be sure to check it out, especially since many of the retailers featured in the guide will be running Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales in the coming days!

Disclaimer: The British Belt Company sent me the notebook cover featured in this review at no charge, for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links.

Leather Goods from Baron Fig: The Guardian and The Sheath

February 15, 2018

Baron Fig has recently supplemented their accessories lineup to include a whole slew of new colors. While I’ve written much about Baron Fig’s pens, notebooks, and paper, I’ve never reviewed any of their leather products. Here, I’ll take a quick look at two that I recently received.

“Guardian” Confidant Cover

The Guardian is a high-quality leather cover for Baron Fig’s flagship product, the Confidant notebook. Available in two sizes, “Flagship” and “Plus”, the cover adds some protection to the Confidant’s cloth cover, which will come in handy if, like me, you tend to use your notebooks over a longer period of time and need the covers to hold up. If you’re a planner person, and you’ve chosen to go with the Baron Fig Confidant Planner for 2018, I’d definitely recommend investing in a leather cover to ensure that your planner survives the full 12 months. A smaller Guardian is also available for the pocket-sized Vanguard softcover notebook, which seems as though it could double as a wallet.

Pictured here is a Baron Fig Confidant (Dot Grid) in the "Plus" size. (Squire and Sheath for scale.)

I appreciate that the Guardian doesn’t add much bulk to your notebook. Initially, the cover is a tight fit, and for the first week or so the front cover of the notebook may not lay completely flat when the notebook is closed. Eventually, the leather stretches out a bit, and it’s no longer an issue. The Confidant still lays flat when the notebook is open.

There is no branding on the front of the Guardian cover. The only Baron Fig branding is an imprint on the back inside flap, which makes for a very clean design.

“Sheath” Pen Sleeve

One of the more practical accessories that Baron Fig offers is the “Sheath” pen sleeve, tailor-made to fit the Squire. I advise against carrying liquid ink rollerball pens in your pocket or loose in a bag - if the tip of the pen accidentally makes contact with fabric, it can ruin your clothes. A close-fitting leather pen sleeve not only protects the pen, but protects you from your pen! (Or from yourself, whichever it may be.)

I do wish Baron Fig had omitted the “sword” motif from the front of the Sheath, and left the Guardian as a more minimal leather sleeve. While I can live with it, and I understand that their brand is based on adding a bit of whimsy to the otherwise staid stationery industry, I can’t help but feel that the imprint cheapens the look of the product a bit.

The Sheath features the Squire's "sword" logo on one side, and a Baron Fig imprint on the other.

The Sheath is a straightforward product. You slide the Squire (here, the Brass "Key" edition) into one end of the leather sleeve/pouch. It's a tight fit, so no worries about the pen sliding out.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Overall, I’m impressed with the build quality of Baron Fig’s leather goods, all of which are made in the USA. My favorite aspect, however, is the range of available color choices. Rather than your ordinary brown, black, and natural leather options, Baron Fig decided to go with something completely different, offering both the Guardian and the Sheath in Fig Wine (a burgundy-ish red), Charcoal (pictured here on the Sheath), Blue Slate (self-explanatory), Yellowgold (pictured here on the Guardian), Rose Quartz (the recently released pink option), and Light Brown (the conservative “tan” option). I know, for someone who talks so much about “work appropriate” products that won’t turn heads at the office, who would’ve thought that I would opt for the bright yellow leather notebook cover?

You can order the Guardian Confidant cover and the Sheath pen sleeve directly from Baron Fig, via their website. The Guardian starts at $79 for the standard A5-ish “Flagship” version, and $109 for the larger “Plus” version. The Guardian Vanguard is $45. The Sheath pen sleeve costs $24. While these prices aren’t cheap, they’re well within the range of reasonableness for leather goods of this quality.

Disclaimer: Baron Fig sent me the Guardian Confidant cover for review purposes, free of charge. I purchased the Squire Pen Sheath with my own funds, for my own use.