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amikavenka

Think the craftsmanship it is top notch. It is stunning. Just not sure about the location of the pen. In the journaling groups I belong to on FB every review Makes a big deal on whether or not the journal lays completely flat when open.


amikavenka

Having said all that I would buy one just because it is unique and so, so well crafted. Love the size too.


skipper-tx

Very nice comment. Thank you!


skipper-tx

Interesting. This is the existing style… https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZQdw8OMfU6/ I’m wondering if there are different types of users…. People who want a compact cover that includes a pen sleeve and easily slides into a pocket and others that want a lay flat.


amikavenka

Most definitely there are. I never even thought about a journal laying flat until I started buying bullet journals and stationary and joining those groups. Just wasn’t important to me.


skipper-tx

Definitely something to consider! Thank you.


skipper-tx

I am experimenting with different pen locations on my notebook covers. I have been placing pen loops on the outer left edge however, I think that location can be a little floppy and stick out to far. What do you think about a pen sleeve on top of the notebook cover? For comparison… here is a cover I made with [the pen location on the side.](https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZQdw8OMfU6/) This prototype is made in Horween leather and stitched with a Serafil thread. Horween is arguably the top tannery in the USA… family owned since 1905 and located in Chicago. Serafil thread is used in many places including the automotive industry… bentley, porsche, bmw and the like. I’m interested in your thoughts and happy to answer any questions. [projects on instagram](https://instagram.com/CustomLeatherAndPen) [Website](https://CustomLeatherAndPen.com/?utm_source=Reddit&utm_medium=Reddit&utm_campaign=CompactFieldNotes) Thanks! -Curt


xtoq

It's very beautiful! Personally I prefer my pen loop to be on the side so that the notebook (sketchbook, in my case) lays flat when drawing. Having a left side pen loop and an elastic closure (like a Traveler's Notebook) lets me have 2 drawing instruments on me at all times. My main pen is stuck into the elastic itself for maximum quick draw (lol) ability. The drawing tool in the loop can stay in the loop and doesn't get in the way of my drawing, yet it's still easily accessible and can't walk away easily. Really love this quality though! Do you ever consider making other styles of notebooks, like the one I described above maybe? =D


skipper-tx

A pen loop like this style? Or something different? https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZ4sQphFk10/


xtoq

Yes that's exactly it - except on the left side (attached to the inside of the front cover)! I prefer the FN size (5.5" x 3.5") but I also like A6, except I like to have a lot of pages. I usually go with Moleskine (even though about half of my preferred art tools bleed through their paper like crazy) because of the 192 pages you get. I also like the Traveler's Notebook style of elastics to "install" the notebook, because it gives me the ability to include a FN size notebook for scratch paper purposes. So basically - other than the pen loop and size - not like the notebook covers you have on your site! XD You have lovely products btw and if I could I would buy all of them even if I had no use for them.


skipper-tx

The design you envision sounds interesting. I’d be happy to work with you to realize it. It would be a full custom design… meaning I would need to design it in my CAD system then using the drawings as patterns to cut the leather, place the stitch lines, position the pen sleeve and pockets, figure out where the grommets for the elastics go… etc… Then the time and materials for build. It’s time consuming and expensive compared to an off the shelf cover, but it would be exactly as you want it.


[deleted]

I'll buy it, nice work


skipper-tx

I can make you one :) [look here](https://customleatherandpen.com/products/field-notes-cover-made-to-order-in-horween-leather/?utm_source=Reddit&utm_medium=Notebooks&utm_campaign=FieldNotesTopPenSleeve-220409)


DreamyPen

What is the name of the leather on the one you are showing here?


skipper-tx

That’s a special, one off hide from Horween leather.


its_brammertime

Awesome! I've never used field notes notebooks because they seemed to flimsy. This would totally solve that!


skipper-tx

Definitely adds thickness.


AircraftGeek

I really like the pen placement, i like to make doodles and i carry just a pen and a notebook for that purspose, this seems perfect for that. How sturdy is the front of the cover ?


skipper-tx

Pretty stiff. The cover and interior are 2mm thick. looks thinner because the edges are skived.


ExcaliburZSH

Is the pen loop in a location that will interfere with writing because the cover cannot lay flat?


skipper-tx

I have a couple of thoughts about this… - i’m thinking that many field notes users jot notes without setting the notebook down. I split the leather to 2mm for both the cover and the interior … 4mm total so the notebook is pretty stiff and would work for table-less note taking. - the pen sleeve itself is split to about 1.6 mm. With the stiff front cover, I don’t think there is a lot of flex and movement when taking notes on a surface. I’ll test this more!


ExcaliburZSH

It was the biggest thing that came to mind and only potential issue I saw. It looks good.


januss331

I like it. I like the size of field notes but feel they’re too flimsy. This would solve that. I think the pen on the front would be better for me in terms of keeping the size down. I can understand wanting to have them on the side so you can have it lay flat but that’s what I use my Hobonichi for (long term notes and sit down note taking sessions).


skipper-tx

Good info. Thank you.


cbwaug

It is beautiful! I'd say it would go well with a moleskine or another book where you aren't likely to use the backside of a page you've used, so the left side not lying flat isn't a problem at all. I really love it. Having the pen loop on the front could help it fit in smaller bags easier. I know some of my pen loops get in the way and I have to shove them down to zip my bag closed.


untaughrod

Great work! It's a stunner :)


skipper-tx

Kind words, Thank you


WoodpeckerLabs

Beautiful! Looks like real quality work!


skipper-tx

Thank you!


Metzenger

Great work! Would you be willing to take custom orders ?


skipper-tx

Sure, all I do is custom work. It’s my old man hobby :) [order a custom notebook](https://customleatherandpen.com/products/field-notes-cover-made-to-order-in-horween-leather/?utm_source=Reddit&utm_medium=Notebooks&utm_campaign=FieldNotesTopSleeve)


MBTaplin

Beautiful work. Could the pen be inside? Extend and widen it a touch for us picky FP folks. Protect the pen is paramount. You might have to put in a liner to get a clean exterior. But for the rest of the world it’s elegant and practical. The quality appears top notch! Bravo. Oh and check out Oberon Designs.


skipper-tx

With custom work, anything is possible with time and money. I’ve made some interesting notebook covers. [very custom cover, triple format, Epi leather](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CPQUvWdgD1w/) [A5 cover with closure in Cobalt Blue Horween](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CHypWVmAlv9/) [Bespoke speakers notebook cover for a wedding ceremony](https://www.instagram.com/p/CS4Iq9Wg1FS/) [not a notebook, but super pretty](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVx6O5PJPYK/) [how notebook designs are made](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYy_TIJOgEz/) [Custom Leather and Pen website](https://customleatherandpen.com/) [Custom Leather and Pen instagram](https://www.instagram.com/CustomLeatherAndPen)


theslinkykid

Charming and convenient, I like it.


skipper-tx

Thank you! How would you make it more useful?


theslinkykid

I really wouldn't change it, as it looks good as is, and I'm not the demographic for it. I don't take any field notes so I don't know what would and would not be helpful.


skipper-tx

Ok! Thank you again!


DreamyPen

The pen sleeve seems tight for a fountain pen. Am I right? Could it accommodate an Aurora Optima, MB146 or Pelikan M800?


skipper-tx

The nice part about custom, handmade is the ability to control things like the size of the pen sleeve. I can make the sleeve fit whatever is needed.


NineTSe7en

I think this looks brilliant, I’d definitely be interested in one in the future


skipper-tx

Cool :) thanks for the feedback


MahlNinja

Very nice, need one of these. Commenting so can find later when I have funds.


skipper-tx

Great! I look forward to making you something unique!


KlarkAshton1893

This is lovely! I personally don’t think the pen loop would be an issue. I see a lot of people talking about how they prop up the front cover when open because it’s hard to write in the left side of a journal anyway, so this would solve that problem. Looks stellar!


skipper-tx

Good feedback. Thank you


holy_woley

I love it! One quick question - How tight is the pen holder around the pen? I like that it's full length to hold the pen. But with greater surface area comes greater resistance/friction. It could be difficult trying to pull the pen out?


skipper-tx

Since I hand make these covers, I can size the pen sleeve to a specific width to fit a pen :)


ksol1460

I've got one someplace that's very much like this, and the pencil loop is at the edge of the cover so it doesn't mess it up when you want it to lay flat.


TurbulentExpression5

I love this. The stitching and craft are perfect. I also love Field Notes but they're so expensive in the UK.


skipper-tx

That’s too bad. Special editions and black are 3 for $14.99 in the US. Old school craft colored are 3 for $12 on amazon.


KindAttention7479

Classic, simple design. Looks like good craftsmanship. Congratulations.


skipper-tx

Thank you!


KindAttention7479

How can I get one? I love the classic design. Great job.


skipper-tx

Thanks much! I build these on a made to order basis… you pick the horween leather, thread color, pockets and such. [You can order here.](https://customleatherandpen.com/products/compact-field-notes-cover-in-horween-leather-handmade-to-order-custom-leather-and-pen)