I love notebooks, I have kept some form of diary for years and also travel notebooks. I had heard of the Midori Travel notebooks from a friend and have spent the last week or so researching these notebooks and discovered there almost seems to be a cult following! After much research I decided to go for some Midori type 'lookalike' brands as they were so much cheaper than a Midori and also came with several notebook inserts and accessories, whilst the Midori just comes with one insert and you also have to purchase the elastics and any additional inserts separately.
An example of the difference in price:
The Midori Passport size on Amazon Prime with one insert - £26.69
One very similar to the Midori sold by RTFL-UK on Amazon Prime with three notebook inserts, cardboard holder insert and charm - £9.99
Sovereign-Gear on Amazon Prime with three notebook inserts, plus plastic insert, cardboard insert, pen, and charm book mark - £19.97
I bought three in the end as I couldn't decide between the passport Sovereign-Gear and the RTFL-UK Travellers Notebook plus a standard size one by Sovereign-Gear which also came with three notebook inserts, a plastic holder insert, a pen and a pen holder. This one was £23.47 on Amazon Prime and the Midori equivalent was £36.49 on Amazon Prime and only comes with the one insert.
I knew that whatever I didn't keep for myself I would use as Christmas gifts - they will make a really nice gift I think.
Starting with the two passport sized travellers notebooks.
Both arrived in boxes in plastic outer bag.
One with elastic around it the other folds into itself.
Opening up the boxes, the RTFL one comes in a little bag, very much like the Midori does apparently. The other is in plastic
I've swapped them round here, the Sovereign-Gear one is now on the left, the RTFL on the right.
I'll start with the Traveller's Notebook from RTFL-UK
This is what it looked like straight out of the cloth bag. Notebook, charm, and a little bag of novelty stamps which I didn't realise it came with. The leather is lovely and soft, but doesn't quite have that lovely leather smell - it is slightly strong. Interestingly the novelty stamps have the website for Midori on the back.
The inside looks rougher in the photo than it actually is.
It has a cardboard insert for tucking notes and cards into it. I didn't realise it came with this so that was a nice extra.
The other side of the cardboard insert.
One of the notebooks inside is blank pages, quite thick, so hopefully I will be able to use them for sketching..
The second notebook has squares.
The last is lined.
The little 'binoculars' charm which I love as I love watching birds. It is just a shame it didn't actually come attached to a bookmark - I will have to make something up.
The complete package.
The second passport sized travellers notebook is by Sovereign-Gear and was actually the first one I put in my Amazon basket - it was only as I was going to order that I discovered the one above and thought that might be more suitable, and hence the inability to make up my mind so getting both!
It comes with a nice little thank you message.
Out of its plastic bag.
Plastic insert - I like these and actually ordered one for the other notebook as well. It has card pockets on one side
and a zip pocket on the other.
It comes with three notebooks, one lined, one squares and one with brown paper which I am not so keen on.
A cute little bookmark the theme of which will be perfect for the person I am intending to give this to,
Opening it up. It has a pen holder on the inside.
Stamped on the front.
Quite a nice pen which actually does write nicely.
The two side by side. Both have really nice leather. The one on the left has the more true leather smell that I like, but I decided it is probably just a bit too much for what I want it for with the fold over flap which surprised me as that was my first choice. But to be honest it was pretty difficult deciding between the two and who knows I may end up changing my mind before I write in one!
The last one is what I guess the more standard size notebook at 8.5 x 4.75 inches.
This one is also made by Sovereign Gear.
Packaged much like the other.
Out of box - cardboard insert, pen, pen holder and lovely soft leather, smells nice too! I like this size, but probably not for carrying around - for me I need smaller and lighter, although it isn't heavy by any means, just takes up more room in a bag.
Three notebook inserts - lined, plain and graphed.
Plastic wallet - zipper on one side and card holder on the other.
The front of all three
The backs.
The ends.
Sadly this one had a cut in the leather at the back...I was going to ignore it, but is actually quite deep and I think over time it may wear through so I have decided to return it and order a replacement. This is to be a gift as well, and I know the recipient would probably be disappointed with a cut in it as I am.
The next step is to write in the one I have decided to keep for myself - this always seems to be the hardest step! Using that first clean blank sheet! What am I going to write in it? Who knows! I do have some ideas of what I am going to use it for and might post about that another time.
I had no idea what a Midori Notebook was. I looked it up and here the cost would be $62.80 for the starter kit ( regular size) and it comes with a cotton bag for protection and a spare rubber band. No wonder you decided to go for a less expensive brand.
ReplyDeleteI do love notebooks and must not buy any more. I must have close to 40 of various sizes in 2 boxes in my closet!! Just this morning I was wondering what my kids will do with the many notebooks I've filled through the years. Diaries, Commonplace books, Smash books, etc...
I think a lot of bloggers like notebooks! I have a lot as well - just found some more today while I was doing some clearing!
DeleteI am pleased with this little one, it feels really good in the hands.
Such wonderful gifts, my daughter would be thrilled with any one of those. Such a shame about the cut in the leather.
ReplyDeleteIt was a shame as otherwise the leather was really nice. A new one arrived today and I was refunded for the other, so pretty good service, although of course it was all done through Amazon. The leather on the new one isn't quite as nice or 'smooth' as the other one, but at least it doesn't have a cut in it. I am sure the person who will be receiving it for Christmas will be happy with it.
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