Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Very pleased with my purchase of this "Faux-Dori" travelers notebook package. At the time of my purchase this entire package was offered for $29.97 (Prime), whereas the Midori notebook w/only one insert & one elastic was $55.00. Although a veteran Hobonichi user, I was new to the Travelers Notebook and was wary as to how much I wanted to initially invest. Upon receipt of my new Sovereign Gear notebook I was quite impressed. The leather notebook is of quite good quality. It comes with three elastics bound with three brass-colored embellished beads: 2 at the bottom, 1 on the spine. The leather is soft, supple, and just feels good to hold. Mine had no unusual odors or powdery coating. Just a nice leather book with a lovely leather aroma. With time and use, the leather will absorb oils from your hands, attaining a desirable patina. Any scratches and scuffs will only add to its personal "value", leaving you with visual reminders and memories of your adventures and experiences. ------------------------------------------------------ A few differences between this Sovereign Gear brand vs. the Midori: Pros (Sovereign Gear): • 3 built-in elastics vs. Midori's single elastic • Closure elastic is spine-threaded vs. Midori's back cover threaded (potential obstacle when writing) • Closure-elastic also has a leather tab protecting page edges. • Package includes 3 notebooks, a Kraft folder, vinyl zip-pocket/business card holder, brass & leather pen holder, & pen. Cons: (Sovereign Gear): • Notebook leather weight is slightly thinner/lighter • Notebook leather edges are "raw" vs. Midori's burnished (sealed) edges. (See my photo). As is undoubtedly the case with notebooks I purchase, I ended-up making some customizations. • Notably, I disassembled the pen holder from its brass clip. I then sewed it to the notebook's inside back cover (using some E6000 glue beneath the stitching for good measure). • I also added blingy rhinestone slide-beads with my initials (see photo). • At the time of my initial notebook order, I also ordered a package of Midori insert bands (ASIN: B0091GQFC6), and recommend that you do so as well. I had a good idea of how I wanted to use this Travelers Notebook system and this would entail the addition of inserts beyond what the included 3 elastics would accommodate. (Rather than "nesting" individual inserts, it's desirable to load each insert on its own band. Thus, additional bands are required. Instructions on this procedure are included with the Midori insert bands package and also in many YouTube vids. (Example YouTube search : "Midori/Travelers Notebook Adding Inserts") As for the included 3 notebook-inserts (one each: ruled, grid, blank)... The paper is cream-colored, of medium weight and can easily handle FOUNTAIN PEN use. The majority of my fountain pens have Japanese "fine" nibs which are the equivalent to an American Extra-Fine. This type of nib will produce a thin, slighter drier line. I use Pilot's Iroshizuku bottled inks. !'ve tested these fountain pens on the included notebooks and found they produced no feathering, ghosting, or bleed-thru. I got the same results with the Midori brand replacement notebook-inserts I also purchased. So while I subsequently ordered a bunch of additional Midori-brand inserts to round-out my new notebook, I'm satisfied with my decision to order this "starter" package. All elements of the package are usable right out of the box. An excellent choice most people will be quite satisfied with. Thank you for reading, -CC, Amaazon Prime Member-Reviewer