My Collections of Traveler's Notebook.

Not sure if you know, but I started my first Midori Traveler's Notebook back in Year 2008. 

Back then, traveler's notebook like this (leather cover with interchangeable notebooks) was not as popular today. 

As I remembered, there aren't many people using Midori Traveler's Notebook back then.

Searching for inspiration on how to enhance my Traveler's notebook can only be done on Flickr.

In the recent years, I have more exposure to other traveler's notebook through the Facebook / Instagram. From there, I realized that I can get a customized Traveler's notebook in other colors

I can also get a leather cover that holds different types of inserts, particularly, Field Notes size.

My collections for FN size (3.5" x 5.5') fauxdori expanded with the opening of Blank and Write Shop. 

Let's see, what I have in my collections:

My write, Midori Brass Pen / Bullet Pen

For the fans of Midori Traveler's Notebook, you will not miss out the brass products that Midori offers, especially the Brass ball point pen. 

There are 3 colors available - Solid brass, White, and Brown.

Myself, I am carrying a Midori Solid Brass pen.

My write, Karas Kustoms Aluminium Retrakt.

This picture is made dark and slightly blur with intent.

This is the Aluminium Retrakt, by Karas Kustoms.

STAD aluminium pencil caps

STAD aluminium pen caps, I supposed that is how it is known as.

I got introduced to these recently, and decided to buy a pack to try it out. 

Kutsuwa Stad Pencil Holder

A quick post for this pencil holder which I bought recently - Kutsuwa Stad One-Push Pencil Holder. 

Whenever we can't use the pencil because it is too short for our hand, we will usually discard it; 

I am guilty of that too. Guilty because I know that the pencil can still serve for a little longer. 

Fortunately, with the creation of this pencil holder, it gives this short pencil a life. 

A love for Brass pen - another one into collection.

I have been a lover for brass pens (my very first was a Midori Traveler's Notebook Brass pen), 

and I usually lost my temptation to beautiful brass pens. 

Few month back, Anachronistinc (now known as Yellow Birch Outfitter) introduced his first brass pen, and it immediately caught my attention.

It is an art piece.. and certainly it is. 

This is a customized brass pen with an 'A' on top of the pen, and together, it comes with a leather cover.

The brass pen:

It is a bolt action brass pen, which holds any Pilot G2 refill (or something similar). 

All brass pens are heavy - of course they are - but this piece is lighter than my Karas Kustoms Brass Bolt. 

But still, my hand gets a little tire after writing a page on my Muji notebook. 

The leather pen holder:

Its a beautiful piece of leather pen holder, and it holds the brass pen nicely. 

This pen holder can be attached to the regular size MTN by looping the elastic cord into the holes on the leather.

Alternatively, I can attached strings to it and wear it around my neck - as a landyard pen holder.

By looking at the craftsmanship, I can tell that Jay (the man behind Anachronistinc) pays alot of attention to details, and he ensure that each piece of work is beautifully done.

A cheaper alternative - Muji Notebook

I have been using Field Notes (FN) size (3.5 x 5.5 inch) notebooks for close to 1 year - Field Notes & Word. Notebooks, and I find notebooks of this size very suitable for me - It's handy and easy to bring around. 

Eventually, I have all my leather covers made FN sizes.  

But there is one problem: 

These notebooks aren't cheap, and the local stationery stores don't carry notebooks in this size. 

But lately, I found out that 1 of Muji notebooks is close to FN size, 

and I decided to give it a try (replacing my Field Notes Shelterwood edition). 

Measuring 5.75 x 3.65, it is slightly bigger than FN size notebook. But it still fits nicely inside the FN size leather cover.

With its binding method, it is hard to find the centre-fold for this notebook. 

Over a period of a few days, the elastic cord of my leather cover cuts into the binding, tearing the binding apart.

It doesn't look good; I have to apply tape on the external spine,

as well as the inside the notebook. 

Even with tapes applied, the elastic cord still managed to cut into the notebook. 

Paper quality wise, it's not too bad  ; 

at least, my fountain pen ink doesn't bleed through. 

I should do another review at a later date to see how the notebook last.

My 2nd Hero Fountain Pen - Hero 372 (Part 1)

Recently, a friend shared with me that one of the biggest retailers in Singapore is selling Hero fountain pens, and she got some at a really good price. 

As a lover for cheap fountain pens, I decided to explore the place. 

And to my surprise, they offer quite a handful of Hero fountain pens, and the prices are reasonable. 

I left the shop with 8 pens, of which, 7 were sent to Unit Kingdom, and one for myself. 

The pen does not come with any beautiful packaging or box - just a pen inside a plastic cover, sealed with a Hero company sticker (it doesn't bother me at all). 

Pen: Hero 372 Fountain pen 

Leather Cover: Rugged black and brown leather riveted pocket notebook cover (from E2 Field Gear)

Here's what I feel about the pen:

- The weight is well balanced. 

- The extra fine nib writes smoothly.

- It comes with a convertor, but I am not too comfortable using the convertor; I used a Kaweco ink cartridges instead. 

- Aesthetically, it doesn't portrait  itself as a cheap pen. 

Card Holder sleeve on MTN passport size

It has been busy at work, and this post has been delayed for a while. 

Jac Drow, a fellow MTN user, bought the card holder sleeve, and put it into her passport size Midori Traveler's Notebook (MTN).

And this is what she shared:

"Finally, my set up with the card holder sleeve I got from Justin. I use it in combo with my mini coupon folio. It fits in my Midori Passport which has become my EDC portable brain. On the day i go shopping/Run errands I put a envelope corresponding to the shop or location I will be stopping at that day. The envelope contains a list, cash and/or gift card that I intend to use at that location. I have found  this keeps me on track, cuts down on my impulse buys and gets me in and out much faster. My Errand day just got shorter and more manageable. Thank you Justin!"

Photos courtesy of Jac Drow

KeySmart, my new key organizer.

Recently, I got a KeySmart, the ultimate pocket keys organizer.
And here, I am going to share how KeySmart has changes the way I carry my keys.

** 
Disclaimer:
I purchased this item on my own account, and I wrote this review based on my experience with the item.
** 

1st attempt / 1st time trying with KeySmart: