Review Of Vademecum Pocket Notebook Leather Cover

[KrazyIvan]

VadeMecum Pocket Leather Cover

 

Up for review today is a VadeMecum Pocket Leather Cover by FPN member jrduarte. First some back story. My First contact with VadeMecum Leather was last year around Christmas. I saw some Flickr photos of the notebook covers that intrigued me. I added some photos to my favorites list and checked back once in a while to see if there was anything new. I never inquired about the products as it seemed they were a work in progress. Fast forward to September when I saw a classified advert in the forum for leather notebook covers that looked vaguely familiar. I clicked the Flickr link in the person’s signature and I was back at JR Duarte’s Flickr account. I asked a few questions about the covers via Flickr and soon I was in contact with Mr. Duarte. For the sake of transparency, disclosure, and because it is the right thing to do, I need to make it known that I was offered a review sample in exchaange for a review. I was told that I could choose between a Pocket Cover and Hipster Cover and only certain colors. It would be an item that did not make the cut because it had minor blemishes of some sort or another. I accepted, but just to be clear, I will keep my review as impartial and objective as possible. My review was also not pre-approved or edited by Mr. Duarte. I chose a Pocket Cover in brown pebbled leather.

 

VadeMecum Leather is based out of Nicaragua. This makes shipping a little bit longer than what would typically be expected within the states. My package was shipped on September 12th and it was received at my office location on October 1st. I have received international packages before and this is about what is expected although Mr. Duarte’s estimate was off by about a week. This was most likely due to holidays that closed local postal services in Nicaragua for a couple of days. I know this forum has an international audience, with that in mind; I can only speak to shipping to the US. I would say if you are in the states, give it about three weeks to arrive.

 

The cover arrived in a small cardboard box. It was more than adequately packed in the box which was wrapped in heavy shipping paper. The notebook itself was sealed within a cellophane wrapper within the box. I don’t believe that it would have been damaged in transit even if wet. Obviously, crushing the package would have done little to nothing to a leather cover. Just for comparison, I have received a leather notebook cover from a reputable dealer in nothing more than a large envelope and it was unscathed. I think this speaks to the level of professionalism that Mr. Duarte is trying to convey.

 

When I opened the cellophane wrapper, the smell of leather wafted out. I love the smell of leather in the morning. My first impression was one of confusion and delight as I thought I was getting a blemished article. The exterior of the cover looked blemish free. It is very nice brown pebbled leather. The back pocket will hold 3x5 cards or receipts securely. I might be a little leery about placing anything of significance in the pocket though; it might have the opportunity of slipping out. The exterior pocket is not lined and the leather grain is nice to the touch. The stitching is even and the notebook cover looks to be put together well. Upon opening the cover, you are greeted by three card slots on the left interior side and the grain of the backside of the leather. The interior of the card slots are lined in a synthetic material. The right side has a one inch wide offset leather strip. This is designed to allow you to use the stock elastic strap on notebooks like Moleskine or Rhodia Webbie. I am using a small doane paper notebook for this review. The cover should be compatible with most 3.5”x5.5” notebooks. The HitList notebook will not work without minor and permanent modifications to its cover. At this point I think I found the blemishes Mr. Duarte had mentioned. There are two or three small cuts and/or abrasions to the interior leather. These are not something I would typically hold against a hand-made leather product, but nonetheless they are there. Also, I was told they would be there. The blemishes do not detract from the cover and do not affect its intended use.

 

Overall, I think VadeMecum Leather/jrduarte makes a quality product and if you are fine with a longer than usual ship time, it is well worth the wait. The cover holds its own against products from the likes of Renaissance Art, Land’s End, and Fossil, all of which I also currently own. I want to get a Moleskine and a Webbie in the cover just to see how they fit. I don’t have access to mine right now but I will report back with my findings as soon as I can.

 

As with all my reviews, lets see some pictures. I am linking to my Flickr set here, you can see full size images by clicking the slide show.

 

[jimhughes]

Ivan:

Thank you for the most professional and thorough review of Juan's Cover. My covers were shipped and rcvd the same days as your in a similar shipping container. You did a wonderful job of describing and picturing what my experience with the cover is. My hats off to you for your excellent work. I am not much of a reviewer or a writer. An item this great deserved a much better write up and description than my earlier work. Enjoy your cover, Jim

[KrazyIvan]

Thank you for the kind words.

 

Reporting back on the fit of a Molesking Pocket Harbound notebook. It is really a tight fit. It works but I am not sure if I would want to use it that way. Since the Webbie is much thicker than the Moleskine I did not want to attempt putting it in the cover. The cover I have seems initially more suited to soft bound notebooks like Field Notes, doane paper, Moleskine Pocket Cahier and Clairefontaine Life Unplugged pocket notebooks. The latter probably being my preferred choice with doane paper a close second. I am pretty sure that with time the leather would stretch to conform more nicely to the Moleskine but I don't want to stretch the leather. I will continue to use it with my softbound notebooks.

Edited October 4, 2011 by KrazyIvan

[Bogon07]

KrazyIvan,

Thanks for your usual thorough & detailed review. Great photgraphy. The stitching looks very impressive being even and well matched to the leather. The VadeMecum Pocket Leather Cover seems nicely crafted with a professional finish.

 

Your last photo shows a little 'wear' where the leather is foldered over to secure the strap.

What are you inpressions of the durability of this area of the Cover ?

[inkypete]

Great review, thanks. Anything to add Jim? I have tried contacting Juan but no reply as yet. Have to have a couple of these. Do you know if he does any larger sizes, A5 for example?

[jrduarte]

KrazyIvan: Thank your for your objective review. It's worth pointing out that the covers were *designed* to fit a hardbound pocket Moleskine. In my opinion the fit should be perfect, even a bit tight as I wanted the cover to feel like a skin over the notebook. So, even if it does feel tight trust that the hardbound pocket mole *will* fit. Just be careful as you are sliding in the covers (when sliding the notebook into the cover you should grip the cover itself, never the paper since you risk ripping it).

 

Bogon07: The abrasions shown in Ivan's photo are in fact the "blemishes" or production faults that he mentions in his review. In this instance the were the result of excessive skiving (reducing the thickness of the leather so it can fold). As Ivan points out, they are not a major issue since they will be completely covered by the notebook and the stitching is still sound and strong but it certainly isn't of a quality that I find acceptable.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/6207858091_b5049eaeb8_z.jpg

 

In a product that has passed QA these will not show up. The angle of this picture is not very good but it does show a more even thickness of the leather:

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6122888898_6526f7c8b5_z.jpg

 

I hope this answers your question.

 

JRD

 

 

KrazyIvan,

Thanks for your usual thorough & detailed review. Great photgraphy. The stitching looks very impressive being even and well matched to the leather. The VadeMecum Pocket Leather Cover seems nicely crafted with a professional finish.

 

Your last photo shows a little 'wear' where the leather is foldered over to secure the strap.

What are you inpressions of the durability of this area of the Cover ?

[KrazyIvan]

Bogon, as far as wear I do believe these will stand the test of time, within reason. I did put my Moleskine in the cover and yes, it is like a skin on the notebook. I just don't like to stretch leather if I really don't need to. I prefer to use this one with my soft bound notebooks. One thing is sure, I am probaly going to have to order the full package ( I forget the name of the model) with the multiple pen loops and zipper closure.

 

Thank you Juan for the clarification on the abrasions. :-)

[jimhughes]

Great review, thanks. Anything to add Jim? I have tried contacting Juan but no reply as yet. Have to have a couple of these. Do you know if he does any larger sizes, A5 for example?

I've used mine the last 3 days at work. Either in a shirt pocket or the open topped pocket of a staff coat. That waist length, kind of like a cotton Sports Coats, that some health care providers wear in clinic. Working great for me. I had a Piccadilly Essentials I was using so that was the chosen test case for the leather cover. It is a tight fit, but I saw no leather distortion or stretching. Quite a dressy appearance. I've not tried it with a Mollie or my Leuch 1917 pocket models, but since are all similar in size they should fit too. I'll edit this note with a flickr site to look at the other sizes in process by Juan. His replies to me were usually abbout 2200H his time or 10:00 PM. Apparently his time is identical to my MDT in the USA. So you may not hear from him immediatedly. He's willing to do custom work, but it's a 2-3 weeks delay in shipping. Jim

 

Edited October 5, 2011 by jimhughes

[Bogon07]

Thanks for the clarification on the "blemishes", JRD.

All the best for your VadeMecum Leather projects.

[inkypete]

OK - ordered them. Can't wait until they arrive downunder - they look fantastic.

[jimhughes]

You won't be sorry. I just installed the cover on SWMBO's Mollie Planner for 2012. Guess that means the 5th Anniversary is taken care of. She's thrilled with it. Thinks it makes her look professional, when she jots notes and appointments in it. Enjoy, Jim

[KrazyIvan]

I really like this one:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6122857628_823d6a08d2_z.jpg

 

I see some pen cases

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6215397026_9fbf188e4b_z.jpg

Edited October 7, 2011 by KrazyIvan

[inkypete]

Received my delivery and love these covers. I am using a Clairefontaine Roadbook and they fit beautifully. Excellent product. Really love the zipper model with the three pen loops which is an excellent travel folio to toss into my man bag. Look forward to more product development.

[jimhughes]

Received my delivery and love these covers. I am using a Clairefontaine Roadbook and they fit beautifully. Excellent product. Really love the zipper model with the three pen loops which is an excellent travel folio to toss into my man bag. Look forward to more product development.

Wow:

Mail delivery to Oz is much faster than SW USA. Enjoy your covers. They are Top Flight. I'm loving mine, Jim

[inkypete]

Received my delivery and love these covers. I am using a Clairefontaine Roadbook and they fit beautifully. Excellent product. Really love the zipper model with the three pen loops which is an excellent travel folio to toss into my man bag. Look forward to more product development.

Wow:

Mail delivery to Oz is much faster than SW USA. Enjoy your covers. They are Top Flight. I'm loving mine, Jim

 

Actually received them on the 18th. Love them too. Hope he does an A5 version soon. The Clairefontaine notebooks fit well otherwise they would be a problem for me as I don't/won't use moleskin. I find the pen case model in particular to tick a few boxes for me.It allows me to pack three FPs and a notebook in a protective cover.Very useful product and one I think I will use a lot. I usually have a small notebook like that in my man bag plus a pen case with a couple of pens. Now I have a one size fits all. I will be ordering another one soon.

[USMCMom]

Is there a website or are these ordered directly?

[teeniebeenie6]

How do we find out pricing information? The covers are gorgeous! Thanks!

[jrduarte]

Hi,

 

Pricing and other details can be found in the Classfieds section:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/classifieds/item/2871-vademecum-leather-covers-for-pocket-notebooks/

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/classifieds/item/2871-vademecum-leather-covers-for-pocket-notebooks/

 

Please send me a PM for more information.

 

Regards,

 

JRD

Is there a website or are these ordered directly?

 

How do we find out pricing information? The covers are gorgeous! Thanks!

[KrazyIvan]

After some thought I decided to put my Moleskine in the cover. It is working out nicely. I also put an elastic band pen holder on it for pen storage. I am enjoying this cover.

[inkypete]

I find I am using my ziper model more than I thought. It fits nicely in my man bag with my ipad and gives me three FPs and a notebook in a nice looking package. I actually ordered two more this week. Love 'em. Cliarefontaine notebooks fit extra well.