Midori 5Th Anniversary Traveler's Notebook

[zammboss]

http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvx72nvzFk1qbslrqo1_500.png

 

This is my first post here. Thought I would start off by contributing my first 2 endeavors into the world of fountain pens and Paraphernalia. Until today I had NO idea what model my Parker FP was. I had received it as a gift many years ago from my grandfather as a graduation gift from high school. To me, it was just a pen... It's a good thing I didn't toss it or sell it for peanuts as I have just checked the price on it and WOW I have been a techie all my life, always with the latest gadgets and gizmos. Ahead of the game, and sometimes way too much. Something recently clicked in my head and told me I need to return to the roots of our history. Hand made things, the history of script and communications through words and drawings. These things all seem to slowly be fading away and being replaced my machines. One day, we will see something written by hand and say "WOW, look at that! It's hand written! It's vintage!" or "vintage like" I refuse to let go of what has been around for so long in the history of this planet.

 

This train of thought led me to where I am now. I stumbled on the Midori Notebooks somewhere and read some great reviews. While searching online where would be the best place to buy one, I was directed to pencils.jp I had noticed they had a camel color looking one that said Limited Edition 5th Anniversary. However it said it would only be available March 18th. I shot them an email asking if I purchased now what the process would be for when it became available. They responded right away and said they already had them in stock! I was stunned and placed my order right away seeing there was only 5 left in stock. I checked back on the website later to see the March date had been removed and the last few were sold out within hours. It was my lucky day! I am a sucker for Limited or Special editions as I always convince myself that they might be worth more some day.

 

Anyways, here I am now with other notebooks on the way for me to being my journey back in time. I don't have great hand writing but I will do my best to improve on it and continue a great tradition. I hope to start a small pen collection along with some unique Paraphernalia. I hope to be a frequent poster on these forums and from what I have seen so far, people seem pretty intelligent on here.

 

I am a huge fan of unboxing and reviewing things so hopefully if I do stick to this I would love to share videos with this community. I have already made my first for the Midori Notebook and here it is. A quick unboxing of it:

[nicholasyeo]

I've had the luck of getting the lovely 5th anniversary notebook and I must say the Caramel

colour is absolutely beautiful, whatever the price was. I just had to buy it. I also got the nice

stickers, leather tag and charms... It's a lovely product offering!

[Readymade]

Agree completely. A more appealing colour than Midori's regular versions

[Papermate]

Maido in the U.S. e-mailed me that they have for pre-order the remaining Midori 5th Anniversary TNs with an arrival date of 12/14. No affiliation, just a happy customer.

[JSButterfly]

+1 I have had very positive buying experience with MyMaido.com

 

Here's mine. Love the 5th Anniversary Edition.

 

 

OP, FYI -- there's a flickr group. You'll get some inspiration for customization and see some great TNs from around the world.Traveler's Notebook

[zammboss]

JS... What do you have in that thing?!?! Mind sharing some photos of what your locking up in there?

[JSButterfly]

JS... What do you have in that thing?!?! Mind sharing some photos of what your locking up in there?

 

No problem! These are on my Flicker PhotoStream

 

And so much more from TN owners from around the world on the Traveler's Notebook Group

 

I'm able to get 4 inserts in this using Patrick's technique (on the site) I have a 2011 diary, a 2012 diary, an unlined notebook, and a zipper envelope.

 

[kushbaby]

I have both the regular brown and the 5th Anniversary ones. I use the brown for work and the anniversary one for personal. I adore them! (And both are gorgeous... )

[JSButterfly]

I have both the regular brown and the 5th Anniversary ones. I use the brown for work and the anniversary one for personal. I adore them! (And both are gorgeous... )

 

You are so right! My first TN....

 

[UncleJoe420]

I currently own a 5th Anniversary journal, and I absolutely love the awesome thing!! Have just caved in and ordered the passport-sized TN.. Could get addicted to these beauties!! Hehe

[elderberry]

I really like the looks of those notebooks and a brown one is on its way to me as we speak (at the moment I'm heavily collecting notebooks...). If I like the design I'll probably make myself a cognac-brown one like the anniversary edition - my boyfriend works with leather and I know there's a hide of gorgeous heavily oiled water buffalo leather on the top shelf which might be just the thing...

 

I'll see if I can manage a home-made version of this when I get mine. There doesn't seem to be much to it at first glance... and you could still use all the customizations... :hmm1:

[reprieve]

I have the 5th anniversary book as well as the regular darker brown book. I think they would be easy to make if you had the materials. Most of the appeal (at least for me) is its beautiful simplicity.

[whitedot]

JS... What do you have in that thing?!?! Mind sharing some photos of what your locking up in there?

 

No problem! These are on my Flicker PhotoStream

 

And so much more from TN owners from around the world on the Traveler's Notebook Group

 

I'm able to get 4 inserts in this using Patrick's technique (on the site) I have a 2011 diary, a 2012 diary, an unlined notebook, and a zipper envelope.

 

 

Link, please?

 

I used a round warding file to widen the holes a little. I laid the elastic cord over the holes, used the tip of the file to push a bit of the cord through and caught it on the other side with a pin or needle. From the exterior, it doesn't look like I've modified it, except now two cords are visible near the base, not one. I might add another one. Job done.

Edited March 9, 2012 by whitedot

[JSButterfly]

JS... What do you have in that thing?!?! Mind sharing some photos of what your locking up in there?

 

No problem! These are on my Flicker PhotoStream

 

And so much more from TN owners from around the world on the Traveler's Notebook Group

 

I'm able to get 4 inserts in this using Patrick's technique (on the site) I have a 2011 diary, a 2012 diary, an unlined notebook, and a zipper envelope.

 

 

Link, please?

 

I used a round warding file to widen the holes a little. I laid the elastic cord over the holes, used the tip of the file to push a bit of the cord through and caught it on the other side with a pin or needle. From the exterior, it doesn't look like I've modified it, except now two cords are visible near the base, not one. I might add another one. Job done.

 

The links are embedded in the words that underlined. (Traveler's Notebook)

[USMCMom]

It appears that you can add notebooks (paper) to it. I'm guessing that you add lacing? Do they offer the how-to of doing this?

 

It looks great.

[nicholasyeo]

I haven't gotten to using my 5th Anniversary edition because it's too nice and I have two others

out right now. HAHAHAHA! Soon, soon...

[TDL]

I have a standard black Midori travellers journal, teh large size. I just wish they would make one in A5 size paper so that my note taking would be more straightforwards. The journal is great, but a little more width as an option would go down very, very well.

[elderberry]

@TDL: I was thinking exactly the same thing, so I made my own A5 one:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/216787-homemade-midori-style-leather-notebook/page__p__2278532__fromsearch__1#entry2278532

 

The extra width is more convenient for extended writing and refills are easier to come by. However if you were actually going travelling, the Midori size is pretty nice.

[UncleJoe420]

I am slightly tempted to modify mine, but it seems tantamount to committing sacrilege... Lol perhaps I should order a regular TN and mod that?

[TDL]

@TDL: I was thinking exactly the same thing, so I made my own A5 one:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/216787-homemade-midori-style-leather-notebook/page__p__2278532__fromsearch__1#entry2278532

 

The extra width is more convenient for extended writing and refills are easier to come by. However if you were actually going travelling, the Midori size is pretty nice.

 

I travel probably 40 weeks in a year for work and making notes with a fountain pen is a large part of what I do. I would still prefer A5 size paper, even though the large Midori fits into my overcoat pocket. (Obviously only a factor in the 9 months of London Winter. )

 

As for making my own journal, I have no talent there at all. Alas, handywork is not my forte. Indeed, I am typing this with five vaguely blue green fingers following a Visconti travellers ink well mishandling event an hour ago refilling my Sailor Maya, which positively drinks ink, even with the NMF nib.

Edited March 28, 2012 by TDL