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I decided to try using a Hobonichi Techo Planner this year for my bullet journal. For that, I of course needed a notebook cover. After much scouring, I decided to try out the "Kokuyo Systemic Refillable Notebook Cover". I got that and the planner from JetPens (no affiliation, first time customer, very satisfied). Since the thing I wanted to know about this cover was nowhere to be found in any review, I decided to provide the information myself, along with first impressions - we'll have to wait until next year to see how it holds up and how well I like using it. (Large images so you can zoom in to see details.) http://www.paradoxcommunity.com/vps/notebookopen.jpg As you can see, it fits the Hobonichi well, including the two ribbons. (One review I read claimed it wouldn't quite fit the Hobonichi, but perhaps they had another notebook in there - I only have the Hobonichi. Another review claimed the ribbons weren't long enough for the Hobonichi, but as you can see, they are here.) The thing I really wanted to know (but couldn't find in reviews) is if I could stuff multiple pens into the front pocket - so I wouldn't need a separate thing to carry my pens. As you can see, it takes five at once! (Waterman Laureat, TWSBI Eco, Sailor Pro Gear Slim, Pilot Vanishing Point, Pilot Penmanship) It's a tight fit, but I don't usually have 5 pens inked - usually 3-4, so it's good. http://www.paradoxcommunity.com/vps/notebookfront.jpg (Sorry about the over-exposure on the ruler, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the size.) Another reviewer said the elastic band was kinda wimpy. It's not the strongest band in the world, but it seems to work well. Time will tell whether it wears out. Here's a view of the back, with a passport size Goulet notebook (in at the same time as the pens; pretty sure I filled the thing to its limits - maybe a few slips of paper would fit inside): http://www.paradoxcommunity.com/vps/notebookback.jpg (Sorry for the poor focus.) Finally, here are views from the side with the ruler (to see height of the book/cover) and from the corner, to see how it handles being stuffed: http://www.paradoxcommunity.com/vps/notebooksideruler.jpg http://www.paradoxcommunity.com/vps/notebookorner.jpg Once I removed the pens, stretch marks remained down at the bottom of the pocket - they'd been in for maybe an hour at most. This doesn't bother me since I intend to always use this pocket for pens. Hopefully it won't stretch so much that it and the clips aren't enough to hold my pens in. The overall quality of this cover is excellent - the stitching, seams, and folds in the fabric are sharp and clean - nothing sloppy here. The Hobonichi is about the limit of what you could fit inside, but it would easily take two of the little notebook that came with it. That notebook has nice, fountain-pen friendly paper. The only thing I have mixed feelings on is how the ribbon attaches to the cover. See the JetPens photos for a good shot of that. The knot is behind the top edge of the book binding and just seems a little awkward. On the other hand, if they'd sewn the ribbons into the fabric of the cover, you wouldn't be able to replace them if they wore out, whereas these would be easy to replace (for whatever reason, including just wanting something different). And in the time it took me to write that paragraph, the stretch marks have disappeared, FYI. I hope anyone out there who's looking for an A6 notebook cover will find this information useful. I'm looking forward to 2018 when I can use this thing and see how I really like it.

I was attracted by the lovely leather colours available (not just the usual camel, brown, black), and on a whim ordered a shrunken calf 2 pen sheath. It finally arrived today, and I'm a little underwhelmed. I wish I'd ordered a less boring colour combination (I picked dark blue x sky because I'm a grubby person and the pearl grey x mykonos I liked best would never stay clean ), but maybe that's a reason to get another one in a colour I like better. I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with this brand? There's a website, but they seem a bit obscure and I couldn't find much information about them on the internet. The notebook covers look nice too, if somewhat pricey.

Does anyone know, or has anyone tried, whether the Hobonichi Techo notebook covers fit other notebooks, for example Life Noble notebooks? I rather like the Harris Tweed cover, Hamish, but would prefer an undated notebook to the dated journals that Hobonichi have, since I don't expect to be writing every day.