Got a Midori Passport Size Traveler's Notebook!

[Writing Uphill]

Hi,

 

I just picked up the new, smaller traveler's notebook at Maido in San Francisco and thought I'd tell you all about it. Since getting the regular traveler's notebook a couple of years ago, I have been wishing for a pocket-sized version. While I liked the flexibility of the large one, it was too narrow to be a great work notebook (I like A5) and too big for a grab and go notebook/portfolio. Finally, my dreams have been answered with the new size.

 

The model I got is the brown leather and it's the same high quality stuff as the older model -- it smells great and normally I don't like that new leather smell. Like the big one, I immediately cut off the metal bit that holds the bungie on the top. I replaced the notebook cord with the extra one supplied in the package, tied with a surgeons knot so that the book can now lie perfectly flat (while good looking, the metal doodad that originally held the bungie ends is a little bulky, so I like this not quite as elegant but not bad looking setup of just using a knot). The size of the cover is 3.75" x 5.4". It is quite pocketable, especially due to it being a softcover. The refill is 3.4" x 4.9", which is a very nice size. I accessorized with a plastic half-envelope front and back, and the zip pocket insert (I probably will only use the zip pocket when traveling). I got a grid refill to compliment the blank that comes stock.

 

The paper: I no longer have the larger traveler's notebook, but I think this one has slightly thinner paper. We are in the midst of oddly humid weather here, so my ink tests may not be the best to go by, but here is what I found. There is good news and bad news. The good news is that the paper took Private Reserve Midnight Blues from my wet Pelikan EF (which writes more like a fine) perfectly! No bleed through, only the slightest of show through. This was a big surprise, since that ink is often a problem on most paper. What was surprising was that my gel pens had more issues than the fountain pen. The best gel on the page was a Pilot G2 .38 in black. I also tried various .5 and .7 pens, including the wide Cross gel. All were OK, but the wider the line, the more bleed through dots showed up. No disasters, but a good amount of show through. Depending on how you would use the notebook, the amount of show through may be fine or may bug you (it's not that bad, but it's there). A good thing about this paper is that all inks dried almost instantly, including the wet gels and the Midnight Blues. Another nice thing is that the sheets (40 of them) are perforated (but not too much -- I don't expect the pages to tear out on their own), which I like in this size book.

 

While the refill isn't perfect, I'm still quite pleased. The size is great, the add-ons are useful, the paper isn't that bad, and most important, it is a piece of cake to make my own refills with better paper. I used to make my own pocket notebooks, but the finish was never quite what I liked -- an edge not perfectly cut or the stitching a little off. With this notebook cover, I can use a less than perfect homemade and not be reminded of it, so if I get sick of the default paper, I can always make my own. one thing I plan to do is to make a refill for taking watercolor pencils. Since the cover can accommodate two refills, I can carry my regular notes refill and add an art refill when I feel like it, making one easy to pocket package that can handle whatever I want to do.

 

If you want one, give Maido a call. It sounds like these are already hot items -- I was told that though they just came in this week, they are filling phone orders from Europe. Unfortunately, Maido doesn't have a web store, but they are great folks and will probably be able to set you up over the phone.

[Writing Uphill]

Sorry for the double post. It appeared that my post didn't first go through, so I hit the send button twice. Dang technology...

[davidsinger]

Hello, I just received the Midori Traveler's Notebook as a gift. I like it very much, but can't seem to find a place that sells the refills in the USA. I reside in Virginia and any info you can provide wil be helpful. Email is davidsinger@hotmail.com.

[jimhughes]

Hello, I just received the Midori Traveler's Notebook as a gift. I like it very much, but can't seem to find a place that sells the refills in the USA. I reside in Virginia and any info you can provide wil be helpful. Email is davidsinger@hotmail.com.

David:

I thought I had an answer for you. I'd dealt with the SF store in March and got what I needed(Mini Passport items) right away. I thought I found a useable Email on FPN or Black Cover Blog, no such luck on todays search. Looked in my sent file and I purged all previous data in May. Items came out of MAIDO, 378 Santana Row, Suite #1125, San Jose, California, 95128. TC: 408-213-1985. Give them a call and I'm sure they can fix you right up. Google shows no Email listing for Frisco or San Jose stores. A little light bulb went on about my saved address files. I'll look in there and edit this PRN. Sorry I don't have that Email resource at my fingertips, Jim

[LauretteBradley]

Hi,

 

You can order refills from

 

http://bundoki.com/

 

The site is entirely in Japanese, so it's a little daunting. But if you click on the "International Order" (in English!) in the upper right hand corner and scroll down, you will find instructions for sending them an email. I know this sounds kind of weird, but it works! They have WONDERFUL service. You will hear back from them pretty promptly -- maybe two days considering differences in time zones, holidays, etc. You pay them with pay pal and they ship immediately. I get things from them very quickly. Just FYI, here is the entire text of a typical email order I sent them:

 

-----------------------

 

 

I want to purchase these items. Please advise me on cost and payment method.

 

 

 

Item #: 12683910

Item name: Midori Traveler’s Notebook

Color: Brown

Quantity: 1

 

Item #: 12683731

Item name; Midori Refill, passport size 001

Color: Blue

Quantity: 6

 

Item #: 12683806

Item name; Midori Refill, passport size 004

Color: clear

Quantity: 1

 

 

Name:

 

Barak Obama

 

Address:

 

xxx Main St.

Anywhere, MA 02114

USA

 

Phone:

 

+1 555 222 1234

 

 

Thank you!

[Bug Guy]

The model I got is the brown leather and it's the same high quality stuff as the older model -- it smells great and normally I don't like that new leather smell. Like the big one, I immediately cut off the metal bit that holds the bungie on the top. I replaced the notebook cord with the extra one supplied in the package, tied with a surgeons knot so that the book can now lie perfectly flat (while good looking, the metal doodad that originally held the bungie ends is a little bulky, so I like this not quite as elegant but not bad looking setup of just using a knot). The size of the cover is 3.75" x 5.4". It is quite pocketable, especially due to it being a softcover. The refill is 3.4" x 4.9", which is a very nice size. I accessorized with a plastic half-envelope front and back, and the zip pocket insert (I probably will only use the zip pocket when traveling).

 

While the refill isn't perfect, I'm still quite pleased. The size is great, the add-ons are useful, the paper isn't that bad, and most important, it is a piece of cake to make my own refills with better paper. I used to make my own pocket notebooks, but the finish was never quite what I liked -- an edge not perfectly cut or the stitching a little off. With this notebook cover, I can use a less than perfect homemade and not be reminded of it, so if I get sick of the default paper, I can always make my own. one thing I plan to do is to make a refill for taking watercolor pencils. Since the cover can accommodate two refills, I can carry my regular notes refill and add an art refill when I feel like it, making one easy to pocket package that can handle whatever I want to do.

 

 

From the size description, I think you just might be able to squeeze a Field Notes in there. That would be a perfect refill.

[Writing Uphill]

Nope, Field Notes and similar are too tall.

 

From the size description, I think you just might be able to squeeze a Field Notes in there. That would be a perfect refill.

 

[michaeljcr]

I bought mine from http://www.pencils.jp/ - it's an English language site and I think it's run by Bundoki. After I bought the journal itself, I emailed them about re-fills as they were mostly out of stock and they responded very quickly then ordered them in for me. A Paypal request for payment came through and that was that! It was stress free, all in English and reasonably priced. Indeed, I ordered some other items from them just last week and should haver them by Friday, all being well.

[antipodeco]

Hi all,

 

I realise this is an old thread, but if anyone is looking for purchase the Midori Traveler Notebook and refills, I have just been given the opportunity to sell them online. Am currently awaiting the first shipment. Will also have a few of the Midori Brass Pens and Pencils available.

 

Contact me: joe@antipodeco.com if you're interested.

 

cheers,

Joe

[fuchsiaprincess]

Hi all,

 

I realise this is an old thread, but if anyone is looking for purchase the Midori Traveler Notebook and refills, I have just been given the opportunity to sell them online. Am currently awaiting the first shipment. Will also have a few of the Midori Brass Pens and Pencils available.

 

Contact me: joe@antipodeco.com if you're interested.

 

cheers,

Joe

 

Hi Joe,

 

Why don't you post in the Marketplace as well, so that members are aware.

 

Regards,

Soki

[ExcaliburZ]

Can anyone post some pictures of how inks look on the paper and what the bleed-through is like.

[Chiro75]

I saw a couple of these in a great paper shop in San Jose, CA earlier this year. The shop catered to mostly Japanese products. I like the simplicity and look of these covers. I've been thinking about trying my hand at making some Gfeller-style cases, but all that stitching... the fact that these are so simple and require no stitching have me thinking.... thanks for posting the photos, this will be helpful. Who knows, maybe in a month I'll have some various cover sizes available on Etsy! lol

[poopsiepooh]

I love the passport size too! is so convenient for daily basis but I still love my regular size. I got mine at Resor Shop with the inserts.