Was The Midori Tn A Flash In The Pan?

[Moshe ben David]

For a while there in 3rd/4th quarter of 2013 and early in 2014 I saw what seemed like a lot of interest in the Midori TN products. Was this a flash in the pan that has now fizzled? If so, was it driven by factors other than cost -- a lot of the past discussions did seem to mention the relatively high cost of this system.

 

Just wondering...

[French]

Don't know. I have one and use it daily, sometimes with Midori inserts, sometimes with home made inserts. Simple system, helps keep me organized.

 

French

[Ted A]

Partly the lack of traffic may be because what is there to say, ask about. It's a leather cover in a particular form factor. There are posts relating to inserts and DIY at least a couple of times a week.

I carry and use mine every day.

I just got back from a 5 day travel. I pulled my calendar because I wouldn't need it. Inserted a travel journal and some extra sketch paper. It worked just great.

[Lyander0012]

Been wondering the same thing, actually. Around the time period you mentioned, it seemed as if I couldn't drop by the FPN without hearing about the Traveller's Notebook at least once. I'm still considering one, since I'm a sucker for interesting journals, but considering the rather prohibitive price (meaning I'm not likely to get one until I'm comfortably employed, which, considering I'm going for grad school soon, is gonna be a while), I'm more likely to try for the Tomoe River Paper products from paperforfountainpens.com. Two reasons for that: I'm planning on getting the correspondence size sheets as well as the regular journals, and because I've heard nothing but nice things about Tomoe River Paper, ghosting issues aside,

 

Hmm, come to think of it, a Midori TN filled with Tomoe River paper sounds pretty awesome.

 

 

Cheers!

Kevin

[mongrelnomad]

I don't really use my Midori (design.y's EP Record is just too good), but my wife still uses hers daily.

 

I think there's the initial excitement ("hey! Look at this!") followed by working out what works for you ("hey! Look what I did! Look what I can do!") followed by the routine of use. Hardly exciting enough to write about any more, even though it is arguable more constructive...

[madden11]

I still use mine as a daily journal and it's just as enjoyable as ever. Midori has a notebook with thin paper similar to Tomoe River

[WaskiSquirrel]

When things are new they get a lot of topics. The novelty has worn off.

[Komitadjie]

I like my black one, I have the passport size, and I use it with one pad of clear, and one pad of lined paper for the most part. It's my easier-to-write-in list-maker, I particularly like it it combination with my smartphone, actually. I use the phone calculator and project conversion apps to create bills of material for projects, and write them down in the notebook as I go along, then check 'em off as I pick the stuff up at the hardware store or lumber yard.

[Plume145]

I think it's more that it cycles in and out of the spotlight. I remembered when I started posting in the late spring of 2012 it was a big thing (and just before when I was lurking a lot, lol) then for a while it went away, then it went back when you said, and so on. The timing you mentioned also includes the end of the year, which is a time when lots of people reexamine their arrangements re: journals, planners, notebooks and so on, because of the upcoming year change.

 

I got one in summer 2012, passport size. I used some random leftover christmas money, about which I was bloody glad later as it was not a rousing success for me. Too restrictive, less than ideal paper, and overall gimmicky. I wished I'd done what another member here recommended and made my own, there's a great video tute by leslie from the comfortableshoes blog. It's what I recommend to anyone looking to buy this, especially if they're at all unsure about how well they're going to get along with it.

[MisterBoll]

The Midori popularized the idea of a simple leather cover for a small notebook. At a certain point people woke up and realized they did not have to pay fifty dollars for such an item.

[Komitadjie]

True, to be honest I likely would have purchased a somewhat less extortionately-priced piece of folded leather if I'd been a bit more knowledgeable about it. But I certainly don't regret the Midori, it gives me great service and I use it every day.

[load81]

Have one. The looks appealed to me but meanwhile i think its actually unpractical. Haven't used mine in months.

[wastelanded]

After the ooh-ing and ahh-ing, it was realized how rudimentary the design is. There's a Facebook page for MTN, and the majority of posts are DIY versions. A piece of leather and a long hair band, and Bob's yer uncle. For a third of the price.

[Auspice]

I have an official and a 'Fauxdori' myself. I got the latter from an etsy seller and it's comparable to the Passport size. Much as I loved it, I wanted one larger and sourcing leather nearby is... pretty much impossible. I didn't want to take my chances purchasing online, since it's so difficult to know the feel/stiffness of what you're getting that way. So I went ahead and bought one just last week as an early birthday gift for myself.

 

I absolutely love it, but I think much as others have said... I think we may see a rise in interest again come time for "new planners" at the end of the year.

[dspeers58]

I think that it is a great idea backed by a good system, depending on what you really want to use it for. The ability to customize it is very important. The variety of notebooks, accessories etc, make it quite attractive. The paper is very good, especially the light paper and the prices are not too bad. I think you are paying for the system, as much as you are paying for a "piece of leather". As i am on the Facebook group, I will say that the prices, are not that much cheaper, when you start looking to DIY. I just got another one for $29 +$5 shipping.

 

I also have to say that I like writing in them more than a standard journal, at least throughout the workday, especially when I am on the road. The ability of changing out notebooks, and not having to buy the whole thing, e.g. a quo vadis, moleskine, etc. Other systemic tools are also available which are very attractive.

[Sadieprater]

I have seriously considered one, but I decided that for my money a nice Gfeller cover for an A5 MD would suit me better. I am just waiting for it to be customized and trying to sit on my hands and not buy a midori TN out of impatience.

[TMac]

I think that it is a great idea backed by a good system, depending on what you really want to use it for. The ability to customize it is very important. The variety of notebooks, accessories etc, make it quite attractive. The paper is very good, especially the light paper and the prices are not too bad. I think you are paying for the system, as much as you are paying for a "piece of leather". As i am on the Facebook group, I will say that the prices, are not that much cheaper, when you start looking to DIY. I just got another one for $29 +$5 shipping.

 

I also have to say that I like writing in them more than a standard journal, at least throughout the workday, especially when I am on the road. The ability of changing out notebooks, and not having to buy the whole thing, e.g. a quo vadis, moleskine, etc. Other systemic tools are also available which are very attractive.

During the workday do you use it in meetings? I have one that I just can't get comfortable with at work. I don't do personal journaling so it just gathers dust right now. I'd love any tips to incorporate in my office life.

[bogiesan]

During the workday do you use it in meetings? I have one that I just can't get comfortable with at work. I don't do personal journaling so it just gathers dust right now. I'd love any tips to incorporate in my office life.

I suggest you simply use it. I take my little molies and my Franklin planner everywhere at work. The fountain pens, too, of course. However, if you don't write regularly in a notebook or journal as a habit, an enjoyable habit, it is difficult to use a notebook, or any note taking system, in meetings. Things happen too quickly and, if you're the only person taking notes, you miss out on the subtleties or you get held accountable for the minutes of the meeting. Learn to decline the secretarial function unless it appeals,to you.

[WaskiSquirrel]

During the workday do you use it in meetings? I have one that I just can't get comfortable with at work. I don't do personal journaling so it just gathers dust right now. I'd love any tips to incorporate in my office life.

 

I use my Midori as a monthly calendar, a bullet journal, a notebook for meetings, and a writer's notebook. I forgot it once after a meeting, and I had a horrible sick feeling that I'd lost a major part of my life. It's a handy size and shape for notes taken in my lap without a table.

 

I really like the three inserts. I can customize it my way.

[Komitadjie]

I don't actually use mine all that often at work, I have larger, spiral-bound notebooks that I use for that, typically Clairfontaine.

 

I use it a lot more for lists, notes, phone numbers and stuff like that when I'm not at my desk.