Midori Tn Or Fauxdori - Worth It?

[akrohn2010]

I'm seriously considering a Midori TN or "faux" equivalent. I'm intrigued by the ability to carry multiple books - e.g. a work log, planner, diary in one - while keeping them separate. My current setup is a Leuchtterm/Rhodia bullet journal with a Galen folio cover. I use my journal for a combination of planner, prayer list, daily diary, and work log for accomplishments/daily tasks and completion, etc.

 

Is it worth it? Have those of you who use it found it an improvement over using a classic moleskine-style journal? Any recommendations on setup or inserts?

 

For those who tried both a TN and an "fauxdori": is the "original" worth the extra investment? Everything I can find suggests there are good alternatives out there but they are not time proven to last like an original/YMMV.

 

Thanks in advance!

~AK

Edited September 8, 2017 by AK-47

[Beechwood]

I thought that these were a better alternative to a Midori.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/326743-hide-home-leather-notebook-cover/?do=findComment&comment=3908406

[dapprman]

I thought that these were a better alternative to a Midori.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/326743-hide-home-leather-notebook-cover/?do=findComment&comment=3908406

Different concept. This one is just a very nice cover on a single notebook. The idea behind the Midori is flexibility and adaptability.

[Ted A]

I find that it works, except for journaling. Just not the room I need for that.

You might check http://www.mylifeallinoneplace.com/ He provides downloadable templates that fit into the TN. You could print something that interests you and try it for a while to see if it works for you. Then you could get the cover.

One of the nice things about the form factor is that it fits into the back pocket of jeans.

If you get a cover that is not leather it won't last as long as a leather cover almost for sure.

I can't compare as I've never seen a real Midori cover. I just got some leather from Tandy and made my own. Easy to do.

[Beechwood]

Different concept. This one is just a very nice cover on a single notebook. The idea behind the Midori is flexibility and adaptability.

 

 

Agreed, a different concept. For me the concept would work better having a broader choice of the notebook and the filing of the completed notebook. The Midori doesnt work quite so well for me as people maintain.

[akrohn2010]

Thanks all for the thoughts! I pulled the trigger and ordered an original-size TN in dark brown, along with some inserts from Goulet Pens (gave me an excuse to get a few more ink samples too...) I opted for the full-size despite my initial leanings towards the passport...had a feeling it wouldn't truly be portable and the small size would be frustrating for its purpose (work log, calendar, journal)

 

I know there's already plenty of thoughts on this forum about the TN, but I'll let you know how first impressions go!

 

~AK

[dapv]

I have found many alternatives to Midori on Etsy and Amazon. The alternatives provide a wider variation of leathers and other materials, some have cord rather than elastic, and then there's the thickness and colors of the leathers, etc. Oh, there is much to obsess over.

 

Perhaps tangential to the initial post, I like the discussion of the two different concepts. I think with the Midori-style, I write more comfortably with the larger Travelers size because the fillers are not as stable given the looseness of the system as it was designed to be. With a cover including right and left pockets for one or two fillers, the added stability of the pockets provides me with a better writing or sketching experience using the 3.5 x 5.5, and passport sizes.

[Mister5]

I've tried using a fauxdori and it's just not my style. My setup was journal, writers notebook, and fiction writing in the passport fauxdori.

 

I don't think it would matter if I had a Midori, putting it all in one simply didn't work for me. Now I have separate notebooks. The journal is the Stalogy 365 A6, but I have a Franklin Christoph leather cover holding 2 notebooks - writers notebook and another for longer form writing.

 

I have the larger fauxdori but the size just isn't appealing... It's been wallowing in the attic since I got it. I love to ram things in pockets and I have no idea where I'd put that regular fauxdori.

Edited September 10, 2017 by Mister5

[thudthwacker]

Thanks all for the thoughts! I pulled the trigger and ordered an original-size TN in dark brown, along with some inserts from Goulet Pens (gave me an excuse to get a few more ink samples too...) I opted for the full-size despite my initial leanings towards the passport...had a feeling it wouldn't truly be portable and the small size would be frustrating for its purpose (work log, calendar, journal)

 

I know there's already plenty of thoughts on this forum about the TN, but I'll let you know how first impressions go!

 

~AK

 

I felt the same way regarding the size -- the passport seemed a bit small for what I wanted to do, and it wasn't going to fit in any pocket I generally have available any better than the standard-sized TN would. I can't imagine having either one in a jeans pocket; on the other hand, either would fit in the inside pocket of my denim jacket, and of course just about any notebook fits in my messenger bag. So, went with the standard. (Honestly, there are times I feel that's a bit cramped, and as I usually have my messenger bag with me, I've been checking out a number of A5-size TNs on Etsy.) I've used the Goulet Tomoe River inserts, and they're great.

 

I have, so far, gone with fauxdori, and I have as yet found no reason to go with a Traveler's Company branded notebook -- especially as I'm likely to get an A5 next, and Traveler's doesn't make one. Also, for a little less than I'd pay for a standard-sized TN from Traveler's, I can get an A5 from a number of Etsy craftsfolk, in a broader selection of colors (both leather and elastic), with my initials stamped on the corner. Not that I have anything against Traveler's Company's wares -- I've never heard anyone say that they're anything but top quality.

[akrohn2010]

I felt the same way regarding the size -- the passport seemed a bit small for what I wanted to do, and it wasn't going to fit in any pocket I generally have available any better than the standard-sized TN would.

That was essentially my logic - the one time I could see the passport size winning for me is international travel: in a jacket pocket, backpack, etc. doubling as your wallet and ticket/passport holder. But since I go overseas for pleasure about once or twice a decade - not worth it for me.

 

Looking forward to trying the TN system! Currently bullet journaling in a LT notebook but not loving how I have to sift through my personal thoughts to find my work notes and vice versa - guess I'm a compartmentalizer.

[Misfit]

I don't know the faux prices, but I've seen Travelers Notebooks in the thirty dollar range at amazon.com

 

Mid $30s

[bogiesan]

The whole Traveler's universe of fans and users can suck you in for hours. Great fun on YouTube and a bunch of blogs. The passport is actually tiny. Have fun with it but, honestly, it's just a chunk of leather.

[akrohn2010]

The whole Traveler's universe of fans and users can suck you in for hours. Great fun on YouTube and a bunch of blogs. The passport is actually tiny. Have fun with it but, honestly, it's just a chunk of leather.

Good perspective - suppose you could always divide your standard notebook into thirds with boomarks and achieve the same purpose.

Edited September 10, 2017 by AK-47

[thudthwacker]

I don't know the faux prices, but I've seen Travelers Notebooks in the thirty dollar range at amazon.com

 

Mid $30s

 

That's a fair bit cheaper than a number of the Etsy shops, actually -- I've mostly seen Traveler's Company items at pen/ink/stationery sites, where the price tends to be roundabout $45. For the more bespoke offerings with a lot of leather color options and initials at Etsy, they're usually in the $40 range; though the less-customizable variants are usually around $20. So, really, not that much of a premium to get the brand name.

[DrDebG]

Thanks all for the thoughts! I pulled the trigger and ordered an original-size TN in dark brown, along with some inserts from Goulet Pens (gave me an excuse to get a few more ink samples too...) I opted for the full-size despite my initial leanings towards the passport...had a feeling it wouldn't truly be portable and the small size would be frustrating for its purpose (work log, calendar, journal)

 

I know there's already plenty of thoughts on this forum about the TN, but I'll let you know how first impressions go!

 

~AK

 

 

I think you will enjoy the TN. I have one and I use it when I travel (which is alot). I haven't found many of the inserts to my liking except 013 which is Tomoe River paper. Some of the others are okay, but I like the Tomoe River in my TN because it is lighter in weight and you get more paper.

 

BTW, I had bought a "substitute" from Amazon. Essentially it works the same, but it hasn't held up as well as the Midori TN.

 

For my regular journal I use the Midori MD notebook, A5 size with the Midori leather cover. I really like the grid design - it is more subtle than others. And I like the paper - not quite as smooth as Tomoe River, but almost as smooth as Clairfontaine.

Edited September 10, 2017 by DrPenfection

[Studio97]

If I could ever bring myself to sell off the HOARD of other notebooks I have accumulated over the years, I could see myself using my Midori TN exclusively. I have used it for my daily journal and when filled I rotate to a different notebook. It may be 2 or 3 notebooks before I get back to my Midori. This notebook thing can be a curse.

[dapprman]

The Passport size matches the same sort of dimensions as other travel notebooks from the likes of Fieldnottes, Clairefontaine, Leuchtturm, etc.

 

I actually came in to Midori from the other size direction. One of the advantages of being in the UK is even the cheapest paper is normally fountain pen friendly so for bigger pads I've always had freebies from work (except the last 6 months with some sh*tty 'green' recycled crud). I, however, always carry small notebooks with me when travelling and also often even smaller ones on me, so the passport size was ideal for my needs. I've been carrying one round in my pocket as an EDC for about a year and a half now. About 8 months ago I decided that the regular size would also suit me and so when the Olive version was announced I decided I'd go for that one, and did.

 

The system works well for me, but then I tend to have a mixture of notes I want to keep and want to throw so having them in separate booklets helps keep things organised.

[Misfit]

Field Notes are just a tiny bit taller than the TN passport size. If you don't mind a bit of damage, FN would work. I love Field Notes.

 

That said, there is another option that is actually passport size with funky themes at philosophersguild.com. They are not plain notebooks. They are very much themed. But some of us might like them. I have several, like Mars, Sherlock Holmes, cloudspotting, stargazing and Pangaea. They can be out of stock, but they come back in stock. They have branched out into larger sizes, so if you want to buy, make sure you get the size you want. They give a slight discount for buying 4 notebooks. No affiliation, simply a return customer.

 

http://www.philosophersguild.com/notebooks/

[Mister5]

Field Notes are just a tiny bit taller than the TN passport size. If you don't mind a bit of damage, FN would work. I love Field Notes.

 

I've put Field Notes in a fauxdori Passport,and it works, but the top juts out a little bit. It's totally functional but the aesthetics are off, and I think it may stress the elastic bands more than a proper Midori passport sized refill.

[DrDebG]

To add to my previous comment, I use the full sized TN. The passport is just too small for me. But the full size (or regular) TN works well while still being compact. I do keep a small notebook in my camera bag for notes when I am out taking photos.