Once again, I'm consumed by the desire to own nice things that I don't necessarily need. I could say someone could just toss all their fountain pens in a little faux leather pencil bag and call it a day. But then I could back up and say, "why does anyone need more than one fountain pen?" I could even back up and say, "why does anyone need to journal at all?" But what kind of life would that be?
So, allowing that I'm going to journal every day, and allowing that I would like to have the best writing experience possible as I pour half an hour a day into the craft, I will be using a fountain pen instead of a throwaway Bic ballpoint. And since I do consider journaling an art - especially a fully filled notebook - I will be using a different fountain pen every time I write. And yes, mock me if you want, but each of them has a different color ink in it. I love colors. So shoot me.
So now that we've laid down the ground rules - or excuses, as it were - can we all agree that having a nice place to keep all these unnecessary but lovely fountain pens is allowable as well? Good. See? I knew we could come to an understanding. Given that we all accept it's okay to have a nice place to keep them, let's consider this option: the Writer's Box.
Oh, boy, it's lovely. The way it closes so perfectly. The nice leather backboard on the inside lid. The slots for your pens, the roomy base that holds your writing implements. The beautiful hasp that keeps it closed, the rubber feet that keeps it from sliding around... The list goes on. I absolutely love my Writer's Box. It sits on the little charging table by my desk, where each morning as I have my coffee, and every evening as I wind down with my bourbon, I can lift the lid and choose a pen to do my twice-daily journaling.
The only thing I would change is its portability. I understand you can buy the leather sling, but that doesn't protect it if you decide to travel with it. I would like a leather slip bag that's only perfectly big enough for this box and nothing else. But then I also step back and look at the logic of carrying it: I don't think portability is its first function. Maybe not a function at all. That is why I have a Galen Leather expansi-folio. When I travel (even to a library or coffee shop) I can move my favorite pens to that. I really don't need to move this box at all. It, in that respect, sort of just becomes a nice piece of furniture. Think expensive humidor for your cigars. You don't travel with that either. You pick a few for the week and slip them into your leather travel humi. Right?
Anyway, the only thing I would change would be the way it opens. As it is, you have to use the little steel clasp, and I'm not sure how long that will last if I'm using it to lift the weight of the lid each time I open it. And it does have some substantial heft. This box is almost too heavy to carry with one hand, if you're holding it by one end. I wish it had a little knob in the middle that facilitated its opening. I've been, in fact, considering adding one. But this would be the only 'negative' I can think of - if it is a negative at all.
If you enjoy the art of writing, and you're not afraid to throw some money at nice things, then this is definitely one of the things you should consider. There's a reason they make Mercedes Benz vehicles in a world full of Toyotas. Some people like nicer things. You can buy a twenty-dollar writing box on the everything site. But you won't be as happy as you will with the quality of this one. I love, love, love my Writer's Box.
I love how soft and flexible this leather is and the extra markings/blemishes just add to its charm. (Patch added by me.) I can easily fit 4 inserts into this cover so it makes it easy to carry around. Great value for a wonderfully made product!
I ordered the Slim Leather Notebook Cover from Galen Leather Co., and I’m beyond impressed. The craftsmanship is beautiful, soft, rich leather with perfect stitching and a slim, lightweight design that protects my notebook without bulk. It feels timeless and will only get better with age. The packaging and extra goodies were just as thoughtful, making the whole experience special. Highly recommend Galen Leather Co. for anyone who values quality and elegance!
I wanted something stylish to put my Rhodia notebook in and moreover I wanted somewhere to carry my Pilot ‘capless’. Ultimately I’ve felt that using my ‘capless’ out and about is asking for trouble because I’m so clumsy so I’ve bought a Kaweco Sport as an alternative, it won’t be too tragic if I lose that. I like the way that it it is held securely closed with the broad elastic. The leather is excellent and well put together and arrived securely packed with a sticker, a handy hand wipe and sachet of Turkish coffee. I really am pleased with it.
I forgot to mention there was a double side letter about the history of the company and a thank you note inside.
I love the design. It seems like it could snag in a few places but it doesn't have any rough parts whatsoever. The only thing I don't like is that it wants to be upside down when you put the strap back on your journal so you have to flip it.
I love the color and the fact that it holds 4 notebooks. I'm only using it for 3 notebooks, a bullet journal, regular journal, and sketchbook. It fits the Traveler's notebooks perfectly. The patina over time will be beautiful. It is well made, it shipped really fast to the USA, and I like that the elastic to close it comes from the spine so it doesn't impede writing in it. I would recommend it to anyone.
An excellent product. Thoroughly recommended.
My daily carry bag
Holds five pens and a Field Notes OR A6 notebook comfortably. The purple looks great and matches my Galen A5 zip folio and Galen Traveler’s notebook. Galen crafts a high quality product and international shipping really didn’t take long.
So I got this cover, hoping it would fit what I had planned to put in it...the Sterling Ink half year planner along with the 272 page notebook....and they both fit like a dream..I'm so happy bc I wanted something simple, leather and able to hold the setup that I have...good job Galen!!!
I have always coveted this case and now that I have it, I only want more! I think I’m going to need at least two more colors. It’s perfect!
Received my dopp bag and was blown away at the quality, great workmanship and beauty of it. It is generous in size and functionality. Fits everything and then some. And did I mention how beautiful it is? This will elevate my travel experience. Thank you for the fast shipping and the surprise extras in the shipment. Worth the price.
Been using my Expansi-Folio every day for the last month, both for work and personal use. I work mostly outdoors and it’s held up great. Holds exactly the thing that I want, in a neatly organized package. Haven’t had any durability issues in the field.
The craftsmanship here is amazing! Well done guys!! Fit and finish is top notch. I chose the C. H. Orange because I wanted something with light and dark tones and this color did not disappoint! Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about this product.
The leather itself is very soft, almost velvet-like. At least on mine. I can rub my fingernails across it and very light scratches will show but they will rub out very easily, which is a very normal characteristic of this leather and the marks that do remain only give it a personality that tells a story about its journey. At the same time, this is a very durable leather and I have no doubt it will last a lifetime!
Do not hesitate to purchase this product is you are considering this style of notebook covers. This color is beautiful and I’m always getting compliments on it when someone sees it!
Thank you Galen for making something so special and unique! You’ve made a lifetime customer out of me!
I use my expansi-folio every single day. And I'm not even sure why. It's made to keep your things together while you're out and about - or traveling. Right? Well, when I'm sitting at home, I have a spot on my couch where I sit and do my writing. I have a little table I slide up, a pen box right next to my seat on the table, and my journals all standing there. It's actually quite inconvenient to pick up my folio and unzip it, get everything out of it that I'm going to use, write, then put it all back in. So why don't I stand my journal next to the others? Put my pen and my clip in the box or a pen cup?
Because this thing is so lovely and beautiful, that's why. I've literally gone through this rigmarole several times a day for the last five weeks since I received this folio. It's crazy. But it all comes down to loving the leather. I love the feel of it in my hands. I love the sound and feel of the expensive zipper when I pull it around its track. I like the inconvenience, because it reminds me that what I'm doing is not just writing. It's a tactile endeavor. An emotional engagement.
Laugh all you want, but that's what writing is to me. Writing has been what's gotten me through the hardest times in my life. I am a writer. And when I write, I don't mind - and actually prefer to - go through these rituals that ground me. They remind me that what I'm doing may look like just scribbling in a journal. But I'm also pouring my heart out to the pages of a book. For posterity. For peace.
This leather folio is a statement to the care and order of things, at least in my mind. But you know what else? It travels. I took it on vacation with me last week and carried it to all the places we went. When the wife went in somewhere, I sat in coffee shops and quiet nooks and opened my folio to write. I can't imagine something more perfect. Well, unless it had a handle.
I braided some rawhide strips and looped them through the spine so I could carry it around a little easier. I think if Galen offered a leather snap ring or something that would serve the same purpose, I would jump right on it. Other than that, it's perfect. I love that this leather journal case has become part of my everyday life.
This blue is the perfect ink for me. It’s water resistant and well behaved on cheap copy paper with minimal to no feathering or bleed thru. I have a lot of blue inks and this color is very unique. I don’t have anything quite like it. Somehow KWZ has managed to keep the shimmer in suspension. You barely need to agitate the pen. The shimmer is evenly distributed. This ink has medium shading and no sheen that I can see. I haven’t had any clogging in my pens. So far I’ve only used a -M- and -F- and it has the typical good flow that KWZ is known for.
But don’t take my word for it, mountain of ink and Mike with Inkdependence on YouTube have both reviewed this ink.
KWZ has managed to keep shimmer in suspension. This swatch and writing sample speaks for itself. Excellent flow and u barely need to agitate the pen.
The carry strap fits snugly, carries well and compliments the writing box very nicely. The whole experience of having the box, packed, latched and strapped into its little bridle, ready for art adventures anywhere, makes me happy. I have used it in several coffee shops as well as at home on the sofa. Perfect!
This beautiful zip folder holds all my important bits, plus a notebook and a couple of pens, and is so sturdy and secure I can just toss it into the bag of the day and go. The colour is divine and I can find it in the deepest depths of the darkest tote. I love it!
I’m an artist who works in their lap often. It can be a challenge to gather all the bits I think I might need for the session, and it’s always a break in the flow if I have to put the sketchbook, the pencils and pens, the box of watercolours, the rag etc OFF my lap to go and get something that I forgot. This beautiful box has solved those challenges. I keep all my little accessories handy (sharpeners, my iris, fountain pen ink, my dip pen, my wax seal kit etc etc) and the box itself is the ideal surface. Perfect size, perfect slant, solid and lovely under the hand. Well done, Galen Leather!
I've been searching high and low for a washi tape dispenser that wasn't made out of plastic and stumbled across this beautiful piece. I hesitated for a bit due to the price point and time it takes to ship, but so glad I ordered it because it brings me much joy. This is a beautiful dispenser, looks awesome on your desk, even more enjoyable to use it. Now instead of having my tape strewn all over the place, they have a nice home. If you're hesitating, don't, you'll be happy you supported this awesome little business! :-)
This pen is amazing. Flexes like it’s from 100 years ago (in a good way). Galen is my favorite seller.
I have had this wonderful wallet in my sight for a while and kept hoping that Dromgooles in Houston, Texas would get some since I’m in there once a month. I finally pulled the trigger and ordered straight from y’all. I love it. I throw it in my bag or purse or back pocket and off I go. There is enough room for my id, cards and paper money. Excellent plus your shipping was spot on. Thank you Galen Leather for my beautiful wallet. I even put the great box to good use. Green is my favorite color. Have a blessed day.
I love the Zippered Mega Mini Wallet. From the great craftsmanship to the beautiful Forest Green color and the clever design. It fits all my cards and cash that I need to bring with me and fits in my small bag. I know I'll use it for a long time. It's PERFECT.
This is my 3rd Galen Leather purchase my other 2 being wallet inserts and stationary. The leather is durable and gorgeous with a buttery smooth zipper. This was also the fastest turn around time taking less than a week to get to Australia. It fits a b6+ leuchtturm soft cover monthly or notebook with room to spare on the other side for pens ect. I’m not sure if Galen still supplies the evil eye charm but I hope they’ll be back someday to purchase. My order also came with engraving. If I ever need leather goods this is where I check first because I know it will exceed my expectations EVERY time! Thank you
...that does not mean that there are not room for improvements. I love 95% of this folio, but for my personal preference, I would have liked to see the following changes:
1. pen loops that more stretchy and accomodate pens that go from very thin to thicker fountain pens. Maybe a different pen holder could be supplied and be purchased separately to fix this need. My mechanical pencil floats freely inside and is not something that can use the current pen-loops.
2. from an UX perspective, I found the zipper to be a little sharp to the touch on the inside, and feels a little scratchy. From an aestetic perspective, I would have liked it to blend in a little more. It now looks like a row of metal teeth around the whole folio
3. once again from an aestetic perspective, I would have liked way thicker black leather piping around the edges of the folio to make them the most protruding feature.
4. I am using it together with the Midori Codex and think that it would not hurt to make it sligtly thicker to make it bulge a bit less
This folio seems unique in the market and seems to be good value (so far).
