Leather Slim B6 Notebook / Planner Cover - Undyed Leather

I recently ordered this slim leather B6 cover in Honey Ochre/Distressed (along with an A6 of the same style.) These would be my third and fourth Galen covers, the two previous being A5 covers in CH Brown (though ordered/delivered through Amazon.)

I was impressed and very happy overall with the two A5 covers through Amazon, using those as something of a “test run” before I placed an order here for two additional covers (this time A6 and B6). I loved the look and description of the Honey Ochre coloring.

What I didn’t expect with the Honey Ochre was that it would be *heavily* treated/polished (or waxed?—I’m unclear on the proper terms for leather treatments), very highly reflective, and not feeling at all like it was described in the “color/finish” section of that finishes description: “ages and softens quicker compared to regular leather. Suede feeling finish.” It’s certainly not soft and not at all suede-like. Closer to a plastic shell. (This aside, I would still agree with other reviewers on some points: these very much feel durable and substantial.

This might be my inexperience with the treatment and production of various leather styles or coloring methods, but neither quality was something I could pick up in any product photos or product descriptions, where few (if any) highlight the sheen or treatment I’m describing. While it is clearly a different color selection, the Honey Ochre treatment and polish differ significantly from my other A5 covers (both CH Brown). Both are very soft and not polished or reflective (see attached pictures with my B6 atop an A5 in CH Brown under the same lighting).

All that said, I’m happy to accept the above as a learning experience (and based on that alone, I don’t want to dissuade others from a purchase on that point. I can see the appeal to some, and beyond the sheen, the color is quite lovely; however, the texture and reflection didn’t meet the expectations set in the descriptions. Maybe it’s a matter of updated product descriptions, or if it’s something that will change significantly over time, indicate as much. As for “texture,” I imagine I was hoping for something closer to the “natural leather” offering (at least as I’ve seen through others). I think I would have chosen that in retrospect.

My primary disappointment with the order—something more challenging to work around—is what appears to be an oversized pen loop. My other (3, now) Galen covers all shared the same size of pen loop, which is a snug middle ground between any number of pen sizes, with half its material being an elastic band to accommodate/stretch. This B6 loop, however, looks to have been cut and sewn considerably longer (making for a much bigger loop) than is usable. I’ve included pictures as a reference with a Pilot Vanishing Point, where even with the pen clip kept inside the loop, it’s unusually loose, not stretching the elastic, and hardly holding the pen in if I were to stand it up, unlike my other three covers.

I've tried to reach out to Galen on the site here twice over the last week. First, through the contact form in the about section, and then a second time through the on-page “chat,” which lets you submit a message for follow-up. Both saw no response after several days, exceeding the 48-hour suggested expectation for a reply. I’ve double-checked my spam folders and other message rules, and I can’t find any message in response.

I was writing primarily to ask if there were any suggestions or feedback on an idea I had about modifying the pen strap (more or less removing it entirely), but I wanted to do so in such a way that the integrity of that seam/sewn area wasn’t impacted. I also asked if there were any other suggestions on how I might work around it (being oversized as it is, it makes me uninclined to use the cover at all. Leaving it flat, the “flat”/folded loop is still substantial enough to be notable.

All this said, I’m left with mixed feelings. I really want to love this cover, and Galen clearly (typically) makes a solid product (and has SUCH a wide range of products, particuarly in some somewhat less common sizes/types) and has developed a strong reputation online.

Even with the finish not being entirely as expected, that alone wasn’t going to put me off from ordering again (and maybe ordering the same as my original, just in another finish), but the pen loop issue and my inability to get a response leaves me unsure about future orders.

All I wanted this year was a new notebook cover for work. Something that was professional for my new role. My husband recommended this since he adores Galen Leather pen cases. I love it and have enjoyed carrying it to client meetings.

I have several Galen Leather products. The quality is consistent and their leathers hold up to daily use. I like that I don't have to treat them delicately. They're dumped in my bag and still look new and their undyed leather ages beautifully.

I've never had any issues with Galen Leather products and recommend them to friends and family.

I’ve known about Galen Leather for some time
now and always wanted to try one of their journal covers. I bought their undyed leather cover about a month and a half ago and my impressions are mostly good! I won’t speak too much about the overall quality because it’s been said enough already. It’s a quality handmade product! The stitching is fairly neat and my B6 Stalogy fit perfectly, as expected. I think Galen Leather offers great value for your money.

Overall I would rate the journal 4/5 stars because the undyed cover I received was a lot darker than I was expecting. The stock pictures and reviews I’ve seen show a more rose or salmon color, but my journal cover was tan. I almost wonder if I received an older cover that already had patina. If thats the case then I’m disappointed because I was looking forward to see the aging process myself.

I attached two photos. The lighter color is exactly as I received it and the second photo is after I applied Galen Leather’s leather conditioner. To be clear, I am not disappointed that the journal cover darkened so much after the application of the conditioner. Rather, I’m disappointed that it was darker to begin with.

That’s my only gripe in an otherwise good journal cover. I would still recommend buying Galen Leather’s journal covers and products. In fact. I just bought a writer’s box from the seconds sale and I’m really excited to receive it! :)

Purchased to match other items in same colour, this is the perfect cover to protect my current notebook when out and about. Originally secured both notebook covers, but now prefer to keep the left side pocket clear for other items. The elastic pen-loop is suitable for all my pens. Definitely recommended.

I usually dont write reviews, but thought i’d share my thoughts on this cover!
Firstly, I am IN LOVE with the natural leather. The piece I have shows a lot of character. I was a little hesitant because I didnt know if it would fit a 520 page TRP planner. But it does fit beautifully as seen in the pictures :) Sterling Ink / Papertess B6 works! The colour looks a little more like a salmon pink in real life

I recently acquired the Leather Slim B6 Notebook Cover, and it has quickly become an indispensable part of my daily life. This slim, unassuming notebook cover has proven to be a stylish and practical addition to my stationery collection.

One of the standout features of this notebook cover is its compatibility with Field Notes notebooks. I use it to house my planner and journal. The slim design ensures that my notebooks stay protected without adding unnecessary bulk. It's an ideal choice for those who are always on the go, like me.

The undyed leather is a unique and beautiful choice. I appreciate the natural, rustic look it brings to the cover. Over time, this leather will develop a lovely patina, becoming a reflection of my daily use and adventures. It's a testament to the quality of the materials used and the craftsmanship of the product.

The leather feels substantial and durable, promising longevity and reliable protection for my notebooks. It's clear that this notebook cover is made with care and attention to detail, a hallmark of quality craftsmanship.

The Leather Slim B6 Notebook Cover has proven to be more than just a protective sleeve for my Field Notes notebooks; it's a statement piece that adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to my daily routine. The simplicity of the design allows me to focus on what truly matters – my notes, plans, and ideas.

In summary, the Leather Slim B6 Notebook Cover has won me over with its compatibility, quality leather, and minimalist design. It offers an excellent way to keep my Field Notes notebooks safe while adding a touch of style to my daily life. If you're in search of a reliable and aesthetically pleasing notebook cover, I highly recommend this product. It's the perfect companion for anyone who appreciates the art of journaling and organization.

This notebook cover is made with quality in mind. They actually do make them when ordered so I had to wait about a week or two for the cover to be made, plus the shipping time which was quite fast.

The Package:
When I ordered it, I was thinking I was only getting the cover by itself in some common packaging box. But to my surprise, it came in this fancy cardboard box which contain the following:
1. a red zip bag which contains a thank-you/info card that is probably handwritten (the ink had some light and dark areas suggesting it's handwritten),
2. three packets of tea and coffee from Turkey,
3. a beautiful postcard,
4. a card/certificate detailing who and when the leather good is made,
5. a coupon for the next purchase,
6. a leather pen sleeve,
7. and the leather B6 notebook cover.

The Notebook Cover:
I have a B6 notebook that is 15x182x128mm in size with a paperboard cover. This leather cover fits just right although it was a bit of a challenge to slip the notebook's soft paperboard cover into the sleeves.

The sleeves where you insert the notebook's paperboard cover each have a horizontal slit that runs almost across the sleeve so you can store credit card/bookmark in it. You can also use the sleeve itself to store any cards that won't fit the slit.

The backside sleeve has a little folded loop on the top right corner for attaching a medium-sized pen. Upon opening and closing the notebook, the paperboard cover does tend to slip out from the sleeve since nothing is holding it in place. So, adjustments and care need to be taken when closing (or opening) the notebook. This is just how it is.

This leather cover does have this weird but pleasant smell (imagine the sensation of smelling gasoline), probably from the dyeing and curing process of the leather. It kinda smells like gunpowder and that's not exactly bad to me.

I chose Crazy Horse Brown because I find it to be a better shade of brown plus the rustic look. The leather is quite smooth, soft and relatively thick.

Although the thread for stitching the whole cover looks thin, it's most likely a double stitch (very durable stitching method that uses two threads) because I do not see any markings from a sewing machine imprinted along the stitch line. Take this with a grain of salt though because I'm not an expert. I only picked up some leather knowledge from watching Youtube videos.

The Extra Goodies:
I haven't tried the coffee and tea packets yet so I can't say much about that but I do enjoy tasting foreign brands of tea and coffee.

The red zip bag is just about as big as my notebook and currently holds my brush-pens, the leather pen sleeve and some of the cards all together.

The leather pen sleeve is made with a different colour and thickness of leather. It would be nice if it matched the notebook cover but, hey, it's free. The fact that that was included along with the other stuff is already proof that the manufacturer cares and takes pride with their products. So, there's no problem with that.

As for the cards, well, those are straightforward. I use some of them as bookmarks and keep the rest around with the fancy box as it feels rude to just throw them out (They really went all out after all).

Overall:
This rustic leather cover is wonderful. It always brings an extra sense of pleasure whenever I write in my notebook. I've only had it for about a month but I'm sure it will serve me well for many more years to come. Thank you Galen Leather for this wonderful notebook cover.

After using her for almost two years now, I am still so smitten with this piece…she’s currently being used for moon journaling, and I really couldn’t have chosen a more suitable option…all of the character and little imperfections acquired over time just add to the absolute perfection of her which is so reminiscent of the moon…love her!

Bought this hoping it would fit the common planner full year and it does! So excited to us this. It is not too bulky, minimal and handles well being tossed in my work bag. Love the pen loop to always ensure I have a pen instead of dig around.