Refillable Leather Travel Journal with Handmade Paper by Rustic Ridge - 6" x 8" - Sketchbook Notebook Diary - Lays Flat

Just received the journal today and I really love it. I've been debating on whether or not to order this particular journal for weeks (actually purchased two other leather journals from different vendors while trying to decide whether or not to get this one). I finally decided to give in and order. My one and only criticism is that the leather cover is very thin. I thought that it would have some firmness to it... like 'shoe leather'. However, it's actually more like the thin sheets of leather you find in craft stores. If you took the cover off of the inside book, you could very easily roll the cover into a fairly small tube. That being said, the leather IS beautifully stitched and the color and texture are awesome. It looks like it will last a lifetime. I was thinking of installing a snap to hold the strap in place, but I'm not sure that will be necessary. I'm happy that I decided to order it.

This journal comes with 187 pages so that's a pretty good value. I love how the leather feels and smells--another plus. However, the homemade paper is the only thing that's turning me off a bit. I can get used to the fact that it's unlined but I use a fountain pen when I write in my journal and this paper isn't the smoothest writing surface. Fountain pens do better on smooth paper. The good news is you can order more paper for this journal when you fill all the homemade paper up. The replacement paper on Amazon is lined and normal so I'm looking forward to when I can replace this paper... I wouldn't want to waste it.I would still buy this. It appears well-made and it makes a nice gift.Below is a link to the Journal Refill. I haven't bought it yet but it should definitely fit. Journal Refill, Lined, 256 Pages, for 6x8" Journals, Measures 5" X 7 1/4"

I purchased this as a gift for my husband on our "leather" anniversary. As soon as I took it out of the bag, the wonderful, rich aroma of leather hit my nose. The leather was a beautiful brown, almost exactly as pictured, and it is very soft. The stitching is nice and strong, and the paper feels really nice in your hands. I took off one star because the strap to close the journal is a bit cumbersome to thread through the loop. However, for the price and the quality, this can't be beat. One reviewer mentioned there was a giant stamp on the back with the company logo, but the one I ordered didn't have that. I believe there was a very small company logo stamped on the back, center bottom. Very tasteful in appearance.

For a 30 something dollar refillable leather journal, its a usable product but it's not a quality one and it certainly does not look as nice as the one pictured. If you're looking for a journal that you can carry with you for many years that you can admire simply for it's beauty and craftsmanship, this isn't it. The leather is really thin, about as thick as a credit card. The wrap around tab closure is sewn on at 2 opposing diagonals (upwards in the back than downwards in the front) instead of being horizontal/flat and is made of even thinner leather. The stitching, which is a tacky gold thread, is frayed at a couple points and there are small holes punched in the leather, apparently intended for stitching but misplaced. The paper looks like a dull mustard colored shirt and there are lots of darker colored fibers visible so probably recycled material but really cheap looking. Pages are stitched into the spine but the stitching is tearing right through the paper already and I've only opened it like 3 times. I haven't done a bleed test with a fountain or felt pen because at this point, why bother? It'd be a total waste of ink. The whole thing screams of inattention to detail and careless production without a hint of craftsmanship involved in the manufacture process. Yet another lesson learned about trying to save a couple bucks by purchasing the cheapest product.

We bought this as a Father's Day Journal for the kids to use each year to write a special letter to their dad, so he'd have them all collected in one place. I thought since there are refills available, it would be possible to remove individual pages for the kids to work on and then replace, but the single pages are not removable, they are bound into a booklet that is removable in its entirety from the leather case. So I was a bit confused by the use of the term "refill." The paper is nice, but a little fine (pen goes through or leaves impressions easily). It works for our purpose though, and their dad was pleased.

This is an amazing journal, I love the feel and look of it, the quality of the paper is very thick and textured and has an old world feel to it. The leather is also extremely high quality and the overall design is very well executed. I have not seen one like it and get lots of compliments.I have had some correspondence with the company and I was very impressed. This is clearly a great company committed to producing high quality products, their customer service is one of the very best I have ever experienced (seriously).I have recommended to a good friend and he has purchased one for himself. Dont hesitate to buy this journal highly recommended.

I think this is a great journal. It is simple yes, and the leather is a little thin but for this great price you can't expect something made with 4mm thick premium hide. That being said, the leather has a nice feel and seems natural and gives it a nice look. The paper is where it really shines, it is nicely bound so that it lays flat when open, even on the first page, so you're not constantly fighting with it to keep it open while writing. I use a felt-tip sharpie pen and it doesn't bleed or absorb too much at all, just gives a really nice tactile feel when writing and a lovely rustic look while reading over old entries. Highly recommended for an everyday at home journal or notebook.