Did I Ruin It? Conditioning My Traveler's Notebook in Camel

[@AbigailPoirier]

Yay for leather conditioning! I always feel like I'm doing something nice for my leather items when I condition or treat them. The color usually does get a bit darker, but I'm ok with that. Definitely prefer the "after" on that notebook, it looks so much smoother and richer!

[@dionaditya3820]

Im lovin the after condition of your cover. Really like the darker color and more shine to it. Thank you for sharing the whole process in the video!

[@beepear]

After adding a stencil to my travelers notebook the color had lifted and I grabbed a beeswax lotion bar (figured I couldn’t ruin it any further) and it turned out surprisingly well.

[@JournalSunshine]

Ooh cool!

[@LilDivette]

I wish I had found your video before I conditioned my Passport Camel. I loved how light and orange mine was and it darkened as well making it almost look like my dark brown Midori. I used Galen Leathers conditioner which is a great but-for me-it took away what I liked the most about my TN (I didn’t do a test patch and dove it because it had some really bad scratches on the front which I was hoping to rub away which I did). Other than that, it turned out fine but I never got over missing the original color sooo…I bought some brass charms and clips to dress it up from Baum Kuchen and am starting to enjoy it again-still miss the color!!!

[@unichan5]

Sorry that your cover didn’t turn out the way you expected it to be! I have a blue TN that I like the light colour of as well. Painted the spine a little while ago and used some MT washi to mark the edges I didn’t want to paint. When I went to peel off the tape it turned my notebook really light just the way I like it! Maybe that’s something you might want to try? If you haven’t moved on from your camel TN yet that is. I added some more wide stripes to the TN and peeled it off to get the look that I wanted on the whole cover. I know it’s quite risky but maybe worth a try.

[@cerealnana]

I don't have a proper Traveler's Company TN, I prefer my elastics next to each other rather than on top, but I have conditioned a couple of notebook covers in my time. Oddly enough my fave is one that is pretty dry.

[@carolyncoppola974]

Just came across this video and I really love the way yours came out!! I am on the fence about purchasing the camel (brown first), I already have the olive and love it! With the camel I read its very similar to nubuck so I thought if I did get the camel, I would clean/condition it like I do my Timberlands boots! I wonder if that would keep the suede-like feel! 🤔. Oh well - maybe one day! Thanks for sharing! Maybe give us an update after a year! Thanks again!

[@fountainPENdulum]

I applied Galen Leather's Balm to my September Leather Travelers Notebook. It greatly improved the color and texture of the leather. However, I tried it on other leather notebooks and didn't feel as positive about the experience - I have a video on my channel:)

[@donnajaemoon]

My camel passport is suede, too. And I’m not a fan. I’m gonna look for another color passport size and break down the nap with a conditioner. However it turns out will be better than what Traveler’s Company is doing now. Yours looks much better. No, you didn’t ruin it. 😊

[@JournalSunshine]

I should do another update! Mine’s been looking exactly the way I want it to after a few years of working with it and I just got it back from Baum-Kuchen for an embossing and a pocket added. It’s totally smooth now, a little shiny, and the color is darker and varied. It makes me so happy.

[@donnajaemoon]

@@JournalSunshine Yes, do an update. We’d love to see how the patina is coming along. I’ve been thinking about just getting a brown passport. And I bought my son the navy one. They’re still smooth.

[@janetsilverman884]

This was very helpful as I’ve been considering this and wanted to see how it would impact the leather on my TNs. Thank you!

[@marcsmellow]

I love conditioning my blue and brown with renapur, it becomes so shiny and lovely. I don't do it on my camel because I love love the fuzz on my suede covers, even though after a few years mine is starting to be smooth just from constant use. I love the smell of the renapur too, not alot of leather polish smells comfortable like that.

[@SuperHeidi76]

I did the same yesterday. And I like it better than before. It had the same color as yours and turned out like yours eather. I used rapid leather wax.

[@JournalSunshine]

Ooh, exciting! I was so nervous, heh. Do you get nervous before doing stuff like this to your notebooks?

[@SuperHeidi76]

@@JournalSunshine Yes, I was very nervous because my travelers notebook wasn't old and used. But I hated it when I got dark marks on it because of the suede. Now it looks used and I really like it. At thirst I thought OMG I ruiend it, bit luckely it turned out pretty well. But it made me sweat, hahaha

[@Peli715]

Very cool! Thanks for making this video, super helpful!!

[@sophieschmaltz4206]

a pearl clutching titel indeed!!!! glad it turned out well!!!

[@JournalSunshine]

I was very nervous, especially after reading that warning on the side I was not prepared for on the Traveler’s Company website. 😂

[@thomas-marx]

Taking risks!!! Love to you !

[@anicame2]

I have had my chic sparrows (2 of them) for two months now and I’ve conditioned them 3 times lol. Once with the dr martens wonder balsm and twice with bootguard. I have an A6 denali waypoint folio and an A6 Fairweather 😉, and they may have darkened a bit, not sure. They look a little shinier, but I like the look.

[@ShenanigansinMotion]

I plan on just spraying Nikwax Solar Spray on mine, which will make it a little darker but otherwise it'll stay the same. I've not used it on TNs yet, but I have used it on similar leather (and Kankens, on all the Kankens haha) so I'm confident I won't mess it up. The dark brown ones are just going to get nice leather balm that I use for all my leather so I'm not worried :).

[@kyladurie]

my camel started looking burnt and very dark in some areas, so I'm gonna buy this and try to condition it to bring it back to life 😭

[@JournalSunshine]

Ahh oh no! Good luck! It did make mine look darker, but I like that (I also let it lay out in the sun for a while before conditioning it to let it patina).

[@fossilimprint2954]

Nice video, like the before and after. Subscribed !

[@JournalSunshine]

Thank you so much!!

[@deepforestfire]

There's a company called Paper Republic that makes traveler's notebooks, too, and they make a passport-ish size. Contrary to Traveler's Company, Paper Republic's leather notebooks are all that smooth, glossy feel. Not the horrible suede crap that TC keeps coming out in the camel color. They have a cognac color, and a "natural" color that actually darkens over time to look more honey colored.

[@JournalSunshine]

Ooh, I’ve seen ads for that company! I’ll have to save up and try one of those next. How is the paper quality? Is it fountain pen friendly?

[@Joannethemom]

Where did you get those marker stickers on the cover of your little notebook?! 😮 the koi and the gelly roll ones! Sooo cute!!

[@JournalSunshine]

Sakura of America sent them to me when I did a sponsored video for their KZbin channel - I’m not sure if they sell them or if it’s just promo material they give out. I love them too, they’re adorable!

[@actresschick10]

This video has inspired me to finally condition my Camel TN! Renapur is on its way and I’m so excited to see how it turns out. I have to ask where did you get the charms on the blue standard and brown passport you show at the end? They are so gorgeous 😍

[@Karenm1969]

Chic Sparrow also sells a leather conditioner…

[@JournalSunshine]

Oh cool, thank you! I haven't seen that None of my Chic Sparrow leathers have felt like they've needed it, so I hadn't thought to look there.