Paper Republic A6vsMidori Traveller's Notebooks

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[@esthercalvo9515]

I have the XL in natural and is AMAZING, I love it. I have the pocket in green and it is, beautiful and for me, most useful in size that TN passport because is a little bit bigger, but not significant.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for sharing! I am not the proud owner of the pocket version, which I am finding fabulous. Just the right size for my pockets, and it means I can take a sketchbook and notebook with me wherever I go. And the paper is to die for! Wonderful to write on, sketch on, or even watercolour!

[@Philhellene1]

Via the power of Perplexity: Paper Republic sources its paper from two main manufacturers: For regular refills, the paper is made in a Swedish paper mill. This paper is acid-free, wood-free, FSC-certified, and 80 gsm with a cream color. For book refills and planners, the paper is made by Pergraphica in Austria. This paper also adheres to FSC and PEFC certifications5. Both paper sources are eco-friendly and certified, adhering to necessary Forestry Regulations and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes5. The company emphasizes using high-quality, sustainable materials in their products.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that Phil. I have to admit, I love the paper in their notebooks - the book refill is just wonderful. Someone here has said that it's 120 gsm, but I find that hard to believe. It feels more than 90, but much less than the William Hannah 115gsm. I'll have to ask PR!

[@Noteability]

Very nice video, I love natural leather; love the way it ages, how it creates its patina. I wish Traveler's Notebook had one as an option

[@writerlywitterings]

I totally agree! I'm surprised that they don't, to be honest - although my brown one has aged beautifully. And it's constantly changing, which I like. I once had a camping accident (my tent blew away) and the notebook got soaked, leading to a huge tide mark in the leather - but that disappeared some years later. Beautiful notebooks, whichever way you look at them!

[@ryancain6012]

By the way, I have really been enjoying your videos, especially the ink comparisons. Those are what the algorithm is pushing to me, so I'm peeking around for your other stuff. I'm interested to check out your books. I'll try to add one to the ole post-holiday book haul when I get the inevitable gift cards.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks for the comments, Ryan, and thanks for the idea of looking up the books! I hope whichever one you buy is good for you!

[@PL70015]

I do love my Paper Republic -- and their magnetic pencil loops are very nifty, too. Most magnetic pencil loops "work, mostly"; theirs work "even MORE, mostly") But y'know ... I seem to recall that you yourself do *very* nice leather work. And the TN is so (perhaps deceptively) 'simple in design'. I couldn't help thinking that (if you had the time ... and inclination), you could make a lovely TN yourself.

[@writerlywitterings]

I could indeed make my own, but it does take time and would be a bit of a distraction from the 11 books I'm now commissioned for! I'm a bit nervous about pen loops. I've had pens unscrew themselves, and lose caps, and I've lost a couple that have fallen out of loops, too, so now I always keep them in a shirt pocket from choice!

[@haroldmarenger3435]

I was looking at the A6 similar to yours, and the next size up, and went with the larger size. I am interested how the A6 works out for you. They have a number useful KZbin videos on how to setup your notebook in different ways (i.e., 2, 3, 4, inserts, types of inserts, etc.), how different people use their notebooks, new products, etc. My notebook just arrived and I have just started playing with it. Thank you for another interesting video. After you’ve used your notebook for 4 to 6 months I’d like to see comparison between your Travelers notebook, the Paper Republic A6, and your William Hannah notebook. Thanks again. Hoping you have a wonderful holiday season!

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Harold, and brilliant idea. I'll try to remember to do that. Certainly so far I am finding the PR to be ideal for me, mainly because the lines on the pages are a little farther apart, which is easier on my (lousy) eyes, but also I love the fact that there are more pages.

[@ryancain6012]

If you have not already seen, they have another insert that I believe they market as a wallet insert which has a pocket side for sliding things in and out quickly and a magnetic closure for coins or whatever you want to feel more secure about. That will probably suit you if you don't like the kraft folder. By the way, I'm not a salesperson for them :P

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes, I saw that - another one that's sold out just now, but I'll have to keep an eye open for one of them. I like the idea of the magnetic closure, although I have to admit, I hate the design of the decoration!

[@Megadad60]

I have used a Paper Republic, the version you call "A6" as a daily carry for several years now - which is more of a 9x14 cm notebook version, and also have a custom made bigger A5-version, so that real A5-notebooks can be used.. Marvellous quality products. (I also have an extra "A6" waiting for some creative uses...) I fill my PRs with home made A5 notebooks (with Conqueror paper), and 9x14 cm notebooks of different paper quality. I have also fixed a Leuchtturm1917 pen loop to the inside of the leather, so a pen is always nearby.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that. Hmm, I'm still nervous about pen loops (I've lost a couple of pens, luckily cheap ones) so keep pens in my shirt pocket. The PR is very appealing, I am finding, with the leather getting a nice knocked-about appearance already. I think this will probably see me out in terms of its usability and effectiveness! Do you stitch your Conqueror paper to make your notebooks?

[@Megadad60]

@@writerlywitterings Since I am using 9x14 cm notebooks, it is possible to fasten the loop so that half of the pen is covered by the leather, but I understand your objections. I therefore only have cheap pencils or clutch pencils (Koh-i-Noor) in the loop, and my more expensive fountain pens in the shirt pocket or in my document bag. I should stitch the Conqueror paper to let the notebook look nicer, but I am unfortunately too impatient to do that - so I use a ordinary long-armed office stapler. 2 or 3 staples per book.

[@grreeeeee]

you can take your TN watercolour notebook and get it chopped down to an A6 size. should be able to do this at any staples-like store. fedex can usually also do this.

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, and thanks for that. Yes, I may well see if my local printer can do that - here in the UK, Staples stores are much smaller, generally, and they don't carry their own guillotines, as far as I know, but that's certainly worth a thought. Looking at it, the MTN is 21cm wide, and so a half sized version would be 10.5cm, whereas the A6 paper would be 14cm so a little small, but a good compromise for me to use it as a sketching notebook. Thanks for that!

[@paulmchugh1430]

I will have to investigate Paper Republic. I have never heard of them. Thanks for the suggestion, Michael.

[@Richard_Barnes]

Paul, just be aware that XL is not A5 and just read the dimensions of them before buying 👍🏻

[@writerlywitterings]

No problem, Paul. I've certainly found them a brilliant firm to work with - nothing seems to be too much trouble, and they are clearly very proud of their products and what they do. I really like the size of their "book" style notebooks!

[@donaldgoerig6171]

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@writerlywitterings]

Same to you, Donald! Have a great one!

[@Philhellene1]

I am finding A6 a very useful size, and am favouring it over the A5 of late - they are both Smythsons so identical quality; I believe the ability for the A6 to fit in more pockets i.e. the portability is its secret.

[@writerlywitterings]

I do love the Smythsons, but I'm like you - I'm much happier with the A6 size too. it fits in any pocket, as you say! I haven't tried painting in this size (yet) but I will - I will!

[@Richard_Barnes]

This is another one of my many leather and notebook addictions. Please feel free to ask me anything and I'll gladly bore you with what I know 😆 Thanks Mike, appreciate you 😄👍🏻

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks, Richard - I'm still getting ideas together about the best way to use them, but I'm sure that they'll be my preferred daily carry. Just wondering whether to cut down my old Midori sketch/paint pad into a PR size, or just to cut it in half. Trouble with that would be that the two halves would be about 3cm too short for the elastic in the PR Voyageur. Hmm. Requires further thought!

[@drewchapman2120]

It looks great but not William Hannah! I am loving my WH pocket book and A5 notebook...

[@writerlywitterings]

I totally agree! I have three WH notebooks, and all are used regularly. The A6 is almost my go-to wallet now. But the others are notebooks I like to keep on my desk for daily thoughts, diary and other things. I love the leather on them too much to risk damaging them. For daily walk-about and business I'll take my Lochby, which is brilliant. However I think the Paper Republic is going to be my favourite every day notebook for walking the dogs, sketching, and everything. It's simple, the notebook is brilliant, and I can have sketching/painting and note taking in the same sleeve. Perfect!

[@mike_qbik]

My five cents, but definitely don’t want to spoil the party. I ordered small and voyager from PR, unfortunately a bit disappointment on the thickness of the leather. Its just very paper thin and floppy leather compared to TN . Also the format - its wider, leaving loose ends of the leather somehow overlaping the paper size too much on the pocket/voyager yet on the A5 its the opposite - the cover does not really fit any regular A5 notebooks but only slimmer PR custom A5 paper notebooks. So no go for me. I’d rather keep W&H or Roterfaden if used with notebooks for A5, then A6 or pocket TN / Roterfaden / W&H no brainer. Thank you for the video.

[@Richard_Barnes]

As you've found out, their XL is not A5, it's a proprietary size for their books. The A5 folio is not really great at A5 as I find some books are too near the edge or more when trying this out too. I agree that the XL leather if floppy and I prefer the A5 folio for this as it is more sturdy for sure. All of my writing is on my knee so this means a lot to me for support. However I am leather mad so enjoy any of it😆👍🏻

[@mike_qbik]

@@Richard_BarnesLike we all are ;-)

[@markcotter2931]

Glad to see a Paper Republic notebook in use! They are a fantastic company. I like my mix of William Hannah and Paper Republic. (My pocket fp from Tom’s Studio is winging its way to me - you’re to blame for that one!)

[@writerlywitterings]

That's really interesting. From looking at my Midori Traveller's Notebook compared with the A6 Paper Republic, I'd say that the PR is a little thinner in terms of the leather used, but I don't find it an issue. For me the fact it's a little thinner makes the whole notebook slightly more portable and effective. I love the WH notebooks too - but the appeal of the PR A6 is the ability to have the thicker "book" style of notebook inside. I can easily imagine that an A5 with leather of this thickness could be an issue, but for me this PR A6 version is the ideal daily carry.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to admit, I think that the portfolio would be better for my uses, too - but I have so many decent A5 style notebooks that one more would be ... well, silly, really!

[@magiwalt]

Michael what size is it?

[@writerlywitterings]

Apologies - A6. Takes standard Field Notes etc refills, but also PR's own, which has superb paper.