Compass Vintage Leather Journal - Antique Handmade Leather Bound journal with deckle edge paper for Men And Women Diary - Leather Sketchbook - Drawing Journal Notebook - Great Gift (brown)

I just received this journal and I'm pleased with it. In response to other's reviews - the strap could be a wee bit longer but the key does fit in the loop so no complaints with that. The pages are a nice deep black color with decked edges and they're nice and thick. As another reviewer mentioned, there are several pages with spots (I'm assuming it's from the dyeing process) but this doesn't bother me - I think it adds to the character of it! The cover is nice and supple and the stitching seems strong and durable. I did not experience any strong chemical odor and I'm generally pleased with this journal, especially for the price and size of it. Jelly Roll brand white and metallic pens work well on black paper (the enclosed glitter pen is not all that great) and Tacky Glue works well on handmade cotton paper if you plan on adhering anything in the journal. I took a star away because with the occasional spotted pages it may not be as gift able as some would like.

I bought this for my girlfriend who has something of a journal fetish. She was elated with it. I, on the other hand, was a bit disappointed. The craftsmanship is pretty impressive, the book is put together well, and the included pen is nice. My problem echoes some of the other reviews, in that the strap designed to hold the journal closed and has the key attached to it, is shorter than it should be. The end of the key just barely hooks onto the retaining loop. If the strap were even a millimeter shorter it wouldn't secure shut at all. As nice as this journal is, I'm stunned the manufacturer skimped on roughly an inch worth of leather strap that would have made this perfect in every way. What a shame.

The leather isn't as dark as the pictures it is more of an espresso brown, I was hoping for jet black leather but I do understand leather can be challenging to dye.The strap that wraps around isn't long enough and I will have to add a chain to give more room as I was going to add things in the journal.I looked at the pages and at first glance there were no issues, however some of the paper wasn't fully submerged and soaked, which shows in the picture, so there are white spots on some of the pages. I can easily use sharpie, paint or ink but shouldn't have to.The pen that came with it only works on lighter paper. BUY YOUR OWN PENS (white is recommended) or else you won't be able to write on the dark pages.Overall a good journal but definitely keep everything in mind.

Straight out of the cellophane it smelled horrible. I have had it sitting, open, on a side table and the smell is dissipating. I plan to give it to my adult daughter as a journal and I'm happy I took it out of the wrapping before giving it to her. It will take a while to get rid of the smell. But-- beautiful. Looks just like the pictures in the presentation presentation.That smell will knock you out.Two weeks later-- the smell has gone down substantially, but is still there. I have kept is splayed open and try to get as much air between the pages as possible.

Cool look

I recently review this journal without seeing it out of the wrapping paper. That was a mistake. It was so much more than I had thought it was. The leather is the Mercedes Benz of leather and the pages appear to be handmade. The whole book was very impressive and my son was very pleased.

with some alterations , i am utilizing this to bind my grandparents Bible!

I purchased for a gift for son in law to write lyrics in . He absolutely loved it great quality feels and looks expensive