6 YEARS LATER | Traveler's Company (Midori) TRAVELER'S notebook Passport Size 

OMG! I watched your video exactly 6 years ago and bought my TN and even brought it to my europe trip with me. its crazy that youtube sent me this video after six years!

A good compromise on the pen would be to buy a classic Parker Jotter ball-point, but also buy some gel refills for it. You get the ultra-slim Jotter and the bonus of quality gel ink that way. The Jotter is available in various finishes, both all-metal in various colors and also the plastic/metal, also in various colors.

Your original video is what I send to men that I have gifted a Midori to. Great follow up.

your original video was one of the ones that convinced me to pull the trigger on the Traveler's Notebooks back in 2016. 6 years later it's still my go to system. I too prefer my passport to my regular size to be honest, but now I rotate the covers between Black & Camel for passport size; Black, Camel, & Olive for Regular Size

Why is this video 14 fps?

This video made me cry... I love this. I use my passport size as a wallet - using the sleeve to hold my license and cards while holding bills in the middle with the elastic band. You got me into this habit and I can't help loving your stationary content. I have yet to start pipe smoking, but you did inspire me to get a pipe, if only for the aesthetics. Thank you so much for everything.

Bradley, I made the decision to buy a Midori Travelers Notebook back after watching your video. I am a fountain pen user and was watching a lot of videos on fountain pens, following Monday Matchup on Goulet Pens IG account, and then fell down the planner rabbit hole. It was that video (7 years ago) and how minimal and simple your set up was that helped me make the decision to buy my first Midori. I have 3 now and use them regularly. My first one was of course when the company was Midori and the next 2 are from "Travelers Company"-- The one thing that I don't like about them now is that since changing names and I believe manufacturing changes, the leather is not as nice as the originals, the newer ones do not age the same. Anyway, it was nice to see this update from you, thanks for posting! Also, have you ever considered buying the Travelers Company Fountain Pen that Brian Goulet seems to love as his pocket EDC? I'm curious to hear how you like the Kaweco Lilliput when you've had it for a bit. Hope you share your options on it. I've always considered buying one, but never have. Have a nice day!

Your original videos inspired me to get one back then, so mine is also says Midori. I remember you were using brass Kaweco sports with your notebooks. Lastly, I hope you are still keeping your Japanese lesson! (I am a native Japanese speaker and enjoyed to see you studied) Anyways, I like to see people using good items for long time so that we can really appreciate them 🎉 thanks for sharing (probably into 8years now😅)

If you want a really slim fountain pen you should try out the Muji aluminum fountain pen. It's affordable and writes very smoothly too.

NGL, that video got me into em. It's cool you were featured on Japanese TV. You made it man!

I'd been wanting a TN for years. Earlier this week I finally bought one in camel in the A5 slim size. I bought the cotton bag insert (which I thought was rather expensive for what it is, so it better last a long time!) I had a charm with a Sanrio character stashed away that I added to personalize my cover. Maybe I'll add a Tim Holtz word band sometime later down the road. I'm using my TN with a Midori paper (white) dot grid insert for book journaling. I clipped a Delike Alpha brass fp on the front of the cover So far, so good. For people who are looking for a budget alternative, Moterm may work.

With the kaweco lilliput it'll definitely fit inside but because there isn't a pen clip, it may fall out if you aren't careful. The plastic sleeve might be perfect for zipping up the lilliput.

For the ball point pen issue: maybe a noodler's Charlie fountain pen or the nib creaper would work? They seem like smaller fountain pens. Great re-review! I just ordered a full-size travelers notebook, I'm excited for it

Loved your video as I am about to need a new journal and I may add something like the Midori Travelers Notebook for my on-the-go journaling/notetaking tasks. Also subscribed to your channel mostly because you obviously have a connection to Japan. I've been married to my Japanese connection for the better part of 40 years now, so I get it! Lastly, I should also follow your lead and re-engage learning the language - no good excuse for not doing so yet. Anyway, keep up the excellent work and I may come back to this video for a refresher on the fountain pens you use. Cheers and have a great day wherever you are! 😎

Some years ago, I bought the limited edition Star Ferry version of the Passport, along with plastic pockets and other inserts. I loved it so much... that I never used it! I ended up using a Leuchturm pocket size dot grid notebook. I feel far less tweaky about scuffing it up, it's a nice size, and I've used a number of Traveler's Company stickers in it.

Pro tip: Use a leather hole punch to make a hole in the center of the spine and then run the outer elastic band through it. This moves the band's knot to the spine, thus eliminating the bump under the writing surface.

It's a late comment, I only now came across this post. I use the attachment pen holder, and have a Fischer Space pen in it. It is very compact in the closed position and works really well with the book, without bulking it up.

I made my own out of canvas and felt. Love the system! I wish the "real" ones were not real leather.

I loved your review. I'm tired of watching people focusing on the damn aesthetics, it's nonsense. I use my TN to journal and commonplacing and all I need for that is a black pen and a ruler.

Muji actually has passport size notebooks. They come in blank, dotted and grid. They’re cheaper at around 3 bucks a booklet! I use them and the paper stock is good with fountain pens as well!

Try to grab an Pilot Birdie pen or an twin. They are decent small size pens that could fit that traveler.

I’d highly suggest checking out Maurice Moves channel on here. He has an interesting pen clip on the from and uses the Lamy fountains. I’d also recommend the Zebra Expandz pens if you’re after something more compact for pocket use. Thanks for the nice review!

You had me with the Berserk hard covers in the back lol

Hey, what if you made a side loop stitched into the back cover so that it sticks out slightly.. Some thick flat elastic band could work well

I use a Lamy Spirit Pen for my Notebook. That one fits perfectly

Your Passport looks to be in quite good condition for its age! Many others look worn and all scratching up. Did you ever use any leather balm or protective product? Thanks for the video!

I likes me some stuff, and occasionally even some things.. If you have a pipe then you are likely to gravitate to a decent notebook. 👌

I love my Tasche OHTO FF-10T fountain pen for travel fountain pen needs. It's a lot like the Zebra Micro pen that they used to sell that collapsed into the cap of the pen. The OHTO Pen does the same thing and it works lovely.

Hi! I you can accept a ball pen, I would recomend Fisher Space pen, the bullet model. It is small and slim, but is extended with the cap. I think it would fit nicely in the notebook.

Does the knot on the inside of the back cover ever effect when you are writing? Seems like it would be a bump.

Probably it would fit a Cross Classic Century or a vintage version of that slim Cross (if you like it).

Superior labor pen holder ✒️❣️✨

So you’re big in Japan!

Try a FIsher's Space Pen (brass or black) and put a clip on it. Do you have a link where I can purchase this Traveler's Company (Midori) TRAVELER'S notebook Passport Size?

I honestly can't stand that notebook, or the large version, and I don't have a good reason other then "I don't like it". When I reach for a small notebook, it's the Maruman Mnemosyne N197 A6. I use the large A5 version daily, and absolutely love it! For me Mnemosyne has the best paper and notebooks, for the every day occasion.

4:32 Do you recall where you got the blotter paper? I use a fountain pen often, and I use paper napkins for blotting. I'd like to have actual, made-for-the-task, ink blotter paper to carry in my notebook.

Two words on fountain pens - Pilot Cavalier.

What I rarely seen mentioned in videos like this that is always an issue for me... and you are the only one to do so... the mention of carrying a pen. Putting a leather clad book into your pocket is great. But... pens don't bend in your pocket like these books do. Its actually an issue. Perhaps I need to find a bendy flexible pen? I don't know. Anyways... thanks for the vid.

Sold me on the travelers size

About $40 on Amazon

Filox make pens and propelling pencils that are an idéal size for the Passport TN

travelersnotebookpassport​ ...where can you buy it????

0:38 thats hilarious 😂👍

Lilliput is gonna be perfect

Can field notes fit in the midori?

what is the name of the notebooks you enter internally? could you leave us a google link or amazon link... thanks

Focus is little off :S, nice video tho!

didnt see the pen holder they offer? perfect for a kaweco sport

What is the cover you have for your Field Notes notebook?

I carry my pens in my shirt pocket!

what is this "pan am" for?

Hi!! I would like to get a midory here in Mexico city. Could you please tell where to get it??

Theres a Japanese carriage fountain pen, thin and short, sorry cant remeember the name

I feel like Zebra Gel Pens are a good inbetween Ball and Fountain pens- though I’ve never got into fountain pens (for the best, they are expensive- my TN cover was already expensive as it’s a custom B6 one). I have two adhesive pen loops on my TN cover- a mechanical pencil for my sketchbook & Zebra Sarasa Grand for everything else.

I keep coffee brewing and cigar tasting notes in mine

Sorry, is this Camel color or brown?

Hola, Sr. xxx, soy su fan, he estado siguiendo sus videos durante mucho tiempo y me he suscrito a sus videos. En sus videos, obtuve mucha inspiración, pero tengo algunas ideas nuevas, podemos comunicarse entre sí Discutir, por favor respóndame

Not using the bolt action pen with it?

bro i just sht myself when i saw the Japanese commercial

Cool intro

Wait you have issue with price of field notes and not how much travellers company stuff is costing ha ha ha

Squeeeeee! That is all.

Get a cross pen

I thought it was horrible back then, and I still think so. Everything about it is small, cheap, overpriced, and not at all easy to use when compared to other notebook systems. To each his own, but I really, really hate the system, and I still think it should be sold at Walmart prices, though I doubt it would be as popular then.

play the vid on 2x speed. save some time. my man talks super slow

I like them but unfortunately they are leather and I prefer cruelty free notebooks

I think that the notebook and the pen should be kept separate. The notebook should be free of unnecessary pen bulges or strains. Equally, the pen should remain independent of the notebook until the two are married to produce your thoughts, fears, observations etc, Then the two have harmony. Too many people think the pen and the notebook should be tied as one...not so. Each is independent of the other until brought together to create words. Hope that makes sense.

I don't know if you ever found a fountain pen you liked to use with the notebook, but Muji makes a very inexpensive aluminum-bodied fountain pen that's slimmer than an F-402. It's my daily driver fountain pen and I love it.

You were the first video I found 7 years ago that wasnt all glitz and glam and which introduced to the world of Midori. (I still call it Midori, sounds way better) So nice to see how beautifully your covers have aged throughout the years! Thank you for inspiring me to use Midori. ✌🏽✌🏽

I still use a 20 year old PalmT3. It does not have internet. no social apps, no ads, almost no delay to open a memo and start writing. and i like the stylus input method...

The Lamy CP1 is a thin fountain pen. I love mine. The CP1 nibs are interchangeable with the Lamy Safari/AL-Star and Lamy Logo pens, which is awesome.

You've done a nice job reviewing the Midori TN. It honestly feels refreshing to see reviews that aren't focused on decorating or making it "instagrammable" (not that it's a bad thing, it's just one method of using it which can be overwhelming for someone like me lol). I actually wished there were more videos that weren't focused on that but then again a lot of the artists tend to lean more on the Moleskine sketchbook since they are the more popular choice while writers/jotters tend to lean more on the regular moleskine/leuctthurm1917/rhodia/field notes notebooks or the inexpensive options. I forgot to mention that after stumbling upon your Midori TN videos a couple of years ago, I ended up getting a regular brown TN (for drawing + thumbnail sketches + story writing), and then a limited edition camel passport TN a few years later (for EDC and for keeping up with work-related tasks). I might end up getting another regular TN just for jotting down notes or things I've learned from watching software tutorials online. I wasn't too surprised when you mentioned about using a ballpoint pen because I use one too for sketching usually 😅 I used to have a hand-me-down parker ballpoint pen just tucked under the elastic on the side of the TN back when I first started using my TN. Nowadays I just bring with me my pencil case whenever I'm outside. Anyway, thank you for getting me into TN's system! It actually helped me a lot these past few years. 😁

The Traveller's company ones are fantastic. I appreciate your videos because so many videos are of women and what they do with their notebooks. That's taking nothing away from the incredible work they do and how cool they look, but for me, i needed something fairly rugged compact. It needs to be a balance between something i can always reach for and is enjoyable to write in, but durable enough to take me dropping it, spilling coffee or bong water on it. These tick all the boxes and they look cool. Thanks for your review. I really needed to see a more masculine application (again nothing against the amazingly cool books out there from female creatives and artists- they're rad) before deciding to get one. Well 2 i got the regular and passport size. Definitely digging the passport size more. Cheers!

I really appreciate how clean and essential is your use of this notebook. I always have the feeling that everyone keep on gluing any kind of thing on it and, non only they look all the same, but they lose their fundamental use. Love it!

You're telling me not to freak out about your ballpoint pens, and i'm over here using a Bic 🤣 I got a cheap knockoff of the larger variety off of Amazon and I've used it almost daily for 5 years now. I take grid paper and make a crude Callender/daily planner for the current month in the first section. General notes and journal in the middle. And bills and financial info in the back. The large size is perfect for me. I have been considering getting the smaller size as I've been on the road a lot more. The trouble of where to keep the pen is a real problem for me. Pens fit well in the side of my big notebook, but they won't in a smaller one. I'll think about it though. Thanks for the video!

I use a brass fisher space pen. I’ve ordered a travelers (I think that’s the name) brass fountain pen from Goulet Pens to see how that would work.

With Midori, unless you were someone who either already knew or didn’t give a flying care, you would most likely atleast ask what it is as Midori could be anything. Sounds like a name that could be slapped on a cocktail or a new airline service. With “Travellers company” it just makes it sound like some blow up, on the go, sex doll

I'm super late to the game here but Traveler's has a brass pocket-sized fountain pen and slimmer than Kaweco's.

Pen? Lamy CP1! You should try it. It fits perfectly between the two cover ends and the elastic

Original Midori videos were how I found your channel so this is a nice update. For a really compact pen for the Passport size I use the Zebra Xpandz Mini. It is the smallest useable pen and it takes standard D1 refills so you can customize the writing experience a little with other brands ink. Cheers for originally convincing me to get these notebook systems. You are indeed a good friend

I can understand the full size Midori being empty, but I was expecting to see some interesting items or notes you've collected in your smaller Midori. It looks like you never really used either. Did I miss something? The romantic in me wanted to see old train tickets, polaroids, a piece of wrapped gum you got from a wizardly homeless person who gave you the best advice of your life, a map to the Temple of Doom, that sort of thing...

If you're looking for a slim fountain pen, have you considered the Lamy CP1? I think it's around the diameter of a wooden pencil. Did you condition the leather at all or just let it ride?

I use Kaweco Lilliput, with a clip attached and paired it with a Plotter Mini 5. Fit perfectly. Imagine that it would work great here as well

Did you modify the elastic in this size too? I watched your video of that and did that to my full size, but I just picked up the passport size and started looking for videos on how people set up theirs. Then I saw your video and was curious if you did that. It looked like you didn’t but I wasn’t sure.

I never saw the original, but I'm glad I saw this. I like that small size.

Pilot e95s would probably work.

My travelers notebook scratches easily. Like simply handling it. It's dark brown and the scratches show almost flesh colour. Is that normal?

Have you checked out the Midori Brass fountain pen? It's a compact pen and a great little writer. It's only a little bit larger than a Lilliput, but where the Lilliput has no clip and threads to post, the Midori pen has a clip and pushes to post. I have both, and I find the Midori pen much nicer to write with.

Nice! I have not watched the original videos but this one is informative. Well done!

I kept the standard size and gave away the passport size. I wonder if one of those retractable fountain pens could replace that nasty ballpoint? I have envious eyes when I see the new LAMY dialogue 3.

Check out Traveler's Company Brass Fountain Pen. I believe they are designed to be used with the Traveler's Notebook. I got one and I love it

I love the idea of these things and want one but the notes in your phone are infinitely more useful and practical

I place my Muji fountain pen at the front edge of my book and the elastic holds it in place. Very compact and pocket friendly!

I’m surprised you don’t use it as a wallet, too. I also just used the kawaco fountain pens and put it on the side (without a pen holder).

Compared to your hands it looks sooo small 😅

I remember your first review of the Traveler's Notebook, whoops... MIDORI. That was the video that prompted me to try out the Passport Size as well as the larger one. I still use both of mine today, and like you, I use the Passport sized one much more regularly. Thanks for the good video and memories from 7 years back.

Which colour is this one? Looks lighter than the brown but darker than camel

There's a cheap $20 fountain pen that is easy to throw in your pocket!

What do you do with the books that you complete?

I like ballpoint pens more anyway. It´s more flexible