Kathmandu Valley Co. Everest Explorer Vintage Leather Travelling Journal with Rustic Handmade Deckle-edge Lokta Paper, Made in the Himalayas of Nepal, 5x6.5 inches (Medium)

This is the highest-quality Journal I have ever held in my hands, bar none. I am a regular "journalist" (in the literal, not the media, sense of that word), and I have several fine Journals. This is the finest of them all. When I took it out of its packaging, I just said "Wow" to myself. At first I was trepidatious at the almost fragile feel of this book—fresh out of the box it already handles like an ancient document. The darkened water-buffalo leather, the hand-cut, cloth-like paper, and the hand-stitched binding, combine to impress on the mind of this Journal's owner that he or she has just exhumed some sort of codex from a medieval cathedral's archives. It feels sacred. I intend to honor the sublime nature of this Journal by recording the spiritual occurrences, acts, ordinations, blessings, and other sacred information connected to my experiences in my faith and church. (That is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for full disclosure). This Journal, by nature I believe, calls for only the finest inks to be used; I am going to write in mine with archival ink pens (Sakura Pigma Micron). This is a Journal that, if reverently cared for and protected from the elements, chemicals, and so forth, should last a millennium or longer. The renowned Nepalese Lokta paper from which the pages of this Journal are made is known to be able to last that long. Nepalese government records and ancient Buddhist scriptures written on this paper are centuries and millennia old, respectively. I therefore believe this Journal will last long enough to bless many generations with the information recorded in it. It is built to last if you take care of it. I appreciate the leather closure strap, and the full, wrap-around leather cover which protects this Journal excellently. The leather itself is surprisingly thick, and of the highest grain quality. The acid-free, unlined paper has scattered flecks of what is apparently plant material (Lokta paper is made from a bush, not a tree, so this is to be expected). These flecks do not noticeably detract from the smoothness of the pages. The texture of the pages themselves is rougher than regular typing paper—I suppose it's somewhat like an artist's canvas—but the ink from my pens absorbs well into it, and I don't experience any trouble writing on it. There is faint ink bleed-through on the opposite side of the pages, particularly when writing slowly so as to make bold or very dark ink strokes. Lighter strokes don't seem to create this problem. There is only one drawback that I've found with the Lokta paper of this Journal: it has cloth-like, fibrous edges that can get hung up on the pen nib if you write to the very edge of each page. The solution is to leave a little margin at the edges. I own this Journal proudly and reverently. I think it would be a disservice to this amazing book to treat it as anything less than a spiritually (and maybe historically) important record in which to keep one's most insightful, enlightening, and (dare I say) inspired thoughts and feelings. This is a Journal like no other—to be cherished by one's posterity from age to age in futurity. Your descendants might revere it in 1,000 years.

I was searching for an aged volume to begin keeping a record of my life for my children. Something I wished I had from my father.I chose the Everest Explorer based on its origins and several reviews. I write with a fountain pen, and I had serious concerns about bleed through with the handmade paper.When the volume arrived, I immediately noticed how stiff the leather was. I have owned this volume for 2 months now, and constantly work the leather closure to increase its pliability. It has grown better with age. It has received a few scuffs and scratches giving it character.As far as the paper is concerned, the handpressed Lokta paper does well. There are still pieces of fibrous plant. Occasionally they give a little trouble to my fountain pen with scratching. However, even then the paper did not bleed through. Please understand that the fountain pen does have some show through on this paper. But not to the point of making the writing on the backside unlegible.I purchased the extra large, and it is plenty large enough for my work and needs.I plan to purchase more of these as time continues. They will look great on a shelf in 40 years and as my family continues to pass on this tradition.Update 7/13/2016: I have almost filled my first volume. My estimate is for around the 15 of August until I fill it completely. So in acknowledgement of that, I purchased my second volume and received it today. At first touch, I noticed this new one is more soft to the touch, and pliable, as compared to my first. There is also a different pattern on the front; this is a testament to their claim each volume will have a unique character. I have yet to write in it, but my hope is that the paper will be of the same superior quality as the last one.Update 11/4/16: I am now looking to purchase my third volume. I can only hope that this company will continue to produce an exceptional product. I am absolutely amazed in the level of craftsmanship. I will still highly recommend you purchase this type of journal.Update 10/27/21: Five years after starting to keep a daily journal, the Extra Large Everest Explorer is still my go-to. I am currently on my 11th Volume. These journals have been everywhere with me. From the Middle East to the Houston area during Hurricane Harvey and our southern border. (Kept safe by double bagging with gallon ziploc bags). They contain the stories of every life event, big trip, deployment, first steps and the first words for my children.Every person who gets to see the journal and hear the reason "why" is wowed.I am hopeful that the Kathmandu Valley Company continues to produce these. Based on my rate, it is looking like I'll need around 148 of these to make it into my 70's. At that point, we'll re-evaluate.At some point in the future, I'll update this review with pictures. Maybe you'll see an update sooner than another 5 years.

This is such an incredible gift idea. It's simple and yet so unique. This would be an outstanding gift for someone who travels or sketches. A great gift for someone who loves the unusual, or items that aren't mass produced. There are companies out there than make products that are meant to look like these rugged journals, but this is the real deal.Made from Lokta bushes which grow in the Himalayas, the paper is all hand crafted, and you can tell from the appearance. It has a soft, hand pressed texture to it. Not something made in a factory. The cover is done in Water Buffalo hide, and is wrapped around the paper, like a protective blanket. And finally a thin strap is also attached to the cover, and wraps around the cover several times, keeping everything tightly closed.The cover, the paper and the strap to keep it all together are all soft and yet rugged and earthy. The journal reminds me of something Sir Francis Drake might have used to write about his traveling adventures and exploits. This is not something you'll find being sold in just any store. Everyone that seen my journal asks about it, asks where I got and can't help but rub the soft cover and flip through the pages.I have this in the size large and I'd say this is a good size for most uses. If you're just keeping small notes or lists, or need something that would tuck into pockets of coats and such, the smaller sizes would work well for this. But the large is the perfect size for writing a bit more, adding photos or doing sketches in. The large is even a perfect travel size. It's not huge by any means. Larger than a typical paperback book, but smaller than regular sheets of paper. Fits right into front pockets on a backpack, luggage and such.Absolutely beautiful!Sample provided for review