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The Field Journal Notebook is a modern accessory for using a very old
technology - pen and paper. Designed originally for biologists and
geologist working in the wilderness, the Field Journal Notebook is a
useful tool for artists, writers and anyone who, for reasons aesthetic or
practical, wants an alternative to electronic devices. Essentially, the
Field Journal Notebook is a compact, portable, weather-proof, zippered
notebook for note-taking, journaling or sketching.
The Field Journal Notebook is full of features in a sleek and compact form.
The front zippered pocket has
enough volume to hold a wallet, keys, a cell phone or a not-so-thick book
(example of its volume: it can hold three standard CD jewel cases.)
An included Key Strap snaps to an "O" ring inside this front pocket.
The flat back pocket can hold a few sheets of paper or a map.
Two nylon webbing handles allow you to carry the Field Journal as you
would a very small briefcase while an adjustable/removable 1" nylon webbing
shoulder strap is situated in such a way as to allow you to open the Field Journal Notebook
flat to take notes or sketch, and still have it sit on your shoulder.
When removed the shoulder strap leaves behind only two small,
unobtrusive webbing loops - no bulky "D" rings.
Inside the main zippered compartment, a bank of organizer pockets holds
pens, pencils and a flexible plastic TOM BIHN logo ruler, which is included (5" rule one
edge, 120mm rule the other); additional rulers may be purchased on the Field Journal Notebook Accessories page.
One larger pouch holds an iPhone or iPhone
simulacrum, a small calculator, or a miniature water-color set. Three of
the pen/pencil pockets are generous enough for highlighters; the two
smaller ones will fit Sharpies, fountain pens, and
writes-in-four-colors pens (Tom's personal favorites). Another "O" ring
is attached above the organizer pockets for a Guardian Light, Key Strap, Clear Organizer Wallet, or a Clear, Padded, Cordura,
or Cork Organizer Pouch (Mini and Small sizes fit, but not the others).
The Field Journal Notebook is not a notebook cover: it is
itself a small three-ring binder. The three-ring mechanism (made in Austria) is riveted to
a rigid, die-cut, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) back plate. This
plate is held in tension inside the Field Journal Notebook and can be removed and rotated
180 degrees so that, should you be so inclined, you can move the ring
mechanism to the opposite edge of the writing surface; this is
potentially useful for left-handed users or those writing in, for
example, Arabic, Hebrew or Chinese. The hard surface of this back plate
is exposed so that you can write directly on it and because there is no
fabric covering it you can happily use the very last sheet of paper.
Additionally, a die-cut HDPE leaf is included with the Field Journal Notebook (additional HDPE
leafs can be ordered here) and comes
clipped into the three-ring mechanism: it provides a hard surface so
that you can write on the back sides of the paper too. A further
stiffening plate is located on the front of the Field Journal Notebook - you can remove it
if you want to save weight, but your papers won't be quite so protected.
You can remove all the hard plastic plates from the Field Journal
Notebook for washing when the time comes.
The Field Journal Notebook is designed to accept three-punch 5-1/2 x 8-1/2" paper (that's
exactly half of an 8-1/2 x 11" sheet). This paper is a standard size
though not terribly common - you can sometimes find it at a stationers,
or purchase it on-line; you can also have a print shop cut and punch
(drill) it for you. However, to make things a little easier, we've
included a package of 100 sheets of Harbor 100 60# from Gray's Harbor
Paper - it's 100% recycled and comes in your
choice of college ruled -or- graph grid, both printed on both sides. We
also offer as a separate option, packages of 100 blank sheets of Crane's
Crest 24# 100% cotton paper. This paper is quite
beautiful and is suitable for letter writing, sketching and even
watercolor. We have it micro-perforated 3/4" from the left edge so that
you can remove the left margin with the punched holes: send the letter
or frame the sketch. All of these papers are available from us as
refills as well.
Just when it seems we've thought of everything, there's more: the 5-1/2
x 8-1/2" paper size is "Size 4" from Day Runner and the "Desk" size by Day-Timer, so you can use all of the organization tools
from those systems with the TOM BIHN Field Journal Notebook.
The Field Journal is the culmination of countless hours of design: cutting and sewing prototypes, field testing, even inventing entirely new construction techniques. Many aspects of the design are proprietary, with many components die-cut or laser-cut to attain the exacting standards to which it is made. As you would expect from Tom, the materials for the Field Journal Notebook are all the best: U.S. 1000 denier Cordura Nylon exterior, lined with U.S. 500 denier Cordura. The zippers are splash-proof YKK Uretech coil: #8 on the main compartment and #5 on the front pocket. And, of course, it all gets sewn together at the TOM BIHN factory in Seattle.
