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alceria
20
Jun 6, 2016
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I purchased this the last time around and had some questions then, so here is my summary, if it helps anyone else.
- This is basically set up like a Midori MTN, but it fits a larger (moleskine cahier sized) notebook.
- There are only holes for one elastic, so if you want to add a second notebook, you'll have to use the rubber band method like with a MTN. As this is the same length as a MTN, using their rubber bands wouldn't be a problem.
-There is a tiny bit of overlap on the long size, but I wouldn't try to stuff more than two books in there. Three books would definitely overlap the cover. So I would consider this to be a smaller capacity book than a MTN. (Unless of course you wanted to go nuts with rubber bands and put a big stack of MTN sized notebooks in here. That would work I suppose. But I don't really like the rubber band method because the books never lay nicely. )
-My elastic was way too tight, I eventually plan to replace my elastic. If you take the notebook out, the elastic will pull the leather together, which my other MTN and MTN-Style fauxdoris do not do. This makes it slightly more difficult to insert a notebook because of this. The elastic used to keep the cover closed is so tight that it's creating a little valley on the side of the edge.
- I loved the leather color (I went with burgandy), but my brand-new notebook arrived with dinged and scratched leather. I don't have a problem with well loved, battle-scarred notebooks, but I like the wear to be my own. I was not happy with the condition of the leather on arrival. For what I paid it wasn't worth the hassle of a return, so I just threw it in my bag along with my MTN. Both have been in my bag for months. The Rustico is not only several months newer than my MTN, but it is WAY more beat up looking from general use, and I honestly don't even take it out that much. My MTN sees a lot m ore use. If this is your daily carry notebook, you can expect this item to develop a used patina fairly quickly. If you like your notebook looking like it was stolen from Indiana Jone's satchel, then no worries. But if you like your notebooks to look really pristine, you're going to annoyed with the ease with which this leather scratches and scuffs up.
- This is the type of oiled leather where you can roll or knead it to change the look and "age" it. I love notebooks that do this.
- The burgundy is definitely more of a brown than a red, which I really like. Really nice color.
- The dot grid paper is nice and has a creamy color, but it bleeds even with fine/extra fine fountain pens. I wasn't really expecting it to behave well, so I'm not knocking them for that.
I think at the massdrop price, this item is just fine. I would have been more disappointed if I had paid full retail. I think in general MTN style notebooks are really overpriced for what they are. This is literally just a piece of leather with some holes punched out. There's no stitching, no pockets, no lining, and the edges are unfinished. (Though mine was cut pretty straight, unlike the other person that posted.)
TLDR: If you're looking for a cheap alternative to MTN, and like the bigger paper size, and don't need to stuff three notebooks in there, this is a good alternative. Be prepared for the cover to scuff up and scratch easily.
I will attach some photos showing the difference in wear (approx 6 month old brown MTN vs burgundy Rustico), the amount of overlap for those that want to add books, and how ridiculously short this elastic is.
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Jun 6, 2016
mahp
182
Jun 22, 2016
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alceriaYou can get the elastic at your local craft store right? I mean it looks like you would just need to untie the old one and tie the new one that is longer?
Jun 22, 2016
alceria
20
Jun 27, 2016
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mahpYeah, you can just buy a new cord and switch them out. Still it would have been nice if they had just used a longer cord.
Jun 27, 2016
mahp
182
Jun 28, 2016
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alceriaI totally agree. I hope mine does not have the same problem as yours.
Jun 28, 2016
mahp
182
Jun 29, 2016
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alceriaI received mine today, and the band is not as tight as yours. So far I think it is just fine. I think I can add another elastic to allow for another notebook. I might give that a shot.
Jun 29, 2016
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