Don’t Buy This

Описание: Why I Won’t Buy This Again: Sojourner Hobonichi Weeks Leather Cover in Natural Vegetable Tanned.

A REVIEW. In short, elegant trifold design, acceptable craftsmanship, but subpar leather. The label "natural" appears to only refer to the "colour". There is a clear transparent coating on the leather which makes the cover somewhat resistant to liquid stains (PLEASE SEE MY DEMO IN THIS VIDEO). But I does have water marks so it isn’t waterproof. This coating do wear out easily, in this case through repetitive folding and regular friction of a pen clip. This doesn’t mean the leather returns to its beautiful natural state. This can be seen in the lack of natural patina after 3 years. Itdid get a bit darker in an almost unnatural blush appearance which I found hard to describe. If you love natural leather do not let the name fool you. But if you love the nude looking colour and dislike patina, this might be a way to go, noting the inferior quality leather.

The price point is where it gets more complicated. This is a review after 3 years of use.

PRICE

If you are outside of the USA, your math is further complicated by a likely high ship cost, a relatively unfavourable currency conversion rates, and possible import taxes. For NZD $250 - 300 or about US $100 - $150 plus about US $50 shipping and possible import taxes and currency conversions, you can find better leather covers elsewhere. Such as Galen Leather who are based in Turkey.

Galen Leather have better variety of covers, they have a wider range of stationery accessories, better quality leather options, better service, better international facing operations such as streamlined international shipping with good trackings at reasonable costs, and much more.

For double the price you can find top tier quality leather covers made by Ateliers Phileas or for triple the price you can find sometime truly amazing made by The Superior Labor. Both made in Japan.

VALUE

Value is ultimately subjective and relative.

For me, NZD $250-300 or about USD $150-200 with shipping, is way too much money for not enough quality, and way too much uncertainties.Those in the USA can potentially ship items back and forth if or when dissatisfied and continue finding best value for money with local US leather cover makers by trial and error. This isn’t a luxury international consumers outside of the US can afford.

ALTERNATIVES

For me personally, Galen Leather provides the best value for money at the time of this video in September 2024. It combines all the advantages of a larger studio, with the benefit of a smaller more tailored experiences, with prices to match. Their products and services sit nicely in the intersection of various curves: Price, quality, style, and service.

Although if you do not want to compromise on anything, paying double to triple the price at Ateliers Phileas and The Superior Labor are the only two other ways to go that I know of.

If you know of anyone else, let me know!

CONCLUSION

For me personally, certainty and consistency are key, they facilitate satisfaction, and I am willing to pay a premium for those.

Even if Sojourner cover that I have here is an exception to the rule, given the above calculations, it is simply too expensive for me to find out whether this is indeed so. I have no doubt that with the popularity of Sojourner USA throughout the years, Sojourner is providing exactly what a lot of people need in leather covers with the prices that they are happy with.

Sadly for me, I can only speak, judge, and decide based on this ONE item that I have here.

No more, no less.

And based on all of the above, it will simply be too risky and too expensive for me to order from Sojourner USA again.

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SPECIAL NOTES

For the religiously conflicted please note that the business donated a portion of its income to Christian missions and non profits. (Please check the "ABOUT" section on their home page).

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DISCLAIMERS

1. I am NOT affiliated with any of the brands I mentioned here.
2. This review is a personal opinion.
3. I am not a leather expert.
4. I make videos for recreational purposes.