Fabled Merchandise Grove Collection: Cedar Handmade Leather Magazine Cover Review

review – For those who keep handwritten notebooks or journals, they can show you the importance of those priceless notes, doodles, and ideas.Keeping them safe sounds like an almost invincible job ‘The Cedar’ Handmade Leather Magazine Cover by Allegory Goods.

What is it?

The Cedar from the Allegory Goods Grove Collection is a minimalist leather cover that fits most A5-sized laptops, such as large Moleskines. It includes a large side pocket, smaller business card-sized sleeve, a metal snap case, and a deep side pen sleeve that fits most pens.

Hardware Specifications

• snap shell
• Integrated pen sleeve to fit most pens
• Internal storage includes a file pocket, accessory pocket and space for your favorite A5 journal
• Height: 9.5 inches (24 cm)
• Edge-to-edge width: 7 inches (18 cm)
• Width of outer edge of pen case: 8″ (20.5 cm)
• Maximum Thickness: 1.5″ (3.5cm)
• Weight: 11.5 oz
• Compatible with: All A5 size journals or planners. If you don’t already have a favorite, some of ours are Rhodia Webbie, Moleskine Classic Large Softcover or Hardcover, Leuchtturm 1917 Medium Softcover or Hardcover, and Bullet Journal First or Second Edition.
• Three leather colors to choose from

Design and Features

Back in December 2021, I had the pleasure of reviewing another Allegory Goods product, the “Kit Slim” Custom Front Pocket Wallet. I’m glad to learn that they have some new leather journal covers available via Kickstarter, as carrying a good large Moleskine journal for work meetings and notes is something I’ve been doing for a while now.

Cedar is a basic handmade leather cover for A5 (or close to) size laptops. It features a long-edge binder-style file slot, a business card-sized accessory pocket, and an external pen sleeve, with a metal snap-on case on the open side. This is basically the whole product journey.

Also included in the same Kickstarter is an expanded diary cover option, The Aspen, which features a full zippered case and more pockets and loops, better for the bullet journal crowd gathering their highlighters, stickers, and washi tape. Personally, less is more.

The leather and stitching fit perfectly with Allegory Goods’ ‘unbreakable’ philosophy. In fact, if you do damage or destroy the cover, Allegory Goods will replace it for free.

In daily use, it took me a while to get used to the extra volume. I usually just keep the pens in my pockets and tuck any scraps of notes into the back pockets that have been incorporated into my Moleskine, everything is held tightly with elastic straps. It really comes down to the question of “Is the extra protection worth the price?” In this case, the cost isn’t so much money as it’s a few extra inches of leather on all fronts and almost double the weight.

It all depends on what you’re carrying, usually. I like to travel light, so if I’m already planning to carry a notebook with me and nothing else, it would be handy to have extra storage (pen case) to create a complete on-the-go solution.

However, if you already have a large messenger bag or backpack, you probably don’t really need the extra protection of a Cedar cover, as most notebooks are sturdy enough to be pounded inside the bag. As the stats point out, this cover is almost 0.75 pounds, a noticeable weight.

After a few weeks, I started using the document slot on the left as a pocket for the Moleskine cover, stuffing some used pages into the pocket along with the cover. This way, I can open the cover, open and start writing right away. Great job opening pages for me while writing. Probably not its intended use, but the extra functionality is appreciated.

Overall, the Cedar cover adds some extra class and durability to your standard A5 notebook, and may actually be the catalyst for reducing your daily carry for a quick meeting or brainstorming session over your favorite coffee Everything you need in store.

what do I like

• Integrated pen tray
• Heavy stitching, heavy leather for durability
• Fits a variety of my favorite notebook sizes

Areas for improvement

• Not an improvement, but you can expect a holster to add a ton of bulk and weight

final thoughts

Honestly, the Cedar Leather Planer is virtually indestructible without going through a wood chipper. Not to mention that if it does break, Allegory Goods will repair or replace it, guaranteed. This is something you can easily pass on to another generation of writers or doodlers. If you don’t mind sacrificing some extra weight and bulk for ultimate protection, I think you’ll be very happy with the Cedar.

keep checking Allegory Goods websiteI think in the next few months, the production numbers will get to the point where they start offering covers on their website.

Price: $79 for early backers, but $99 MSRP
where to buy: Currently, Cedar Leather Planner Covers are being sent to their Kickstarter.
resource: Samples of this product are provided by Allegorical Goods.