I don't know if ZLYC is checking this review but you totally sold me on their product and I just purchased a set on Amazon. Thanks for taking the time to review honestly. I recognize the downside but the upside is huge and the price is amazing. They should send you more samples!
A very fair review! I've had the zlyc set since March 2015 and I think it's a very good alternative to the Midori brand (if paying a small fortune isn't your thing). I ordered the dark coffee coloured set and the leather is rather smooth without a textured finish to it. My standard sized came with 3 inserts, a diary and 2 grid inserts plus the card holder zipper folder . The passport size came with just 3 inserts, diary and two grid inserts. I don't use the passport one so I mainly bought the set for the standard sized travelers notebook. I actually use Midori inserts in it, the 013 lightweight paper and the 018 weekly diary insert as i prefer the paper quality. I also use one of the grid inserts that zlyc provided, and it's qood quality paper. I actually changed the elastic cord that came with it. With the dark coffee option, you get orange cord/elastic. I changed it out for red as it just looks better, for me. So yeah, a good cheaper alternative.
Nice review Bradley, thank you. I was considering a faux but I'm too much in love with Midori now. I have the regular brown, passport black and regular blue. I don't like putting in too many inserts, I'd rather have separate ones for what I need, hence the collection. Anyway, Amazon are limited as to what they ship to Australia so I don't shop there much. Anyone would think I lived in Narnia..... it's just Australia Dude! Have a great day
Great review Bradley. I've been on the fence about getting either a Midori or Fauxdori, and this review might've helped me make up my mind. Seems like with these, I can certainly get my money's worth (for what I want it for). I like the fact that you get three inserts plus the card holder, and of course the cover for nearly the amount of just a cover (from what I've seen on some Fauxdori sites). Thanks for the honest review!! 🌺Elizabeth W.
Never Hopeless - My pleasure! I'm still not totally clear as to which inserts always come with which journal, but I THINK you at least always get three.
ZLYC does have some advantages such as the extra yap (overhang). Better price, more included inserts. Moving the knot to the spine instead of the back is a big advantage, imo. Currently amazon US has some beautiful embossed patterns in the passport size. Might have to order one to see if I like it. I do love nice supple leather, though.
I just received one of each from amazon, a blue Midori and an embossed dark blue ZYLC, both in the passport size. The Midori is for a gift for a professional, and the ZYLC is for my use. I like them both! The Midori is a bit more refined, but the ZYLC is very pretty leather, too. It's very supple and smooth, which surprised me. The ZYLC is a much better value, with three inserts and the additional band that is needed if you use more than one insert. The Midori has only one insert and no additional band. Both came with an extra outer elastic and a cloth bag. I anticipated I would like the Midori, but am pleasantly surprised that I like the ZYLC as well as I do. (Both had free returns.) Prices for the blue were $43 vs $17 (US). I will use the Midori brand inserts for refills for mine, as their paper is nicer and more fountain pen friendly. Thanks for your review; it prompted me to look at the ZYLC brand!
Darn, I have been checking out these and the Midori and wondered how they measured up. Another awesome review. When you do the talk fast thing. Um, yeah- that cracked me up. Carry on, nothing to see here. Thanks for another excellent video. I'm sort of a journal/planner tramp. I am weighing in on a (Midori) TN for my B-day, I think I am going to get a Midori Brown. Maybe. Or maybe a Zlyc. Or...
Dawn Paoletta - Ha! Well, hopefully my reviews will help you make up your mind. I still really like my Midori, but these ZLYC notebooks aren't bad for the money.
Stuff&Things It has arrived today.. pretty amazing considering I ordered it Sunday... Leather is amazing on both sides. I love the inserts...the set of three I bought are presents.. seriously thinking of buying a set for myself...
Hey Bradley! Not sure if you ever did a follow up review on the ZLYC notebooks but how have they held up? I have had the passport size for about a week now and I'm thinking about buying the full size version along with it.
Hello Bradley. Sorry to bother you again, but how exactly do you get to the September storefront on Amazon? I couldn't find it in the description box below. Not too good w/ the RUclips mechanics I must admit though... Thanks in advance for any assistance. Best, LeRoy
I've been looking at these ZLYC's on Amazon for a while now and I'm still not sure about them. I do have a brown and blue (pan-am) Midori but I quite like how your large ZLYC looks...on camera it looks like wood. Does it look like that in person? If they had a Field Note size I'd be sold.
Angie Pasto - It does have an almost wood-grain pattern, but there's no texture to the touch. If you like field notes, you should check this out: ruclips.net/video/ZjBFL7PLqnA/видео.html
Stuff&Things That is very similar to what I have just ordered: www.etsy.com/listing/233542644/field-notes-size-travelers-notebook-with?ref=shop_home_active_1
Midori alternative or Midori knock off? I have a passport and a regular size midori and love both of them. $40 is not expensive for the quality item you are getting.
Good video, got a weird thing going on in the middle. Picture started over, audio went on, then it restarted. Not sure if that's just my device though.
It was totally My device. I tried posting that last night but it was acting so wacked out I couldn't even make anther comment. A hard reset and a full charge have straightened it out nicely.
Great reviews! What do you think about the Foxy Fix? It seems like a better U.S. made Midori with more customization. You can even have you named personalized on it. I am still torn on getting it or the Midori. Thanks!
Thanks for this review! If I may ask, why'd you take the coin off of your Midori? I was thinking about doing that after seeing yours, but did you run into any problems with the coin being on the notebook that caused you to take it off?
+MrTheGuyWhoJustWon - I just found it a little annoying to have it clanging around. I'll try to find something else to use, perhaps made of leather, to perform the same function.
+Stuff&Things Ah, alright and thanks for the fast reply! I saw the wear on the strap and thought it might have been a result of the coin, so now that I know it isn't I may steal your idea and try it out if you're okay with that.
Oh, the wear WAS another reason I forgot to mention. Since I used a drill to make the holes and didn't smooth the edges of the holes, they did tend to wear a bit.
still is a notebooks system, not loose leaf like Filofax, see? two different things? disposable/privacy could be a problem. Why bother with a cluster of notebooks? never heard of Midori 'til now.
Why the hell would you spend that much money for a square of leather with a few holes put in it... You could make one yourself for next to nothing,. Just make friends with your local leather worker, buy some scraps off of him for dirt cheap and borrow his tools for about 5 or 10 minutes.
Just made my own and it only took me two to three hours (most time spent on dying the leather). The advantage of course is you can control the size. I made mine half an inch shorter than the passport and it fits happily in my pocket. :)
Robert Briggs being on a student budget is a deterrent for sure. XD A lot of my things are homemade, even some of my notebooks (copy paper and a good staple are the key ingredients.) :)
No. Leathers are left-overs of the meat industry. Animals are also killed humanely. Animals bred for leather are actually well cared for to ensure skin quality. Animals with wounds, marks and scratches on their skin have lower value.
So glad there are other people who care about the little things when it comes to journals. Also appreciate the non-frilly honest reviews
+Tahmina U - I'm glad you liked the review! Thanks for watching.
I don't know if ZLYC is checking this review but you totally sold me on their product and I just purchased a set on Amazon. Thanks for taking the time to review honestly. I recognize the downside but the upside is huge and the price is amazing. They should send you more samples!
James Jordan - I think they were a little disappointed. I agree with you though: for the price, they're a very good value.
Just checked out their US Amazon storefront. All of their items seem to be about half the price now.
Loftty OG - That's a good deal!
I just love an honest review. Thank you.
BlushnBlue - You're very welcome. Thanks for watching!
A very fair review! I've had the zlyc set since March 2015 and I think it's a very good alternative to the Midori brand (if paying a small fortune isn't your thing). I ordered the dark coffee coloured set and the leather is rather smooth without a textured finish to it. My standard sized came with 3 inserts, a diary and 2 grid inserts plus the card holder zipper folder . The passport size came with just 3 inserts, diary and two grid inserts. I don't use the passport one so I mainly bought the set for the standard sized travelers notebook. I actually use Midori inserts in it, the 013 lightweight paper and the 018 weekly diary insert as i prefer the paper quality. I also use one of the grid inserts that zlyc provided, and it's qood quality paper. I actually changed the elastic cord that came with it. With the dark coffee option, you get orange cord/elastic. I changed it out for red as it just looks better, for me. So yeah, a good cheaper alternative.
Chris Cole - Thanks for letting people know you're first-hand experience with the products, and thanks for watching!
oh just shut it, seriously, shut it
Love the review. I can afford those as well. You are definitely a great and fair critic. I trust you Bradley. Thanks
Joe Medium - I appreciate your trust. Thanks for watching!
Nice review Bradley, thank you. I was considering a faux but I'm too much in love with Midori now. I have the regular brown, passport black and regular blue. I don't like putting in too many inserts, I'd rather have separate ones for what I need, hence the collection. Anyway, Amazon are limited as to what they ship to Australia so I don't shop there much. Anyone would think I lived in Narnia..... it's just Australia Dude!
Have a great day
Susan Yammouni - Sounds like you're amassing quite the Midori collection.
Thanks for watching!
As always great review.....You know how much I enjoy you. Hope all is going well with you.
Patti Johnson - Things are going quite well, thank you!
Great review Bradley. I've been on the fence about getting either a Midori or Fauxdori, and this review might've helped me make up my mind. Seems like with these, I can certainly get my money's worth (for what I want it for). I like the fact that you get three inserts plus the card holder, and of course the cover for nearly the amount of just a cover (from what I've seen on some Fauxdori sites). Thanks for the honest review!! 🌺Elizabeth W.
Never Hopeless - My pleasure! I'm still not totally clear as to which inserts always come with which journal, but I THINK you at least always get three.
Very nice review .. I was looking at those and this helped a bunch .. Big thanks
A Red Falcon - I'm glad it was useful for you!
Thanks for doing the fountain pen tests, too!
Really great review!! Thanks for doing a pen test :)
MyLifeMits - Thanks! I know the pen test was a bit cursory, but I hope it was helpful.
ZLYC does have some advantages such as the extra yap (overhang). Better price, more included inserts. Moving the knot to the spine instead of the back is a big advantage, imo. Currently amazon US has some beautiful embossed patterns in the passport size. Might have to order one to see if I like it. I do love nice supple leather, though.
I just received one of each from amazon, a blue Midori and an embossed dark blue ZYLC, both in the passport size. The Midori is for a gift for a professional, and the ZYLC is for my use. I like them both! The Midori is a bit more refined, but the ZYLC is very pretty leather, too. It's very supple and smooth, which surprised me. The ZYLC is a much better value, with three inserts and the additional band that is needed if you use more than one insert. The Midori has only one insert and no additional band. Both came with an extra outer elastic and a cloth bag. I anticipated I would like the Midori, but am pleasantly surprised that I like the ZYLC as well as I do. (Both had free returns.) Prices for the blue were $43 vs $17 (US).
I will use the Midori brand inserts for refills for mine, as their paper is nicer and more fountain pen friendly.
Thanks for your review; it prompted me to look at the ZYLC brand!
I ordered the passport midori I will be using it for a everyday wallet/notepad/travel.
Darn, I have been checking out these and the Midori and wondered how they measured up. Another awesome review. When you do the talk fast thing. Um, yeah- that cracked me up. Carry on, nothing to see here. Thanks for another excellent video. I'm sort of a journal/planner tramp. I am weighing in on a (Midori) TN for my B-day, I think I am going to get a Midori Brown. Maybe. Or maybe a Zlyc. Or...
Dawn Paoletta - Ha! Well, hopefully my reviews will help you make up your mind. I still really like my Midori, but these ZLYC notebooks aren't bad for the money.
made my first order on your recommendation thanks for the code...
Deborah-Jane Williams- Lewis - I hope you enjoy it!
Stuff&Things It has arrived today.. pretty amazing considering I ordered it Sunday... Leather is amazing on both sides. I love the inserts...the set of three I bought are presents.. seriously thinking of buying a set for myself...
Wow, that's very quick! I'm glad you like them.
Well I just found this review and Checked on the German amazon and they even ship the Full set in Germany strike for me.
I like the beads of these better than the round clasps on the midori ones...
Hey Bradley! Not sure if you ever did a follow up review on the ZLYC notebooks but how have they held up? I have had the passport size for about a week now and I'm thinking about buying the full size version along with it.
I don't use them as much as my Midori's, but no issues so far.
Looks like the elastic on the large Midori Tavelers notebook is starting to fray.
thanks for the coupon code! I was able to use it. :)
Jenny Cervantes - Great! It's only valid for a couple more days
Hello Bradley. Sorry to bother you again, but how exactly do you get to the September storefront on Amazon? I couldn't find it in the description box below. Not too good w/ the RUclips mechanics I must admit though... Thanks in advance for any assistance. Best, LeRoy
I should have links to their products on my September Leather Products Review.
I've been looking at these ZLYC's on Amazon for a while now and I'm still not sure about them. I do have a brown and blue (pan-am) Midori but I quite like how your large ZLYC looks...on camera it looks like wood. Does it look like that in person? If they had a Field Note size I'd be sold.
Angie Pasto - It does have an almost wood-grain pattern, but there's no texture to the touch. If you like field notes, you should check this out: ruclips.net/video/ZjBFL7PLqnA/видео.html
Stuff&Things That is very similar to what I have just ordered: www.etsy.com/listing/233542644/field-notes-size-travelers-notebook-with?ref=shop_home_active_1
Very cool. Sort of like a Midori skin for your Field Notes.
I got my Midori (passport size) for about $27.99
+Clay Hudson - That's not a bad price.
Midori alternative or Midori knock off? I have a passport and a regular size midori and love both of them. $40 is not expensive for the quality item you are getting.
you have a really cool voice! nice video :)
+RainbowRoad34 - Thank you!
Good video, got a weird thing going on in the middle. Picture started over, audio went on, then it restarted. Not sure if that's just my device though.
Didn't happen on mine just to save you some time Bradley ? Or I didn't notice anything :)
It was totally My device. I tried posting that last night but it was acting so wacked out I couldn't even make anther comment. A hard reset and a full charge have straightened it out nicely.
S Gibson - Glad to hear you got it work out. Thanks for watching!
well the first Midori video to this was a big shock lol
I want one of those extra fine pens.
What is the difference between the word stuff and a word things
Great reviews! What do you think about the Foxy Fix? It seems like a better U.S. made Midori with more customization.
You can even have you named personalized on it. I am still torn on getting it or the Midori. Thanks!
I haven't seen the Foxy Fix. I'll have to look into it.
More midori videos! (heart eyes)
+holly elizabeth - I'll try to do more soon. Thanks for watching!
You missed the most important part. Paper, on how they stand up to ballpoints, felt, fountain pen
Thanks for this review! If I may ask, why'd you take the coin off of your Midori? I was thinking about doing that after seeing yours, but did you run into any problems with the coin being on the notebook that caused you to take it off?
+MrTheGuyWhoJustWon - I just found it a little annoying to have it clanging around. I'll try to find something else to use, perhaps made of leather, to perform the same function.
+Stuff&Things Ah, alright and thanks for the fast reply! I saw the wear on the strap and thought it might have been a result of the coin, so now that I know it isn't I may steal your idea and try it out if you're okay with that.
Oh, the wear WAS another reason I forgot to mention. Since I used a drill to make the holes and didn't smooth the edges of the holes, they did tend to wear a bit.
still is a notebooks system, not loose leaf like Filofax, see? two different things? disposable/privacy could be a problem. Why bother with a cluster of notebooks? never heard of Midori 'til now.
it is a shame that, in Mexico, we cannot purchase those notebooks.
Hw do u get to ZLYC amazon i type it in it doesn't show the page with notebooks, how do u get to the notebooks?
Hi,do you know where can I get the leather that used for those handmade notebooks with good price? Thank you.
Sorry. I'm not sure where you'd be able to buy the leather.
We dont get midori in india...even from amazon,we only get leather journal books..
Same here in Ireland. I just used Ebay. They have a good selection.
Do you have any passport size ones for sell
Apologies if I missed it stated elsewhere in the video, but can I ask what pen that is at 15:10?
+Oldabai Oldamannu - Pilot Custom 823. There's a review on my channel!
I would like to email you with some questions. Where can I send it to please ??
stuffnthingsshow@gmail.com
Why the hell would you spend that much money for a square of leather with a few holes put in it... You could make one yourself for next to nothing,. Just make friends with your local leather worker, buy some scraps off of him for dirt cheap and borrow his tools for about 5 or 10 minutes.
Just made my own and it only took me two to three hours (most time spent on dying the leather). The advantage of course is you can control the size. I made mine half an inch shorter than the passport and it fits happily in my pocket. :)
+reychop awesome! glad to hear when someone makes their own stuff instead of paying through the nose for it!
Robert Briggs being on a student budget is a deterrent for sure. XD A lot of my things are homemade, even some of my notebooks (copy paper and a good staple are the key ingredients.) :)
Hey, I like your videos! Do you have an instagram account?
June Nautilus - I don't, but thanks for watching!
Wow!,
Eh I stayed with Ivy's Moleskine.
Mines sucked... they stain my hands and after months still smell terribly strong.
Good review, nice to come from a mans point of view.
+Karen Snethkamp - Thanks for watching!
Did any animals suffer in the making of these journals?
No. Leathers are left-overs of the meat industry. Animals are also killed humanely. Animals bred for leather are actually well cared for to ensure skin quality. Animals with wounds, marks and scratches on their skin have lower value.
Love your Videos - but god, wear something proper. Seriously...