Handy and Carriable
Essentially, the Field Journal Notebook is a compact, portable, weatherproof, zippered notebook for note-taking, journaling, or sketching.
Two nylon webbing handles allow you to carry the Field Journal Notebook 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.
Sturdy, Thoughtful Construction
The Field Journal Notebook is made from 1000d Cordura (or 1000d texturized nylon). This canvas-like fabric is sturdy and reliable, coated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellancy) finish and along with the DWR-coated zipper will keep the elements out and your stuff in.
The Field Journal Notebook comes with a removeable, reversible Half-Letter 3-ring binder. The Austrian-made 3-ring mechanism is riveted to a rigid, die-cut high density polyethylene (HDPE) back plate. 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.
Write In Me
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 — you can find it at a stationer's, or purchase it online; you can also have a print shop cut and punch (drill) it for you. The 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" paper size is "Desk" from At-A-Glance and Day-Timer, so you can use all the organization tools from those systems with the TOM BIHN Field Journal Notebook. Please do note that the Field Journal Notebook does not include paper.
The 3-ring binder 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 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 Plastic Leaf is included with the Field Journal Notebook and comes clipped into the three-ring mechanism: it provides a hard surface so you can write on the back sides of the paper too.
An Organized Mind (or, at least, Notebook)
Inside the main zippered compartment, a bank of organizer pockets holds pens and pencils. One larger pouch holds a small calculator, or a miniature watercolor 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 Key Strap or Organizer Pouches (Mini and Small sizes fit, but not the others).
In addition, the front zippered pocket houses an o-ring with an included 8" Key Strap attached and has enough volume to hold a wallet, keys, a cell phone, or a not-so-thick book (example of its volume: it can hold a deck of cards).
The flat back pocket can hold a few sheets of paper or a map.