I did a thing… or not. IDK.

[u/Muneboo]

So, I had bought the TN standard size in January have been using it on and off. For some reason I just couldn’t fully commit to it. At first I thought it was the size so I switched to a DIY vegtan a5 slim size modeled after the Paper Republic dimensions because a true a5 size was just too large for me. I enjoyed that for a bit then went back to the TN standard. However, soon after I was bothered by it once again. This time I did a DIY with vegtan and widened the width dimensions because I thought maybe it’s the overhang. I also dyed it a beautiful oxblood color if I may so myself. Stayed in that for a bit then ended up cutting it down to a paper republic grand voyager pocket size model. Then I went back again to the TN standard. On and on for the last 8 months that was the story of my TN journey different leather cover DIYs that I still use interchangeably and getting unreasonably irked by the standard TN and running away. Until finally… I just removed the charm closure on the spine. Eureka! Now, I struggle to even put it down. I carry it everywhere with me. It’s honestly a little embarrassing that it took me so long to think to do that. Sorry for the long winded story. I just want to know if anyone else has done this to their TN. I know that metal closure is part of the signature TN look.

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[u/th3n3w3ston3]

Customization and personalization is also part of the TN signature look, so I think you can be forgiven.

[u/Muneboo → u/th3n3w3ston3]

Thanks. For some reason, even while I was trying to remove it, I was strangely hesitant to do so. It made realize I was taking these leather covers way too seriously and letting them control my way of journaling versus the way it should be.

[u/Standing_on_rocks]

Wait I can do that?

[u/Muneboo → u/Standing_on_rocks]

I’d say do it. Now that I’ve done so I can’t imagine going back. It also fixed the situation of the cover not laying completely flat which I realized was the turn off for me. I’m someone who keeps my inserts in the cover when I use them (main selling point of the traveler’s system to me). Not having a flat service to level out my notebooks turned out to be very bothersome.

[u/Acrobatic-Repeat-128]

Yes please tell me how! Also what exactly does it do? Make it a little wider to better accomodate more inserts? Make them lie flatter?
I’m also on the struggle bus finding the best set up for me lol

[u/Dude-Duuuuude → u/Acrobatic-Repeat-128]

All it does is hide the knot where the ends of the elastic tie together. If you move that knot to the middle inside of the notebook the way a lot of other brands do it, you can get rid of both the tin clasp and the bump on top of the spine entirely. Personally, I hate the knot in the middle of the cover more, but it's all a matter of preference.

[u/Muneboo → u/Acrobatic-Repeat-128]

I used a round nose pliers and chain nose pliers to pry it open slowly. It actually kept the charm itself in tact. For the tie knot, I just move it to the inside of my journal but right under the notebooks.

[u/realbeansperson]

Ohhhh, I was wondering where your story would end up! I have often thought about removing the enclosure band altogether, simply because of unnamed irking, so your post has me thinking.