Raymay DaVinci Notebook Review

It’s been a while since I actively used a refillable Filofax-style looseleaf notebook, though I have plenty in my collection! Though my Filofax days are in the past, I still find this style of notebook very appealing, and was inspired to buy a couple of new ones after reading about Russell Stutler’s method of using one as a combined sketchbook and watercolor palette holder. Thanks to his links, I was able to place an order on Amazon so I could bring you this DaVinci notebook review.

Raymay Davinci notebook system organizer from Japan

In Japan, these notebooks are referred to as system organizers, system binders, or mini 6-ring notebooks. (Other sizes are available, mostly larger, but also the tiny “micro” notebooks with only 5 rings.) One of the problems I’ve often had with pocket size binders is that the shape is too squared because the design has to accommodate the rings and cover overhang, especially when allowing for tabbed dividers such as many people use in Filofaxes. What I love about this size binder, which I haven’t seen generally available other than from Japan, is that it is a slim size that holds 3 x 5″ paper with very little overhang. The exterior dimensions are approximately 3 7/16 x 5 5/16 x 9/16″. (I have seen this size referred to as B7, but as usual with these letter sizes, that is not exact!) As you can see in the photos, it is just a bit smaller than a pocket Moleskine.

The DaVinci notebook comes very nicely packaged in a lightweight cardboard box, with the DaVinci logo and the slogan “simple and functional.” The side of the box reads “DaVinci System Binder,” and on the back there is a barcode sticker and the Raymay logo. When you remove the notebook, it has a plastic cover around it– rather than a shrinkwrap or envelope, it is made like a notebook cover so you can open the notebook without removing the wrap. A paper band has some info in Japanese, as well as the DaVinci and Raymay branding. Cards in the pockets have additional info in Japanese.

black leather davinci notebook

The DaVinci binder is made of a good quality leather. It has a pleasant leather smell and a lovely texture. I’m sure it will soften and age nicely. It is beautifully made, with tidy stitching and neatly folded seams and corners. Inside the front cover there is a pocket with a business card slot. Note the cloth lining and leather reinforcement under the rings. The back cover has another full length pocket. The notebook comes with a pen loop on the back cover. This was a big negative to me, as I never attach a pen that way and found that the loop made the notebook close unevenly. I decided to do a bit of surgery and cut it out. I wasn’t able to remove the loop completely and the remains are a bit messy looking but to me it is still preferable to having the loop. I suppose I should have found someone who could unstitch and resew the edge of the cover to remove the loop properly, but I’m still too scarred by my last experience trying to explain myself to a tailor!

The rings feel solid and operate smoothly, with the usual mechanism of a button at each end that you push to pop the rings open. The 6 rings are in a standard spacing so regular 3 x 5″ looseleaf paper will fit, or if you have a compatible hole puncher you can make your own inserts. Sadly, pocket Filofax inserts will NOT fit, as they are designed for a wider shape. The diameter of the rings is 8mm, or about 5/16″, so if you really fill the notebook with paper, it can be hard to get a good grip on the rings to push them closed.

The Davinci notebook comes with a plastic ruler/bookmark, and a set of inserts, including several layouts such as an undated monthly calendar, check list, and plain lined pages. A couple of pages at the end act as a catalog of other DaVinci/Raymay inserts and accessories. (Some of their inserts are sold at JetPens. Kinokuniya bookstores may also have them.) The paper reminded me of the creamy, smooth paper found in Nolty notebooks but it is NOT fountain pen friendly, surprisingly. This was a disappointment, as so many Japanese notebooks have great paper, but I hadn’t intended to use the inserts anyway.

I happen to have bought some vintage looseleaf paper in the standard 3×5″ size and it fits this DaVinci notebook just fine. I was thrilled to find paper that is not only unlined but has cool red edges. I think it looks great in this notebook! The paper is not acid free, but it is actually much more fountain pen friendly than I expected.

I love this little binder. It is so sleek and pocketable, and the quality leather takes its sensory pleasures up a notch. I haven’t yet decided how to use it– despite my original inspiration being the sketch binder with palette, I don’t think I’ll use this for sketching. I always think refillable notebooks should lend themselves to long-term list making or planner use, but I have settled into other systems in Nolty diaries or Moleskine-type notebooks for those purposes. So we’ll see.

I paid about $43 for this Davinci notebook several months ago. The July 2020 price on Amazon is $78, which may be higher due to COVID-19 issues. (These can be hard to even search for on Amazon but try “Reimeifujii organizer” and you’ll see other listings in different sizes and colors. I also have some listed in the “Refillable Notebooks” section of my Amazon storefront.) It’s not cheap, but that included shipping from Japan. For the quality of the leather and what I’d expect to be a long lifespan, $43 seems reasonable, but $78 starts to feel a little pricey, at least for my purposes. Or lack of purpose! But I’ve spent close to or maybe more than $78 on a Filofax, and even on a leather notebook that wasn’t refillable, I have to admit. Fortunately, less expensive options of this style of Japanese looseleaf notebook are also available, and I’ll be reviewing another one of them someday soon! [UPDATE September 2022: the price on Amazon is now about $45.]

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