My Galen Leather Expansi-Folio Wide A5 Zip Folio

In my previous DC pen show haul post, I mentioned about purchasing a leather folio that was on my wish list. This is a Galen Leather A5 Expansi-folio in Crazy Horse Ocean Blue. I thought it was time to include a post of my experience with using this new folio and a few tips.

Front: this Ocean Blue color is absolutely stunning!

This is a well made and gorgeous folio. This new design is for bulkier setups with thicker planners/journals and everyday essential accessories.

Back: I’m enjoying the lovely texture in this leather

This Expansi-folio is very spacious inside. It has the same features as in their regular folio. The difference is the folio is deeper and can hold my thicker journal plus several fountain pens and whatever else I need to put in my case.

I could not wait to place my girthy pens in the pen slots. I still had room to zip my Expansi-folio all the way around.

Let me quickly show a close up of my girthy pens.

I’m currently using my Stalogy 1/2 year journal, but I could easily place another 1/2 year in this folio or a full year journal.

Here is my regular CH Forest Green folio (purchased 2019) next to my Expansi-folio. Both folios are actually the same size especially when I stack one on top of the other. My camera is skewing the size.

My green folio looks a bit worn and well loved

The difference between the two folios is the depth. My Expansi-folio is about two (2) inches deep when filled with my girthy pens and a thick journal. My regular folio is a little over one (1) inch deep. That means there’s a little over 3/4″ difference between my two journals. What does this mean? Continue reading.

There was one thing I wasn’t sure about when I was getting ready to purchase this folio at the pen show. The Expansi-folio doesn’t lay flat like my regular folio. The next photo will show what I’m talking about.

My Expansi-folio doesn’t lay completely flat on the right side

I just wanted to point this out, especially if one is used to using the regular folio. There’s a slight adjustment of getting used to this new deeper folio. If you are jumping right into the Expansi-folio (which you should), you are going to love it right away.

Tip #1: I always create an inky swatch page at the back of my new journal. That way I can keep track of what inks I’ve used.

Tip #2: Fill the Expansi-folio with girthy pens. They also help keep the journal flat when writing on the left page/side of the journal. Okay, I could not resist another close up picture of my girthy fountain pen family.

Zodiac Pens Cancer in PM 5, Esterbrook Estie OS in Dreamer Purple, Diplomat Excellence in Waves Guilloche, Conklin 1898 in PM 4.5, Esterbrook Estie OS in Montana Sapphire, & Esterbrook Estie in Sea Glass

Here’s a better picture showing the side with an extra strip of leather to keep the folio from being flimsy. Galen Leather really thought of everything that went into creating this new journal case.

Tip #3: When I picked up this Expansi-folio from Galen’s table, it was brand spanking new. How did I know? The zipper was a bit stiff initially and I had to zip and unzip the folio several times to get the zipper to glide smoothly. I know this because I am a sewer.

Tip #4: The Ocean Blue or any blue leather (per Galen Leather) will have a tendency to fade over time. I’m okay with that. My folio is spending time inside my studio or inside a coffee shop. If it goes outside, I’m usually spending an hour or so drinking coffee and sketching. Your use will vary.

Tip #5: I’m a functional enabler. This means that I will make suggestions based on price and function/use. I highly recommend getting the Expansi-folio over the regular folio. From my experience there were times when I wanted to fill my regular folio with my girthy pens and I could not zip around my folio. Instead I would put my slim pens inside and when I was able to zip it shut, the form factor of my folio changed a bit. Also, I could see some wear in the leather at certain stress points.

If you are looking for a slim zipper folio, then the regular folio will work fine.

Do I regret getting the slim folio? Not at all. I will still use my regular folio for when I just need to carry a single fountain pen and my Stillman & Birn A5 Alpha art journal for quick sketches or even as a travel journal.

A question for my followers: What do you use to care for your Galen Leather product? I would be highly interested in your care experience. Please leave a comment.

Folios: Galen Leather Expansi-folio Leather Wide A5 Zip Folio in Crazy Horse Ocean Blue

Galen Leather Zippered A5 Notebook Folio in Crazy Horse Forest Green