REVIEW: Franklin-Christoph Command Center Folio

Franklin-Christoph Command Center Folio

Happy Monday!

As you saw in my LA Pen Show Shopping Spree post, one of the beauties I came away with was the Franklin-Christoph Command Center Folio pictured above. (As usual, click on the image or the caption to see the full-sized image.)

After having used the Folio, I'm here to says that I love it. Big love. The components are the high-quality you'd expect from F-C. The leather is thick, soft, and luxurious. The stitching is just about perfect in every area of the book. If you happen to have a Penvelope, the leather and fabric will be quite familiar to you. 

Let's take a closer look . . . 

FC Command Center Folio - Opened View

On the left, there is a good-sized pocket/flap. The area under the flap is fabric. I'm told that this area can hold an iPad Mini. I don't have one of those, but I know that it can hold a Kindle quite comfortable. I've used this area for boarding passes and to hold folded sheets of paper. If I had one wish for the flap, it would be that it had a couple of slots for credit or business cards.

On the right is place for a notebook - I chose a book with binding on the left, but the Command Center can also hold a top-bound notebook.

To the far right are the pen loops. Two loops to hold your favorite pen securely. The leather parts of the loops are showing, the underside features elastic and I'm glad to report that it holds all pen sizes quite nicely. Compare this with the Midori pen loop and, really, there is no comparison - Franklin- Christoph really wins big in this area.

Franklin-Christoph Command Center Elastic Band

The elastic band (see the first image above) is wide and feels very snug and secure.

I'm a tiny bit concerned that it could eventually pull away from the Folio. However, F-C is known to make high-quality products and also known to stand behind them.

Time will tell!

Moving on . . . 

The back features a zippered compartment

The zippered compartment was described as able to hold an iPhone. Yes, it will hold an iPhone, but it feels like that is stretching the limit of that pocket and made me a little concerned about the having a problem with the zipper down the road. In time, I think the leather would give a bit and more easily accommodate something like an iPhone. For now, I've used it to hold a few dollar bills, my drivers license and some receipts.

Gussetted Compartment

Iconic Franklin-Christoph Cut Corners

Continuing . . .

I was happily surprised to learn that I could choose a notebook to go with the Folio

The cut corners on the notebook and folio are not just a nifty design element, they are also intended to keep corners from bending and becoming worn.

Yikes.

Hm.

So . . . the Franklin-Christoph Notebook isn't perfect. I am 100% sure they'd replace it if I brought it up with them. However, it's the Folio I was after, the Notebook was a bonus.

Another issue with the notebook

I should have looked at the notebook as closely as I checked over the folio. This one had probably been handled by others (though it was behind their tables at the show) before it found its way to me.

Another reason I didn't bring this up with Franklin-Christoph . . . 

Franklin-Christoph Notebook

Franklin-Christoph Notebook Paper with Purple Tint

Above is a picture of the Franklin-Christoph Notebook paper with a piece of nice quality white paper under. As you can see, the F-C has a purple tone to it.  I don't personally like this quality in the paper. 

Franklin-Christoph Folio with Clairefontaine Top-Bound Notebook

In the end, I decided to go with a top-bound notebook from Clairefontaine. Here's why: the top-bound notebook can be pulled out just a bit and then the cover flipped over - flip the left side of the folio behind and I have a more compact solution. (I hope that made sense - it sounds complicated, but it definitely isn't.)

I use (and seriously love) the folio everyday. It was just what I needed to organize my on-the-go writing.

Mine is the A5 Medium in Black and Brown. There are other options available at this link.

One final note - I won, I won!  When we were at the LA Pen Show, Franklin-Christoph had a drawing and I managed to win! The drawing was for $100 off any purchase. It's going to be a few weeks before what I want is back in stock - I can't wait to show you!

What would you do with $100 from F-C?