The A4 fits perfectly around a hardback Etchr A5 portrait long edge, yes not a typo. It fits exactly over the top of the closure elastic (so pens don't poke out the side). I use it not only for travel with some sketching gear, but to keep pages flat in use OR when drying. No clip damage to the paper that way.
My travel hack is with a few silicon bands to attach a ruler and 6 pencil tin plus my stubby eraser to the A4 strap around two A5 HP Etchr notebooks' short edge and I'm set for the day. The strap won't budge. (Ruler under the strap, pencil tin on top of the strap, silicon band looped over both edges to keep the gear together, looks an X when done. Pencil tin stays shut and with my gear.)
I have 3 of the A4 sized, with 5 pen loops, purchased all mine locally in the best find ever at a stationery shop. Amazing Czech product. Love it. The elastic is soft, very thick (19mm), and after over a year's or so use is still quite stiff. Stitching and elastic is very good quality.
The sizing is only odd if you're using thicker notebooks. For a watercolour pad (50 sheets of 240GSM or so) without hard cover an A4 sized band works on both the A5 and A4 pad sizes across the short edge. My faves are spiral bound so I don't try the long edge.
For Strathmore hardbound 400 recycled (160 pages 130GSM) the A4 strap will work better across the short edge than long edge on the 8.5 x 11in size. Forget it on a wirebound Strathmore Visual Journal in a larger size (9 x 12in 50 odd sheets of 270GSM Vellum) though- the A4 strap will struggle across the long edge and I won't try the short edge.
The A4 strap is ideal for a Leuchtturm journal, especially the thicker paper now available in a hardback. Not that I've ever had the elastic fail on those, but 5 pen loops is more practical and the strap sits exactly over the top of the elastic to secure the long edge. I've a few A5 journals I use the A4 strap on this way.
Surprised you don't use something like this then if notebook elastic strap fails annoy you
https://shop.papelote.cz/en/p/notebook-strap-a4/
The A4 fits perfectly around a hardback Etchr A5 portrait long edge, yes not a typo. It fits exactly over the top of the closure elastic (so pens don't poke out the side). I use it not only for travel with some sketching gear, but to keep pages flat in use OR when drying. No clip damage to the paper that way.
My travel hack is with a few silicon bands to attach a ruler and 6 pencil tin plus my stubby eraser to the A4 strap around two A5 HP Etchr notebooks' short edge and I'm set for the day. The strap won't budge. (Ruler under the strap, pencil tin on top of the strap, silicon band looped over both edges to keep the gear together, looks an X when done. Pencil tin stays shut and with my gear.)
I have 3 of the A4 sized, with 5 pen loops, purchased all mine locally in the best find ever at a stationery shop. Amazing Czech product. Love it. The elastic is soft, very thick (19mm), and after over a year's or so use is still quite stiff. Stitching and elastic is very good quality.
The sizing is only odd if you're using thicker notebooks. For a watercolour pad (50 sheets of 240GSM or so) without hard cover an A4 sized band works on both the A5 and A4 pad sizes across the short edge. My faves are spiral bound so I don't try the long edge.
For Strathmore hardbound 400 recycled (160 pages 130GSM) the A4 strap will work better across the short edge than long edge on the 8.5 x 11in size. Forget it on a wirebound Strathmore Visual Journal in a larger size (9 x 12in 50 odd sheets of 270GSM Vellum) though- the A4 strap will struggle across the long edge and I won't try the short edge.
The A4 strap is ideal for a Leuchtturm journal, especially the thicker paper now available in a hardback. Not that I've ever had the elastic fail on those, but 5 pen loops is more practical and the strap sits exactly over the top of the elastic to secure the long edge. I've a few A5 journals I use the A4 strap on this way.
Hope this helps you and other sketchers.