A Field Notes cover with a large velcro patch panel. Slimmer than the original.

The Helmsman v2 is a leather Field Notes cover built around a large velcro surface. Your notebook goes in, your patches go on the front, and you carry it without bulk. The v2 is slimmer than the original because the pen loop is now a separate modular piece — a velcro-backed patch that you place exactly where you want it, or skip entirely.

The basics

• Fits Field Notes 3.5" × 5.5" and similar pocket notebooks
• Large velcro panel on the front for morale patches
• Velcro color choices: Black, Desert Tan, Dark Brown, OD Green
• Option to add Patch Pen Loop (3-inch velcro-backed pen holder, same leather color)
• Full-grain leather, hand-stitched, hand-burnished edges
• Made by hand in my Kyiv workshop, one at a time

The Patch Pen Loop

The pen loop is no longer stitched into the body. Instead it’s a separate 3-inch leather loop with velcro on the back. Attach it anywhere on the velcro panel, move it when your setup changes, or skip it entirely. Choose “Helmsman v2 Only” or “Helmsman v2 + Patch Pen Loop” at checkout — both come in the same leather color. The Patch Pen Loop is also sold separately.

The leather (and why it’s named on the label)

• Crazy Horse (Rusty, Pistachio) — waxed pull-up. Scratches rub out with your thumb, color shifts with carry.
• Koala (Black) — smooth, even, minimal marking.
• Ponte Wax (Tan) — vegetable-tanned, smooth, natural color that patinas gradually.

All full-grain — the top layer of the hide, not corrected or bonded scraps.

Who it’s not for

If you want a passport wallet with a velcro patch panel, look at the Quartermaster v2. If you want a velcro patch display for a bag or keychain rather than a journal cover, look at the Patch Tag v2.

FAQ

What notebooks fit?
Field Notes (3.5" × 5.5") fit perfectly. Other pocket notebooks at similar dimensions will also work.

What’s the difference between “Helmsman v2 Only” and “+ Patch Pen Loop”?
The cover itself is identical. The bundle includes the 3-inch velcro-backed Patch Pen Loop in the same leather color. You can also buy the pen loop separately later.

What’s different from the original Helmsman?
Three things: a larger velcro panel, a slimmer profile (pen loop removed from the body), and the pen loop is now modular and repositionable rather than fixed.

Does the leather scratch?
Crazy Horse (Rusty, Pistachio) marks with use — most scratches rub out with your thumb. Koala and Ponte Wax are smoother and mark less.

Who makes it and where?
I do, by hand, in my workshop in Kyiv, Ukraine. Every order ships with a handwritten note. We’ve shipped 7,000+ orders and earned 600+ five-star reviews.

Pick your leather, velcro color, and pen loop option. Add to cart. Ships within a few days, handmade and ready to carry.