The Ascendant - UNDERSTAND

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• The Ascendant: UNDERSTAND
  The second discipline of deliberate thought.

  Observation is only the beginning.
  Understanding comes when scattered observations begin to connect.
  
  The Ascendant was created to help you cultivate the habit of understanding—to return to your observations, discover patterns, and transform experience into lasting insight.
  
  Not every observation becomes wisdom.
  But the ones you return to often reveal more than you first imagined.

  This is where understanding begins.
  Connect ideas.
  Reflect on experience.
  Allow time and friction to deepen your thinking.

  Every deliberate life is shaped by deliberate understanding.

  The Story

  The Three Sharp Instruments
  Inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's The Will to Power

  For years I've believed that journals are more than blank books.

  They are tools for thinking.

  While reading Friedrich Nietzsche's The Will to Power, I was struck—not by every conclusion he reached—but by his relentless commitment to examining ideas rather than simply inheriting them. That habit of deliberate thought became the inspiration for this collection.

  The Three Sharp Instruments are built around three simple disciplines.

  Observe.
  Understand.
  Decide.

  Not what to think.
  How to think.

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  The Heretic: OBSERVE

  Notice what others overlook. Capture observations before they disappear. Pay attention long enough for something meaningful to emerge.

  ---

  The Ascendant: UNDERSTAND

  Return to your observations. Connect ideas. Discover patterns. Allow time, experience, and reflection to transform information into understanding.

  ---

  The Author: DECIDE

  Curate what you've learned. Decide what deserves a permanent place in your life, and intentionally shape the path ahead.

  ---

  Each journal stands on its own.
  Together they become a practical framework for moving from observation... to understanding... to deliberate decision.

  How These Journals Work Together

  Each journal serves a different purpose.
  Use them individually...
  or together as a simple thinking process.

  The Heretic: OBSERVE

  Capture what gets your attention.
  Don't analyze it yet.
  Just notice.
  ↓
  The Ascendant: UNDERSTAND

  Return to your observations.
  Connect ideas.
  Look for patterns.
  Discover meaning.
  ↓
  The Author: DECIDE

  Keep only what has proven itself.
  Record the principles and decisions that will guide your future.

  ---

  You don't have to own all three.
  But together they create a simple framework for moving from observation...
  to understanding...
  to deliberate decision.

  ---

  Exceptional Value

  Every journal at Innovative Journaling is handcrafted by Arthur, one at a time, from carefully selected full-grain Italian leather and built to last a lifetime.

  The Three Sharp Instruments collection combines that same level of craftsmanship with a practical framework for deliberate thought.

  Each journal features our durable modular design—no elastic bands to overstretch or metal clips to bend and break. 2 included Refills are individually removeable and easily replaced, allowing the journal to remain with you for years of daily use.

  Whether you choose one journal or the complete collection, you're investing in a tool designed to grow with you.

  Every journal is backed by our Lifetime Guarantee... even if your dog eats it.

  They also make exceptional gifts—for yourself or for someone who values thoughtful living and the written word.

  ---

  Modular by Design
  Each journal holds up to two individually removable refills and is available in four sizes.

  ---

  Available in 4 sizes. Refills with our French cotton rag paper are included.

  Companion — 3.5" × 4.5"

  Pocket Moleskine Cahier — 3.5" × 5.5"
  Designed to accept standard Pocket Moleskine Cahier refills.

  Large Moleskine Cahier — 5" × 8.25"
  Designed to accept standard Large Moleskine Cahier refills.

  SOUL — 5.5" × 8.5"

  ---

  Specifications

  • Full Grain Italian Leather
  • 100% Cotton Rag, Hand-Torn, Archival French Papers (Companion and SOUL sizes only)
  • Durable Modular Construction to hold 2 individually removable refills
  • Signature Solomon's Knot
  • Handmade in Raton, New Mexico
  • Guaranteed for Life, even if Your Dog Eats It.

• When ordering you can choose:

  4 sizes: 
  
  Persononalization: 3 Initials or Multiple lines.
  
  see the Materials Tab for more info on our leather and hardware

• The video below shows you how to removed and replace the refills

• While we are your Makers and you know exactly where your leather goods come from, it's also important to know the source of the materials we use in making them for you. If you would like more info about our products and sources then let's connect to discuss.

  Italian Leather: Our Primary Ingredient

  

  We are soft leather experts and have developed proprietary techniques for working with softer Chrome tanned Italian leathers.

  Unlike the stiffer, belt like, Vegetable tanned leathers, our leathers are soft right out of the box. Like the blue jeans you wear that only get softer and more comfortable with age, our leathers will immediately conform to your lifestyle and develop a great patina over time, making your life's adventures more memorable and meaningful.

  Unbranded English Cow –Chrome/Oil tanned - Full Grain – Struck thru (dyed all the way thru the hide) Tanned in Italy – Unavailable anywhere else in the world.We worked with a 6th Generation tannery in Italy for 2 years to develop our proprietary leather.

  View our Processes and Proprietary soft leather-working techniques

  Hand-torn European Fine Art & Writing papers

  

  We offer you a choice of 3 European, hand-torn papers: Arches Text Wove, Frankfurt White, and Frankfurt Creme.

  Whether you write, draw or do both... using anything from a fountain pen to watercolor brushes, you will have the perfect paper.

  Our Standard paper is Arches Text Wove. The Frankfurt papers are our premium papers and while made more for fountain pens, work very well for water coloring too.

  Our papers are all 120gsm in weight which give them the body you will love.
  They will not feather or bleed with a fountain pen and are acid free. You can also watercolor on our papers. They take light and heavy washes well and will dry completely flat.

  And because you can write on both sides with any pen or pencil, it's like having twice the amount of usable pages you would have in a book with thinner paper.

  We also hand tear all of our papers from larger parent sheets to give you the rough, authentic and artisanal look and feel.

  Solid Brass Hardware

  

  Our hardware is all low lead solid brass

  Low Lead means harder and stronger hardware.

  Unlike much less expensive Zinc, Solid brass is not only strong and patinas well but the low lead content complies with California safety standards.

  We have 2 finishes, Antique Brass and Nickel Matte and because we believe in building things the way you want them, we offer you the choice of hardware finish on all of our products. If you don't see that choice then just ask us.

  We want your tools in life to match your individuality without compromise and inspire your life's adventures.

  Threads and Cords

  

  All kinds and all colors

  Waxed Linen, Polyester and Nylon thread and cords are used to hand-sew our permanently bound journals and for creating the Solomon's Knot on our Modular Journals.

  We have all kinds of proprietary techniques for making our journals and you can learn them all with our DIY kits.

  Ancient and Hand-carved Beads

  

  The beads we use are anything but common.

  Some of our beads are over 300 years old. Others are individually hand carved. Some are and rustic and tribal in nature while others are more elegant.

  We use ancient African trade beads, Jade, Lapis, unpolished Tiger Eye, Jasper, Opal, solid bronze and Sterling Silver and are always adding to and changing out line.

  See our Machine Demos
  

• Personalize Any Item

  If there's one thing that really gets us off it's making your item look totally cool and unique.

  And, when it comes to Personalizing your item, nothing gets more personal and unique.
  That's why we offer so much more than just initials, a name or a short line of text.

  While it's impossible to list all the creative and different ways we can personalize your book, bag or cover, we tried grouping them into the categories below. Any and all of these can be combined so if you need something special then contact us.

  Also, keep in mind that while we usually have standard placement for personalization, we can put it just about anywhere on your item at your request. There is no additional charge for that but you do need to tell us.

  See our Personalization Gallery for Ideas

  

  3 Initial, Full or Multi-line Personalization

  included in the ordering options for most journals and covers

  3 Initial Personalization... the simplest and most popular choice.

  If you get a cover or a journal with 3 Initial Personalization, at our discretion we will usually include a matching leather bookmark and will personalize it with the same 3 initials.

  Full or Multi-line Personalization includes up to 15 spaces, counting the spaces in between the words or name.

  But just in case you are really close, we let you fudge 20% more by letting you add up to 18 spaces. When entering your desired pesonalization please remember that what you enter is CaSE sEnseTIve.

  We can put more letters on a single line but if it goes over the space limit then it will need to be entered as an additional line and will be charged accordingly.

  

  

  
  

  Symbols

  We have a Unique & Growing collection of Symbols which we can put on your item.

  To see the full collection just click on the BUTTON below.
  When ordering a Symbol we give you the choice of adding up to 3 initials directly below it.

  Symbols can also be combined with a Patch but must be ordered separately.

  See Symbols Collection

  

  

  
  

  Patches

  Leather Patches are one of the most Unique forms of personalization we know of and nobody that we know of does it.

  This is where we create a leather patch, put whatever you want on it... a Symbol, up to 3 full lines of type.... basically, whatever you would like, and sew the patch onto your item. Because setup on these can take a long time, we typically make at least 2 just in case we make a mistake. But we usually don't so in that case we will either just give you the second one or sew it onto your bookmark (if it's included) and if it fits.

  Combinations & Variations:
  We can combine patches, Symbols, Single or Multi-line Personalization in whatever way/s you would like.

  There are near unlimited variations and we do our best to make your patch look as cool as possible.
  But if you have certain placement needs or desires then you can just let us know.

  See our Personalization Gallery for Ideas

  

  

  
  

  Custom Logos and Graphics

  If you have a logo or graphic you would like debossed into your item or on a patch then we can do that too.
  The max size is 5x2 inches. We send out to have a special metal die made which can be used over and over again.

  

  

  
  

  Custom Metal Casting

  beads, logos, findings and more...

  

  We have partnered with G&S Jewelry Mfg. in Albuquerque to vacuum cast your wildest dreams in just about any metal you would like.

  We can make just 1 or many pieces for you.
  This is great if you want to create a journal and use your own custom bead design for your own Unique series of modular journals.
  It can be a corporate logo or a family crest, a meaningful symbol between you and your loved one... almost anything you would like.

  Creativity is your only limit.
  So let your imagination run wild and contact us with your idea.
  You can watch our on location video to learn more and give you an introduction to the process. Just click the button below.

  Watch our Custom Casting Video