ABOUT US
At LOCHBY (pronounced 'Lock-Bee'), we're driven by a simple yet profound mission: to empower individuals to unleash their creative and productive potential. We craft premium notebooks and accessories designed not just to accompany you on your journey but to inspire and facilitate your creativity and productivity.
The Journey from Durable Gear to the Finest Stationery
Our story began with a passion for durability and functionality, deeply influenced by our founder Chris Elfering's six years of experience in the US Army. This experience instilled in us a commitment to mil-spec construction and durability, traits that defined our early ventures into travel gear and continue to guide us today.
A Discovery That Changed Everything
Chris's discovery of fountain pens and the transformative power of writing and sketching with quality instruments led to a pivotal shift in our focus. The search for the perfect paper that could enhance the fountain pen experience brought us to Tomoe River paper, renowned for its exceptional quality and fountain pen friendliness.
From Personal Need to Global Offerings
What started as a personal quest to create the perfect notebook blossomed into a full-fledged mission to offer premium, durable stationery to the world. Our initial creations, the Field Journal and the Tool Roll, were born from necessity but grew through community interest and enthusiasm.
LOCHBY Today: More Than Just a Brand
LOCHBY has evolved from its travel gear roots to become a beacon for creators, thinkers, and doers worldwide. The name LOCHBY, loosely translating to "Lake Town," pays homage to founder Chris Elfering's hometown of Minneapolis, MN—the City of Lakes. This inspiration drawn from the serene lake town ambiance underlines our profound connection to environments and moments that ignite creativity. Today, all our products are thoughtfully designed in either Florida, USA, or Toronto, Canada, showcasing our commitment to blending diverse perspectives with unparalleled quality in every piece we create.
Our Commitment
We are committed to crafting notebooks and accessories that stand the test of time, embodying both durability and functionality. Our products are designed to be lifelong companions in your creative and productive endeavors, encouraging you to capture thoughts, ideas, and inspirations anywhere and everywhere.
Our Global Family of Suppliers and Partners
In our quest for unparalleled materials, we’ve forged relationships across the globe:
Paper That Speaks Volumes: Our quest for the finest materials led us to the esteemed Tomoe River in Japan, renowned for its exceptional paper. This choice reflects our dedication to offering you a writing experience that is both smooth and sustainable. The refills, assembled with precision in Taiwan, embody our commitment to quality at every stage.
Fabric With a Conscience: The fabric that gives our products their distinctive look and feel comes from South Korea. Selected for its durability, aesthetic appeal, and environmental footprint, this material mirrors our mission to make products that are not just good for you but good for the planet.
Craftsmanship Without Borders: Our soft goods are assembled with care in Vietnam, in facilities that share our ethical values and dedication to craftsmanship. This partnership ensures that every product that reaches you is a testament to skilled workmanship and ethical practices.
Shipping With Purpose
Once our products have passed our rigorous quality checks, they are shipped from our fulfillment center in New Jersey, ensuring efficient delivery to your doorstep. This process is streamlined to ensure that you receive your LOCHBY products in perfect condition, ready to accompany you on your creative journeys.
The Impact of Your Support
Chris's founding vision continues to guide LOCHBY as we evolve. By choosing our products, you're part of a community dedicated to sustainability, quality, and innovation. We're not just creating products; we're fostering a movement towards more conscious consumption and production.
Join Us on Our Ethical Journey
By choosing LOCHBY, you're not just selecting a product; you're supporting a network of suppliers and partners who are committed to ethical practices and sustainable materials. From the paper that captures your thoughts to the fabric that protects them, every aspect of a LOCHBY product is chosen with care and responsibility.
We're proud of the global collaboration that brings LOCHBY products to life, and we invite you to be a part of this journey. Together, we can make choices that support sustainability, ethical labor, and the pursuit of quality. Thank you for choosing LOCHBY, where every product tells a story of innovation, ethics, and craftsmanship.
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HOW A FOUNTAIN PEN STARTED THIS U.S. BUSINESS
If you're into journaling, sketching or planning...
Like to be creative and productive...
On the Dogwatch Podcast Interview
Our guest today on The Dogwatch is Chris Elfering, the founder of LOCHBY, a company that produces premium notebooks and accessories out of waxed canvas.
EVERYDAY CARRY KIT
Here is my current daily carry. It has fluctuated a lot over the years. Sometimes I’ve carried more, sometimes I’ve carried less, but this is currently what I'm carrying and I'm happy with it so far.