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Tips for selecting a geology field case or notebook pouch
 Buy a geology field
case or note book pouch |
| You need a field case or pouch to carry your field
notes. Field geology is all about observation and good field notes. It is a rare student whose mapping and interpretation abilities appear to be better than what their field notes should support. Kooter has once or twice overheard faculty discussing this odd fact while grading papers. Kooter has observed that under the pressure of hot sun and time, otherwise excellent students may choose to not "notice" subtle but significant geological features if it means that they have to stop and dig their notebook out of a backpack every time they should be writing something down, or checking a previous observation. A field notebook pouch is designed to make it convenient to use your notes, so that you develop good field study habits early in your career. Also, field cases and pouches usually have a couple of smaller pockets to keep your acid bottle, and pens and pencils handy. |
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| Professional leather field cases Gfeller casemakers have made really impressive leather geology field cases for about 60 years. One of these will last your lifetime. We stock the most popular Gfeller field case model, in two sizes . The small one is designed to hold one or two of the bound field books like Rite in the Rain which are about 4-1/2 x 7-1/2 inch in size. The larger field case holds bigger note books such as the spiral bound steno books, or sewn binding lab manuals. Both of these field cases have loops on the front to hold pens, pencils, and your acid bottle. They have belt loops on the back that will fit a tool belt up to about 2-1/4 inch wide. A leather strap holds the cover flap closed. But, the Gfeller cases are expensive, and before you decide to invest in one of these, Kooter recommends that you try to borrow one and wear it around for a while to see how it fits your body. The leather field case was designed back when field geologists were pretty much tall wiry types, with a body shape and posture that resembled the young John Wayne. The belt loops on leather cases position the top of the case an inch or two above the belt, which is fine if you happen to be tall and/or you have narrow hips so you can wear your belt slung low like you were walking down the streets of Dodge City looking for a gunfight. People made in that shape don't have problems with the leather case poking a rib or whatever when they bend over. But Kooter has noticed that today's geology students come in a full range of body sizes, shapes, and genders, some combinations of which won't match the unforgiving geometry of the sturdy leather case. If so, you might consider the fabric notebook pouch. |
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| Economy fabric notebook pouches We found a fabric field notebook pouch which has the belt loops located high, so the top of the pouch is about even with the top of the tool belt. This eliminates getting poked in the ribs when bending over. Even then, the fabric is more forgiving than the hard leather case. Fabric field pouches are inexpensive so they are practical for people who might only have one or two geology field courses. On the other hand, these fabric notebook pouches hold up for only one or two seasons in the field, so if you are in the field a lot, figure on replacing one of these every now and then. Our pouch has an outer fabric of polyester pack cloth. Sandwiched between the outer shell and inner liner is a lightweight foam that helps the pouch hold its shape so it is easy to get your notebook in or out. A velcro strip holds the flap closed, so your notebook will always be easy to use. There is a pocket shaped for your acid bottle, and the pen and pencil pocket comes with a standard vinyl "nerd" pocket protector which makes it easy to get your pens and pencils in and out of the pouch without stabbing the fabric. You can even remove the pocket protector and wear it in your shirt pocket on Saturday night in town if you need a small extra touch to help start a conversation with the locals at the bar. |
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| Buy a geology field
case or note book pouch |
Last revision 05/26/2008 |