Recommend me a notebook/journal

**letsdisinfect** · 04-27-2012, 04:23 AM

So you guys officially converted me to fountain pens, so naturally I need something nice to write in! What kind of FP-friendly notebooks/journals do you guys use? I'm familiar with Moleskine (and it's downsides). I've been eyeing the Rhodia Webnotebook, but it's a little pricey.

Any thoughts?

**DogHair** · 04-27-2012, 05:39 AM

I've gone through two Clairfontaine 8.25x11.75 cloth bound notebooks and they're great. Love FP ink and seem to be fairly indestructible. I assume the smaller ones are the same if that's what you're looking for.

**whereisandy** · 04-27-2012, 08:18 AM

I've had good luck with Norcom composition books from Walmart but you have to get the ones made in Brazil. The ones made in the USA or Vietnam tend to bleed through and feather a lot. If you can wait for the back to school sales you can usually pick them up cheap. I can't stand the ugly covers so I got a leather cover for it from http://www.bestamericanarts.com/Shop...ather-Journals (no affiliation). Sometimes they come on sale like around 4th of July or other times.

I wish it had a bookmark and pen loop but for the price I can't complain. There are other leather covers out there that are nicer but also pricier.

I've heard that Office Depot and Staples have eco-friendly paper made from sugar cane that is FP friendly but I haven't tried any of them.

**JPDyson** · 04-27-2012, 08:29 AM

I love my Webbie; it's like a way better Moleskine. The paper color is perfect, the dot grid is brilliant - it's just awesome. I have a few of the composition books mentioned above and those are decent (the Norcom ones - haven't tried the Staples eco pads). I've also got a shirt-pocket-sized Clairefontaine from a recent Goulet Ink Drop (the anniversary one) and I love that thing, too.

But my favorite is the Webbie, by a mile.

**adios_mach_3s** · 04-27-2012, 08:36 AM

just curious - what are the downsides of the moleskine? I've been using them for several years. Although, now that I think about it, I have had one where the binding came loose.

**JPDyson** · 04-27-2012, 08:43 AM

The paper tends to perform poorly with many fountain pen inks.

**SmoovD** · 04-27-2012, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by adios_mach_3s

just curious - what are the downsides of the moleskine? I've been using them for several years. Although, now that I think about it, I have had one where the binding came loose.

I think that it is the lack of consistency in paper quality that hurts Moleskine.

The Brazilian Norcom journals are great but for the hideous covers. Staples has some nice notebooks with sugarcane paper. I think they are the Eco series. Watch for a sale and they can be had cheaply. Rhodia is good but a little pricier.

**DogHair** · 04-27-2012, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by SmoovD

I think that it is the lack of consistency in paper quality that hurts Moleskine.

Agreed. Some perform great while others bleed through and feather. Very hit or miss. You can do better for the same price.

**ddustinn** · 04-27-2012, 10:10 AM

I use the Norcom Composition Notebooks pretty exclusively. They work wonderfully for me as a college student.

**Jimmy James** · 04-27-2012, 01:04 PM

I really love the Staples Sustainable Earth paper, made from the waste from sugar cane.

**The Nid Hog** · 04-27-2012, 01:12 PM

I used to use Moleskines, but I'm a convert to Rhodia. Everything you like about a Moleskine plus it is much more ink friendly. I like the softer cover too. If the price is an obstacle, you can get a leatherette Rhodia cover and buy individual side staple Rhodia notebooks to swap in and out as necessary.

**JPDyson** · 04-27-2012, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by The Nid Hog

If the price is an obstacle, you can get a leatherette Rhodia cover and buy individual side staple Rhodia notebooks to swap in and out as necessary.

Good idea there; in fact I might do that. The #16 is a good size, and it's only $5-6 a pop. You only pay for the cover once!

**The Nid Hog** · 04-27-2012, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by JPDyson

Good idea there; in fact I might do that. The #16 is a good size, and it's only $5-6 a pop. You only pay for the cover once!

I don't know if they have the covers or not, but you can get all kinds of Rhodia notebooks at Office Supplies & More at Chapel Hill.

**Jimmy James** · 04-27-2012, 03:07 PM

I live a bit too far away to have ever made it to their store, but I love stopping by the Office Supplies & More table at the Raleigh pen show. They do have Rhodia and Lamy and feature super good prices at the show. They're also very friendly.

**The Nid Hog** · 04-27-2012, 03:10 PM

It's worth a trip if you're ever close. The owner is a character. They usually have a sale on everything. I think it's something like 15%. He has a great stock of ink too.

**TheGravedigger** · 04-27-2012, 06:08 PM

Barnes and Noble carries notebooks by Fiorentina LLC, which are a great value for the money, and very fountain pen friendly. Some are embossed leather, over-fancy jobs, but they have a plain one that's about 5x9 that gives you a huge number of pages for around $26.

**DunEdinRanger** · 04-27-2012, 08:36 PM

Have you tried MiquelRius notebooks from Spain? http://www.shopmiquelrius.com

I have the pocket size Tech notebook and FP ink works well in it.

**crowdog** · 04-27-2012, 09:30 PM

For "cheap" writing the staples notebooks are great. I just got the Clairefontaine unplugged duo, which also have been great. Durable and great with the FP. I just picked up the Staples Arc system. The paper is not as good as the other 2, but I love the system, and you can add your own paper with the system. My wife rolled her eyes about all my journal purchases:)

Marty

**letsdisinfect** · 04-28-2012, 09:23 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions! Looks like I have a lot of things to check out. I found an old Moleskine in my desk, so I'm going to start journaling in there until I know I'll follow through with it. Then I'll probably take the plunge and go for something a little nicer.

I'm a HUGE fan of the Arc system. I actually bought the Levenger $40 "Simply Irresistible" kit which was a nice intro to disc-bound notebooks. Then I read about the Arc and pretty much bought 1 of everything. I'm a teacher and I use it as my planner/calendar and taking notes. It's awesome.

**SFsc616171** · 05-19-2012, 08:57 AM

As one that has used these, for most of my military, and then D.o.D. career, these particular oddball books have earned that 'boilerplate' label.

http://shop.manconinc.com/ProductDet...223521&bcuse=1

They might not have that 'bookstore glam' look, the price is low, but they will hold up, and will last. Using Parker FP cartridge ink in black, the page holds enough, to not distort or bleed to the previous side. these books are made in a variety of sizes, but for me, and my bookshelves, I use 5 x 8. That provides me 202 pages, plus inner leaves.

Personal note: Walmart-sold Gibson-Markings journals containing 400 pages, are not conducive to the best handscripting posture, connecting pen and paper, either at desk, or with lap desk. Ergo, returning to "the old green books".