Notebooks and fountain pens

In this video, I try to review a number of notebooks. Two big players were left out, simply because I do not own any of their notebooks. Furthermore, I do NOT do any writing samples. That may be interesting and informative, but bear in mind that issues like feathering and bleedthrough depend, to a large extent, on the pen and ink used, not just on the paper used in the notebook. Therefore, I try to address these issues in general terms. If you have any questions, comment!

In order, you see:
- Moleskine (A5);
- Leuchtturm1917 (roughly A5 size);
- PaperBlanks notebooks (magnetic seal);
- Cheap, unkown brand (very light paper weight);
- Italian notebook, unknown brand (really heavy paper, but I forgot the brand name. Something like Tempo or Tempi...);
- Leather-bound notebook with handmade Indian Khadi paper;
- Brand unknown (spiral-bound, heavy 120 g paper).

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• notebook
• moleskine
• leuchtturm1917
• fountain
• pen

[redforrori]

OH! BTW, I've heard that the Strathmore 400 series art paper is really brilliant for fountain pens also.

[sbrebrown]

@redforrori Thanks for the suggestions!

[mkglobetrotter]

Does the Leuchtturm 1917 have numbered pages?

I got one of those leather-bound notebooks with (I think) Khadi paper as a gift. I have a different cover, and it is amazing. However, the paper is not the greatest with fountain pens - a lot of bleedthrough and feathering. I have to write quickly with a fine nib to minimise the damage. I may buy another one of these notebooks and replace the paper with something more fountain pen-friendly (I'd use the Khadi paper for something else).

[sbrebrown]

@mkglobetrotter The Leuchtturm does have numbered pages! And a printed table of contents, which is very nice (never saw that on a Moleskine). Still haven't used my Khadi-paper notebook!

[guyfromsac1]

You really owe it to yourself to try Rhodia pads. The paper is by Clairfontaine and the quality is superb. Here in the US, they seem to be very popular with fountain pen users.  I have several in different sizes and I've found nothing better.

[sbrebrown]

@guyfromsac1 I'll try out some Rhodia paper!

[redforrori]

Pelle being an American "Midori" type notebook, thus refillable.

[redforrori]

Rhodia has gross colored paper--it's not ivory or off-white--it's apricot. The paper is really nice, but it makes all your ink look funny--NOT good for FP folks! Rhodia and Quo Vadis (both owned under the Clairefontaine/QV brand group) are both SUPER expensive, and to be honest--may or may not be worth it to you depending on how much you use your notebook.

I am looking for something less expensive (and less "apricot-ish") so I'll be trying both Leuchtturm1917 and Pelle leather journals next.

[mkglobetrotter]

@sbrebrown Oh, that's good to know. I'll check out the Leuchtturm next time! :)

One brand I've always wanted to try out is Earthworks Journals. Check it out - the quality looks amazing, and apparently the paper handles fountain pen ink quite well. A bit pricey, though!

[sbrebrown]

@SofaMordue Thanks for the input. Perhaps you'd like the InTempo notebooks (the only retro51fan has identified below): heavy, smooth paper, lays open flat... But is is ruled, which may be less than ideal for artwork.