Why Don't They?

[inkypete]

Why doesn't clairefontaine make a standard office style A4 and A5 ruled pad? It is the missing link for me. An office pad using that beautiful 90gsm paper would be beautiful.

[iamchum]

I've come to the conclusion that premium stationary manufacturers have forsaken ruled lined notepads for office work (I've been looking for some with punched holes for lever arch folders) because everyone just goes to office works for them nowadays (that was what I was told at bookbinders, pencity and il papero).

 

I should just write a letter to clairefontaine and rhodia and just tell them, hey, instead of focusing on niche formats, how about just some good old everyday premium notepads and you might be surprised by how many people purchase them.

 

I think at the moment these companies view that market as a lost cause. Can't compete with all those crappy cheap stationary manufacturers (GOD! I hate (bleep) paper)

[iamchum]

Oh, in addition, it does not help we live in Australia... The land of the blokey bloke, and an appreciation of writing materials is considered overly feminine, or just quaint and old fashioned (that was what I was called in my office at uni the other day... by a fellow tutor who was older than me... goddamit! Just because I don't use computers in the media and communications faculty does not mean I am backwards! ...sorry getting a little defensive lol)

Edited November 27, 2012 by iamchum

[ink mixer]

Isn't there a A4 lined Triumphe pad?

Edit: I can't spell Triomphe correctly.

Edited November 27, 2012 by ink mixer

[inkypete]

Isn't there a A4 lined Triumphe pad?

Edit: I can't spell Triomphe correctly.

Yes - but thats not what I mean. That has a nice cover so it is more social stationery. I mean a no frills, no cover, office style pad.

[inkypete]

Oh, in addition, it does not help we live in Australia... The land of the blokey bloke, and an appreciation of writing materials is considered overly feminine, or just quaint and old fashioned (that was what I was called in my office at uni the other day... by a fellow tutor who was older than me... goddamit! Just because I don't use computers in the media and communications faculty does not mean I am backwards! ...sorry getting a little defensive lol)

I've had this same conversation plenty of times. Why is it that so many stationery makers think only females or fans of the Village People buy nice stationery? Lots of choices with flowers and rainbows and pretty borders, but rarely do you see blokey stationery.

[iamchum]

well i suppose its the way of all stationary these days. apparently computers are winning and soft copies of everything is all anyone needs these days. so stationary companies are either cutting back costs of production or moving them from quality to appearance. much like what hollywood movies do, screw the story lets put more special effects in it.

 

edit: note the sarcasm

Edited November 27, 2012 by iamchum

[Lyander0012]

well i suppose its the way of all stationary these days. apparently computers are winning and soft copies of everything is all anyone needs these days. so stationary companies are either cutting back costs of production or moving them from quality to appearance. much like what hollywood movies do, screw the story lets put more special effects in it.

 

edit: note the sarcasm

 

Edit: Fixed minor typographical errors.

 

True enough. I've been meaning to find something utilitarian with quality paper, but the best I can do at the moment is get a LBB (little black book) from Clairefontaine, or a black Rhodia webbie. A lot of the nicer-looking (my personal opinion) journals are handmade leather ones, which each cost... well, about as much as a Moleskine, actually; none of them are even close to what I'd consider low-profile :/

 

For the record, I'm living in the Philippines, which is about as close as you can get to Australia without actually being in their territory. FPs and good stationery aren't as frowned upon here, so I count myself lucky.

 

Anyway... the only real reason I replied to this thread (the above was just so my post would be relevant, haha) was to ask this:

 

iamchum, you know, the first thing I thought when I saw the pen on the lefthand side of your signature was that "Günter" was an Adventure Time reference.

 

I'm well aware of how random that was )

 

Cheers!

Edited November 27, 2012 by Lyander0012

[nigelg]

I used the Pupitre A4 pad at work. Microperforated, lined, 4 holes, 90gsm, stapled top with an unfussy card cover. Got them cheap whenever they were on offer in (UK) Rymans.

[AlejoPlay]

Oh, in addition, it does not help we live in Australia... The land of the blokey bloke, and an appreciation of writing materials is considered overly feminine, or just quaint and old fashioned (that was what I was called in my office at uni the other day... by a fellow tutor who was older than me... goddamit! Just because I don't use computers in the media and communications faculty does not mean I am backwards! ...sorry getting a little defensive lol)

I've had this same conversation plenty of times. Why is it that so many stationery makers think only females or fans of the Village People buy nice stationery? Lots of choices with flowers and rainbows and pretty borders, but rarely do you see blokey stationery.

 

Not all gay men are fans of the Village People or like feminine stationary. This gay man likes his pens/notebooks as "masculine" as possible.

[iamchum]

I dont think we ever said gay, i think we're both referring to effeminate more than anything else. While there is nothing at all an issue with being effeminate, as a society, overall, many if not most Australians do not approve of it. Combine that with the culture of anti-intellectualism and you can see how easily these two get conflated to your everyday blokey bloke who writes with a BIC on a pub napkin if they ever write at all.

 

Sorry if any offence was made.

 

Comes back to the degradation of the modern Australian education system and the relaxing of broadcasting regulations, which happened about 8 years ago. But that's all another story, to be told with misty eyed nostalgia.

Edited November 27, 2012 by iamchum

[EKE]

Is not the Rhodia No. 18 Top Staplebound pad what you are looking for? Seems pretty close to me. :hmm1:

[inkypete]

Is not the Rhodia No. 18 Top Staplebound pad what you are looking for? Seems pretty close to me. :hmm1:

Close but no cigar. I just want a typical office pad - glued at the head, no staples or cover etc.

[EKE]

You'd rather have the glue to microperforation? You are a romantic. :hmm1:

[wyldphyre]

Why doesn't clairefontaine make a standard office style A4 and A5 ruled pad? It is the missing link for me. An office pad using that beautiful 90gsm paper would be beautiful.

 

Edit: Well I should have finished reading the thread before replying, and then I wouldn't have stupidly asked the question below.

 

Are the Rhodia pads no good for you?

 

I realise they are expensive, and the orange ones stand out a bit, but other than that I would say they are relatively no-frills style pads.

Edited November 27, 2012 by wyldphyre

[Chrissy]

I've had this same conversation plenty of times. Why is it that so many stationery makers think only females or fans of the Village People buy nice stationery? Lots of choices with flowers and rainbows and pretty borders, but rarely do you see blokey stationery.

Fans of Village People? :roflmho:

[inkypete]

You'd rather have the glue to microperforation? You are a romantic. :hmm1:

The basic office pad in Oz doesn't have the stapled header like the US office pad. It is usually just glued at the head to a reasonable back board. The US style of staples and cover adds cost and for some uses oit is ideal but basic office pads don't need that finish.

[N2theBreach]

Make your own?

 

There was a post here in the last couple if weeks or so about making your own glued pads. Complete with a rigid back. Didn't look difficult st all.

[iamchum]

if we ever get onto making our own pads, we should form an australian no frills premium office stationary manufacturing company. I'm sure we will get boatloads of buyers

[Daisy]

Make your own?

 

There was a post here in the last couple if weeks or so about making your own glued pads. Complete with a rigid back. Didn't look difficult st all.

 

It's not. Its actually almost too easy.