I've found that for many things I really like using Black n' Red notebooks. Was in Office Depot the other day and decided to try a Cambridge Executive which was a bit cheaper. But when I got to the register we discovered the notebook had no UPC and a trip back to the aisle revealed it was the only one like it so no idea what the price was. I decided this was a "sign" and bought another Black n' Red instead. An A4. Really love the size and have found a couple of dealers who sell it at a better price than OD.

Anyway... Am I spending good money on something that is "just as good" in the Cambridge version?

Or should I save my money and stick with the BnR notebooks.

This is only for certain applications and has no impact on my love of Rhodia notepads. I'm only interested in the above comparison, not alternatives.

I haven't tried BnR Cat, but I have tried the Cambridge Exec. Good tablet paper. Absorbent, but not a lot of feathering. Smooth, yes. They are not Rhodia or Clairfontaine tho. Not sure if that helps.

I spoke too soon. I have a Cambridge Limited notepad, not a Camebridge Executive journal.

I too am a big fan of Black-n-Red notebooks, and was similarly tempted by the Cambridge notebooks. Unlike you, I succumbed to the temptation!

I purchased two; a flip-top perforated wirebound notebook of (roughly) 6x8" white paper, and a wirebound, perforated 8-1/2x11 pad with slightly cream-colored paper.

The flip-top pad is made from a bright white paper, thinner than the B&R, but with a noticeable amount of tooth (scratchiness.) It bleeds through quite easy, and is thin enough that you can easily see what's written on the other side, even if it doesn't bleed through. It does feather just a tad with Noodlers Gulfstream, but not with Legal Lapis. My worst pen, a cheap Hero with an EF nib, is marginally acceptable on B&R and darn near unusable on the white Cambridge.

The latter (cream) paper seems to be thicker and softer than B&R. The surface is fairly smooth, but has more friction than the B&R. Despite being thicker, it doesn't resist bleed-through all that well, but better than the white variety. It doesn't show through, however, and is pretty resistant to feathering.

Personally, if I find the store out of Black-n-Red I'll wait until they restock. I make sure that I always have one in back-stock for just such an event.

If you'd like samples, I too would be happy to send some to you.

My experience with Cambridge Executive is that it is too absorbent, and bleeds through, and has a lot of tooth for it. Works better on a fresh sheet, problems with it are more noticeable when you write on a side opposite of a written on page. Personally, I wouldn't choose it again, if I had a choice. Purchased at Staples Business Depot. Mine is a journal. Sorry for the short reply, I am quite tired. ZZZZ.....

I haven't yet been able to experience any other paper in an 8.5x11 notebook that is

*cream-colored
*lined & perforated
*comes in a handy, professional-looking notebook with wonderful features such as a calendar, pockets, & an area for writing contact information

I often use this notebook for writing letters, and I write only on one side of the page. I write with a fairly wet Conklin Endura stub nib filled with Noodlers black. I've had to use a blotter a couple of times as the pen was hiccupping ink. I can't recall having any trouble with the ink bleeding through to the page underneath. If it did, there were only miniscule spots which I could cover with my writing.

I bought mine from Sam's in packages with 5 notebooks. There were running low at one point, so I bought another pack in case I never saw them again.

Do the Black-n-Red notebooks have some of the features I mentioned? I find it hard to locate cream-colored paper in notebooks at the more common office supply & retail stores.

Ashland

Cambridge Executive does bleed through unless you experiment with several inks and pens and you tip-toe with a combination that doesn't bleed. Sort of like Moleskine in that regard.

Also, when you think about it, there is no ambiance with Cambridge. There is a little more of that with Black and Red- and it is very good quality. That is an important factor for a lot of us here in this forum. If ambiance is not an issue and you have to rely on an Office Depot or Staples then Ampad Gold Fibre is a good generic choice.

However, the best I've ever found so far is Clairefontaine and the like (Exacompta, Rhodia, etc...) They are all pretty close to each other and have subtle differences that some of us prefer over the other according to our personal tastes.

I haven't yet tried the Japanese stuff. I think I'll wait until it has better distribution within the US. Since, once I get hooked on something I like to know it is in ample supply out there.