I have tried Rhodia, Clairefontaine, bnr, levenger, and moleskine. I find that the Rhodia and Clairefontaine are best for FP's but the Moleskine gives me more of an executive look for meetings. I find that I keep my to do list in the front "plastic" pocket on a 3x5 levenger card, and I cut down 4 pieces of flat rhodia paper to fit in the back large pocket-- jsut in case I need addtional scratch paper etc.

Since I use Parker Quink Blue ink that is watered down (6.5 parts quink to 2.5 parts water) and extra fine or fine FP's I have no bleed through.

The best way to organize a moleskine is to have a system that lets you quickly see your meeting notes etc. What I do is on the top line I have the date, and the meeting/topic title, the last 5 lines of each page are left blank which quickly allow me to identify action items out of each meeting/discussion.

Also, I use brown ink when I am meeting with my staff (levenger cocoa watered down 3parts levenger ink to 2 parts water). This allows me to quickly find staff dicussions.
P.S. Recently I came back to Moleskine. Before I was cutting down Rhodia paper to fit my circa Levenger system (did not like Levenger paper for FP's). Not only was it too expensive, I just got tired doing it. So I returned to Moleskine.

Moleskines form factor is irresistable. But I wouldn't go that far to dilute my inks so they wouldn't bleed on moleskines questionable papers. I bought a few pads of Rhodia papers, have them cut and binded into moleskines sized journals. It should be ready next week. Can't wait to use them.

Hey, good idea on the scratch paper in the back pocket. Sometimes the simple is so obvious, yet hard to see.....

Dear T:

That is awesome that you are having the Rhodia paper bounded. May I ask what the cost is for that? Also what size do you use.
John

I agree I wouldn't dilute the ink FOR the moleskine. I generally like more washed out inks because for me they are more soothing to the eye.
John

I got a very bad batch of moleskines notebooks (modo modo agreed to exchange). While waiting I decided to toy with the idea of choosing my own papers and bind them moleskines notebooks size. In Singapore, we have a group of physically disabled people who are able to churn out lovely bounded journals at whatever size you require. They open flat like moleskines. You can choose different cover colours. It costs US$6.50 each. The total costs is almost the same price. Shipping costs is the only prohibitive item. Otherwise I could have imported FPN notepads and have them bounded too!

I envy your organisational skills and committment to detail. I also like Moleskine, what size of notebook you use?

Graham

I use the ruled black "large notebook" which is approximately 5.5 x 8 inches.
John

Sparky, Are there any stockists of levenger index cards in the UK?

Graham

Here's is Levenger's website. I don't know what is available in the UK as I make all my orders on line and have never been to their stores in Chicago, Boston, or Florida. www.levenger.com

If you PM your address, I will be happy to send you some out of my stock.
Best,
Sparky (John)