If I write in a journal and discover fountain pen bleeding or feathering, I cut out the page(s) and give it to one of the kids. But I'd rather know before hand, so I can make it a very nice gift to someone who doesn't use fountain pen.

Any info would be appreciated.

Sorry I couldn't post an image, but it can be viewed on Barnes and Noble's site.

I had one of those journals a few years ago [the red cover with gold accents]. It's a lovely journal and I loved the "fold-around" cover, inside pocket and ribbon bookmark. However, my FP ink tended to "bead" up on the pages. The ink would dry and doesn't smear, even now, but it just looks odd. I've decided to get another Flavia blank book [with the die-cut covers; a few designs are still available in bookstores] for my next journal, once the current Moleskine is full.

Sonnet, thanks for your post.

Yes, we have the same journal and upon further resarch, read that Paperblanks do indeed have ink issues. I think it will make a lovely gift.

I have been successful with moleskines, and will go back to them.

Sounds like a good decision.

Sorry, I haven't logged in for a couple days -- there's a long thread somewhere on FPN about Paperblanks. Long story short, I learned that I wasn't the only one to be not too happy with the paper. Feels smooth, but ink spreads something fierce, or at least it did on the couple ones I've tried: Not sure it's feathering, precisely, but even my fine points left a noticeably fatter line. Yuck. The paper really soaks up the ink.

I did see on Amazon that Paperblanks has a large journal filled with drawing paper, which might be better.

I had a coupon for a local art supply store that expired today, so I picked up one of these--the Old Leather, "grande" size blank book--embossed cover, faux-leather clasp, ribbon bookmark, gilded edges, pocket in the back; it was racked in the sketchbook section of the store.

The paper inside is TERRIBLE! It feels smooth, but every pen (fountain and dip) and every ink that I tested feathered badly. Even Faber-Castell Pitt fiber-tipped artist pens didn't look good--the paper sucked all the vibrancy out of the color. The paper is too thin to use with watercolor or ink wash, but I tested them anyway--the colors dried dull, with a granulation effect that I always associate with cheap, unsized paper.

What a shame...these books look so pretty on the outside! They really shouldn't be sold as sketchbooks. I think the only media I'll be able to use in this is pencil. (I'm glad I got the book at a discount!)