Dear Pen and Paper Friends,

I'm searching for the perfect notebook for field notes jottings, i.e. lots of notes taken on the fly during shadowing sessions with various people.

Any experience with the three types of notebooks above (Moleskine cahier, Apica and Field Notes? Or others? It should be fairly small (A6-ish), not too many pages, have of course good paper, and be resistant to a little bit of battering.

I am tempted by the Field Notes, but I'd like opinions before succombing to the hype.

Thank you for your help!

I just got three Rhodia cahiers that are 7,5x12 cm and they are good (48 pages 24 sheets).

on a different note I got your letter and will reply soon (my paper is not as nice, most of the time I use Clairefontaine feuillets mobiles because it is for school, and even that is nicer than what everyone else uses.)

I've tried all three you mention. The moleskine was terrible and was tossed. I have a few of the Apica, and use them for lists (e.g. pens needed in certain sub-collections.) I use the Field Notes notebooks every day. Fell in love with them the first day they arrived. I'm on my 5th one now. I also use the small footprint size Rhodia when I want to have perforated sheets handy. Here are a couple quick shots to show the relative sizes:




Regards, greg

Love the Field Notes, but in my experience, the kraft paper cover doesn't wear all that well. How much "battering" are you planning on?

And I have to say the same thing about Apica - great paper, but a few trips in my bag and it is looking rather creased and worn. If you don't mind a bit of that, Apica would be a good choice (also, you can roll them up, if you're so inclined).

I just got a faux leather orange cover for the small Rhodia pad! It's the cutest thing ever. I think that adds quite a bit to the durability. It's the same size as the Rhodia pad pictured upthread. I don't know if that's the size you were looking for, though.

Thanks all

I am happy to see the Apica and Field Notes side to side. I don't mind if the notebook doesn't look good after being carried around. I just want it to hold together long enough for me to transcribe the contents.

I'll probably plunge and try the Field Notes.

I love the Moleskines, both the standard and cahier types (the hardcover in particular, though). I'm using a big Apica right now and the paper is wonderful. It's starting to look pretty ugly, but I've been giving it hell and while cosmetically on the decline, there are no physical problems to report. The Cahiers are pretty bad for wetter pens of any kind, but great for pencil and felt-tip or technical pens.

I'll put in another vote for the Field Notes...damn fine with fountain pens thats for sure, however the covers are pretty thin. If you could get a leather slip on cover/protector, esp if it had a band like a moleskine, then it would be perfect I think.
Anyone handy with a sewing machine?

this may already exist... I'll let you know.

My mother was a seamstress, so yes.

I haven't used them, but there are reviews around for Rite in the Rain, and they might be a very good choice. From another thread somewhere is this link:
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_...ge.asp?mi=7093#

I have no experience buying from them, but I want to! First I have to use up the paper I already have....

There was a thread some time ago about using a passport cover to protect a small journal. I tried it with a Moleskine cahier to some success though it took trimming the journal cover slightly to make it fit. The Antique Map cover below is a what I used but the Passport Case by Lewis N. Clark is nearly an inch larger and might work even better.


Antique Map Leather Passport Cover

I always carry a Apica CD-5 in my pocket, they are well built and will take a the daily abuse really well. I find it's the perfect size for a breast pocket and will fit in my wallet if I'm wearing a t-shirt.

Who makes Field Notes, and where can one purchase them?

I asked the same question about Apica about two months ago, and I received many helpful reponses. Now I'm the proud owner of five of their notebooks!

You can only get them through their website that I'm aware of. I see they finally have something besides an "under construction" type page now. And, currently the only size available is 3-1/2" x 5-1/2", and they come packaged 3 to a pack. Field Notes

Last week, Fieldnotes announced that they were looking for retailers to stock their notebooks. Since I've received a number of inquiries about these books from FPN members, including Ryan Roossinck (who simply hounded me to death about their merits), I quickly jumped on the bandwagon and ordered some. I'm pleased to say that my order is shipping out today. So, by the end of the week, Fieldnotes ought to be available at your Friendly Neighborhood Pear Tree Pen Company. I'm pretty excited about the prospects of adding a new brand to the lineup!

James

There are different sizes of the Apicas. The CD5 is 2.75X4", great for lists and small notes. The 4x5.75 CD10 or CD 16 (spiral) might be better. The CD-11 is 8.25"x5.75 a size I find not too big and not too small...

Take a look at http://stores.ebay.com/takenotewritinggear...E:B:SEMK:US:USR for some other options. I've bought a couple times from this seller. Good to work with... I get no kickbacks.

I've been on the same search as of late. I too started with the moleskine cahier. As mentioned above, one great way to integrate the notebook with other stuff in your pockets is a passport cover. I got this one from levenger, which acts as a notebook holder and a wallet ( http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PROD...D=2499|Link=Img ) .

After trimming a moleskine to fit it...and then looking up prices on the apica / rhodia (who also makes a small stapled pad) plus shipping I tried out some cheap-o mini-composition books (4 for $3). The paper is not exceptional, but doesn't bleed/feather any more than my moleskine. For rough lists, todo's etc where looks ain't that important it suits me fine for the cost.

G'luck and let us know what setup works for you.

A quick FYI - I received samples of small Spiral Apica's from Taylor in the Rockies on Ebay. She should be selling them soon.