.....so I don't like to waste money. But I do believe in you get what you pay fro. I was looking at some Moleskines last night and just wondered if they really are worth the extra dollars for my carry around notes? If the quality and durability are really there or is this just a snob appeal for the name ? Thanks for your input.

The paper quality is variable - I have stopped buying them because the paper gets worse each time. If you use fountain pen, beware! Other than paper quality the books are great, but expensive.

I've wrestled with same questions for a while now. Being a student, budgets are limited, and conspicuous consumption a social no-no ( and I already catch enough flack for my fountain pens). Despite this they've become an integrated part of my life. I have three basic uses:

I carry the smallest size cahier (7.95 for a pack of 3) everywhere. These are made with the same paper as regular moleskins, but have a solid cardboard cover. Probably go through one every 2-3 weeks. Used for quick notes, thoughts, contacts, to test my pen...

I use the next size up (10.95 for a pack of 3) of the cahiers for lecture notes. One of these will typically get me through 4-5 weeks...so again, 11 dollars every 12 weeks? Just drink one less beer every few nights.

My final moleskine is a journal that was given to me. If you are only using the Moleskine as a journal I think you can do better for about the same price. As everyone will mention their paper quality can be variable. If you're into large, wet nibs, probably not your best choice.

That said, I've found nothing else easily available which emulate the cahiers. They have sewed bindings and quite durable construction. Over weeks they stay looking great and their variety of sizes is a plus. They also have a small pocket in the back for storing lit bits of accumulated stuff along the way. At times I don't like the association people might make with my constant use of moleskines (as snobbish etc etc), yet I can't find anything to match their function that can be had locally.

I would love to hear if anyone knows of a cahier-replacement which has better quality paper....

If you are worried about the quality of paper, i'd recommend picking up the cahiers first; as you can always give the other two away as small tokens to non-FP people.

G'luck and let us know what you decide.

I will second inkypete's comment.

over the past 3 or 4 years, Ihave purchased at least 6 Moleskine notebooks, of which only one worked well with fountain pens. The paper was so bad ina couple that I couldnt even use a Pilot G2 gel pen on them.

I have had better luck with notebooks from a manufacturer named "Black and Red". Staples carries them.

Field notes: http://fieldnotesbrand.com/
Apica: http://stores.ebay.com/Take-Note-Writing-Gear - CD-15 or 6A10 would be good for class notes.

My first Moleskine will be my last, shame really. I´ve already switched to Clairefontaine and am eagerly awaiting the Rhodia webnotebooks...

Thanks for the tip. The Field note ones look nice...although wish the came in an non-lined version. Have you tested them with a fountain pen?

I've heard about Apica but they very few sheets per book, then there is the problem finding them....

Not necessarily! There are a lot of Moleskine threads here - in fact, that's what brought me to FPN in the first place, a search for info about inks that would work in a Moleskine. The only consensus about them is that they're highly variable and people's experiences with them are all over the place.

I only started using moleskines recently, avoiding them because of the snob appeal (why would I want to emulate Hemingway??).
That said, having tried them after a couple of decades of using other notebooks including the highly touted Clairefontaine, my bottom line is that the small notebooks might be worth it to me for the durability and portability, but I'm pretty much ready to ditch the larger ones I've used for my regular diary.

It completely depends on your purpose and priorities - you'll note that for many people, paper quality is a priority. It's only second (or third) on the list for me - having wrecked many notebooks, getting frustrated with spiral bindings, books that don't lay flat, and open up in my bag, I really really like the neat, durable design of the small notebooks. It has worked better for me than any other notebook I have carried. However, I don't really need those same qualities for my home journal. I might try one of the Exaclair journals next, and I am greatly looking forward to the moleskine/Rhodia combination that's supposed to be out (if it makes it to NA).

While I much prefer Rhodia and Clairfontaine paper, Moleskines are just practical for compact, mobile writing, especially when travelling. Also, you can buy them just about anywhere in the world, in case you run out of them. I like the hard-back pocket version with squared paper. When travelling, I protect the notebook with a Gfeller cover. The size is ideal, fitting neatly into a jacket pocket or a field bag. As for the paper, I've experienced some feathering but never bleed-through, although I always make sure to use a finer point pen, such as a Pelikan Steno or any Japanese "medium" nib, and not thicker nibs like my otherwise perfect Aurora 88. Pencils also work great on Moleskine paper. For me, the Moleskine is a practical tool. I fill up every page of every one I purchase, even the inside endpapers. A Moleskine is only snobbish if it is purchased as a mere fashion accessory, or to belong to some sort of "scene." I make mine work for every cent! We all have complaints about Moleskines but would be devastated if they stopped being produced. To date, I have not found a true alternative to them. And I do think that the advent of Moleskines has done much to foster writing culture and thus also a return to fountain pens and pencils.

I haven't tested the Field Notes, but a number of people here have and claimed the paper handles FPs quite well. The Apica 6A10 is 100 pages and good enough paper to write on both sides. The ebay seller I linked to (usual disclaimer) is very good. A number of people here, myself included, have ordered Apica notebooks from her and been very pleased.

You can do better than Moleskine and for a lot less money. Make your own notebooks if you must have an envelope in the back and an elastic closure. You can make the cover and envelope from a piece of leather or Naugahide. Once that is made, you can make a refill for it in a matter of minutes. A few stitches attach a new signature to the cover. A few stitches (or only one) keep the old signature together for later reference. You can make notebooks the size you want and use the best paper, all for the price of the paper and a few minutes work with a paper cutter and some dental floss and an upholstery needle.

I bought a couple of Moleskine journals, just to see what all the ruckus was about here on FPN. Apparently, I got a couple of the good ones: no bleeding or feathering. If their paper quality is variable, and the price gives me the lockjaw, they are history around my digs. The cahiers are too skinny, too tall, and too thin for my use. I can do WAY better than that.

Paddler

I've been happier with the Readables Naturals from Books-a-Million as well as the Barnes and Noble clones. The Readables come in compact and A5 sizes in tasteful colors but unfortunately the paper is similar to the Moleskines. The B&N versions have nice white paper but no pockets nor are they available in the A5 size. All are about half the price of the equivalent 'Skines.

Bill

If you are in the US, a replacement for the regular Moleskine is Markings, by C.R. Gibson. Available notably at Target. Real leather covers (unless that's a disadvantage), small size, A5 size (with thin lines!!). Several of us really like these.

I do have a Moleskin pocket sized with a grid that has decent paper and I do like it, but when it's gone I'm getting the Markings. My larger size is Markings and I like it quite a bit.

I still like the Mole Cahiers but there are other notebooks with better paper, just not quite as durable covers. I am experimenting with other options for the "personal" stuff though I have one craft finish XL Cahier left to use.

But for my work notes, I am positively addicted to the ruled 240 page Large Reporter's Notebook. This is a unique product as far as I know and I love the vertical flip combined with the snap string and the back pocket. I use one up at work in 9-12 months so the cost is quite reasonable, annualized. Far better paper than the normal reporter notebook or steno notepad. A bit of bleed through with FPs, but not too bad.

I want to second the Apica 6A10 from Take Note Writing Gear. I was a moleskine user - faithfully. When I began using FPs I had to make a change. I bought a few of these Apicas. To be honest, I wasn't a big fan for the first day or so... but after a bit I really began enjoying them. They work great with the FPs and this 100 page note book is a good size. I had a great experience ordering from Take Note Writing Gear over ebay. These are also incredibly cheaper than the moleskine.

Thanks for all the input!
RATS, the ebay store only does Paypal! I don't do Paypal..........
GRRRRRRRRRR.........

I am pretty sure you can use a credit card through paypal through most ebay sellers. I know I have done it before but I can't remember if I did it with this purchase. You just click to buy and go through the dialogue and at the end you will have a choice to use your paypal account or enter cc information - but it is brokered through paypal.

I want to second the Apica 6A10 from Take Note Writing Gear. I was a moleskine user - faithfully. When I began using FPs I had to make a change. I bought a few of these Apicas. To be honest, I wasn't a big fan for the first day or so... but after a bit I really began enjoying them. They work great with the FPs and this 100 page note book is a good size. I had a great experience ordering from Take Note Writing Gear over ebay. These are also incredibly cheaper than the moleskine.
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I wonder if there is a leather or leatherette cover made for Apicas. The only drawback of these notebooks is that they are not harcovered, which means that they do not survive rugged travel very well. At Kinokuniya, I saw covers for other Japanese notebooks, but not the standard Apica.

My friend... you and I are on the same road.... I have the very same concerns. I took my moleskines everywhere and used them for everything. Their durability was a huge plus for me...

I am not sure if you have seen the thread but there is a guy who had a leather cover made for his apicas and he did a review. here is the link - http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=59567

I have ordered the same cover but I still have some questions about how it will work. The cover solves many of my problems but the moleskine is so portable and I worry about the Apica with this cover being real bulky. I will soon find out though. The good thing is the cover will last a life time... so, you can replace the apicas at $6 and put them in this cover which is top notch leather and can withstand a beating.

Moleskines aren't that great except for one thing. They look absolutely BADASS. My one Moleskine journal that i filled looks so much more significant than my other motley journal collection, so much more weighty- as if I had something important to say.

For me they are worth the price. They just work for me. I have wandered around from notebook to notebook recently, and while I have found a couple that I really like (Apica!), where the whole package is concerned I really love Moleskines. I wish they cost less, and once they're easily available I have a feeling that I'll switch over to the Clairfontaine equivalent, but as it stands I think I'll continue on with them. They've served me well - I see no reason not to keep using them.

Love the design and look but hate the paper except if you go for the drawing/sketch one where the paper is much thicker but then you don't get lines (which I do not need and I find the lined moleskins have too thin lines)

Jennie

Thanks for the info on the drawing book. It does help to know!

I've used one every day for the past year and a half to take lecture notes. The paper quality is really questionable, especially considering the price of a large sized hardback one. Nevertheless, they are sleek, well constructed and attractive so I've continued to use them. I'm seriously considering switching to a Clairefontaine Age Bag simply because the Moleskine paper is a tad too thin for double-sided use (though I still use both sides) and also shows a minute amount of feathering. The latter is the most annoying aspect and probably will be the reason for switching to something else, if I do.

I have been wondering the same question as the OP.

I just bought my first Moleskines. They are two squared notebooks 3.5" x 5.5"

In my case, they were a steal. I got them for two dollars each!!!
(compared to MSRP of $ 11.95 ea!) A local discount bookstore had a Fourth of July Sale where everything was 50% off! So even if it turns out that I don't like them, there will be no money wasted. Woohoo!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love the size of the Moleskines but the paper doesn't meet the $$$! Just gave Molly a sale.

im a big molskine fan.
infact i just received a parcel yesterday with 15 of their journals in it
they look great and i find them fuctional.
people dont like the paper, but i personally have no problem with it.
infact i like writing on it with an fp? :S

To answer the question, "Are they worth the price?", my answer would have to be a conditional yes. If you are lucky enough to get one with good paper, then the overall design, workmanship, and paper are indeed worth the price. If, on the other hand, you get one with poor paper, then they are definitely not -- unless you write with ballpoints!

I've used moleskines, but since I have a leather journal cover I like to put on whatever notebook I'm carrying around with me, nobody's going to know it's a Real Moleskine anyway, and I agree with what others have said about the quality of the paper. However, if you're in the UK, Ryman's have recently introduced an A6 sized sketchbook that has a rubber band to hold it closed and a ribbon bookmark. I bought one for £2.99 this week, and I love it! The paper is nice and thick, and my workhorse pen (a Lamy Safari, because I'm poor right now) works just fine with the notebook. A6 Moleskines sell for £9.99 at the same shop, and I don't need lined paper so the low-cost sketchbook with the (imo) better paper is a win, as far as I'm concerned. It fits nicely into my cover, too!

I have some of the Apicas from Molly, and they are the best for fps that I have found. I would love it if Molly could get a better selection of sizes, but I do understand the vagaries of a retail operation, and if one does not have unlimited funds with which to experiment with what will or will not sell, caution is key to survival.

Donnie

I like the small ones for throwing in my purse, but I don't think they're worth the price. However, I don't know of any alternatives that have all the features, etc. so I usually do fork out for them....

Apica › sounds interresting.
Two questions:

What sizes are they in metric numbers (A5/A4?) or compared to the large Moleskine notebook (that I use at the moment).
And are they lines or – as I hope – blank papers?

this doesnt really apply for americans, as it appears moleskine notebooks are cheaper over there.
but i found purchasing mine in a bulk lot online, saved me around.... 50% which made moleskines irresistable.
not that the price bothered me, but purchasing a few more notebooks than you currently need is definitly cost effective...

I would say that Moleskines are worth the price, but there are better cost-value alternatives out there. I have started to use Rhodia pads.

I have written in 7 or 8 Moleskines and I find them quite nice. I am no paper connoisseur, so I can't say I've noticed any of this variability in paper quality that some of you speak of. I have used various different pens on my Moleskines including 2 different FPs and I have had no problems. They are well-made, convenient, and practical. They are definitely worth the money.

i completely agree with your sentiments, adair...
I don't know where I would be without my Moleskine; I carry it everywhere and write down everything in it. They key, like you say, is to use a F nib or a fairly dry M.
The elastic enclosure and back pocket, as well as the fact that the pages lie flat when the book is opened make this a superior product. If only Clairefontaine could manufacture the same, but with their perfect paper.......

btw... for those of us in the UK, there is a great online supplier, thejournalshop.com, who sells Moleskines 3 for 2, which is a great deal. No affiliation, just a happy customer!

because i use them to jot notes on the fly rather than to write long stretches of prose in (my macbook air is great for that ), my moleskines tend to stay with me for years before needing to be replaced. my first one took three years to fill up, and went with me to 9 countries; bruised and battered, but what can i say?--it's worth every penny, considering the service it performed and the punishment it took.

so i suppose cost is also a matter of function.

I was looking at those Rhodias and they are significantly smaller than the Moleskine pocket notebooks. I don't think it would be comfortable to write in anything that small. Even the Moleskine is pushing it and is about as small of a journal as I would like to use.

Nice site, MM! Thanks for that.

At the risk of getting slightly off track here, Amazon.co.uk have the large Moleskines for £6.99 each at the moment, and if you buy three you qualify for free delivery, as well. it's not a bad deal, and brings them in cheaper than many other alternatives. I'm currently using a graphed one from Amazon, which I recieved a couple of days ago, and it seems to have fairly good quality paper, so it might be a good batch that they have at the moment. (No affiliation to Amazon, just a long-standing customer.)

To answer the original question, when I can get them at sale/reduced prices, I'd say they are worth the money. I've never had the bad experiences that some on this board have noted, though. I sometimes get a little show-through onto the next page, but it's not enough to prevent me from writing on both sides of the page, and I've never had any feathering or bleeding with them. I wouldn't say I use hugely fine points, either - most of my pens have M nibs, and none of them are particularly dry writers. Moleskines hold up to fairly heavy use (being used and carried around constantly for the four months or so that a large one lasts me) well: the worst that's happened to me is that one lost its ribbon bookmark towards the very end of its life.

Finally, and I know various people have said this before, in other threads, but as far as I know they're the ony brand that offer me ivory graphed pages with rounded edges, an envelope in the back, a ribbon bookmark and an elastic closure. I will use other colours and formats, but Moleskine offer me my preferred one.

I've been carrying a Moleskine Reporter in my hip pocket for some while now. They are everything I hoped they would be.They stand the stress of being sat upon, sweated on, etc., etc. Pages don't fall out. It is always there when I want it. I've never had the problem with the paper that others talk about, no matter which pen or ink I use.

I decided to try a larger size for journaling, as the small Reporter was not ideal for that purpose -- good enough, just not ideal. So I was looking at the larger size Moleskines at Books a Million and got seduced by their Natural. Same size, has the pocket, etc., etc. And the paper was good enough.

But I really prefer the oilcloth cover, and do not like the Natural's plain cloth cover. It does not clean off as well. So as that notebook is coming to a close, I have picked up a Moleskine for its replacement. Costs more, but I will be more pleased. Ideal is what I am looking for, and willing to pay a few extra bucks for it.

That being said, someone on this thread mentioned the Field Notes. I like their looks and am going to give them a try, since I am coming to the end of a Reporter as well. If I like 'em, I will let y'all know.

I haven't used Moleskine enough to give you a definitive answer, but from my experience the paper in a Moleskine is not always fountain-pen friendly. I bought the New York city Moleskine for a trip in May and that notebook had nice, thick paper with no feathering or bleeding. I used a fairly wet, medium-nib Waterman Phileas and the notebook performed flawlessly. At that point I was such a newbie that I didn't even know about the problems associated with using a fountain pen.

Liking the city Moleskine, I bought a regular Moleskine journal and it has turned out to be problematic. The only pen I can use without feathering or bleed-through is a Hero 132 with a F/XF nib. All my other pens cause so much bleed through that I can only use the front side of each page. I haven't worked up the nerve to buy another Moleskine to see if I get one with better paper.

Other than paper-quality concerns, I think the Moleskines are well constructed. I've subjected mine to a lot of abuse and they've held up. Good luck and let us know your experience.

I've wrestled with this myself. I have decided to make my own journals/memo pads. Find the paper you like. Michael's Craft Stores have quite a selection of different weights, sizes, and colors, some with grids, some without(unlined). You may decide a high grade printer/copy paper is sufficient. Then search the web for "how to make your own notebooks" and you'll find three or four good articles with pictures on the subject.
It doesn't look too hard, and you can come up with your own neat covers.
It looks like a good rainy day project.

A Japanese company called Mucu make notebooks of a similar size to the small Moleskine journals.

From my experience the paper was of a high quality (much better for fountain pens than Moleskine paper), and the cover and stitching were very durable. There were only two drawbacks: no inner pocket and no elastic band (although it is possible to buy the band separately, which is inserted into the back of the notebook).

More info at: http://mucu.jp/products-e/PB-A.html

(Note: plain, squared and ruled versions are available, not just the diary. Oh and they come in black and beige, as well as orange!)

I'm not sure about the availability of Mucu products outside Japan but this notebook retails for JPY1800, which is almost exactly the same as the small Moleskines.

I'd have to say they're worth the price when on sale, or if you find a good bargain. I'm a bit of a Moleskine fanboy, but am also among the first to admit that there is much better paper out there. I have a few Apica notebooks, a Clairfontaine and several Rhodia pads that I use. Those are exceptional in terms of paper quality. When it comes time to put something in the bag or to take along on a trip, I reach for the Moleskine. It's taken a while, but when you find the right pen/nib/ink combination that works for you then Moleskines are worth it.

I don't think they are worth their paper!
So certainly not the notes I need to pay them with.
For about 15 Euro's I got a nice size.

But for 18,5 Euro's I bought a nice one in Brittain.
See also this review: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...15&start=15
It seems to me like a very nice notebook, useable with FP, although not as perfect as some others, but I do use the Sterling Silver Perfect Pencil from Graf von Faber-Castell when I'm on the road and it has 256 pages....
in 14mm thickness and 180gr of weight.
So that are a lot of useable pages with limited thickness.
But I also like the fact that for this price I get nice india paper, goatskin leather cover, hand bound (not glued or stapled) and a neat good look.

When I need a larger notebook I have "Atlanta Excelent" but they are not on sale outside the Netherlands AFAIK. They could be well out of production completely,
but I've got a pile of about 50 of them. They are expensive, 25 Euro's have about 144 pages, very good paper for FP, stiff carboard cover with a blotted plastic outside, linnen back and stitched/bound.
Also I just got a very nice classic floppy manuscript from Smtyhson, but that is so unbelievable expensive that I won't buy it again, it is very nice, gilded and all,
but just too expensive in an every day use situation. And I prefer the goatskin from Allan's Journal to the pigskin that Smythson uses. Just MHO.
I think I write my first novel in the Smythson. Some day ....