Full Version: Homage to the composition notebook
If you are looking for these now would be the time to buy them...anywhere. With school starting up soon all the office supply/drug stores/grocery stores have supplies available for dirt cheap, and composition books are on most lists. Like mwpannell pointed out, deep discounts on these, but you have to hurry.
QUOTE (JD4020 @ Jun 21 2008, 11:34 PM) 
Here's my short tribute to and recommendation for the humble little composition notebook. Yes, those marbled-cover notebooks with 100 sewn pages that we all dreaded in Jr. High english class. Who whould have guessed that one of the cheapest notebooks you could find, usually relegated to the bottom shelf in the office supply section, would actually be a great all-purpose journal/workbook/project book that takes fountain pen ink like a champ.
OK, so the real reason for my devotion. They're CHEAP! Now, I prefer to call myself frugal, but these are officially cheap, but still great quality. I've done Moleskine and Apica, Claire Fontaine and HP 32#...all great notebooks and papers. But that was the problem. I always hestitated to write because they were TOO nice. It just didn't feel right jotting down field planting records or ideas for a new shed or random thoughts in something so nice. So, they all ended up on the shelf. (strange logic that wastes more money than writing in them I guess). But, you say, they have those ugly plain generic cardboard covers. Enter in Art at www.renaissance-art.com (no affiliation, very happy customer). For little investment I had a custom-made leather cover with the wrap/tie closure that made the simple little notebook classy, practical and nice to carry around. And the leather is Ooooooo so nice.
So what prompted my praise this evening? Well, a visit to WalMart this evening revealed Norcom composition notebooks (with the Made in Brazil paper, my favorite) for $0.50 EACH. I walked out with 2 cases of various colored notebooks (36 total) for the whopping price of $18. For a little more than the price of a single Moleskine I have 3,600 pages on which to write, doodle, plan, dream, sketch, and do whatever my pen desires.
So while I still have great respect for the top-shelf notebooks of the world (and those that use them faithfully) here's to my new friend and companion: the comp book.
OK, so the real reason for my devotion. They're CHEAP! Now, I prefer to call myself frugal, but these are officially cheap, but still great quality. I've done Moleskine and Apica, Claire Fontaine and HP 32#...all great notebooks and papers. But that was the problem. I always hestitated to write because they were TOO nice. It just didn't feel right jotting down field planting records or ideas for a new shed or random thoughts in something so nice. So, they all ended up on the shelf. (strange logic that wastes more money than writing in them I guess). But, you say, they have those ugly plain generic cardboard covers. Enter in Art at www.renaissance-art.com (no affiliation, very happy customer). For little investment I had a custom-made leather cover with the wrap/tie closure that made the simple little notebook classy, practical and nice to carry around. And the leather is Ooooooo so nice.
So what prompted my praise this evening? Well, a visit to WalMart this evening revealed Norcom composition notebooks (with the Made in Brazil paper, my favorite) for $0.50 EACH. I walked out with 2 cases of various colored notebooks (36 total) for the whopping price of $18. For a little more than the price of a single Moleskine I have 3,600 pages on which to write, doodle, plan, dream, sketch, and do whatever my pen desires.
So while I still have great respect for the top-shelf notebooks of the world (and those that use them faithfully) here's to my new friend and companion: the comp book.
Who dreaded them? Not me!
Wow, fifty cents each? Great catch! I still have some I got from Target with softish, plastic-y covers, waiting to be filled, along with the more conventional hard-cover sort.
PS: One of the many things I like about FPN is that no one thinks I'm mental for buying lots of notebooks.
I think we're talking about big comp books, but they do also make pocket comp books... But, most of the ones I've seen aren't sewn, but have wax-bound pages that fall out at whim. Paper isn't great either. I did find some at Walmart for $0.77 that *are* sewn and feel better than the full-sized off-brand and Mead comp books. Definitely recommend them for fans of non-fancy paper. 
Aaron
Aaron
QUOTE (HerosNSuch @ Aug 5 2008, 04:23 PM)
QUOTE (AfterMyNap @ Jul 1 2008, 12:43 PM)
Help me out here, comp book lovers, I just picked up a couple Staple's brand and YUCK! Is there one brand preferred over another? Are you all talking about the Mead in particular?
Staples just came out with a new eco-friendly version of their comp' books. They are a vast improvement over the previous in terms of paper quality.
I went by Staples and checked out their eco-friendly comp books. They have very nice kraft brown covers, three different designs (plain with a discreet Staples logo at a top corner; one with the word "Composition" printed in different sizes and blank lines for name, subject, etc.; and one with an attractive, abstract sort of feathery swoosh). The paper is made from bagasse, a by-product of sugar cane production. It's a sort of creamy, off-white with khaki colored lines (wide rule). I bought two and tried one out with my favorite gel pen (sorry, not a fountain pen user; I come here for the notebook threads) and was very impressed. Almost no "echo" on the back side of the paper, even though it feels about as thin as usual comp book paper.
There are on sale for .99 right now. Regularly they are $2.50.
I went by a college bookstore yesterday and found an interesting variation on the composition book. It's constructed like a composition book, with solid blue covers and blue binding tape, but a little taller and wider, with college ruled paper on light green paper (I've seen that shade of green described as "eye-ease" paper). The paper was much heavier than standard comp book paper, and the cover was something other than cardboard -- stiffer. The interesting thing was that this notebook had not a single brand identifier on it anywhere, so I have no idea who makes it. It was also about $9.00. I bought two.
Any composition book fans out there ever seen these before? Any idea who makes them?
Any composition book fans out there ever seen these before? Any idea who makes them?
QUOTE (Steveareno @ Aug 17 2008, 06:36 AM)
I went by a college bookstore yesterday and found an interesting variation on the composition book. It's constructed like a composition book, with solid blue covers and blue binding tape, but a little taller and wider, with college ruled paper on light green paper (I've seen that shade of green described as "eye-ease" paper). The paper was much heavier than standard comp book paper, and the cover was something other than cardboard -- stiffer. The interesting thing was that this notebook had not a single brand identifier on it anywhere, so I have no idea who makes it. It was also about $9.00. I bought two.
Any composition book fans out there ever seen these before? Any idea who makes them?
Any composition book fans out there ever seen these before? Any idea who makes them?
If they're like the ones our campus bookstore carries, they're likely National Brand (example at http://www.officeworld.com/Worlds-Biggest-...RED43571/08Q3/). There are a couple other mfg of these as well. Usually called chemistry or lab notebooks. I see many faculty carrying these around daily taking notes at meetings, in the field doing research, etc. These are the folks I learned discipline from as far as "write everything down, keep track, always carry a notebook."
Whatever brand our bookstore switched to lately, the quality of the blue lab notebooks has suffered. The paper is thinner than it used to be and bleeds through something fierce. But the 'eye-ease' paper color and pre-numbered pages are still nice.
QUOTE (JD4020 @ Aug 17 2008, 01:10 PM)
QUOTE (Steveareno @ Aug 17 2008, 06:36 AM)
I went by a college bookstore yesterday and found an interesting variation on the composition book. It's constructed like a composition book, with solid blue covers and blue binding tape, but a little taller and wider, with college ruled paper on light green paper (I've seen that shade of green described as "eye-ease" paper). The paper was much heavier than standard comp book paper, and the cover was something other than cardboard -- stiffer. The interesting thing was that this notebook had not a single brand identifier on it anywhere, so I have no idea who makes it. It was also about $9.00. I bought two.
Any composition book fans out there ever seen these before? Any idea who makes them?
Any composition book fans out there ever seen these before? Any idea who makes them?
If they're like the ones our campus bookstore carries, they're likely National Brand (example at http://www.officeworld.com/Worlds-Biggest-...RED43571/08Q3/). There are a couple other mfg of these as well. Usually called chemistry or lab notebooks. I see many faculty carrying these around daily taking notes at meetings, in the field doing research, etc. These are the folks I learned discipline from as far as "write everything down, keep track, always carry a notebook."
Whatever brand our bookstore switched to lately, the quality of the blue lab notebooks has suffered. The paper is thinner than it used to be and bleeds through something fierce. But the 'eye-ease' paper color and pre-numbered pages are still nice.
Actually, I think these are what I bought:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TGZDQ...me=&seller=
They don't have numbered pages, but the paper is very nice. I've seen the version you describe, and the paper in those is more like the usual composition book paper.
Ooo, I think I have an old lab notebook that someone gave me. Never tried it out---now I'll have to!
This thread got me really curious. I just snuck out of work & popped in the nearby Office Depot. I found a ton of the Vietnamese-made composition books in wide ruled & college ruled. I picked up 8 college ruled books for $0.99 each, and I'm truly impressed! I never would have thought a notebook so cheap would do so well with FPs. I just wrote a bit with my M800, and there's virtually no feathering on this paper. There's no real bleed through, but I can see what I've written from the reverse side of the page. But I don't think it's bad enough for me to avoid writing on the backs of the pages.
I might stock up on some more now that I'm going back to college!
I might stock up on some more now that I'm going back to college!
Welcome to the club! At the college bookstore where I found the blue lab notebooks, they had stacks of Norcom college ruled composition books, made in Brazil (which seems to be the best paper available in standard comp books). I know Wal-Mart also stocks Norcom Brazil-made comp books, but as far as I can tell, only in wide rule.
This is a great time of the year, Back to School time, when marbled comp books are on sale everywhere. I never realized there was a big difference among comp books or where they were manufactured. I don't care too much if they bleed through, cause I want 'em to be cheap and useful. I use fp and pencil in my ntebooks. I also appreciate the multiplication tables on the back covers---I need all the help I can get! Yeah, marbled comp books, like dry martinis, brown lunch bags or Sinatra, are just the kind of American things you can't improve upon, rugged, simple, unpretentious. (American in concept, even if they are outsourced...) I buy them by the dozen this time of year. Rite Aid and CVS are my favorite places to buy them (50 cents a notebook!).
*runs to nearest CVS*
I just got a small stash of the gridded ones from Office depot. They were made in India but there were clearly two different batches, One had decent paper and nidely ruled lines, the other looked to be bad paper and wide, fuzzy lines. Reasonably FP friendly with my fine nib pens too.
The gridded sell for $2.99 while the college and wide ruled are on sale now at 99 cents.
Tony
The gridded sell for $2.99 while the college and wide ruled are on sale now at 99 cents.
Tony
This is a company that makes leather covers for standard composition books. One way to jazz up an everyday item.
I use a zipper book cover from Barnes and Noble for my tall spiral notebook for calls/messages. But, these are much nicer.
http://www.pledesigns.com/store-products/c...ae49f337b7051de
I use a zipper book cover from Barnes and Noble for my tall spiral notebook for calls/messages. But, these are much nicer.
http://www.pledesigns.com/store-products/c...ae49f337b7051de
Here's another leather cover style from Jenni Bick:
http://www.jennibick.com/refillable-leathe...p-notebook.html
They even throw in a composition book with the cover.
http://www.jennibick.com/refillable-leathe...p-notebook.html
They even throw in a composition book with the cover.
Does any one know if they make--and if so, where I can get--blank paged compostion notebooks? I'm really looking for any inexpensive blank notebook with a sewed binding like the composition notebook.
I picked up some composition notebooks up from Staples a few weeks ago and started to write with one today. I was absolutely amazed at the writing quality of these notebooks! They were on sale for $.25 a piece, or something like that. I'm using a Sheaffer PFM with an XXF-XF nib and it just glides across the paper. Levenger, by the way, also sells some nice, but pricey, composition notebook covers.
A source of very high quality custom made composition book (and any other) covers is dreamingmind.com. It really doesn't get much better than this.
A source of very high quality custom made composition book (and any other) covers is dreamingmind.com. It really doesn't get much better than this.
QUOTE (Poetman @ Aug 31 2008, 07:43 PM)
Does any one know if they make--and if so, where I can get--blank paged compostion notebooks? I'm really looking for any inexpensive blank notebook with a sewed binding like the composition notebook.
I haven't seen these for years. They used to be my favorites. If you find any, please post the source here!
QUOTE (Poetman @ Aug 31 2008, 01:43 PM)
Does any one know if they make--and if so, where I can get--blank paged compostion notebooks? I'm really looking for any inexpensive blank notebook with a sewed binding like the composition notebook.
I remember seeing blank (unlined) comp books at my university's bookstore next to the gridded and college-ruled composition books, so they do exist. The bookstore here has a better selection than the chain office stores...not sure where you could source those online, though. You might consider the extra-large Molesike cahiers, although they are more expensive and not the same dimensions.
Brandon
QUOTE (Poetman @ Aug 31 2008, 08:43 PM)
Does any one know if they make--and if so, where I can get--blank paged compostion notebooks? I'm really looking for any inexpensive blank notebook with a sewed binding like the composition notebook.
Definitely. Stevedan's wonderful office supply shop in Manhattan sells the blank versions. They are a little more expensive than the regular notebook. I have one but there is no indication of the brand anywhere, just copyright 2001 APP and above the barcode HBO3377. The barcode itself has numbers 1266802377. It looks like a regular black Mead black composition notebook but again, not a single brand name anywhere. Well, at least we know that they're still made. Send Stevedan's a message or give them a call.
While watching "Edison, The Man" this morning on cable I spotted a black marbled composition book being used for aall his notes on filiments for the electric bulb. Artistic license or true to facts I don't know but if good enough for Edison it's good enough for me.
Tony
Tony
I love these Mead 5 Star college ruled books. They come in several colors.
I have not used them recently because I could not find them at the store, guess I'll have to see if my local Walgreens has them. The attached photo is from Walgreens.com and they run about $4.50.
Click to view attachment
I have not used them recently because I could not find them at the store, guess I'll have to see if my local Walgreens has them. The attached photo is from Walgreens.com and they run about $4.50.
Click to view attachment
QUOTE (bphollin @ Aug 31 2008, 10:53 PM)
QUOTE (Poetman @ Aug 31 2008, 01:43 PM)
Does any one know if they make--and if so, where I can get--blank paged compostion notebooks? I'm really looking for any inexpensive blank notebook with a sewed binding like the composition notebook.
I remember seeing blank (unlined) comp books at my university's bookstore next to the gridded and college-ruled composition books, so they do exist. The bookstore here has a better selection than the chain office stores...not sure where you could source those online, though. You might consider the extra-large Molesike cahiers, although they are more expensive and not the same dimensions.
Brandon
Thanks. I was thinking about the Moleskines, but the paper is a bit too thin. I can't stand seeing the ink bleed through on the other side. Do you have a picture of the unlined compostion book? Do you know the brand name?
Thanks!
It's possible these folks have unruled composition books (minimum order USD25.00) and no guarantee they are fountain pen friendly.
http://www.gramcoonline.com/1160/supplies/item.html
But perhaps worth a try.
http://www.gramcoonline.com/1160/supplies/item.html
But perhaps worth a try.
QUOTE (jonro @ Aug 31 2008, 05:50 PM)
I picked up some composition notebooks up from Staples a few weeks ago and started to write with one today. I was absolutely amazed at the writing quality of these notebooks! They were on sale for $.25 a piece, or something like that. I'm using a Sheaffer PFM with an XXF-XF nib and it just glides across the paper. Levenger, by the way, also sells some nice, but pricey, composition notebook covers.
Oh, maaaaaan! You're making me cry!
First I miss the sale at Wally World, now this.
Okay, so I definitely cannot locate any unruled compostion notebooks, but to make matters worse, now I also cannot locate Roaring Spring quad. ruled notebook that I used instead. It has a green cover that says: Roaring Spring Compostions.
Any idea where to find these? Staples and Office Depot only have their store brand copies.
Any idea where to find these? Staples and Office Depot only have their store brand copies.
And who ARE you people getting these notebooks for a quarter? Or are you just saying that to torment me?
Hi !
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
Melf
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
Melf
I don't know if they still have them, but Building #19 1/2 (Burlington, MA) had a ton (probably close to literally) of Staples stuff (some Staples branded) including composition notebooks. I bought some of the upscale notebooks, and they bleed through enough that they are not useful for writing on both sides.
Building 19 gets discontinued, damaged, etc.goods for sale at steep discount. This could have been a truckload that was damaged on the road or something. Some of the notebooks were clearly seconds, some were first class, but the prices were cheap cheap cheap. If you have one nearby, it might be worth checking out.
Building 19 website
have fun, folks,
WH
Building 19 gets discontinued, damaged, etc.goods for sale at steep discount. This could have been a truckload that was damaged on the road or something. Some of the notebooks were clearly seconds, some were first class, but the prices were cheap cheap cheap. If you have one nearby, it might be worth checking out.
Building 19 website
have fun, folks,
WH
QUOTE (Melf @ Sep 5 2008, 09:54 PM)
Hi !
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
Melf
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
Melf
I think your English is quite good.
Composition books here are cheap, but the paper quality (for fountain pens) is a complete roll of the dice. Some are very good, some are very bad. Brand name seems not to be very reliable, country of origin may be a better indicator (most of the remarks on Brazilian sourced paper have been positive). I would recommend against buying online; I don't even buy shrink-wrapped ones. If you can't touch and feel the paper, you don't have a good chance of getting a good one.
Levenger used to make good (but expensive) ones. But I have seen many remarks that their paper quality has declined. Fountain pen users are a very small minority here, and their paper needs are not really considered by the large manufacturers. If their needs are met, it is basically an accident. The paper is fine for ballpoints, rollerballs, pencils, but whether it is fine for fountain pens is pure chance.
Maybe someone here could send you a couple.
It's true that the paper quality varies a lot, even within brands, but I've never had a brand where I could (or wanted to) write on both sides of the paper. That's fine, though--you still get a lot of sheets to work with.
It's true that the paper quality varies a lot, even within brands, but I've never had a brand where I could (or wanted to) write on both sides of the paper. That's fine, though--you still get a lot of sheets to work with.
QUOTE (Melf @ Sep 6 2008, 01:54 AM)
Hi !
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
I eagerly recommend the company Roaring Spring. I use their quad ruled notebooks, and everyone I've ever used takes to my fountain pens--and rollers--like a dream! Could luck finding them. I'm trying to find them now and am having some trouble. You might have to contact the company directly.
Melf
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
I eagerly recommend the company Roaring Spring. I use their quad ruled notebooks, and everyone I've ever used takes to my fountain pens--and rollers--like a dream! Could luck finding them. I'm trying to find them now and am having some trouble. You might have to contact the company directly.
Melf
If you have a paypal account I would be willing to send them to you--the Brasilian paper is available at my local Walmart. I bought a few to try, and the paper is nearly as smooth and fountain pen friendly as my Clairefontaine pads (which I bought in your world).
The last time I was there they were under one US dollar.
Z
The last time I was there they were under one US dollar.
Z
QUOTE (Sailor Kenshin @ Sep 6 2008, 03:38 PM)
Maybe someone here could send you a couple.
It's true that the paper quality varies a lot, even within brands, but I've never had a brand where I could (or wanted to) write on both sides of the paper. That's fine, though--you still get a lot of sheets to work with.
It's true that the paper quality varies a lot, even within brands, but I've never had a brand where I could (or wanted to) write on both sides of the paper. That's fine, though--you still get a lot of sheets to work with.
QUOTE (Melf @ Sep 6 2008, 01:54 AM)
Hi !
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
Melf
I just discovered this forum looking for information about marble composition books. I live in France, and I have never seen one of these in any french shop. I m writing a lot, and for some reason I always dreamed of writing on one of these.
Since I cant buy them here, I would like to buy some on an online store that ships oversea.
I need some with good quality paper, because I need them to be fountain pen friendly (dont want to see the ink spread, or see the ink appear in the back of the paper). The problem is from there I obviously cant touch the paper and feel the quality.
Maybe you guys can help me to find what I m looking for since you got some serious experience
What is the best composition books maker ? I heard about Mead but according to what you just say in this thread, paper quality can be disappointing...
It would really be awesome if you could give me some advice on what would be my best bet !
Thank you (and please forgive my bad english )
Melf
I eagerly recommend the company Roaring Spring. I use their quad ruled notebooks, and everyone I've ever used takes to my fountain pens--and rollers--like a dream! I'm trying to find them now and am having some trouble. You might have to contact the company directly.
http://www.rspaperproducts.com/
This online store carries several Roaring Spring composition book models. Here's the page for the standard 100-sheet version in wide rule:
http://www.cleansweepsupply.com/pages/item-roa77230.html
I don't see any blank or quad ruled ones, though they seem to have some in college rule (though that version seems to have only 60 sheets).
In looking over the company history and description of its facility on the web site, one gets the impression that they still manufacture a good amount of their products in the U. S. Pretty cool, if so. I may have to order one of these comp books and give it a try.
http://www.cleansweepsupply.com/pages/item-roa77230.html
I don't see any blank or quad ruled ones, though they seem to have some in college rule (though that version seems to have only 60 sheets).
In looking over the company history and description of its facility on the web site, one gets the impression that they still manufacture a good amount of their products in the U. S. Pretty cool, if so. I may have to order one of these comp books and give it a try.
I noted comments about the uneven quality of paper in cheap composition notebooks, as well as the rarity of college-ruled and blank paper, and took another approach. I bought an Exacompta journal.
Melf, note that the back cover indicates its origin in Paris. You might be able to find them there.
The item is listed as follows: Exacompta Basics sketch book. 5x8, 128 pp (#9930), unlined. $12. Available from www.wetpaintart.com/thumbnail.asp?cid=569.
The paper is creamy, thick, and has a little rough (laid?) texture on the back side. No feathering, no show-through. The best pen for use on this paper is my Pelikan M400 with .6 mm italic nib; the shading really works well with this paper.
I found the paper to be a little heavier than I really need for a journal, but the absence of trouble with FP ink and its durability are a plus.
The only difficulty is that I'm writing 60 pages per month. It's not going to last long at this rate.....
Melf, note that the back cover indicates its origin in Paris. You might be able to find them there.
The item is listed as follows: Exacompta Basics sketch book. 5x8, 128 pp (#9930), unlined. $12. Available from www.wetpaintart.com/thumbnail.asp?cid=569.
The paper is creamy, thick, and has a little rough (laid?) texture on the back side. No feathering, no show-through. The best pen for use on this paper is my Pelikan M400 with .6 mm italic nib; the shading really works well with this paper.
I found the paper to be a little heavier than I really need for a journal, but the absence of trouble with FP ink and its durability are a plus.
The only difficulty is that I'm writing 60 pages per month. It's not going to last long at this rate.....
Well, I found out that Roaring Spring composition notebooks are alive and well! I picked some up at my local college bookstore, and they are a dream. The cover is thick, not flimsy like the office depot brand, the pages do not show much bleed through, and the binding is very durable. These notebooks are a dream, and with their affordable price, I use one for everything. I have one notebook for each project. I must admit the price and binding are the best selling quality. At 1.50 a notebook, they're inexpensive to purchase a few of them, and with the sewn cover, I know they will last a long time. I hate spiral notebooks, well in part because I hate that modern metal look, but the spiral always gets tangled everywhere and bends, and the pages can rip off so easily. I hate the glued notebooks even more because they fall apart. But there's nothing like a durable composition notebook! May they (especially Roaring Springs) last forever! The thicker cover and thicker paper make Roaring Spring my favorite.
Which brands do you all find most fountain pen friendly?
I fin that the quad ruled or blank pages are more friendly then the college or wide ruled.
I fin that the quad ruled or blank pages are more friendly then the college or wide ruled.
In the news this weekend is Jack Kilby's quad notebook from 1968 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first integrated circuit, the breakthrough that "set the stage for the Internet and the Digital Age" -- thus making the notebook slightly more obsolete. But we still love them right? (As do thousands of engineers, techies, lab rats, field reporters, etc. all across the world!) Wonder how much he (or Texas Instruments) paid for it!
Michael
Click to view attachment
Michael
Click to view attachment
For my money the Roaring Springs can't be beat, especially the 5x5 gird. It's the perfect size (9 3/4 x 7 1/2) and with the sewn binding, it lays perfectly flat when opened.
I love writing in my Roaring Springs quad ruled book under a black light with Noodler's Blue Ghost. The paper itself looks like purple onion-skin and the ink contrasts nicely with a bright neon blue.
QUOTE (Laeyra @ Sep 14 2008, 11:41 PM)
I love writing in my Roaring Springs quad ruled book under a black light with Noodler's Blue Ghost. The paper itself looks like purple onion-skin and the ink contrasts nicely with a bright neon blue.
Those of you who also love Roaring Spring, where do you get you notebooks from. I had to place an order with my local university. (I hope they come in.) I, too, love how the pages lay flat.
QUOTE (mwpannell @ Sep 14 2008, 02:56 PM)
In the news this weekend is Jack Kilby's quad notebook from 1968 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first integrated circuit, the breakthrough that "set the stage for the Internet and the Digital Age" -- thus making the notebook slightly more obsolete. But we still love them right? (As do thousands of engineers, techies, lab rats, field reporters, etc. all across the world!) Wonder how much he (or Texas Instruments) paid for it!
Michael
Click to view attachment
Michael
Click to view attachment
Teh kewlnis!
I went to my local Staples today, hoping to get a quad. ruled comp. book while I await my Roaring Spring arrival. Well, I was pleasantly surprused by the stiff cover, although I didn't write inside, the paper seemed okay. Staples is in MA, but these notebooks were outsourced to Tawain! The covers were awful though: they were bright lime green with white stripes. Since when did they start getting creative with compostion notebooks? Give me the old fashioned marble covers: green and black! I hope this lime with stripes was just a test run!
I think I picked up a couple of those; they had quad and regular ruled. A test of the paper pleased me somewhat.
I also got something with a black cover that had slant-ruled lines on the lower half of the page. The cover might have said basic composition. It looked so odd I couldn't resist.
I also got something with a black cover that had slant-ruled lines on the lower half of the page. The cover might have said basic composition. It looked so odd I couldn't resist.
QUOTE (Poetman @ Sep 14 2008, 04:25 PM)
QUOTE (Laeyra @ Sep 14 2008, 11:41 PM)
I love writing in my Roaring Springs quad ruled book under a black light with Noodler's Blue Ghost. The paper itself looks like purple onion-skin and the ink contrasts nicely with a bright neon blue.
Those of you who also love Roaring Spring, where do you get you notebooks from. I had to place an order with my local university. (I hope they come in.) I, too, love how the pages lay flat.
I pick mine up at the local university bookstore (which is convenient because I am a student). This time of year there always seems to be plenty in stock, which is good, because I've never seen them anywhere else.
Considering the Jack Kilby photo, would anyone else like to share to photos on a compostion notebooks in use?
Here's some I enjoy:
From the movie proof:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/17672833...f1bc9c0.jpg?v=0
From Robert Breeson's film, Pickpocket:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_iJP_wg6Tnag/RtDiB4.../Pickpocket.jpg
Both of these are really great films. Although, I think in Pickpocket there might be spiral on one of his notebooks--but at least he uses the quad paper I like.
Here's some I enjoy:
From the movie proof:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/17672833...f1bc9c0.jpg?v=0
From Robert Breeson's film, Pickpocket:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_iJP_wg6Tnag/RtDiB4.../Pickpocket.jpg
Both of these are really great films. Although, I think in Pickpocket there might be spiral on one of his notebooks--but at least he uses the quad paper I like.
Well, with mixed emotions I write this. Finally, I received the Roaring Springs Unlined and graph lined composition notebooks. I took a medium Waterman Phileas to it with Noodlers black, and there no feathering and hardly any visible bleed through. BUT, then I was adjusting some notes with a Pilot Precise rollerball (v.5 & v.7) and the bleed through is quite noticeable. Have I found a rollerball that bleeds worse than a fountain pen? Or, is there better paper than what Roaring Spring makes that someone might suggest?
A few weeks ago I bought a 3 subject Mead Composition Book at Walgreens. I don't have a FP to test it with, other than my disposable. It feels nice and smooth, no feathering that I can tell, but it is dark enough to be seen through the backside of the page. Perhaps other inks would not do this?
In my experience, if one ink shows through, so do they all.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.