I found about these Canteo journals in this thread and managed to get one as a sample even though they are not yet available in the U.S. (or anywhere outside Switzerland at moment for that matter). Canteo is trying to expand its distribution and they may be available in the U.S. sometime in 2009. I managed to get this "A4" size unlined journal. I've had such a hard time finding large, unlined journals that lie flat -- but I've covered that in other posts.

I don't know how much these will cost when they get here, but they look expensive. (Just a warning.) The fine linen (or linen textured) hardcover contains 192 pages of smooth paper, around 90gsm or so. It's like Clairefontine except not quite as slick and an off-white tone. Very nice, but more on that later. For now, let me just say that they've put a lot of attention into the paper -- yay!

The journal itself shows much attention to detail and abounds in little features. There is a ribbon, and a diagonal elastic band, and even a pencil:



The inside cover has a little diagonal pocket containing an envelope with 5 metal index clips like the kind you can get at Levenger. But these are more solid -- heavier.



I'm in the middle of a Kunst & Papier journal, but thought I'd skip out of it and make an entry into the Canteo. Why wait?



Sorry for the "not ready for prime-time" handwriting. I hope you'll believe me when I say that my hand is better after it's had a proper breakfast, and a shower and a shave.



Like all smooth paper (even Clairefontaine and HP Premium), it expands the line a bit:


Compare that to a word about the same size using the same pen and ink on the rougher and thicker Kunst & Papier page:



The Canteo paper is a more rewarding writing experience, but the Kunst & Papier paper leaves a nicer line. I wish I didn't have to choose between the two! The Canteo's thin paper allowed a heavy flowing pen to print through to the other side a tiny bit. But I have to say that Canteo seems to have put a lot of effort into the paper, and it's infinitely better than that stuff they put in Moleskines.

The only printing on the covers is this on the back:



So can the Canteo unseat the Kunst & Papier journal that I'm using? (Assuming that it were available, of course.) Hmmm, don't know. It might depend on how much it costs. But the diagonal band of the Canteo certainly deserves to replace Moleskine's vertical band as the symbol of the discriminating, fountain pen using journalist. IMHO, of course.

Here's the Canteo page that lists their product line and philosophy.

Doug

Thanks for the great review. This looks wonderful and I'll probably have to try it at least once, once I can track one down.

Just updating with some information I just received from Rolf:



Thanks, Rolf!

Doug

Doug:
Any ideal when or from whom we may order these notebooks? I'm anxious to get my hands on them.
Thanks, Jim

I think there is a newsletter that will be sent out periodically, and in advance of its American distribution. If I find out the details I'll post, or perhaps Rolf can give us some details.

Doug

Thanks for the review. I love the paper in these journals; as you say, so much better than Moleskine. I like the clever pen-holding corner-strap too.

cheers
eric

Are there any updates? I would love to get one of these.

There is a sign-up for their newsletter here. I haven't received any yet, but I believe they will start going our later this year, in advance of availability in the U.S. some time next year.

Doug

My fish and chips wrapping paper is better than Moleskin. I am a very disappointed user. Looking forward to trying out a Canteo when I can find a local sopurce or reasonable online supplier. They sound too good to be true.

Is there a way to order these through an eBay seller.... similar to the way we can get Apica notebooks from Molly?

I'm with you, CharlieB. I just tried to order some from the website and got a Security Warning....something to do with their updating their security. I decided not to order from the website.

But....I'm willing to wait for another source and pick up a few. The 8x8 Binderized Sketchbook looks promising!

I´m now the proud owner of a Canteo notebook 192 pp, lined 138x194 mm.
Before I got it I was convinced that it was such an elegant piece of art that I barely would dare to come near it with a pen. I couldn´t be more wrong. Yes, it has an air of class around it, but most of all it´s a working horse for daily use. The paper definitely has some texture and is so not so smooth as QV Habana but it takes ink in an amazing way. The ink flows well from the pen, but shows no feathering or bleed through! I now use a Sailor 1911M with a Richard Binder regrinded Music Stub and I can now write rich italic with Noodler´s BP Black without any problem. Amazing! (I tried even a very wet original music stub with J.Herbin Terre de Feu without feathering or bleeding through! With this combination I even saw Clairefontaine 90 g/m2 show some feathering!)

Conclusions:
For my private notes I will still use QV Habana, but from now on I always carry my Canteo to practice italic or just having fun with pen and this amazing paper.

Because this was a sample, thanks to Mr Gerber, I have no clue where to buy this from or even the retail price, but even with a price in the Moleskine level it will be worth every spänn. (Swedish slang for Swedish Krona)

Better than Moleskine? Please read my opinion between the lines above!

Lennart

A good review of the Canteo--it is a beautiful journal, and one that can easily be considered fancy or daily. The paper is excellent for fps, and the construction is superior. The presentation of the journal is one that impressed me before I even opened the front page and began to write in it. (I have an A5, unlined in black).

I've also done a mini-review of the presentation on my blog (see my signature).

I believe the company hopes to market these in the States in 2009. Mr. Gerber is presently out of town, but may see our discussion and give us all an update.

I would highly recommend any of our suppliers to see how to get some stock in when they become available.

Zoe

Ah, these look great to me.
Thank you very much for the nice review.

Thanks looking forward to trying these.

I've always loved the style of Moleskine but not the paper. I since used Exacompta, and Quo Vadis journals and I'm somewhat happy with them. I always want a elastic closure and page finder. The canteo's look great I'll try them as soon as I can.