Moleskine < ? < Rhodia - Need Suggestions

[Chouffleur]

I write on four surfaces: index cards (for everything), Moleskine notebook (journal/log), Blueline notebook (pen-related notes), and Rhodia Unlimited (field notes). I use FPs exclusively for the first three, and mostly Pilot G2 (but sometimes FPs) on the fourth.

 

I'm happy with my choice of index cards - pretty much whatever is handy in Target. No need for help.

 

My Moleskine notebook has only one real flaw with the pens and inks I use, I can see occasional annoying spots through the back of the other side of the page. I'm not sure what the technical term for this is (bleed-through?). - I'd like a suggestion that is slightly better than Moleskine but not much. I use the 3.5" x 5.5" ruled pocket notebook and choice of colors matters. I don't want a much better notebook because I have already determined that Rhodia exceeds requirements (see field notes).

 

http://www.moleskine.com/us/collections/model/product/notebook-pocket-ruled-magenta-hard

 

My Blueline notebook has everything I want in a notebook except that the paper is complete garbage. The notebook is approx 7 3/4" x 9 3/4", wire bound, micro-perforated pages, with an index page and stick-on tabs and labels. The perfect substitute would be the same thing with better paper.

 

Looks a bit like this but smaller: http://www.amazon.com/Blueline-EcoLogix-NotePro-Notebook-A10200E-BLK/dp/B001PMG82G

 

My Rhodia Unlimited is serious overkill for a small notebook to carry around and write in with a Pilot G2. Too glossy. Overspecified. I'd like something lower on the food chain for field notes, perhaps even Field Notes.

 

http://www.jetpens.com/Rhodia-Unlimited-Notebook-3.5-x-5.5-Lined-Black/pd/10781

 

I await your response(s) with bated breath.

Edited June 25, 2015 by Chouffleur

[dropbrian]

Rhodia and Clairefontaine are made by the same company. As I understand it, Clairefontaine is pretty common in Europe, much like MEAD in America. They're more day-to-day than Rhodia, but the paper is the same quality (and a bit heavier, unless you get the Webnotebook or Rhodia Premium). There are subtle differences between the papers; personally I prefer Clairefontaine. Anyway, you should be able to find Clairefontaine at more student/consumer-friendly prices, as I believe it's not considered as "boutique."

[jwynn9154]

I much prefer Leuchtturm1917 notebooks to Moleskine. Available at Goulet, Amazon, lots of other places.

[NotPiffany]

Why not use the Moleskine for your field notes (it should work with a gel pen just fine) and the Rhodia for your journal?

[Polanova]

Why not boykott Moleskine because of their bad Notebook paper

Get some Clairefontaine or Rhodia instead

[SallyLyn]

I'm a big time user of FieldNotes but not every edition is suitable for a FP. Usually the weight is 50lb and works quite well with pencil or ballpoint. I don't recall my success with a G2 or Jetstream but should work. About every 12-18 months they produce a version with 70lb paper and it does well with FPs.

For both the gel or FPs a Fine/ExFine nib produces the best results. Fortunately we are blessed with many good and even inexpensive pens with smooth F/XF nibs. Pilot being one.

[Buzz_130]

If you want to replace your Moleskine for your journal, then Apica, Rhodia, Clairefountaine, Quo Vadis, and Black N Red all make excellent replacements with fountain pen friendly paper. I've used all of them for this purpose and settled on Rhodia A4 because the paper is the Rhodia fountain pen users enjoy and the book lays flat. Quo Vadis would also be close to perfect except the spacing between the lines is tiny. Black N Red is the most affordable out of the list.

 

Your Blueline could be replaced by Rhodia or Black N Red. Both have multiple options for sizes, wire bound, perforated paper, and fountain pen-friendly paper.

 

Buzz