(Collins-) Debden Professional Journal Review

[dauodwa]

Dear All,

 

I never thought I would review a notebook or any paper for that matter, but this journal changed my mind. From the moment I put the pen to the paper, I was very impressed. Very smooth writing and quite a heavy paper. I'm not going to write the review in the journal because as much as I want to share my thoughts on this, I'm not willing to sacrifice even a page. I'm terribly sorry but I shall be selfish on this matter. I will of course show you a writing sample.

 

I'm using two different pens and two different inks in the pictures, the red ink being Rober Oster Signature Fire Engine Red in a Jinhao 599 with F nib, the black ink being Rober Oster Signature Black in a Pilot Prera M nib.

 

No feathering, no bleed through, some show through but it is minimal. I think that if you were using bolder nibs you may get more show through but unless it's a really wet pen I should think any bleed through would be minimal. As an example, the Pilot Prera with M nib I'm writing with is quite wet but there was no bleed through.

 

Definitely fountain pen friendly, but someone else will have to judge that regarding broader nibs. Unfortunately I don't have any to test it with, my collection being limited thus far to F and M nibs.

 

SPECS:

 

Name: Debden Professional Journal

Page Size: 140mm x 203mm

Lined: Yes

Ruled: No

Country of Origin: Singapore

Cover: Imitation Leather

Pockets: Front for papers, rear to hold notebook itself

 

PENS / INK:

 

Pen/Ink 1: Jinhao 599 F Nib / Robert Oster Signature Fire Engine Red

Pen/Ink 2: Pilot Prera M Nib / Robert Oster Signature Black

 

FEATHERING:

 

None

 

BLEED THROUGH:

 

None

 

SHOW THROUGH:

 

Minimal

 

FOUNTAIN PEN FRIENDLY:

 

Yes, at least with my pens.

 

ENJOYABILITY:

 

Very pleasant, smooth paper to write on, feels quite thick and heavy

 

PICTURES:

 

How it looks:

 

http://imgur.com/r5J6jlT.jpg

 

http://imgur.com/Ea634xg.jpg

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/7asXP4h.jpg

 

Writing Sample:

 

http://i.imgur.com/A297K9Y.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/AR4n08y.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/dmp3pc8.jpg

 

Any Bleed-through?

 

http://i.imgur.com/PsfKmWi.jpg

 

Nope.

 

Hope that you guys find this useful, have a great day!

 

Cheers!

Edited June 2, 2016 by dauodwa

[dauodwa]

I have since written on it with a Twsbi Vac 700 in M nib, which is bolder than the Prera, and can confirm there was no bleed through.

[Thornys]

Where did you get the journal?

[dauodwa]

Where did you get the journal?

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention that. I actually got it from a site called www.catchoftheday.com.au which changes it's items every day, but you can get the same here:

 

https://www.collinsdebden.com.au/notebooks/wiro-bound/debden-r-b-a5-soft-vivella-notebook-black.html

 

I actually paid $12 for FOUR of these though, whereas the manufacturer retails them at around $30 each! I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for these on sale again, I've got 4 for now though so that's a bonus.

 

I think you can find them on eBay as well, and it's a question of being lucky for the price. They do have other products too though that look really lovely, which you can check out on their website here https://www.collinsdebden.com.au/. I'd love to find somewhere to get these cheap from though. Might look around on some Singapore sites and see what I can find.

[dauodwa]

Didn't see them on overjoyed.com.sg, but you can get them for about $20 AUD from this site:

 

http://officemetro.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=10828

 

Also they are available in some Australian newsagencies, the brand being available generally in office supply stores and so on. A google search for debden vivella notebook will throw up a few sites, but the one I show above seems to be the best price (apart from CatchOfTheDay when they have them available, but who knows when they will be selling them again).

Edited June 2, 2016 by dauodwa

[dauodwa]

Another little note, it is often more convenient to remove the notebook itself from the cover and write with it flipped over just to the page you're writing on, particularly if you're writing on the left page when the book is new, as the binder can get in the way sometimes. Personally I don't mind writing with it either way, but some may wish to use this method. It's certainly not necessary but comes down to personal preferences.

Edited June 2, 2016 by dauodwa

[Thornys]

Thank you for all of this information!

 

...like I need another journal.... Off I go go shop

[dauodwa]

You're most welcome!

[amberleadavis]

Thank you for the review!

[dauodwa]

Thank you for the review!

 

You are most welcome