Moleskine's competition

[TMLee]

You shld take a look at these from 'Paperblanks' ... They are great, high quality journals . I bought this second one from Kinokuniya in Singapore. The acid-free archival quality paper is thick and doesn't bleed thru. I bought this one bcos its unique, tall and slim. and has a magnetic clasp for closure. pretty neat. (just rememebr to keep magnetic cards away from it ! ) Price comparable to Moleskines.

 

Also has back pocket on inside flap.

 

My first one was handstitched type and it was really good for writing comfortably. Opens real flat and stays there.

 

I have to agree the spiral bind is not in the same league.

 

Moleskine shld sit up and pay attention to feedback concerning their bleeding paper quality. Many pple who appreciate Moleskines are finding alternatives bcos of the bleeds.

 

I want the Sketchbooks by Paperblanks very much, but they don't sell it here. (maybe sold out ?) Just the right size.

 

Only few brands make quality journals , most suitable to pple like us FPNers here. This is one of them.

 

After hearing so much, I have yet to see or touch one Clairefontaine where I live. Sigh.

[TMLee]

shoots..... here's the link ...

 

http://www.paperblanks.com/whats_new/oldleatherslim.htm

[Judybug]

I'm not crazy about the spiral journals because the spiral gets in the way of my hand when I'm writing on the page to the left of the spiral. That's why I'm a Moleskine fan - the stitched binding makes writing comfortable. And, I'm happy to say, I haven't had any bleeding problems.

[Velma]

I have used the Kokuyo notebooks for journals, and the paper is good for fountain pens. Not as smooth or thick as Clairefontaine, but I've never had a bleedthrough or feathering problem.

 

As for the spirals, I like being able to fold my notebooks back, into a small space on the table, so I actually prefer them to perfect bound books. It's all a matter of personal taste, I suppose. (And the fact that I carry my journals in bags, not in pockets, so personal taste and practicality.)

[kenny]

I have used a Moleskine notebook for just that.....notes! I use it in place of all the little scraps of paper, napkins, 3x5 cards, etc. that I used to jot something down and cram it in my pocket only to lose it later. It's very useful for that (although pricey).

 

Because of the impromtu nature of my notebook use, I write with whatever FP and ink I happen to have at the moment. It sounds like others have experimented to find an ink that works best with their notebook, but I do not have the luxury of using just one designated ink/pen combination for optimum results.

 

As I result I have used the Moleskine "sketch book" to minimize bleed through. However, the paper does not seem to absorb ink well, and it takes a LOOOONG time to dry. Given the nature of how I use the notebook (a quick, fast note), I really can't wait for it to dry. I therefore have the opposite page filled with ink splotches. I only write on the front of each page.

 

My ideal notebook would be:

 

Very FP friendly with a wide variety of inks/pens.

Pocket-friendly (small and bound, rather than with a spiral spine)

Conservative looking

Has the elastic band

Has the document pocket

 

 

Anyone know of anything that fits the bill here?

[Dr.Grace]

I have no solutions to offer, unfortunately. I use the lined pocket Moleskine notebook in just the same way, except that I tend to write on one side of the page because of the bleed-through, rather than the splotches. However, the pages are pretty thin, which makes them more numerous and means that even with one-sided use, this notebook is going to last a while.

[sfeinman]

Competition is a relative term. For me the spiral binding is not a feature that I would buy. I prefere bound with papers sewn in sections. Second, how does one rate the paper. I find moleskin unacceptable and prefer clairfontaine, eureka, or Moquel Ruis. I don't buy Ruis, however, because their binding is pasted and pages break loose. I also use surveyin field books, which generally have higj quality paper, tend to fit in the pocket, and come in various covers and bindings.

[cpsantillan]

Nice green color,but in my opinion I don't like spiral notebooks,and a really good competition would be the piccadilly notebook sold at borders..but you know there are a few advantages people like in the spiral notebook,congrats...

[karmakoda]

I have used a Moleskine notebook for just that.....notes! I use it in place of all the little scraps of paper, napkins, 3x5 cards, etc. that I used to jot something down and cram it in my pocket only to lose it later. It's very useful for that (although pricey).

 

Because of the impromtu nature of my notebook use, I write with whatever FP and ink I happen to have at the moment. It sounds like others have experimented to find an ink that works best with their notebook, but I do not have the luxury of using just one designated ink/pen combination for optimum results.

 

As I result I have used the Moleskine "sketch book" to minimize bleed through. However, the paper does not seem to absorb ink well, and it takes a LOOOONG time to dry. Given the nature of how I use the notebook (a quick, fast note), I really can't wait for it to dry. I therefore have the opposite page filled with ink splotches. I only write on the front of each page.

 

My ideal notebook would be:

 

Very FP friendly with a wide variety of inks/pens.

Pocket-friendly (small and bound, rather than with a spiral spine)

Conservative looking

Has the elastic band

Has the document pocket

 

 

Anyone know of anything that fits the bill here?

 

Hello from Canada

I have a sketch book that meets all of the above criteria, and is available in a variety of sizes and formats. My sketchbook looks very similar to Moleskine. The cover is a soft, faux leather, about 5.5"x 8", excellent paper, sewn cloth binding, a cloth attached bookmark, and a document pocket in the back, all held secure with an elastic band. I use a variety of vintage Montblanc, Pelikan, Conway Stewart, Swan, Parker, and De La Rue pens, plus Lamy, Sailor, and Pilot. No bleed-through and beautiful results with pen and ink brush work.

The DeSerres sketchbook and other projects are available at www.deserres.ca ,sorry, I don't know how to upload a link. The website takes a little navigation, but I first selected "Fine arts", then "Art Paper-Pads", next "Drawing/Sketch/Charcoal", then "Sketchbooks, DeSerres" or "Sketching Pads, Books, DeSerres".

Good Luck, I know I will be ordering a few. Oh, and the price is less than 1/3 that of the Moleskine, but I prefer the quality of the DeSerres.

Cheers

Greg

[limesally]

Hi Greg, glad you had a good experience with the DeSerres notebook. I did not have quite as good an experience, since the binding broke in short order and I found the paper a bit too textured for my preference. But on the plus side, no feathering or bleedthrough. They're also fairly inexpensive, so I probably try one again if I were at the store.

[Marek Badzynski]

for those willing to investigate further, here is a link to the sketchbook described by karmakoda:

 

DeSerres sketchbook

 

no personal experience with this product, but I do plan to grab one at the next opportunity, so thanks for the lead and info.

 

Marek

Edited October 3, 2009 by Marek Badzynski

[limesally]

for those willing to investigate further, here is a link to the sketchbook described by karmakoda:

 

DeSerres sketchbook

 

no personal experience with this product, but I do plan to grab one at the next opportunity, so thanks for the lead and info.

 

Marek

 

oh - my comments are in error then - the notebook I tried wasn't the same one - it was a small pocket size with green label (though it was still called a sketchbook). So perhaps it had entirely different characteristics from the one Greg used.

[karmakoda]

Hello fellow paper addicts

Trying to post a couple of pics of results on Molekine and DeSerres with a variety of pens and inks. Having troubles, but will try again later. I like both products and will continue to use both, for different uses. The Moleskine is not as good as the Moleskine purchased in 2003 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I bought one there last year, and while it looks the same, the paper has changed. DeSerres is a remarkable value. Check out Art schools and University book shops for reduced prices on the beloved Mole.

Cheers

Greg

[karmakoda]

Hi from the Parker Blue North

Can't get my pics to upload. Any suggestions? I did the flash thing for multiple images and it says the first picture is uploaded but the other are "pending" forever. No photos are included with the reply, however.

Confused again by techno-mysticism.

Greg

[limesally]

Hi from the Parker Blue North

Can't get my pics to upload. Any suggestions? I did the flash thing for multiple images and it says the first picture is uploaded but the other are "pending" forever. No photos are included with the reply, however.

Confused again by techno-mysticism.

Greg

 

I gather that attachments have not been working well since the software change. I'm not sure it's completely resolved yet. Do you have the pictures hosted anywhere (flickr, picasa, photobucket, etc?) Linking to an on-line image seems to be working better than uploading it as an attachment

 

I'd better test that before shooting my mouth off, though!

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3521511813_b234f11ab4_m.jpg

 

eta: I guess it works!

 

While I'm here, I might as well link to my pic of the DeSerres notebook - green label, as mentioned upthread, so I don't know if it's really the same kind as Greg's.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2602/3981708012_3e548321e7_m.jpg

Edited October 4, 2009 by limesally

[karmakoda]

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to All

 

I have another great competitor for Moleskine, and I found it yesterday at an excellent stationary store on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, called "Monks Office Supply", but I am positive these books are available elsewhere. The brand name is "Quo Vadis" and the look is very similar to Moleskine, but the paper is definately superior and the look is more attractive. Once again, I relate this to having 8 Montblancs, including a 146, a #34, #32, 234 1/2, etc, and always reaching for my old Pelikan 400 or 100N. Moleskine has the name and promotional power, but after finding Quo Vadis, I will not buy anything else. This is a better product, for writing, than the DeSerres that I also recommended, but the DeSerres is also superior, in my humble opinion, to the Moleskine. I think when the great Mole was made in Italy, it was a better product. DeSerres is still my first choice for sketching, but, like most other paper addicts, I will always feel that sentimental attraction when walking past the Moleskine display.

Cheers!

 

Greg

Edited October 11, 2009 by karmakoda

[limesally]

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to All

 

...snip...

Moleskine has the name and promotional power, but after finding Quo Vadis, I will not buy anything else.

 

You're right about the name and promotional power - till Quo Vadis and Rhodia get their products on the same shelves and stores as Moleskine, they won't come close to the same market share, I don't think, which is a pity.

 

I have mixed feelings about the Quo Vadis Habana and look forward to hearing your thoughts (even better, seeing pictures) after you've used it for awhile. I got a really bad one a year or so ago when they first came out; it felt like writing on sandpaper. I think it might still be a bit of a (Potty Mouth) shoot, because I actually fondled (!) a new version at my university bookstore the other day and some of them still had the same paper texture. On the other hand, I also have a small Habana with smooth (albeit lightweight) paper.

 

The US version of the Habana is ace, as long as you don't mind wide line ruling and the bright white Clairefontaine paper. For me, the perfect version would be in the ivory/cream colour, and narrow ruling like they have in Canada/UK, but with the weight and finish of the US version.

 

Not picky at all, eh

Edited October 11, 2009 by limesally

[Writing Uphill]

I have found a moleskine sized book that is very similar to the Habana, but with a back envelope and better construction. It's the Barnes and Noble Ecosystem softcover book. The paper, in my experience, is about the same as the Habana, though 100% recycled, and the it's cheaper. The paper is not as good as a WebNotebook, but close.

[Randal6393]

Have you tried the Piccadilly notebooks? The basic notebook is about the same quality, IMHO,as the Moleskin, only the paper is a bit higher grade (I know, not everyone agrees with that.). Cost, from the website, is about half of what a similar sized Moleskin would cost.

 

If you want a higher grade of paper, the Primo and some of the other Piccadilly books use a 100 gsm woodfree paper that is quite an improvement. Most of that line of notebooks cost about what a Moleskin would. Acquired several and found the quality to be decent.

 

 

Best of luck, enjoy,

[lefty928]

Have you tried the Piccadilly notebooks? The basic notebook is about the same quality, IMHO,as the Moleskin, only the paper is a bit higher grade (I know, not everyone agrees with that.). Cost, from the website, is about half of what a similar sized Moleskin would cost.

 

If you want a higher grade of paper, the Primo and some of the other Piccadilly books use a 100 gsm woodfree paper that is quite an improvement. Most of that line of notebooks cost about what a Moleskin would. Acquired several and found the quality to be decent.

 

 

Best of luck, enjoy,

 

I'm one of those who've had much better luck with Moleskine paper than with the copycats (that said, Piccadillys are good enough for me for most uses, because they are so much cheaper. And, as with Moleskines, the plain and graph versions seem smoother than than the lined. Or maybe that's just luck of the draw and just my own experience.).

 

That said, I picked up a Primo the other day (Border's special $5 buck coupon, nice surprise, and discount coupon made it free -- otherwise I would've avoided it because of the fat factor) and every ink I've tried in it has feathered and spread, except the Noodler's Eternal Brown in a true fine point. There's mild showthrough, but can't say any ink bled. That said, it opens pretty flat. Paper seems slightly draggy, but the cream color is nice. I'd seen the small and the (very) large Primos before, but not the medium size, and, as I said, I had these coupons ...