Field Notes

[hollyuk]

Can anyone tell me if the Field Notes notebooks are fountain pen friendly? I've tried doing a search for reviews, but can't find any.

 

Many thanks!

[macaddicted]

IIRC Richard Binder sells them on his site, so I would guess yes.

[gregamckinney]

Can anyone tell me if the Field Notes notebooks are fountain pen friendly? I've tried doing a search for reviews, but can't find any.

 

Many thanks!

 

Yes, very.

Regards, greg

[KenS]

I use them and they work well.

Ken.

[Brerarnold]

There has been a lot of discussion of this -- I'm surprised nothing showed up on a search. Some people absolutely hate them for FP use, but I'd say the consensus is positive. Field Notes are not fine writing paper. They are meant to be the kind of thing a farmer, mechanic or engineer would carry in his pocket for quick notes, not for archival quality literature. Given that, I have been using them since not too long after they came out. I like them.

[GouletPens]

I'd never heard of Field Notes myself, so naturally I wanted to check it out. I sell Clairefontaine products on my website and so naturally I want to know how what I offer stacks up in quality and price to other papers. Honestly, you can get a 3.5x5.5 Staplebound Clairefontaine notebook for less than the price of the Field Notes. I have them listed for $3 each, or a 10-pack for $27, plus a 10% off "FPN" coupon. These little CF books fly off my shelves for FP users. I have several other sizes too.

[Richard]

Different strokes for different folks. I use, and love, Field Notes. (And because I love them I also sell them,) I've used Clairefontaine, it's very nice, but given the choice between the two I'll take Field Notes.

 

FWIW, one factor -- but not the only factor -- in my preference for Field Notes is that they're made in the United States of America. I realize this is an inexcusably nationalistic point of view in these days of the global economy, but I don't care.

[SMG]

Richard, can you detail the differences in the paper between Field Notes and Clairfontaine? I know Rhodia and Clairfontaine paper like the back of my hand. I love the smooth, slightly hard finish on it and how it takes ink without feathering.

 

What attributes would you use to describe the Field Notes paper?

 

Cheers,

Sean

[GouletPens]

Different strokes for different folks. I use, and love, Field Notes. (And because I love them I also sell them,) I've used Clairefontaine, it's very nice, but given the choice between the two I'll take Field Notes.

 

FWIW, one factor -- but not the only factor -- in my preference for Field Notes is that they're made in the United States of America. I realize this is an inexcusably nationalistic point of view in these days of the global economy, but I don't care.

Given the choice, I'd choose Clairefontaine More power to ya Richard...that's what capitalism is all about. I'm not trying to bash Field Notes at all, especially since I've never tried it for myself. I'm all for business in America too, heck I'M a business in America! I'm not only a retailer but I manufacture my pens in shop right here in Central Va. But I also have a French lineage so maybe that's why I'm so proud of Clairefontaine

[jniforat]

i like field notes but i wish they came in bigger sizes

[hollyuk]

Thank you for your comments - I am in the UK and I understand the pull of using a local business - after all we do have to try and support our own economy in our own small way.

 

The reason I asked the question is that I am looking for a smallish light ultimately disposable notebook to carry around to capture tasks, thoughts, things to remember. I'm keen that it us FP friendly because I know that I will want to make notes using a FP where possible. I have seen the Field Notes books online and they are easy for me to get hold of so seemed a good choice. Not sure where I would get the small rhodia or clairefontaine notebooks but will look around.

[inkypete]

Field Notes are not great and do bleed going on my experiences. I have bought them several times and find generally that I can only write on one side of the page due to showthrough and bleed. I am using the dozen or so I bought but would not buy them again unless they improved the paper quality. I am surprised that anyone would recommend these as being FP compatible. They maybe with some pen ink combinations but a blanket OK is just not correct. If you want to be sure stick with Clairefontaine or Rhodia who also do books in similar sizes. My advice is that you try a pack and see how they fit your needs. Your pen ink combo may be fine - mine are not. My opinion - they aren't bad but they aren't great either. One rider I must put here is that I haven't bought any for about 6 months so maybe the paper has changed in that time.

[WillSW]

I like to keep a notebook in my pocket and for a year it was Apica (very highly recommended), but recently I tried a Field Notes. The paper is much different from Rhodia or CF, it is a little rougher, I mean, it's smooth, just not glassy smooth. There is minor show-through (I don't know if I'd use it for letter writing), but I don't think I've experienced any feathering. I enjoy it a lot, and for a pocket notebook it's perfect - I prefer its rugged-ish style much more than Rhodia or CF's slick look. I do think I'll go back to Apica when this one is full, though.

[inkypete]

I like to keep a notebook in my pocket and for a year it was Apica (very highly recommended), but recently I tried a Field Notes. The paper is much different from Rhodia or CF, it is a little rougher, I mean, it's smooth, just not glassy smooth. There is minor show-through (I don't know if I'd use it for letter writing), but I don't think I've experienced any feathering. I enjoy it a lot, and for a pocket notebook it's perfect - I prefer its rugged-ish style much more than Rhodia or CF's slick look. I do think I'll go back to Apica when this one is full, though.

 

 

Agree re Apica - nice stuff and a very good FP friendly paper.

[leicamaster]

I use field notes but they arent my favorite notebooks for fp's, i normally use a mechanical pencil with them. Try apica ones of the same size they are much better for fp's

[Philip1209]

I have a Field Notes notebook in my pocket every day. Not only is it useful, but the paper is very fountain pen friendly.

 

Try this to refine your search:

http://www.google.com/search?q=field+notes+site%3Afountainpennetwork.com

[Merrib]

I use them quite alot and so far no problems have been encountered.

 

Bob