Clairefontaine Force 8

[Ondina]

This is a cloth-bound Clairefontaine notebook belonging to the Force8 series ( part of the benefits go the educational programs run by UNICEF, specifically Bangladesh, info here ).

 

It comes in several colors, modern patterns on front and back plasticized soft covers, and the one reviewed here has 192 pages of 17x11cm squared typical Clairefontaine paper. Blank fist and last page, useful for ex-libris and such. The price was 3€ ($4.35) in a big French chain store, Auchan. Given the finality of the product, I would say is reasonable for the average EU prices. They come in cahier size, phone agendas, wirebound, stapled, etc. as well.

The paper is well know by fpen users, great quality, made in France. It does not lay flat due to the thickness of the notebook, but the cloth-bound format was the reason for purchasing it instead of the wirebound ones, as I wanted one I could stuff in the winter coat jacket pockets so the snow and rain would not touch it. They only had squared ruled ones (I would have preferred blank paper). So far, the 4-5 pages written with 3 different inks have been a pleasure, although I miss the less gliding, perfect feedback and instant drying Miquel Ríus paper. One drawback is the durability of the covers; I suspect intense outdoor use would deteriorate them quite fast. Otherwise, the overall quality is quite good.

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[Ed Ronax]

Great review, nice looking notebook.

[Ghost Plane]

You may find a little peeling at the corners. Otherwise, they hold up well being folding back on themselves with a bull nose clip for transcription purposes.

[Ondina]

Thanks for the tip on the folding with bull nose clips, it works very well. Is a nice product, I have to go looking for A5 sizes and blank paper somewhere.

[greggy]

ondina, that is a great review thanks.

 

but why is it always like rocking horse do do to get in the uk, everywhere i go seems to be out of stock.

Edited February 7, 2010 by greggy