Squared Hardback A5 Journals

[cubic archon]

Something I'm looking for is, as the title suggests, a squared hardbacked journal around A5 size. Side by side opening, not reporter style, and definitely hardbacked. Not ring bound (the rings always get squashed and bent in my bag). And good paper - the Moleskine squared journal would be great if it wasn't for the fact that it was made with the same tissue paper as the lined one. (Oddly, their other squared notebooks have decent paper in them - the large squared book, the pocket reporter, even the large cahiers - just they seem to have it in for people wanting to write in any A5 journal with a fountain pen.)

 

The thing is that while I do write straight text in my journals, and need lines on my paper, when I am exploring an idea everything just breaks out into arrows and bubbles and notes in the margin and so on. Squared paper is much better for this. Also I have very small writing and most journals have lines that are too widely spaced for me.

 

Any suggestions? I was thinking of the Leuchtterm dotted journal which Ive just seen can be ordered in the UK from http://www.torquato.co.uk/ - though it and the postage are expensive. Dotted paper is something I'd like to try, i think that could work.

[Anne-Sophie]

Something I'm looking for is, as the title suggests, a squared hardbacked journal around A5 size. Side by side opening, not reporter style, and definitely hardbacked. Not ring bound (the rings always get squashed and bent in my bag). And good paper - the Moleskine squared journal would be great if it wasn't for the fact that it was made with the same tissue paper as the lined one. (Oddly, their other squared notebooks have decent paper in them - the large squared book, the pocket reporter, even the large cahiers - just they seem to have it in for people wanting to write in any A5 journal with a fountain pen.)

 

The thing is that while I do write straight text in my journals, and need lines on my paper, when I am exploring an idea everything just breaks out into arrows and bubbles and notes in the margin and so on. Squared paper is much better for this. Also I have very small writing and most journals have lines that are too widely spaced for me.

 

Any suggestions? I was thinking of the Leuchtterm dotted journal which Ive just seen can be ordered in the UK from http://www.torquato.co.uk/ - though it and the postage are expensive. Dotted paper is something I'd like to try, i think that could work.

 

 

Below is Rhodia's collection of stapled on the side notebooks, I see one in A5 which is a webbie with an elastic closure.

http://www.rhodiapads.com/collections_boutique_webnotebooks.shtml

 

 

There is also the same type of notebook (A5) in their classic collection (no elastic closure)

http://www.rhodiapads.com/collections_classic_stapled_A5.shtml

 

Unfortunately, they only seem to offer lined paper.

 

I have a suggestion, buy a regular staple bound or wired bound A5 notebook (which ever is cheaper in your area) remove the pages and punch them into an A5/Junior binder or Levenger Circa.

 

 

Our own Biffybean, is a daily user and a dedicated reviewer of notebooks. I am sure this link is going to be useful to you.

http://www.biffybeans.com/p/beans-journal-and-art-paper-reviews.html

[cubic archon]

Thank you - yes, the ones with hard backs seem to all be the 90gsm Webnotebooks - which are nice, but only lined or plain, not squared. (It seems odd that Rhodia don't offer squared pages, given that's that what they're famous for with the pads, but who am I to argue? I'd pay lots for a nice journal with Rhodia squared paper in it... maybe the self-made route is the only way at the moment.)

Edited July 18, 2010 by cubic archon

[jimhughes]

QBic:

 

If you're interested in the Leuch. 1917 Large, 5 x 8 or so dotted Journals, they are available stateside from Cynthia at journalingarts. Drop her a line and she can fix you right up. The Pocket size I use are squared and lined and work well with my XF and F FP's in Waterman, Parker, and MB inks. Cynthia may have an A5, Leuch 1917 in a grid, I just don't recall. I'm waiting on the pocket size dotted A6's to arrive stateside, in Augustish. Give journalingarts a look see and see if they've got what you need. If it's a Rhodia or Clairefontaine, check with Brian at Goulet Pens. He's also bound to have an A5 Grid or dot that would work for you. Usual disclaimer, a very happy customer of both webites, Jim

[cubic archon]

Thanks - unfortunately I'm in the UK. From Cynthia's blog, though, I see that I'll have to check that any 1917 that I get has the new fountain pen friendly paper; useful information.

[officesupplygeek]

My two favorites in this category are Whitelines and Doane Paper

 

I did a review of the new Black hard cover version of the Whitelines Notebooks. My review is for the ruled version of the Whitelines A5, but the quality and construction of the squared versions should be just as good.

 

Also, you could try the Doane Paper Idea Journals, again, I did a review of those, and currently they are one of my favorites for squared paper, however if you have not seen it before, its a little different than traditional squared paper. Unfortunately there isnt a true A5 size, but if you arent married to the exact size, it is definitely a quality option worth checking out.

[bigstick]

Thank you - yes, the ones with hard backs seem to all be the 90gsm Webnotebooks - which are nice, but only lined or plain, not squared. (It seems odd that Rhodia don't offer squared pages, given that's that what they're famous for with the pads, but who am I to argue? I'd pay lots for a nice journal with Rhodia squared paper in it... maybe the self-made route is the only way at the moment.)

 

I use both the spiral bound Rhodia and the stapled spine Rhodia in A5 and both are available squared. The stapled A5 is my current travelling journal. Squared, naturally.

[nkennett]

What about a semikolon? They use a beautiful laid paper. I like the texture of it with a fountain pen. They appear to match all of your other specifications, and they're a sewn binding, so they're built to last. The price is pretty reasonable too. I find them for a little less than the moleskines, but you get much more for your money.

[ExcaliburZ]

I am a little ignorant on this, what would the difference between a Webnotebook and any comparable "squared" notebook be?

[cubic archon]

I am a little ignorant on this, what would the difference between a Webnotebook and any comparable "squared" notebook be?

The squares - webnotebooks don't come in a squared version.

 

Semikolon looks interesting - I don't think I've seen those around. I was also thinking of trying a bound Whitelines notebook. I dug out one of the stapled ones I bought as an experiment a while ago, tried it with some FPs and while the paper is thin it seems fair quality, holding up pretty well against everything but the wettest pens. Also they sell Whitelines in Paperchase these days. They're not cheap mind you.

[ExcaliburZ]

I am a little ignorant on this, what would the difference between a Webnotebook and any comparable "squared" notebook be?

The squares - webnotebooks don't come in a squared version.

 

 

Hence the question- What is the difference? Just rounded edge versus a square piece of paper?

[cubic archon]

Squared paper as in "has squares on the paper", as opposed to lines, or nothing.

Edited July 30, 2010 by cubic archon

[farseer911]

Something I'm looking for is, as the title suggests, a squared hardbacked journal around A5 size. Side by side opening, not reporter style, and definitely hardbacked. Not ring bound (the rings always get squashed and bent in my bag). And good paper - the Moleskine squared journal would be great if it wasn't for the fact that it was made with the same tissue paper as the lined one. (Oddly, their other squared notebooks have decent paper in them - the large squared book, the pocket reporter, even the large cahiers - just they seem to have it in for people wanting to write in any A5 journal with a fountain pen.)

 

 

ou are in london, you may want to try looking for a Canteo notebook. I have used them with a great degree of success, and they do come squared. They are a nice hardbacked book.

[bigstick]

I am a little ignorant on this, what would the difference between a Webnotebook and any comparable "squared" notebook be?

The squares - webnotebooks don't come in a squared version.

 

 

Hence the question- What is the difference? Just rounded edge versus a square piece of paper?

 

Known to an older generation as "graph paper": an array of lines both horizontal and vertical, with a fixed, regular spacing (typically 1/4 inch or 5mm, but others exist) giving the appearance of rows and columns of "squares", hence, "squared paper".

[ExcaliburZ]

I am a little ignorant on this, what would the difference between a Webnotebook and any comparable "squared" notebook be?

The squares - webnotebooks don't come in a squared version.

 

 

Hence the question- What is the difference? Just rounded edge versus a square piece of paper?

 

Known to an older generation as "graph paper": an array of lines both horizontal and vertical, with a fixed, regular spacing (typically 1/4 inch or 5mm, but others exist) giving the appearance of rows and columns of "squares", hence, "squared paper".

 

I feel stupid, thank you. Geez, would it be so hard to say graph paper?

[cubic archon]

Generally, if you say "graph paper" here in the UK, you get paper with a very fine grid (1 or 2mm squares) with a bolder or different coloured division line every, say, 5 or 10 squares. Which is good for drawing graphs on but not much good for anything else.

[bigstick]

You and I might think so, but I KNOW there are people on this board going " 'graph paper'?? WTH is that?????" It's what you're used to, I guess.

[bigstick]

that (potty mouth) daemon is pretty comprehensive! I'm impressed!!!

Edited August 1, 2010 by bigstick

[GavH]

ASDA had some Moleskine clones when I was in yesterday for £3. A5 in both squared and plain. The A6 was £2.

[ExcaliburZ]

Grid makes sense too, not squared.