Zequenz 360° Roll Up Journal

[mAnuscript69]

Just when I had given up searching for fountain pen friendly notebooks here in Malaysia, I stumble across the Zequenz notebook. I have heard of this notebook previously but could not find them in bookstores at the time. Following that I did not pursue this notebook until today, where I had a sudden urge to give one last rummage through the stationery section of the local Popular Bookstore.

 

The Zequenz notebook is a softcover notebook which comes in various sizes and colour combinations. A list of retailers can be found on Zequenz's website.

 

Side bound size options:

Mini - 9 x 14cm

S - 10.5 x 14cm

M - 12.5 x 17.8cm

L - 14.8 x 21cm

 

Top bound size options:

S - 7.5 x 10.5cm

M - 8.5 x 12cm

L - 9.5 x 14.5cm

 

Cover colours: Black / Red / Green / Cream / Orange

Ruling Options: Blank / Lined / Grid (4mm)

 

For the side bound journals, TMLee has written an awesome review, which includes paper weight and sheet counts, which can be found here.

 

I opted for a Black M sized top bound journal with gridded paper. All top bound journals come with 100 sheets of 70g paper.

I paid RM19.90 (US$6.50) for this notebook. The S size costs RM17.90 (US$5.85). I did not note the prices of the other notebooks.

 

And now for some pictures:

The Zequenz notebook has a soft, very flexible cover made of Poly Urethane (PU). The little black tab is actually a magnetic bookmark.

 

My apologies for the poor photos; these were taken with my mobile phone as I do not own a proper camera.

 

The notebook lays flat throughout; it folds over itself easily.

 

And now, the most important part of the review: The pen test. I grabbed whatever pen I had inked within arms reach and did some simple writing.

I see some spreading and very minor feathering.

 

The reverse:

Well, not too shabby, eh?

 

I had bought this notebook without much expectations. I was disappointed that I could not find any of the 100g versions but to my surprise the 70g paper held up pretty well! The paper is sufficiently smooth and none of my pens skipped. There is some spread and very minor feathering; my Ahab feathered quite a bit but that is with extreme amounts of ink.

 

Showthrough is definitely present but it is made more apparent due to the white paper and thinness of the paper. Bleedthrough is minimal, save for the Ahab. I expected my Medium Safari to bleed through quite a bit but it didn't. I'd expect broad nibs to bleedthrough though.

 

Overall, I am very satisfied with this notebook. There are certainly a lot of things I like about this notebook. However, there are some things I don't like about this notebook.

 

What I like about this notebook:

+ The paper is smooth, thin and performs well for 70g paper. (Are you listening, Moleskine?)

+ Grid rulings are 4mm instead of the more common 5mm squares.

+ Book lays flat throughout and folds back onto itself with ease

+ Cover is very flexible and looks to be durable. Only time will tell.

+ Binding is neat and very well done.

 

What I don't like about this notebook:

- Flyleaf and first page is glued to the cover

- At 1.2cm thick, sitting on this notebook can be rather uncomfortable. A slim version with half the sheet count would be perfect.

- Magnetic bookmark is a nice touch, but I found it to be rather useless; the magnet is too weak.

 

Overall, I am glad I picked up this notebook. My worries about the 70g paper were resolved and I can definitely overlook its shortcomings. I really like the 4mm squares and find them perfect for my handwriting size. Needless to say, I will be purchasing more of these notebooks once my little stash of Rhodia/Leuchtturm/Clairefontaine runs out. The M top bound is a great size; that of the #12 Rhodia pad. With such a variety of sizes and ruling options, coupled with great binding and flexibility, what have you got to lose?

[Silent Speaker]

Ah! These things!

 

Pretty much my staple random notes books.

 

Since they're made locally, they present to me better value than the imported Rhodia (although I do much prefer Rhodia's off-white paper colouring to this stark white Zequenz paper).

 

You must try the 100g variant! (pretty much eliminates that bleedthrough you've experienced)- they are the only ones I've used and I have been very impressed with them.

 

The notebooks themselves are sturdy in construction, well, rather, they're definitely flexible and can handle some indelicate treatment - at least, that has been my experience with them. There's one size that is absolutely perfect for nestling in my hand; it's not the smallest size, but the size above that and allows for one to make notes on the go without having to resort to very cramped or miniscule handwriting.

 

They come in a bunch of colours now, apart from black and red.

Good stuff (and, for me at least, easily accessible, which is ever a plus!)

Edited December 17, 2012 by Silent Speaker

[mAnuscript69]

Ah! These things!

 

Pretty much my staple random notes books.

 

Since they're made locally, they present to me better value than the imported Rhodia (although I do much prefer Rhodia's off-white paper colouring to this stark white Zequenz paper).

 

You must try the 100g variant! (pretty much eliminates that bleedthrough you've experienced)- they are the only ones I've used and I have been very impressed with them.

 

The notebooks themselves are sturdy in construction, well, rather, they're definitely flexible and can handle some indelicate treatment - at least, that has been my experience with them. There's one size that is absolutely perfect for nestling in my hand; it's not the smallest size, but the size above that and allows for one to make notes on the go without having to resort to very cramped or miniscule handwriting.

 

They come in a bunch of colours now, apart from black and red.

Good stuff (and, for me at least, easily accessible, which is ever a plus!)

I will be on the hunt for the 100g versions. I have a high tolerance for showthrough and feathering, but cannot tolerate extreme bleedthrough and excessive spread. I'm content as long as the reverse page is usable. I believe the size you're referring to is the one I reviewed above: 8.5 x 12cm.

Good stuff!

 

Edit: Where have you found Rhodia products? From my knowledge the SEA distributors (GrandLuxe) has stopped carrying them some two years ago.

Edited December 17, 2012 by mAnuscript69