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X Products At Officeworks For Aussies


dcwaites

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X Products at Officeworks

I picked up an X branded Slim Kraft Notebook at Officeworks recently. It was only $2 so no real loss if it panned out. However, on taking it home I was so impressed I went back and bought some more from this line of products, in different sizes and types.

 

fpn_1384046485__x_brandscaled.jpg

This appears to be a new range in Officeworks, in sizes from A6 to A4, and in various bindings and covers. The range isn’t complete yet, as some of the products are designed for refills, but those refills aren’t available yet. Staff members at the shop said that if the current range was a success, then management will expand the types stocked.

The products aren’t too expensive, ranging from $2 for a 60 page A5 notebook to $10 for the A4 PVC bound notebook. There are many other, non-paper, products as well, from pencils and pencil sharpeners, to rulers, calculators, staplers and pencil cases.

 

The paper used in the X products is 80 gsm slightly off-white and appears to be a mixture of recycled paper and FSC sourced paper. It’s a bit hard to tell, as the Kraft and Black covered products just have the number of pages on the cover, while the White PVC covered products also have the FSC logo and the words “Mix paper from responsible sources”. However both types of notebook have identical-looking paper that take ink the same way.

 

What is really impressive about these notebooks is how well they cope with inks. I did a range of samples including ‘safe’ inks (Noodler’s Dye inks, Visconti Blue, Iroshizuku Asa-gao) through more difficult inks like Private Reserve and Diamine, to my most testing inks — Noodler’s Midway Blue and Everflo True Blue. With the standard pen I used for these (the nib from a Leonardo FP mounted as a dip pen) there was no visible feathering or bleeding. I did get a touch of bleed through with a very fine-nibbed but relatively wet Hero 100, but only with the True Blue. Using the same ink in a fine, medium-dry Parker 51 there was only bleed through at spots where there was a lot of ink.

 

fpn_1384046544__inks_front.jpg

 

fpn_1384046608__inks_back.jpg

 

This paper is almost as good as Clairefontaine/Rhodia, but without the extra smooth surface. It has the same feathering/bleeding characteristics but it does allow the ink to spread sideways a little more. As well, because the paper isn’t sized, inks don’t look quite as vivid. The difference, however, is very small.

 

Line spacing is quite compact. In the Lined Notebooks the line spacing, or Ruling, is 6mm, which really means writing in a small hand with a fine-nibbed pen. The Dotted Grid paper is a standard 5mm grid, meaning even smaller writing, or ignoring the grid spacing altogether.

 

The wire-bound journals gold back flat on themselves so they can easily be used in confined spaces such as a train or the free space on my desk. The edge-bound notebooks open up flat easily, and appear to be made of signatures of 2 or 3 sheets.

 

Overall, I am very impressed with this line of stationery. The compact line spacing, while not everyone’s cup of tea, certainly suits me and my F and XF nibs. The paper takes a wide range of nibs and inks without problem. And finally, the price is very reasonable for the size of the notebooks and quality of paper.

PS
It would appear that Officeworks has committed to this brand, as it takes up the two-page centrefold spread of their latest catalogue.

 

 

 

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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This product line appears not to be available in Queensland.

 

Disregard the previous entry. I have just located it at Noosa Officeworks

Edited by slippery when wet
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Bought a couple after a mention in another thread. Excellent paper but ruled too narrow for me. Noticed they had plain and dotted too. Hope they expand on the range as it is very good considering the price.

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This product line appears not to be available in Queensland.

 

Disregard the previous entry. I have just located it at Noosa Officeworks

 

Don't forget that you can order anything from the Officeworks catalogue and get it delivered to your local branch for pickup, or you can get it delivered.

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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I have not yet been able to access Rhodia or Clairfontaine so therefore cannot make a comparison. But I have tried Tomoe River and consider it to be a wonderful paper to write on, can't imagine how any paper could be better. My first impression of the X notebooks is one of great surprise. $3.99 for a 90 page B6 spiral bound notebook is excellent. I have been chasing after a local, well made and affordable product that has similar make up to Tomoe River and well, I think I have found it.

Edited by slippery when wet
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X Products at Officeworks

 

I picked up an X branded Slim Kraft Notebook at Officeworks recently. It was only $2 so no real loss if it panned out. However, on taking it home I was so impressed I went back and bought some more from this line of products, in different sizes and types.

 

fpn_1384046485__x_brandscaled.jpg

This appears to be a new range in Officeworks, in sizes from A6 to A4, and in various bindings and covers. The range isn’t complete yet, as some of the products are designed for refills, but those refills aren’t available yet. Staff members at the shop said that if the current range was a success, then management will expand the types stocked.

The products aren’t too expensive, ranging from $2 for a 60 page A5 notebook to $10 for the A4 PVC bound notebook. There are many other, non-paper, products as well, from pencils and pencil sharpeners, to rulers, calculators, staplers and pencil cases.

 

The paper used in the X products is 80 gsm slightly off-white and appears to be a mixture of recycled paper and FSC sourced paper. It’s a bit hard to tell, as the Kraft and Black covered products just have the number of pages on the cover, while the White PVC covered products also have the FSC logo and the words “Mix paper from responsible sources”. However both types of notebook have identical-looking paper that take ink the same way.

 

What is really impressive about these notebooks is how well they cope with inks. I did a range of samples including ‘safe’ inks (Noodler’s Dye inks, Visconti Blue, Iroshizuku Asa-gao) through more difficult inks like Private Reserve and Diamine, to my most testing inks — Noodler’s Midway Blue and Everflo True Blue. With the standard pen I used for these (the nib from a Leonardo FP mounted as a dip pen) there was no visible feathering or bleeding. I did get a touch of bleed through with a very fine-nibbed but relatively wet Hero 100, but only with the True Blue. Using the same ink in a fine, medium-dry Parker 51 there was only bleed through at spots where there was a lot of ink.

 

fpn_1384046544__inks_front.jpg

 

fpn_1384046608__inks_back.jpg

 

This paper is almost as good as Clairefontaine/Rhodia, but without the extra smooth surface. It has the same feathering/bleeding characteristics but it does allow the ink to spread sideways a little more. As well, because the paper isn’t sized, inks don’t look quite as vivid. The difference, however, is very small.

 

Line spacing is quite compact. In the Lined Notebooks the line spacing, or Ruling, is 6mm, which really means writing in a small hand with a fine-nibbed pen. The Dotted Grid paper is a standard 5mm grid, meaning even smaller writing, or ignoring the grid spacing altogether.

 

The wire-bound journals gold back flat on themselves so they can easily be used in confined spaces such as a train or the free space on my desk. The edge-bound notebooks open up flat easily, and appear to be made of signatures of 2 or 3 sheets.

 

Overall, I am very impressed with this line of stationery. The compact line spacing, while not everyone’s cup of tea, certainly suits me and my F and XF nibs. The paper takes a wide range of nibs and inks without problem. And finally, the price is very reasonable for the size of the notebooks and quality of paper.

 

PS

It would appear that Officeworks has committed to this brand, as it takes up the two-page centrefold spread of their latest catalogue.

 

 

 

A big thank you for the heads up on the product dcwaites

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The X cahiers are a little Apica'ish in style and paper quality.

 

I have one at home. I will have to compare/contrast.

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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I have bought the B5 Spiral Bound Dots version and am using one for my work notebook at the moment. The Dots version is very similar to Rhodia in quality and feel, but the paper is not as slick. This has meant I can use a wider variety of nibs/inks without any skipping. I think it cost $5.99 and has about 200 pages which is great value. I'm not a fan of spiral binding as being left handed it can get in the way. However, I'm not having a problem with this notebook. I'm also happy with the way my inks look on the paper. These look like becoming our new office standard notebooks.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Absolutely brilliant stuff. I hope the demand proves high enough to this range in stock.

 

They have a clothbound notebook much like the Clairefontaine notebooks, the only difference being that the X brand, for less than half the price, EASILY LIES FLAT. Why more expensive notebooks make this a 'special feature' beggars belief.

 

Thanks for pointing this out, dcwaites. Don't think I would have tried it otherwise :thumbup:

Express Nib Grinding Down Under at AUSSIE PEN REPAIR

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Just a thought. I suspect this line is not necessarily a permanent addition as the Officeworks stores where I have seen it all have special stands in the aisles as opposed to the product being on the shelves. If you find something you like in the range might pay to stock up. Might be wrong but that is often a sign.

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Just a thought. I suspect this line is not necessarily a permanent addition as the Officeworks stores where I have seen it all have special stands in the aisles as opposed to the product being on the shelves. If you find something you like in the range might pay to stock up. Might be wrong but that is often a sign.

Well that's a good enough excuse for me to buy some more...

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Well that's a good enough excuse for me to buy some more...

Let me know if you need an excuse to buy anything else. I'm thinking of starting a web site - excusesrus and specialising in providing excuses.

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Let me know if you need an excuse to buy anything else. I'm thinking of starting a web site - excusesrus and specialising in providing excuses.

 

Best excuse I've heard - Couple was at a Christmas party. Husband walks past a closet just as his somewhat rumpled wife spills out. "Oh, hello dear. I thought that was you there in the dark."

fpn_1412827311__pg_d_104def64.gif




“Them as can do has to do for them as can’t.


And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”


Granny Aching

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Best excuse I've heard - Couple was at a Christmas party. Husband walks past a closet just as his somewhat rumpled wife spills out. "Oh, hello dear. I thought that was you there in the dark."

My two favourite coip excuses.

 

Bloke is pulled up after a bit of a chase. Cop asks - why didn't you pull up when I signalled you? He replied, my wife ran off with a cop and I thought you were trying to give her back.

 

Cop pulls up a bloke towing a huge horse float. Any escuse for speeding, he asks. I'm heading to the races and have to be there before the first. Cop checks the float. The float is empty says the cop. I'm taking the scratchings replies the driver.

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just bought 5 of them on your review alone, they are a nice cheaper alternative to clairefontaine and rhodia, i have been solely using rhodia so far for the last 2 years for uni however this is perfectly useable with the med oblique lamy 2000 with iroshizuku Kon peki and 54th mass by noodlers, there the only ink's i have tried it with

 

however in the oblique 149 diamine grape this paper would not have a bar of it.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have not yet been able to access Rhodia or Clairfontaine so therefore cannot make a comparison. But I have tried Tomoe River and consider it to be a wonderful paper to write on, can't imagine how any paper could be better. My first impression of the X notebooks is one of great surprise. $3.99 for a 90 page B6 spiral bound notebook is excellent. I have been chasing after a local, well made and affordable product that has similar make up to Tomoe River and well, I think I have found it.

Just so u know m8, Rhodia and Clairefontaine is easily accessible in Brisbane CBD, the Penshoppe has it, Dymocks in town opposite Starbucks has it (with a brand new range of De Atramentis inks too, only place in Oz I've seen this line of inks!).

Fountain pens are like weapons. They just make your pocket bleed so much.

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