The Art File A5 Notebook - Short Review

[fireskink]

In the continuing "Moleskines are rubbish but their design is useful" hunt, I ran across this and got it on spec, figuring I could give it to my partner to use biros in if it was horrible.

 

As it turns out, I was quite pleasantly surprised. They're decently thick, and the paper takes ink well, with only Diamine Woodland Green feathering (especially in the FPR Jaipur flex pen) and then not severely. There was definitely some showthrough - in which the same ink and the same pen were the main culprits - and a little bleedthrough when I flexed the Jaipur hard. The design is pleasant enough, following the Moleskine model of having an elastic and a pocket in the back; the edges are rounded and the gilded paper edges are a nice touch. However, the covers are a stiff cardboard, which definitely feels flimsier than a lot of notebooks. They also don't lie flat, which is a particular pet peeve of mine.

 

All in all, for £6.99 it wasn't bad, and was actively good with finer pens and even the broad-nibbed Sheaffer in a light-coloured ink. When I can afford it I'll probably get these for scribbling in, though they're nowhere near the standard of Midori etc they're definitely easier to get here and much, much more affordable. "Cheap(ish) and cheerful" is probably the best summary, and I'm pleased to have found them as a stopgap for scribbling things in! The website is www.theartfile.com, though it doesn't look like they have the whole range up.

 

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/o0gCaqnm.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/ANG4AH7m.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/zXFszF6m.jpg?1

 

http://i.imgur.com/h5eX9nYm.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/TIh12dem.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/6SXDFyNm.jpg?1

 

http://i.imgur.com/JgIpZlwl.jpg?1

 

http://i.imgur.com/UkyPohCl.jpg?2

 

 

[migo984]

Thanks for your review. Very interesting. I haven't come across that make before. I like the cover design.

 

I've got a selection of notebooks that I've picked up from various places and this week decided to test the paper in them all. They range from expensive imports to cheaper end products. Surprisingly one of the best performers with FP ink is an A5 "leather look" black hard cover (with a slightly padded feel) notebook from Morrison supermarket. It has 160 pages of 100gsm cream, softly textured, ruled paper and is great with all the pens I tried. It has a pocket at the back and a ribbon bookmark. It isn't perfect but it's very acceptable, especially as it cost only £2.50. At that price I recommend you give it a try.

 

https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Morrisons-A5-Leather-Effect-Notebook/269611011?from=search&tags&param=Notebook&parentContainer=SEARCHNotebook_SHELFVIEW

[fireskink]

Definitely going to try and pick one of them up! Thanks EDIT: they're not delivering to my area yet, sadly! I'll ask friends who have a Morrisons nearby if they can pop in some time

Edited November 13, 2015 by heavyhorses