Difference Between Apica And Clarfontaine A4 Notebooks

[Bill Wood]

I'm a fan of the larger notebooks. Both Apica and Clarfontaine put these out in an A4, both 96 pages, but the difference between the two is around $10. I know the paper is great in both of them, but why the difference in the price? Must be the cover or something. Anybody know? Many thanks.

 

Bill

[sidthecat]

I think they're sewn differently; the Apica is a little more comfortable for me, and the cover is a little nicer. You'll simply have to try them both.

[inkypete]

I'm a big clairefontaine fan - the perfect paper for me and the make is top quality. I find the Apica excellent too and would not hesitate to use if the right notebook. Clairefontaine paper is heavier and smoother. Generally I think Apica is a 70gsm and clairefontaine 90gsm. I generally find the clairefontaine have better quality covers. The price reflects the difference in my opinion. Recommend either as a good choice. Can't go wrong.

[Bookman]

I assume the Apica notebook you're talking about is the Premium CD. I give it my highest recommendation. I've filled two of them (I use the B5) and I'm about to buy a third one.

 

The overall construction gets slightly less than stellar marks—despite being sewn—because of its cover. I tolerate the cover material (somewhat stiffish cardstock) because I have to to get that paper. It's durable enough if you aren't too rough with it; and you can fold the notebook back-to-back so you're writing on a single A4 somewhat-reinforced surface. But if I could conjur up my design of choice I would make it like the hardcover side-wirebound Black N' Red notebook. At least I'd like to have that option. I wish Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Fabriano, and everyone else offered that option. I like a notebook to have its own writing table built in, and I like being able to write on a single A4 or B5 or whatever-size surface for extra support and to economize space.

 

But that's gilding the lily. The Apica Premium CD is a great notebook.

Edited January 4, 2016 by Bookman