What Is The Fascination With Moleskine?

[ahall]

Moleskines were my first "good" notebook, and I journaled in them for at least a decade. I do think the ones produced by Modo e Modo in the mid-2000's are slightly better constructed than the ones produced now. I haven't compared the paper. After I got into fountain pens I discovered for myself that there was better paper available. I now use Midori paper for my journals, and I've got some Rhodia/Clairefontaine and Nock Co. pads too.

 

I think people (in the U.S.) like Moleskines mainly because they really are a big step up from the paper most people here write on: cheap notebook and copy paper from the drugstore or office-supply store. Moleskines also have a simple and recognizable design, lots of buzz over many years, and are widely-available in brick and mortar stores. I probably won't buy one again, but I won't knock someone else for using them. They served as my gateway to good stationery, and I know I'm not the only one.

[Bluey]

 

I think people (in the U.S.) like Moleskines mainly because they really are a big step up from the paper most people here write on: cheap notebook and copy paper from the drugstore or office-supply store.

America is like a 3rd world country when it comes to paper, and there's no apparent reason why.

We can get cheap paper from Wilkos for about 50p for 200 pages which is probably better quality than anything natively available in America under $100.

[JuInd]

Because Amalfi journals are expensive and hard to find?

[inkypete]

America is like a 3rd world country when it comes to paper, and there's no apparent reason why.

We can get cheap paper from Wilkos for about 50p for 200 pages which is probably better quality than anything natively available in America under $100.

 

Australia has improved a lot with companies now selling Clairefontaine, Rhodia etc online and gradually appearing in some stores. Not too long ago I had to order most of my notebooks and paper from overseas sellers.

I tend to use mostly Clairefontaine, a little Rhodia, loose leaf from Daiso and Muji (Muji great for folders too). All now available in stores although I am a huge notemaker.com.au fan so tend to buy online. Dabble with Apica too and usually buy that from Kinokinuya when in Sydney.

Edited August 19, 2017 by inkypete

[dcwaites]

It is interesting to see that there are more and more Moleskine-like journals and notebooks coming out of Asia lately. Even more interesting is that with the rise of bamboo-based paper in them, they are impressively FP-friendly.

 

One example is a notebook being sold in Woolworths and Big W in Australia. It has no brand, not even a house brand, and sells for $5 for A5 and $8 for A4. Case bound, 200 pages, 100gsm, stitched and glued signatures, bookmark ribbon, elastic band closer, slightly beige paper, no feathering and only slight bleeding with the wettest of inks.

[inkypete]

It is interesting to see that there are more and more Moleskine-like journals and notebooks coming out of Asia lately. Even more interesting is that with the rise of bamboo-based paper in them, they are impressively FP-friendly.

 

One example is a notebook being sold in Woolworths and Big W in Australia. It has no brand, not even a house brand, and sells for $5 for A5 and $8 for A4. Case bound, 200 pages, 100gsm, stitched and glued signatures, bookmark ribbon, elastic band closer, slightly beige paper, no feathering and only slight bleeding with the wettest of inks.

 

Haven't seen those in BigW but heading there this morning coincidentally so will take a look. BigW seem to be cutting back on general stationery and heading more to craft stuff.

[KellyMcJ]

America is like a 3rd world country when it comes to paper, and there's no apparent reason why.

We can get cheap paper from Wilkos for about 50p for 200 pages which is probably better quality than anything natively available in America under $100.

Probably because the most fountain-pen-like thing most of us are likely to use is a Uniball Roller. Of course fountain pens have a bad rap that might be due in no small part to the quality of available paper. When ballpoints became commonplace - and those will write on almost anything - paper quality went way downhill.

[Bluey]

Probably because the most fountain-pen-like thing most of us are likely to use is a Uniball Roller. Of course fountain pens have a bad rap that might be due in no small part to the quality of available paper. When ballpoints became commonplace - and those will write on almost anything - paper quality went way downhill.

I don't think that's the reason because paper isn't made specifically for fountain pens anywhere in the Western world. The UK is hardly any more fountain pen literate than the US of A.

[akrohn2010]

Like a lot of other voices here, I loved Moleskines before I discovered fountain pens. Now I wouldn't spend that kind of money on something I can't use my favorite tools on, but I did love how the soft cover ones felt and the lines were spaced just right...

 

Of course the ballpoint-wielding past version of myself would also buy the *shudder* Moleskine knockoffs! Hard to believe now.

 

~AK

Edited August 20, 2017 by AK-47

[FOUR X FOUR]

Moleskine has never claimed to be fountain pen friendly. So, they haven't been untruthful about anything

Allan😀😀

[max dog]

For non fountain pen users, Moleskine notebooks are very practical. I really like the form factor of their journals. Packed with a lot of pages (240 pages) without being too bulky because of the thin paper. I do find they are overpriced though given they are all made in China and you can get similar notebooks, like Markings journals sold at Walmart, for half the cost. With the right nib and ink combo, you can use fountain pens with Moleskine without much bleed through issues.

 

I find many of the "fountain pen friendly" journals out there not great because ink tends to take too long to dry on those papers resulting in all kinds of smudging. When I am taking notes, I don't have time to wait for the page to dry before I can turn the page. The more absorbent Moleskine type papers are better for quick note taking with fountain pens. Trade off is ink bleed through and trick is to find the right ink. I highly recommend Montblanc Permanent Blue. You can use the wettest ultra broad nib with this ink on Moleskine and it won't bleed.

Edited August 20, 2017 by max dog

[chaik76]

America is like a 3rd world country when it comes to paper, and there's no apparent reason why.

We can get cheap paper from Wilkos for about 50p for 200 pages which is probably better quality than anything natively available in America under $100.

The only place I have to buy paper where I live is Walmart. I don't know if you've ever been to one, but they're known for quantity, not quality. I miss living near a stationer's; when I lived in a city there were stationer's and art stores where I could get good (but expensive) papers.

[AmandaW]

I buy an A5 soft cover Moleskine diary every year - the one with one day per page. I like the slightly creamy paper and the understated design of the page - grey ink rather than black and not loaded up with excess info. Just enough - lines and the date - and faint so it doesn't make the page look loud or messy. Subtle. The downside is that I need to use a fountain pen with a fine or extra fine nib - I keep several favourites inked for the purpose. It's become a nightly ritual to write in it.

 

For everything else I use Rhodia or Clairefontaine. Except cheap scribble pads, Officeworks has some - unlined 3 per pack for $2.79 - amazed they don't feather or bleed through easily. The paper is a bit grey, but I always have one handy.

Edited August 23, 2017 by AmandaW

[Shaggy]

IME Leuchtterm is slightly thicker than moleskine.

[fjoly79]

The only place I have to buy paper where I live is Walmart. I don't know if you've ever been to one, but they're known for quantity, not quality. I miss living near a stationer's; when I lived in a city there were stationer's and art stores where I could get good (but expensive) papers.

 

you're right about Walmart, or even Walgreens and Target, you won't find any quality paper there. I'm lucky as I found a great stationary where I live. Otherwise, I revert to Amazon.com, where you will find almost - repeat "almost" - everything you need in terms of paper.

[chaik76]

 

you're right about Walmart, or even Walgreens and Target, you won't find any quality paper there. I'm lucky as I found a great stationary where I live. Otherwise, I revert to Amazon.com, where you will find almost - repeat "almost" - everything you need in terms of paper.

It's true they have just about anything! I do order a lot of my papers from Amazon since it is so convenient. I would go somewhere local if I could.

[dapprman]

I think (in the UK) Moleskin became the business notepad of choice, taking over from the likes of Red'n'Black, due as much to the size options, the feel of quality, number of pages for the width, but also nice touches like the band and the built in bookmark. Sure it's not FP friendly (unlike RnB), but I have many colleagues who use and re-buy them as they find the package just works for them.

 

Problem for me was I bought one based on the experience of others, but they don't use fountain pens, I'll be glad when I finish mine.

[sodiumnitrate]

I don't get it. Can someone explain this to me? What IS the fascination with this stuff?

 

Everything I read says it's horrible paper, that everything soaks through like blotter paper. The one Moleskine journal I have seems to have pages that are so heavily coated that ink BEADS UP on it and just about the only thing that will write on it is ballpoint.

 

However people continue to buy this stuff. Or is it just that people are giving Moleskine journals as gifts and we have to find a way to use them? Is it a personal challenge? A thing to have around to specifically to test the limits of your ink?

 

 

I was using them before I started using fountain pens. If you take fountain pens out of the picture, they have very good design, and they are made from good materials, etc. Also, this is before they started making bags and stuff and overpricing their products.

[fjoly79]

I think (in the UK) Moleskin became the business notepad of choice, taking over from the likes of Red'n'Black, due as much to the size options, the feel of quality, number of pages for the width, but also nice touches like the band and the built in bookmark. Sure it's not FP friendly (unlike RnB), but I have many colleagues who use and re-buy them as they find the package just works for them.

 

Problem for me was I bought one based on the experience of others, but they don't use fountain pens, I'll be glad when I finish mine.

 

I have a much better experience with Red'n'Black than with Moleskine. About Amazon: the only downside is you don't get the touch and feel, so I'm, with you, chaik76: I'd rather buy local, if I could!

[bogiesan]

Good marketing. That is all. Lots of enthusiastic fans. Not many of those fans are fountain pen users, though. Just folks who like nice things with good public relations behind them. Forget it.