Memo Pads

[Solitaire146]

I'm looking for some recommendations for a good memo/scratch pad that will work well with my fountain pens. I would like something a little more absorbent than Rhodia but still strong enough to minimize feathering. Any recommendations?

[LizEF]

I haven't used them myself, but over on reddit, I've seen people recommend the WalMart Exceed notebooks, CVS pharmacy "Caliber" paper (which comes in multiple formats), and Target's own branded printer paper. And I've had decent luck (with western fine and smaller nibs) on "Wired" spiral notebooks - the kind with plastic covers. And I find the HP Premium Laserjet paper more absorbent than Rhodia (but folks who have purchased reams more recently report it to no longer be friendly).

[Sailor Kenshin]

Dollar Tree, made in India, top spiral bound, three to a package. One dollar.

[Solitaire146]

Specifically looking for memo pads that are structured with a basic cardboard backing that are glue bound so that each page can be torn off easily.

[LizEF]

Specifically looking for memo pads that are structured with a basic cardboard backing that are glue bound so that each page can be torn off easily.

Of the ones I mentioned, the "Caliber" version at CVS pharmacies match that requirement.

[Runnin_Ute]

Specifically looking for memo pads that are structured with a basic cardboard backing that are glue bound so that each page can be torn off easily.

Get a ream of HP LaserJet 32 lb paper and have a print shop pad it for you. FedEx Kinkos, even Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax will do it for you. Heck all you need is the glue and some chip board and you could do it yourself.

Edited April 30, 2020 by Runnin_Ute

[Tweel]

Of the ones I mentioned, the "Caliber" version at CVS pharmacies match that requirement.

 

I'll second that. I've been using them for 3 or 4 years.

[LizEF]

 

I'll second that. I've been using them for 3 or 4 years.

Having just re-read the thread, I realized they don't quite match the requirement - they're perforated at the top, not glued (at least, I've not see any that are glued at the top with no staples). But then, I can't remember the last time I saw a glued notepad for actual sale - only as marketing gimmicks.... Speaking of which, Anderson Pens store brand match all the requirements - if you can find a design you like.

[inkstainedruth]

What are you looking for, ab100? Top or side bound? Tear off pages or not? Because, as a tangent to what Sailor Kensihin said, I like the mini-composition books (also at Dollar Tree, also made in India, and also a buck for a 3-pack).

My husband wanted some small memo pads recently, and I bought him three or four different styles (including top spiral bound ones). If he decides he doesn't like the mini-composition books, I'll keep them for myself, even though I'm not out. I like them for keeping track of expenses: I always have one in my purse; and also keep one in the van to keep track of when I buy gas -- where, when, how much I spend, and how much it was per gallon, along with the current milage on the vehicle (my husband talked me out of having one in the Prius, because the mileage is just so much better). I have torn pages out of the mini-composition books at times, because for that price I don't care if I am missing a page or two. They don't seem to fall apart (I think they may be sewn).

I also like small notebooks for when I'm at a pen show, to keep track of which table had which pen(s), the price(s), a brief description, and a brief note about where the table was (stuff like "small ballroom 2nd row about 3 tables down on the left, and next to X's booth").

For more permanent stuff, and when I'm also feeling a bit silly, I like the "Passport" series of pocket notebooks put out by The Unemployed Philosophers Guild: I currently have ones for Wonderland and Oz (the one for Area 51 has apparently gone walkabout, which is bad because that's my password notebook; fortunately, though, the passwords were all written with Noodler's Blue Ghost... ). I found them at a local card/novelty shop here in Pittsburgh (which also carries stuffed animals, books, and pens and ink ) but there's also a website: https://philosophersguild.com/collections/notebooks

Not cheap, but they amused the heck out of me, and the paper seems decent.

If you like perforated top-bound ones, I have some from Miquelrius (they were freebies that I think were used when packing an order of their 300 sheet flexible cover journals, just to top the box off). Don't know how much they normally go for, and you might or might not like the designs (they seem pretty "girly" for the most part). But it seems to be the same quality of paper as for the journals, which is good overall IMO (I do get some bleed through, occasionally -- depending on the pen and ink used on any given morning, but overall they're pretty decent, and a very good value for the price -- around $15-16 US for roughly 6"x 8"; and when you're writing 3 pages every morning, you want something with capacity...).

No affiliation with any of the above, other than as a satisfied customer.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Tweel]

Having just re-read the thread, I realized they don't quite match the requirement - they're perforated at the top, not glued (at least, I've not see any that are glued at the top with no staples).

 

The ones that I buy at CVS are glued. They're the "Caliber Scratch Pad", plain white, 4" X 6", #897447. The paper is fountain pen friendly.

Edited April 30, 2020 by Tweel

[LizEF]

 

The ones that I buy at CVS are glued. They're the "Caliber Scratch Pad", plain white, 4" X 6", #897447. The paper is fountain pen friendly.

Ah, excellent! I don't remember seeing those, so I wasn't certain if they actually have them or not. Thanks for confirming. Hmm. A trip to the pharmacy is justified during virus lock-downs, right?

[Solitaire146]

Thank you all for your suggestions!

[Tasmith]

Started using these again:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Memorandum-Books-Green-7530-00-222-0078-12-pack/dp/B0053D9X5M