Kokuyo vs. Clairefontaine

[yumbo]

In this round we have the Kokuyo "Stripes" wirebound notebook going up against a Clairefontaine Clothbound notebook. Both were purchased from thedailyplanner.com (no affiliation). Kokuyo is a Japanese company, but the notebook was made in Taiwan. Clairefontaine is made in France. See photos for pens and inks used.

 

PAPER SMOOTHNESS - Clairefontaine paper is just about as smooth as they come. Kokuyo is about on par with Apica, which is still pretty darn good.

 

 

 

Clairefontaine - 10, Kokuyo - 9.

 

INK LINE QUALITY - I like my ink lines to be smooth and crag-free. Clairefontaine performed extremely well, but the paper seemed to absorb skin oil easily, the ink didn't do so well on these oily patches.

 

 

The Kokuyo interacts with the ink nicely - no skin oil problems. However, my inks don't like the printed lines on the Kokuyo. See the closeup scans.

 

 

Clairefontaine - 8, Kokuyo - 8.

 

FEATHERING - None. Clairefontaine - 10, Kokuyo - 10.

 

BLEED THROUGH - None. You can write on both sides with ease. Clairefontaine - 10, Kokuyo - 10.

 

SHADING - Beautiful. Clairefontaine - 9, Kokuyo - 9.

 

BRIGHTNESS - Clairefontaine is the brighter paper, but not as bright as the Black n Red that I reviewed last week. Kokuyo is similar to Apica.

 

PRINTED LINES - Clairefontaine lines are spaced 7.75 mm apart, and has one red vertical line that is 41 mm from the left edge of the paper. 6.75 mm spacing for the Kokuyo, no vertical line.

 

WINNER - A tie. These are both very high quality notebooks, both with minor weaknesses.

 

Next week - Tsubame (another Japanese notebook purchased from Kinokuniya/SF - no affiliation) vs. Miquelrius (a Spanish product).

 

Sincerely,

 

Yumbo

Edited December 7, 2007 by yumbo

[Jen]

 

Cool comparison! Nice photos! I saw the Kokuyo notebooks right next to Clairefontaine notebooks at a local bookstore. I was gonna buy one to try but decided I better stick with the more well known Clairefontaine. Good to know there are other options. It's nice to know qood quality notebooks are made "by my people"

 

Nice review thanks!

 

 

[inkypete]

Great review. Please note that the Kokuyo is also marketed extensively as Campus, especially here in Australia.

 

I think Clairefontaine is a step above Kokuyo but agree both are excellent books. Kokuyo seems to be significantly cheaper but Clairefontaine is heavier paper stock and better ruled.

 

Choose the right book for your purpose from either brand and you wont go wrong.

[Leigh R]

I can't get Clairefontaine where I live, but Kokuyo notebooks (under the Campus brand) are easy to find, plus Kokuyo makes blank/unlined refills. I love those for general doodling. The only ink that's ever feathered on Kokuyo paper, in my experience, is Noodler's Spirit of Bamboo (from the Singapore series).

[succubus]

Good to know - I routinely buy both, but nice to see the comparison. Thanks!

[eric.zamir]

Where does one buy Kokuyo notebooks in Europe (not to mention Red 'n' Black...)?

Thanks,

Eric

[phillychuck]

Where does one buy Kokuyo notebooks in Europe (not to mention Red 'n' Black...)?

Thanks,

Eric

 

Don't know about Kokuyo, but a google search shows a number of possible sources in Italy:

 

http://tinyurl.com/2brnl9