What are your top 5 notebooks?

[DAYoung]

1. Clairefontaine spiralbound

 

2. Quo Vadis Habana

 

3. n/a

 

4. n/a

 

5. Moleskin

 

I'd probably put the Rhodia Webnotebook in at 3, but we don't have the 90gsm paper here in Australia. (As far as I know.)

 

If I ever get to try a Leuchtturm, it might get a guernsey on the list.

 

(Oh, and disclaimer: I sort of have a relationship with Exaclair - I was a featured writer. But I loved their paper first.)

Edited July 9, 2011 by DAYoung

[countrydirt]

I have 2 soft covered Clairefontaine notebooks with French Ruled paper. Like them. I also am testing out a Staples arc disc notebook. The paper is ok, but I certainly like the form and function.

[Dhara lekhni]

I have 2 soft covered Clairefontaine notebooks with French Ruled paper. Like them. I also am testing out a Staples arc disc notebook. The paper is ok, but I certainly like the form and function.

 

 

 

 

Mont Blanc, notepads, A6,

Clairefontaine

Rhodia

Moleskin

[MadAmos]

Rhodia

Black and Red

Clairfontain

Stapes Eco-Easy/ Sustainable Earth (Bagasse)

 

I also have some Mead Cambridge Limited that are hard cover spiral bound with a magnetic flap that has a pen loop. Very Fountain pen friendly and I get them at Office Max I highly recommend these.

 

 

My own, bound using Rolla punch paper HP Premium Laser 28 Lb. I use this with my own template for a planner and it has worked out the best for this application for me.

Edited July 10, 2011 by MadAmos

[Mephisto]

1. Leuchtturm 1917 (Agenda A4)

2. Clairefontaine (A4/A5)

3. Sigel (Conceptum A5)

4. Moleskine

 

But i normally use:

5. Herlitz (Classic Collection A6)

[AtomicLeo]

Midori (UGH! Wish I could get it in the US)

Rhodia Webnotebook

Moleskine

Whitelines

Red n' Black

[Mr.Wote]

Midori Spiral Notebook, Polar Bear (slightly off-white, smooth paper) - I use the B6 size, in wide-angle orientation, and it is absolutely perfect for lap-writing.

Pentallic

Rhodia Dotpads

 

I honestly can't think of others I'm super fond of. I dislike Clairefontaine in general, because I don't care for the almost glossy smooth finish, and the bright white is jarring to me. I very much prefer ivory or cream papers, with a bit of feedback.

[HeartMan]

I know this is a fairly old thread, but it was very helpful. I've been using notebook paper at some meetings I attend, and going nuts with the feathering. I chalked it up to cheaper processing, and wondered if there was something better I could use. This post gave me plenty of ideas. I went to Flax in San Francisco today and looked at the Rhodia and Clairefontaine products. The store was expecting a shipment of paper and was low on stock, but did have a couple of Clairefontaine notebooks I bought. The salesperson showed me the Leuchtturm notebook, but wanted to ask what you all think of it before spending over $20 on a notebook. I remembered the Apica, and Flax showed me the test they had done on those thin notebooks. Very impressive. I picked up a few medium sized ones, should work out pretty well. Wouldn't mind having something a bit nicer than a composition book-like pad, safe to go with the Leuchtturm? Thanks!

[garnet]

Midori - Traveller

 

Paperchase :clap1:

 

Rhodia :hmm1:

 

Red n Black

 

Moleskine :roflmho:

[Hemingway]

Hmmm, lets see:

 

• Rhodia
  
• Rhodia (I really like them)
  
• Clairefontaine
  
• Moleskine
  
• Leuchtturm 1917
  

 

Peter

 

 

edit: The new Leuchtturm notebooks are nice, but the old ones... oh my

Edited August 6, 2011 by Hemingway

[dcpritch]

TMLee's handmade journals !!!!

Rhodia

Clairefontaine (I like the Linicor spirals I got from farseer911)

Hit List journal

Staples Sustainable Earth bagasse

 

I haven't tried the others mentioned on this thread, but some of them sound pretty intriguing - I guess I need to get out more.

[dapv]

My vote would be for Rhodia (1st) which I like more and more, and then Quo Vadis depending upon your desired form.

 

To me Leuchtturm and Moleskine is a toss up, both made in China, so I vote Moleskine because it's more available.

[AlecG]

My list is a bit different from most that I've read.

 

Best is a spring back hand bound book by a master book binder, made with cranes thesis paper. 600 pages, almost three pounds heavy and a joy and delight to write in it.

Second best is the smythson notebooks, super thin (50gr/m2 but also very dense and therefore very thin)pale blue union skin paper (they call it featherweigt paper) but not a bit of feathering or blead through. Most notebooks are gilded, they have a very strong flexible binding, thin leather covers. It is extremely expensive however. Think 170 pounds for 128 leaves of 19x14cm. Ouch.

Third is a smaller notebook called allen's journal. Also unionskin paper but not as good as smythson. It is however much and much cheaper. Think 1/10th of the price...

Fourth are notebooks by Oxford, decent paper, standard binding, a tad pricy, but not bad overal.

Last is not made from paper, but a plastic paper. It accepts ballpoint, marker and fountain pen alike smoothest surface you've ever written on, almost too smooth. But also totally wetter proof even after days in the water and protected by homemade titanium sheet covers, connected with a big coil. The paper is called teslin and the whole is really wonderful.

You can print with a inkjet printer on it, and it will be waterproof. Some of the ink can wash out, but the main part of the ink stays traped in the teslin. This is my outdoor, kayaking and rough work notebook. Practically indestructible!

Edited August 6, 2011 by alecgold

[Juan in Andalucia]

Miquel Rius

Clairfontaine

Oxford (Enri)

Rhodia

Moleskin

 

My choices, in different order.

 

Juan

[fncll]

Different purposes for each, so this isn't really a raking, but the top in each category:

 

1. Leuchtturm 1917 Reporter [pocket]

2. Maruman Report Pad [long-form]

3. Rhodia Webbie [general]

4. Apica CD15 [toss around]

5. Rhodia Dot Pad [lanning, meeting notes]

 

I'm not completely happy with #5, so sometimes use a Kokuyu side binder with Kokuyu pre-dotted loose leaf paper...

[Bart1979]

Clairefontaine A4 ruled notebook with hard cover at work (meeting notes, general scribbling, drawing, calculations, etc)

 

Moleskine A5 hard cover notebook for journaling (at home)

 

Both with my Waterman Kultur with J.Herbin Bleu Myosotis or with my Lamy 2000 with Lamy blue/black. Since I sold the Lamy, I will have to try out what it will be like with my Montblanc 149 and MB Mystery Black that will be arriving in the mail this week...

[fumi]

Rhodia because it doesn't feather or bleed even with an M1000.

[fountainpen3232]

In this order! The first two are the best paper that money can by (love it, but it can get very expensive), the third is the best value (for my everyday notebook for work).

 

1. Claire Fontaine

2. Crane & Co

3. Bespoke Goods

 

I use to like moleskine, but their paper quality has come down so now its hard to justify the high price. Claire Fontaine is very high quality paper, but also similarly high price. Crane & Co more for like special event stationary. Bespoke Goods is like your everyday notebook as they inexpensive refills you can find anywhere. =)

[Scylax]

Clairefontaine

 

Rhodia

 

Oxford Optik

 

Staples Arc

 

 

I have not found anything else remotely good enough to take a fifth spot with these!

[inkypete]

Most things Clairefontaine (not recycled)

Most things Rhodia

Quo Vadis Habana whilst my stash of original version lasts

Reflex pads as a cheap noter

Anything Apica

 

......and add a Gfeller cover to any of them and it's notebook heaven.

Edited August 20, 2012 by inkypete