Black n' Red writing pads

[cat6669449]

Newbie here... been lurking a while...

 

I too have reached stage 3 of the "affliction," namely the quest for the perfect paper (after starting out with a fountain pen obsession which led to an ink obsession... the classic pattern). Anyway, I mostly use writing pads at work and so I found myself trying out a whole bunch of pads over the past few weeks. I now have more paper in my house than I know what to do with.

 

I do like the Clairefontaine and the Rhodia pads, but found them a bit pricy for everyday office use. Lots of people have talked about the Black n' Red notebooks, so I tried one of those (spiral bound). I liked that paper too, but found it not quite as smooth as the Frenchies. Then I ordered the Black n' Red writing pad, because it was not available locally... It arrived today, and I think I may have found the perfect paper for me! The paper on this pad is very different from the notebook paper. Even the color of the lines is different (blue vs gray). What struck me the most, however, is how smooth and thick it is. I find it very VERY similar to the Rhodia paper... just not as expensive. Even my wettest pen did not bleed or feather on this paper, and nothing showed through to the other side.

 

I recommend giving it a try if anyone is looking for a less expensive, but not totally cheap, writing pad alternative.

 

Catherine

[JayKay]

I personally use the black n' red spiral bound notebooks for classes. I like the spiral bound paper. I can find them for 4$ at rite aid, and they handle ink like a charm.

[Titivillus]

. What struck me the most, however, is how smooth and thick it is. I find it very VERY similar to the Rhodia paper... just not as expensive. Even my wettest pen did not bleed or feather on this paper, and nothing showed through to the other side.

 

I recommend giving it a try if anyone is looking for a less expensive, but not totally cheap, writing pad alternative.

 

Catherine

 

Thanks for the mini-review. I always pass by the R&B pads in the Office Depot, might have to pick one up..or get the company to buy me some for work!

 

 

[PacificCoastPen]

I found the Red and Black pads next to the bargain composition books two fer a dollar at Rite Aid.

The Red and Black pads are 24 lb weight paper.

 

W

[PAKMAN]

I picked up a spiral bound Black n' Red journal and am really pleased. Found it at a good price at Staples.

[lovemy51]

i like black n red immensely!!

 

 

I found the Red and Black pads next to the bargain composition books two fer a dollar at Rite Aid.

The Red and Black pads are 24 lb weight paper.

 

W

 

now, that's CHEAP!!!!!

 

[cat6669449]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

[lovemy51]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

 

i'm almost sure i saw it down in the LA area not long ago. it was one of the major stores Staples, OMax of ODepot... not sure. i was staying in the southgate area.

[cat6669449]

the pads or the notebooks? cause I have no problem finding the notebooks in all shapes and sizes everywhere, just not the pads.

[PacificCoastPen]

i like black n red immensely!!

 

 

I found the Red and Black pads next to the bargain composition books two fer a dollar at Rite Aid.

The Red and Black pads are 24 lb weight paper.

 

W

 

now, that's CHEAP!!!!!

 

Sorry, the composition books were two fer a dollar.

The Black and Red notebooks were $4.95 for 50 sheets.

 

W

 

[Turbonerd42]

the pads or the notebooks? cause I have no problem finding the notebooks in all shapes and sizes everywhere, just not the pads.

I happened upon the hardback journals and notebooks at Target this week. I didn't see any spiral bound, but I wasn't looking very hard either.

[hellkitty]

Y'all are some DANGEROUS friends to be hanging with: dangerous for my *wallet*. Sigh. I think I'm just starting at Stage Three (the Paper Obsession) myself. I've been using some journals I bought at Costco a while ago--big honkin' spiral bound doodads, and I've a small stash of the spiffy Italian stationery (with semi-medieval foliate borders). I tend to bring cheapo spiral notebooks and (gasp! please don't banish me!) ballpoint pens to class because I really can't face some sort of Ink Incident in front of thirty pairs of eyeballs. However, this may be about to change... thanks to you *enablers of my addiction*!!!!

 

HK

[Alogusz]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

 

Were you looking in the right place? For example, at my local Office Depot, the Black N reds are not kept with the regular notebooks, but a few aisles over in the "business" section, where the planners, etc, are kept.

[cat6669449]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

 

Were you looking in the right place? For example, at my local Office Depot, the Black N reds are not kept with the regular notebooks, but a few aisles over in the "business" section, where the planners, etc, are kept.

 

 

Yes, I looked everywhere and even asked the store employees to check in the computer. They have the notebooks (spiral and hardbound and any binding you can imagine) but not the writing/legal pads. very frustrating!

Interestingly, the office depot website tells you that a certain store has the item in stock and tells you to go pick it up. But when you get to the store, and they check the inventory in their store computer, they don't have it. There must be a bug in the office depot website somewhere.

Feels like a wild goose chase

[cfclark]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

 

I use these for work and have had some comments from co-workers about them--it's hard to find something that holds up and looks good.

 

I got my most recent B&R at OfficeMax in Pasadena (on Colorado next to Vroman's Bookstore/Writing Instrument store, which is worth a trip in itself). Don't know if they still have them in stock (probably) or if other OfficeMax stores in greater LA have them (have no clue).

Edited August 26, 2008 by cfclark

[xmattxyzx]

How much are you guys paying for these? At my local Staples the spirals are $9 and the pads are $7.

[cat6669449]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

 

I use these for work and have had some comments from co-workers about them--it's hard to find something that holds up and looks good.

 

I got my most recent B&R at OfficeMax in Pasadena (on Colorado next to Vroman's Bookstore/Writing Instrument store, which is worth a trip in itself). Don't know if they still have them in stock (probably) or if other OfficeMax stores in greater LA have them (have no clue).

 

 

Thanks for the tip. Officemax is the only chain I have not tried yet. If the one in West LA doesn't have it, I'll check the Pasadena one. I'd really prefer not to have to pay for shipping paper. It's heavy! (and it seems silly to buy $50-$100 worth of office supplies I don't need just to get free shipping from an internet vendor!)

[cat6669449]

How much are you guys paying for these? At my local Staples the spirals are $9 and the pads are $7.

 

 

I haven't been able to find the pads locally yet, but found them for $4.30 per 2-pack at shoplet.com... but you have to pay shipping, so it only makes any sense if you order more than one pack at a time.

 

 

 

[cfclark]

Has anyone been able to find these pads locally in the L.A. area? I had to order mine online, but would love to save shipping cost. I searched a few Rite Aid, Staples, and Office Depot stores to no avail.

 

I use these for work and have had some comments from co-workers about them--it's hard to find something that holds up and looks good.

 

I got my most recent B&R at OfficeMax in Pasadena (on Colorado next to Vroman's Bookstore/Writing Instrument store, which is worth a trip in itself). Don't know if they still have them in stock (probably) or if other OfficeMax stores in greater LA have them (have no clue).

 

 

Thanks for the tip. Officemax is the only chain I have not tried yet. If the one in West LA doesn't have it, I'll check the Pasadena one. I'd really prefer not to have to pay for shipping paper. It's heavy! (and it seems silly to buy $50-$100 worth of office supplies I don't need just to get free shipping from an internet vendor!)

 

If I have time I'll swing by in the next day or two and see if they still have them--might save you a trip.

[JohnNicholas]

I agree that the Black 'n Red paper is great for FP, but the elastic loop thing fastened to the back cover of the plastic cover-spiral bound notebooks drive me crazy! Its nice when you are not writing, but when you open the notebook on the desk the rivits holding the elastic band onto the back cover make irritating lumps under the paper. The only solution is to fold the back cover under the front so you have only paper laying on the desk, and that just don't seem right!

 

John

Edited August 27, 2008 by JohnNicholas