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Buying any other kind of journal just doesn't make sense. I always go for a Moleskine.
The bindings were damaged on the notebook (pressed in and wrinkled). When I purchased the notebook I was expecting a regular sized notebook, one a bit smaller than a five star 1 subject notebook. Instead it is rather small and not worth the 12$ I paid for it. The paper is rather good quality and the overall look of it is rather professional.All and all I'd suggest going to staples and buying a nice notebook there. That way you can feel the paper and see the overall quality of the notebook.
It's good with a EF nib pen, and it fits a few more lines on each page, but it's a wee bit cramped compared with my normal handwriting.What really ruins it for me is the paper quality. the ivory paper. The hard cover. With many of them it's impractical to write on both sides of the sheet, which basically cuts the notebook in half from what it should be.
the cloth bookmark. There's a lot of good to be said about the notebook, and Moleskine deserve credit for reviving this design which had nearly disappeared. I've heard it varies from one batch to the next, and it sure seems like I got one of the bad ones. They cost a bit more, but I figure this type of notebook is a premium product to begin with. the rounded corners.
I found many combinations of fountain pens and ink are prone to ugly feathering and bleeding in it. In the future I'll give Moleskine a miss and spend a little more for a better notebook. the elastic band. TO BE FAIR, I found I could tame it by choosing the right ink (Noodlers Black) and using a not-too-wet fountain pen. It's all good.
I might quibble that the ruled lines are spaced a bit narrowly for my handwriting. Indeed, I would be willing to take this extra effort to adapt to this notebook's quirks if there were no better alternatives out there.Recently, though, other companies such as Quo Vadis and Rhodia have come up with their own moleskine-style notebooks featuring high-quality paper. (Being able to write with confidence on both sides of the page means I could actually come out ahead on cost too).
Because I write more legibly with the Pelikan, that's the pen of choice for this notebook. I was concerned that the folks who are knocking the paper quality of this notebook were right. I bought one of these a few weeks ago. As for the notebook itself, it's large enough to be practical, small enough to be ultra-portable, and sturdy enough with the hard cover for daily use and being dragged around. So I performed an experiment: I wrote in the last three pages of the book with a variety of pens: Pilot Precise V7 Rolling Ball, Liquid Espresso, and a Pelikan medium nib fountain pen using good old Parker blue "Quink" ink -- all pens I use regularly. In no case did the ink bleed through to the next page, smear, or create any kind of problem at all when applied to paper. The built in back pocket is handy for receipts and business cards, and the built in elastic to keep the cover closed is pure genius. Moleskine - were have you been all my life.
I've used leather bound journals that have wrap around tie straps and other kinds, but they're all bulky and heavy. I've been writing in Moleskines for about 6 years. I journal just about everyday and these rugged little books can't be beat. My Moleskine is slim, the hardcover is plenty strong, the inside pocket is great for saving receipts and little papers I've collected over time, and the elastic is easy to slip on and off. What more could you ask for.
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