Posts filed under Notebook Reviews

DesignWorks Standard Issue No. 11 Note Pad Review

The Standard Issue Note Pad from DesignWorks is, despite the bland name, a remarkable notebook from a small Franklin, TN stationery shop.

The No. 11 note pad is a 3.5 x 5.5 inch reporter-style notebook that features a clean spring aesthetic and a smart elastic band to keep the notebook closed when not in use. With 120 lined sheets, there's plenty of space to fill up on these ledger-lined pages. Unlike a lot of the popular pocket notebooks these days, the inside covers are completely empty. According to Vanness, the paper is acid free with a light blue-gray soy ink for the lines. Overall, it's a neat little package that looks great sitting on your desk.

The notepad is a bit on the chunky side due to the number of included sheets, but it's not so thick that you can't slip it into a pocket. The sheets are all firmly attached to the strong glue binding and does not include any perforated sheets at the back. You can tear sheets out of this notebook, but I wouldn't recommend it since it will start to look a bit weird. The notebook is built well enough that it could take the abuse, but I also like that it's pretty.

Inside the notebook, you're greeted with a friendly ledger-style ruling printed in a light gray/blue ink. The paper is smooth and perfectly aligned. I've really been impressed by the build quality in this little notepad. A lot of attention was given to the small details of this product, and it shows. Speaking of quality, let's look at one of the best attributes of this book: the paper.

With small notebooks in this price range, I don't typically expect great things in the paper quality department. I'm happy if they handle gel and ballpoint pens well and don't completely fail in the fountain pen area. In the case of the DesignWorks notebook, the paper is exceptional. It's a smooth paper that handles fountain pens wonderfully. I haven't noticed any feathering whatsoever — even with wider nibs. There's a small amount of show-through, but it's minimal and leaves the back of the page perfectly usable. Nibs glide over this paper with little effort, and ink seems to dry moderately fast. I have to admit I was surprised by the quality of the paper because there was no indication on the notebook or their website as to what kind of paper was used. Typically, if a brand doesn't boast about their paper, it usually isn't fountain pen friendly. That's not the case with this notebook; I'm not sure what paper they use, but it's great for fountain pens.

Despite the excellent build quality and paper used in the notebook, there are a couple of downsides. My biggest complaint is the limited ruling options. In the "Note Pad" line, you only have one option: ledger lining. It's a bold choice, and one that I've never willingly picked. I find it clutters the page since I use notebooks as actual ledgers 0% of the time. A standard lined paper would have been a much better choice, but I'm not the designer. Despite the heavy lining choice, it's still a fun notebook to use. And, as far as ledger lining goes, it's somewhat minimal with only two columns.

My only other complaint has to do with the binding. It's a strong binding, but it also prevents the pages from laying flat without assistance. This isn't a huge problem for a reporter-style layout, but it does bug me. Over time, I think this will improve, and I'll probably appreciate the strong binding as the notebook ages and continues to hold all its pages in place.

The Standard Issue No. 11 note pad from DesignWorks was a pleasant surprise in a vast sea of pocket notebook options. At only $9, it's a good deal, especially considering the paper quality.

(Vanness Pens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on January 24, 2018 by Jeff Abbott and filed under DesignWorks, Notebook Reviews.

Bellroy Work Folio A5 Review

I’m a Bellroy fan, and what they created with the Work Folio A5 is truly beautiful. The build quality is fantastic, the leather is strong yet pliable, and the full aesthetic of the product is a designers dream.

It knocked my socks off when I opened the box, yet it doesn’t fit as part of my daily carry for reasons which you will read below.

Bellroy’s tagline is “Considered Carry Goods”. To me, that means they consider a wide range of details in making their product designs the best they can be. I think that is clear across the board, from wallets, to phone cases, to bags, and more. With the Work Folio A5, I think the burden of consideration is placed on the user. How, exactly, do I use this case in the best way possible for me?

Let’s start with the size. A5 is the Goldilocks size as far as stationery goes. It is just right for a vast majority of uses, providing enough space to be creative while small enough as to not be overwhelming. Choosing this size for a carry folio is smart, except when it isn’t.

The provided slim, softcover notebook is the perfect compliment for this folio. It is a personal favorite format of mine actually. But the fact of the matter is, if you are spending $200 on a leather folio, you want to use your nice hardbound A5 sized notebook, like a Leuchtturm1917. It fits perfectly, but you may be limited to what else you can fit in the folio and still be able to zip it closed. This includes using the pen loop. (For my tests I chose the medium-sized Sunderland MK1, a pen I would consider an average size.)

*Maxed out with a Leuchtturm1917, pen, and Kindle Paperwhite.*

Alternatively, popular hardbound notebooks like the Baron Fig Confidant and Story Supply Exposition that are around 1/2” narrower than standard A5 do fit easier with the pen loop filled. Surprisingly, the A5 Nanami Paper Crossfield fits easily, likely due to its lack of a hard cover. It’s possible other similarly styled soft cover A5 notebooks will fit as well. Regardless, you will be limited in what else fits in the folio using a standard harcover notebook.

The left hand side of the case provides several storage options, including two credit/business card size storage slots, and two flex-fabric pockets for larger items, like a pocket notebook or phone. This is my favorite section of the folio, as I fit a Field Notes memo book, Nock Co. DotDash 3 x 5 notecards, business cards, and credit cards - all without a hitch. If you plan on carrying a phone on this side and a hardbound A5 on the right, you will struggle with closing the case yet again. And don’t even think of sliding a small tablet under the notebook and being happy with the situation.

It’s clear to me at this point that this design was based solely on using a slim, soft cover A5 notebook. That’s fine. Like I said above, I adore this size. Unfortunately, the included Bellroy A5 notebook is terrible, and that is being generous.

I understand that complaining about a $5 notebook in a $200 folio is like complaining that the paracord zipper pull on your new backpack is frayed, but this is next-level bad. The first page of the notebook has a layer of the page torn off, the lines are crooked on both sides, funneling toward the middle of the page, and it looks like someone dropped a 25 lb. weight on each page, causing a raised ridge around the edge throughout the notebook. Like I said, it’s bad.

I think it is unfair to knock the overall package for the failings of the notebook, but when the exterior is so pristine I expect more. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to swap out.

Considered carry is how I recommend approaching the Bellroy Work Folio A5. It is a stunner to look at, and can be used in a functional manner. You just need to consider exactly how it will work for you before pulling the trigger.

(Bellroy provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on January 22, 2018 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Bellroy, Notebook Reviews, Folio.

Centralcrafts Capri Handmade Leather Wrap Journal Review

Journals are a big commitment. I’ve had this Capri Journal from Centralcrafts for a few months now, but hadn’t cracked it open until recently. Why? I wasn’t sure what I wanted to use it for.

I’ve never owned a leather-wrap style journal - the enclosure didn’t seem like my style. This journal has changed my mind from not interested, to ok I get it. In the case of the Capri Journal, I think the leather is what did it for me. The leather is is soft and smooth on the outside and suede on the inside, and feels fantastic. That translates to the wrap, which makes it two full lengths around the A5 journal, with enough to tuck the excess into the back.

The other thing I like about the leather wrap style is that there is not a lot of excess. Yes, there is the flap to ensure it is covered properly, but there is not much border around the journal, which is nice. It’s protected, but not overdone.

On the inside, the journal front and back is glued directly onto the leather. The backing sheets are thick cover stock, as are the first page in the front and last page in the back to give the journal a solid feel. It’s not a hardcover on the inside, so there is some flexibility.

One issue I had when first opening the journal was that the glue binding was not clean inside the front cover. It overran the backing and stuck the first eight pages together along the edge. Not a big deal, and I pulled them apart easily, but it was a minor annoyance.

Paper specs for this journal are lacking on the product page, but it is nice. They call it fountain pen friendly, and I say I would agree with this assessment. That said, the paper has some texture to it, so don’t expect a glassy smooth page. There was no feathering to speak of, but there was a small amount of bleed and a decent amount of ghosting with all pens and pencils.

I find the ghosting to be interesting. This is thick, cream-colored paper - I’d say 70# or greater in thickness - and I can see pencil through the back of the page. With the tooth of the paper, pencil is wonderful in this journal, I’m just somewhat surprised that I can see it through the back. I don’t write on the back of the page so it doesn’t affect me, but it did make me say “huh?”

If there is one negative about the Capri Journal is that it is not a lay-flat notebook by any stretch of the imagination. I’m not used to having to rely on my opposite hand to hold down the notebook so firmly to get a flat writing surface. I’m spoiled in the fact that I don’t think I use another notebook that requires this.

So yes, that is a frustration point. But for some reason I can’t put it down. It think it is the look and feel of it. It’s fantastic on both accounts. It’s perfect for drawing pens and pencils, which means it’s an excellent creative space for sketches, doodles, or Da Vinci formulas. That’s how I see myself using it anyway. Sketches, not formulas though.

At £25 (approx. $35) I think it is fairly priced. The quality is definitely there, and you can choose from several different colors of leather covers. Centralcrafts has dozens of other journal styles to choose from as well. My thanks to them for sending this product over for review.

(Centralcrafts provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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