Lots of notebooks claim to be 'lay flat'. In most cases, that means 'doesn't shut itself if you take your hand off the page'. In the case of the Galen Leather Notebook (the 'Everyday Book'), 'lay flat' means exactly what it says. Even from new, with no break in, and whatever page you open it … Continue reading Galen’s Tomoe Leather Notebook wins the limbo contest
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State of the collection: June 2020
Pens! Fresh off my last post about small but perfectly formed collections, here's the latest on mine. It's grown, just a little bit. What's in since the last SotC: Pilot Capless LS. I listed this for sale soon after it arrived, because while it's by far my favourite Vanishing Point, I didn't fall in love … Continue reading State of the collection: June 2020
Legami notebooks: ready for fountain pens?
Notebooks must get nervous when they see me coming. I'm such a Tomoe River snob that I immediately start looking for faults in any other paper. I know, I know, it's unfair of me — there are plenty of other important qualities to look for in a notebook. And so I came with fresh eyes … Continue reading Legami notebooks: ready for fountain pens?
Quick take: Baron Fig Strategist Note Cards
I've been through a few phases in my life where I've used Index cards. Exam revision at school. A brief foray into the Hipster PDA. But I mostly gravitated towards using a Field Notes-sized notebook as a pocket carry, and an A5 notebook for work. I've been experimenting a little with different kinds of paper … Continue reading Quick take: Baron Fig Strategist Note Cards
Tomoe River: more options than ever before!
It wasn't that long ago that Tomoe River was a niche thing, that you had to work hard to get hold of. Fortunately, that's no longer the case, and you have plenty of choice, wherever in the world you live. I thought it would be worth quickly summarising those options. Here goes. Note that I'm … Continue reading Tomoe River: more options than ever before!
Strong or week? The Baron Fig Mastermind Week Pad
My job involves sitting behind a keyboard. Happily, I'm largely responsible for planning my own time, and I run multiple projects simultaneously, with distinct tasks that fill a traditional Monday to Friday working week. All of which is to say: I live and die by my to-do list. I have a very particular habit: every … Continue reading Strong or week? The Baron Fig Mastermind Week Pad
Notebooks, notebooks, everywhere!
I used to write quite a lot of posts about paper. Recently I've been all about the pens. Time to redress the balance. Let me give you a tour of the many different notebooks that have been across my desk recently. And boy, I've had a lot of paper. But before that, let me cut … Continue reading Notebooks, notebooks, everywhere!
Review: Made by Foyles terracotta red notebook
I'd wager that most stationery addicts are also rather into books. For me, the joy of travelling to a city and discovering a new pen shop is squarely matched by that of finding a good bookstore. I used to be a bookseller, back in the day, so I feel somewhat of a connoisseur of good … Continue reading Review: Made by Foyles terracotta red notebook
Review: Dingbats ‘Serengeti’ Earth notebook
Way back last year I reviewed quite a few notebooks, including a fetching red number from Dingbats' Wildlife series. (If you're interested: Summary was here. Recap was here.) I was hugely impressed by the spec of the Dingbats notebooks, but I commented that the feathering and bleedthrough bothered me. So, when the founder of Dingbats got in … Continue reading Review: Dingbats ‘Serengeti’ Earth notebook
Eight different notebooks put through the wringer
I write a lot about pens and ink, but I've not blogged much about paper recently. Of course, I've been writing as much as ever: journalling in my Hobonichi, keeping lists and notes in my pocket notebooks, and ploughing through nine work notebooks in the past nine months. There are brands here from Japan (Life, … Continue reading Eight different notebooks put through the wringer
