I spent most of my previous Hahnemuhle review talking about how this old brand is very new to making fountain pens. Well, today's post is a review of a notebook — and that's firmly within the Hahnemühle wheelhouse. Hahnemühle brings centuries of paper-making experience to the Manuscript notebook, and makes bold claims about its new … Continue reading Hahnemühle FineNotes Manuscript notebooks: a Tomoe River contender?
paper
Montblanc notebooks: a real luxury experience
I'm a fan of Montblanc's pens and inks, but I've never before tried its paper products. Why? Partly it's because I'm a Tomoe River addict. But it's also because I had bad experiences with awful demo paper used in the boutiques. I assumed the notebooks would be the same. I wish I hadn't made that … Continue reading Montblanc notebooks: a real luxury experience
Atoms to Astronauts: UK-made, fountain-pen friendly notebooks
I used to review a lot of notebooks. Like, a lot. Then gradually I settled on (mostly) Tomoe River paper from a select roster of makers: Pebble, Elia Note, Musubi, Galen, GLP. And now I have a stockpile of more than 25 notebooks, enough to last me years. So you could say I'm not actively … Continue reading Atoms to Astronauts: UK-made, fountain-pen friendly notebooks
Snippets: Schon, John Garnham, Pebble, GLP, Cross
It's been a quiet month here on the blog. I haven't posted anything for ten days, which is a long spell for me. But I do want to shout about a few things, so it's time for a Snippets. Bye to Instagram Thanks to those of you who took the time to email me to … Continue reading Snippets: Schon, John Garnham, Pebble, GLP, Cross
Galen’s Tomoe Leather Notebook wins the limbo contest
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
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
UK fountain pens 