PDA

View Full Version : Baron Fig vs Webbie vs Markings



sharmon202
March 9th, 2015, 09:34 AM
Baron Fig Notebook Review: Comparison to Webbie as a Bullet Journal
Sandy Harmon - March 9, 2015
For the last 2 ½ years I have used three notebooks as a Bullet Journal at work. This has been daily use that I would call very heavy duty. I am including some comparisons to all three. This is just my opinion and observations, mileage may vary. I am doing this because it’s almost time to start another and I need to decide which is to be #4, thought I would share my analysis (analysis on a notebook is that odd or what? And I have done things like this my entire life!!). I did not consider price in my review because I am not in the purchasing decision.
I have used fountain pens in these 90% of the time, with gel pens and pencils the other 10%. The fountain pen use has consisted of M/F/EF nibs, many brands of ink, mostly blue, black, blue-black, dark green, dark purple.
Notebooks used:

Markings by Gibson, 8 ¼” x 5”, graph, 4 months use
Rhodia Webbie, A5, Dot grid, 7 months use
Baron Fig, 7 ¾” x 5.5”, Dot grid, 7 months use


Size and shape: I actually like the Markings size and shape better. Marking’s is narrower, easier to carry in small hands like mine. Do not really like the cheap cardboard type cover, do not hate it either.
Page format: I have decided dot grid is a make or break requirement. If it was not, Marking’s would still be quite in the running.
Paper quality for fountain pens: I found all three papers to be quite similar.
• None of the three feathered at all in my use.
• All three showed that there was writing on the opposite side of the paper but not annoyingly so, to me.
• None had any bleed through.
• Rhodia had a bit of a longer dry time occasionally to rarely.
• No pages in any book showed wear or tear, all stayed secure.
• Baron Fig was a lighter whiter paper, Rhodia was more cream colored. Either is fine with me.
• If I had to give an edge it would go to Rhodia just because the paper just feels smoother to touch.
Cover:
• The Rhodia back cover has a few shiny spots of wear. The Baron Fig actually picked up dirt and has dark streaks on back cover at edges, especially near the binding.
• As everyone knows the Baron Fig cover does not close completely, EVER. This is very annoying to me. Rhodia closes completely. During use they both lay flat about the same, ok, better than most. Actually Marking’s was the same here also, better than most. I do not use the closure band on Rhodia, do not need to.
• Covers and papers were all rounded corners.
Ribbon marker:
• Baron Fig ribbon marker is too wide, too thick, and too yellow. C’mon, really guys, yellow? I would appreciate white, black or dark blue, please. As everyone also knows the end of the ribbon unravels. I used a light coating of Elmer’s glue to fix this, was ok.
• The Rhodia ribbon was excellent except, actually too long. I cut it shorter and put on blue painters tape, all I had in the moment when I couldn’t take it any longer.
Future use: I have labeled previous Bullet Journals with silver marker on the binding. How do I label a fabric notebook? I have a Levenger 5-Year Journal at home I used Washi tape on, after one year it is not staying on that well. I would appreciate suggestions.
At this point I will probably go Rhodia. The dirt and not closing of cover are why. I was surprised that all three notebooks were so close in comparison of these characteristics.
Pictures: Baron Fig dirt on cover, Baron Fig writing show thru, Rhodia ribbon, Baron Fig open with 3/4 or more of it used.
17057170581705917060

Lady Onogaro
March 9th, 2015, 09:44 AM
Sandy,

Have you also looked at Clairefontaine? What about spiral bound books (I think both Rhodia and Clairefontaine make spiral bound books).

sharmon202
March 10th, 2015, 06:10 AM
Sandy,

Have you also looked at Clairefontaine? What about spiral bound books (I think both Rhodia and Clairefontaine make spiral bound books).

Hi, I had not thought about trying anything spiral as I did not think they would stand up to the heavy dutiness of being opened so many times a day. I do like a hardback cover also, just feels nicer.
thanks for the feedback.

elaineb
March 10th, 2015, 06:40 AM
What Markings do you have? I'm curious, because the one I got doesn't deal so well with fountain pens.

sharmon202
March 10th, 2015, 11:05 AM
What Markings do you have? I'm curious, because the one I got doesn't deal so well with fountain pens.
elaineb, I could not find a model name or anything. pictures below. It is 8 1/4 x 5 1/4". As I said I do not use the bolder wetter nibs normally. I have a picture of a page and the back of the page. I tried to find my worst one.

17104171051710617107

Silverbreeze
March 10th, 2015, 11:52 AM
What Markings do you have? I'm curious, because the one I got doesn't deal so well with fountain pens.
Markings is okay with Asian F and EF nibs

sharmon202
March 10th, 2015, 02:57 PM
What Markings do you have? I'm curious, because the one I got doesn't deal so well with fountain pens.
Markings is okay with Asian F and EF nibs

Thanks Tom, for making the distinction. You know me and knew that, yes most of mine are Asian nibs that I used in this notebook. Sorry I was not more specific, thanks Tom for the clarity.

Silverbreeze
March 10th, 2015, 03:38 PM
I have Markings journals too and have pretty much every nib size from 1.9 Music to a Masuyama Needlepoint

So I felt comfortable adding to your post :-)