little book for noting details about inks?

[ladybug]

Somehow, I just cannot remember the name of the new little notebook designed to keep track of details about one's inks. It's the brainchild of the man behind Noodler's, I believe?

I've used a search engine, but somehow, I am not putting in the search terms.

Thank you for your help!

[KrazyIvan]

I think you are looking for The Inkjournal (http://www.inkjournal.com/). The reviews I read did not look favorable for a fountain pen user. It seems odd to me since it is a fountain pen user (Tom Oddo of Goldspot Luxury Gifts) that designed it.

[ladybug]

Oh, thank you, KrazyIvan!

It seems to me that the fpgeeks liked it? I must look around for other reviews before I add another notebook to my collection, though.

Thanks again!!

[KrazyIvan]

Here you go: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/225711-ink-journals-so-disappointing/page__p__2407824__hl__inkjournal__fromsearch__1#en try2407824

[outbackpengeek]

I like the format of them, but I'd be willing to pay more to get better paper. At least I guess though it's consistently bad :)

[Sailor Kenshin]

Based on that review I would have to say no.

I do make extensive ink notes in a regular comp notebook, and every time (more or less) I write something I note in the header what pen/ink combo.

Thanks for bringing this up!

[Saintpaulia]

I recently realized that my ink collection was passing thru various phases and I had varying opinions, etc. So I bought a Clairefontaine, 14.8 x 21 cm. notebook with 96 sheets and 90 grams/meter sq. and am writing down all my inks now in the inks themselves as I load them into various pens. It is good documentation. I do not see the need for a specialized notebook for such a record.

[Chi Town]

I have the ink journal, and personally like it! While it is NOT - the greatest book out there, for the money, for me it works just fine.....

[Saintpaulia]

I am now finding problems with my Clairefontaine notebook which is called the "Basic Clairefontaine Clothbound Notebook - 5.875 x 8.25, Lined Paper - Red". I find my pens and inks skipping on the pages. Seems to start out fine and then as I write lower on down the page the skipping starts. I know some will immediately say, "Aha! oils from his hands!". Actually I more than likely have the driest hands in the Western Hemisphere. Well maybe just North America....anyway, they are so dry I cannot hold some pens that have really smooth, metallic grip sections, like the Monteverde Artista, Parker Vector, et al. I am at a loss to figure out what to do next. I cannot really use some inks on this paper.

[KrazyIvan]

If the pens you are using have slight baby's bottom, Clairefontaine paper will definitely let you know it's there. As you go down the page, you may be holding the pen at a slightly different angle which makes the problem more apparent. Clairefontaine actually repels the ink, hence the longer dry times. Baby's bottom, to me, seems to be done on purpose to work with today's prevalent cheaper and more absorbent paper.

To really rule out oils, try putting something on the page between your hand and the page, an index card works well. If you get the same result, look to the baby's bottom issue next.

[Saintpaulia]

If the pens you are using have slight baby's bottom, Clairefontaine paper will definitely let you know it's there. As you go down the page, you may be holding the pen at a slightly different angle which makes the problem more apparent. Clairefontaine actually repels the ink, hence the longer dry times. Baby's bottom, to me, seems to be done on purpose to work with today's prevalent cheaper and more absorbent paper.

To really rule out oils, try putting something on the page between your hand and the page, an index card works well. If you get the same result, look to the baby's bottom issue next.

That's a very thoughtful hypothesis. And one that I have some familiarity with. I've encounted baby bottom before and was able to fix it at least well enough to be able to write with it. I'll check the possibility of oils with the card interface.

While we are on the subject of papers however, I've been doing a bit more "shopping" for other papers besides Clairefontaine and Rhodia and come to find that there are very few which are made into journal-type notebooks. I find the Clairefontaine papers in general WAY too smooth. Rhodia, at least the Rhodia in my current notebook is a bit better at this, giving more feedback. But is there a whole other group of papers, or other making of notebooks that I have missed? It seems like Clairefontaine is a virtual monopoly gobbling up other companies left and right. Ex. you buy a Quo Vadis notebook and the paper is Clairefontaine.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I love bagasse paper, but I'm not sure they still make the bound comp books. They have spirals in different sizes, but, nope, not bound.

I don't know if Miquelrius makes bound books but I like the paper well enough.

I used to go by what looked interesting, amd the results are hit or miss.

Bagasse, btw, is found at Staples. It's just sugarcane waste.

[KrazyIvan]

Black n Red notebooks and journals are also worth looking at.

[Saintpaulia]

That is the name of the journals? "Black and Red"? Haven't seen that yet. Will do a search...I just need some paper in a notebook that is not so smooth as Clairefontaine. But not so absorbent as to create feathering. The Goldilocks paper. Ah I found it on Amazon and elsewhere. Anyone else recommend Black and Red?

[KrazyIvan]

It is actually: link -> "Black n' Red" (http://www.my-oxford.co.uk/professional-and-executive/black-n-red). I bought my copy at Fedex Office but I have seen them on occasion at Wal-Mart of all places. The "Diaries" range is the fountain pen friendly option.

[Saintpaulia]

I love bagasse paper, but I'm not sure they still make the bound comp books. They have spirals in different sizes, but, nope, not bound.

I don't know if Miquelrius makes bound books but I like the paper well enough.

I used to go by what looked interesting, amd the results are hit or miss.

Bagasse, btw, is found at Staples. It's just sugarcane waste.
Actually Sailor I prefer spiral bound as the book lays flat. That is not always the case with bound.

[Saintpaulia]

For me this whole fountain pen hobby has begun to resemble more and more the rabbit hole that Lewis Carroll made his heroine go down. Things just seem stranger and stranger. Right now it is paper. But it could just as easily be inks tomorrow or pens the next day.

What began as a little notebook to keep a record of my inks turned into a tutorial on "high-end" papers most often used by fountain pen writers. What I learned cleared up alot of puzzlements that had been accruing for a while. Like this whole skipping phenomenon. When I first noticed it I, of course, figured that it must be the pens' fault.

That led to learning about nibs, tines, widths of space between the tines, brass shims, and ultimately the feed itself. And sending one pen overseas to have it looked at by a penmeister! But I learned alot! I now am beginning to suspect that it was not the pens at all, or at least, not in the main. Rather it was the non-existent oils on my hands that turned out to be EXistent!

At this point in the "excercise" I am contemplating the nature of papers that are so "sensitive" that even the minimal amount of oils on my hands is causing areas where my pens skip. But besides that, even before I learned what was actually going on, I had begun to dislike these super-smooth papers. I like some feedback from my pens and papers. Really smooth paper is hard for me to write on.

There must be a happy middle ground between these expensive persnickety papers and those cheapos that cause bad feathering. So that's where I am headed now. Stay tuned.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Actually Sailor I prefer spiral bound as the book lays flat. That is not always the case with bound.

In that case check Staples. I got two of the spiral-bounds in different sizes, and the cool thing is they both have pockets. So far this sugarcane paper has been a pleasant surprise.

[Saintpaulia]

I will. I go to Staples occasionally. Besides the Banditapple journal I ordered from Goulet, I found another line called Ecosystem which is carried by Barnes and Noble, although not our local stores. I ordered one of those to be picked up at store.

[penultress]

I don't know if Miquelrius makes bound books but I like the paper well enough.


They do make bound books. They work well for me!

[KrazyIvan]

What about those Circa style books from Staples?

[Sailor Kenshin]

Lol, now there's another notebook I have to try...

[kenmc]

What about those Circa style books from Staples?
They are called ARC and PERFECT! Great paper in a great system. I don't have but about 6 sets. :) I use one for a pen/ink journal. It's easy to put dividers in and add or move around pages. When I get a new pen, I start a new page for it and keep track of what ink is in it - also make notes about the combo of ink and pen.
There is also a ARC weekly/monthly planner in a refill that has the same great paper. I also use the ARC for a daily journal, travel journal, and bird watching journal. It's easy to tote along a small one and just transport the pages in the appropriate journal when I get home. Get some of the giant rings and it's easy to archive each year. I use the junior size, but have both. The junior use exactly have letter pages so I have designed several excel templates and print my own on the letter size paper of my choice since I have a paper cutter and the ARC hole punch. Absolutley the best thing since ice cream in my book!
Oh, and to stay on topic - I have tried the Ink Journals - they are a great idea but the paper is just not FP friendly. And gee! When you get to be a FP Geek, how many of those little books would you have to have? :bump2:

[GTown_Dave]

I tend to use Moleskine journals & Rhodia pads most often, so I've kept my Ink Notes in the same. Didn't make much sense to me to use an entirely separate type/brand of paper, as I prefer the ink "record" not appear different than it might on my daily use paper.

[Saintpaulia]

Thanks Ken Mac. I'll check out the ARC and Perfect. Btw what's the difference? Which is the one you like because it allows you to move stuff around?

I was at Staples last week on a quest for the bagasse paper, which I found. But I also found the Black n' White notebooks, and a jillion more! Eeek! Rather than buy something right then and there with sensory overload I walked away with nothing. Promising to return and fight again another day.

I did receive the Banditapple notebook or cahier as they call it. Too small, not enough papers, doesn't lay flat really, etc. My wife loved it though when she saw it on my desk so she got it.

Then today I went over to my local Barnes and Noble and picked up the special ordered "ecosystem" ruled journal. They are really proud of their post-consumer this and that. Organic cotton thats and thises. Finally once I had waded thru their self-promotions and the "Environmental Benefits Statement" (jeez), I finally found what I wanted to know in the first place and couldn't find before I ordered it: the facts.

60 lb. text. After contending with Clairefontaine's glass paper (90 gsm) and Rhodia's slightly less glass-like paper (80 gsm), 60 grams per square meter would be about right, but 60 pounds means something else. Still I am hoping, really hoping that this paper has a surface I can actually write on. You know, in a REGULAR plain old-fashioned sort of way?

[Saintpaulia]

They are called ARC and PERFECT! Great paper in a great system. I don't have but about 6 sets. :) I use one for a pen/ink journal. It's easy to put dividers in and add or move around pages. When I get a new pen, I start a new page for it and keep track of what ink is in it - also make notes about the combo of ink and pen.
There is also a ARC weekly/monthly planner in a refill that has the same great paper. I also use the ARC for a daily journal, travel journal, and bird watching journal. It's easy to tote along a small one and just transport the pages in the appropriate journal when I get home. Get some of the giant rings and it's easy to archive each year. I use the junior size, but have both. The junior use exactly have letter pages so I have designed several excel templates and print my own on the letter size paper of my choice since I have a paper cutter and the ARC hole punch. Absolutley the best thing since ice cream in my book!

I am having trouble visualizing what you are talking about but the idea of keeping a record of each pen is something that had not occurred to me (duh). I've been keeping a record of each ink I've used (this in a Clairefontaine 90 gsm notebook) which is OK but as far as keeping track of what ink is in what pen in my whole collection, I've been resorting to having a dedicated, running inventory in Word. This needs updating every 3 days or so when I change inks and it is really cumbersome. Why not have a separate notebook for pens like I have with inks? I'll just have to go out to Staples with your note and ask them about this ARC and PERFECT. Btw what is the difference betw. ARC and PERFECT?

[Sailor Kenshin]

I dunno about the perfect, but I just ran and got an Arc...a very close copy of the Levenger Circa and a fraction of the cost. You can remove and add paper at will.

[kenmc]

Sorry for the confusion! I meant PERFECT as an adjective and not another brand.
Since I try out every ink I have - it's going to be in a pen. So I find it easier to keep up with the pen and what's in it. I use that pen and ink for the entry. When I flush the pen, I make note of what ink I fill it with. This comes in handy to see what the ink looks like in that particular pen. My junior size ARC is separated by tabbed dividers where I separate pen makes. The ARC makes it simple to put a page in-between previous entries i.e. Lamy 26 between Lamy 25 and Lamy 27 and so forth. It makes finding certain pens easier.
I started off using a booklet type journal but as you add pens/ink to the collection it's hard to find them.
I like the ARC paper because I know if a pen/ink combo bleeds through, it's not going to be much good for anything I want to write in. One day when I get time I'm going to make a template for 1/2 letter for my ARC and use HP Laser 24#. I made one for address pages that works pretty good. I wish I was smart enough to make one for a weekly planner. But printing fronts and backs for planners gets to be very tedious! As long as Staples make them, the ARC planner refills for nine bucks are worth it.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Couldn't anyone also use a small Claire or any fp-friendly notebook, really, then just start a new one when it's full?

[kenmc]

Couldn't anyone also use a small Claire or any fp-friendly notebook, really, then just start a new one when it's full?

Sure! First of all, I just don't care for writing in those small books that don't stay open flat . I have probably 50 pens inked so I would probably have to have more than one book - then I would have to start hunting for the book that a certain pen/ink was in. With the ARC I can add larger OD rings if I run out of room. By keeping the journal/log of pens and ink combo if I get a wild hair to try another ink in a pen, I know if I have tried that before and what the results were.
I have several of the Junior size notebooks. I take one when I travel. If I am at a pen show for a couple of days and fill a new pen with a new ink, I can make my entry on a page then move it to my pen/ink log when i get home. Hey! They don't call us geeks for nothing!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Does arc come in a letter size like the Levenger Circa? I just grabbed the half-size, something like 5x7, because I felt that would be most useful. The sad part is I haven't even tested it yet. -_-;

[kenmc]

Yes, it comes in letter also.

[Saintpaulia]

Does arc come in a letter size like the Levenger Circa? I just grabbed the half-size, something like 5x7, because I felt that would be most useful. The sad part is I haven't even tested it yet. -_-;

You know Sailor I looked at those ARC folders/notebooks/binders don't know what to call them really, and I couldn't figure out how they work. I asked the sales clerk and he had never even looked at one. Together we tried to figure out how to take out and how to put in paper. Other than a few pages at a time and those pretty bent up at the point where their slotted holes meet those odd circular objects that do duty as clips, dunno.

Surely nothing like that could be designed that badly! We simply did not know how to use it. And if something doesn't really tell you how to use it, either thru nominal brain power or a set of instructions inside, then somethings missing somewhere. The old looseleaf binder still looks pretty foolproof to me.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I had the Levenger Circa before I bought the ARC. What you do is open the book so it lies flat, select a page, lift a page at a time straight up, gently, easing the cutouts up and away deom the flared edge of the disk.

There is definitely technique involved. When you get used to how much pressure to apply you can add and remove a few at a time.

I agree that it's somewhat fiddly, but the packaging is really for adding and switching pages at will if you didn't have enough loaded to a particular section.

[KrazyIvan]

Saintpaulia, did I point you to this notebook yet? http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/864-Hand-Written-Kokuyo-Edge-Title-Notebook-Review

I think it is a good match for you.

[Saintpaulia]

Saintpaulia, did I point you to this notebook yet? http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/864-Hand-Written-Kokuyo-Edge-Title-Notebook-ReviewI think it is a good match for you.
Thanks for thinking of me Ivan. Very considerate. The Kokuyo does look good. I'll check it out. You mentioned "smoothness". I am finding that a two-edged sword. Not so "toothy" that finer nibs catch on the paper; not so smooth any little thing causes pens to skip.

[KrazyIvan]

Thanks for thinking of me Ivan. Very considerate. The Kokuyo does look good. I'll check it out. You mentioned "smoothness". I am finding that a two-edged sword. Not so "toothy" that finer nibs catch on the paper; not so smooth any little thing causes pens to skip.

It is not the case with this notebook.