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carlc
July 23rd, 2015, 11:05 AM
I like to 'mind map' but often I find A4 too restrictive.

Therefore I'm looking for recommendations for fountain pen friendly case bound A3 notebooks.

I've found the Moleskine A3 folio and the dotgrid.co A3 book.

The dot grid has been reviewed as fountain pen friendly (I suspect due to heavy paper stock) but is spiral bound.

I can't find fountain pen data for the Moleskine folio - has anyone any experience?

I'd prefer the book to be available in the EU.

Thank you in advance.

migo984
July 23rd, 2015, 03:06 PM
I like to 'mind map' but often I find A4 too restrictive.

Therefore I'm looking for recommendations for fountain pen friendly case bound A3 notebooks.

I've found the Moleskine A3 folio and the dotgrid.co A3 book.

The dot grid has been reviewed as fountain pen friendly (I suspect due to heavy paper stock) but is spiral bound.

I can't find fountain pen data for the Moleskine folio - has anyone any experience?

I'd prefer the book to be available in the EU.

Thank you in advance.

Hi Carl

I've used dotgrid paper. It's good but not completely FP-friendly. I had some bleed-thru when using the wettest inks.

If you're mind-mapping I assume you won't mind plain paper? So how about looking for an artist sketchbook. Many come with paper suitable for light water washes i.e. heavy weight cartridge paper, that can work well with pen and ink. Casebound are fairly easy to find and there's plenty of choice in A3 size. Some can be expensive though.

A good place to start is Jackson Art Supplies (online at www.jacksonsart.com). They're in the UK.

Do you want to keep your mind maps as a permanent record, and if yes, do the books have to be "smart" looking?

Here's one suggestion. I don't have experience of these from Paperchase, but it might be worth trying one at this price, which I think is reasonable?

http://www.paperchase.co.uk/art/sketch-books/a3-clothbound-greyboard-sketchbook.html

carlc
July 23rd, 2015, 03:10 PM
Thanks Migo.

I had thought of sketch pads but assumed the paper would feather (not sure why).

Casebound is just because I'm not that keen on spiral bound. I'll check out your suggestions.

migo984
July 23rd, 2015, 03:34 PM
It depends on how the paper surface is sized as to whether it feathers or not. Fabriano Venezia sketchbooks are very good with FPs.

RobC
July 23rd, 2015, 05:12 PM
Rhodes A3 grid or dot pad any good? Not case bound but nice pads ( and not ring bound)

RobC
July 23rd, 2015, 05:13 PM
Rhodia not Rhodes - curse this auto correct!

carlc
July 24th, 2015, 04:16 AM
Hi Rob

Thankyou. I like Rhodia paper but their staple bound pads have always left me cold.

I may have to get over that...

RobC
July 24th, 2015, 06:03 AM
Hi Rob

Thankyou. I like Rhodia paper but their staple bound pads have always left me cold.

I may have to get over that...

...or bind the paper within hard covers (really not that difficult and very satisfying). Here is part one of a nice set of videos on Japanese binding which should work with A3 too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9WL3C9rItg

carlc
July 24th, 2015, 06:22 AM
Thanks but I'm a readymade kind of guy.

I suspect I'll go for the Moleskine first and see what the paper is like.

carlc
July 24th, 2015, 08:37 AM
Okay I decided to go for the Rhodia.

My wish for casebound is purely aesthetic and in the end the paper quality is what matters.

The reason I chose the Rhodia is that it's a known paper quality. Let's be honest Moleskine can be variable and Migo's comment on the dotgrid.co paper made me wonder about that. Sketch pads could be a lottery (I couldn't find the Fabriano Venezia in A3) but I will keep an eye out in WH Smiths and Hobbycraft for likely candidates. Also we have a Paperchase in Watford so I will wander in at some point and see if they have the sketch book Migo linked to.


Thanks Migo and Rob for the help.

RobC
July 24th, 2015, 09:11 AM
You are welcome.
You could give this company a try - paper and bookbinding supplies is their trade. Looks like they have some A3 books ready made. Not sure about the ink friendliness of the paper but they may be able to advise if you gave them a call...
http://store.bookbinding.co.uk/store/category/40/656/Sketchbooks/

carlc
July 29th, 2015, 03:32 AM
Update: the Rhodia A3 dot pad just arrived.

I've never noticed but the stapled Rhodia pads aren't 'open' at the stapled end - the front cover is folded over to make a spine. Cosmetically that makes me happier with my choice. I'm still going to look out for case bound books but this will do for now.