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Thread: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

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    Member Wolfman Zack's Avatar
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    Default Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    I’m looking for some affordable A5 sized notebooks with hard covers and FP friendly paper of good weight so that there is no show through.
    The baseline I’d have is a Rhodia notebook, as those mostly meet my requirements, though I’d prefer a slightly heavier paper.

    I can across these on Amazon, and they look like they might be ideal, I haven’t ordered one yet though, has anybody here tried them?
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A1JQDEZOLNJ7LU

    Open to any other suggestions as well.

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    Senior Member carlos.q's Avatar
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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Take a look at Back n Red notebooks:
    https://www.amazon.com/Black-Red-Har.../dp/B000JCPP9A

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by carlos.q View Post
    Take a look at Back n Red notebooks:
    https://www.amazon.com/Black-Red-Har.../dp/B000JCPP9A
    Those look quite nice, and only $7 shipped!!
    That’s a great deal if they are good paper for fountain pens.
    My taste in pens is favoring broader and wetter nibs as I progress in the hobby, making quality paper more important to me.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    I can recommend Clairefontaine notebooks with 90g/m2 paper.
    For me the ideal paper to write with FPs.
    It has also no problem with quite a lot of ink.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    +1 on the black n red. I've only ever seen it in lined paper. No graph, no dot pad. But it's pretty good stuff, and you can usually find it in local office supply stores.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by although View Post
    +1 on the black n red. I've only ever seen it in lined paper. No graph, no dot pad. But it's pretty good stuff, and you can usually find it in local office supply stores.
    Lined is my preference anyways.
    I’ll probably get one of the Black and red to check out sometime soon.

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfman Zack View Post
    I’m looking for some affordable A5 sized notebooks with hard covers and FP friendly paper of good weight so that there is no show through.
    The baseline I’d have is a Rhodia notebook, as those mostly meet my requirements, though I’d prefer a slightly heavier paper. ...
    Rhodia sold these hardbound A5 notebooks, which would meet your requirements. It has an elastic band to wrap around the book, a sewn-in bookmark ribbon and a pocket in the back for papers. I suggest you contact Alan Cohen, who usually has the biggest display of fountain-pen friendly paper and stationary (including lots of Rhodia!) at the big eastern pen shows, where he discounts for multiple purchases. His card appears below. I did a quick search and he has a website and Facebook and Yelp presence. That's Alan in the red shirt on his home page.

    IMG_0989.JPGIMG_0990.JPGIMG_0991.JPG
    Last edited by FredRydr; May 14th, 2018 at 09:55 AM.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Another +1 for Black n' Red. I have four of them. The paper is fantastic for fountain pens...thick and coated.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfman Zack View Post
    I’m looking for some affordable A5 sized notebooks with hard covers and FP friendly paper of good weight so that there is no show through.
    The baseline I’d have is a Rhodia notebook, as those mostly meet my requirements, though I’d prefer a slightly heavier paper. ...
    Rhodia sold these hardbound A5 notebooks, which would meet your requirements. It has an elastic band to wrap around the book, a sewn-in bookmark ribbon and a pocket in the back for papers. I suggest you contact Alan Cohen, who usually has the biggest display of fountain-pen friendly paper and stationary (including lots of Rhodia!) at the big eastern pen shows, where he discounts for multiple purchases. His card appears below. I did a quick search and he has a website and Facebook and Yelp presence. That's Alan in the red shirt on his home page.

    IMG_0989.JPGIMG_0990.JPGIMG_0991.JPG
    Those Rhodia notebooks are ideal, just a little pricier than I’d like.
    If a foolish mental hurdle, but I struggle with using more expensive notebooks.
    The cheaper the book the more likely I am to write in it frequently.

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    Senior Member azkid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    That is why I ended up with a pile of Apica CD11s. Not hardbound and not many pages but cost per is low enough to achieve the psychological trickery I require.

    Also not hardbound but I am very happy with the Clairfontaine notebook I picked up. Lots of pages. Very nice consistent paper. I use it for pen testing/journaling and penmanship practice. If price is the main issue maybe it is worth giving up hardbound?

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by azkid View Post
    That is why I ended up with a pile of Apica CD11s. Not hardbound and not many pages but cost per is low enough to achieve the psychological trickery I require.

    Also not hardbound but I am very happy with the Clairfontaine notebook I picked up. Lots of pages. Very nice consistent paper. I use it for pen testing/journaling and penmanship practice. If price is the main issue maybe it is worth giving up hardbound?
    You may be right about it being best to forget hardbound if cost is a factor, that said, I can get the Black and Red hard cover as cheap as any soft bound option.
    I’ll look into the Apica and Clairfontaine though.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfman Zack View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by azkid View Post
    That is why I ended up with a pile of Apica CD11s. Not hardbound and not many pages but cost per is low enough to achieve the psychological trickery I require.

    Also not hardbound but I am very happy with the Clairfontaine notebook I picked up. Lots of pages. Very nice consistent paper. I use it for pen testing/journaling and penmanship practice. If price is the main issue maybe it is worth giving up hardbound?
    You may be right about it being best to forget hardbound if cost is a factor, that said, I can get the Black and Red hard cover as cheap as any soft bound option.
    I’ll look into the Apica and Clairfontaine though.
    Just to mention it Clairefontaine ones are also available hardbound

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Miquel Rius makes hardbound notebooks. The paper is a bit 'softer' than Black n Red, but still works well with fountain pens.
    My other pen is a Montblanc.

    And my other blog is a tumblr!


    And my latest ebook, for spooky wintery reading:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CM2NGSSD

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    I ended up getting a Black and Red, and it’s great, the paper is very smooth and fountain pen friendly.
    At $7 these are a fantastic option.

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    Default Re: Affordable Hardbound A5 Notebooks?

    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfman Zack View Post
    I ended up getting a Black and Red, and it’s great, the paper is very smooth and fountain pen friendly.
    At $7 these are a fantastic option.
    Everyone loves a happy ending!

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