Refill For 5"x7" Journal - Complete Pain In My Neck

[Plume145]

Hey there, I have one of those refillable journals that are basically a cover with flaps enveloping a book that you swap out for a new one when you've filled it. I love the cover to bits, it is the perfect size, perfect color, perfect design with a closure and even not one but TWO secure pen slots, plus all the room for tucking bits of paper in the flaps. I even love most things about the refill: sturdy covers that stay put in the leather cover, cream colored paper, wide spaced lines that don't go all the way up/down and left/right, and even a nice cloth bookmark.

 

Only one fly in the ointment: the texture. Specifically, it's a little too absorbent, and I can never get any shading even with my shadiest inks. It's not such a problem now that I'm just straight up journaling - keeping a log of what I did each day and a few thoughts on that - but I'm working to build it up so it's more like those commonplace books people had than just a journal, which means a lot more writing in it and I do wish it were nicer to write in.

 

It's a size that should be easy to find: 5x7. Do you know of any good ones that have all of the above traits, but a smoother, less absorbent texture? The exacompta ones over on Jetpens seem to be the right size, but the color's all wrong - they're supposed to be bright white and I hate that.

 

Any other ideas?

 

 

[betsypreston]

If you get desperate, you could bind your own with the paper of your choice. If you want lined, that'd be hard since with 5x7 your best bet would be to fold and trim 8.5 x 11, but then the lines would go the wrong way.

 

http://thelongthread.com/?p=3750

 

Editted to add: if you could use dot paper, you could turn it without a problem. And, obviously, blank would work well. If you haven't used blank paper, it works fairly well to slip a lined page underneath as a guide while you are writing.

Edited July 22, 2013 by betsypreston

[Plume145]

I'm okay with blank paper for the most part (ironically I have more trouble with dots than with blank, but yeah). The only thing is my writing can get pretty erratic (actually almost unrecognizable lol) when I'm journaling, because sometimes I'm recounting something rather fast-paced, or else I'm using the writing to work out a problem in my head (eg when I don't have anyone I could use as a sounding board, which is my preferred MO lol). In those cases the lines provide a little structure to the finished product, making it a little easier to read.

 

The link is nice, but unfortunately the main issue with making my own when it comes to notebooks is that I go through them a little too fast to keep up. I mean, I'd be spending a lot of time making journals, you know? Even though I do a lot of DIY and love it, this is one of those cases where I'm really hoping to just buy it.

[ac12]

You could get a ream of 24 or 28 pound laser printer paper. Test and verify that it is good for you FPs.

Then take it to the USP store and have them cut to the right size and bind it for you. You can do several at once, so you don't have to go back as often.

BUT, I advise you to check out the commercial notebooks first, then get a quote from your local UPS store. The binding could cost close to the price of a finished notebook.

[Plume145]

The problem with having it bound is that my local copy shop only does glue binding or spiral binding - the former isn't as resilient and the latter gets in my way when I write. For stitched binding I'd need a bookbinder, which catapults the price way beyond what I'm able to afford.

 

So I'm with you, I'd much rather find something commercially. I can't help but think I must be missing something - I mean, it doesn't seem like such an unusual size or set of criteria, does it?

[WC Lee]

is the refill exactly 5 x 7 or is it a little smaller?

 

if it is a little smaller, the Fiorentina refills from Barnes & Noble should fit and it has ivory color paper. The has a smooth heavy weight paper that I find handles fountain pen ink quite nicely. If it can take Bay State Blue from a fine nib that writes wet, it should be able to handle most inks. Please note that I am currently still using my first one so I don't know how well the consistency is.

 

If it is exactly 5 x 7, the only one that I know that will fit is the Barnes and Noble Kraft cover refills, the paper isn't white either. I'm not too fond of this refill but it does alright, its usable.

[Plume145]

I know the fiorentina paper - the two journals (non-refillable ones) I used before this one were fiorentinas! The first had great paper, the second kind of sucked - literally lol, it was pretty absorbent and I had to switch to a fine nib because my usual medium was huuuge.

 

The Barnes and Noble Kraft is actually the one I'm using, by coincidence! The journal cover in question is one from Barnes and Noble. I'm just trying to find a better solution for the refill, especially since shopping from BArnes and Noble is a pain for me as I'm not in the US and they only ship priority flat rate which costs like thirty bucks every time. The refill itself is cheap though.

[hot cocoa]

I can't vouch for these personally, but the size is close and and the paper (90gsm) sounds promising. For the price it may be worth a shot:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hardbound-4-3-x-6-notebook-128-Sheets-Ivory-writting-paper-drawing-sketch-book-/251292811659

[thedeacon]

I use the Fiorentina refills in my journal. It has worked great, even with wet writers filled with saturated inks. Besides, I like the ivory paper and slight bit of texture. No complaints here.

 

 

Oh no! I did one of my own pet peeves, posted before I read everything. Well, since Fiorentina didn't seem to work, I don't know what to say. I give up, you win. I'll try to pay attention next time.

Edited July 23, 2013 by thedeacon

[MarneM]

  On 7/22/2013 at 9:04 PM, Plume145 said:

I know the fiorentina paper - the two journals (non-refillable ones) I used before this one were fiorentinas! The first had great paper, the second kind of sucked - literally lol, it was pretty absorbent and I had to switch to a fine nib because my usual medium was huuuge.

 

The Barnes and Noble Kraft is actually the one I'm using, by coincidence! The journal cover in question is one from Barnes and Noble. I'm just trying to find a better solution for the refill, especially since shopping from BArnes and Noble is a pain for me as I'm not in the US and they only ship priority flat rate which costs like thirty bucks every time. The refill itself is cheap though.

 

I had the same problem with a 5 X 7 Barnes and Noble journal cover I loved. Clairfontaine makes a notebook that will fit. It was a touch smaller than I would have liked, but it worked and it was cheap. I will admit that I eventually gave in to the lure of a custom Gfeller cover for the my Rhodia web notebook. But I really like the B & N cover!

[Plume145]

Everyone, thanks for all the answers! But I just had another idea: I could get a journal refill that is slightly larger, but cut it down to size at the copy shop where they have the big machines that can cut a whole ream in one go. So let's switch the criteria to refills that are:

- cream or ivory

- lightweight covers (ie, not rigid like rhodia webbies) or they won't fit in the slip cover

- preferably lines, preferably wide-spaced, light colored, and not extending all the way up/down and left-right on the page. But if not, blank is ok in a pinch

- definitely under $20, preferably under $15 too.

Can you think of anything like that?

  On 7/23/2013 at 4:37 AM, hot cocoa said:

I can't vouch for these personally, but the size is close and and the paper (90gsm) sounds promising. For the price it may be worth a shot:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hardbound-4-3-x-6-notebook-128-Sheets-Ivory-writting-paper-drawing-sketch-book-/251292811659

unfortunately it won't work I think - it's a good inch too short and about 3/4" too narrow, so I'm worried it won't fit properly - there will be too much give and the cover will keep slipping off.

 

  On 7/23/2013 at 5:07 AM, thedeacon said:

I use the Fiorentina refills in my journal. It has worked great, even with wet writers filled with saturated inks. Besides, I like the ivory paper and slight bit of texture. No complaints here.

 

 

Oh no! I did one of my own pet peeves, posted before I read everything. Well, since Fiorentina didn't seem to work, I don't know what to say. I give up, you win. I'll try to pay attention next time.

 

uh, "I give up, you win"? It's not a competition, you know

 

And I did like my first fiorentina! I'd have been perfectly happy to use that if they were all like the first one. But they weren't, unfortunately!

  On 7/23/2013 at 10:36 AM, MarneM said:

I had the same problem with a 5 X 7 Barnes and Noble journal cover I loved. Clairfontaine makes a notebook that will fit. It was a touch smaller than I would have liked, but it worked and it was cheap. I will admit that I eventually gave in to the lure of a custom Gfeller cover for the my Rhodia web notebook. But I really like the B & N cover!

Maybe we have the same cover Marne! Mine's this one. I love the way it's set up with the pen slots inside, and the slipcover format makes for lots of places to stash extra papers. And with that super long tie you can tie it several different ways and keep all kinds of things secure inside. In fact it's just perfect except for that one issue of the paper's texture

[MarneM]

  On 7/23/2013 at 8:46 PM, Plume145 said:

 

Maybe we have the same cover Marne! Mine's this one. I love the way it's set up with the pen slots inside, and the slipcover format makes for lots of places to stash extra papers. And with that super long tie you can tie it several different ways and keep all kinds of things secure inside. In fact it's just perfect except for that one issue of the paper's texture

 

 

Yep, that's the one. I really liked it, especially the two little pen slots. I had a hard time finding a notebook I really liked to fit inside, or I'd still be using it. These worked, but they were a little loose: http://www.gouletpens.com/Small_Lined_Clairefontaine_Clothbound_Notebook_p/c9606.htm. The Clairefontaine paper was excellent quality, of course.

 

I never tried these myself, but when I was looking for a notebook they were suggested, so it's another option: http://jbsecure.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=10&products_id=576.

 

I eventually gave up and got this cover for a Rhodia webnotebook. The webbies have a flap you can tuck things inside, and the cover came with a pen closure on the side. It has darkened up considerably over time, and will continue to do so until it is quite dark, from everything I have seen:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/69216393@N04/8495796986/

[Plume145]

hehe, I knew it! It's such a cool cover, isn't it? I'm just kind of crazy about it! And it's weird because I don't normally go for smooth leather like that - I much prefer the broken-down, beat-up look in leather, and usually lighter colors as well, not that kind of dark chocolate color which is more formal. In fact I was initially going to get this journal (which apparently has just one pen slot) but then ran out before I got the chance

 

I'll keep it in mind about the Clairefontaine books. I can see how they'd be a wee bit small, but if I can't get anything else and I've run out, at least they would allow me to go on using the cover.

 

The other link unfortunately isn't working for me! But it does say 'the server is not responding' so I'll try again later. maybe it's just temporary.

 

The cover on the flickr photo is one of those Gfeller covers you mentioned in your earlier post, isn't it? I googled that when you mentioned it before It's really nice, but I'm not ready to give up on the other one yet. I've gotten attached to it, rather! Not to mention the Gfeller stuff is still more 'polished' in appearance than the B&N cover. The fact it's untreated leather and acquires that nice patina does help, but I like my stuff to be sort of rough and a bit steampunky, so the Gfeller designs are way off on that.

 

I really think the solution will be about finding a larger journal and then cutting it down to size! I've done that with a moleskine years ago after seeing this instructable, and it worked like a charm. If I come up with a solution like that, do you want me to let you know which notebook(s) worked?

[MarneM]

  On 7/24/2013 at 12:53 AM, Plume145 said:

 

 

I really think the solution will be about finding a larger journal and then cutting it down to size! I've done that with a moleskine years ago after seeing this instructable, and it worked like a charm. If I come up with a solution like that, do you want me to let you know which notebook(s) worked?

 

Yes please! :-)

[Plume145]

Great, will do Bit of a long-term project as I just started one of (crappy-papered lol) B&N refills and have lots of stuff to deal with right now, but when I'm past the middle of this refill in, well, a few weeks I reckon lol, I expect it will move this from the backburner pretty sharpish

[Plume145]

Okay, reviving this for that update I promised I did discover one journal that would work: these open date "flexbook" notebooks by The Writing Fields, specifically the smaller one. The length is still 3cm too much, but because the width is exactly right, I found that having the overage lopped off the bottom of the book still lets you retain the overall page layout inside:

When I have the next one cut, I think I'll go for an extra 3mm shorter, to include that awkward last line in the offcut (see arrows) - it will make the page look a bit neater with a proper margin at the bottom instead of the random line with only a 1mm gap below it But tbh that's just picking nits because it really hasn't been as annoying as I thought it would be at first (and I tend to notice this stuff). I'll probably also round the corners, I just couldn't be bothered this time

So it's definitely a way to go on these. Not much of a solution if your beef with B&N refills is limited availability, 'cause these hardly have the widest distribution either lol (to say the least), but if it's just the paper, these'll do it. Also, the fact I found these at all indicates that the basic solution mentioned above does work - you CAN find a slightly larger notebook and cut it down to size.

Good luck to anyone who has the same problem! If you need anything clarified, ask away

Edited March 30, 2014 by Plume145