Review: Ciak large journal

[lecorbusier]

With more than a few pages to go on my most recently filled-up in Moleskine journal, I found myself wandering back to the Ciak display at a favorite bookstore in the shopping district of Singapore. After countless Moleskinically thin pages with all the bleed-throughs and many insufferable featherings, I thought enough is enough--time to find something new.

 

While I chanced upon Ciak about two years ago, its 'imported' price stopped me cold in my track. But hey, its the words in a journal that count, isn't it (or at least that's what I tell myself).

 

For me, a good quality journal for a fountain pen user should have the following features: (1) high quality cover, preferably waterproof and, ahem, ink proof (2) high quality paper with archival strength, limited bleedthrough and feathering (3) a spine that can take repeated use (and abuse) (4) an elastic closure system; a ribbon bookmark and a little pocket; (4) made from renewable resources (5) lastly, a good company that would ensure a continuous (and affordable) supply so that one's life-story need not be interrupted by another odd-looking journal!

 

For the Ciak, it would score at least 3 out of 5 of the above: it does not have a pocket like Moleskine or Rhodia; it does not certify its paper resources like Rhodia or Clairefontaine; and it is a new company. That said, the Ciak journal does have other very commendable features.

 

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/5617/spa0447.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

I have done a handwritten review of the Ciak notebook. But I shall briefly review this journal here again as an alternative to my bad handwriting...

 

Form Factors:

 

This is a large notebook by Ciak, measuring 6" x 8.5" x 0.75" thick (without covers) with approximately 253 unlined 'ivory' pages.

 

1. Leather cover. This journal is however underserved by its colorful, racy, leather covers. The journal is actually glued to the thin leather covers with the exception of its spine, and the overall construction while neatly executed is however not too thoughtful on the joining of the materials. That said, my 'Ferrari' red (my own term of use, not Ciak...) leather has some depth to it and it reminds me of a Montegrappa Miya in red. Visually, the leather seems to be of a high quality, perhaps leading to some conjectures that Ciak does not use genuine leather?

 

2. Elastic Closure. The Ciak journal is set apart from the rest of the designs out there by a horizontal elastic closure system, which is patented. It is actually quite useful and the covers even have a little nook to accommodate the elastic strap. The elastic strap itself is of good quality and looks much more durable than the Moleskine's. I can see myself strapping those less fragile pens with this elastic strap on this journal.

 

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2559/spa0445.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6207/spa0446r.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7052/spa0448.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

What I like about this is the way the elastic strap ends at the spine, rendering a superb execution of an enclosing system and visually making this journal immediately unique on the bookshelf (yes, the moleskineee is standing lackluster next to it). If not for the price, I would have a 'McDonalds' yellow next to it by now...

 

3. Paper. First of all, some mathematics...I counted the approximate number of pages by dividing the total thickness of the journal (about 1.9 cm pages only) by the thickness of 20 pages. It comes out to roughly 253 pages. Considering I paid nearly $31 USD for it in Singapore Dollars, it works out to be about 25 cents per sheet, or 12.5 cents per page. Now this is a thicker journal than a similar sized Moleskine or Rhodia; and it has perhaps more superior paper at more than 90 gsm with absolutely no bleedthroughs or feathering (tested so far with Sailor 1911 music nib with Storm; Lamy 2000 OM with Midnight blue and Pelikan M405 EF with Havana Brown). Even so, this is still a prohibitively expensive journal at 12.5 cents per page. I am unlikely to buy one again, though I may still drop hints when Christmas or my birthday comes along.

 

And one last note on the paper: the paper strikes me as nearly card-stock like but without the rigidity that comes with card-stock paper. I have used G.Lalo before and this is not quite G.Lalo cardstock like. But it is almost there. This may explain the heft of this notebook; and in this sense, it is completely in a separate category from either Moleskine or Rhodia. The closest analogy I can think of are those Venetian leather journals I have seen but without those Renaissance or Celtic motifs--rather, a contemporary, minimal interpretation of those i-shall-survive-through-a-nuclear-holocaust journals.

 

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9307/spa0444k.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

The Ciak looks lonely on my shelf, and it is likely to stay that way for a while. But since I have always longed for a (not the) red, Made-In-Italy thing, the Ciak fits this unquenchable bill perfectly.

 

Recommended pen to go with this journal: a Montegrappa Miya in Red inked with Stipula Calamo Borgogna!

Edited July 9, 2009 by lecorbusier

[agchristie]

thanks for this cool review! Had been wondering about the Ciak Journals, I think Ill give them try as they are cheaper here.

[Joe in Seattle]

I'm quite impressed by the legibility, and - above all - style of your handwriting.

[MiniMaupassant]

+1 for Ciak notebooks.

The paper is amazing and my only complaint is the fact they are missing a back pocket.

I am currently using a tan coloured one for my general notebook.

I buy mine 3-4-2 online from the Journal Shop (usual disclaimers).

[biffybeans]

I like the Ciaks but find it frustrating that they come with several different kinds of paper. White, ivory, colored, and really thin ivory in the travel journal. I've tried it all except for the white. The ivory paper is smooth & nice but my inks do spread a bit on the paper. I like the design of the Ciak's and only wish that they would lay flatter so you didn't have to write in/out of a hump.

[lecorbusier]

Thanks for all your replies! I have been improvising a pocket in my Clairefontaine/Rhodia A4 notebooks since I started using them. It comes in real handy for all the little pieces of notes I take during my research, and cut outs from newspapers/journals.

 

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8125/dsc00009.jpg

Shot with W980 at 2009-07-15

 

It is easily to do without cutting or wasting the paper; just some folding and double-sided tape and that's that.

 

[MiniMaupassant]

I like the Ciaks but find it frustrating that they come with several different kinds of paper. White, ivory, colored, and really thin ivory in the travel journal. I've tried it all except for the white. The ivory paper is smooth & nice but my inks do spread a bit on the paper. I like the design of the Ciak's and only wish that they would lay flatter so you didn't have to write in/out of a hump.

 

 

I've only ever tried the white paper, which is really thick and ink friendly.

Perhaps I wouldn't be so impressed with the different paper.

[MiniMaupassant]

Thanks for all your replies! I have been improvising a pocket in my Clairefontaine/Rhodia A4 notebooks since I started using them. It comes in real handy for all the little pieces of notes I take during my research, and cut outs from newspapers/journals.

 

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8125/dsc00009.jpg

Shot with W980 at 2009-07-15

 

It is easily to do without cutting or wasting the paper; just some folding and double-sided tape and that's that.

 

I might have a go at this at work this afternoon!

[Aissa2]

With more than a few pages to go on my most recently filled-up in Moleskine journal, I found myself wandering back to the Ciak display at a favorite bookstore in the shopping district of Singapore. After countless Moleskinically thin pages with all the bleed-throughs and many insufferable featherings, I thought enough is enough--time to find something new.

 

While I chanced upon Ciak about two years ago, its 'imported' price stopped me cold in my track. But hey, its the words in a journal that count, isn't it (or at least that's what I tell myself).

 

For me, a good quality journal for a fountain pen user should have the following features: (1) high quality cover, preferably waterproof and, ahem, ink proof (2) high quality paper with archival strength, limited bleedthrough and feathering (3) a spine that can take repeated use (and abuse) (4) an elastic closure system; a ribbon bookmark and a little pocket; (4) made from renewable resources (5) lastly, a good company that would ensure a continuous (and affordable) supply so that one's life-story need not be interrupted by another odd-looking journal!

 

For the Ciak, it would score at least 3 out of 5 of the above: it does not have a pocket like Moleskine or Rhodia; it does not certify its paper resources like Rhodia or Clairefontaine; and it is a new company. That said, the Ciak journal does have other very commendable features.

 

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/5617/spa0447.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

I have done a handwritten review of the Ciak notebook. But I shall briefly review this journal here again as an alternative to my bad handwriting...

 

Form Factors:

 

This is a large notebook by Ciak, measuring 6" x 8.5" x 0.75" thick (without covers) with approximately 253 unlined 'ivory' pages.

 

1. Leather cover. This journal is however underserved by its colorful, racy, leather covers. The journal is actually glued to the thin leather covers with the exception of its spine, and the overall construction while neatly executed is however not too thoughtful on the joining of the materials. That said, my 'Ferrari' red (my own term of use, not Ciak...) leather has some depth to it and it reminds me of a Montegrappa Miya in red. Visually, the leather seems to be of a high quality, perhaps leading to some conjectures that Ciak does not use genuine leather?

 

2. Elastic Closure. The Ciak journal is set apart from the rest of the designs out there by a horizontal elastic closure system, which is patented. It is actually quite useful and the covers even have a little nook to accommodate the elastic strap. The elastic strap itself is of good quality and looks much more durable than the Moleskine's. I can see myself strapping those less fragile pens with this elastic strap on this journal.

 

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2559/spa0445.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6207/spa0446r.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7052/spa0448.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

What I like about this is the way the elastic strap ends at the spine, rendering a superb execution of an enclosing system and visually making this journal immediately unique on the bookshelf (yes, the moleskineee is standing lackluster next to it). If not for the price, I would have a 'McDonalds' yellow next to it by now...

 

3. Paper. First of all, some mathematics...I counted the approximate number of pages by dividing the total thickness of the journal (about 1.9 cm pages only) by the thickness of 20 pages. It comes out to roughly 253 pages. Considering I paid nearly $31 USD for it in Singapore Dollars, it works out to be about 25 cents per sheet, or 12.5 cents per page. Now this is a thicker journal than a similar sized Moleskine or Rhodia; and it has perhaps more superior paper at more than 90 gsm with absolutely no bleedthroughs or feathering (tested so far with Sailor 1911 music nib with Storm; Lamy 2000 OM with Midnight blue and Pelikan M405 EF with Havana Brown). Even so, this is still a prohibitively expensive journal at 12.5 cents per page. I am unlikely to buy one again, though I may still drop hints when Christmas or my birthday comes along.

 

And one last note on the paper: the paper strikes me as nearly card-stock like but without the rigidity that comes with card-stock paper. I have used G.Lalo before and this is not quite G.Lalo cardstock like. But it is almost there. This may explain the heft of this notebook; and in this sense, it is completely in a separate category from either Moleskine or Rhodia. The closest analogy I can think of are those Venetian leather journals I have seen but without those Renaissance or Celtic motifs--rather, a contemporary, minimal interpretation of those i-shall-survive-through-a-nuclear-holocaust journals.

 

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9307/spa0444k.jpg

Shot with SAMSUNG at 2009-07-09

 

The Ciak looks lonely on my shelf, and it is likely to stay that way for a while. But since I have always longed for a (not the) red, Made-In-Italy thing, the Ciak fits this unquenchable bill perfectly.

 

Recommended pen to go with this journal: a Montegrappa Miya in Red inked with Stipula Calamo Borgogna!

 

I almost agree with everything you have said. Wonderful review. I also am very pleased that you reviewed a red Ciak, my favorite color; also, you reviewed the ivory unlined version, which is my heartbeat for writing whether poetry, journal or any type of writing I enjoy doing. I did not pay as much for my journal, I believe I purchased it from the 'Bay and the company is The Journal Shop. I have not ventured yet to use my racy red Ciak yet, I am still almost half way through my large red, unlined moleskin journal. There is also a company that makes journal bands, which resemble wide rubber bands in both small and large in I think 3 colors that have come in handy for journals w/o any appropriate security, such as the patented method Ciak contains which I love. Thank you so very much, it makes the anticipation of actually using my Ciak someday even more enjoyable! Almost forgot, I prefer the Bexley Strawberry Swirl/Americana series, using any shade of Diamine bottled ink that is of course...RED !

Edited July 15, 2009 by Aissa2