Fabriano Ecoqua 3.5" X 5.5" Notebook Review

[crosshatch]

FYI, Utrecht has select colors for the A4 size glue-bound dot notebooks for $5.39 right now, which is a great deal. http://www.utrechtart.com/Fabriano-Eco-Qua-Glued-Notebooks--Designers-Dot-Paper--8-25-X-11-7--A4--MP-77824-004-i1018018.utrecht

 

I like these kinds of glue bindings that are intended to let you detach pages easily because I tend to like to reorder and rebind stuff later. But people who want a sturdy binding and notebook that is supposed to hold together will probably not appreciate the glue binding on these.

[Bookman]

Very nice pics, @Bookman.

 

In general, I've been very happy with Fabriano. I have an Utrecht/Dick Blick around the corner from me and have picked up some of the dot-grid pads (4mm spacing, btw) when I can scrounge enough coin.

 

I had to return my most recent purchase, however. The "feel" of the paper was largely the same but, for some reason, the new pad had much more feathering and bleed-through. In the past, it's withstood my BSB test without so much as a hiccup. The new pad failed.

 

I've since moved on to the Seven Seas notebooks. Based on cost per page, the Tomoe River in the Seven Seas is pretty close to the Eco-qua, but, well, it's Tomoe River. And the binding is amazing. And it suits my purposes better, anyway. But I digress.

 

Back to our regularly scheduled thread: has anyone encountered variation between pads/notebooks of the Eco-qua? I'd be inclined to still pick up a pad or two (albeit less frequently), but I don't want to keep returning pads if the paper quality has tanked.

 

Thanks for starting/reviving this thread!

 

Cheers.

 

I've gone through several dot-paper gum pads, both A4 and A5, a couple of grid wirebound A5s, a few staplebound A4s (ruled and blank) and A5s (blanks), and I haven't noticed a difference in overall FP-friendliness.

[Diderot]

Fabriano have a paper boutique on Neal St, Covent Garden, London. There is also a small Italian papeterie nearby with handmade writing paper, quills, etc.

 

 

 

Could you provide the names of the two shops?

 

I'm frequently in that area but I must have just walked by - unless they're tucked away.

Wouldn't mind popping in next time I'm there.

 

Thanks.