Homage to the composition notebook

[Marko Kloos]

Oh, noes! Someone discovered my secret superhero identity!

[Moondrop]

<delurk yet again again>

How did I miss this thread???

I totally agree with the OP. I stock up on these things at the start of each school year when Wal Mart, and sometimes even Target, put them on sale for .50 each. I thought it was just my imagination that the Made in Brazil notebooks had better paper than other composition books, but I see others saying the same thing. I don't give a hoot what they look like on the outside since they're so inexpensive and take FP ink so well (some show-through but no bleed-through). They even work better with my flexy nibs than even Ampad Gold Fibre.

 

I don't hesitate to use 'em for just about anything including working on my awful handwriting and tracking pet stuff.

 

I used to hate them when I had to use them in school with ballpoint pens, where by the time I got to the end of one the paper was so crinkled from ballpoint-pen-indentation that it sounded like plastic grocery bags. But now they're my favorite for anything that doesn't need to fit in my pocket.

 

</delurk>

[openionated]

Oh, noes! Someone discovered my secret superhero identity!

No worries. We might have crossed paths on the same High Road.

 

[Marko Kloos]

Well, rats.

 

I just received the stash of Clairefontaine 6x8.25" lined notebooks I grabbed off eBay. The paper is heavy and smooth...but it takes longer for the ink to absorb, and I get occasional splotching on the opposite pages when I turn a page. Also, the paper isn't *that* much more smooth than the paper in those Norcoms (although it is heavier.)

 

I think I'll stick with the Norcoms, and pick up some more next time they've restocked. Now I need to figure out a use for the sixteen Clairefontaines. (Fifteen are still in the shrinkwrap.) They look and feel nice, with that textured black cover and the excellent cloth-binding, but the Norcom composition books do the same job for less money.

 

<ducks in expectation of the Clairefontaine fans throwing things for suggesting a $0.97 comp book is the functional equal of a Clairefontaine...>

[Sailor Kenshin]

You can always sell them the Claires.

[tdcackler]

Hey Marko - never over pay for something. I'm a huge fan of the Norcom notebooks and in fact will probably pick up more soon.

[Titivillus]

I've not had much luck with the composition books around here. Bled and show all the way. Only ones that worked halfway were grid ones for $2+.

[mikey]

They are OK, i guess. As long as you are not FORCED to write book reports in them every week during grade school.

[Steveareno]

Here's an inspirational article about a serious consumer of composition books (via Notebookism):

 

http://designobserver.com/archives/entry.html?id=38831#more

 

Talk about your composition book love!

[HesNot]

Very useful thread as I like the price and the cover and the sewn seams but have dumped a few less than FP friendly ones not knowing that there were different countries of origin issues and that some were better performers than others!

 

I'll have to stop by Wally World later on the way home from work...

 

I agree with whoever posted the dilemma about "nice" journals. I have a moleskine soft cover that I've barely used - didn't think anything I had to say was worth putting in a $10 small notebook (mine happens to have nice paper...).

 

Walmart has some small leather journals for around $6 but I haven't tried one yet - has anyone else?

[Chris H]

I picked up some Tops college ruled composition books in my local grocery store. They are very FP friendly. A $1.69 each. They've been replaced with wide-ruled Norcoms. I don't like wide-rule, so will pass these by. But I will now be on the look out for Norcom, Made in Brazil, college rule or blank page if they have them.

 

I like the Moleskine Cahier, but my wallet says: Composition Book!!!

 

Chris

 

 

[Poetman]

Has anyone used the Mead brand? I'm trying to find a composition book with more than 100 sheets, and I heard Mead makes such books. How's the paper? Is Norcom's Brazil paper really the best?

[Ghost Plane]

Mead bleeds thru with a B nib and a saturated ink like PR. I stick with Herbin's lighter colors.

[lefty928]

I just picked up a new order of Roaring Springs composition notebooks, and I was very disappointed. First of all, one of the reasons I liked Roaring Springs was because they were made in PA America--not outsourced to some third world country--so I didn't have to spend 10 minutes looking through their notebooks to make sure I bought the right "Made in..." product. Well, when I picked this stack up from my local bookstore, the quad ruled said "Made in India," the paper was descent, but not like the older ones I had. I also picked some unruled notebooks--they were AWFUL!!! They were just like tracing paper. The bleed through wasn't the most irritating; what I hated most was that the actual indentation of the pen into the paper showed through and was more frustrating!

I found a Roaring Spring composition notebook that was made in the U.S. -- it's from the Environotes line, recycled paper, and lined. The paper is not the smoothest, but not nearly as rough as a bad Moleskine cahier. I like that the signatures are sewn loosely enough so that in a pinch, the cover will fold back, and that pens write at their true width -- I have a Staples comp book with the bagasse paper and the lines that my pens lay down in it are fatter then their true nib widths. $2.99 at CVS. Also, the book is thin enough for me at 80 sheets. There is faint showthrough, but no bleeding (but I use F and EF nibs).

[Poetman]

I just picked up a new order of Roaring Springs composition notebooks, and I was very disappointed. First of all, one of the reasons I liked Roaring Springs was because they were made in PA America--not outsourced to some third world country--so I didn't have to spend 10 minutes looking through their notebooks to make sure I bought the right "Made in..." product. Well, when I picked this stack up from my local bookstore, the quad ruled said "Made in India," the paper was descent, but not like the older ones I had. I also picked some unruled notebooks--they were AWFUL!!! They were just like tracing paper. The bleed through wasn't the most irritating; what I hated most was that the actual indentation of the pen into the paper showed through and was more frustrating!

I found a Roaring Spring composition notebook that was made in the U.S. -- it's from the Environotes line, recycled paper, and lined. The paper is not the smoothest, but not nearly as rough as a bad Moleskine cahier. I like that the signatures are sewn loosely enough so that in a pinch, the cover will fold back, and that pens write at their true width -- I have a Staples comp book with the bagasse paper and the lines that my pens lay down in it are fatter then their true nib widths. $2.99 at CVS. Also, the book is thin enough for me at 80 sheets. There is faint showthrough, but no bleeding (but I use F and EF nibs).

 

 

I recently found some Roaring Springs comp. books in my university bookstore, and they were made in PA. The paper is decent--slightly inferior to Norcom. The binding, however, is much better. I bought some Norcom notebooks, and the binding began to unfold. I hate cheap stuff. Maybe it was a fluke and I'll find another Norcom replacement.

[cohlineman]

I read through this thread on a Sunday. Picked up a stash of composition books that evening and I was very happy... followed even more of the advice located within this thread and ordered a leather cover from Renaissance Art that very next day.

 

Those folks took my order, made my custom cover and shipped it Tuesday! I got it today and my composition book is styling big time!

 

Let my post be a bump for the starter of this practical thread and to the folks who recommended Renaissance Art.

 

Thank you all! The funny thing is, I use comp books at work everyday for my project notes and employee notes, never thought of using them for pleasure.

[Poetman]

I read through this thread on a Sunday. Picked up a stash of composition books that evening and I was very happy... followed even more of the advice located within this thread and ordered a leather cover from Renaissance Art that very next day.

 

Those folks took my order, made my custom cover and shipped it Tuesday! I got it today and my composition book is styling big time!

 

Let my post be a bump for the starter of this practical thread and to the folks who recommended Renaissance Art.

 

Thank you all! The funny thing is, I use comp books at work everyday for my project notes and employee notes, never thought of using them for pleasure.

 

 

How about some pictures?

[Poetman]

Has anyone else found that the Norcom bindings come unglued? I'm wondering if it's a manufacturing normality, or if I just got a bad stack.

[CharlieB]

I've not had much luck with the composition books around here. Bled and show all the way. Only ones that worked halfway were grid ones for $2+.

 

I agree with Kurt.

[eherreid]

How about some pictures?

 

I'm not cohlineman, but I did order a composition book cover from Ren Art awhile back. Pictures and a review are here.

 

I'm very pleased with mine!

 

-Elizabeth

Edited February 1, 2009 by eherreid