Homage to the composition notebook

[JD4020]

It's that time of year again.....back-to-school savings on our favorite composition books. Tonight Walmart had the Norcoms with Brazilian paper in an assortment of black/white design covers or colored covers. All going for $0.50 ea.

 

I also found a whole section of "green" items for back to school, and there were Norcom composition books that had 100% recycled covers and the paper was recycled (30% post-consumer I think). Label said was made in Brazil and the paper felt exactly like the 'non-green' books. They were $1.00 ea so I haven't tried one yet with the pens. Hey... I'm cheap!!

 

So good news all around. Cheap and the Brazil paper is still available.

[Pepin]

I use composition notebooks from Office Depot for everyday notetaking. I've written on all 4 types in regards to different national origin. The Brazilian notebooks beat the Indian, Mexican, and Vietnamese notebooks by a mile and half. Actually, quality is comparable to a soccer match between these countries. I use mostly Private Reserves and Mont Blanc black ink.

 

Brazilian:

1. more absorbent

2. less feathering (Vietnamese and Mexican notebooks being the worse)

3. more pure (very nice clear white to the page)

4. Very smooth to write on, esp. with private reserve inks.

[Pepin]

I thought I would mention a new arrival on the composition book front, one from the New Leaf company (www.newleafproducts.net). It's a regulation composition book advertised as 100% recycled, with 30% post-consumer paper content, processed chlorine-free. The cover is a nice variation on the traditional black-marble pattern, using the veins of a leaf in black and white instead. They are made in Brazil (our favorite country of origin for comp books it seems). The paper is thin, as usual, but very white and smooth. Plus, for those looking for a thinner rule, all the examples I've seen are in college rule. I don't know how well these compare to other Brazilian paper comp books, nor can I attest to how well they handle FP ink. But I love the look of these and coudn't resist adding a couple to my stash.

 

I've seen them at Target and Office Depot. They were $2.99 each at Target.

 

Brazilian New Leaf notebooks are very nice. They are just slightly better than the regular Brazilian notebooks sold at most office-oriented stores.

[maria322]

http://www.pledesigns.com/store-products/c...n-notebook.html

[maria322]

I also just picked up a couple of eco-notebooks from Staples, comp books, .99 each. Made in Egypt and beautiful for FP's.

[JeanManuel]

This is a wonderful thread

 

I use A4 composition notebooks/scrapbooks.In the process of getting a rustic leather cover.

1) For about 2-3€/100pages, you can have the excellent french "Clairefontaine - papier vélin velouté" A4 notebooks. They are meant for fountain pens.

2) "Oxford" is also capable of producing a good "papier satiné", called "optik paper". In France and in USA it corresponds to "super conquérant" and I believe "black and red", respectively.

 

 

If you want to order notebooks in french, here are a few keywords:

broché = brochûre = thread bound

piqué = piqûre = stapled

spirale = intégrale = spiral wire bound

reliure = bookbinding

velouté = velvety (extra soft touch)

satiné = satin

Edited October 15, 2009 by JeanManuel

[Flourish]

Practically since my first day of kindergarten I used the mini pocket composition notebooks. I loved those things for years. I was the kid who'd show up to class and the teachers would get mad at me because I didn't bring my school supplies, hah!, until they saw me break out my mini pocket composition notebook and pencil stub or mini pen of some sort. Every teacher put me through the same thing saying that I needed to use bigger notebooks and pens and pencils but to the last one I showed them that carrying around a mini notebook for each subject and pencil stub or mini pen allowed me to carry all of my school notes all the time so that I could study any time I wanted and not have to feel the overbearing importance of 20 pounds of books. This reduced weight I believe resulted in my rather good grades and grade point average throughout my school career. When you can always have your study materials with you you are more inclined to study at odd times during slow moments throughout the day resulting in better grades. The one thing teachers never did get used to was the fact that it appeared that I never studied at all yet I always got good grades, they just never knew I was always studying something or other even at all the parties I enjoyed along the way, I mean who can really see a mini composition notebook in most situations, you can practically cradle them in your hand like a crib note sheet. But alas, today I have veered away from my beloved mini composition notebooks as I have found so many new papered wonders to try out.

 

P.S. - Right now my most used notebook is the mini Miquelrius 7x12 cm squared paper notebook. It's the mini composition notebook that I always wished existed, and now I know it does. I carry one with me at all times, except in the shower of course where I use a Write In The Rain notebook (heehee), ready for that idea or note that just has to be put down before it's forgotten.

Edited October 20, 2009 by Flourish

[wpb]

Resurrecting an old thread...it's that time of year again and here in the U.S. Comp Books are on sale in most places.

 

I just got back from Walmart and OfficeMax and both are selling them for 50 cents. Walmart has made in Brazil and USA versions. Both appear to have very good paper quality, with the Brazil a little better. OfficeMax has Brazil and Vietman and again both appear to have very good paper quality.

 

Walmart has a half an aisle filled with these things. It's amazing what a bargain they are. Not sure how long their Back-to-School sale lasts, so I'll be buying many more this week...need to stock up!

 

Bill

[BeachBum]

Resurrecting an old thread...it's that time of year again and here in the U.S. Comp Books are on sale in most places.

 

I just got back from Walmart and OfficeMax and both are selling them for 50 cents. Walmart has made in Brazil and USA versions. Both appear to have very good paper quality, with the Brazil a little better. OfficeMax has Brazil and Vietman and again both appear to have very good paper quality.

 

Walmart has a half an aisle filled with these things. It's amazing what a bargain they are. Not sure how long their Back-to-School sale lasts, so I'll be buying many more this week...need to stock up!

 

Bill

I need to stock up as well, but our WalMart had run out of the college ruled (my preference). Might have to check out OfficeMax to see if they have the college ruled at the $0.50 price!

[wpb]

I also prefer the college ruled. It was in short supply at my Walmart...buried under a stack of wide ruled in a box that was labeled college ruled!

 

My OfficeMax had only wide ruled.

 

However at these prices I went ahead and purchased the wide ruled at both places.

 

Bill

Edited July 30, 2012 by wpb

[pencils+pens]

I only use college ruled composition books for the four journals/notebooks I keep. One is my general journal, another is my work related journal. I have a new notebook I started for my re-study of grammar, a subject I have not touched since college. The last journal is my notes on my reading about writers who write about writing. I write on both sides of the page. I have only had a problem with Levenger inks bleeding through. The worst bleeder is Levenger Cardinal Red.

 

I caught the 0.50 sale at Staples and stocked up. After I went over $5, I was able to buy two packs of 100 3x5 cards for 0.01 each.

 

I really like this retro technology.

[wpb]

100 sheets of decent paper in a sewn journal for 50 cents. Hard not to get excited about this. I wonder how many boxes Walmart will let me buy!

 

Bill

Edited July 30, 2012 by wpb

[BeachBum]

100 sheets of decent paper in a sewn journal for 50 cents. Hard not to get excited about this. I wonder how many boxes Walmart will let me buy!

 

Bill

Based on what I have seen from teachers in the past....as many as you can afford!

[APPLEMAN]

This is a cover for the composition notebook that my wife made up for a local woman's shelter.

[wpb]

That is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

 

I have not used a Comp Book in years, so I will be testing the paper tonight (Brazil, USA, & Vietnam versions). I really hope it works with my FP/ink combo, since they may literally save me about $100/year in journals!

 

Bill

[AfterMyNap]

So Brazil still takes the day? When this thread first aired 4 years ago, the idea had never entered my mind because I have a thing against blue ruling. I have since adopted the comp book thanks to all of you and a cool leather cover. The Staples bagasse with a rust colored rule has been hit and miss lately for me and I'm wondering if I'd be happier with the Brazilian paper. Is one Brazilian paper better than another?

[mwpannell]

I've never had a bad book with Brazilian paper, and I've had a lot.

[wpb]

Well I just finished testing the paper with my broadest nib (a wet medium) and the most saturated ink that I have (Noodler's Blue) and the Brazilian paper is the clear winner by far. Unfortunately, the others (USA & Vietnam) are a distant second and probably not useable for me.

 

I found the Brazil version at Walmart and OfficeMax. It's still a great bargain, but you have to be careful and look at the back cover to see where it's made, since the covers are virtually identical and they were all mixed together both at Walmart and OfficeMax.

 

Hope this update to the thread helps.

 

Bill

[New_Falcon]

I bought some Brazilian Norcom books last year and thought I would stock up again, went to three different Walmarts and only saw the USA and Vietnamese ones.

 

Will have to check out OfficeMax on the way home tonight.

[DanF]

I bought some Brazilian Norcom books last year and thought I would stock up again, went to three different Walmarts and only saw the USA and Vietnamese ones.

 

Will have to check out OfficeMax on the way home tonight.

 

Keep looking at Walmart - They seem to appear and vanish periodically, and will be mixed in the same boxes with the others.

 

Dan