The Best Paper for Everyday Writing, Part II: Top Five Slim Softcover Notebooks

The second category of paper that I’m going to discuss as part of my “Everyday Writing” series is probably the one that I use the least: slim softcover notebooks. It’s not that I don’t find these notebooks “bad” in any way, it’s just that they rarely meet my personal needs. I tend to be hard on notebooks, and often a soft cover - particularly those made from paper or card stock - will wear quickly, fall off and need to be reinforced with tape before I actually finish the notebook. I also generally prefer to use a single book for multiple projects, relying on an index or bookmarks to separate pages by subject matter. This is mainly a matter of convenience, since I don’t want to have to carry too much when I commute or travel. That said, many people who like to use individual notebooks for different projects swear by the slim softcover format, and I’m slowly coming around and beginning to incorporate them into my workflow, particularly for projects like logging household expenses and home improvements, where the notebook lives on a desk and not in my bag.

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1. BaronFig Vanguard Softcover Notebook. At $12 for a pack of three, BaronFig’s Vanguard softcover notebook is one of the best buys out there if you like smaller, “single-subject” books. I enjoy BaronFig’s paper, and while it’s not the most fountain pen friendly option out there, it’s certainly good enough for my use case, especially at this price point. Baron Fig will also periodically release limited edition Vanguard notebooks, such as the current “New York City” softcover set.

2. Write Notepads Paper Notebook/Journal. The surprise hit from the Baltimore Pen Show, where I sold out of these Write Notepads notebooks/journals in a matter of hours. These lined notebooks contain the same premium fountain pen friendly paper found in Write Notepads’ larger spiral notebooks, and come in a wide array of cool colors with a design reminiscent of vintage books that you might have stolen from your parents’ office supply closet back in the day. I absolutely love Write Notepads’ paper, and they’re one of the only brands I currently carry in my curated shop. (They’re now restocked!)

3. Studio Neat Totebook. At a higher price point that the previous two options, Studio Neat’s Totebook sells in packs of 2 for $20, but offers a slightly more durable leatherette cover, 100gsm dot grid paper, and 8 perforated sheets at the back. If I were to choose a softcover notebook as a “daily carry”, it would likely be the Totebook simply due to durability. I also love that Studio Neat includes archival stickers that you can use to label the spine of your notebook when you’ve finished.

4. Life Noble Note A5 Sidebound. If you want both quantity (in terms of sheets in a notebook) and quality (in terms of premium paper), consider Life, a premium Japanese brand that makes some of the best notebooks around. At $20 per notebook, they’re expensive for a softcover, but you get 100 sheets of paper. The question, at least for me, is whether a softcover notebook will survive long enough for me to actually use all of this paper.

5. Midori MD Notebook Light. Midori is another exceptional Japanese paper brand that makes softcover “Light” notebooks in both A5 and slimmer B6 sizes. The great thing about these notebooks is that Midori makes PVC covers. I’ve not tried this, but I’ve heard you can fit two volumes of the “Light” notebooks into one cover. Midori paper is quite versatile and handles fountain pen ink well.

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Both the Studio Neat Totebook and the BaronFig Vanguard are best described as “A5-ish”. They are both slightly smaller than a standard A5 notebook, whereas the Write Notepads Paper Journal is a closer match at 5.5” by 8.5”.

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Though this particular format is not a personal favorite, that doesn’t mean it won’t meet your needs. If you best organize your thoughts and projects using separate notebooks for different topics, the slim softcover format is a highly cost effective way to do that, especially if you need more space than a pocket notebook can provide. As I mentioned above, if I had to pick one notebook from this list, I’d roll with the Studio Neat Totebook, if for no other reason than the increased durability offered by the leatherette cover.

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The Studio Neat Totebook pleasantly surprised me, and I’m looking for a way to get this notebook into my workflow soon. I previously reviewed Studio Neat’s “Panobook” panoramic spiral notebook, and if they' ever decide to use the Totebook’s paper in that format, I’d buy a dozen immediately. I’m becoming a fan of the Panoramic notebook for computer work.

Further Reading 

Don’t miss “The Best Paper for Everyday Writing, Part I: Best Hardcover Notebooks.” If you’d like to read further on my recommendations for “Everyday Writing” tools other than paper, please check out my posts “Choosing the Best Pens and Pencils for Life” and “The Best Fountain Pen Inks for Daily Use”. I also recently updated my “Best Pens” recommendations page, which contains multiple lists of pen recommendations for users at different price points and experience levels.    

Disclaimer: The three notebooks pictured in this review were provided to me free of charge as product samples.

Updated 2020 "Best Pens" Recommendations!

With all this free time on my hands, I ended up revising/updating the “Best Pens” Recommendations about a month or so earlier than I typically would. This year’s key developments include Lamy (particularly the Studio), PenBBS (the Model 308), and Platinum (the Procyon) gaining a lot of traction, and the departure of Sailor from my list of personal favorites. Leonardo (both the Momento Zero and the Furore) continues to climb multiple categories. Please check out the full updated list here!

Recommended Analogue-Inspired Books to Read While You're Shut In

There’s no dispute that these are scary times: If it’s not the Coronavirus, it’s the economic fallout from the Coronavirus, or even whether you’ll be able to purchase toilet paper during your next Costco run. Compounding the anxiety, at least for me, is the fact that I can’t actually do anything about any of them, so I fall back on what I’ve always used to distract myself: books, pens, and paper. I don’t discuss reading much on this blog, even though it’s been important part of my life for much longer than pens, and I imagine there’s substantial overlap between avid readers and stationery aficionados. Personally, I’m going to be relying pretty heavily on my backlog of books - and after that, my Kindle - to get me through the next four to six weeks. I thought I’d share some recommendations for books I’ve enjoyed, all of which have some sort of tie to the main themes underlying this blog.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, from which I may earn a small commission based on purchases made from this post. It’s one of many ways I financially support the blog.

1. Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport. What better time than now to practice “digital minimalism” and reap the mental health benefits of not being online 24-7? Especially now that many of us are telecommuting or have alternative work arrangements, it’s more important than ever to carve out digital down time and set appropriate boundaries.

2. The Revenge of Analog, by David Sax. I’ve recommended this book before, but what better time to rediscover things like board games, vinyl records, stationery, and, well, books, than during a period of time when you can’t go to work and you can’t leave your house?

3. Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, by Mason Currey. My own job has gradually transitioned to a remote working arrangement, so the past couple of weeks haven’t been as much of a shock to the system as it’s possibly been for others. One thing that I’ve found extremely helpful is reading about how others have developed working routines (“rituals”) to keep them on task when they’re alone and have large amounts of unstructured time.

4. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain. I first read this book when it was released in 2012 and I’m re-reading this week. I’m actually enjoying it just as much, if not more, the second time around, as the themes of the book have only grown more relevant as our society continues to embrace the “extrovert ideal.” It’s also struck me that introverts may be particularly well-equipped to handle the prolonged shutdown most of us are facing,

5. The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living, by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman. Let’s mix in some philosophy here. I’ve had this book on my shelf for a year or so after purchasing it on a recommendation, but didn’t actually start reading it regularly until Mary Collis published this piece over at her blog, “From the Pen Cup.” I’m not sure that I’m a full-on adherent of Stoicism, at least not yet, but there’s definitely a lot to take away from this book, especially in turbulent times.

6. Kafka on the Shore, by Haruki Murakami. I’ve become a huge fan of Murakami recently, and if you’re a fan of dense books that you can read multiple times and take away something new every time, this one’s a great one. Bonus: Murakami’s novels are peppered with references to pens, pencils, books, and libraries, all of which subtly play key roles in the story. For a shorter, less dense read, you could also start with Sputnik Sweetheart.

Happy reading, and take care of yourselves. I’m also looking for reading recommendations, as I’m starting to go a bit stir crazy being shut inside with a 6-year old, so feel free to add to this list in the comments!

My Personal Hall of Fame: Favorite Stationery Products in Every Category

Since I’m having some remodeling work done in my home office next week, I’ve found myself in the unenviable position of having to move all of my belongings from one end of the house to the other. (This sounds like not such a big deal, except that my office is over the garage and separate from the rest of the house, so it is like actual moving.) The upside is that this gave me the “opportunity” to sort through years of accumulated stationery, donating some, setting others aside for blog giveaways, but also taking the time to do something I’ve never done before: making a “personal hall of fame” or “personal favorites” list. Hopefully, making a list like this will help me focus and weed out stuff that I will never use. Last year I did a huge year-end “clear out” sale in December, and I hope to do the same this year.

So, without further ado, here are my picks. Again, these shouldn’t be confused with my “best pen” recommendations. Rather, these selections are my own personal favorites, organized by category, so there’s a ton of subjectivity here. Most of these are also products I have reviewed, so where possible, links are to my own prior posts. Otherwise the link will be to a sponsor or affiliate who sells the product.

Pens

1. Favorite Fountain Pen: Lamy 2000

2. Favorite Rollerball: Montblanc 144 Classique

3. Favorite Ballpoint: Bic Cristal (pictured above in Baux Pen body)

4. Favorite Multifunction Pen: Lamy 2000 4 Color Ballpoint

5. Favorite Gel Pen: Uni Signo DX (pictured above in Spoke Pen body)

6. Favorite “EDC” Pen: Schon DSGN Classic PVD DLC

Paper

1. Favorite Large Format (A4-ish) Notebook: Baron Fig Confidant Plus (shown in review in leather cover, which is sold separately by Baron Fig)

2. Favorite Standard Format (A5-ish) Notebook: Baron Fig Confidant Flagship

3. Favorite Planner: Jibun Techo

4. Favorite Pocket Notebook: Write Notepads Perfect Bound

Inks and Refills

1. Favorite Brand of Bottled Fountain Pen Ink: Montblanc (via Appelboom)

2. Favorite Rollerball Refill: Montblanc Rollerball

3. Favorite Ballpoint/Hybrid Refill: Uniball Jetstream

4. Favorite Fineliner Refill: Montblanc Fineliner in Pacific Blue (via Amazon)

Pencils and Pencil Accessories

1. Favorite Mechanical Pencil: Rotring 800

2. Favorite Woodcase Pencil: Palomino Forest Choice (via Amazon)

3. Favorite Handheld Sharpener: Kum Masterpiece (via Amazon)

4. Favorite Crank Sharpener: Carl Angel-5

Accessories/Miscellaneous

1. Favorite Stationery Subscription Service: Blackwing Volumes (via Blackwing)

2. Favorite Pen Case (Large Capacity Storage): Galen Leather 40-Pen Case (via Vanness Pens)

3. Favorite Pen Case (3-pen/EDC): Nock Co. Sinclair

4. Favorite Pen Display Case: Franklin-Christoph Covered Pen Tray

5. Favorite Leather “Zipfolio”: Galen Leather A5 Zipfolio

Any categories you think I missed? Shoot me an e-mail and I’ll consider adding it, though I don’t want to get too down in the weeds with subcategories of different types of pens, etc. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: This post contains my own subjective opinions. I was not compensated in any way for including any products in the lists featured here.

Top Five Mechanical Pencils: For When You Really Want To Write Small

One category of writing instruments that I haven’t addressed much here on the blog is the mechanical pencil. I’ve reviewed a few pencils in-depth, including the well-known fan favorites Rotring 600 and 800. While the Rotring duo represents 80% of my mechanical pencil usage, there are other great options out there, many at extremely inexpensive price points. As I mentioned in my recent Rotring 800 review, I like to use mechanical pencils when I’m taking notes in tight margins and annotating books/documents in pencil. the complastic lead isn’t as smeary as standard graphite, and comes available in a range of sizes (.3mm to 2.0mm) depending on just how small you want to write. .5mm pencils are my sweet spot.

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My undisputed champs.

So what do I look for in a mechanical pencil? Basically the same things I look for in a pen: grip comfort and balance to be sure, but with a mechanical pencil, like a multi pen or a retractable ballpoint, the quality of the mechanism becomes an issue as well. You will be clicking this thing tens of thousands of times throughout its lifespan, so it needs to be well-built and durable. If nothing else, the pencils that made my “Top Five” list have stood the test of time for a number of years. I have provided links to full reviews of each pencil, where possible.

1. Rotring 600. Arguably the most famous mechanical pencil on the market, and certainly one of the best made. If you’re a fan of classic industrial design, a Rotring 600 pencil should be in your collection, alongside a Lamy 2000 fountain pen. Purchase here.

2. Rotring 800. A slightly larger version of the Rotring 600 that also features a retractable “pipe” for more portable carry. While I love my Rotring 600, I probably prefer the 800 for everyday use since I don’t have to worry about bending the tip in my bag or pocket. I also find the slightly larger size of the Rotring 800 to be more comfortable for longer writing sessions. Purchase here.

3. Uni Kuru Toga “Roulette”. If I had to make a blind recommendation of “one” mechanical pencil, to someone whose preferences I didn’t know, hands-down that pencil would be the Kuru-Toga. The key selling point is Uni’s innovative mechanism that rotates the lead in order to keep the wear uniform on all sides and maintain a sharp point. Not only are the Kuru-Toga’s extremely inexpensive, but they have the Uni name standing behind them, so the quality is there. I really need to do a stand-alone review of this pencil. Purchase here.

4. Spoke Pencil. Wait, if you consider long-term durability important, how can I include the Spoke Pencil on this list, as Spoke is a relative newcomer to the stationery scene? Well, because the Spoke Pencil is built around the Pentel P20X mechanism, found in one of my childhood favorites, the Pentel Sharp. The Spoke pencil takes the “guts” of the humble Sharp and adds a futuristic machined body and textured metal grip, both of which you can customize to your preference (at least in Version 4). Prefer a weightier pencil? Opt for a brass or stainless steel grip. Looking for lightweight? Then aluminum or titanium would be your best options. Order directly from Spoke.

5. Sailor Imperial Black Multi Pen. I’m sure that I’ll horrify mechanical pencil purists by including a multi pen here, but I use this one all the time, including the mechanical pencil component. The Sailor pen is nicely balanced - importantly, it’s not slim - and would be a great option for those who like to use a mechanical pencil but also regularly need a ballpoint and don’t want to to carry multiple writing instruments. The one knock is availability. You’ll need to order this one directly from Japan. (Purchase here.)

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Honorable mention, from left: Inventery Interchangeable Mechanical Pen/Pencil; Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil; Pentel Sharp, and mid-1990s era Pentel Quicker Clicker (which has somehow survived 25+ years of solid use).

Honorable Mention

Mechanical pencil brands attract hardcore devotees, and there is a plethora of options out there, so I’m sure people will disagree with my decision to put certain pencils into a “top five,” but please remember that the five listed above just represent my own personal experience and preferences. If there are others you think I should check out, let me know! One great thing about mechanical pencils is that you can find excellent inexpensive options on the shelf at your local office supply store, including the Pentel Sharp referenced above, the Pentel “Quicker Clicker” (a version of which I still own from high school - 20+ years later!), or even BIC’s “disposable” version (which can be refilled). If you prefer a heavier writing instrument or like the “machined pen” look, check out the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil and the Inventery Interchangeable Mechancial Pen and Pencil. On these latter two, I would recommend using the strongest lead you can find, as the increased weight of a metal pencil can lead to breakage. I have had good results with Pentel Ain Stein, even in the B or 2B hardness. Happy writing!

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