The Best Paper for Everyday Writing, Part V: Writing Pads, Notecards, and Even Some Looseleaf

I keep a wide assortment of paper products on hand beyond traditional bound notebooks. Because I generally think better on the page than on a screen, I maintain a large stash of what I think of as "brainstorming supplies": paper in convenient formats that I can pull out to get my thoughts down, which I can then shred, scan, or stick in a file or binder for later reference. The products I use for this purpose don't fall into a traditional category, so this final installment of the "Everyday Writers: Best Paper" series will seem like a catch-all - because it is. That said, the fact that I saved this particular article for last doesn't reflect its importance to my workflow. In many ways, the products listed here are among the most important that I use, particularly the Baron Fig Mastermind and Rhodia pads.

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1. Baron Fig Mastermind. At times, the Baron Fig Mastermind desk pad has been the most heavily used product in my rotation. I generally keep one on my desk at home, and one on my desk at the office. This versatile piece of stationery serves multiple purposes: an open canvas for mind mapping; a landscape-style dot grid pad for general note taking; and even a different format for handwritten drafts of longer writing projects.

2. Rhodia A4/A5 Pad (Grid/Dot). For many - and possibly a majority of - fountain pen enthusiasts, Rhodia pads are the default workhorse paper. It's inexpensive for good paper, widely available, and handles nearly any fountain pen ink with minimal feathering or bleed-through. Unlike Baron Fig paper, it's coated and relatively non-absorbent, so the primary drawback will be dry time but even that is reasonable and honestly depends heavily on the ink you’re using.

3. Doane Paper Writing Pad. Doane Paper's signature "Grid+Lines" ruling makes another appearance on my "Best Paper for Everyday Writing" lists, and their single-sided large Writing Pad is probably the Doane Paper format I use the most. Since this particular pad is only made to write on one side anyway, I don't worry about bleed-through, though the grid ruling is so small that I mainly use pencils and ultra-fine gel pens (and sometimes extra-fine or needlepoint fountain pens) on this particular paper. Great for making lists, flowcharts, and analog mind-mapping.

4. Nock Co. Dot-Dash Index Cards. Though I don't use index cards extensively, I will break them out when I'm having trouble organizing thoughts for a longer-form article or legal brief, or otherwise have a project with lots of moving pieces that I want to track visually. Nock's Dot-Dash cards work well with nearly all writing instruments, including most fountain pens, and their colorful orange ruling is visible enough to use but not so loud that it obstructs your writing. The cards also come in large bifold "Gigante" and smaller "Petite" sizes.

5. Clairefontaine Looseleaf. It pains me to have to put this last on this list, because it's arguably my favorite paper ever, but given how difficult it is to get your hands on Clairefontaine looseleaf sheets these days, I debated whether to include it. Oh well. I hauled enough packs of this stuff back from France a few years ago to last me until Armageddon, so I'm going to continue to use it, and hope that at some point Exaclair starts to distribute this paper to U.S. retailers once again. Since I only use the French ruled version, I expect that I'll have to make a restock run across the Atlantic when we're allowed to travel again, though Wonder Pens has it listed on their site (though as “Out of Stock”) and I’m hopeful they’ll bring it back.

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One product that we will likely never see in the U.S. are the French-ruled “Doubles”, or four sheet booklets of French-ruled paper used for notetaking in school. [EDIT: Turns out we now carry them!]

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Given that this last installment is more of a "catch-all" list, there aren't any products on here that I would necessarily prioritize over others in my workflow in terms of importance - I use all of them in different scenarios for different purposes. That said, the ones I use most frequently, as measured by how often I have to restock, are the Baron Fig Mastermind and Rhodia pads. I order these by the dozen at the beginning of each year and typically have to place a restock order towards the end of the summer.

I hope you all have enjoyed the "Everyday Writers: Best Paper" series. Paper can be difficult to write about, since everyone has different needs and preferences and recommendations turn out to be highly subjective, but the best thing about today's market is the variety of products out there, which means that you will almost certainly be able to find something that works for you.

If you are interested in reading further, the rest of the “Everyday Writers: Best Paper” series includes Part I: Hardcover Notebooks; Part II: Slim Softcover Notebooks; Part III: Spiral Notebooks; and Part IV: Pocket Notebooks and Portable Paper.

The Best Paper for Everyday Writing, Part III: The Best Spiral Notebooks

Welcome to Part III of my ongoing series, "Everyday Writers: The Best Paper for Everyday Writing," in which I've been taking an extended look at the different types of paper I use in my daily life, with a focus on work. When it comes to office supplies - as in, supplies that actually get used in the office - the traits I value most are (1) versatility and (2) cost effectiveness. You can't get much more versatile or cost effective than the traditional spiral notebook.

Some people love spiral bindings and others hate them. Lefties complain about how the binding gets in the way and hurts their hand, and even righties aren't immune to this problem if, like me, you always write on both sides of the page and wind up with a right-sided binding when you flip the notebook. Personally, the ability to fold the notebook over and easily tear sheets out even if the pages aren't perforated outweighs any inconvenience. I also appreciate the fact that a spiral notebook lays flat and, now that companies have started to make notebooks in "landscape" orientation, can fit perfectly underneath the keyboards most of us use for our daily work.

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I use both the A4 and A5 Clairefontaine notebooks, which feature a sturdy wire binding and relatively durable covers. Clairefontaine’s thicker paper also stands up better to the wear and tear of a spiral binding, and I’ve noticed fewer sheets coming loose over time.

Because they aren't designed to look nice on a bookshelf, spiral notebooks also tend to cost less than hardcovers (though decent paper will still be much more expensive than the $0.25 drugstore notebooks we used in school). While you do sacrifice durability and a nicer appearance, I tend to use my spiral notebooks for tasks that require “disposable” paper: brainstorming, testing pens, jotting review notes, and - for the day job - notes that may need to be torn out and shredded for confidentiality purposes. If you use your notebooks in the same way I do, this paper doesn't need to be the most fountain-pen friendly, further helping to reduce cost, and both Doane Paper and Studio Neat make excellent spiral notebook options if you can tolerate a little bit of bleedthrough with wider nibs and/or wetter inks.

1. Clairefontaine Side Wirebound Notebooks. In terms of versatility, my longtime favorite spiral notebook comes from French paper company Clairefontaine. Before they were widely available in the United States, I used to lug suitcases full of these notebooks back from France whenever I visited, which would be enough to get me through the year or two between trips. These spiral notebooks are available in A4, A5, and B6 sizes, as well as in single or 4-subject format. While I prefer the Seyes or "French" ruling, Clairefontaine also makes graph and lined paper. Those looking for dot grid will have to go with Write Notepads or Rhodia.

2. Write Notepads Spiral Notebooks. Last year, Write Notepads revamped their spiral bound notebook offerings to include more fountain pen friendly paper, which is among some of the best I've used. I also appreciate the more subdued cover design, which not only makes these exceptional notebooks to use at the office but strongly resembles something you would see in a midcentury office supply closet - and that's a good thing! Write Notepads makes a dot grid version, and also added a lined "Landscape" notebook that fits well in the space on your desk below the keyboard.

3. Rhodia Spiral Notebooks. Over the years, Rhodia seemingly has replaced Clairefontaine as the "standard" fountain pen friendly paper recommendation. And the brand has a lot to offer: It's widely available (often found in local art supply stores), relatively inexpensive, and high quality. Personally, while I don't dislike Rhodia, and use their A5 and A4 pads extensively, I find Clairefontaine and Write Notepads paper to be more consistent. I do love that Rhodia makes spiral notebooks with microperforated sheets that can easily be removed.

4. Doane Paper Idea Journal. Of all the notebooks on this list, the Doane Paper Idea Journal offers the best value proposition, with 100 sheets/200 pages of Doane's signature "Grid+Lines" paper. As remarked above, Doane Paper isn't as suitable for fountain pens as some of the other options on this list, but generally handles fine and extra-fine nibs well enough. The bigger question for many people is whether the somewhat quirky paper ruling meets their needs. Personally, I love it, especially for sketching out flow charts or detailed lists where I want the option to write very small.

5. Studio Neat Panobook. Finally, this last entry is perhaps the most specialized. Specifically designed to fit beneath an Apple keyboard, Studio Neat’s “Panobook” is a landscape or "panoramic" notebook that's a bit narrower than the Write Notepads version. Since it also features dot grid paper, you can change the orientation of the Panobook and use the notebook vertically, transforming it into an extra-large steno pad or reporter's notebook. Like Doane Paper, the Studio Neat Panobook isn't the most fountain-pen friendly option out there, but if you're judicious with the nibs and ink you use, it should be workable.

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I really wish every notebook came with the option of French or Seyes-ruled paper. You can check out my full review here.

Takeaways and Further Reading

If I had to stock my office with two choices, they would be the A5 Clairefontaine French-ruled notebook and the Write Notepads dot grid spiral, because the paper works the best for my style of writing. I love these two versatile rulings, and not only does the paper in both notebooks handle pretty much any fountain pen nib or ink, but it also works well with rollerballs, gel pens, ballpoints, and, of course, pencils. With perforated pages, they would be absolutely perfect, but I guess you can't have it all.

If you haven’t already, don’t miss the first two installments of my “Everyday Writers: Best Paper” series, Part I: Best Hardcover Notebooks, and Part II: Top Five Slim Softcover Notebooks.

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!