Those of you who spent your youth (and let’s be honest, still spend their adulthood) stalking the aisles of stationery stores will probably be familiar with Oxford, a brand with a reputation for making high-quality stationery that’s attractively priced and widely available. A representative for Oxford’s parent company reached out several weeks ago to ask whether I’d be interested in reviewing their new hardcover notebook/journal. Oxford has partnered with Monadnock, one of the oldest family owned and operated paper mills in the U.S. According to the contact who sent me the journal, this book is entirely sourced, printed, and bound in the U.S.A.
Since this journal is bound like a regular hardcover book, it won’t lay flat, but it’s sturdy and will last for quite some time.
The Oxford USA Journal contains 192 pages of the aforementioned Monadnock paper, in a Smyth-sewn binding with a charcoal grey, hardback linen cover embossed with an American flag logo. It has a sturdy, well-made feel to it, and the super-picky among us will be glad to know that the end of the ribbon bookmark appears to be heat-fused to reduce fraying. It’s a tastefully designed notebook/journal that I would have no problem carrying anywhere, including at work.
A bit more background information is included inside the back cover.
But of course, as with any higher-end notebook, what everyone wants to know about is how the paper performs with various inks and fountain pen nibs. The answer: Surprisingly well, and better than expected. I tested the paper with a Retro 51 rollerball (.7mm Schmidt refill), a Lamy 2000 EF nib, and a Sailor fine nib, and while there was some show-through with very minor bleed-through, I could still use both sides of a page. A wet Graf von Faber-Castell medium nib pushed the paper a bit too far, and feathering/bleed-through became an issue. If I had to make a comparison, I would equate the performance to the heavier-grade paper used in certain Field Notes editions like “Lunacy” or “America the Beautiful.”
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Oxford apparently shares common ownership with TOPS stationery (maker of the famed “Double Docket” legal pad), which makes me hopeful that this notebook will receive a wide release. If this journal were to appear at Staples, Target, etc., I’d venture that it would do really well. The cover feels solid and the paper will meet the needs of the overwhelming majority of people. I do wish the ruling were slightly narrower and not quite as dark, but that’s a personal preference.
Currently the only place I’ve been able to locate these notebooks for sale is Amazon, and even there they appear to be sold through third-party office supply wholesalers. Priced at just under $20 (shipping included), this seems reasonable for a quality hardbound notebook. I plan to keep my eye out for this notebook in stores in the coming year. Curiously, these books are not yet featured on the TOPS website, which leads me to believe that they have not yet officially launched. Many thanks to Oxford for sending me this product and making this review possible!
Disclaimer: Oxford USA sent me this journal for review purposes, free of charge. This post contains affiliate links.