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 IV: How Do People Actually Use Pocket Notebooks?

As I’m writing this, I realize that I’ve been working from home for more than a month now. The change has been easier on me than some, I imagine, because I tend to work remotely 2-3 days a week under normal circumstances, and of course nearly all of the work I do on TGS happens in my home office. But moving between workspaces regularly can be disruptive, and what happens, in my experience, is that I end up with notebooks, loose notes, electronic documents, books, and other project materials scattered in different locations. What I’ve enjoyed, for a change, is having a single location with a single set of tools that allows me to get a sense of what I’m using, what I’m not, and to further refine preferences. What’s the one thing that’s fallen by the wayside? Pocket notebooks.

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The two closest things to true “pocket notebooks” that I’ve been using regularly are the Write Notepads PUR-bound pocket notebooks and the Kunisawa “Find” hardcover notebooks, which I strongly suspect are white-labeled Kokuyo Sketch notebooks. The paper and covers (other than the colors) are nearly identical.

I’ve never been a heavy user of pocket notebooks - at least, I’ve never been able to justify having a subscription. I might go through 3-4 per year. While I always have a pocket notebook on hand, it’s mainly used to keep track of lists, expenses, and random thoughts I have when I’m out running errands or commuting. Now that I’m not doing those things regularly, I lean much more heavily on hardcover or spiral-bound notebooks, as well as reporter-style notebooks for list-making. While I’m sure that I’ll eventually go back to pocket notebooks at some point, the traditional Field Notes-style three-staple notebook will probably never form a core part of my workflow, mainly because I don’t find them durable enough to survive for 3-6 months in pockets, bags, car glove boxes, etc., which is about how long it takes me to use one. Instead, I suspect that I’ll gravitate more towards different forms of stationery that are still portable, but perhaps a bit more versatile in layout and certainly longer-lasting. Here are five pieces of “pocketable” or “portable” stationery that I’ve been using recently, and likely will continue to use going forward.

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It’s surprising that what I’ve enjoyed more than anything are reporter-style notebooks, which I find draw on the best of pocket notebook portability and combine it with just the right amount of space to make the format useful for everyday work.

1. Kokuyo Sketch Hardcover Notebook. I’ve actually been using what looks like a white-labeled version of this notebook from Kunisawa, but I LOVE the long and narrow format, to the point where it might be one of the best pure “utility” notebooks I’ve ever used. Not only is the hardcover extremely durable, but the paper works extremely well with most pens and inks, the grid ruling is versatile, and the longer format perfect for logging things and listmaking.

2. Write Notepads Reporter Notebook. I’ve become such a huge fan of Write Notepads paper that I’ve basically made it my default “house paper” and even started selling it in the TGS Curated Shop. Their Reporter Notebook has become my default “desk jotter,” sitting to the side of my keyboard when I’m working on the computer and often accompanying me around the house or out on the porch when I need a change of scenery. Reporter’s notebooks are designed to be used standing up, and the sturdy chipboard covers offers more support for actual writing than your standard pocket notebook.

3. Field Notes “Front Page” Reporter Notebook. Field Notes took one of their limited edition releases, “Byline,” and turned it into a standard item, now called the “Front Page." In terms of reporter notebooks currently on the market, the Field Notes “Frontpage” is well-designed with decent paper, though if you’re a heavy fountain pen user you’ll probably prefer the Write Notepads version.

4. Write Notepads Pocket Notebook. If I do reach for something that could reasonably be called a true “pocket notebook,” it would be one of the Write Notepads PUR-bound notebooks. The covers tend to hold up better over time than Field Notes, and the binding holds more pages than your typical three-staple variety. The current “Copper Anniversary Edition” contains exceptional fountain pen friendly paper. Less than $12 for a three-pack of notebooks of this quality make these a steal, IMHO.

5. Nock Co. DotDash Spiral Pad / Write Notepads Dot Grid Steno Pad. If you need more space for writing than a pocket or reporter’s notebook can offer, consider a steno pad. Both Nock Co. and Write Notepads offer quality, durable steno pads containing good paper with a versatile ruling. While I wouldn’t stay that I use steno pads regularly, I keep a stash of them on hand because they make excellent notebooks for thinking and doodling.

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When you need more space to work than what a pocket or reporter’s notebook can offer, but still need to maximize portability, consider a steno pad (shown here compared against a Write Notepads reporter notebook on the left).

Takeaways and Further Reading

Going forward, the bulk of my “portable writing” will likely take place in some combination of the Kokuyo Sketch and the Write Notepads Reporter Notebook, though I’ll maintain at least one traditional pocket notebook to carry in my pocket or glove box once things return to a semblance of normalcy. While the first two items on this list represent my own personal preference, any of the five featured here will serve you well in getting actual work done in your day-to-day routine.

Those interested in reading further on the different types of paper I recommend should check out the previous installments of my “Everyday Writers: Best Paper” series, Part I: Best Hardcover Notebooks, Part II: Top Five Slim Softcover Notebooks, and Part III: The Best Spiral Notebooks. I envision this as a five-part series, so stay tuned for the next installment in which I’ll look at legal pads, looseleaf, and other miscellaneous stationery.

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.

The Best Paper for Everday Writing, Part I: Best Hardcover Notebooks

I offered a seminar at last month’s Baltimore Pen Show titled “Everyday Writers: Choosing the Best Tools for Home and Office,” and I had planned to focus on pens and ink. What surprised me during the Q&A session at the end of the seminar was the extent to which everyone wanted to talk paper. This came as a pleasant surprise - while it can be more “fun” to go pen shopping, selecting the right paper and ink often makes the biggest difference in terms of how well a specific combination of tools will work in an everyday writing setup. We spent a solid twenty minutes discussing various paper options at different price points, and ever since I’ve been considering how best to frame my paper recommendations on the blog. 

Different Categories of Paper for Different Purposes

You have to break paper recommendations down by format, and I don’t believe there can be a standard, generalized set of recommendations because different formats lend themselves to different use cases and needs. For example, the paper in your legal pad or desk pad probably doesn’t need to be as high quality (or expensive) as the paper in a hardcover or spiral notebook where you’ll likely need to write on both sides of the page. Today, I plan to start by discussing what I call “bound hardcover notebooks,” sometimes casually referred to as “Moleskine replacements.” There’s a reason that Moleskine notebooks took off in the early 2000s: the brand managed to package a vintage-inspired, nostalgia-driven look into a convenient form factor. While the paper was never the greatest quality, writers, journalers, and office professionals all loved the combination of a relatively durable hardcover, elastic closure, and catch-all envelope that let you carry your thoughts and ideas with you anywhere you went.

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From left, the Endless Recorder, the Lamy A5 Hardcover Notebook, and the Baron Fig Confidant “Work/Play III” Limited Edition.

Today, of course, multiple companies have built on the “Moleskine” concept, and consumers have such a wide array of options that it’s begun to get confusing. My goal here is to narrow this category down to five solid recommendations for versatile hardcover notebooks that offer a balanced combination of durable construction, quality paper, and a reasonable price point.

My Five Favorite Hardcover Notebooks

1. Endless Recorder. The most fountain-pen friendly notebook on this list contains 192 pages of 68gsm Tomoe River paper, which not only will handle essentially any fountain pen ink you can throw at it, but has slightly more texture than the lighter-weight 52gsm version. From a functionality perspective, I love that Endless includes 16 perforated sheets at the back of the book, and if they ever made a version in which all pages were perforated, I’m not sure that I’d use anything else. I’ve been using the Endless Recorder as my work notebook for the past several months, and the green leatherette cover has held up remarkably well despite being subjected to rough handling and transport in various bags, backpacks, and suitcases. The combination of paper and price point makes the Endless Recorder hard to beat. Read my review here.  

2. Leuchtturm 1917. The “better classic Moleskine.” If you enjoy Moleskine’s visual aesthetic - especially in all black - and simply want a basic notebook with better paper, Leuchtturm offers just that at under $20. For a while, Leuchtturm notebooks were becoming as ubiquitous as Moleskines, and you might see them at local brick and mortar book and art supply stores. Lately, however, they’ve become more difficult to find, even at pen stores, presumably due to increased competition in this segment that’s left retailers reluctant to stock up due to slower-moving inventory. Read my review here.

3. Lamy Hardcover Notebook. Lamy recently released their own series of hardcover notebooks, and the version pictured here contains 192 pages of 90gsm paper, which performs similarly to, if not slightly better than, the paper in Leuchtturm and Baron Fig notebooks. What I’m really enjoying about this Lamy notebook is the ruling: Lamy has developed their own version of the “grid plus lines” ruling first made famous by brands such as Doane Paper, only this time in a more fountain-pen friendly notebook.

4. Rhodia Webnotebook. The Rhodia “Webbie” has served as many people’s standby notebook for years, though it only comes in two colors (black and orange). If you enjoy Rhodia’s smooth paper in pad or spiral-bound form, there’s no reason you need to change. The Webbie’s leatherette cover also has a soft texture with a pleasant feel, if that’s your thing.

5. Baron Fig Confidant. Don’t read anything into Baron Fig’s placement in the fifth slot on this list. My Confidant notebooks are one of the most-used stationery products in my rotation. Some people report inconsistencies with Baron Fig’s paper, especially when using extremely broad or wet fountain pens, but to me this paper offers one of the most enjoyable writing experiences out there for pencils, and it works just fine with fine or medium nib fountain pens. Baron Fig’s paper has a tactile feel to it that’s difficult to describe, and it performs well enough that I have no trouble using it for nearly any purpose. Note that the Confidant is the one book on this list that does NOT have an elastic closure, if that’s important to you. Read my review here.          

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Lamy’s latest notebook might rapidly move up my recommendations list if I continue to enjoy this ruling as much as I have recently. I appreciate the versatility in terms of being able to write large (on the lines) or small (in the grid), depending on what exactly I need to do at the moment.

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Also, if you’re tired of boring black, Lamy’s shiny covers and, yes, love of neon green, offers some variety.

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

I go through about 3-4 hardbound notebooks a year at work, and always have another two or three devoted to specific projects, so this is one area of my tool kit where it’s important for me to get things right. All things considered, the Endless Recorder is my current top choice for a general purpose, “workhorse” notebook. It contains top-notch 68gsm Tomoe River paper that works well with a range of writing instruments from fountain pens to pencils, and can be found for less than $20 (which I would typically consider a steal for a Tomoe River notebook). In general, price is less of an issue with bound notebooks than it used to be. Increased competition in this market segment has driven most brands below the $25 price point, and you can take advantage of periodic sales and coupon codes to stock up when you run low. 

Further Reading 

If you’d like to read further on my recommendations for “Everyday Writing” tools, 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.