Paper Review: The Field Notes Steno Pad

I know, it’s hard to believe that I’ve never used this product before now, but Field Notes’ contemporary take on a classic piece of stationery - the lined chipboard steno pad - has somehow stayed off my radar until I received a couple of them in a retail display assortment that arrived a few weeks ago. You know what? These are surprisingly good, even with fountain pens, and definitely should be on your radar as a durable everyday writing pad that’s made in the USA (something many may be paying more attention to these days as there’s increased uncertainty surrounding potential increases in the cost of imports).

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The Field Notes Steno Pad features a classic Gregg ruling with brown ink on bright white paper. Note the elegant rounded corners.

Specifications and writing experience

The Field Notes Steno Pad isn’t fancy, and that’s by design. It’s a 6”x9”, 80-page, Gregg-ruled classic steno book with a brown chipboard cover and a black double-O wired binding. The paper is white Finch 70# stock, which exhibits some show-through with fountain pens but honestly is pretty good. I’ve had no issues using both sides of the paper, especially given that I generally use steno pads such as this one as a general catch-all below or to the side of my computer keyboard at work. Nearly everything I jot down on it gets incorporated into something that I’m immediately working on, such as a brief, letter, or e-mail. It’s effectively scratch paper.

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This 70# paper shows no very little to no feathering with fine and medium nibs, and even one architect.

The reverse of the page photographed above. I would call this more “show-through” than bleed-through and perfectly fine for how I use this pad.

A lot of the Field Notes appeal is in the design, and there are slightly less expensive options, but from a practical perspective, I do enjoy how sturdy this steno pad is. The chipboard cover is quite stiff, and the pad itself is large enough to cover a folded letter-size piece of paper. I’ve found myself tucking notes inside the cover and then slipping the entire pad into my bag as a makeshift mini portfolio. (You can even wrap a larger rubber band around it and the chipboard will hold up without bending.) As I wrote long ago in this early post on the original Kraft paper Field Notes pocket notebook, Field Notes excels at balancing classic design with usability, and their take on the classic steno pad is no exception.

Just to give an indication of size.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

You can always rely on Field Notes for a fresh take on the basics, and if you’re looking for a classic, vintage-style Steno pad with good paper that will stand-up to heavy use in a bag, give this one a try. A huge benefit to these is that they are relatively easy to find, both online and in local stores, as Field Notes has broad distribution. We’ve started carrying the Field Notes Steno Pads in our own shop, both online and brick-and-mortar, alongside the rest of the Field Notes line. These notepads/notebooks retail for $12.95 and are sold individually.

Come visit us in person! Public hours are Thursday and Friday from 1-6pm, Saturday from 10-2pm (closing early on 2/1), and otherwise by appointment. We look forward to seeing you this week! We’ve just received a large restock of paper from brands such as Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Field Notes, and more, so be sure to check it out.

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You even get a free short course in Gregg shorthand.

Everyday Notetaking and Creating an "Idea File": On Perforated Field Notes and Index Cards

One thing I’ve struggled with in my notetaking system over the years is organizing and managing information for longer-term use. Sure, if my notes are immediately incorporated into a larger piece of work, like a blog post or a legal brief, this isn’t much of an issue because I typically won’t keep the raw notes and will just discard them when I’m done with the project. But what about those stray thoughts and ideas that I write down not necessarily for immediate, or even intermediate-term, use? An idea for a post or product or book that I might not get around to writing for a year or more? I’m sure that I have dozens of such ideas and stray thoughts buried in old journals and notebooks, but they’re not easily accessible, much less organized by topic or in any other useful way. Lately I’ve been preoccupied with creating a filing system for this type of information with minimal structure that doesn’t take too much time to maintain.

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Some pocket notebooks from years past. Some are VERY old.

As I hinted at in my post earlier this year discussing my planner setup for 2025, I’m renewing my focus on finding and using the right tool for the job, rather than trying to make everything fit within the confines of a single system, like I tried last year with Hobonichi. So what’s the solution here? I spent some time over the holidays sorting through my personal “archive” of old notebooks, and honestly when I felt the most “organized” (relatively speaking) was when I consistently carried a 3x5 pocket notebook to collect the random stuff. It wasn’t a perfect solution, but when I finished each notebook, I was in the habit of quickly flipping through and extracting the important ideas from the shopping lists and other miscellany, and either transcribing it somewhere else, tearing out the page and photographing or scanning it, or simply writing up a quick index at the back to highlight the best bits and then filing the entire notebook away.

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These are good perforations. They’re sturdy enough to hold together in the notebook, while still allowing you to remove pages cleanly. (The paper is what I would call “decently” fountain pen friendly, and very good for Field Notes.) I’m also considering testing some of the Maruman Mnemosyne A7 and B7 pads, which also have perforated pages and will have more fountain pen friendly paper.

I started considering a return to pocket notebooks when I saw that the latest Field Notes special edition (“Vintage”) featured perforated pages that are about the same size as a 3x5 index card when detached. I’ve also been using more index cards in general, and have begun carrying them around in my bag because I like being able to sketch out thoughts and ideas while visually rearranging the cards. I’ve had mixed luck with index cards, in terms of finding ones that can handle all the various types of pens and pencils that I use, but recently I’ve been very impressed with two brands: Levenger (a classic) and a new brand called Notsu, which makes very ink friendly dot grid index cards as well as some foldable “To Do” format cards.

The Notsu “Centre Rise” is a product I’m testing out. It’s a combination card case and stand that fits together magnetically and ships with dividers you can use for a mini filing system. I’ve been carrying this one around in my briefcase, and made a small-ish test order for the shop. You will likely see a separate post on the system itself.

A few weeks back I went on Amazon and purchased a 3x5 index card file box with dividers, which I’ve since been using to collect and organize not just index cards but torn out pages from Field Notes, old sticky notes and small slips of paper, Plotter cards and Mini 5 sheets and more. I’m still working on how broadly/specifically to organize topics and ideas, but I’m liking how the project is taking shape.

Isn’t This a Use Case for Digital Software?

Maybe for some people, but I’ve tried using tools like Evernote, Devonthink, and Tinderbox over the years, and for me, each of them adds another layer of complexity and digital work (mainly tagging files with hashtags) in order to make the system usable. It also requires you to regularly go back through your notebooks and journals and physically transcribe or type information. I end up spending more time tinkering with the software than actually writing. While some might find my system archaic (though probably not readers of this blog), I vastly prefer a simple physical filing system, though it does require a periodic review to keep it relevant and useful.

One thing I like about this Notsu card case - separate and apart from the “stand” functionality - is that it closes up into a fairly compact, sturdy box that slips easily into your bag for taking notecards on the go. (It fits any 3x5 cards, not just the Notsu brand.)

I’m also becoming more interested in index cards and how people use them. Do we have any other index card fans out there? I’ve read many articles on how professional writers - and particularly writers of nonfiction - use index cards to organize research and ideas, though these systems can get pretty elaborate and span multiple boxes of cards. Personally, I’d love to keep just the single card file for storage, and regularly prune it back by discarding those ideas that don’t turn into anything that I’d ever use. Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading! The Gentleman Stationer is supported by the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you’d like to visit our in-person location, you can view directions and up-to-date hours here.

Thursday Drops: Dip Nibs, Clipboards, Field Notes, and a Lot of Random Fun!

We have a somewhat random mix of new arrivals this week! First up are the Tom’s Studio “One Dip” Dip Nibs that I posted about on Tuesday, which combine a conical metal dip nib with a thumbscrew-style mechanism like that found on lettering or ruling pens. We also have stock of a couple new accessories from Roterfaden. One is an A4 clipboard that can be used as a stand-alone writing surface (always useful), or as a backing board for the long back pocket in the A4 Taschenbegleiter. The other is a new refill: a “To Do” list-style notebook that’s a slimmer version of the classic Roterfaden A5 refill, and features perforated list-style pages that can be detached.

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Last week we received the new TWSBI Vac700R Kyanite Blue, a full restock of the TWSBI Swipe in popular nib sizes, and TWSBI bottled ink in the large 70ml bottles. We also completely restocked on Field Notes notebooks (in addition to purchasing a formal display for the shop, which I’m thrilled about)!

Finally, an update: I will not be attending the San Francisco Pen Show, as we had to say goodbye to one of our longtime family dogs this week. Given the timing, the show wouldn’t be much fun, and since I didn’t have a table it was an easy decision to make. Orders will not be delayed due to pen show travel, and for those in town, I plan to hold shop hours on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Many thanks for your understanding!

1. Tom’s Studio One-Dip Nibs in Brass and Stainless Steel. Conical metal dip nibs have emerged as a popular category among artists and calligraphers, and fountain pen enthusiasts also enjoy these for ink sampling and testing. Adjust the dial/thumbscrew to modify the ink flow and line width.

2. TWSBI Vac700R Kyanite Blue Fountain Pen. TWSBI has become increasingly adventurous with their anodization, and the Kyanite Blue Vac700R features a gorgeous matte-blue clip and two-toned nib.

3. TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR “Iceberg Blue” Fountain Pen. If you favor cooler, “glacier” blues, check out this TWSBI or Lamy’s “Glacier” Studio release.

4. Platinum Preppy Wa “Modern Maki-e” Limited Edition Fountain Pens. The second series of Platinum’s “Modern Maki-e” Preppy Wa features six new designs inspired by Japanese tradition and folklore. I wrote a piece yesterday on why I like this series and my favorite pens from the most recent release.

5. Kaweco Collection Sport Fountain Pens, Including Pearl and 2024 Apricot Pearl. Kaweco has discontinued the “Pearl” Sport from their standard lineup and we still have a few left. We also still have stock from several other Kaweco Collection releases, including this year’s Apricot Pearl.

6. Roterfaden A4 Clipboard. We’ve carried clipboards in the shop on and off over the years, and the most recent version we’re testing is an inexpensive recycled chipboard/cardboard version from Roterfaden, which is sized A4 and designed to fit in the back slot of the A4 Taschenbegleiter, in addition to serving as a stand-alone writing surface.

7. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Covers and Refills. We still have stock of many popular Roterfaden formats, including A5 and a couple remaining smaller A6 versions. If there is a specific size/color you are looking for that is sold out, please send us a message and we are happy to work out a pre-order for our next shipment. (This also helps guide our purchasing decisions as it gives us insight into what models people like.)

8. Field Notes “Index” Edition Plus a General Restock. The Field Notes “Index” Edition features two different options: a “Pack A” that includes two log books for tracking whatever you desire, and a “Pack B” with a ledger and date book. We also have additional stock of most other standard editions, including favorites like the Front Page Reporter Notebooks and the Heavy Duty edition.

9. Midori MD Pads and Notebooks. Midori MD paper is one of our top sellers and top recommendations for fountain pen friendly paper, and their selection goes beyond standard writing pads and bound notebooks to include their excellent Memo Block desk pads and convenient sticky notes.

10. Nakabayashi Paper. We have all sizes of Nakabayashi Paper available in the shop, including Logical Prime, Logical Air, and the softer Yu-Sari that they’ve designed specifically to offer an excellent feel when writing with fountain pens. (All of them handle ink extremely well.)

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New In the Shop: Field Notes Return!

Just in time for the holidays, we’ve restocked on pocket notebooks from Field Notes, both in the 2022 Limited Editions as well as favorite standard editions such as the spiral bound “Front Page” and “Heavy Duty” editions. The “Front Page” is the standard release version of the “Byline” limited edition, which made its way into the standard lineup because so many people enjoyed using a classic reporter-style notebook. The “Heavy Duty” edition isn’t necessarily reporter-style - it’s more the size of a standard three-staple notebook - but the thick chipboard cover allows for easy writing on the go.

The favorite “Front Page” and “Heavy Duty” editions are back!

You can check out our full selection of Field Notes pocket notebooks here, which now includes the full lineup of recent collaborations and limited editions such as the “Underland” edition (which might be my favorite cover); the Great Lakes six pack, the debossed “Signs of Spring”, and the planner-focused “Ignition”.

Finally, I wanted to give a special shout to the Hatch Show Print collaboration, which I of course had to stock given that Hatch Show Print is a classic Nashville business. Each pack of Field Notes contains different letterpress covers by the team at Hatch - a nice complement to “United States of Letterpress”!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Field Notes and all other brands sold.

Stationery Trends: Subscription Services Today, Do You Still Use Them?

A few years ago, subscription services were all the rage, and it seems like every stationery company had one. Field Notes started the trend, originally known as the “colors” series. Write Notepads and Baron Fig got in on the game, launching a separate subscription service for each of four different product lines (pens, pencils, and hard and softcover notebooks). Blackwing launched its “Volumes” series, where they would issue a quarterly limited edition pencil that subscribers could receive before anyone else had a chance to buy. Supposedly, the rationale behind these subscriptions was that they would allow small makers to have a guaranteed revenue stream up front from subscriptions, which they could then use to make smaller runs of more experimental products that would otherwise be too speculative or cost-prohibitive. Originally, this was a good idea. It allowed Field Notes to test ideas for pocket notebooks beyond the original Kraft Paper design, and now the special and limited run products make up a majority of the Field Notes line. Similarly, the Volumes program allowed Blackwing to “field test” different pencil finishes and graphite grades that eventually made their way into the standard lineup. (Hello, Blackwing Natural and the Extra-Firm graphite!)

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The last four editions of Blackwing Volumes, from left in no particular order: Blackwing 3 (“Ravi Shankar”); Blackwing XIX (“19th Amendment”), Blackwing 6 (“Neon”), and Blackwing 223 (“Woody Guthrie”).

So where do things stand today? Honestly, apart from Blackwing and Field Notes, it seems like the subscription model could be losing momentum. Write Notepads and Baron Fig discontinued their subscription programs after 1-2 years, in favor of releasing special editions on their own schedules. This could partly be due to the businesses stabilizing and becoming established in the industry, and there for no longer needing to rely on subscriptions to fund their manufacturing, but I can’t help but wonder whether the market for this sort of subscription product is saturated by one or two companies. For example, how many pocket notebooks or pencils does one person actually need? I’m sure there are people out there who go through six or more notebooks and a dozen-plus pencils per quarter, but it can’t be the majority of subscribers. Plus, as companies like Field Notes and Blackwing become established (if not omnipresent in mainstream retailers), the key rationale that drove many to subscribe - that you have to support your favorite small brands through a “guaranteed revenue” program - becomes less compelling. I’m sure that both Field Notes and Blackwing continue to have legions of hardcore fans and healthy subscriber bases, but given how large some of these recent runs are, I do wonder whether the majority of the sales from the special editions comes through retail channels or direct sales to non-subscribers. Are even the Field Notes and Blackwing programs becoming less relevant?

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Field Notes recently released “Fifty,” their fiftieth limited edition release. (Disclaimer: The Gentleman Stationer does retail select Field Notes Products)

Personally, the only subscription service to which I still belong is Blackwing Volumes, but even that I’m questioning. Not that I don’t like Blackwing, it’s just that I have so many pencils I would prefer not to receive them by default and only purchase those editions that really strike me as special. My recent favorite special editions have actually been the Blackwing store-exclusives, “Eras” releases, and non-Volumes “Blackwing X” collaborations, such as the Third Man Records pencil and the “Hardest Job in the World” edition. While I think the last four Blackwing Volumes pencils have been “good,” I can’t help but wonder why they are moving so much good stuff outside of the subscription program, away from those who are, presumably, their most devoted fans?

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I’d be curious to know how many of you still subscribe to stationery subscription services. What do you like and dislike about the option to subscribe? What keeps you coming back?

(This is not “market research”, just genuine curiosity. I have no desire to launch or participate in any sort of subscription service, so I’ll get that out of the way up front. As you all know, I’ve previously written on what sometimes feels like the stationery industry’s fixation on limited and special releases, so this post is intended to continue the discussion along those lines.)