A Student Question

[Sintini]

I, in large part to you nice gents on here, have really enjoyed owning and using a fountain pen. Sadly, it is currently an at home curiosity as I don't have thick enough paper in my school folders to allow me to take notes with it. The semester is nearing its end and I am planing to get paper for next semester that I can use with my nifty new Metropolitan. I need quite a lot of the paper for a semester since I tend to take a lot of notes. This, unfortunately, puts a great store like Goulet out of my price range. Basically, I need a lot of heavier paper for cheap. I have found some on amazon for relatively inexpensive. It has a pretty big flaw though, it is not perforated. I usually use a multi-subject college ruled type of thing to write notes in. The folders that separate the subjects are a great place to store handouts and homework. I like this design but have been unable to find something like this in heavier paper.

So as I see it, I have 2 options. I can go with a tablet, like the one linked below. But I would need to find a similarly cheap heavy tablet that is, unlike the one below, perforated to make it easier to remove pages. I could then store all notes for each class elsewhere, this is annoying but doable. The annoying part is why I would like the other option better. The other option would be to have a multi-subject type of thing like I currently have, just with heavy enough paper that I could use the fountain pen.

Hopefully you all can help.

Lastly, keep in mind I am poor and the more bang for my buck the better, hence why I am ordering this stuff now.

Thanks

The un-perforated type of tablet I found http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007M06GY/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is sort of what I am currently using http://www.amazon.com/Five-Star-Wir...keywords=3+subject+college+ruled+fountain+pen

 

[Jut]

get an extra fine or fine nib, some quick drying ink (quink perhaps?), and continue using the paper you have been using.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

You might want to check out Miquel Rius notebooks:http://www.shopmiquelrius.com/servlet/the-Stationery/Categories

And on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_9759qxr44d_b

 

[Artimid]

Another vote for a fine/extra fine nib. I find that the 78G, with a light touch and smallish writing, lets me write nicely on both sides of my Walmart college ruled paper without issue. I use either Noodlers Eel black, Lamys black, Platinum black, or a few Diamines. The Lamy Safari laid a thicker line that, sometimes, let me see on the back. But if you take notes like I do, an expensive notebook is the last thing you need. The 78G isn't super, but it hasn't let me down yet, and I always carry one in my pack.

And while I didn't know about the stuff that DunEdinRanger linked.. and probably would have tried one out before, I did go through about 9 notebooks in the last two semesters. If I was paying $13 a notebook, the paper alone would have cost me $117 vs $5. So yeah, look at the pens first and see if the ones you are using have an easy change nib.

 

[crowdog]

If you like the 5 subject notebooks, how about this: http://www.staples.com/Sustainable-...-Notebook-5-Subject-8-1-2-inch/product_331440

I really love the paper, and it is great for fountain pens...I use italics and mediums. They are nice too, because the covers are more hardback, so keeps things safe etc. Has pockets like you want. Price is in your range. They also have the single, 3 subject, and they are all perforated.

Marty

 

[Sintini]

As always, thanks for the great response and advice. I have done some looking and testing. I think the easiest thing to do will be to attempt to track down a thinner nib. I am using the pen linked below. However, Goulet only has nibs for a different pen listed. Are nibs sort of a one size fits all pens deal? I am thinking not.

How would one go about purchasing the right nib for a pen? I figure I can find a video on youtube of how to change one. But purchasing things online (especially shipping to Hawaii) tends to cost a lot. Thus, I want to ensure I am purchasing the right nib.

My pen (which I adore) http://www.gouletpens.com/Pilot_Metropolitan_Fountain_Pen_Black_Plain_p/pn91107.htm

 

[jzuzphreek]

Just do what I did, and sleep through class. I find you use much less paper that way. Unless you drool.

 

[crowdog]

As you can see from the video, Brian shows you how to change the nib. I see from Fountain pen network that the 78G will also fit the metro. I would email Brian and tell him of your dilemma, I am sure he could lead you the right way.

Marty

 

[wherndon]

For a few dollars more you can get a Pelikan Pelakano 3 colors and a fine nib.

 

[MukkyPuppy]

If you like the 5 subject notebooks, how about this: http://www.staples.com/Sustainable-...-Notebook-5-Subject-8-1-2-inch/product_331440

I really love the paper, and it is great for fountain pens...I use italics and mediums. They are nice too, because the covers are more hardback, so keeps things safe etc. Has pockets like you want. Price is in your range. They also have the single, 3 subject, and they are all perforated.

Marty

+1

I use the 9.5"x6" as my everyday carry notebook. Even with wet inks and writers, double sided use is good enough.

 

[cursethis]

You should check out the Staples Arc series. You'll shell out some money on your notebook and your dividers, but the refill paper is pretty cheap. It's easy to swap paper in and out of the notebook.

If you just want to go the pen side, get the 78g Fine off of eBay. If it feels to cheap, buy a Metropolitan and just swap the nibs.

 

[chumlee]

If you're looking for a legal pad, Staples Bagasse paper is really fountain pen friendly. There are tons of reviews floating around on the internet. I've been using them for a few years now. They're a little over $1 per pad...

http://www.staples.com/Sustainable-Earth-By-Staples-8-1-2-inch-x-11-3-4/product_749567

As far as in-class note taking, I use Kokuyo Campus notebooks which can be found on JetPens. They're not too expensive.

Another option would be HP 32-lb copy paper...

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/HP-11310-0-Premium-Choice-Laserjet/dp/B000099O2W

 

[TBoner]

+1

I use the 9.5"x6" as my everyday carry notebook. Even with wet inks and writers, double sided use is good enough.

Agreed.

I used these throughout grad school for extensive notetaking. I did find a fine nib was preferable depending on ink, but all of my notes remain highly readable on both sides of the page.

 

[Doc4]

I have recently been turned on to Ampad Gold Fibre notepads.

http://www.amazon.com/Ampad-Writing-Letter-50-Sheet-20-031/dp/B0007M06GY

They rock.

Seriously, they are fantastic for fountain pens. Thinking back to my student days ... all those decades ago ... I used looseleaf paper and an old-school clipboard (it was my Mum's when she was in college in the ... oops, I almost mentioned the decade and gave away her age ... I know, it was my Dad's back when he was in college in the 60s. Yeah, that's the ticket.) Quite frankly, the cardboard backing on the Ampad is stiff enough that you might not need anything more underneath.

A three-hole-punch and three-ring binders are all you'll need for organising your notes, if Manila folders aren't good enough.

 

[Alacrity59]

After high school notebooks never worked for me. I like to keep only the good stuff. In college and university I used loose leaf and at some point changed over to canary coloured pads. Organization for me is fold back clips . In business I moved forward to hanging files where I keep my clipped material. When I move my files into 7 year storage I take the clips off and staple. Yes I picked up a dime from the street yesterday and I'd do the same with a penny.

 

[Doc4]

... and I'd do the same with a penny.

No you won't.

 

[mdove47]

I used loose leaf notebook paper for notes. Then when I got home I put each days notes in its respective folder. i.e. Stats notes went in stats notebook, history notes in history notebook. It makes lost less to carry, and if you do misplace anything that day you do not loose all your notes.

 

[wherndon]

Mead also has pretty good paper. I use a pocket mead spiral for my back pocket, but the other day I picked up a Mead 5 Star at my local grocery store. It is a spiral, with preforated paper, and is fairly bleed proof. This is a small notebook, but I'm sure you can get larger sizes. The Mead get a thumbs up in my book.
Do not get the Office Max brand paper, bleed was horrible on that...
Regards,
Bil

 

[andrew98]

I've also heard good things about the Sustainable Earth paper, and it's available as 3 hole filler paper (15 lb paper, college ruled, 200 sheets for $4.99).

I like the Staples Arc notebooks a lot.

-Andy