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The pen is here, it rocks. Now what about paper, journals?

I'm journaling in a nice ring binder, but I'm about done with it. I found an old binder for practice and random writing. I want to start a journal for each of my kids, ages 3 and 7. What are good paper, journal resources? What types of paper works best with FP's?

thanks for your help advice and recommendations!
 
Take a look at Rhodia Webnotebooks and Leuchtturm 1917 journals. The paper is great on both and they'll last a lifetime.

Whatever you do, don't get a Moleskine!
 
Everyone has their personal favorites, and they're all bound to get mentioned if the thread goes on long enough, so I'll mostly mention my own preferences.

I favor side bound notebooks not much smaller than the standard composition books that you find everywhere. These are about the smallest I'm comfortable with, and I've also kept journals in standard roughly 8.5 x 11.5 notebooks. I like to give my handwriting room to spread out, although I can write small if I need to. I like a ruled margin, as I actually use the margins to make notes that make it easier to find specific entries later.

On the other hand some people are happy keeping their daily journal in a pocket sized notebook, the kind I only use for quick notes. It depends on what you're comfortable with, and how you use the journal.

As for brands, Clairefontaine, as mentioned in that link I gave above, works great with any fountain pen I've used it with. Sometimes those cheap standard composition books will work well enough, if a little bit of show-through from the other side doesn't bother you. It gets tricky trying to recommend a particular brand, though, as there are a lot of companies making them. Some people here have recommended the "Sustainable Earth" sugar cane paper sold by Staples. I tried it and found it adequate, but I'd rather pay a bit extra and get Clairefontaine.

I'm slowly looking around for an aftermarket journal cover that I can put over some of my regular notebooks while they're "active". I don't want to get one that's specifically designed for a brand I don't use.
 
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I concur with the recommendations for Rhodia and Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks. I have both and like them very much. The paper in the Rhodia is made by Clairefontaine, so you could look at their notebooks as well.
 
I'm using a Rhodia Rhodiarama right now, mainly because I really like Rhodia's paper. That said, I find it a bit small.

Thanks to one of our resident enablers, I think my next diary will be something that I can use in tandem with a large Oberon leather bound journal. They admit that their paper sucks for fountain pens, so they recommend that you buy ProArt hardbound sketchbooks instead. So, I guess I could go that route.
 
Rhodia is a little thinner paper than Clairefontaine and is a little less smooth, which, imo, is a good thing. Ink dries faster on Rhodia than on Clairefontaine.

-Andy
 
Thanks for the direction, gents. I'll check them out. I'm currently scribbling for practice on a black and red spiral bound notebook. blackandred.co . I used it in a previous job when taking notes in front of clients. Actually has nice paper, but I haven't had a lot of exposure to a lot of different papers. It's 8.5x11, got them at staples. For my quiet time journal, it's a 5x7 I think, probably got it at wally world. both have fairly thick paper. I think I prefer the 5x7 size.
 
I like the Goulet Pen co website a lot. What do you guys think about the Apica notebooks? the Clairefontaine ones look nice for general writing
 
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oc_in_fw

Fridays are Fishtastic!
Take a look at Rhodia Webnotebooks and Leuchtturm 1917 journals. The paper is great on both and they'll last a lifetime.

Whatever you do, don't get a Moleskine!
I will second that. I haven't tried the Webnotebook, but someone sent me a few sheets of Rhodia and Clairefontaine paper and I really liked the Rhodia.
 
the Apica stuff is relatively new to Goulets, and also to us, although I do recall that someone had picked some up in the acquisition thread IIRC, but I dont think many of us have had a chance to check it out yet
 
I'm going to order a few. Probably a few Clariefontaines and I'll snag an Apica just to check out. Not sure what my reviews would be worth at this stage, but I can at least say if they hold together :wink2:
 
I'm going to order a few. Probably a few Clariefontaines and I'll snag an Apica just to check out. Not sure what my reviews would be worth at this stage, but I can at least say if they hold together :wink2:
Congrats on the pen, and I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on the journals and how the paper holds up. I need a new one, I've filled up the one I picked up at Staples.
 
I will echo the recs for Rhodia and Clarefountaine. I haven't tried the Apica brand but if it is like other Japanese paper I have tried then it will be quite good. Currently I am using a Kokuyo Buncobon for my shaving journal and a Kokuyo Campus for a daily journal. The paper is quite good. Smooth, thin and has handled every ink thrown at it. Maruman is also excellent. Looks of good alternatives to copy paper or non-FPF paper.
 
I have the Rhodia, the Clariefontaine, and Banditapple Carnet. I am cheap, so they all fit my budget. I have been very impressed with the Carnet, it has some texture to it, but doesn't bleed through. Plus the size is nice. I think the Apica looks cool, but I haven't tried it either. The new Leuchtturn look like they would be great for the journals for your kids. Different color for each kid:)
 
+whatever for the Rhodias and Leuchtturns. Using a larger Rhodia Webnotebook (love the dot rule) for my journaling at home and a small Leuchtturn in my tablet case for notes and thoughts when out and about.
 
I really like the miquelrius notebooks at Target. They come in a couple sizes/formats and take fountain pen ink smoothly.
 
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