Comments on: Pocket Notebooks & Fountain Pen Comparison

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:18:35 +0000

I’ve had mixed results with ink and Moleskine paper. I use a Tombow ballpoint pen most often and there is no problem with bleed through or feathering. I have heard that Herbins combined with a fine point work pretty well.

By: amy

amy — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:54:12 +0000

The reason why Moleskine books don’t perform well is due to the sizing they put on the paper. If you cared to, you could rip out, say, a page, soak in in water for about five minutes, then dry it out. The sizing melts off in the water, and the paper’s pores are no longer stuffed full of rabbit glue (“sizing”).

By: mrbill

mrbill — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:28:04 +0000

Brooklen, I’ve already got a bottle of the Noodler’s Bulletproof Black, but it was a gift from a friend. Thanks for the tip though. Haven’t yet gotten a few converters so I can try bottled ink instead of the Lamy cartridges.

By: Brooklen Ashleigh

Brooklen Ashleigh — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:18:48 +0000

It may be too late, however, do not waste your money on Noodler’s Black if you intend to use it on Moleskine. The paper doesn’t absorb the ink, and will make a mess of your notebook (it dry smudges and partially erases). Try J. Herbin’s Noire or Sailor Kiwaguro.

By: Zoe

Zoe — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:59:35 +0000

Thanks for the comparisons. I use different pens but you’ve get me considering adding a few of the Doane’s as I really like to write on both sides of each page.

By: Michael Ramm

Michael Ramm — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:23:22 +0000

I, too, love Moleskines and Fountain Pens, but I have come to realize that the two should never meet. That is why I am now on a search for a good gel pen to write in my Moleskines. I picked up some Sharpie Pens and Uni-Ball Sigmo 207s yesterday and I plan on doing a review of them. I also have a set of Field Notes books and would like to get some Doane Paper pads (LOVE the concept) to test with.

Very good and informative review. Thanks!

By: Brian Dunbar

Brian Dunbar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:57:35 +0000

Bill,

I am not, not at all, the kind of a person who will ever be organized to this degree. And I’m sure not going to spend the cash for the writing gear when, from my pov, a legal pad and mechanical pencil work fine.

But I do admire people, like you, who organize this way. My hat is off.

By: Juergen

Juergen — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:54:06 +0000

Actually, a better choice would be using a not-too-hard pencil. Pencils have the major advantage of even working on slightly wet paper, and don’t run out of ink.