Furrow Books was a Kickstarter project over a year ago, started by Aaron Zeller of the Zeller Writing Company. (They sell many popular brands of pens and notebooks, as well as other writing accessories, including their own handmade wooden items such as wax seal handles.) I decided to become a supporter at a modest level so I could try out one of their notebooks and received this “Founding Supporter” limited edition.

This is not one of those projects that claims to reinvent the notebook. Furrow Books offers a basic staple-bound notebook with plain pages, in pocket and large sizes. The pocket size is your standard 3.5 x 5.5″ size, similar to Field Notes and Moleskine Cahiers, among others. So what are the points of differentiation?

First of all, these are made in the USA. The design is understated and attractive, with plain front covers. Normally, they are white with a tan belly band, but the Founding Supporter version I received is an interesting dark green/light green combo.  (Only 1500 of these were made, and each is hand-numbered.) Instead of making you choose between lined, dotted, squared or plain pages, these notebooks only offer plain pages, but each comes with an insert card printed with lines on one side and a square grid on the other. You can slip it behind the page you’re using and see enough of the lines to use them as a guide.

The paper is a very cool shade of white, so much so that my Signo pen with white ink looks rather yellowish on the page. The paper has visible fibers and is not rough, but not super-smooth either. Show-through and bleed-through are about average, with some feathering from fountain pens.

At $9.99 for a 3-pack of pocket notebooks, these are priced in line with other comparable items, while offering the insert card as a nice little extra. There is nothing earth-shattering about these notebooks, but that is just fine with me. If you want a nice minimal design and a USA-made product, they’re a great option. It looks like the only retailer right now is Zeller Writing Company’s online store.