Category Archives: Notebook Reviews

Memorandum Book Made by Northern Central Co., Milwaukee

Another notebook that was probably manufactured in the late 1970s to early 1980s: a slim lined memorandum book by the Northern Central Co. of Milwaukee. The cover has a textured fake-leather look, but it’s just glossy card stock, stamped in gold foil. Dig that cool logo on the front! I didn’t use very many pages … Continue reading Memorandum Book Made by Northern Central Co., Milwaukee

Kikkerland WritersBlok Notebooks Now Available

I’ve been wanting to check these out for a while, and it seems they are finally more widely available. I picked up a set of 3 small dotted notebooks at Paper Presentation on West 18th St. in NYC. They also had the large size, and ruled and plain paper versions in both sizes. I’ve read … Continue reading Kikkerland WritersBlok Notebooks Now Available

Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 3: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent and Pen & Ink

After looking at various attributes of the Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, and Pen & Ink sketchbooks (see Part 1 and Part 2 of this review), let’s sum up a few key points about these 4 very similar notebooks. Moleskine: Made in China 80 pages Price: $10-15, depending on retailer Where to Buy: Amazon and all major … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 3: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent and Pen & Ink

Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 2

In the first part of this review, I discussed the outward appearance of four similar pocket sketchbooks, the Moleskine, the Pen & Ink Journal, the HandBook, and the Derwent Journal. Now I’ll look at the insides. Rather than bore you with repeated photos of almost identical things, I’ll just point out a few details that … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 2

Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 1: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, Pen & Ink

The notebooks I use most frequently are hard cover pocket sketchbooks, with heavy unlined paper that is suitable for various kinds of ink, pencil, and watercolor paints. I like to doodle and draw sometimes, so this type of notebook works well for me even though I also tend to use them for keeping a journal. … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 1: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, Pen & Ink

Best Pens for Moleskines

There’s lots of discussion amongst Moleskine fans about which pens are best for use on Moleskine paper. Here’s the most exhaustive list of pen reviews I’ve found, at a blog called Sandscribbler. The author’s favorites: Uni-ball Signo RT 0.38 The best Moleskine pen that I’ve found so far. Pilot G-2 05 and the Uni-ball Signo … Continue reading Best Pens for Moleskines

Two New Notebook Reviews at Black Cover: The Picadilly Notebook and the Agawami +1

Black Cover has just reviewed a very promising Moleskine-alternative, the Picadilly Notebook. It only costs $5, which, given recent economic events, will surely be appealing to all the addicts out there who were planning to cash out their 401ks to buy notebooks. Black Cover has even given readers a code for a 15% discount! Less … Continue reading Two New Notebook Reviews at Black Cover: The Picadilly Notebook and the Agawami +1