5 Notebooks Better Than Moleskine (Especially for Fountain Pens)

Moleskine journals are very popular, but they aren't the best notebook in their price range. Especially if you are using fountain pens, you will most likely have a poor experience. The paper bleeds, and the construction of the Moleskine notebook isn't as durable as it could be. So, what notebooks are better than Moleskine? Here are five alternatives I recommend:
Midori MD 3:59
Clairefontaine 1951 Clothbound 5:35
Rhodia Webnotebook 7:30
Endless Recorder 9:37
Leuchtturm1917 12:18
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[@DowntheBreatherHole]

New update! I'm now selling my own handmade notebooks on Etsy! I only have a few left but hope to add more soon. Check them out before they're gone! Link: downthebreatherhole.etsy.com

[@user-qj4dx4fc3n]

When the first Moleskines appeared, they were wonderful and filled a niche in the notebook market for writers. These Italian-made Moleskines had very good paper. But as soon as the brand became successful, they outsourced production to China and the paper quality plummeted. I mean plummeted! The paper quality can actually vary wildly from notebook to notebook. Some are only good with pencil and ballpoint. It is such a shame. Moleskines however do have one overwhelming advantage: they are available everywhere in the world, practically, even at airports. All of the other notebooks are harder to find. (Leuchtturm is becoming more widely available, but still nowhere near that of Moleskine.) So if you travel and need to buy a new journal to refill your leather cover, Moleskine is reliable in that way. The fingerprint/oil issue is terrible on Moleskne--I've taken to writing with a piece of blotter paper under my hand to avoid ruining the bottom half of the page. I absolutely love Clairfontaine and Rhodia paper--my fountainpens almost skate across the pages--but I do not like the rubbery covers of the Rhodia Webbook, and I have had one that started peeling away. And again, not widely available in regular stores. As for the Midori--I did not like the textured paper. It made even the smooth nib of my Montblanc feel scratchy. It's great for writing with Blackwing pencils, though. Leuchtturm is the best alternative to Moleskine, with very good paper, but its distribution, while improving, is still not broad enough for my commitment. I need something that is easy to replace. By the way, I always use a leather cover for my notebooks as none of them are sturdy enough on their own for travel. But they all vary, in size, so one cover will not work for all. Again, this makes the Moleskine my imperfect but practical choice. PS Rhodia now makes a wonderful "Composition" style notebook in A5; I love it.

[@jojojo8835]

I’ve had the same unpredictability problem with the artist’s sketchbooks and pads I buy. Every time I replace a favourite it’s nothing like the previous.😢

[@BlackSheepApologetics]

Can confirm about Moleskine. I’ve been using them since 2003/04(?) and I just bought a new one towards the end of last year. It’s just not what it used to be as far as the writing experience.

[@nikossiotas]

Which Moleskins are good according to your experience? Some specific product name line of them or maybe some specific size? Can you recommend me a good moleskine?

[@user-qj4dx4fc3n]

@@nikossiotas I always just use the pocket-sized lined, blank, or graphed notebooks. There is no way to predict paper quality in them--and that's the problem. You buy one notebook and it can be just fine for fountainpens, then buy another (in the same model line) that proves a disaster of bleed-through and feathering. It's pure luck to get two good ones in a row. I use them for practical note-taking, but if you are into fine journaling, handwriting, etc. forget about them. Leuchtturm pocket journals (almost the same size as Moleskine) have much more consistent quality but are not as widely available. I wish that Moleskine would go back to their original quality, but these qc issues have been plaguing them for years, and they must feel it isn't worth the investment to improve, since they sell well all over the world. And they don't feel that they have to cater to fountainpen users. Most of their customers probably write with gel or ballpoints.

[@nikossiotas]

@@user-qj4dx4fc3n as you already said, moleskine is available everywhere, and actually is the only "premium" brand paper i can find in local bookstores. That's why i asked.

[@ffotograffydd]

The original books were a style of book rather than a specific brand, available in Paris from the late 19th century until the mid 1980s. They were pocket-sized notebooks or 'carnets', bound with leather or oilskin/oilcloth, and were sold by local stationers. These notebooks became well known because they were favoured by the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso, and Hemingway. The Moleskine name has been attributed to British writer Bruce Chatwin. In his 1987 book ‘The Songlines’ he described his Paris notebooks as “carnets Moleskines”, Moleskine referring to the black oilcloth binding. Moleskine - pronounced ‘mol-ey-skine’ - is French for moleskin (the English name for such oilcloth because of how it felt to the touch). In the mid-1990s an Italian company started to make them, using the brand name Moleskine. They were initially very good, but over time the quality has deteriorated.

[@aprilezell3784]

"The more you know" ~ thanks for the info, heading to Paris in May and can't wait to get into some stationary stores. Do you have a brand from Paris that you prefer?

[@ffotograffydd]

@@aprilezell3784 Rhodia and Clairefontaine are both French and so should be widely available in Paris.

[@nidhishshivashankar4885]

Nice write up 👍

[@maxvanbalgooy]

Of the notebooks you discussed, I’ve only used Leuchturm1917 and I really like it for fountain pens. An additional feature is that the pages are numbered and there’s dedicated space at the beginning for an index/table of contents, which is ideal for a commonplace book. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

My fave two. Slightly wider and two ribbons! And the index section is really important to me. It’s messy in a Moleskine but I do sometimes use the expanded 400 page version.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yes, good features!

[@machinayrequiem8596]

​@@lizziebkennedy7505Those two features and the stickers to label the spin are my favorites too.

[@ulvschmidt7174]

They also give you stickers to put on the spine and cover for when you are done so its not so anonymous in the bookshelf

[@dameanvil]

0:00 📓 Introduction to the Moleskine notebook and the speaker's journey from ballpoints to fountain pens. 0:41 🛠 Two main problems with Moleskine notebooks: durability and paper quality. 2:04 📝 Durability issues include corners breaking, spine splitting, and cover separation. 2:07 📄 Paper quality concerns include bleeding, feathering, and ink inconsistency due to fingerprints. 3:14 📔 Introduction to alternative notebooks, starting with the Midori notebook. 5:38 📒 Introduction to the Clairefontaine notebook, known for smooth paper and minimal design. 7:41 📘 Introduction to the Rhodia Web notebook, praised for durability and similar paper to Clairefontaine. 9:37 📚 Introduction to the Endless Recorder notebook, featuring "regalia" paper for vibrant ink performance. 12:19 📖 Introduction to the Leuchtturm1917 notebook, offering a similar experience to Moleskine but with better durability and paper quality.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Wow, thanks for the chapters and outline. I should hire you to do that for all of my videos!

[@jumarbalacy9102]

Legend

[@kasiatoya]

My English is basic but I really like the way you speak, clearly and very nicely, I listen with pleasure :) Greetings from Poland

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Greetings from the USA! My wife is part Polish. :)

[@twoscoopz4944]

I am a native English speaker and even I thought that his voice and pronunciation was particularly pleasant and enjoyable while watching

[@Sujowi]

What a great way to improve your English comprehension by listening to good speakers.

[@ronbannon]

Your written English is excellent.

[@kookatsoonjan]

I agree kasia...well spoken youtuber....like that as well

[@labcoatdiva]

I haven't seen anyone mention the Stalogy 365 notebooks yet. I tried Midori MD first and appreciated the improvement but wasn't satisfied with the number of pages. As the name suggests, the Stalogy 365 has a year's worth of pages and writes smoothly with fountain pens. I've had two so far and I love it.

[@angelmaden1559]

These are my two favorites. I bounce between them. Rodia is nice too.

[@SupperGammer]

Midori has editions with 365 days as well if I recall correctly.

[@coloredbymaia6476]

Love stalogy , tomoe river paper is so delicious ❤

[@nicolesmith1309]

I just bought my first Stalogy. Have yet to use.

[@moniques.journal.corner]

Stalogies are by far my favorite notebooks! They just dreamy to write in!

[@codyevaristo8029]

gotta try the Jetpens Kanso Noto notebooks, they're 20 bucks, have tomoe river S paper, and have a high page count. after trying rhodia, clairefontaine, etc. these have been the best especially in price/quality ratio

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Very cool. Great recommendation!

[@luisbalderrama8145]

Leuchttrum 1917 A5 notebooks have been my go to. I use them daily and they hold up very well. Its the right balance for daily use that still holds up to some decently juicy fountain pens. Rhodia is def my go to for the more "loose leaf" letters. Inks really pop out and its nice to just tear out a sheet from a notepad instead of dealing with reams of loose paper. Great Vid! -Luis

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks Luis! That sounds like a great system. Leuchtturm and Rhodia are fantastic.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Update! I'm giving away a luxurious Rhodia Webnotebook! It's an A5, softcover, dot grid layout with lovely 90 GSM paper. For more information, follow me on Instagram here: instagram.com/downthebreatherhole/. The giveaway is open until April 30, 2024.

[@williamnettleton3413]

Did I miss the giveaway??

[@averybaker2900]

Nope! It will start sometime at the beginning of April. @@williamnettleton3413

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

​@@williamnettleton3413nope! It goes until April 30th!

[@gwirithil1]

I looooooove my Rhodia and Clairfontaine. If you're interest in learning to write in a super cool formal way, Clairfontaine makes a 'French Ruled' paper that is how children used to learn to write with fountain pens in schools in France. It's fun to practice now and then, and if you're keeping an ink notebook it's a fun flourish.

[@hautomnal9679]

Oh, I didn't realize this paper wasn't common in other countries! Yes we have to use this paper in school pretty much up to high school. The majority of us still use it as undergraduate/postgraduate student. (Fountain pen aren't mandatory but it's still pretty common here)

[@ginjinjindyna4284]

in asian countries, elementary kids have to learn to write by fountain pen in 'French Ruled' paper so the paper density is really good, around 100gsm. the only problem is is the size and book cover is kinda animatedly colourful

[@jeanneprice6736]

Not anymore for me. I used those orange A5s for years. Loved them. Then the paper changed. I bought 6 at a show. There was ghosting and bleed through. Not acceptable for fountain pens. It crossed my mind that maybe they were a knock off. I decided to choose something else.

[@LovkynaPeral]

Exactly. Finally somebody who speak the true. Nobody else should spend his money for moleskine when want to use fountain pen. Thanks for sharing. Hello from Slovakia

[@sherrycohen1824]

Love Slovakia! I was there more than 20 years ago.

[@lizziebkennedy7505]

He? Does this channel only have male followers?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Hello from the USA! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@LovkynaPeral]

@@sherrycohen1824 Hello. That is long time ago, some things changed here. I remember good the times before 20 years 😊. I hope you enjoyed your time here, and if not, maybe it will be in Future possibility to visit again and compare it to that experience from before 20 years. What you think about the idea? Have a great time, whereever you are,by whatever you are doing now. 🤗🙏

[@LovkynaPeral]

@@DowntheBreatherHole thank you for sharing 🙏🤗🍀

[@oscarmedina1597]

I recommend Mnemosyne notebooks. The paper is great, they lay flat, and the cover is a firm plastic. Plus, they’re half the price of most other notebooks.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Good recommendation. Thanks!

[@nicolesmith1309]

They are great

[@ThePengineer]

@DowntheBreatherHole I have one Mnemosyne as well and really like it. Comparable to Rhodia but not as shiny paper.

[@asterv843]

I'm newer to this sort of thing, but I do have a Mnemosyne and agree. It feels so silky to write on with every pen/pencil I've tried, and I personally just really like the look of it.

[@UJB123]

I have 4 of them. Yep, excellent paper. Even sketches with fountain pen are gorgeous on the paper.

[@xHal1]

I've been using some Paperage notebooks as I've been on a budget and got a 3 pack of them A5 size for $20. They hold up pretty well and aren't quite as nice as Leuchtturm but them being a fraction of the price, I cannot complain. I just LOVE the Midori MD, Stalogy (even though I'm not the BIGGEST fan of paper that thin), and...listen. Whatever paper Field Notes used in that yellow "Signs of Spring" was freaking amazing! It was pretty toothy, but I just loved the feedback it gave me. I would love an A5 notebook with that exact paper, but I think I looked a while ago and couldn't find anything quite like it - not a bigger notebook anyway. Great video!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yes! That Signs of Spring paper is crazy cool! It has such a unique feel to it, and I love the yellow dot grid.

[@selahr.]

I love Paperage. On big sale days on Amazon I can snag a ten pack for $39. Makes it easy to not feel too precious for using for what feels like bad writing.

[@jamieb7989]

Strathmore Cambric 70# Ultimate White with Yellow Crocus soy based Saphira Ink

[@eleanorjlh]

A caveat regarding Rhodia and Clairefontaine paper: not all of their notebooks/pads use the same paper stock, and some is definitely very inferior. I have a Clairefontaine 90gsm notebook which has significant ghosting and bleedthrough - much more so than other lighter-weight papers, even. Tomoe River is far and away my favourite, but if you're still exploring notebooks and paper, I'd recommend trying Cosmo Air Light/Snow (which is unfortunately discontinued but some smaller brands still have stocks of notebooks) or Iroful paper; they're all 75gsm papers and show ink properties to very good effect while having much less bleedthrough and feathering than Clairefontaine/Rhodia.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the info. That's weird! I've used four Clairefontaine notebooks and six or so Rhodia notebooks, 80 GSM and 90 GSM, and the quality has always been consistent for me. Am I just lucky? Does it just depend on the batch, or are there certain models that you find have better paper than others?

[@wilneedheart]

@@DowntheBreatherHole Rhodia is owned by Clairefontaine who owns forests, which would explain their paper's quality and consistency. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clairefontaine_paper_mills

[@Haramyst]

I feel that to me the paper quality of the Leuchtturm1917 is the best of the lot. It's not the smoothest; it has some tooth to it and that's deliberate. If you enjoy both fountain pens and nice dark woodcase graphite pencils like Blackwings Musgraves or Mitsubishi, I find it yeilds consistently satisfying results. Great review!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks! Yeah, if I were a big pencil user, Leuchtturm1917 would probably be my choice too. Good paper, good construction, lots of pages.

[@circrna]

I am pencil lover I must try this notebook.

[@ghostlightning]

I was a Moleskine user when I was still using ballpoints but I switched to the Travelers Notebook system in a big way once I started writing with fountain pens. The size can be quite the adjustment, but while I was still buying bigger books the TN refills is what I end up writing on and so I've been using the TN happily for about 5 years now and I can't be happier (especially since I really splurged on the really thin best in class paper).

[@danlott2814]

Brilliant video. As a newbie to fountain pens, but a paper-snob veteran I really love and appreciate your concise, but detailed descriptions.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks! That means a lot. I appreciate your support. After getting a couple of troll comments, it was really refreshing to read yours.

[@crouserm]

Super review! I liked the Midori MD notebook so well I'm on my second, after experimenting with whatever looked good on the shelf. I have a Clairfountaine notepad, and find true what you say about the texture of the paper -- lovely, but I actually prefer a bit of "tooth" on the page when I write, and so am enjoying Midori better for the writing experience itself. I'm pretty sure the Clairfountaine does better with sheening and shimmering inks. And, yes, Tomoe River is a wonder. Hope that's still true with the corporate changes. Thank you!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Yeah, Midori and Clairefontaine are both great, but they each have a very different take on paper texture. I have some loose leaf Tomoe River, and I'm not sure if it's the old or new stuff. I'm planning to buy some of the new stuff soon to see how it compares.

[@waggermama]

This! I tried a Moleskine last year after mostly using Leuchtturm and Hobonichi notebooks, and I hated the paper. To me it feels soft in the wrong way, pulpy. Having said that I much prefer very smooth paper which glides, and very thin Japanese style paper, that crinkles. To that end, have you tried Hobonichi or Stalogy at all?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

No, but based on everyone's recommendations, it sounds like I need to! Thanks!

[@SuperManning11]

As someone who has used fountain pens and dip pens for many years, one tip is to use a cover sheet as you are writing. It has become such an integral part of my writing setup that I honestly don’t even really notice it anymore. Almost any paper will be affected by oils from fingers and hands and it always has an adverse effect on how the ink goes on the paper. On the rare occasion that I need to see the entire paper for some reason, I have an old sock that I cut a couple of holes in, one for my fingers and one for my thumb, and it keeps my skin off the paper.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

A number of people have recommended this, but I'm just too lazy. haha Fortunately, I don't have fingerprint issues with Midori, Clairefontaine, Rhodia, or Leuchtturm.

[@Xingqiwu387]

Great review! The Rhodia and Leuchtturm notebooks are brilliant. I also really like the Tomoe River notebooks because the paper was especially designed for fountain pen use.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching!

[@SanderGrolleman]

I just found your channel and I really like your videos. Keep up the good work! 💪

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Hey thanks! That means a lot!

[@michaelh.gerloff3659]

Thanks for the great video. When you were done with no. 4 and stated to announce no. 5 I thought "Oh no! I have to tell him about Leuchtturm!" - well ... I use the Rhodia A6 a lot for on the go. I use the LT Bullet Journal and (too) many different LT notebooks; I especially like the softcover versions that will not look like crap when having them in your pockets or bags. And I enjoy the details like page numbers.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I have a softcover Leuchtturm that I haven't used yet. I'm looking forward to that one!

[@krakentowa8727]

I am a self confessed paper snob……mostly in the six yrs since I started using fountain pens. Since Tomoe River paper from Machine no. 7 has ended I’ve been searching for a replacement paper. I’ve tried all the ones you reviewed, and more. My overall winner…….Kunisawa. It’s beautiful and so smooth. Super high Japanese quality paper. But still nothing beats my Tomoe River paper from the old machine. I’m working through my stockpile slowly.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Nice! Thanks for that recommendation!

[@Bushviking]

I agree with you on Tomoe River. Lately I have been using Hobonichi a lot. Excellent paper, but I can find them only with small grid print (3.5mm?). I would love it even more if I could find it ruled. Much thinner and "silkier" than Leuchtturm and LESS bleed and feathering. Magic.

[@FM-zm6eq]

@@Bushviking You'd love Nanami Seven Seas A5 notebooks. They are Tomoe River with 5mm dot grid or 7mm lines.

[@johnsampson7371]

​@@DowntheBreatherHole😊

[@Soul_Watcher]

To be far once Sanzen Paper Co, purchased the rights to Tomoe River in 2023 I found the paper is almost the same as the original machine #7 paper. Maybe just a tiny bit toothier. Maybe just. But everyone’s mileage may very. Cheers

[@Snowflake3006]

Excellent video, thank you ! I had some fingerprints issue (not too many) with the Leuchtturm, but apart from that, they are very good indeed !

[@foggygray]

When I first got into fountain pens, I was using an awful cheap notebook and immediately moved to a Leuchtturm1917. After that one I went on to and am currently using a Nanami Seven Seas Writer with Tomoe River paper and I absolutely love it.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Very cool.

[@siliputty]

rhodia does use clairefontaine paper. there are differences in format and a few other things, but the paper is made by the same company. it's wonderful paper!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yes! I love it!

[@bluevol1976]

New subscriber here! I love all the Rhodia products that I’ve used! I love their dot journal formatted paper for organizing stuff for work. Big gel and felt tip pen user here. Great video.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@sherrycohen1824]

I agree with you 100% about the Moleskines. My favorite notebooks are Rhodia, Clarefontaine, Leuchtterm 1917, Apica, and anything with Tomoe River Paper.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I haven't tried Apica, but I've heard good things!

[@cliveadams7629]

I thought Tamoe River had stopped making paper? Or there has been a recent change which has ruined it for fountain pens. I use Rhodia loose leaf, but for notebooks it's Leuchtturm 1917 all the way. Have just found some Rhodia notebooks for a reasonable price, but they do have far fewer pages than the Leuchtturm and the books are not so well made. In the UK it's not unusual to find Leuchtturm notebooks in TK Maxx at bargain prices, though sadly they're often lined and I only use plain paper.

[@sherrycohen1824]

@@cliveadams7629 There's something very close to it. I forgot the name of it, but it's in this year's Hobonichi planners. I like it very much.

[@danielscheerer3032]

Cosmo has ended up my go-to notebook. Similar to Midori but I like the slight enhancement of the ink it provides. (Cosmo Note specifically, but I need to try Air and Snow as well.)

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@not.my.monkeys]

Completely agree with your thoughts here, but would also recommend Stalogy in this space. Especially some of their smaller format landscape formats.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@KitsukiArts]

Ohh I love the way you talk! Moleskine was a topic in my university script about Storytelling. This shows how much good storytelling sales even tho there are other alternatives, which might be even better. Super interesting video, thank you for sharing!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching! Moleskine does have very strong marketing on their side. If only the construction and paper quality could match their marketing.

[@EvanLuke3]

Thank you for all the great recommendations on notebooks. I am always looking for notebooks to write in for my fountain pens .🖋️ I am an avid writer and write every day sometimes multiple times a day. I have filled up the Rhodia notebooks in one month! I just ordered a Midiori notebook to try that out and I think next I am going to try a Leuchtturm 1917. I like that those have a lot more pages so that I am not replacing my notebooks every month. Great video!! Thanks again!❤️

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yeah, you definitely have to balance nice paper with price when you go through them quickly. That's one reason why I'm starting to just buy pads of paper and bind my own notebooks.

[@JRDiaz-tn5kb]

I love using MD Midori A5 notebooks. But, I was starting a new writing project, the “Morning Pages” (Julia Cameron style) which meant using quite a few Midori A5’s. So I decided to try one of the Amazon offerings called Focus Day in a B5, larger format - wow, I found it surprisingly Fountain Pen friendly - and the cost savings is a plus. Now, after 3 months, I am more than half way thru a 360-page volume and have another blank volume on the way. It might be worth it for you to consider? As a pen/ink/f.p. test in all my volumes, I keep a page of pen-ink-combinations on the last page which gives me a place to see what will work. Btw, I still journal using the Midori A5’s concurrently. Thanks again for your review.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Good recommendation, thanks! It's surprising how good some cheap papers can be for fountain pens.

[@smokeyoak]

You sir are speaking my language. I have piles of Rhodia, Midori, and Tomoe River but you are definitely convincing me that I need more!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

haha Maybe you need to go watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGmVhIJmmJZnjs0si=g6TQVDzXgAtEjpN9

[@lorenericksen5075]

Great info! I love my Jumping Fox notebooks -- A5 , dotted lines, quality paper which accepts the Uniball micro 0.5 pens very nicely.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@BeardedCaveman]

Has anybody tried using the exceed notebooks from Walmart? I have been thoroughly impressed with them lately. 100gsm 240 numbered pages. I haven’t tried sheening inks on them, I only use platinum carbon black and noodlers baystate blue. But I have only seen light ghosting, and I use fairly wet nibs. Great video!

[@tbayless8324]

Those notebooks are surprising !!!

[@hindenburg2006]

I have and I love them! Took me a minute to find the right pen to go with it, but I did😊 I love that the paper is more yellowish than a blinding white…

[@nicolesmith1309]

Decent notebook

[@gretchen292]

I have used them and really like them as a very inexpensive version of Leuchterm1917. I try to get them during the back-to-school sales. For everyday use, they do the trick!

[@BeardedCaveman]

@@hindenburg2006 true yeah I had to look at it again it is yellowish. But still I was very surprised by how well it takes ink. I have tried a bunch of cheaper notebooks and the inks I use just destroys the paper. I am just too picky when it comes to inks 😁

[@sarahvenz3654]

I don’t write a lot but when I do, I tend to use multiple inks. I’m excited for this introduction and review f other notebooks. Thank you. I also subscribed. I look forward to your other content.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching and subscribing! I greatly appreciate it!

[@AtilioEscobar]

Use a blotter sheet under your hand when writing, so you don't get oils from your hand on the paper.

[@anitakrzeminska3637]

That’s a hit or miss. I like things that are easy to use, and an extra step and extra item I have to remember to bring with me can make me use my notebooks less

[@AtilioEscobar]

@@anitakrzeminska3637 It’s not really a hit or miss situation. You leave it in your notebook. Higher end notebooks come with them such as in the Nanami, Crossfield. And there’s no extra step when the blotter sheet is at the page where you last ended. You open the notebook and write. Pretty simple.

[@SharkLizard]

I have an artist glove that covers my palm and two back fingers

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

It's a good technique for calligraphy or other formal writing. But I like to be portable with my writing setup. Fortunately, there are plenty of good papers that don't have oil problems.

[@andrewtl7988]

​@@SharkLizardcame here to say this. Anti-smudge artists gloves are small, cheap, and easy enough to stick in a pocket or pen-case, and infinitely better than blotter paper imo

[@andrewbrendan1579]

Your channel came up in my recommendations, had to check this out! Very interesting comments. I've been useing Moleskine for years and had noticed a change in the paper, not quite as good. I hadn't realized how inferor Moleskine has become to other brands. I have a considerable stack of unused Moleskine notebooks and they may just stay unused as I get something else to write in. Maybe it's just my not-so-great hearing and/or my computer, but I'd like to suggest increasing the volume of your audio.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for your comment. Audio has been a tough thing to figure out. I have been turning up the volume on my videos during the editing process, so hopefully that's helping. I do my best to match the volume of other popular KZbin channels.

[@tomt5745]

Long time user of Mole. Switched from Mole to Leuchtturm years ago, despite I mostly use simple things like Parker ballpoint or Faber 9000 pencils. The paper degradation in the Moles was saddening. L also have a better cover when thrown it in the bag every morning, and does not fall apart if beaten up. Always A5 dotted :)

[@caitlinjeanne]

I might be an atypical fountain pen user in that I'm not into flashy ink qualities like sheen or shimmer, and I like yellow-toned paper more than bright white, absorbent surfaces more than slick ones, etc. Midori fan, obviously! I just filled my first Leuchtturm and thought it was perfect, but then I needed a new notebook and remembered seeing rave reviews for Endless. Long story short, this video would've saved my life (or $20, same difference) if only it had existed a week ago, lol. I really appreciated how you laid out the differences between each of these notebooks and their characteristics to help viewers choose based on those preferences. Meanwhile, I have a new Leuchtturm on the way to me now...

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Oh darn! Sorry I wasn't in time to save you from endless disappointment (good pun, yeah?). I think sheen is fun, but I'm not really into the flashy stuff either. I generally avoid shimmer inks because I don't want to shake my pen every sentence or two.

[@mph7282]

The Rhodia 90 gsm is the best I've ever found for fountain pens. The ink doesn't bleed through and dries relatively quickly. Never had a problem with fingerprints or ink not wanting to adhere to the page. It's all I've been using for a couple of years now.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Rhodia is a great choice!

[@robertkerner4833]

Want to say thank you for this video. It randomly appeared in my feed a few days after I bought a Moleskine,which I was unhappy with. Went out and found a Leuchtthurm 1917 and couldn’t be happier. Much better writing experience and I love the index and pagination. I never heard of this brand until I saw this video.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Google is funny the way they track you and show you content. I usually find that they show me relevant content after I make a purchase, rather than before. haha

[@OphelieLechat]

I’ve been using Moleskine notebooks since around 2008 and have a stack of about 30 of them as journals. I like having the same format in a stack, so have kept buying them even though the quality has declined. Recently I found a Moleskine I was gifted in 2011, unused. The paper is wonderful and the entire notebook feels sturdier. This might be what gets me to switch…

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

Hi! Thanks for a really informative video! Hey, have you ever been to Tabula Rasa stationers in the greater Salt Lake City area?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I have, actually! Several times. And I want to go again. It's about an hour away from where I currently live. It's where I got my first fountain pen ink, my first real fountain pen paper (Rhodia), and a wooden pen box that sits on my desk. I've actually had the thought to do a video tour of Tabula Rasa for my channel.

[@kimberlytelford7235]

I live in Utah and have always ❤ Tabula Rasa as well! A tour would be a great video!

[@victoriabarclay3556]

In France, I grew up with Clairefontaine and Rhodia. Some I can find in art supply stores but my Mom would bring me some on her visits or mail them from France. All our school work had to be done in fountain pen, even math.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Using a fountain pen for math is intense! But I guess it will teach you to calculate and write carefully.

[@Techjunkie51]

You talked about the elastic band stretching out on one of your books, I bought a 2 pk of 5x8 art books for sketching on the go that has the thin bands like that. I used some 1 in. elastic band to make a loop to go around the book horizontally, and made two tight loops along the same piece to hold my pens. I found this to be good way to make sure it stays closed, and always have my pens available as they are attached to the band that’s on the book.

[@macmovieman1]

Loved your review and I agree with all of your assessments. I am in love with the LEUCHTTURM1917 - 120G Special Edition paper too. It’s by far the best and I am not going back.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I haven't tried the 120 GSM paper yet. I should!

[@Otto-rn4bj]

I wanted to love Leuchtturm, but whenever I would use my fountain pens there would be certain spots on the page that would not pick up my ink at all. Outright reject it, like it's waterproof. Here in Finland I discovered Victoria's journals, and I simply fell in love with the paper! Such good quality!

[@GarethJohnson]

Nice delivery and content. You have a new subscriber. Now you really do have to get some Tomoe River notebooks reviewed....

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I do, right!? I'd especially love to compare the old vs new Tomoe River paper on my channel. A viewer sent me some loose sheets of Tomoe River a while back, and I've been binding my own notebooks with it, which is fun. The trouble is that I don't know if I have the new paper or the old paper! Also, thank you for subscribing! I'll do my best to keep the production value as high as I can.

[@crcr1]

I really like the Lochby notebooks (and the field journal, too). Great paper quality!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@coloredbymaia6476]

Great video, im currently using up some moleskins and I can’t use my fountain pens 🖋️ because the ink bleeds through and I can’t use two sides of the paper, but my favorite is tomoe river paper. I’ve never tried lechtrum thanks for the recommendations ❤❤❤

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching! Leuchtturm definitely doesn't have the luxurious feel that Tomoe River does, but it generally works really well with fountain pens, and I've grown to really enjoy the feel of writing on it.

[@thedavidj1996]

I use the 18 month horizontal weekly planner soft cover for work and notes. I use a Platinum Preppy as my daily pen and I haven’t noticed any issues. The ink looks good, it doesn’t smudge or feather, though it does bleed a bit. The paper texture is good and gives me the right amount of feedback. Maybe I’m just lucky and I got one with good paper in it. Next time I need one I’ll definitely get something with MD or Tomoe River paper.

[@grreeeeee]

I love LT1917 with my Lamy and TWSBI and I love Stalogy with my Sailor and TWSBI .

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I'll have to look into Stalogy. Thanks!

[@AnarchySane]

I stopped worrying about the fountain pen in the notebook's context when I got caught in the rain and the bag with it got wet. The notes made with a fountain pen were unreadable, and with a ballpoint pen it was almost possible to read.

[@madsenlive]

Did a lot of note taking in the Pacific and learned the hard way that pencil is the best choice in wet conditions 😅

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

There are lots of great water resistant ink options for fountain pens.

[@mb3938]

Rohrer & Klingner sketchINK (waterproof and affordable!!!) plus it does not clog the fountain pens!

[@janiekcarney5482]

I enjoy paper comparisons. Thanks.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching!

[@moreofthatjazz]

I am not sure about their journal quality but oxford is a brand with great fountain pen paper! I am a student from germany and most of us were taught to write with a fountain pen, so oxford is pretty popular here. I guess you could compare them to clairefontaine.

[@cobwebsandcatnip]

I don't know where to turn now that the Tomoe River paper has changed. I can't find a thin smooth fountain pen friendly paper anywhere. Anyone know of a TR substitute out there? I'm noticing a general drop in paper quality - every time a company changes hands or starts outsourcing their products the quality always suffers. Great informative video, thank you.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Have you heard of Onion Skin Journal? It's not a Tomoe River replacement, but the paper is thin and has a really interesting personality. It's not for everyone, but It's worth looking into to see if it might be something you would enjoy. Here's the link to my review if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4vYh2qNp7CUb5I

[@MissMarilynDarling]

Cvs Pharmacy Cvs Caliber composition , cvs filler paper, I love the filler paper for letter writing its great for teaching calligraphy or things where you need to see guidelines under the paper its just as good as tomoe river as far as bleed through and feathering go and it really shows off the sheeny dhady shimmery properties ... give it a go let me know what you think :)

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@marius2738]

Great video! Ordered Leuchttrum notebook. But I couldn't find a nice pen for myself. Perhaps you have a recommendation for ballpoint/rollerball gel pen that dries quickly?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I'm not a huge ballpoint user, but I do have a few I like. A cheap but classic option is the Parker Jotter. If you want to spend a bit more, an amazing pen is the bolt action pen made by Bastian. I'm going to be doing a review on mine soon.

[@marius2738]

@@DowntheBreatherHole Thank you for responding! I ended up buying Leuchtturm Drehgriffe with gel ink. It's a ceramic ballpoint pen and at that price point I think it's pretty good value. Although since it's spring loaded it's common to hear that spring click form time to time whenever I press the pen more firmly

[@christianebehr138]

Thank you ever so much for introducing the Notebooks, I am Sure to get them a try. Greetings 😊

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@sparklefulpaladin]

I've gotten a little bit of the fingerprint problem with Leuchtturm, but not badly, mostly with the 1.1mm stub nibs. Other than that, they're great. If you don't mind ghosting, just about any notebook with Tomoe River paper is also a solid choice, though fountain pens tend to take awhile to dry on that. Apica and the Kokuyo notebooks are also solid choices. The other decent choice that I've found is Artist's Loft. While it's not as good as Rhodia or Midori or the others, I've definitely found it to be way better than Moleskine for only a fraction of the cost. Their "premium" (120 gsm, 180 pages) notebook holds up decently enough to use fine tipped fountain pens and dries quickly, though there is slight ghosting with the broad nibbed pens.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I don't mind some ghosting. I've actually bound some of my own notebooks with Tomoe River paper, and I'm excited to give them a try once I'm done with my current homemade notebook, which has Rhodia paper in it.

[@williamnettleton3413]

Rhodia is my holy Grail of paper. Found them 3 or 4 years ago and love it. I use it in my padfolio, and pocket notebook. Surprisingly never plunged into this size for them. I love my leuchtturm 120g notebooks. I use them for work and every day use. Moleskine pro planners are great and keep me organized but i am using my uniball jetstream pens on those at work. If leuchtturm made something like that i would never look at moleskine again. Any recommendatuons on leather or canvas covers for notebooks and pocket books?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for your comment! Since I make my own, I'm afraid I can't recommend any notebook covers. There are a lot of options out there, but a lot of them seem really expensive to me. I prefer my homemade free option. Haha

[@bettersteps]

I've never and an issue with the quality or paper of the Moleskine. I think this is because they're not meant to last for extended periods of time. If you write in them, you go through them faster than they wear.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I guess that might be true. But I still hold to my point that there are more durable notebooks with higher quality paper in the same price range.

[@NerfHerder909]

I've used every one of these aside from the Endless Recorder- Leuchtturm was always my go-to, but lately I've been in a Midori and really enjoying it. I love the smoothness of Rhodia and Clairefontaine, but I find that my ink takes significantly longer to dry on those, I think because of the way the paper is coated or something, whereas Leuchtturm and Midori don't share that issue. You can also get a plastic cover to put on your Midori notebooks to keep them from getting unduly grungy and beat up if you carry them around in a bag, which is helpful, since they don't have a typical, leatherette cover.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for your comment! I think you are right about the ink dry time on these different papers.

[@asexualatheist3504]

Just subbed. Glad to have found your channel The Clairefontaine paper is excellent. The book cover reacts to humidity a bit and curls. At least in my experience. I am fond of leuchturm. I’ll have to try the midori.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Glad you found me! Some Clairefontaine notebooks have laminated covers. I wonder if that might help with the issues you mentioned.

[@cynthiamarvin2823]

Have you tried OtterBlotter? An ad for it kept showing up in my Instagram so I ordered some. I waited until their gridded books were available. (I prefer gridded or blank over lined.) Got 2 of them last week. I love them. I use fountains pens most of the time.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation! I love the name!

[@PourMeOne]

I used to buy only moleskine and then I noticed my ink starting to not write on sections of the paper. I bought a Leuchturm1917 and sold all of my unused moleskines on eBay.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Selling your extra Moleskine notebooks on eBay is genius! One of these days I'll probably sell my stationery surplus there as well.

[@wernervdwesthuizen]

I used the Endless Recorder notebooks and it is brilliant for fountain pens.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Have you had any of the troubles with the Endless Recorder that I mentioned in this video?

[@el.7636]

Conceptum Notebooks are amazing too! I mostly use Leuchtturm and conceptum. Our TKMaxx stores in Germany (i think it’s called different in the US?) are selling those for about 5€.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

Archer& Olive notebooks are pricy but the paper is really thick and perfect for fp's. I appreciate your reviews. I've purchased two of the Kaco pen cases, based on your review. They are just what I needed.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Awesome! Glad you like those cases!

[@themoonandhelvetica195]

Recently got a Maruman Mnemosyne: I gotta say, its pages are quite different from the Moleskine/Leuchtturm notebooks (silky smooth, thin pages) but I think they're really great for fountain pens. I started using them for a combination if illustration and journaling and I find it a completely different experience. (I used Leuchtturm 1917s)

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I've heard good things about Maruman Mnemosyne. I'll have to give them a try one of these days.

[@Katiedora122]

I didn't start with Moleskine when I really got into stationary and pens (I actually started with LT1917 on a whim), so I think I benefited from knowing specifically what I wanted when I tried it. When I worked in an office, I kept a Moleskine on my desk (A5 softcover or bigger) and it was perfect for all my job notes. Now, I tend to keep one for traveling (A5 or smaller) because I know it'll get a bit beat up and I don't bring expensive supplies with me. A few of these notebooks are definitely on my list to try, but I'm also a lefty so every notebook, pen, and ink combination is always a fun experiment😅

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I've been trying to write left handed because my right wrist is having problems. It's been a really interesting experiment. I don't know how you lefties do it!

[@crowonthepowerlines]

I have been using Rhodia recently and like them fairly well, but I will definitely check out Midori after seeing this. The way their binding seems to lay flat and the low cost make them look pretty nice.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yes, Midori notebooks are simple but quite impressive at the same time.

[@tom_olofsson]

Thank you. Exactly the intel I needed.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Glad I could help!

[@davidprewitt1050]

Glad I found this video ... I've liked and subscribed! Midori is my favorite paper. You've had better luck with Leuchtturm1917 than I did. (I wasn't using fountain pens at the time, but I thought the ghosting was horrible compared to the Rhodia Webnotebook that I had been using.) Now, I'm a pen/ink/paper Goldilocks continually seeking perfection.

[@brettcody76]

Where do you buy the Clairefontaine? Would you consider putting links in your info above in the future?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I thought about including links, but all of these notebooks are widely available in online shops, such as Goulet Pens, Truphae, Goldspot, etc. as well as Amazon. In the future, I'll do my best to include links to the products I talk about.

[@WaywardPondering]

The Leutchtturm1917 has been my go to for years after switching from Moleskine. The numbered pages and dotted ruling are a game changer. From a leather maker, I bought a cover that protects the notebook. Such a great product.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

A leather slip cover + Leutchtturm1917 notebook sounds amazing!

[@merikkumaa]

Im curious about how you keep a journal with your wife. My husband and I just got married and we got a journal as a gift but do we sit together to write? Or does one write some days and the other on different days? Just curious on your set up. Thanks

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Great questions! Each day, we both write a short entry that captures something from the day we want to remember, especially something about the other person. So if something cool happens that I want to remember, I'll definitely jot it down, but usually I'm trying to think about my wife's strengths and how I saw them manifesting that day. I definitely recommend trying it out. It's fun to be able to look back on any day and get a window into what we were doing, as well as a reminder of how cool my wife is.

[@gutsguiltgreed639]

I've also defected away from Moleskine in recent years for all the reasons you mentioned! Good old KZbin algorithm got you a new subscriber ^-^

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thank you so much for subscribing!

[@user-hy8qd9uq4u]

Thank you for an interesting review! I think I will try the Rhodia. I like the Leuchtturm 1917 notebook with 120 gsm paper, because I usually both write and draw with fine liners in my notebook. The 120 gsm paper doesn't bleed through like the 80 gsm does.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I think you will like Rhodia a lot! It's probably my favorite at this point.

[@iRAWRatLIONS]

Thank you for the comprehensive review. Ps your lampshade is tilted and it's killing me 😂

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Wow, you are very detail oriented, aren't you? I went back and watched the video to check on this. Yeah, it's crooked, but just barely. I have since tried to straighten it out, but no promises. haha

[@harisivakumar207]

Hey Brian! - My name is Hari and I watched your video on the recommended notebooks to try (which by the way is the most popular video on your channel, so congrats!) and it’s more than just useful! It can help me find the paper that’s best for my fountain pens without having to deal with feathering and bleeding. - I already got a Moleskine and a Leuchtturm notebooks. The paper quality on the Leuchtturm is slightly better than the Moleskine, but from my experience it still bleeds and feathers a little bit. It must have been a wet writing nib on one of my fountain pens. - I am definitely going to try the Clairefontaine Clothbound and the Midori MD at some point in the future. I already got three Endless Recorder notebooks that have Tomoe River paper instead of the Regalia which I am DESPERATE to try, but haven’t yet. They got better paper than the ones I have currently. - Thanks you so very much for the suggestions, Brian, and happy writing! - P.S. How often do you reply to comments?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I respond as often as I can! Usually that's to all comments, though I do miss some here and there.

[@origamichik3n]

I swapped Moleskine for Rhodia Rhodiarama. So far, the paper handled not only any fountain pen nib that i threw at it, but also ink swatching, which involved several layers of ink put on with wide brush. I also bought "Atoms to astronauts" notebook out of curiosity and it seems to handle fountain pens just as well.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Interesting! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@sea_hous]

I just had some half the paper in my crappy notebook fall out. The pages are a little smaller than printer paper. Are you familiar with this quality of a notebook in a larger size? : )

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Some of these brands do make A4 notebooks. It's worth doing some research to see what you can find. For example, I've used clothbound Clairefontaine notebooks that were A4 size before.

[@feyHiker]

A while back I looked for the proper pronunciation of Moleskine on the company's site and mol-uh-skeen-uh was the result. Moleskin is an entirely different product.

[@moonlightfilms5279]

My absolute favorite are Midori, especially for school when I need multiple books. I like to have a sturdier journal for my everyday jounal especially when writing without a hard surface, but I keep a stack of Midori md notebooks on my desk!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I love Midori so much. Very practical, simple, and inexpensive, but so nice to use.

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

I have a moleskine for my art and I really don’t like the coating that inconsistently covers the page making absorption and repelling happen randomly. Can’t wait to finish it so I can move onto better ones.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

You have a lot to look forward to!

[@MBfan146]

Why is Moleskin considered a premium notepad, the paper is horrible for fountain pens.

[@ffotograffydd]

It used to be very good. The current company making them relies on that reputation despite their notebooks being inferior.

[@LazyStory]

Moleskine is bad for everything. I use more books for drawing than writing, and the paper also fails a bit with pencils, but with ballpoint pens it is just grusome ! .. and I often use BP for sketching on the go, like Uni Jetstream.... just "impossible" with Moleskine

[@nparaggiomusic]

I love the Life Noble Note series for my fountain pen use. They're a little hard to find sometimes.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@heygabimara545]

Also just an additional note, the yellow hobonichi notebook has tomoe river paper and packs a LOT of pages. I think around 200-300? And it's as thin as the midori

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Wow! Good to know! Yeah, I just made a notebook with a similar page count. I used Tomoe River paper, so it only looks like it has 100 pages max.

[@leticiatoraci9855]

I have a reading journal from Leuchtturm where eventually the spine got loose and the journal fell appart. I only use it normally, not too much grinding.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

That's weird! I've never had that happen.

[@wadeevans8739]

I used to use moleskin little back pocket notebooks. I carried them on short trips. The pages just started coming out. I put it in a baggie and put in a drawer and never bought another one. Thanks for this video. I appreciated very much.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for watching!

[@sparklefulpaladin]

I'd suggest looking into the Apica notebooks (they come in pocket size)!

[@twraia]

I've been using Midori notebooks in the last couple of years. They make a variety of different textures as far as I know, and all of them work with fountain pen. Their notebooks also lie flat pretty well. The problem I have with them is, sometimes the waxed surface of the paper is uneven, so you may find that sometimes the ink won't stick to the paper as evenly.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Interesting. I haven't had that issue, as far as I know, but I haven't used very many Midori notebooks yet.

[@kimlindseyOH]

Good analysis - thanks! I love Clairefontaine paper, so their notebooks and Rhodia are my go-tos. I also like Apica - another brand for you to try. I used to be able to buy hardbound Clairefontaine A5 notebooks but I can't find them anymore; should have stocked up when I had the chance LOL. One additional point you didn't cover is whether the paper is white or cream. I wish the Rhodia Webnotebook came with white dot-grid paper instead of just cream, but as far as I know it doesn't. I also wish I liked Leuchturm better, but for me the quality is too similar to Moleskine (maybe it's because I'm left-handed?). I've never tried Midori, so thanks for the recommendation!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I think you are right about the Rhodia Webnotebook. As far as I know, it's just cream paper. I think you'd love Midori! The paper is also creamy, but maybe not to the same extreme.

[@operalove7221]

Leuchturm for the win, every time. Graph squares layout is my favourite, followed by the dot grid layout. I love the paper - very tactile and not glaring white.

[@allisone7909]

I don't use Moleskine due to bleed through and feathering when using fountain pens, but also when using Pilot Frixtion. On another note, I usually paint clear nail varnish on the bottom of ribbon/woven page markers so that they don't fray. I use a leather cover on my notebooks and so the notebooks are well protected. I have, like and recommend Rhodia Goalbook 90gsm. Midori, Stalogy, Hobonichi, Wanderings and Travellers Company all more than Leuctturm 1917.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@lemonwoodcourt]

The BBC needs to produce a new series, “The Moleskine Murders”, wherein the mystery is solved by fingerprints that show through the ink! Great Video! ❤

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

hahahaha