Nebula Note Notebook with Platinum 3776 Pen

In Praise of Perforated Pages: The Nebula Note "Casual Note" Notebook

June 29, 2022

Colorverse Ink, with their numerous “seasons” of ink and interesting colors, have established themselves as a stalwart in the ink world, and it was only a matter of time before they turned to paper. Featuring 120 pages of ink-friendly, 90gsm paper, Colorverse’s “Nebula Note Casual Note” notebook offers yet another excellent fountain pen friendly option. The notebook shown here features a durable twin-ring spiral binding, a fairly sturdy kraft/cardstock cover, three different ruling options, and - wait for it - PERFORATED PAGES.

Colorverse Nebula Note Notebook with Perforated Pages — The perforations tear easily and cleanly.

I sometimes feel like I’m shouting into the void with paper companies and perforations. For those of us with day jobs that require us to be able to organize, file, and, yes, sometimes destroy specific pieces of notes or writing, perforations are key. (Unless you’re one of those strange people who loves picking paper scraps out of a spiral binding. Anyone who used a Mead notebook in high school knows what I’m talking about.) Currently, this “Casual Note” notebook and the Maruman Mnemosyne series are my perforated options of choice.

Colorverse Nebula Note Notebook with writing samples — I experienced no feathering with the Nebula Note paper, and since it’s textured and slightly absorbent, fairly quick dry times.

As one would expect from an ink company, Nebula Note notebooks features very good paper. I would compare the feel to a thicker, slightly more textured 68gsm Tomoe River. Colorverse markets this paper as “ink proof,” meaning that you’re supposed to be able to use it to write and swatch inks. I can’t dispute their characterization - I really pushed this paper scribbling with fairly wet pens and a sharp needlepoint and couldn’t get the paper to bleed.

Colorverse Nebula Note Notebook Reverse Writing Sample Zero Bleed — Zero bleed-through, and not much show through even with darker inks. You can easily use both sides of a page.

Colorverse Nebula Note Notebook Features Textured Paper — Here you can see the texture. If you’re not a fan of toothy paper, you may not enjoy the writing experience, but I found it tactile without being “scratchy”.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

My overall opinion is that this is excellent paper, and I wish that more spiral notebooks featured perforated pages like this one. While things are getting better, those “ink proof” spiral notebooks that are also practical enough to use at work remain few and far between, and I’ve been tearing through this one fast enough that I’ll probably look to pick up a few more at the D.C. Pen Show in August.

Some people may not like the “nebula” hologram on the cover, but I think it sets off my Platinum Karakusa (shown in the top photo) nicely!

You can purchase the Colorverse Nebula Note Casual Note from our friends at Vanness Pens, priced at $15. The Casual Note comes in three different rulings: dot grid, lined, and blank. The cover pictured here is called “oil green”, but other options exist, as well as additional notebooks that I look forward to trying out in the future.

This notebook was sent to me by Luxury Brands, the Colorverse U.S. distributor, free of charge for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. This post does NOT contain affiliate links.

Notebook Review: Nina Cosford Sketchbook and Rediscovering Blank Notebooks

May 18, 2022

I’ve never been a huge user of blank notebooks, always opting for at least a dot grid, which to me offers a good balance of flexibility with some minimal structure for notes. As I mainly use my stationery for taking notes or journaling, I’ve never really needed a “sketchbook,” per se, but I do keep one or two blank notebooks lying around to test pens and inks, especially with crazy nibs. When Nina Cosford, a well-known illustrator based in the U.K., reached out and asked if I’d like to review her sketchbook, I was in the middle of a “make-an-inky-mess” project and thought this looked like an intriguing thing to review, even if it’s a bit outside-the-box in terms of what I normally write about. I’m glad I took this particular project on, as this sketchbook features excellent 100gsm paper that I plan to use frequently going forward.

The Nina Cosford Sketchbook as a Project

As I mentioned above, Nina Cosford is an illustrator and lifelong sketchbook enthusiast, who, unable to find that “perfect product” - something we can all relate to - set out to create her own! The result is this roughly 7” x 9” sketchbook that contains 80 sheets of plain, slightly off-white 100gsm paper bound in a softcover vegan cover with a red elastic band. (I would compare the size to the “F2” Midori MD Cotton notebook, maybe slightly smaller.) It’s a simple, understated working sketchbook that feels durable and contains excellent paper. You can read more about Nina, her work, and the process she went through in developing this sketchbook on her website.

Nina Cosford Sketchbook Paper Test — This slightly off-white paper shows off shading nicely!

As you all know, I usually work in fountain pen ink, so when I tested the sketchbook my biggest concern was how well it would perform without bleedthrough or feathering on very wet nibs. I shouldn’t have worried - Nina Cosford is a Caran d’Ache ambassador who works in marker and other media that requires quality paper, and this sketchbook held up very well to whatever I could throw at it. The paper shows off ink properties quite nicely, including shading and shimmer.

Nina Cosford Sketchbook Paper Test (Reverse) — This sketchbook uses a 100gsm paper that feels coated, so it resists feathering and bleedthrough. You would really have to layer the ink on in order to get this paper to bleed, especially since it was designed to work with marker.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I really enjoyed trying out this sketchbook and can definitely see myself using it in the future for ink testing and drawing/doodling with pens, inks, and other media. Honestly, I’m trying to expand my repertoire to include more creative journaling, since I feel that all I do is work lately and I really want to get back to playing around with my stationery “just for fun.” You can purchase the Nina Cosford Sketchbook directly from her website, priced at $16, which is quite reasonable given the quality. If you enjoy sketching or journaling in mixed media, and especially if you enjoy using fountain pens or markers, this sketchbook makes for an excellent option whether you use it for art or writing or both.

I was provided this sketchbook free of charge, as a review sample. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Case Review: Lochby Field Journal Notebook Cover

April 20, 2022

Continuing my series of reviews of products that are easily accessible to me (i.e., being carried with me everywhere I go while my home and office are under construction), I turn to another recent addition to my daily carry: the Lochby Field Journal in brown. Currently, this particular notebook cover holds my Theme System Journal and a Nanami Paper Seven Seas Writer that I use for a NaNoWriMo novel-in-progress (that, sadly, has fallen by the wayside). Paired with my Standard Traveler’s Notebook in blue, the Field Journal is with me pretty much every day from mornings at home through, more recently, longer nights at the office. Is this case a good fit for you? I discuss some pros and cons below.

Lochby Field Journal Size Comparison — The Lochby Field Journal, compared against the Standard Traveler’s Notebook (right), and a 13-inch MacBook Air (top).

What I Enjoy About This Case

Durable Waxed Canvas Build. Like all Lochby products, the Field Journal features vegan-friendly waxed canvas, with no leather components. While I’m not vegan, I love the look of waxed canvas in general, and multiple items in my personal daily carry share this aesthetic. Waxed canvas is water-repellant, and looks great as it ages. Plus, all Lochby covers and cases are double-stitched and bartacked for durability. The aluminum clip attaches securely to canvas loops on the cover, and you can pull the strap to tighten the closure. (It will hold!)
Yellow Interior. Ok, so this is a personal point, but if a product is made with yellow or dark red interior, I will buy it. There simply aren’t enough stationery items on the market with this color scheme for me not to go all-in. (And for those of you who would prefer something a bit more muted, note that the interior lining to the Navy and Charcoal Field Journals feature different shades of tan.)
Notebook Versatility. The Field Journal fits standard A5 notebooks, and can fit up to six “softcover slim" notebooks, like the refills sold by Lochby. To fit this many notebooks in the cover, you use a Traveler’s-style cord system to attach four refills, as well as slots inside the front and back covers for two more. As I mentioned above, the cover easily holds two relatively thick, full-size notebooks like the Theme System Journal and the Seven Seas Writer, both of which I attach using the cords.
Compatibility with Other Lochby Products. The outside pocket of the Field Journal is designed to hold either the Quattro Pen Case or the Pocket Journal, so you can use the Field Journal as your main daily carry item if you want a smaller, handheld carry-all. Lochby includes a strap on the spine of the Field Journal for this purpose.

Lochby Field Journal (Brown w/ Yellow Interior) — The interior of the Brown Lochby Field Journal. You can secure the refills using the four cords or the cover flaps.

If yellow isn’t your thing, the Charcoal and Navy Field Journals (pictured here) feature different shades of tan interior.

Potential Drawbacks

Closure. Some people may not appreciate the strap and metal clip. While I don’t find the Lochby mechanism particularly cumbersome, especially as the loops soften up over time, it does take some getting used to and may add a few seconds to the time it takes you to close your notebook when you’re finished working.
Open Sides. While the Lochby Field Journal closes securely, and will certainly remain closed in your bag, it does feature open sides, meaning the edges of your notebook and whatever papers you keep inside aren’t protected from the elements or other items in your bag. Personally, this isn’t a big deal to me. I use other open-sided cases like the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter and Traveler’s Notebooks, but many prefer the ultimate security of a case with a full zipper that extends all the way around the outside.
Size. The Field Journal is not a slim case, and can get pretty thick but if you’re someone who carries up to six A5 notebooks with you at any time this likely won’t be an issue for you.

I use two larger A5 refills, secured by cords, and then use the interior cover slots to hold index cards.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Overall, the Field Journal is an excellent utilitarian notebook cover capable of holding multiple refills and daily essentials, and pairs well with other items in the Lochby lineup. At $59 (including one 68gsm Tomoe River refill), it’s attractively priced, leaving you room in your budget to stock up on more paper or even another case like the Quattro (which holds four pens) or the Pocket Journal (which holds pens and a pocket notebook). I’ve been using the Field Journal regularly as a larger counterpart to my Traveler’s Notebook, and I don’t see myself swapping it out anytime soon.

Lochby Field Journal with Traveler's Notebook — I have no fear of carrying thicker notebooks.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop carries a selection of Lochby Products, including the Field Journal in three different colors. Each Field Journal ships with a dot grid refill, with other rulings (lined, blank, and planner) available for purchase separately. All Lochby refills feature 68gsm Tomoe River paper, which is fountain pen friendly and gives you a high page count in a thin format. For further reading, check out my recent review of the Lochby Quattro Four-Pen Case, which is back in stock.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Lochby and all other products we stock.

My Traveler'sRoterfadenLochbyPlotter Notebook "System"

March 30, 2022

Working at a large corporate organization can be a masterclass in how different people manage large volumes of information. If there’s one constant I’ve noticed, it’s that even today, the majority of people use a hybrid analog-digital system to keep a calendar and take notes. For me, this acts as a failsafe - important dates and notes (especially dates and deadlines) are double-recorded in analog and digital formats. My own “system” is a bit of a mess in that it involves several different notebooks in regular rotation, all with different notetaking and writing styles depending on use. (As you all know, in addition to my full-time job, I have a lot of serious hobbies and other outside interests that I track in different notebooks.) That said, my methodology makes sense to me, and it’s provided the opportunity to evaluate a number of different notebooks and notebook systems over the years. I thought it might be interesting to offer my general thoughts on four that I’ve been using fairly regularly recently, including what I like about them, what I would improve, and who I think this notebook system would be good for.

Traveler’s Notebook

The Traveler’s Notebook is the system I’ve used the longest and most consistently, going on six years now. My Blue Standard Size serves as my daily work planner, notebook, scratch-pad, and travel wallet, and I typically keep it kitted out with 2-3 separate refills, a few folders and a zippered pouch. It’s honestly the one stationery item I can’t see myself giving up. Part of this is sentimental, since there are more versatile and less proprietary options out there, but the way in which the Traveler’s Notebook’s size and functionality dovetails with my own portability needs and notetaking style makes it difficult to replace.

Who It’s For: Those who value portability and move around a lot. (Hence the name). I enjoy the Traveler’s Notebook for work because it’s easy to slip into any bag or suitcase, and it’s also compact enough to easily carry around from meeting to meeting so that I have my notes and calendar with me at all time. It provides just enough room for me to do the kind of writing I need without taking up the space of a full-size A5 notebook.
Advantages: Traveler’s Company makes a wide array of refills and accessories that allow you to customize your notebook, in addition to third-party options. The long+narrow paper format is excellent for those who take notes in a bullet-style or list format. (I am one of those people.) The leather covers are extremely durable, and if the elastic cords stretch or break they are inexpensive and easy to replace.
Disadvantages: Some might find the long+narrow paper format too restricting for journaling or long-form writing, in which case they might consider a Roterfaden or a Lochby. Also, most Traveler’s and Traveler’s-compatible refills don’t have a high page count (unless you opt for lightweight Tomoe River refills), but you can cut down larger A5 notebooks and make your own.
Where to Get One: Traveler’s Notebooks and refills are readily available at stationery retailers around the world, including the T.G.S. Curated Shop. (And we appreciate your support!)

Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter

The German notebook system with the long name is probably the most versatile of the bunch, in that it uses metal binder clips that allow you to fasten a wide variety of refills (and full notebooks) into various standard-size covers. I don’t use my Taschenbegleiters on a daily basis, but I have two: one Traveler’s-sized one that holds some irregularly used refills containing parts of my personal journal, and another A5 cover that holds some project-specific notebooks.

Who It’s For: Those who manage a large number of separate notebooks and value the ability to easily swap them in and out of a cover regularly, as well as those who want to avoid systems that require proprietary refills.
Advantages: Versatility, versatility, versatility. As long as you have the correct size Taschenbegleiter, you can probably figure out a way to make your favorite notebook work. Metal notebook clips are very durable and will not stretch or need replacement over time like elastic cord-based systems.
Disadvantages: The cover can get quite bulky if you try to include more than 2-3 thicker refills, making it hard to lay the notebook flat for writing. The edges of the binder clips can fray and even tear the pages of your notebook if you prefer thinner paper like Tomoe River. The elastic band that closes the notebook tends to stretch over time. While Roterfaden covers are generally well-made and durable, they are also expensive.
Where to Get One: While Taschenbegleiters are becoming more popular worldwide, and some U.S.-based retailers such as Baumkuchen stock them, if you want a specific size or color you may need to order directly from Roterfaden in Germany.

Lochby Field Journal

My Lochby Field Journal is new to the rotation, and I’ve used it to hold my personal “Theme System” journal as well as a Nanami Seven Seas Writer that I’ve been meaning to use for some long-neglected creative writing projects. Two key selling points of the Lochby are the aircraft-grade aluminum clip closure, durable waxed-canvas construction, and integration with other items from the Lochby lineup such as the Pocket Journal and “Quattro” four-pen case. These smaller Lochby cases can actually fit in the back pocket of the Field Journal, though it may be a tight squeeze if you keep the notebook overstuffed.

Who It’s For: Those who want the versatility of a Roterfaden with a more secure closure that won’t stretch, and heavier-duty construction. Those who prefer waxed canvas to leather, which Lochby expressly states is Vegan-friendly.
Advantages: Feels indestructible. Cord-and-pocket binder system allows you to include up to six softcover-slim notebook refills, which Lochby sells in 68gsm Tomoe River paper, allowing for easy management of multiple projects in one notebook. Notebooks lie flat relatively easily, even when the cover is at capacity. For the quality of construction, the Lochby Field Journal represents an excellent value proposition at around $60.
Disadvantages: The aesthetic may be a bit too “industrial” or “tactical” for some. Clip closure takes some getting used to. I could personally live without the “handle” or strap on the spine.
Where to Get One: Lochby is a relatively new brand, with a small retail footprint. I am proud to be a Lochby stockist and sell this product directly.

Plotter

I adore my “narrow” Plotter notebook but am still struggling to find a regular use for it. This classic six-ring Japanese notebook system from DesignPhil, the makers of Midori and Traveler’s Notebook, features high-quality construction, excellent in-house paper options, and a clean aesthetic. My own difficulties with it stem from the fact that I just haven’t discovered where this particular notebook fits into my workflow, particularly since the “narrow” size limits the use (for me at least) to quick notes and short to-do lists. Currently, I’m using my Plotter cover as a portable binder to organize brainstorming notes on various in-progress posts and projects for T.G.S. Look for more Plotter-related content in the future, as I’m slotted to purchase a larger A5 size soon, which might break into the regular rotation.

Who It’s For: Those who prefer a ringed binder system that allows you to easily organize and reorganize your notes and other content on a page-by-page basis, as well as those looking for a ringed notebook system that has excellent paper readily available in Plotter-compatible
Advantages: Highly integrated system with notepads, notebooks, folders, and binders all designed to work with one another. For example, you can write on a fountain-pen friendly Plotter notepad (which is bound like a notebook), and then decide later whether to tear off a sheet and add it to your binder, where you can organize loose notes by topic. I like that the Plotter notepads can be kept intact and used independently of the binder system, though I have yet to test their durability for daily carry.
Disadvantages: The highly integrated nature of the system could be seen as a disadvantage to many. Plotter is relatively new, and the cost of entry is high. The rings on Plotter binders/notebook covers are fairly small, limiting capacity. Those who carry a thicker notebook because they use a lot of paper or take a lot of notes will probably want to explore something that holds more paper.
Where to Get One: Currently, Plotter is sold directly via the Plotter USA website.

This post is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of any single “notebook system”, but rather a quick reference guide to help you discover which, if any, might be right for you. Everyone’s needs and preferences are different. Is there a notebook system that you use and love that you think I should know about? Please drop me a line or leave a comment!

This post does not contain paid advertisements or third-party affiliate links, though the T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of both Traveler’s Notebook and Lochby products. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Notebook Review: The Theme System Journal

February 26, 2022

In these early morning hours, I’m struck by the thought that I should most likely be writing in my journal instead of online writing about journaling, but thus are the perils of stationery blogging! I will say that it’s much easier to build a morning or evening journaling routine , especially at first, when you have a quality personal journal with some, but not too much, structure. That’s where the Cortex Theme System Journal shines.

Built around concepts discussed in the “Yearly Themes” episodes of the Cortex podcast, the Theme System Journal offers “a simple framework for daily journaling”, allowing you to adapt it to your personal themes and how you choose to track your own individual needs and goals. While I won’t go into the intricacies of the “Theme System” in great depth, it’s built around the concept of planning for and organizing your year around broader “themes” instead of more traditional “goals” or “resolutions”. That’s not to say that you can’t have specific goals or resolutions within the context of each “theme,” but the idea is that themes are more adaptable as the year goes on, allowing you to adjust and stay on track even if a particular goal or resolution doesn’t work out. it’s an approach I’ve taken over the past couple of years, as reflected in my "Intentions for 2022” series of posts that I published around New Year’s Day. To learn more about the Theme System, check out the Theme System website or give the Cortex Podcast a listen. But you don’t need to do an intensive study of “the system” to find the journal useful as a stand-alone product. Its layout is fairly intuitive and I could see use cases beyond personal and professional development journaling.

Layout and Functionality

The notebook is broken down in to several different sections, including four “Theme” Pages where you can develop your Annual/Quarterly/Monthly themes; 90 daily journal pages, though these are undated so you can journal more or less frequently should you choose; 12 “Daily Theme Pages” that allow you to track specific tasks/habits/guideposts or anything else that you might like to follow on a daily basis; 13 pages for notes; and two pages for an index. The version that I currently have is from the first run, which does not have the blank pages for notes, just the theme, journal, and tracking pages with the index template inside the back cover.

I hope you understand that nearly all of my journaling themes are highly personal and/or work-specific, so I won’t show you actual pictures of the journal in use here, but I can tell you that I find the layout to be both intuitive and flexible, Again, you can check out the Theme System website for actual examples of “themes” and how one would incorporate them into the layout if one were strictly following the system.

What I will do is show you how I’ve chosen to use the daily journaling page, which consists of four unlabeled boxes. I use the first box for short gratitude journaling, or briefly noting things I’m thankful for or which made me happy that particular day. The second is for a quote that I found particularly interesting or inspiring, since I’m trying to read at least 30 minutes every day. The third is my “anything” box, where I typically recount a few of the day’s significant events and how they relate to my annual themes/intentions. Finally, the fourth is a short box where I try to summarize how I’m currently feeling about things in a single word or short phrase.

I’ve been using the Tracking Pages mostly for general habit tracking, as opposed to anything specifically theme-related.

I’m honestly not sure what I would use the index for, so it will probably remain blank. I tend to journal chronologically, though I assume that if I ever wanted to organize my journaling by highlighting those entries that touched on a certain subject, I could use these pages.

Specs and Build Quality

Whether you use it for Theme System-style journaling or not, this is a great notebook built around functionality, and was originally developed in collaboration with Studio Neat, makers of the Panobook and Totebook. Like the Totebook, the Theme System Journal has a similar soft cover featuring a debossed Cortex logo, a lay flat thread sewn binding, and Munken Lynx 100gsm paper that so far has handled every fountain pen and every ink I’ve used in this notebook. I’ve heard that others have managed to make this paper bleed and/or feather, but no matter how hard I’ve tried, I have never experienced any issues. For functional everyday journaling, this notebook is more than adequate.

Theme System Journal in Lochby Field Journal — As you can see here, the Theme System Journal is only slightly smaller than the Nanami Seven Seas Writer.

The Theme System Journal is what I call “A5-ish” size, meaning that it’s slightly smaller than a standard A5 but not so much that it won’t fit most A5 notebook covers. I have had success using my Theme System Journal in both an A5 Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter and a Lochby Field Journal (pictured here).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Two months in, the Theme System Journal has taken hold and I can see this as a long-term replacement for the A6 Hobonichi Techo, which I used for years before I found myself wanting something with just a bit more structure and space to write. Do I journal every day? No, I have mornings where I’m just not inspired, but I would say I’ve stuck with it a solid 5/7 days through the first two months of the year.

You can purchase the Theme System Journal directly from Cortex Brand, with orders fulfilled via Cotton Bureau. The Theme System Journal costs $25 for a single notebook, but you can save $5 if you purchase a subscription, which will ensure you get a notebook each quarter. While there have been stock shortages of the Theme System Journal in the past, I understand that supply issues are now resolved.

I purchased the Theme Journal featured here with my own funds, for my own use. This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links, and I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!