You may have seen me link in recent posts to the new line of updated Bull & Stash notebooks, and I've finally gotten around to taking some pics! Last year, I reviewed the original Bull & Stash "Stash" notebook, which was a softcover notebook with Midori Traveler's Notebook-style proportions (which could actually be modified to accept MTN-style refills, in addition to the proprietary Bull & Stash refills). The new notebook reviewed here, the A5-ish "Leonard" Journal, steps up the quality and functionality, though the continued use of proprietary Bull & Stash refills will likely limit this notebook's popularity.
The leather - both outside and in - is a huge upgrade on the new Bull & Stash Notebook.
The design of the Bull & Stash Leonard makes it very easy to clip a pen to the inside, even a moderately large pen like this Edison Menlo. The notebook will still close with the pen, and the cover has magnets inside to keep it shut.
The cover stays closed, even with the pen inside.
The proprietary Bull & Stash refill hasn't changed. The regular 60lb paper is not the most fountain pen friendly, and there will be some feathering and bleedthrough. That said, you're not meant to write on both sides of the page. It's more of a "notepad" setup, where each page is perforated and can be torn out. Bull & Stash separately sells 110lb "Fountain Pen" refills, which I've not had the opportunity to try.
The new Bull & Stash notebooks have added functionality in the form of an inside pocket and card slots, which look very similar to those featured in other products such as the Bellroy Folio A5.
The Bull & Stash Leonard, left, compared against the Baron Fig Confidant, in a One-Star Leather Goods Cover.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Like most notebook "systems," whether or not the Bull & Stash Leonard will work for you depends on how you use paper and whether you mind writing only on one side of the page. If you use notebooks primarily as "jotters," and either scan or throw out pages after you're done with them, this may be a system that works well for you. Personally, I don't find this type of paper particularly practical, so my Bull & Stash products only get used infrequently, and mainly as notepads that I keep in the office or around the house. That said, the leather on these journals is very high quality, and the product itself is attractive.
You can purchase the Leonard notebook directly from Bull & Stash for $79.95. Refills are available at $6.95 for 50 sheets, and you have the option of 110lb "Fountain Pen" paper, which per Bull & Stash has increased tooth and less bleed. Two other sizes are available, including the "Allison" portfolio (a larger, top-bound pad) and the "Market" (a pocket-sized journal).
Disclaimer: Bull & Stash provided me with the notebook featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. Many thanks to the team at Bull & Stash for making this review possible. This post contains affiliate links.