Moleskine Classic Expanded Updated Review With Pros and Cons After Five Months Of Journaling
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- Опубликовано: 28 апр 2020
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🌿 SHOW NOTES
Now that I've used my Moleskine Classic Expanded notebook for five months of journaling, I'm offering an updated review with more pros and cons. I used this as an all-in-one functional planner, bullet journal, art journal, and commonplace book.
The Moleskine Classic Expanded has 400 pages of 70 gsm paper which is persnickety but still works with many of my pens, markers, and artist quality watercolors. The biggest concern I have is the long dry time for gel pens. Otherwise, it's a great choice for a bullet journal!
🌿 FEATURED NOTEBOOKS
Moleskine Classic Expanded (400 pages)
--- Softcover, 6mm Ruled: amzn.to/33IIc1g
--- Softcover, Dotted: amzn.to/2OK7Z4I
--- Softcover, 5mm Squared: amzn.to/2Y84qZg
--- Softcover, Plain/Blank: amzn.to/34P1L9G
--- Hardcover, 6mm Ruled: amzn.to/2LhkR0f
--- Hardcover, Dotted: amzn.to/35ObFZ8
--- Hardcover, 5mm Squared:
amzn.to/2DF5L0h
--- Hardcover, Plain/Blank: amzn.to/33GCqgK
🌿 RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES AND INSPIRATION FOR FUNCTIONAL PLANNING, JOURNALING, AND PAINTING
Avery Ultra Tabs, re-positionable
--- amzn.to/2On9xly
Faber Castell Pitt Artist Brush Pens
--- sets: amzn.to/2FlHa1G
--- individual colors at Dick Blick: shrsl.com/51zf-n87-8upt7t_1-1
Paper House Life Organized Seasonal Sticker Book
--- at Amazon: amzn.to/3Qe0EH6
--- at Paper House: shrsl.com/3chml
--- coupon code for 20% off on the Paper House website: keylime20
(my favorite sticker set of all time!)
Paper Sunday Personalized Bible Journals and Planners
--- coupon code for 10% off: keylime22
--- all styles: papersunday.com/key-lime-ink-...
Pilot Precise Grip Extra Fine
--- set of 7 colors: amzn.to/3RgbT3f
(not totally water resistant, but so comfortable for long-form journaling)
PrismaColor Premier Colored Pencils
--- amzn.to/3CTShxu
Stalogy 365
--- black, A5: amzn.to/3BaFy8t
--- all sizes and colors: amzn.to/3QcAy7B
(my favorite overall notebook)
Staples Glue Tape
--- amzn.to/3KXVONz
Tombow Mono Correction Tape
--- set of 2: amzn.to/3e89EQP
--- set of 4: amzn.to/3RgKwGc
--- set of 10: amzn.to/3wONrOg
Tombow Mono Waterproof Drawing Pens
--- set of 3 sizes: amzn.to/3TCLdvg
--- individual and sets at Jackson's: www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/sea...
(perfect for ink and wash watercolor painting OR drawing and then filling in with colored pencils; I like these better than Sakura Pigma because the tips hold up longer)
Uniball Signo RT1 Waterproof Gel Pens
--- 0.5mm, black: amzn.to/3CVxTw3
--- 0.5mm, black, refills: amzn.to/3q5Oy8v
--- 0.5mm, colors: amzn.to/3CYhhUn
(0.28mm and 0.38mm also available)
Zebra Zensations Waterproof Brush Pens
--- set of 4 sizes: amzn.to/3AL1e9J
--- super fine: amzn.to/3RcHe76
🌿 FAVORITE WATERCOLORS
Updated August 2023: If I were starting over today, I would begin with a 24 or 48 half pan set of Art Whale and then replace each color I use most with Schmincke Horadam over time.
Art Whale Watercolors
--- 24 half pans: amzn.to/3rZRhVd
--- 48 half pans: amzn.to/3KwQf9I
(Student Grade // company is based in Miami, Florida; paints are made in China; pigment information is provided; pans are standard sized and can be moved around; tins are fantastic and will serve you well for a long time; these are highly pigmented, extremely easy to re-wet, and over 70% of the colors should be lightfast based on pigment numbers; the only caveat is that burnt sienna and umber are mislabled, so you'll want to switch the names when you make a swatch chart)
Schmincke Horadam Watercolors
--- half pans at Blick: shrsl.com/4370b
--- tubes at Blick: shrsl.com/4370e
--- tubes, full pans, and half pans at Jackson's: www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/col...
(Artist quality // top-of-the line watercolors made by a highly reputable, long-standing, family-owned company in Germany; my favorite brand overall; I recommend purchasing individual colors since the ready-made sets don't usually have an ideal selection)
🌿 DISCLOSURES
KeyLimeInk is an affiliate of Amazon, Blick, Etsy, Da Vinci, Jackson's, Paper House, and Paper Sunday. 
Хобби
🎨 TIME STAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Pricing
01:31 Pronouncing Moleskine
02:24 Measurements
03:18 Weight
03:29 Cover Material and Binding
06:07 Cover Options
07:58 Pen Loop Situation
08:16 Elastic Closure
09:00 Pocket
09:20 Paper Color
10:20 Line Spacing
12:31 Pen Test
14:00 Paint Test
15:18 Sample Layout: writing journal entry
17:03 Sample Layout: monthly dashboard
18:28 Sample Layout: research
19:29 Sample Layout: weekly planning
21:00 +++ Favorite Things About This Notebook
22:39 --- Things That Would Keep Me From Re-Ordering
OH MY GOD I ENJOYED THIS SO MUCH. Finally someone going over EVERYTHING in a notebook. Bless your soul! Bless the notebook-tube!
You could read audiobooks, your voice is so relaxing.
I like this notebook a lot but love an A5 size. I like the way you pronounce the name.
Thank you! Your comment made my day. I actually attended a workshop on voice acting last fall and have considered trying it.
"Humid paper" is the best articulation of that gross paper feeling!!! Bless you and your thorough reviews. 🙏
Omg i loved your videos about this notebook. They really inspired me to write more on my journal and, of course i did not resist it, to buy this big baby. Thank you so much for the dedication you put on every video ❤
Thank you for your sweet note!
What a smart idea! I love the flip and meeting towards the middle with the planner and journal together. Love it!!!
This video has exactly what I was looking for. Bleed through, what kind of pen as well as the brand, and even paints and stamps. Super thorough and really grateful.
this is so in depth i love it!
I am currently in an expanded now, I opted for the soft cover in unlined. A mixture of research, notes, journal articles and I also doc a bit of decoration - nothing more than the odd sticker and Washi tape. I love it. I also have an A5 cover and don’t miss it, but have when I needed it just used the cover anyway.
Your explanations are so clear and full of helpful information!
Thank you!
Love this update video 👍🏻👋🏻
Thank you! When I use all my current notebook/planner stash I want to be more responsible and get a notebook with hundreds of pages were I could BUJO & prayerjournal for years in one book - Ya know to save several trees! Thanks for sharing I have something to look into.
Love this video! I’m a huge Moleskine fan since it’s launch. It’s correct to pronounce it as you prefer, but for your info: it’s an Italian brand, and here we all pronounce it Mol-skeen!! Love all your reviews!!
First time watcher, long time planner/notebook user and I had to comment...this was one of the BEST reviews I've seen. You offer pertinent details in a book you've USED. Thank you! I'm subscribing and have to thank you for the brilliant idea of planning at the front, & journaling at the back. That is epic!!! Thanks again, and well done!
Thanks so much for your kind words, and welcome!
@@KeyLimeInk I'm elbow deep into your channel at the moment, lol! Would you consider doing a video demonstrating how you can flip the Faber Castle Pitt pen tips? And have you ever used a Moleskine Daily 18 Month planner?
What a brilliant video!
I love how worn the moleskine notebooks look after a while. I do enjoy that they tell another story beyond the words you put in it.
Regarding the pen. I use a gel pen. I am currently using Pentel Energel 0.5 needle tip in a Zebra Sarassa body 😅 is more comfy for me to hold and there’s no smudging.
I want to experiment more with mixing different refills and pen bodies!
Great video! I just bought this exact notebook but had mine cut to fit my standard TN cover & it came out great! I’m so glad you mention the humid feeling of the paper. I thought I was crazy haha
Yay! Where did you have yours chopped? I'm really tempted to do this for my next go-round when this one is finished. I've heard Office Depot, Staples, and the UPS Store can do it with their guillotine paper cutters?
Key Lime Ink staples! They have a laser cutting machine! It’s perfect!
I love chunky notebooks. I wish they will make an expanded version of theire pocket Notebook too. That would be perfect!!
Thank you so much for the review ❤
I got the hardcover expanded at Target.
I am four months in and it looks completely brand new.... I use extra fine fountain pen with Iroshizuku ink and happy with the paper.
I actually like that the size is a bit smaller than the A5 - for some reason to me, the A5 feels a bit big but this size feels just right.
I do wish the paper was a little more of a brighter white... but I keep coming back to Moleskine notebooks..
I LOVE that comfy writing pen!
They're the best! Now I have them in 0.5, 0.38, and a few colors. I really like that I can purchase refills and get more use out of each pen body.
My favorite gel pen for the moleskine is the Zebra Sarasa Grand gel pen.
It dries instantly and writes so well.
My only gripe with it is that it is a metal pen with no grip, so it can be heavy and slippery in dry skin hands.
What an exceptionally good review! Well done. Thank you! This has been very helpful. (Just sub'd)
Many thanks, and welcome!
Oct’ 2020 - I’m surprised how good that paper was for all of your needs, BUT (there is always a but, 😆) if you enjoyed fountain pens then the Moleskine would be in the bin and that kills me. I really want a Moleskine we can write in with fountain pens. Very detailed review and video, thx for taking the time 😀👍🏻
I generally use the art ones to use with my fountain pen. For regular everyday writing with pencil/liner I get the regular lined ones. Art moleskines just glide amazingly with pens, maybe that works for you.
I’m already using a Hobonichi day free and a Stalogy for my journaling/planning endeavors, but GOD every time you show off your expanded Moleskine, I have to really fight the urge to rush and buy one. I have no idea what I’d use it for but it just. Looks. So. Good. 😍 And I always appreciate the detail you go into, thank you for sharing!
You're very welcome! If it makes you feel any better, I have to use a blotter sheet when writing every day because the gel ink transfers. Does that keep you from rushing to buy one? (I do what I can. Haha!) Seriously ... if Stalogy would make a ruled notebook, planner peace would not be so elusive.
Haha, that does definitely make me lean more towards not buying one -- I haaaate having to use blotter sheets. It's funny, I'm so picky and particular about my notebooks, but at the same time, so utterly impulsive at buying them! I really don't understand why Stalogy hasn't jumped on it yet -- I feel like more and more people are beginning to use their notebooks, you'd think they'd want to tap into the ruled or even blank notebook market!
I have a stalogy I also have a hobonichi. I am going to get this book because there's always something to write at any given moment. I just wanted and I feel like I'm worth it so I'm going to get it. LOL we only live once and after all it's not hurting anyone it's making me feel good by having it I say buy it give a gift to yourself
Rewatching lol 😆 as one does. The pronunciation is one way if you live in North America, or Europe 👌 but that is my 2 cents worth from the peanut gallery. I adore this book.
OMG I love Your Fabulous videos
Thank you so much for your kind words! I should make a video just running through the cost per page of every notebook I have. I've also calculated the cost per word since page sizes and widths differ. Stay tuned :).
Theres a new Red Expanded Moleskine now❤
I’ve always found at Target 😊
I"m currently using moleskin expanded right now. I usually love the B6 Stalogy but I realized that I have alot going on in my life (new kitten with broken leg) that I wanted a little more room to write. The moleskin while A5 slim is also what I call a B6 tall. lol. It's the same width, but A5 height. It's been working really well for me to write everything down. I use to use a Uni-Ball signo but I switched to a Bic pen with multiple colors so I could color code and I'm having no issues. I do feel like there is a coating on the papers like the Tomo River paper has. I haven't done any art in mine and I'm not sure if I will or not. Thanks for you video.
Thanks! Could you link to the Bic pen you're using? I'm always on the lookout for something which works well with Moleskine and Tomoe River.
@@KeyLimeInk I'm sorry. I thought it was a bic pen I got on Amazon but I can't find my order and there is no brand. Now I'm wondering if the pen I have is just one from the dollar store...
@@CodyDoll Thanks for checking!
I bought one of these right before we were locked down. This notebook and my pens/pencils are one of the things keeping me sane right now. I write, write, write. I got about 1/3 of the way through and immediately ordered a new one. I LOVE THESE. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I, for one, love that you pronounce it like the company literature says it is pronounced :) Ha! "notebook yoga". Do you cut your ribbons off too? I also--somewhat heretically--bend the covers back on themselves to write. It has held up marvelously well. Did I mention I love these? ;) **Edited to add...I don't feel any humidity to the paper (nor does it smear after a week for sure! But I don't have smearing problems at all, and I use all kinds of pens including .5 gel pens)--but I live in NM. NOTHING is humid haha
I'm glad you like it so much :).
I did not cut off the ribbons. I think I accidentally pulled them off and forgot they existed because I prefer removable tabs in lieu of ribbon bookmarks.
I'm so curious about the humid paper now! Do you live in a dry climate? Maybe the problem is that I'm in a forest and it's rained three of the last four days?
@@KeyLimeInk Super dry. I live in western New Mexico--so high desert southwest. I've had smearing issues with Rhodia and Tomoe River, but never with Moleskine, including my current expanded ntbk. Also...could you send us some of that rain? ;)
@@KeyLimeInk I want to add to this conversation about climate. I live in Florida. It's ALWAYS humid here so paper and drying are definitely a problem I have a lot. I've notices that certain paper works better than others with certain pens at different times of the year. Probably why I switch so often.
I adore this notebook and it actually fits in my Carpe Diem Blooms Traveler's Notebook
Uh oh! Now I have to look at another Traveler's Notebook :). Thanks for encouraging me!
Ha ha ha. No problem😉 It fits perfectly. I am about to buy me a new expanded because the one I have is almost done.
Reedus Rulz what pen do you like to use in it? :)
Reedus Rulz Is the Moleskine on the elastic or tucked in? I tried the folio method tucking and it is either a very tight fit or does not fit
Dinafair I have it on the elastic. It does stick out a teeny bit but doesn't bother me at all but it might some. I guess, also if you do more than writing in it, like gluing things in and such, it would stick out more. I am not to picky about my set up. I have it in the Carpe Diem Bloom TN and just love it.
You're now the second person that I heard say that the paper in the moleskine is humid! That's so bizarre. Maybe that's why it weighs so much it's carrying water weight! 😂😂😂👍
Yes, it's bloated! That's funny. Really, the more I use it, the less I notice this. What happens is when I go back to look up something in one of my archived Stalogy notebooks and then return to the Moleskine, the difference is stark. Stalogy is dehydrated. :)
@@KeyLimeInk 😂 nice!
I'm a bit happy I'm not the only one to find the paper humid. I decided not to care about the non-FP-friendly aspect by using 1 page of 2, but I don't know if I can take the tactile feeling of the paper a whole week... It feels so gross I wonder if I'll see fungus at some point :laughing:
Hi Greetings from Australia.
I came across your video by mistake and I enjoyed it very much and found it to be very interesting.
During these Covid times I have rekindled my love of fountain pens and I have gone absolutely crazy buying them. I have acquired 21 pens in 6 months , most of which have been hand made in Australia. So I'm definately down that rabbit hole. My ink bottle collection has also grown because I try to match ink to my pens.
Finding a fountain pen friendly journal was a huge problem and after several failed attempts decided to try something different.
I made enquiries with a local bookbinder who bound my thesis years ago. He just happened to have some very thick paper. I would guess this to be about 150gsm and there is no bleed through at all from my fountain pens. So I had 5 bespoke journals made up in hard back with gold lettering with 250 A4 pages. The journals are encyclopaedic and I am now set for about 2 years. Unfortunately the Book Binder has now closed down and so I am on the lookout for fountain pen journals for when my supply dwindles.
I would be most grateful if you could advise on the best journals for fountain pens.
Thanks again for your video. I enjoyed it.
Hello! Unfortunately, I'm not even remotely an expert on fountain pen use and ideal notebooks for that purpose. I hope another viewer can chime in and help! Tracie, are you reading this?
@@KeyLimeInk Hi! Stalogy, Hobonichi, and Paperblanks notebooks all take fountain pen really well. Leuchtturm also takes it better than Moleskine, but I'd recommend the other three brands as they take it brilliantly.
Thanks for the explanation of the RT pen. I grip low right at the pen point and am in the process of pen shopping. Do you have any issues with certain nib sizes tearing the paper?
Good question! It depends. I don't use the 0.28. I've never had a problem with the 0.38 or 0.5 tearing the paper when I write in a journal normally and/or with a pencil board. The only time I've had the paper tear with fine points is when I'm in a Traveler's Notebook and there's that little gap toward the inner margin caused by the paper folding over the elastic band. Does that make sense? As long as it's "paper on paper" there's no problem. If there's space, sometimes a pen tip will poke through.
This makes sense in my head (ha). I hope I'm explaining it correctly :).
Thank you for this informative video on the moleskine. I just recently ordered a moleskine expanded. Where did you get the American Craft month by month 12 by 12 paper? Thanks again.
You're welcome! I got two sheets of the scrapbook paper in the store at JoAnn right before COVID, and I haven't been back to see if it's still in stock. I wish I'd grabbed all they had for future years :). I don't see it on their website or the American Crafts website, but it seems to be available here:
www.scrapbookfare.com/products/american-crafts-the-color-of-memories-paper-calendar-die-cuts-2
Maybe if you tried refillable pens with the right hand fit & ink you might feel different. I use a refillable pen with Platinum Carbon Ink, NO problems; in a Lamy Safari.
I'd love for you to review the glp tomoe river notebooks!
I've seen them, and they look to be very well made! I prefer books with loads more pages, though.
yes - the texture of their pages is what draws me away from their notebooks. otherwise i would love them. they feel scratchy on my pens, as well, and I don't feel like i can write well on those pages. but i keep wanting one of these expanded notebooks!
Dear Stalogy: are you listening? We need a 400+ page 7mm ruled version of the Stalogy 365. Please and thank you.
Thanks for your review, I love how thorough and honest you are with them! Have you ever thought about using and reviewing an Exceed A5 (14.8 x 21 cm, 5.8 x 8.3 in, just over 3/4 in thick) Dot Journal 100gsm heavyweight paper, 120 sheets/240 pages, hard cover, for about $9 from Wal-Mart. I don't know if you can order them online or not. I'm just now learning about all the different paper qualities and really don't want to brake the bank buying more expensive bullet journals. I've done a pen test and some watercolor test and in my very inexperienced opinion its pretty good paper, but would love to hear from someone who can truly compare them to others! Thanks for sharing! Your videos have been so much fun to watch and informative!
Thank you for your suggestion! I haven't supported WalMart lately because of something which happened in a local store, but I'd really like to try the Exceed notebooks. I've heard lots of good things about them. Do they make formats other than dot grid? I'm a ruled / square grid girl.
@@KeyLimeInk they have an lined one that is a bit smaller maybe an A5 narrow ish size, but I can't remember if its 78gsm or 100gsm. I understand the whole boycott Wal-Mart thing. But for us it really comes down to what's available in our area and what we can afford. I really prefer a spiral coil bound bullet journal, but can't find one anywhere that's the right size and nice paper most are huge and heavy. Thanks for responding! Love your videos!
I will look when I can get to a different store! For me it's very specific. A shooting happened in our local WalMart, and both the victim (who had done nothing wrong) and an innocent bystander (who had a heart attack because of the fright) died. It's haunting to go back inside. :(
@@KeyLimeInk Wow! That's very scary. I wouldn't want to go back either. Stay safe, hope things get better in your area!
For those interested, I buy Moleskine Expanded at Fnac (IDK if available outside EU, but Fnac does have best price and they're always available to buy online)
Thank you! I hope this is helpful to EU friends. Be well!
Teach me to draw those birds!! :) x
The birds on the pen test page? They're rubber stamps! I'm honored you think I can draw freehand that well.
Hi, does this (beautiful) notebook lie flat when you are using the start of the book, or do you need to put something underneath it to lift one side up? Thanks :)
Thanks for asking! It's not hardback by any means, so it will not just automatically lay straight across from the first few pages. However, I don't recall needing to use another book underneath it. The soft cover is sturdy enough to accept writing against it. Does that help?
@@KeyLimeInk Yes, thank you!!
I've been using this book for a couple of months and I got super worried when you said about the gel pen smudging, are you sure is wasn't your humidity or type of ink? I ask because I just checked several of my entries written in gel pen and didn't get a single ounce of smudge, it was all clear, for reference I mainly use Zebra and gelly roll pens.
It's definitely the particular book. I have six Moleskines, and they perform differently. I assume this is because they were from different batches of paper?
Specifically, the three Moleskine Classic Expanded notebooks I've worked through all have the smearing problem if I use 0.5mm or larger gel pens. 0.38mm gel pens are fine. Watercolors may bleed depending on the brand and pigment.
Meanwhile, in the brand new 18 Month Daily Moleskine I purchased last month, nothing smears and *none* of my watercolors bleed through at all! It's clearly made from slightly different paper.
With Moleskine, it's a "mileage may vary" situation. Stalogy and Midori seem more consistent for me. I still love the Moleskine form factor, though, so I doubt I'll stop purchasing them :).
I find the Leuchtterm also has that "damp" and spongy feel. Drives me nuts.
I wonder if it has more to do with where they were stored along the way than the actual notebook production? I'm asking because I have one Moleskine which is nice and dry, and all my Leuchtturms are nice and dry. Meanwhile, your Leuchtturm and many of my Moleskines are "humid." Maybe they sat in the same warehouse in a hot, humid place or spent too long in a seaside shipping containers? Hmmm. A mystery!
I want to like moleskine but I just can't deal with the paper. Once upon a time they used to be fine for fountain pens but they changed the paper and now it's just... feathering and bleeding everywhere. Even with X-feather I have had terrible experiences with it. I have heard though that they have changed the paper again, at least at some factories, and it's a lot better than it used to be. But I'm scared to try it 😂
It definitely depends on the book! I have an 18 month daily hardcover which takes *everything.* If I could put that paper in the softcover expanded and switch to 7mm lines, I’d be so happy.
Do you think this journal would work with pilot juice pens without bleed?
I would like to try one in black! I have a light brown Pilot Juice, and though it doesn't bleed, it does smear.
Do you know any alternatives with that many pages but better paper that doesn't smudge?
Littfun has 720 pages and paper which is decidedly more dry. Here's a video reviewing that book: ruclips.net/video/f3nSU0LnTtY/видео.html
@@KeyLimeInk thank you!
Hi thank you for the lovely review! Pls may I ask if your moleskine fit inside the kokuyo system folder?🙂
It will fit, but it’s narrow so there’s a pretty big gap between the right edge of the Moleskine and the right edge of the Kokuyo. I have really small hands, so it hurts when I hold it open on my lap. If you’re only going to use it on a desk this might not matter to you.
@@KeyLimeInk thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I took your advice and bought the kokuyo system and I love it so much!
How do I find out what kind of ink pens have?
The sales listings and packaging usually tell. Do you mean after-the-fact when you have a drawer full of random pens and don't know what type of ink they use? Hmmm. In that case, I'd do a test on scrap paper and brush some water over the ink. Gel and ballpoint pens are typically going to be waterproof. Rollerball and felt tip pens are often dye based and will dissolve when water touches the ink. Technical drawing pens like Sakura Pigma and Tombow Mono are almost always pigment-based and water-resistant. Markers ... can be pretty much anything, so you have to test. Hope that helps!
Idk if it’s just mine or what but I have this notebook in blank paper and it’s a little more cream colored and EVERY type of marker, pen etc bleeds through. I still love it but the bleed through is badddd in the plain paper one.
Very interesting! I thought the blank paper was rated thicker than the paper in my lined version, and reviews I've seen show the blank bleeding less. You're having the opposite experience. I wonder if it's a bad batch or if the pens and markers you're using are alcohol or dye based? I can picture a Tombow ABT Dual brush pen, Pentel Fude Touch, Sharpie Ultra Fine, etc. bleeding.
Key Lime Ink my favorite pens are the Tul gel pens and they bleed through in mine 😣 I also love the Papermate flairs and they also do. Do you know of any other covers that fit the expanded besides soho by chance?
mole' ski naaa! haha. i understand the moleskine paper feeling humid. it just feels wet and like gift tissue paper in flimsiness.
It's weird, though. If I work exclusively in a Moleskine for weeks at a time, I barely notice it. However, if I'm flipping back and forth between a Stalogy and Moleskine, the difference is stark ... and I like the Stalogy better. Dear Stalogy: please make a ruled notebook for writers and bump it to 500 or 600 pages while you're at it :).
i can feel that too when switching books. I have a squared Moleskine from 2007 and it has a very slightly rougher texture than my current moleskine expanded. the graph lines were much darker also.
In Canana in 2022....40$
Fountain pens actually work fine this book. A pilot varsity disposable fountain pen you use for testing is not really indicative of the majority of fountain pens out there. The pilot varsity is a gusher and there are many drier inks and finer nibs that work perfectly on this paper. I discovered this just recently when I was looking for thinner paper to use to write letters and I have so many moleskine notebooks I was happy to finally find a good use for them! I was shocked how well the Lamy 2000 broad nib and Diamine Graphite ink reacted for this paper! No bleed through and minimal ghosting despite the fact that the Lamy 2000 broad nib is also a gusher but there must be something in the formulation of that ink that makes it work just perfectly in that notebook;)
This is good information!
Thank you for the tip! I have one other functioning fountain pen and some Higgins ink in a bottle. I'll give it a try and write full paragraphs, comparing it to the Pilot Varsity. I admire the look of fountain pens but have never found my groove with them.
The inks, pens i tested on Moleskine paper all bled through like crazy. And i write almost exclusively with fountain pens in my journal. Maybe i missed out on the few golden working pen and ink combinations... but i dont wanna be limited in my choices... so Moleskines are no option for me.
I don't think it can be vegan and pu leather
Good point, but it depends on the manufacturer. True PU leather is, in fact, vegan. However, some shady companies will call it PU leather when they're actually just bonding cheap leather shavings/dust and then putting a PU coating on top. I trust Kokuyo but am not so sure about other brands.
Well, the covers on Moleskine notebooks used to be made from oilcloth and cardboard. That was great. Now they're just made from one kind of plastic or another. That's not so great. I don't buy notebooks, journals, or covers made of plastic. I do get sent notebooks, pens, and inks for testing, though, and Moleskine has shown up more often than anything else. I really don't understand the "humid" feel of it. I guess we all have different sensations in our fingers. The paper feels just as dry to me as any other paper.
But even if the covers weren't made of plastic, I still wouldn't buy Moleskine. I use fountain pens. Period. They write better than any other writing instrument ever made, and it seems silly to own a bunch of fountain pens, some of which cost a LOT of money, and not use them every day, everywhere. Especially since I love using them so much. Some think only wanting to use fountain pens is strange or silly. I don't think so at all.
My three main daily carry pens, my take anywhere and everywhere pens, are the Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age, the Scribo Feel, and the Kaweco Brass Sport with a gold nib. These are fairly expensive pens. Six hundred, six hundred, and two-forty, respectively. And these are not even in the same zip code as my more expensive pens. Letting pens like this go unused at every opportunity would be a crime. Maybe even a sin. Or both. Combine this with how much I love using these pens and I'm just not going to use any paper that isn't fountain pen friendly.
It can never be "MoleskinA" as you say.... it ends with an "e"
Actually yes... Because it is an italien brand. And it is not really MolsekinA but more of a MoleskinE (which is almost the sound of the first e in "example" but longer).
nice review but the way you pronounce moleskine was off putting to me
Great review. It isn’t a Mola-skeen-a thought. It’s just Mole-Skin. Not being nasty just letting you know.
Thanks! Actually, it's both. Company HQ staff in Europe say something closer to Mol-eh-skeen-eh. They started saying Mole-skin at retail stores in America because it was easier than arguing with every customer. My favorite response was from a Moleskine employee who said that it's your personal journal, so call it whatever you want 🤗.