A Notebook That Feels Like an Ancient Tome
Mar. 6th, 2025 03:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ninagobragh
Some notebooks are purely functional—simple covers, plain pages, nothing special beyond their utility. Paperblanks notebooks, however, are an experience.
Each one has a colorful, ornate, and artistic cover, making them feel like something out of a museum exhibit rather than just a stationery shop. The designs are detailed and unique, and the craftsmanship extends beyond aesthetics: their binder boards are made of recycled materials, their paper is sourced from recycled pulp, and everything is PVC-free.
They also come in various sizes and page counts, each with its own name. The one I own? The Grolier, which I use exclusively for Mishnah Yomi notes.
The Perfect Notebook for My Study Notes
I knew this was going to be the perfect journal the second I saw it. Why? Because there’s a Magen David on the cover. It was meant to be.
What I Love About Paperblanks Notebooks
There’s a lot to appreciate about this notebook, and Paperblanks in general. The paper is smooth and strong, handling multiple types of pens beautifully. No matter what I’ve used—from gel pens to ballpoints—there’s no bleed-through or feathering, making it a reliable choice for my daily writing.
One of my favorite details is the corrugated spine, which makes the book incredibly comfortable to hold. It almost molds to my fingers when I grip it, providing just enough structure without feeling rigid. The cover design is equally impressive, giving the notebook a distinct, almost antique feel. Every time I open it, I get the sense that I’m writing in an ancient tome, like something that belongs in a historical library. That aesthetic alone makes the experience of using it feel a little more special.
Beyond its looks, the clasp is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It’s not just decorative; it’s actually functional, keeping the book securely shut. Unlike some notebooks where the covers start to pull apart or the closure wears down over time, this one has never once flopped open unexpectedly. Everything about the notebook—from the materials to the craftsmanship—feels high quality, and for something I use daily, that matters.
What I Struggle With
Even though I love this notebook, it’s not perfect. The size isn’t ideal for me. I typically prefer A5 notebooks, but this one is A6, which is just a little too small for my natural (ie, big) handwriting. While the compact size makes it easy to carry around, it’s not as comfortable for writing, especially for longer study sessions. I'm generally a printer, not a scrawler, so I wind up having to downsize for this book. I face the same issue with my Hobonichi Day-Free, which is why it's one of the least used of my Hobonichi collection.
Another challenge is the chunkiness. I love a notebook with a lot of pages, but the thickness creates an unexpected issue: my small hand hangs off the side of the book while writing. As a result, my handwriting starts to get messier and messier toward the bottom of the page during the first half of the book, and once I get further in, the problem reverses on the other side. This turns out to be a serious issue. My writing already looks kind of serial-killerish, but now I'm convinced someone is going to think I carve up rotisserie chickens and collect the bones for fun if they stumble on my notebooks (even this one, which is all about Talmudic law). I notice this issue every time I write in it.
Then there’s the price. Paperblanks notebooks are undeniably well-made, and I appreciate the ethical sourcing and beautiful designs. But for the size, they’re definitely on the expensive side. The quality makes it worth it, but for someone looking for a more affordable, everyday notebook, the price might be a deterrent.
Final Thoughts
Despite the size drawbacks, I love this notebook and have really enjoyed using it for Mishnah Yomi notes.
If I get another Paperblanks, I’ll definitely go for a larger size (A5) or maybe even try one of their cahier-style notebooks. The brand’s commitment to design, durability, and sustainability makes them worth it, even with the higher price point.
Each one has a colorful, ornate, and artistic cover, making them feel like something out of a museum exhibit rather than just a stationery shop. The designs are detailed and unique, and the craftsmanship extends beyond aesthetics: their binder boards are made of recycled materials, their paper is sourced from recycled pulp, and everything is PVC-free.
They also come in various sizes and page counts, each with its own name. The one I own? The Grolier, which I use exclusively for Mishnah Yomi notes.
The Perfect Notebook for My Study Notes
I knew this was going to be the perfect journal the second I saw it. Why? Because there’s a Magen David on the cover. It was meant to be.
- It’s small and compact, making it easy to carry around for daily study notes.
- The paper quality is excellent, standing up to any pen—even the cursed Uni Jetstream 4&1.
- The sturdy clasp keeps the book securely closed. It has never once flopped open in my bag or when I dropped it (I'm clumsy, sorry).
- The ribbon bookmark is well sewn or glued into the spine, meaning no sad, detached ribbons halfway through use.
- Like many notebooks, it has a pocket in the back cover for loose notes, but the overall construction just feels more refined than standard notebooks.
What I Love About Paperblanks Notebooks
There’s a lot to appreciate about this notebook, and Paperblanks in general. The paper is smooth and strong, handling multiple types of pens beautifully. No matter what I’ve used—from gel pens to ballpoints—there’s no bleed-through or feathering, making it a reliable choice for my daily writing.
One of my favorite details is the corrugated spine, which makes the book incredibly comfortable to hold. It almost molds to my fingers when I grip it, providing just enough structure without feeling rigid. The cover design is equally impressive, giving the notebook a distinct, almost antique feel. Every time I open it, I get the sense that I’m writing in an ancient tome, like something that belongs in a historical library. That aesthetic alone makes the experience of using it feel a little more special.
Beyond its looks, the clasp is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It’s not just decorative; it’s actually functional, keeping the book securely shut. Unlike some notebooks where the covers start to pull apart or the closure wears down over time, this one has never once flopped open unexpectedly. Everything about the notebook—from the materials to the craftsmanship—feels high quality, and for something I use daily, that matters.
What I Struggle With
Even though I love this notebook, it’s not perfect. The size isn’t ideal for me. I typically prefer A5 notebooks, but this one is A6, which is just a little too small for my natural (ie, big) handwriting. While the compact size makes it easy to carry around, it’s not as comfortable for writing, especially for longer study sessions. I'm generally a printer, not a scrawler, so I wind up having to downsize for this book. I face the same issue with my Hobonichi Day-Free, which is why it's one of the least used of my Hobonichi collection.
Another challenge is the chunkiness. I love a notebook with a lot of pages, but the thickness creates an unexpected issue: my small hand hangs off the side of the book while writing. As a result, my handwriting starts to get messier and messier toward the bottom of the page during the first half of the book, and once I get further in, the problem reverses on the other side. This turns out to be a serious issue. My writing already looks kind of serial-killerish, but now I'm convinced someone is going to think I carve up rotisserie chickens and collect the bones for fun if they stumble on my notebooks (even this one, which is all about Talmudic law). I notice this issue every time I write in it.
Then there’s the price. Paperblanks notebooks are undeniably well-made, and I appreciate the ethical sourcing and beautiful designs. But for the size, they’re definitely on the expensive side. The quality makes it worth it, but for someone looking for a more affordable, everyday notebook, the price might be a deterrent.
Final Thoughts
Despite the size drawbacks, I love this notebook and have really enjoyed using it for Mishnah Yomi notes.
If I get another Paperblanks, I’ll definitely go for a larger size (A5) or maybe even try one of their cahier-style notebooks. The brand’s commitment to design, durability, and sustainability makes them worth it, even with the higher price point.
