(Part 3) Top products from r/notebooks

I'm fairly new to bujo and i just switched to multiple notebooks. Here goes... my $0.02 worth!

I started with Mnemosene 149(?) Which I think is B5 size. I loved the size a d couldn't see myself going down to A5 or smaller. I had a very hard time finding an organizing holder for multiple notebooks in that size, as A is mostly what's used in USA and Europe. I'm not thrilled with the ordinary look of this notebook, but it's a blank canvas to customize, and much sturdier than I initially thought. I may try my hand at needlepoint and add some little flowers along the top edge of the pocket. I liked this one especially with the extra fold-out 3rd section so I can hold more journals.

Kokuyo Systemic Refillable Notebook Cover - Twin Ring Notebook with Edge Title - Semi B5 (7" X 9.8") - Normal Rule - 35 Lines X 40 Sheets - Black Cove https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049KEEHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_rLa2leAPZmOCQ

This paper us the same company so caught our eye. I love it! It is lined with subtle little dots along the line. This way you can use it as grid or for dot paper if you want to add straight lines, but it's very subtle so not distracting when you just want lined. In my few days of using it, I have had no bleed thru of fountain pens. It is soft and smooth. It comes in multiple other varieties too.

Kokuyo Campus NotebookRegla Semi B5Dotted 7mm30hojasPack de 5, colores https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002C4KL88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_IVQSEdkgzwha7

I'm loving having multiple notebooks that all fit into one. I use them in different amounts of time so I can swap out one as I fill it without needing to waste pages from other sections. I currently have separate books for
bullet journaling (day week month)
long-term
journal/diary
creativity (sketch, ideas...)
*workbook/notes from a book I'm going thru.

Again, im pretty new to both bujo-ing and to Reddit. I hope I'm not being insulting by giving too much info.

Happy bujo-ing!

I don't know what your price range or tastes are nor where you're located, but here's what I use: My absolute favorites are a Midori Traveler's Notebook Passport size with a pen holder and a TWSBI Diamond 580 with your choice of bottled inks. I'd recommend Sailor Souten with its beautiful blue color, lovely shading, and awesome red sheening, not to mention it being well behaved on the Midori paper.

Hmm. These flexible Five-Star brand ones have been kinda popular. I've used them once I think; thought they were pretty nice. They don't stand up on a shelf for archival like other binders though.

The flexibility may actually help with durability. They won't crack on impact or anything like that, and that Poly cover will do a good job of protecting your notes. We use a similar material on the covers of our pocket notebooks and we don't get complaints.

These things claim to be heavy-duty and have some good reviews:

If you need the paper itself to be durable, I'd definitely recommend our loose leaf. Our paper is water-resistant, so if you spill or something you'll be in the clear.

I've run through three of these Rhodia Meeting Books in the last couple years for work. The paper is great for fountain pens even with wet ink and the organization really worked well for me. I usually get the smaller size but I've linked the larger one here.

I also really love my travelers notebook for work with fountain pens but it meets none of your other requests.

Hope you find something!

edited to add I totally agree about leuchtturm. I've never understood why people like these for fountain pens. Too much show through.

Thought of another one that might be better for you. This is a bound full size Midori notebook. Midori makes travelers notebooks and the paper is generally great for fountain pens. No table of contents or page numbers but I've found those difficult to get right.

There's also this I've never used this brand but it hits all your requests and is heavy duty paper so it may work for fountain pens. No telling how smooth it is. Good price though. Dot Grid Version

I second Global Art Materials! I actually have one from their "Travelogue" line (which has their "drawing" paper instead of watercolor paper--but it's still sturdy paper and it takes lots of mediums and materials very well, including watercolor. And you'd definitely be fine with putting washi tape and other things in there.) And they definitely have A5-ish sized ones on Amazon, too.

I also love the texture of their covers. Sort of fabric-y.

As many have said, there's no one-size-fits-all method. Here's mine.

1. My main journal is a dotted Leuchtturn1917 because it comes with pages prenumbered. Before I found the Leuchtturn1917 I used to use chemistry notebooks. I also use Field Notes pocket journals which I can easily carry in my bag or pocket when I'm out and about.
   
2. I use the Content page to keep track of reading/quotes/notes from books, magazines, poems, podcasts, movies, etc. For example, a line will read: "Pg 2 ⎯ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight ⎯ Jessie Weston" and then page 2 of the journal will be quotes or notes from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
   
3. All left-side pages (even numbers) are devoted to these comments/quotes of books, magazines, poems, podcasts, movies, etc. I usually take these notes in blue ballpoint pen. I tried pencil, but it smears too much.
   
4. Right-side pages (odd numbers) are devoted to a running journal. I usually write in green fountain point. I've found that Leuchtturn paper doesn't prevent my S.T. Dupont inked in Mont Blanc Irish Green from bleeding through. It's not a terrible bleed, but it's enough that using the pen on both sides of the paper makes for legibility issues (hence the ballpoint for quotes & notes on the left-side).
   
5. Intermixed in my right-side journalling is my attempt at a Ben Franklin-esque tracking system for behaviors I'm trying to monitor/improve. It's just a wee grid of the 6 behaviors I'm concerned with (exercise, taking vitamins, not drinking to excess, etc).
   
6. I also dedicate the last page of the book to a tracking system just like the one u/revivizi described. In my case, I only have one tag at the moment and it ticks all the pages that have a Franklin grid so I can glance through and see that I'm losing weight or exercising more, or whatever.
   
7. I use the Field Notes when I'm out and about for shopping lists, doctor's notes, quick jottings. Every Saturday or Sunday, I'll flip through the pocket journal for anything that I feel needs to be transferred to the main journal. Usually there's nothing vital, but sometimes there's a quote or comment that I think needs to be saved. Or a health note I want to include as a comment to a Franklin grid.
   
   I've been keeping a journal since I was 10 (I'm 43 now). This system evolved over time and I expect it will continue to evolve. But my memory is pretty problematic because of PTSD, so journalling is really worth the effort for me.

Did a quick pen test for you just in case you wanted to compare a little bit between the Kokuyo (first 2 pictures) and the Muji (last 2 pictures): https://imgur.com/a/8ru8tT3

Overall I think the Kokuyo has the edge.

I know you said you wanted to keep it to Amazon, but I just bought an Apica from a local stationery store and I really like it. You can get them from JetPens (shipping has never taken long for me, personally). They come in grid/ruled/etc. Link to the graph here: https://www.jetpens.com/Apica-Blank-Cover-Twin-Ring-Notebook-Semi-B5-Graph/pd/13868

I've also heard great things about Clairefontaine notebooks, looks like Amazon has 2 for $10, though these are A4 size. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YF476O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yR1wDbPSGZ9CX

Apologies if it's a bit messy, I'm on mobile!

Maybe Clairfontaine? I love my Rhodia notebooks and they use Clairfontaine paper. I use them with my brush pens and I became hooked. Excellent paper, I wish I found it when I was in school.

I personally use Clairefontaine with a Uni-ball Kuru Toga. I'm not normally a fan of 0.5mm led (prefer 0.7) but these two have been a perfect combination for me for both work and school. If you're looking for full size notebooks, I recommend anything that is Dotted/Grid.

I got a set from Amazon instead by ZLYC: for $37 at the moment

When I got them, the original was still more expensive, but right now it would be similar (this is for one, not a set).

Quality-wise, the ZLYC ones were a bit disappointing. The leather is okay, but not great and the included elastics look nice but are quite large. Similarly, the included paper is okay for pencils, but rough and feathers with ink.
By comparison, I had a look at the Midori one at a local bookstore and it definitely felt much, much nicer.

Since the refills are a non-standard size, you can either order them online or cut down more standard sizes. Alternatively, the copies (also called fauxdori in reference to midori) can be found in standard sizes.

Personally, I went back to leuchtturm hardcover notebooks in A5, but that is personal preference.

Kokuyo has a 26-hole binder paper that fits in a binder. Get a couple binders, one to carry and one for storage, and then you could carry less with you daily and then re-organize and file papers away when you don't need to carry them. This may also help when you are reviewing, as you can insert summary pages where they belong. I think the Semi B5 size is an excellent one.

binder

26-hole grid paper

26-hole lined paper

hole punch to make custom refills

The Seven Seas notebook is great for the number of pages you get. They sell out fast though so you have to be on top of it.
Midori also makes an a5 book with lots of pages: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091GBD00/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2K885P3IMHHG8&coliid=I1ODW8QAO7UDUZ

For the poor college student:

There are kukuyo campus notebook knockoffs at Daiso for 1.50. the Quality isn't bad and for most notes: pencil, pen, etc it's fine. I don't rec if you're going to use fountain pen for your notes.

pencils: rOtring goes on sale on Massdrop quite often. You should be able to pick up 2 for $30ish.

pens: Uniball signo all the way if you are ok with caps. If not the standard G2 are great all around pens.

Since I don't like actual bound notebooks and prefer looseleaf, I bought this thing called a "notebook binder" and just buy refills for it.

I tried these ["spiral notebook binders"](https://www.amazon.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Smart-Ring-Binder/dp/B0066LZLEC/ref=pd_sim_229_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41zklYlfOiL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=ZRDHP6SVGYA3R9J207G8) and I honestly hate them because it's twist to open and they kept opening >(

Perhaps this might work? Fusion Sketch Folio. Its a little pricey and I don't know if it's college ruled, but it's as close as I could get in spiralbound.

There are some that are hardbound and some that are alternating lined and graph(search engineering notebooks). There are half lined and half blank: Bienfang Vertical or Horizontal

Hope this helps!

Unfortunately, several companies sell the comp pads with no on-page branding. I'm guessing from the first image that you're looking for a green pad but some companies offer a buff pad using the same paper, tan with a brown grid. Might be an alternate option to use while searching.

If Ampad isn't to your liking, you might also look into

• TOPS pads (https://www.amazon.com/TOPS-Engineering-Computation-Punched-35500/dp/B001J87JTM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3KOPVWX11NN3R)
  
• National Brand pads (https://www.amazon.com/NATIONAL-Brand-Computation-Sheets-42389/dp/B0007LTJO0/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3KOPVWX11NN3R)
  
• Roaring Spring pads (https://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Spring-Engineering-Green-sheets/dp/B005UOGBKO/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3KOPVWX11NN3R)
  
• Staedtler pads (https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Engineering-Computation-Grid-Sheets/dp/B0006OM7RE/ref=sr_1_1?)
  
  edit: formatting

I'll look into these. Im a Palamino Blackwings 602 fan.

By the way, anyone who likes to take their pencils on the go, these two purchases will change your life:

Pencil Cap (fit a pencil with a sharpened point perfectly): https://www.amazon.com/Pacs-Kutsuwa-Pencil-Metal-Total/dp/B01KSU775M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1498127051&sr=8-3&keywords=pencil+cap

Long Point Sharpener: https://www.amazon.com/Palomino-Blackwing-Point-Pencil-Sharpener/dp/B009EUH8UC/ref=pd_sim_229_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B009EUH8UC&pd_rd_r=4J0DKCZHQMMRK9WE70J7&pd_rd_w=LZ9ib&pd_rd_wg=aSvSt&psc=1&refRID=4J0DKCZHQMMRK9WE70J7

Three. A small lined journal that I use as a personal diary which I write about my pregnancy/son. A blank midori a5 that I was using as a bullet journal/sketchbook but I'll be using it now as more of a personal diary/sketchbook/thing. I just bought a moleskine dotted notebook that I'll use as a bullet journal :)

yes! i have one! it's a bienfang notesketch book.

When you say ledger, do you mean accounting books like this? If so, you can buy those at office supply stores. Companies like Adams, National, Boorum & Pease make them. Here is an example.

Confusingly, one type of financial accounting record book is called a journal

I bought this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Smart-Ring-Binder/dp/B0066M75YK

With some of their dotted paper. I like the idea of being able to move stuff around. I'll let you know how it is when I get it.

Just received this over the weekend. Fits the Large Moleskine Cahiers.

I got this from Zenok Leather on Etsy and it is a very fine cover. Came with 4 built in bands for notebooks.

I got the Hand-dyed mahogany color

Pen loops are the midori pen loops from amazon

The Piccadilly notebooks are very similar to Moleskine and they're about $12 on Amazon. Here's a link to their website and here's a link to the squared version on Amazon.

how about this? Global Art Materials
It is plain, has VERY good paper, A5 size, hard cover. it doesn't lay perfectly flat, but relatively.

Engineering Paper stored in a binder. Use the top fields to hold course number, date, and page N of M.

not exactly what i was looking for but i need them in a hurry.

decided i'd try a pack of kokuyo campus notebooks i found on amazon. first time hearing about them. anyone have any experience?

i got these.

What about a piccadilly? They come in medium and large. :) Online they're about $10 but if you go to a "Half Priced Books" you get get them for $5.
https://www.amazon.com/Piccadilly-Essential-Notebook-Medium-Black/dp/1571338187

1000 $10.70

Smash $9.30

DraftMatic $10.05

https://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-NoteBinder-Binder-Notebook-72011/dp/B003O3H2G0 - this is what im talking about.

Here ya go. Personally, I prefer blank, but there's also lined and graph. The graph is a bit too dark, imo.

Here you go.

I use Rhodia Webnotebooks and haven't turned back.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002TEADOS/

There's a brand called Kokuyo Campus that does a spiral notebook that is also a binder. Might not be as flexible since it has twenty six tons instead of three, but it just pooped into my mind when reading your request.

http://www.amazon.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Smart-Ring-Binder/dp/B0066M75YK

VELA Series-E2, Engineer Research Notebook.

VELA Series-E2, Engineer Research Notebook, 8.5 x 11 inches, 128 Pages, Hardcover, Permanent Smyth Sewn Binding, Class-2 'Optimized' Notebook (5x5 Grid Variation)

NOTE: The Amazon page makes no mention of this notebook meeting any ISO standards for archival-quality paper, and only says "acid-free for archiving".

Tops makes a giant ledger book at 12.25" x 7.75"

Also check out National Brand, Adams Account Ledger, and Wilson Jones. You should note that these brands (and other brands) offer multiple notebooks with different numbers of columns.

If none of these interest you, try searching for notebooks using the words 'account,' 'bookkeeping,' or 'columnar.'

Sorry for the low quality of the pictures. Some more info: this is the listing from which I ordered it, and from which I also bought my first notebook one year ago. The first one was completely normal.
Now, regardless of these details, it is still usable, the pages feel good and I actually like this index more than the classical one, but the lack of margins is quite annoying! Luckily Amazon refunded me the money and I still get to keep this notebook, so I'll be trying to buy another one soon (this time the anthracite colour), but I will be disappointed if it comes out the same as this one.

EDIT: I bought another one of a different colour, will update with the details when it shows up.