Asymmetrical leather-bound notebook
November 1, 2010 9:33 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for an asymmetrical moleskine-like notebook. Roughly 8"x5", leather-bound, and I'd like it to have a grid on the left-hand pages and either ruled or blank on the right-hand pages. (Or vice-versa.) Does anyone make anything like this?
Response by poster: The left/right difference is what I meant by "asymmetrical". There's probably a better word for it.
posted by Plutor at 10:03 AM on November 1, 2010
posted by Plutor at 10:03 AM on November 1, 2010
I use a Cambridge Business Notebook that has this feature. It's yellow paper, but the right side is graph paper and the left is ruled. It's a metal spiral-bound notebook, so it looks a bit cheap, but I really love it. 9 1/2" x 5 3/8," purchased at Rite-Aid. The paper is nothing like moleskine paper.
I know people have had notebooks specially made through Etsy-like services before.
So maybe you could buy one of these notebooks, send it to somebody on Etsy or whatever, and they return it bound into something with a reusable leather cover?
Just an idea, but on the other hand I'm sure there is something out there that's a better fit...
posted by circular at 12:17 PM on November 1, 2010
I know people have had notebooks specially made through Etsy-like services before.
So maybe you could buy one of these notebooks, send it to somebody on Etsy or whatever, and they return it bound into something with a reusable leather cover?
Just an idea, but on the other hand I'm sure there is something out there that's a better fit...
posted by circular at 12:17 PM on November 1, 2010
You can probably order an expensive but gorgeous version at Levenger.
posted by leslies at 12:33 PM on November 1, 2010
posted by leslies at 12:33 PM on November 1, 2010
This isn't exactly what you're looking for, It's graph paper on the top of each page and lined on the bottom.
posted by shesaysgo at 6:13 PM on November 1, 2010
posted by shesaysgo at 6:13 PM on November 1, 2010
Response by poster: All good answers. The Russel + Hazel book is almost exactly what I want, but I'm typically wary of ringed notebooks. And I can't find any reviews online, unfortunately.
posted by Plutor at 7:29 AM on November 3, 2010
posted by Plutor at 7:29 AM on November 3, 2010
Response by poster: Rite in the Rain's Field Bound Book is really close.
posted by Plutor at 11:52 AM on November 8, 2010
posted by Plutor at 11:52 AM on November 8, 2010
Response by poster: Blueline makes a wirebound NotePro that's bigger than what I want and backwards. They also make a Physics Composition Book that would be right on, if it wasn't twice as large as I wanted.
posted by Plutor at 12:07 PM on November 8, 2010
posted by Plutor at 12:07 PM on November 8, 2010
Plutor, I have The Russel + Hazel notebook (and actually just ordered another one because I had forgotten all about them until you're question reminded me). What exactly would you like to know about it?
posted by kaybdc at 12:40 PM on November 10, 2010
posted by kaybdc at 12:40 PM on November 10, 2010
Response by poster: My experience with wire-bound notebooks is mostly confined to the cheap Mead ones. When I think wire-bound, I think that it hurts to write on the left hand page, the rings slowly migrate either up or down out of the paper, the pages get stuck and can tear when turning, and the rings eventually get warped out of true.
Is the Russel + Hazel notebook wire rugged enough to stand up to daily use for a few years?
posted by Plutor at 5:06 AM on December 9, 2010
Is the Russel + Hazel notebook wire rugged enough to stand up to daily use for a few years?
posted by Plutor at 5:06 AM on December 9, 2010
hmmm. I've had mine for a few years or more now and it is in fine shape, but I'd have to say that I don't use it daily. It mainly sits on my shelf and I'd use it to take notes during conferences. It would spend a couple of weeks or sometimes a month or more in my bag, being carted back and forth to work, but mostly it leads a rather sedentary life.
The wire is configured differently than the old school cheap Mead ones so you don't have to worry about the rings migrating. It is a twin loop wire and it's unfortunate that the images of the field notebook on the russell + hazel website are so poor. Nor have I had any of the other problems that you mention. The wire construction is a lot hardier than the single wire coil type, but I imagine that it could warp over time (although mine hasn't), particularly if it was constantly under something heavy in your bag or on your desk. It's tough, but far from indestructable. It is a twin loop wire and it's unfortunate that the images of the field notebook on the russell + hazel website are so poor.
I would be less concerned about the fact that it's wire-bound and more concerned about the thickness. It's really just a thin little notebook and unless you use it very rarely, I don't see it lasting you for years (except of course to retain your ideas and sketches once you've filled it up). While I wouldn't call the covers flimsy, they aren't nearly as thick or strong as a moleskin or leather cover. Again, mine is still in once piece with no tears, but it may not have been subject to the kind of use that you're going to subject your's to.
posted by kaybdc at 7:39 AM on December 9, 2010
The wire is configured differently than the old school cheap Mead ones so you don't have to worry about the rings migrating. It is a twin loop wire and it's unfortunate that the images of the field notebook on the russell + hazel website are so poor. Nor have I had any of the other problems that you mention. The wire construction is a lot hardier than the single wire coil type, but I imagine that it could warp over time (although mine hasn't), particularly if it was constantly under something heavy in your bag or on your desk. It's tough, but far from indestructable. It is a twin loop wire and it's unfortunate that the images of the field notebook on the russell + hazel website are so poor.
I would be less concerned about the fact that it's wire-bound and more concerned about the thickness. It's really just a thin little notebook and unless you use it very rarely, I don't see it lasting you for years (except of course to retain your ideas and sketches once you've filled it up). While I wouldn't call the covers flimsy, they aren't nearly as thick or strong as a moleskin or leather cover. Again, mine is still in once piece with no tears, but it may not have been subject to the kind of use that you're going to subject your's to.
posted by kaybdc at 7:39 AM on December 9, 2010
Oh and here's a link with a better image of the field book which shows it open and you can get a better view of the twin loop wire construction.
posted by kaybdc at 7:42 AM on December 9, 2010
posted by kaybdc at 7:42 AM on December 9, 2010
Response by poster: Alright, I'm convinced it's worth trying. I could never find one in a store near me, so I just paid the $8 plus $6 shipping. Crossing my fingers. Thanks for your info.
posted by Plutor at 8:24 AM on December 9, 2010
posted by Plutor at 8:24 AM on December 9, 2010
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posted by kaybdc at 9:55 AM on November 1, 2010 [1 favorite]