Click on photo to view the test writing page in a bigger size.
I finally got around to try the Rhodia web notebook with 90 g paper a couple of days ago. The comparison test between the Rhodia 80 g web notebook, Letts of London baroque and Noteletts can be found here. Other reviews of it have been very positive towards it, so I’ve been very curious and was very happy when Okami/Julie at Whatever thought it was a good idea to swap a 90g webnotebook for a Letts of London baroque. Thank you, Julie! .
I’ve been on the hunt for a real good fountain pen friendly notebook as far as I can remember and this is very close to the real deal. It has the inner pocket, and a rubber band to keep it folded – everything that has made Moleskine so successful – and the best notebook paper that I have tried so far. It comes in black and the characteristic Rhodia orange with the logo imprinted stylishly on the front cover.
It stands the test more than well – both with regards to bleedthrough and feathering. Out of all the test writings above it is only Diamine Royal Blue that shows tiny, tiny signs of bleedthrough. The Royal Blue is also infamous for its extensive feathering and it is actually rather minor when used together with this paper. I really love the colour of the Diamine Royal Blue, but it feathers so much that I have become reluctant to use it. This problem actually makes it a real good test ink. Another thing that is lovely with the paper in the webbie is the surface. It is so smooth. Not slippery, but smooth in a way that adds more joy to the writing. Even those nibs that aren’t that smooth seem to be making real good friends with this paper. The major drawback is that they don’t come unruled. If they had come with blank papers I would have cancelled my quest for the perfect notebook. But I must admit that these lovely, creamy sheets of paper lines almost make me give in completely and proclaim it as the notebook – despite the lines. When it comes to price – more expensive than Letts, but cheaper than Moleskine (despite that the webbie has to be shipped from abroad). The only possible rival is the Quo Vadis Habana, which I have yet to try. I’ll try to get my hands on one real soon to come with the final verdict.
Links to some other reviews of the 90 g webnotebook: Biffybean’s review, Okami’s review with comparison between the web notebook and Quo Vadis Habana. You can also browse the Paper & Pen Parafernalia review section at FPN here.
lady dandelion 