The Notebook Addict

Review: Doane Paper Utility Notebook

I am very fond of the Doane Paper legal pad, especially for my pen reviews, but when Chad Doane mentioned recently that he would be coming out with a pocket notebook in the Doane Paper style, I was really excited to try one out.  The Doane Paper Utility Notebook checks in at 3.5" x 5.5", which seems to be the standard for pocket sized notebooks these days.  Here are the rest of the specs:

Grid Size - .125” (.3175 cm) x .125” (.3175 cm)
Wide (Legal) Ruled Line Spacing
48 Pages per notebook
100 LB Cover Stock covers
80 LB Text Stock content pages
Rugged 3 staple saddle-stitch binding
Made in the U.S.A.
Custom Covers are available
Sold in packs of 3

The first thing I noticed about the utility notebook was how sturdy it feels.  Compared side by side to the Moleskine Cahier (64 pages) and the Field Notes Memo Book (48 pages), it is much thicker, as well as stiffer.  I've only had it for a few days, but it seems like it is going to handle knocking around in my backpack or back pocket better than the Moleskine or Field Notes.  But on that note, the notebook is hard to spread flat right now.  I am hoping that is it just the newness of it, and once I break it in, it will be just fine.

The Doane Utility notebook sandwiched between the Field Notes Memo Book (top) and the Moleskine Cahier (bottom).  Click all photos to enlarge.

Writing Samples - Front

The paper in the Doane Utility Notebook performed well.  Gel ink, ballpoint, and felt tip pens all did great.  The paper was smooth, and the grid lines provided a nice background no matter the color I used.  The best part about it was there was little to no bleed.  From the back side of the page, you couldn't even tell that I had written on the front.

Writing Samples - Back

Fountain pens, on the other hand, may be an issue.  I don't have any real fountain pens (I am going to order something nice for notebook testing very soon), but I do have a Platinum Preppy and a Pilot Petit.  The Preppy did fine, but the Petit bled through pretty easily, and my guess is that will be the case with most fountain pens inks.  I'll test it more once I get another fountain pen to try.

Fountain Pen - Front

Fountain Pen - Back

All in all, the Doane Utility Notebook is a great addition to the pocket size notebook field.  For me, it is going to replace my Moleskine Cahier and Field Notes as my portable notebook of choice.

Written Review (Done with Uni-Ball Signo DX 0.38mm Black)

Giveaway: Doane Paper Products

Color me surprised, and you lucky, because a package from Chad Doane arrived on my doorstep yesterday with some samples from the new Doane Paper Store.  Chad has graciously provided a three-pack of the Doane Paper Writing Pads and a three-pack of the Doane Paper Utility Notebooks for me to giveaway, so here is what we are going to do:

1. Leave one comment on this post anytime between now, and Thursday night at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.  You are limited to one entry.  Feel free to link this giveaway on your blog, or share it with anyone you feel is a notebook addict.

3. For this contest, I will pick three winners at random from the comments section of this post.  Each winner will receive (1) Doane Paper Writing Pad and (1) Doane Paper Utility Notebook.  The comments will be numbered in the order they are received, i.e. the first comment is #1, the second #2, and so on.  The random number generator at randomizer.org will be used to pick the number of the winner.

4. The contest winner will be posted on Friday, November 7th.  The winner will have one week to email me at the address posted in the right sidebar.

5. I will ship internationally.  I know their are many international readers and fans of The Pen Addict (and hopefully now The Notebook Addict), and I will gladly ship to you at my expense.

Thanks again to Chad Doane, and please be sure to visit the newly redesigned Doane Paper Store.