I am in USA; two mostly used paper sizes seem to be letter (8.5"x11") and legal.
For note taking in a school setting i prefer to have a thick notebook which will not undo itself due to its own weight and binding.
The spring coiled ones have a tendency to free/tear the paper near the start/end of the notebook . Other problem is that they cannot be bent/molded or the spring starts to unfold. The perforated ones unravel when bent around the binding ever so slightly. Binders (w/ loose leaf paper) are just plain bulky/clumsy to take notes.
So the only thing that discourages the notebooks not to be undone is to use thin versions. I have yet to find a stable, thick, reasonably priced notebook like thing.
On work (as in job), i much prefer loose leaf paper (in a binder clamp) or a pad w/ perforations.
These days, i carry pads around 7.25"x5". There purpose is to take small disjointed notes, unsuitable to sketch out algorithm, truth table or such. For that purpose i have blank 20lb (next time i am going to 24-28lb) laser printer paper, or unused side of paper received in mail.
For sketching or pencil doodling i prefer heavy weight paper; pen doodling is best done on smooth 24lb copier/printer paper.
In any case, I prefer to use unused side/portion of a clean paper before recycling/throwing/shredding.
My writing style involves writing w/ very light pressure. If i need to consciously press the pen to write, that pen is not for me. Some gel pens are a delight to write with in that regard.
Parker Vector -- a rollerball pen, ~$6 -- is hideous mostly because the writing point becomes coarse, skips at certain angle, and the ink container leaks (from/near the writing point) when shaken.
I use pencils only when required. I do use colored pencils of my own free will for sketching and like.
Non-refillable pens are avoided. I love the jotter variety of ball pens. They write far more than regular ball point ones (gel pens included). Only problem is that one does not know if ink is running out until pen stops to write.
Portability is best provided w/ those pens which do not have loose caps or accidental pushing of button at the end to worry about. That leaves the pen housing design which can the twist for me.
I like the shell to be on the thicker side with some weight, unlike skinny Parker or Cross Classic (description) versions. Currently i have three-four identical Sheaffer Prelude housings. (The one i have is not shown; imagine it to be the base finish like the one at the bottom w/ gold(en) trims.) I once bought and returned another Prelude pen w/ high gloss chrome like finish as it hurt my eyes.
I am accustomed to blue ink, but some entities like things to be filled out in black ink. Any other color ink (not as dark as blue or black) w/ good contrast on light (colored) paper is good enough for editing, annotations, etc. Any writing is best done w/ fine point, unless the paper is rough. Medium point (in dark ink) is versatile when it comes to doodling.
-- Real men write in ink. - me
In reply to Re: OT: Favorite notebooks and pens
by parv
in thread OT: Favorite notebooks and pens
by dws
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