Review: The Stifflexible Notebook

Just a few days after receiving my Field Notes notebook in the mail, I received my Stifflexible notebook in the mail from Italy! The Stifflexible is made by the Mazzuoli company in Italy.

I've been interested in these since first seeing them last year when reviewed at the Black Cover blog (definitely check it out). I and others are always on the look for an alternative to Moleskine that might be a little cheaper but hold up as well, and take fountain pen ink at least as well. I've never personally had much trouble with fountain pen ink in Moleskines, but I know some others have.

Anyway, I shredded the large envelope from Italy and found a nicely packed Stifflexible notebook, wrapped in cellophane. The notebook itself is about 5.25" x 3.5", and the lines are about 0.25" apart. (click on any pic to see full-size)

I quickly peeled off the plastic and checked it out. The first thing I noticed is that the name 'STIFFLEXIBLE' is printed on the rear of the journal. No harm, but a little odd. It also has a built-in elastic strap but no bookmark. There's also a pocket in the rear. Correction/Update: I just found out that the flap over the pocket is intended to be a bookmark as well.

Also worth noting, the Stifflexible also includes a small brochure similar to what comes with a Moleskine journal. Nice touch


There's also an inside pocket at the rear of the notebook. And it includes a nice little addition that I appreciate. A solid blank/black page so that the edges of the pocket don't disturb one's writing. You know how annoying it gets when writing on paper over a seam in a table or some similar edge?





Here is the inside cover, both pages ...




Another fantastic feature of this little journal, the 'flexible' part of Stifflexible! There are two built-in creases in the the front and back covers. It's not enough to fold the journal, but just enough to make it 'flexible' to stick in your hip pocket. Perfect! I wish Moleskines had that feature. The paper is bright white and not cream colored as we see in some journals. I know some people prefer one over the other.

It's worth noting that the binding on these looks to be glued rather than stitched if that makes a difference to anyone, and I couldn't quite get the pages to lie as flat as I would like.

Now let's see the bottom line. How is the paper? I used four different pens and a pencil. Let's take a look.



Did it bleed through? I would say no, in this respect the paper is at least as good as that in my recent Moleskines.

I'm a little unsettled by the fact that there's a special Che Guevara edition, but I guess you pick your spots. ;-)

In short, these are great little notebooks, and recommended! And be sure to check out the posts on the Stifflexible at the Black Cover blog:
Will the Stifflexible Rise From The Grave?
Happy Holidays from the new Stifflexible!

On the Uni-Ball Sign0 207 pen:
Uni-ball - 207
moleskinerie: Pen Review: Uniball 207

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