One of the few old world habits that I stubbornly stick with is writing with a fountain pen. I don’t write nearly as much as I type, but when I do, l like the feel of a good ink nib against paper. It helps me think better, or so it seems.
When writing with a fountain pen, the kind of paper you write on is very important. It has to be of a certain quality, otherwise the nib snags or the ink blots. I don’t believe you are supposed to write on both sides of the paper, but I do. So for me, the thickness and quality of the paper is even more important.
I do most of my writing when I am traveling – in meetings, on planes, on phone calls – whenever it is inconvenient to fire up the old laptop. So I need a light notebook.
Unfortunately, you don’t get light notebooks with high quality paper. I have tried Moleskine. Very high quality paper. Looks good. But with 192 pages and a hard bound cover, it adds many ounces to my already heavy laptop bag.
Last week I was in Mumbai. Before lunch with a friend we had some time and stepped into Rhythm House, a favourite haunt of ours when my wife and I lived in the city. I saw some notebooks on display. Most of them were thick with colored paper which weren’t interesting to me.
Then I saw this slim notebook, just 80 pages, with a cover that was made of craft paper. Good quality Very simply designed but with just a few stylistic touches to make it stand out. The price at Rs. 80 is a steal compared to the Moleskine prices.
I bought a notebook. The product is from Rubberband Products. There is a design studio, Ajay Shah Design Studio, behind it. Goes to show that good design can breath life into every day products that are almost commodities.
Now I’m in Chennai. I wish they had an outlet here. I would have stocked up before I left for the US.
6 am pacific 
http://www.srinivasfinearts.com/
Nightingale notebooks from this company is famous in South India. I like them.
LikeLike
http://www.nightingale.co.in/
If you ask for Nightingale note books; you will get it in most of the book shops in Chennai.
LikeLike
Basab: This post made me laugh out loud. Yes, it is something you said. I too seek out pretty but sturdy notebooks for writing all the time. And when I find them, I buy them in large numbers. Some friends have now taken it upon themselves to buy such notebooks for me so now I seem to have supplies for a couple years (I write a lot on paper). I used to think my predilection weird but now I know I am in good company! Long live paper, pencils and fountain pens and their patrons, I say. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
I completely agree with you on the likeness of rubberband to moleskine.. was trying to replace my moleskine by purchasing the rubberband book online.. when I came across your article š
LikeLike
I have heard about this notebook…but haven’t seen it yet.
Sounds interesting to me…
LikeLike
At one time, our company was manufacturing Moleskin Notebooks for a company in Italy named Modo and Modo.
I still have some stocks left, In case someone needs these books, Please let me know at magicpaper@rediffmail.com
LikeLike
You are right. I have been using the 80 page notebook for a year now. My search stopped when I found this product. In Bangalore many shops seem to carry them nowadays (landmark, crossword, staples, etc).
LikeLike
Hi Mr.Basab Pradhan & all other Rubberband fans
Greetings from Rubberband Products
Great to know you are an ardent fan of Rubberband Products.We are interacting with our fans on the social web to understand, how to design better products to aid you in better ways.It would be great to have dedicated fans like you to hear from and know what excites you about Rubberband.
Do fan us on facebook @http://www.facebook.com/rubberband.kit
Follow us on twitter @http://www.twitter.com/rubberband_kit
While you are there, be sure to let us know your ideas and opinions about Rubberband Products.
Thanks
Rubberband Team
LikeLike