The thrill of taking a chance.

Notebooks and paper are to pens what inhaling is to exhaling. I have my reliables: Kokuyo Campus (not the localized version, which has lesser-quality paper), Midori MD, Daler-Rowney Ivory. Kokuyo Campus lined notebook refills are locally available. My suitcase is heavy with notebooks every time I come back from Singapore. I wish I could find more  Life Noble Note plain notebooks but the brand’s distribution is erratic.

So I’m always on the lookout for fountain pen-friendly notebooks and paper in Manila, even in the most unexpected of places.

Artwork is a happy crazy local tee shop that just happens to have notebooks. They’re called Artwork Doodle Books. The covers are silkscreened and the notebooks are tucked inside. I gravitated towards the skull, of course.

Artwork Doodle Book
Artwork Doodle Book

Inside is 135 x 182 mm off-white plain paper.

Artwork notebook - doodles
Artwork notebook – doodles

Fine flexible nibs will induce slight feathering, but surprisingly not too bad. Standard fine, medium and broad nibs will work. The paper won’t stand up to washes, but accepts colored pencil with grace. Don’t bother writing on the reverse side of the pages, as the paper lets ink bleed through even if it resists feathering up to a point.

The little green notebook
The little green notebook

We found this little green notebook in Dimensione, of all places. The shop sells small furniture and home accents, with an impulse table stacked with gift items, including notebooks. The paper has tooth and absorbs ink well.

Our Story Begins notebook
Our Story Begins notebook

This notebook also came from Dimensione, and it’s safe to say it won’t stay with me. A pity because the cover is so pretty.

On the paper front, I recommend  Bevania Splendorgel, distributed by Premier Paper. The name amuses me no end. I imagine Bevania Splendorgel to be some kind of Valkyrie hipster on a flaming fixie.

Bevania Splendorgel
Bevania Splendorgel

It comes in three weights: 85, 170 and 270 gsm. All withstood the assault of my favorite flex nibs.

Bevania Splendorgel
Bevania Splendorgel

The paper is available in National Bookstore. The white variant’s good, but ivory is easier on the eye.

Have you had any serendipitous finds lately?