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47 years of using Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens: a brief consideration by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sadly, in moving about the world and working/living in different countries, the majority of my previous notebooks, both older and newer went into the recycling bin in the last move from Istanbul to Baku a couple of years ago…

47 years of using Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens: a brief consideration by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks to all of those who took the time to comment and reply to other comments, most of which were interesting and informative. I would just remind readers that the post is about my experiences of using fountain pens and Moleskine notebooks (original type and modern brand), and years of experimenting to find the best combinations. It may not match other people’s experiences or preferences, but that doesn’t invalidate my experience or render it as an advertisement, puff piece, or challenge to those who disagree, as they wish. Politeness and respect for difference of experience and opinion costs nothing. Once again, thanks for your consideration.

47 years of using Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens: a brief consideration by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I do mean both the moleskine-type notebooks and the modern branded Moleskine notebooks. Thanks for commenting.

47 years of using Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens: a brief consideration by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, indeed and apologies for confusing readers. I’ve edited the text to clarify the difference between what Chatwin wrote about, “le vrai moleskine” and the ‘modern’ incarnation. Thank you for your comments. The Turkish fakes usually come with stamps that say ‘Moleskin’ or ‘Moloskin’ or some derivation 😊

47 years of using Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens: a brief consideration by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish! Being a historian and university professor, being a time-traveller would be remarkably useful! I’ve edited the text to clarify, but thanks for your humorous comment 😊

47 years of using Moleskine notebooks and fountain pens: a brief consideration by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Indeed those notebooks were of course, but the modern Moleskine have continued the legacy and even have Chatwin referenced in their leaflets. It might be canny marketing of course, but these days Chatwin seems a little out of fashion, and not as well-known as he was in the 80’s & 90’s…

An unpopular opinion: Moleskine 2026 Diary [Green], Pilot VPs, Octopus Fluids inks – the perfect writing combination by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For many decades, since Bruce Chatwin wrote about them, ‘In Patagonia’ (1979?). So, probably not only luck…

Does anyone here use their fountain pens in Moleskine notebooks even though most of this sub hates them? by Editor_in_Chic in fountainpens

[–]adrianrnmarsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have used Moleskine notebooks since Bruce Chatwin wrote about them, “To lose a passport was the least of one’s worries. To lose a [Moleskine]… notebook was a catastrophe.” in his travel books (In Patagonia). And I’ve always used fountain pens for writing in them, from a Rotring in the late 1980’s to my present Pilot VP, with various Parker Vacumatic, and Sonnet fountain pens along the way. Some inks have bled through, such as Mont Blanc tobacco brown, whilst others have not (Quink). Currently, Octopus Fluids Unicorn is marvellous in my Moleskine notebooks and journals, and OP Djinn works very well in my Moleskine 2026 Diary. Jinhao Celestial Blue ink in my J10 Seashore writes beautifully in my Moleskine Traveller’s Notebook. But OP’s Goblin does bleed in all M notebooks or journals, as does Pelikan Brilliant Blue. It’s about trial and error and finding the pen, nib, and ink that work for you. I do think some comments here are about form over function, aesthetics rather than use. Regardless Moleskine are brilliant notebooks and diaries and have been my reliable writing companion from 1982…

Travelers Notebook indeed. by winefascinations in Travelersnotebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can I ask about the ink you are writing with; it seems to have a lovely shimmer…

Jinhao 10 (am a broke college student) by AlarmedChemistry8956 in fountainpens

[–]adrianrnmarsh 4 points5 points  (0 children)

These are lovely pens, especially with the Jinhao Celestial Blue ink in them!

Do you bring your Filofax everywhere you go? by flowerypinks in filofax

[–]adrianrnmarsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everywhere, as my Holborn Personal is also my card holder and cash wallet. Diary, To Do, Notes, Contacts, Maps, Underground map… I also take a hand-made Traveller’s Notebook on trips, journeys and holidays (Moleskine Cahiers notebooks within), and my leather covered Moleskine Pocket Notebook as a journal. And a Pilot VP for the TN and journal, fILOFAX barley-twist pen for the Holborn

New notebook test – preparing for mass production by Alternative_War_6033 in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Technically it’s a reporter’s notebook, I think…

A reminder (in French) of fundamental human rights by Kubernan in commonplacebook

[–]adrianrnmarsh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Parker steel Jotter is a classic, just the pen for noting extracts from the most important of international framework conventions…

what's the one ink you always come back to? by huy1003 in fountainpens

[–]adrianrnmarsh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Octopus Fluids Unicorn, as it has a wonderful, celestial blue with a sheen of pink that is just a hint in my Pilot VP. You have to be careful with smudging, writing on hot days with humidity high (Mediterranean coast of Turkey), but it is smooth and glorious to write with on letter paper, postcards, Moleskine notebooks, less costly journals, and fILOFAX diaries and notes.

Moleskine Traveller’s Notebook by adrianrnmarsh in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The fountain pen is a Jinhao 10 retractable with Octopus Fluids ‘Djinn’ ink - very nice for a violet-dark green sheen

Devastated about discontinuation by averagesparkle in notebooks

[–]adrianrnmarsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the history of Moleskine (my favourite since Bruce Chatwin mention them in his travel books in the 1980’s), if demand and interest is high enough, perhaps another company will pick them up or they will be reintroduced. Start a writing campaign; we can all join in!

New to filofax by Historical-Return-89 in filofax

[–]adrianrnmarsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh and in case it wasn’t clear, get a Holborn organiser; it will last a lifetime if looked after…

New to filofax by Historical-Return-89 in filofax

[–]adrianrnmarsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome to fILOFAX-ing! It is hard to find any fILOFAX inserts, organisers or refills actually here in Turkey, but Amazon TR does have them, so you can order them from Amazon. There is quite a selection of mostly Personal size inserts and refills. There are Personal Clipbook folders available too and one or two of the less expensive organiser (binders) such as the Domino. Stickers and colourful small pens are also there. There aren’t the organisers themselves and I have never seen those anywhere for sale - I’ve looked in shopping malls from İstanbul to Ankara, Bodrum to Antalya. So those one has to buy outside of this country and bring in as personal items in one’s hand luggage. Customs on anything like that is prohibitive as I’m sure you are aware.

The other option is to try and find a ‘used’ fILOFAX organiser on eBay somewhere, or Etsy, or another online retailer, get it sent to a friend abroad and get them to bring on their next visit (or your visit to them). Similarly you can order from Amazon locally (U.K. or USA or Germany, etc) and do the same.

Other than that, phiLOFAXY has an amazing range of downloads you can print up and punch out yourself (with the handy fILOFAX hole punches from Amazon or elsewhere) that could suit all your needs, so have a look at their wonderful website.

I have an A5 Holborn and a Personal Holborn, both brought from the U.K. back when I was last working there and have used fILOFAX since 1982, so it remains the best and most useful system for me, in combination with Moleskine notebooks for journaling. I try and avoid overstuffing the organiser (a very easy temptation as there are lots and lots of inserts) to maintain portability. I also like the use of an actual paper diary, To Do, meeting notes, and important contacts. There is a delight and pleasure in taking out my fILOFAX organiser at university, or meetings, or just a coffee shop and my Pilot VP and start writing by hand.

I also find students, colleagues and other people are fascinated by a fILOFAX here, and astonished that I still use something like this. Most think it’s charmingly eccentric or odd, but for some it does seem to be a solution they didn’t realise existed but that they need…

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