Paper World

Cambridge Quad Notebook

Dependable graph paper notebook

Having just finished a year of math and science heavy coursework, I am confident in stating that the Cambrdige Quad Wirebound Notebook is one of the best tools I’ve used all year. Notebooks may seem like a silly thing to get worked up about, but having used this day-in and day-out for a year, I can attest that it makes a difference.

When I first started looking for a notebook I was astonished by how much variety existed (especially in the world of graph paper), and consequently how much vitriol is generated by crappy notebooks. Everything from paper thickness to perforation was a potential sore spot. After field testing several varieties it was immediately clear that the Cambridge Quad was the winner.

Why this particular notebook? It has the perfect weight paper that doesn’t bleed when using a variety of pens (I’m partial to the previously reviewed Lamy Safari with Noodler’s Bulletproof Black Ink, and the Pentel Sharp Kerry mechanical pencil). It’s perforations make for clean tearing, but are strong enough that they never unwittingly lose sheets. At 70-sheets per notebook, it’s not too big, and the spiral binding holds up throughout its life (which hasn’t been the case for other notebooks I’ve tried). Finally, the the paper in the Cambridge notebook has a warmer tone which provides for a nice contrast while also making it simple to distinguish any of my assignments in a pile.

At the end of the day these notebooks are nice enough that I’ve stocked up on them in case they decide to stop production.

-- Oliver Hulland 05/14/12

Excerpt

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Don't mind the illegible scrawlings, and instead take note of the warmer tone.

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