[Pen/Pencil Review] Franklin-Christoph Sugar Cane Paper Notebook A6
I’m going with something a little different today – a notebook I picked up after seeing it mentioned in Pen World Magazine. Paper made from sugar cane pulp instead of wood. There were a couple of different vendors mentioned, but the one I picked up was from Franklin-Christoph. Their notebooks come in three sizes and in a couple of different styles.
The notebooks come in “A” sizes – A6 (Small), A5 (Medium), and A4 (Large). The bindings are either top or side in stitched leather or slick cardboard. The “higher” end designs come embossed with the logo. The pages range from ruled, graph, dotted, or blank – stitched bindings are color coded to the type of rule. The lines are 5mm apart for a very narrow college rule with solid top and bottom margin lines.
The paper itself is derived from sugar cane. Franklin-Christoph has designed this to be resistant to feathering and bleed through while being smooth and ink absorbent. It’s a 90gm paper weight giving the pages the same substance as most high-quality journals and notebooks – like Rhodia and Leuchtturm1917 – but with an ecological edge. The sugar cane paper is formulated to be acid free and pH neutral. I find them to be a smooth writing experience. Even the pencil I used with a standard HB lead comes off darker and richer. There’s still some smearing if you touch liquid inks like fountain pen in when writing, but you can’t stop that.
The back – to show bleed through (and the basic lack thereof)
These are not inexpensive notebooks – these run $7.00 – $19.50 (depending on binding). The beveled edges and embossing of even the paper backed notebooks shows a dedication to quality. However, for the budget minded (like me) they do have a “Stock Room” option (which is where I got mine). If you don’t mind a previous model, a scratch, dent, or slight imperfection – you can purchase these notebooks at a discount. However you’re limited to availability. The one I’m using now is the A6, and I believe I have an A4 at home – which may be my next notebook when I’m ready to switch out.
The cover is really reflective. Hard to get a really good picture of it.
I really do like the idea of paper from other sources. I’ve been seeing some other options besides typical wood pulp and want to investigate these more. But so far, the sugar cane makes nice paper. If you’re looking for other options, check this out.
The numbers:
1. How does it work? – 1 – It works just fine. The pages are smooth, thick and does actually prevent ink feathering.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – So, there’ s not really a GRIP, but even with the cardstock covers, the back is sturdy enough to give support. The binding holds the pages well.
3. Material – 1 – I was hesitant. After all SUGAR CANE? But the sugar cane paper acts, feels, and performs just as well as high-end wood journal paper, but with an easier sustainability.
4. Overall Design – 1 – Though I might like a bit wider line in the ruled, that’s not enough to knock it. The “European” sizing might through some folk off, but I think that’s just a more a preference thing, and makes it a bit more “sophisticated” and/or universal.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – The notebooks are expensive if you go full retail, and they’re really only available through the Franklin-Christoph site. But they’re not outrageously expensive – considering the quality of the product – and they do have the Stock Room Option (which I’ll be making more use of). It might be worth the investment for the high quality and sustainable paper.
That’s 4.5 of 5 bronze pencils.
