[ehrtt]

So not to get completely crazy here but about 5 years ago I settled on the Leuchtturm1917 medium, dot grid, softcover notebook + the Pilot Better Retractable ballpoint pen (black, 30000). It's a nice place to be if you want to consider a finer point and a freer page.

[lb1lf]

Considering the near uniform praise I see for Leuchtturm’s offerings both here and elsewhere, I think I’ll give them a go next time I need to stock up on writing materials. (Go-to notebooks for ages has been Moleskine squared hardcover small ones for the field, Rhodia dotted A5 for the office.)

For field work (workshops and offshore) either a pencil or a Fisher Space Pen does it; office? Mostly a fountain pen, a habit kick started when I was five or so and my grandfather gave me an old fountain pen and told me I’d better learn to write using one, as that would teach me how to write properly. I’m not convinced he was right, but it nevertheless started a life-long love affair with fountain pens...

[ftio]

I used Moleskines in college but haven’t looked back since finding Leuchtterm (almost 10 years ago). I love the numbered pages and softer covers, but the best part is that the lines are MUCH lighter. You won’t regret switching.

[lb1lf]

Numbered pages is a plus, but I’ve found the Moleskines to be brilliant field companions - there’s always one in my boiler suit’s breast pocket, and no matter how wet it has become, be it rain, seas or hydraulic oil, no matter how greased and dirty my fingers have been, the notebook holds up. I don’t think I’ll ever use anything else for jotting down notes while offshore.

My local dealer stocks Leuchtturms too; I’ll pick up a few next week.