Midori World Meister’s Note Vol. 1 “Dainel” Notebook Review

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

The Midori World Meister’s Note series features collaborations between Japan and other countries.  The Dainel is the first in the series which Midori describes as ” A marriage of French leather paper and Japan’s MD paper, developed for the best writing comfort”.

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

The color of the cover is a bit more brown and less grey than the picture shows.
The color of the cover is a bit more brown and less grey than the picture shows.

Let’s start with the cover and then make our way inside.  The cover is made in France out of “French leather paper” and according to the packaging:

“[Dainel] stands for ‘suede’ in France.  In a town some 200 km east of the capital, Paris, 30 years of experience with suede work have created a one-of-a-kind technology unique in the whole world.  This unique technology has crystallized in this gorgeous leather paper.”

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

To me the cover looks a bit like suede but I was disappointed when I touched it; it feels like a mediocre felt.  The more I use the notebook the more I like the cover; it is a lot nicer than a paper cover but it certainly isn’t leather.  The cover has “Dainel” pressed into the front of the cover and “The World Meister’s Note” pressed into the spine.  This cover is the light brown color and I believe they come in four or five other colors.

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

This notebook is extremely well made and dare I say, better than anything else I have seen in its price range. The notebook is nicely stitched this notebook lays flat.

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

The inside of the notebook features 91 A5 pages of Midori’s exceptional cream colored MD paper which holds fountain pen ink beautifully.  There is no bleed through even with juicy pens and almost no feathering.

It's a 91 page notebook because the first page has this logo printed on it.
It’s a 91 page notebook because the first page has this logo printed on it.

Midori World Meister's Note Vol. 1 "Dainel"

No bleed through and minor ghosting.
No bleed through and minor ghosting.

At around $13 this notebook is not cheap but the combination of the quality and the branding make it a winner.  I look forward to getting my hands on the other notebooks in this series; I believe they are up to volume 3.

Exacompta FAF Desk Pad Review

Exacompta FAF Desk Pad

Exacompta is part of the Exacompta Clairefontaine Group (Rhodia, Clairefontaine, G. Lalo,  J. Herbin, Quo Vadis, and others).  Exacompta means “exact accounting”; the company originally made ledgers and now is more known for journals.

The Exacompta FAF (Fabriqué en France) Desk Pad is a bit of an odd item.  It is a metal-backed refillable notepad with 200 perforated 60 gsm sheets that measure 4.25″ x 7.25″ (this is the medium size).  I am not sure why anyone would need a refillable notepad but it looked interesting so I purchased one.  Exacompta claims that it is built in a workshop built by Gustave Eiffel (the man who designed the Eiffel Tower).

Exacompta FAF Desk Pad

The 60 gsm paper is thinner than Clairefontaine and Rhodia paper; it is also not as smooth but it holds ink well as has a faster drying time.  There is virtually no bleed through.  I had to try pretty hard to get the paper to bleed.  I prefer the paper to both Clairefontaine and Rhodia because of how thin the paper is and how quick it dries (compared to other fountain pen friendly papers).  Exacompta calls the sheets “microperforated” which seems pretty generous as they don’t make for the cleanest of tears.  The notches next to the perforations are a touch I quite like.  As the name implies this notepad is designed for the desk; the exposed bolts and lack of a cover don’t make the FAF all that portable.

Exacompta FAF Desk Pad

A few negative points: 1) I don’t like the ugly Exacompta two tree logo at the top of the pad and 2) the metal back bows slightly causing the pad to feel a bit springy which is annoying. 3) The FAF costs almost $40!

Exacompta FAF Desk Pad

I have seen lined refills for the FAF but in the US I believe they only sell the blanks (200 sheets for $8).  Despite its flaws I really like the FAF Desk Pad; it has a vintage high quality look and fountain pen friendly paper.

Here is are some great reviews of the FAF Desk Pad:

(I have no affiliation to the sites linked below)

Pencil Talk – Exacompta Bloc Faf – Retro Office Excellence

Life Imitates Doodles – Review of the Exacompta FAF Pad

OfficeSupplyGeek – Exacompta FAF Pad – Retro Desk Pad

Pocket Blonde – Review: FAF Un Bloc Pad