The Weskin Bookblock (£15) is a classic A5 notebook with bookcloth cover, gilt edges and lined paper.
The end papers are an interesting geometric design printed in dark grey on ivory paper. The coordinating bellyband is perforated and can be repurposed into a bookmark.
The notebook covers are semi-flexible and feature two grosgrain ribbon bookmarks. Unfortunately, the ribbons are unfinished and cut straight across on the end so they were fraying when they arrived. They need to be sealed on the ends or cut on the bias to keep from fraying. Some white glue, Fray Check or cutting them at a 45º should stop the fraying.
The line ruling inside have a margin around the edge for a clean look that I don’t mind and the ruling is dark grey but the lines are very fine so its not too obtrusive. The line spacing is 7mm.
The Weskin Bookblock uses 90gsm paper in an ivory color. Rollerball, felt tip, ballpoint, gel and pencil performed fine but fountain pen ink feathered quite noticeably.
In the close-up photo above EF fountain pen nibs clearly bled out at least one or more nib size. They became noticeably blotchy.
From the back of the paper, you can see where the ink clearly leaked through as well. The Weskin 90gsm paper is definitely not designed for fountain pens. It looks like Bookblock has introduced several other notebooks with 110gsm paper with a combination of blank, dot grid and lined paper as well as coloring-in pages and fun, illustrated covers which may offer better results with fountain pens.
I think the new Bookblock Editions series with 110gsm paper and assorted dot grid, lined and blank pages may be a better option. While the sophisticated gold edging is nice, I’d rather that the company put the energy into better paper than gilded edges.
DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Bookblock for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
