Moleskine Cahier
I just got my order from Mojo London which includes a new large ruled Moleskine for work, and a pack of the new Moleskine Cahiers.
The classic large ruled Moleskine is what I expected. However, I was disappointed at the Cahiers. I thought these might be Volants with pockets in them. My boss took a look and went "These aren't Moleskine... They're cardboard!" And he's right.
The Volants had the cover like the standard Moleskines, stiched sets of pages which were then glued together. Cahiers are just a bunch of pages stitched together once (and showing on the spine) wrapped in cardboard. There is not even a "if lost, then return" page in the front. The so-called pocket is a cardboard corner.
If Moleskine think they are replacing the Volants with these, then they have taken a massive step back. I recommend that you do not buy these. Snap up any Volants remaining, but stay away from the Cahiers.
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What is a moleskine? I may not be able to live without one :)
They are books that are made from the skins of moles. They get the moles and bash them with hammers until they are very very flat. Then they wrap up some blank bits of paper and charge you an extortionate amount of money for the privilege of owning one. Find out more at: http://www.moleskinerie.com/
I love my moleskines. You know I actually had to go look up the moleskin thing to double check what you said. Heh.
When I first got the Cahiers, I thought it would be good for sketching and times when I wanted a lightweight journal I could roll into my pocket. However, everyone pen I've tried on it either bleeds through or is very visible on the back of the page. I'm giving them to my little girl to draw in. Bleh!
I'm a bit of a Cahier fan. I like the fact that they're light and thin (and relatively cheap). I can carry a couple of different sizes in my bag for quick sketching - I don't seem to be bothered by the bleed through that Loretta mentions. I can fill one quickly too which means I can rush back to the shop and indulge my sketchbook buying addiction on a regular basis. All that said I've never owned a Volant - perhaps if I had I'd be feelng miffed too. Best wishes from Wales Michael
Following on from Loretta's comments - I am a sad moleskine addict who has been through about twenty pen and ink types to find the optimum moleskine solution. I can recommend Noodlers black ink. There is no feathering on the page and it does not bleed through. I get it from the USA (which is a pain)but the upside is you get a big bottle and the exchange rate is great. Hope it helps! :-). I would copy you a link but I don't want to be accused of comment spam - type in "Noodlers Ink" into google and there are numerous suppiers.