I was recently sent a black Habana Notebook to review from Karen at Exaclair and the fine folks at the Quo Vadis Blog. Be sure to check out both sites if you haven’t been there before. I will be giving this notebook away and all you have to do to enter is leave a comment. If you’ve already won something from me before you won’t be entered into the drawing, but you can still leave a comment if you’d like. The drawing will take place on Monday November 2nd and the winner will be notified via email.
If you want a well constructed, durable, premium notebook with the best paper around then the Habana is for you. Quo Vadis has made a notebook so good that I probably won’t even consider using a different one, unless I get to try it for free. The Habana is a hard cover notebook with a leather look to it and great feel in the hand. The rounded corners are a nice feature that I tend to prefer because it helps keep the corners from curling to easily. The binding is actually very user friendly and allows the notebook to lay pretty flat on its own. With a little encouragement you can get it to lay perfectly flat.
You should be able to find one in a color that matches your personality. Orange if you like attention, red, blue, black for a semi-professional look, and taupe…if you’re into that sort of thing. The Habana features an elastic closure that matches the color of the notebook, which is very cool if you ask me. It has a pocket insert at the back and comes in two sizes: 6X9 and 4X6 inches. The best part about this notebook, though, is the paper!
The Habana notebook has 80 sheets of lined, premium, extra-white, 90gr Clairefontaine paper. This is my favorite paper and is often in a battle with Rhodia as my choice depending on what fountain pen I’m using. Clairefontaine is incredibly smooth, some people even say its too smooth. Of course, I don’t say that. But, some do. It handles any ink in any fountain pen with ease. I’ve only had it feather a tiny bit when using super flex nibs that gush ink.
I really enjoy all of Quo Vadis’ products. One reason I’ll keep buying this notebook is because it’s made in the USA and they care about the environment. They manufacture their own paper from sustainable forest and offer nearly 100% recycled planners in their Equology line. They’re also reasonably priced, especially for the quality of product that you get in return. The small Habana is $15 and the large version is $20. The only thing I can think of that would make this notebook better is to offer one in a 120 page version.
Wow! Looks like a feasible moleskine replacement! Too bad the paper is really white, I prefer cream coloured paper.
That's one of the few journals I have not tried with my new love of fountain pen writing. I'm in.
They are supposedly one of the best notebooks. No affiliation.
M
Seems like a nice sturdy, book.
I've been hearing so much about the dreamy paper from Quo Vadis Habana, that I can't help but to wish one. Lovely elastic band and cover.
Nice review.
Please don't enter me in the giveaway as I have just received my one Habana to review.
Oooh, I am very excited by this chance to win this.
Do you find that the ink shows through the other side of the paper?
I've never experienced any bleed through on Clairefontaine paper, not even with my wettest, super-flex nibs.
Looks very nice. I've used a couple Quo Vadis books this year, and have been very happy with them.
Regards, greg
Looks like a viable replacement for the inconsistent Moleskines
I love how the Orange Indien ink on that paper
Thank you for the chance.
Would love to see how this compares to my canteo notebooks I have been using. Who knows maybe I will get lucky,,,
More notebook love… Me happy
Nice review- I haven't seen any Habanas to buy locally, but I'd definitely like to give one a try at some point, so feel free to enter me in the giveaway!
Since my journal is about full this would be a great win for me.
It looks a lovely notebook but it is £15 here ans I think that's a lot for a notebook. I bet the paper is class though
Glad to hear another good review of the Habana. Thanks for the chance to win one! Otherwise it'd be far too long before I get to try it.
I'm in! Never tried a Quo Vadis, it looks lovely!
Would definitely be an upgrade from what I am using now….
Great review–I always appreciate writing samples! And thanks for hosting this giveaway. Quo Vadis Habana notebooks are wonderful!
I have wanted to try this journal, so I hope I win. Great review, didn't know the paper was Clairfontaine, the paper you just love to caress.
Another one of the things on my "to acquire" list!I've heard nothing bad about these….Thanks for the review!
Great review. Looks like a fine journal. I wonder if they will have one available with cream paper?
a great review and now i have to head into manhattan to get one!
I'm about finished with one, and I fully agree with Dan's opinion. This is simply one of the best notebooks available at any price!
(Dan, don't enter me in the giveaway. Someone else who's never tried one should get it!)
Definitely looks like a great notebook. Curious if they are available in blank page versions as well? I've seen them up here in Canada, but they didn't say they had Clairefontaine paper in them, so I've always shied away.
Thanks for the review…. If I don't win I'll have to find a supplier
Well, if anything could make me leave Clairefontaine or Rhodia, I guess it would be another paper from the same people. If its anywhere close to those, it must be excellent.
Sounds like it's worth a try; the larger size looks especially useful, but
Count me in. I haven't tried this one yet.
Fantastic! This is the first I've heard of these. It seems like just the thing I've been searching for.
Thanks to your previous Quo Vadis review, my Minister is arriving via UPS today. I hope, I hope. Now I've already calculated that to get through 2010, I'll need at least a dozen of these Habanas. Quo vado? To notebook heaven, I presume.
I've been slowly working my way through various notebooks, searching for "the one." Finding the right paper is crucial! I'd love to try the Habana with my Pelikan M400 and Sailor Pro Gear. Marriage made in heaven, perhaps….
This sounds like it is a worth a try.
I'm new to the pen and paper game, and quickly becoming up to scratch! This notebook looks attractive, yet serious at the same time. I love it!
And the winner of the Habana Notebook is KimJ!!!
Congratulations!
Thanks everyone for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
I've been using a Quo Vadis "Minister" planner all this year. I really love the planner (and it has held up extrememly well, spending ten months in my backpack), so am very happy to see the notebook.
Dave
I'm in!
I'm usually very happy with all things Clairefontaine, but have never tried the Quo Vadis! I'll have to seek one out!
Is it bad this notebook makes me salivate this much? I really hope not.
Wow, nice notebook. Im looking for my first notebook thats FP friendly. I just started playing with FPs a month ago.
appears perfect for a first journal!
Nice reveiw Dan and toss my name in please.
Looks like a great journal to use to my wet noodles!
Looks great! I can get Clairefontaine in Belgium, but haven't seen these before.
Looks like a great alternative to Moleskines. I've never been a big fan of Moleskines and have been using a similar-looking journal by Kokuyo. However, the paper quality is a bit hit-and-miss, and is cream / off-white, while I prefer plain white. It doesn't lay flat too, which can be plain annoying. Would love to try out a Habana especially since I've never seen any Quo Vadis products here.
great journal! Too bad we can't get them here in Belgium
I will be receiving a Pilot 78G soon and will be picking up a Quo Vadis Habana to in with it.