By now, there is very little original to say about the Habana. Plenty of good, detailed reviews have been written (see the end of this post for links). Let's get the basics out of the way, straight from the Exaclair website:
- Clairefontaine paper - extra white, exceptionally smooth satin finish
- 90 g, acid-free and pH neutral paper (for desk size and pocket blank)
- 80 sheets
- Firm cover for writing support
- Elastic closure, ribbon bookmark
- Inside pocket for notes and cards
- Elegant round corners
- Sewn binding for extra security and flexibility
- 6 1/4 x 9 1/4"
The large Habana is significantly larger than the large Rhodia Webnotebook (pictured) or Moleskine |
Unfortunately, it is what I love most about the notebook that is changing — the paper is going to be off-white in the newer version, and slightly thinner (85 g). The thinner paper is supposed to be just as fountain pen friendly, but I will miss the bright white paper, which is somewhat of a standout feature in notebooks.
Apparently, the change is intended to make the paper identical in Habanas worldwide. The announcement from Quo Vadis is here. Goulet Pen Co. proprietor Brian Goulet shares what he learned from Quo Vadis and his hopes for the new notebook at Ink Nouveau.
My sample was taupe. Some months ago, I read a review (that I can't find now) in which the reviewer thought the taupe cover looked just plain brown. Odd, because to me, it looks quite pink!
The Habana opens nice and flat when on a table, and is easy to write on when you're away from any surface to put the notebook on. Its somewhat larger size lets you rest your hand on the page longer than in a smaller notebook, and the leatherette cover, though uniquely flexible, is firm enough to serve as a writing surface.
Rear pocket gusset |
The leatherette cover is uniquely flexible, yet stiff enough to provide a firm writing surface if you're away from a table.
Flexible cover, anyone? |
So far as I can tell, the only thing changing is the paper, so if you find any of the other aspects I've described appealing, and the new paper lives up to its billing, this may be just the notebook for you.
Other reviews:
DIY Planner
Takenotesonthis's Blog
Reciprocal Crap Exchange
Everyday Correspondence
Unposted
Plannerisms
Passion du Jour
Black Cover
The Orchard
Lady Dandelion
Rants of the Archer
Spiritual Evolution of the Bean
I'm barely scratching the surface there. I'm not kidding that this may be the last review ever for this version of the notebook!
Thanks for the review, what's really funny is that my WebNoteBook v.3 that I have has a big White Apple Logo on the cover in the same place as yours! :-) Macheads are proud folks aren't we?
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