You may recall that I reviewed the Webbie and the Habana last November. But when Stephanie, at Rhodia Drive, asked if I would like to do a review of the NEW Webbie I was eager to see the changes.
From the outside the changes are not at all obvious. Same black cover with the Rhodia emblem. Some people don't like the prominent emblem in the middle of the cover, but honestly it doesn't bother me.
The back pocket, elastic closure and ribbon marker are all still there, as they should be. (For those who've asked, these photos were taken on our back porch, :-D)
The notebook still closes flat easily and lays almost completely flat when open. Most importantly it still contains the high quality 90g Clairefontaine paper that we have all come to know and love.
The differences are subtle but important. Gone is the Rhodia logo from the bottom corner of each page, which was a distraction for some, but for me the most important thing is that this Webbie is blank, no lines.
I really do not like lines on my journal pages, I can't doodle with the freedom on lined pages that I have on blank pages (not that I do that much doodling but I like having the option).
The only drawback, for me, with the Webbie is the ivory paper. It's lovely but I prefer white paper. Which is rather silly since so many of the journals I use actually have ivory paper. I love the white paper in the Habana and would probably choose the blank version of it first, but it's nice to have the alternative of the blank Webbie. There are also the options on the sizes as the Webbie is slightly smaller (5-1/2 x 8-1/4 in) compared to the Habana (6-1/4 x 9-1/4). The Webbie also has 96 sheets compared to the Habana's 80 sheets.
As expected, the Webbie performs outstandingly with fountain pen ink, no feathering and absolutely no show through or bleed through. Editor's note: someone asked about the ink no being smear proof on the paper, I have not run into any problems with this. Fountain pen ink may be a little slow to dry because of the weight of the paper, but I have had no problem with the ink smearing once dry.
It also performs well with Pitt Artist Pens. Copic Markers bleed through, but I have yet to find paper that they don't - they are definitely for use only on one side and with protection underneath the page.
So the new blank Webbie will definitely be on my list of journals to buy. Of course, I need to fill some of the 20 or so others I own first. I'm thinking that this may make a great art journal, I'm about halfway through my Moleskine Sketchbook and this might be a great replacement. Hmmm, now where DID I put the gesso?
Oh, yeah - I mentioned a giveaway didn't I? Here are the rules, so PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY.
1. Leave a comment here on the blog no later than midnight Saturday, August 28 (EDT).
2. The winner will be announced on Sunday, August 29 and will have one week to contact me.
3. If the winner does not contact me within that week an alternate winner will be chosen.
I forgot to mention that this giveaway is open to all; US or International, I will ship it worldwide.
Good luck!!
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73 comments:
Webbies are great. I would love to win one.
I agree with everything you say. I switched from the original Webbie to the QV Habana because of the white paper & slightly larger size. When the new blank Webbies came out, I got one just to see what it was like. I fell in love with the paper all over again, & abandoned my 1/3 full Habana for the orange Webbie. I've grown accustomed to the cream color, too. The Habana's paper is just too smooth for me. I like the bit of feedback from the Webbie.
Hello,
I tend to prefer white paper too, especially if the "cream" is yellowy. If it's grey, that's a bonus.
katrina
I would love to try out the new Webbie! I'm not done with my current notebook yet, but there is always room for another.
I like the 2.0; but look forward to seeing how the new binding on the 3.0 is.
Great review Julie! Yet another book I have not tried....I am really behind the times on the paper!
Excellent presentation of the new Webbie, Julie. As it happens, within days an orange Webbie (blank) will arrive in my mailbox, the latest purchase from Brian Goulet. But hey, I go through journals pretty fast and can always gobble up another of what looks like a terrific journal.
Thanks always for the great posts (and giveaways).
Would love to try this one out - especially with the blank pages!
Cool contest, thanks!
Great to know you will post it internationally.
One more notebook to take into consideration. Somehow, I have never tried Rhodia. My last purchase was a Quo Vadis Habana (they got the spelling right!) and am willing to start it. Currently I am working on a Nikon notebook.
Cheers,
BT (http://estilofilos.blogspot.com/)
I'd love to try one of these out!
I'd love to compare this to my moleskine!
I like to write outside the lines. No lines is good!
Been wanting to try these.
Blank pages in a book that lies flat. Sounds good to me.
looks great!
Yay for Webbie giveaways on the web!
I've always wanted to try one of the Exaclair notebooks, whether it be Webbie, Habana or whatever. Thanks for the review and contest!
Never can argue with free notebooks, and Webbies are good ones. Hope I'm lucky!
Count me in! Would love to compare the webbie to the Clairfontaine Basic and another no-name journal.
Great paper for a great product
I've yet to try a webbie, would love to have a chance to!
I haven't tried Rhodia or webbie notebooks before, it does look lovely and thanks for writing a great review.
Need a new sketch journal-- never even held a Webbie in my hands before but I've wanted one so badly!
Put my name in the hat, too, I'd love to try one of these!
Thanks again for the review and the give-away!
I'd like to win this!
Thanks for this review. I love Rhodia and it looks like they have hit all the right marks for this journal. Love your blog too!
Would love to try a notebook that lies flat (flat, flat) and has consistently good, unlined paper.
I'm grateful for the chance to win! Great notebooks are always welcome here.
I like seeing photos in a review. Sign me up.
Very elegant notebook! I would like to have it accompanying Rhodia pads.
Hi Julie,
Thank you for this posting. I recently bought a good fountain pen: TWSBI Diamond 530 - EF and filled it with MontBlanc Seasons Greetings (green ink). But I don't have a good journal yet. I like to get me a good notebook to write down my thoughts, prayers, etc. on the way. And this book seems perfect for that. I'll see if this book is available overhere in Holland (probably not is these parts....) but it would also be nice to win one...
Thanks,
Bert
Almost finished my current notebook. Never tried a webbie or an unlined notebook before. Love the fact that it lies flat and has ivory paper.
Thanks for a great blog!
I would love to try this notebook, Thank you for the chance.
I think the Webbie would be really fun to try out. I have never seen one, but like everyone else I can think of lots of stuff to use it for. And how awesome that it lies flat! Loves that!
I am not so deeply opposed to lined paper in this sort of format as you, but the absence of lines doesn't necessarily lead to an absence of desire for the book-- I sure would like to try one of these out.
Hi, just stumbled into your blog and already love it. I also write with every pen I have on a page of a notebook to check which pen would fit best with the paper. Would like to try out the Webbie too.
Good looking notebook. I'll bite!
Fingers, toes, and legs crossed - I would love to try this out, especially in black. I actually prefer the cream colored paper but only white offered in this area. Hmm, we need to talk about the gesso thing. :-)
Great review, thanks for the contest.
Me me me me me!
Hey there Julie,
Well one reason people don't like the logo is that it takes there personality away from the book. its like the logo of the network on a contract phone. You feel like a sponsor for the company. But you might make an exception in a case where the product is worth bragging about.
(P.S. You wouldn't mind sending the book down under, would you?)
I would like to win.
Hello!
Nice review. Hope I win :D
I have been a fan of Rhodia for a while, but have yet to try one of these books. Currently I'm enjoying a Handbook Journal - no lines, and reasonably good watercolor paper. I've also tried the Moleskine watercolor sketchbooks, but they don't seem to be available in a portrait format. Anyway - thanks for the review. Regardless of what happens with the giveaway, I think I need to try one of these!
Would love to win this.
Oh yes - another notebook for me to buy!
I'd like a dotpad Webbie or a graph Webbie (but I'd like to win any Webbie!)
Alison
one more chance to win
Webbie for words trapped within
waiting to be free
I'd love a Webbie!
love rhodia paper with fountain pen.
I'd never heard of Webbies before this post, and now I really want one. Please enter my name. :)
--melydia
melydia@hotmail.com
Trying to find the best journal for my fountain pen and would love to try out Rhodia.
great review!! free webbie!!
Seriously people, I need one!
I really appreciate this review. Thanks!
Fingers are crossed.
Great review, Julie. I've been waiting to try one of these for some time. Maybe that's now?
Oh this journal looks awesome and would be prefect for my new art class I hope you pick me! Please please please!!!
Nothing like waiting until the last minute (almost). Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Jackie
www.lettersandjournals.com
Great review. I would like to win one.
me please!
Great review, Julie. Don't include me in the drawing, just wanted to compliment your words and pics!
This is a great giveaway!
Anxious to try one. Thanks!
I've heard good things, would love to try one out.
~Benjamin
How does the ink dry? I've had trouble with ink remaining smear-able on Clairefontaine paper.
it has to be me... I'm dying to get the new one!
I also prefer white paper to cream, but as my notebook would be filled with writing rather than drawing, I'd prefer lines to blank pages.
They look really cool. Would love to try it out. Thanks for the contest. Good luck everyone.
I've never seen this particular notebook/journal, but it looks beautiful. You can find things to write on anywhere, but beauty is rare! I'd love to have one to use.
OH wow, another webbie giveaway - count me in!!
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