Cahier: The Child Nobody Loves
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Chad Sobodash
Jan 29, 2006, 6:17:15 PM1/29/06
to Moleskinerie
Recently I was at Borders picking up Introduction to Metaphysics by
Martin Heidegger (which I highly reccomend). I was fumbling to find the
philosophy section, when I felt a tug. Like a magnet, I found myself in
front of the Moleskine rack, cursing under my breath for putting myself
in this position. Well, I had to get one. Just one, I promised. But
which one?
I wanted to try something new, but they didn't have the finest
selection. In fact, there were only the pocket and large of ruled,
grid, sketchbook, stenographer plain, memo pockets, and the cahier. I
thought about getting the memo pockets, but I really wouldn't use it
often enough. Definately on my list, however. I sneakily opened a
stenographer plain to see what it felt like to write with, but alas, it
was a wholy disappointing experience. I don't use the large notebooks,
because they're too much of a burden to fill. I still have half of a
ruled book left, so that's out of the question. Well, I figured a safe
bet was to get something cheap. Enter Cahier.
Cahiers, in case you didn't know, are smaller, single stiched,
versions of the pocket Moleskine. The lack the oilskin cover (or any
hard cover, for that matter) that we've come to know and love. However,
they don't lose their functionality. I've asked many friends what they
think about them, and they consider them the bastard children no one
loves in the Moleskine family. Like the ones that never went to college
and are considered a waste. There's a few in all families.
So, what makes the Cahier worth producing, you ask? Cahiers have a
paper (I say paper because it's thinner than cardboard, despite what
most say) cover and a "pocket" in the back. Both completely useless.
The "pocket" doesn't hold a damn thing; in fact, it rips if you try to
put anything in it at all. The cardboard cover doesn't stand up very
well, depending on how you treat it. I keep my journals on a bookshelf,
and delicately handle them, so I don't have a problem with that. A
feature that's almost useful is the micro-perforated 16 pages in the
back. However, I've seen better perforation on dollar store books. It
doesn't tear that clean. It tears quickly, but not clean.
So, why are Cahiers even worth buying? They're cheap, small, and
stiched. And they've got character. Isn't that the reason we buy
Moleskines in the first place? There are better quality notebooks out
there, but that's not the purpose. They have a sort of auora that makes
them feel "alive". So, in the end, think not what your notebook can do
for you, but what you can do for your notebook.
Martin Heidegger (which I highly reccomend). I was fumbling to find the
philosophy section, when I felt a tug. Like a magnet, I found myself in
front of the Moleskine rack, cursing under my breath for putting myself
in this position. Well, I had to get one. Just one, I promised. But
which one?
I wanted to try something new, but they didn't have the finest
selection. In fact, there were only the pocket and large of ruled,
grid, sketchbook, stenographer plain, memo pockets, and the cahier. I
thought about getting the memo pockets, but I really wouldn't use it
often enough. Definately on my list, however. I sneakily opened a
stenographer plain to see what it felt like to write with, but alas, it
was a wholy disappointing experience. I don't use the large notebooks,
because they're too much of a burden to fill. I still have half of a
ruled book left, so that's out of the question. Well, I figured a safe
bet was to get something cheap. Enter Cahier.
Cahiers, in case you didn't know, are smaller, single stiched,
versions of the pocket Moleskine. The lack the oilskin cover (or any
hard cover, for that matter) that we've come to know and love. However,
they don't lose their functionality. I've asked many friends what they
think about them, and they consider them the bastard children no one
loves in the Moleskine family. Like the ones that never went to college
and are considered a waste. There's a few in all families.
So, what makes the Cahier worth producing, you ask? Cahiers have a
paper (I say paper because it's thinner than cardboard, despite what
most say) cover and a "pocket" in the back. Both completely useless.
The "pocket" doesn't hold a damn thing; in fact, it rips if you try to
put anything in it at all. The cardboard cover doesn't stand up very
well, depending on how you treat it. I keep my journals on a bookshelf,
and delicately handle them, so I don't have a problem with that. A
feature that's almost useful is the micro-perforated 16 pages in the
back. However, I've seen better perforation on dollar store books. It
doesn't tear that clean. It tears quickly, but not clean.
So, why are Cahiers even worth buying? They're cheap, small, and
stiched. And they've got character. Isn't that the reason we buy
Moleskines in the first place? There are better quality notebooks out
there, but that's not the purpose. They have a sort of auora that makes
them feel "alive". So, in the end, think not what your notebook can do
for you, but what you can do for your notebook.
mrklingon
Jan 31, 2006, 9:59:51 AM1/31/06
to Moleskinerie
The Cahier is my main Moleskine, and my preferred one. I've carry one
EVERYWHERE as it is my main notebook for writing - especially as I
work on my Klingon Word from the Word podcast
(http://www.klingonword.org). I print small copies of reference
material that folds to fit in the Cahier. See
http://jppix.blogspot.com/2005/12/pocket-computer.html
EVERYWHERE as it is my main notebook for writing - especially as I
work on my Klingon Word from the Word podcast
(http://www.klingonword.org). I print small copies of reference
material that folds to fit in the Cahier. See
http://jppix.blogspot.com/2005/12/pocket-computer.html
The small form factor means it fits into my pocket comfortably - it's
great!
As to the pocket - it works fine IF you reinforce it. Whenever I
start a new Cahier, I pull the pocket open, then apply a bead of white
glue on the bottom pocket edge. Once I've done that, it works fine - I
use the pocket for .. lets see what is in mine right now: my reference
notes, business cards, pictures of my family, a paper slide rule
(really), a bandaid and a bootable mini-CD of Damn Small Linux.
Richard Jack
Jan 31, 2006, 12:39:07 PM1/31/06
to Molesk...@googlegroups.com
I'm wodering if it would be worth the trouble to put clear contact paper on the outside.
What are the most popular cars? Find out at Yahoo! Autos
Chad Sobodash
Jan 31, 2006, 2:56:11 PM1/31/06
to Moleskinerie
Honestly, it's like all things in this world: opinion. Do what suits
you. However, it's best to hear both sides before making an educated
decision. My main problem with the Cahier is the awkward size. I always
feel like I'm going to break it. I don't trust anything that weak. I
own six Cahiers, but I never use them for everyday use. Instead, I
assign each one to a large project and keep them on my book shelf. Even
from careful use, mine are bent and misshapen. I feel like Lennie in Of
Mice and Men.
you. However, it's best to hear both sides before making an educated
decision. My main problem with the Cahier is the awkward size. I always
feel like I'm going to break it. I don't trust anything that weak. I
own six Cahiers, but I never use them for everyday use. Instead, I
assign each one to a large project and keep them on my book shelf. Even
from careful use, mine are bent and misshapen. I feel like Lennie in Of
Mice and Men.
mikey
Jan 31, 2006, 6:23:04 PM1/31/06
to Moleskinerie
I have fallen in love with Cahier as the paper is very good quality and
I like the kraft cover and even the black. The sizes are fairly unique
along with the three choices of paper finish. I use them for various
projects personal and at work and they take Fountain pens (which is my
primary hobby) fairly well as compared to the regular books. A matter
of fact, I just received a bunch of them today from "The Daily Planner"
in NYC, I may now have one of each type available in each size and
finish (a bit sick I guess, but I use them) and may give a few out to
special clients during tax season here.
I am also a user of Rhodia and I loved the Exacompta Black Block which
were discontinued after I accumulated a bunch in all 6 styles when I
heard their day was over which was back in 2004 or so.
I like the kraft cover and even the black. The sizes are fairly unique
along with the three choices of paper finish. I use them for various
projects personal and at work and they take Fountain pens (which is my
primary hobby) fairly well as compared to the regular books. A matter
of fact, I just received a bunch of them today from "The Daily Planner"
in NYC, I may now have one of each type available in each size and
finish (a bit sick I guess, but I use them) and may give a few out to
special clients during tax season here.
I am also a user of Rhodia and I loved the Exacompta Black Block which
were discontinued after I accumulated a bunch in all 6 styles when I
heard their day was over which was back in 2004 or so.
mikshir
Jan 31, 2006, 6:36:37 PM1/31/06
to Moleskinerie
Indeed. My use of the pocket-M has pretty much pre-empted my desire to
use the Cahiers. The pocket Cahier killer-app for me was that it isn't
stiff and is very thin, so it fits in my back pocket and very
comfortably, unlike the pocket-M. The black covered pocket-C's are
slightly more robust. Had these been out at the right time I would
have used them for my lists, incoming-info, organizational GTD-type
stuff. However, as notebooks go, I discovered that I wanted more out
of a notebook; I also wanted a place to jot down journal-style entries
and sketches while on the move. I found the pocket-C's unworthy of
this: not enough pages and too flimsy to feel like a keepsake.
use the Cahiers. The pocket Cahier killer-app for me was that it isn't
stiff and is very thin, so it fits in my back pocket and very
comfortably, unlike the pocket-M. The black covered pocket-C's are
slightly more robust. Had these been out at the right time I would
have used them for my lists, incoming-info, organizational GTD-type
stuff. However, as notebooks go, I discovered that I wanted more out
of a notebook; I also wanted a place to jot down journal-style entries
and sketches while on the move. I found the pocket-C's unworthy of
this: not enough pages and too flimsy to feel like a keepsake.
That said, I did get a couple packs of the pocket-C's. I keep them
around for specialty purposes. (e.g. I jot down web passwords, account
info and such in one that I leave next to my computer.) At some point
I may expand my use of them.
But as with most things, YMMV but I'm glad that they exist even if I
don't prize them as much. They cost a bit too much for what I imagine
using them for though.
Bob
Jan 31, 2006, 7:29:44 PM1/31/06
to Moleskinerie
Personally, I prefer the Cahier to the 'hard-backed' Moleskine.
I still use my Franklin Covey Compass (the classic 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 size)
with a weekly calender in it. The large Cahier fits perfectly into the
Franklin cover so I've got both my calender, notes, etc all in one book
that is easily used for jotting down notes.
I did think about switching to the Moleskine Weekly Planner (by the
way, I've seen these at Borders Stores for $4!!! this week) but found
many times I'm taking notes on the go...the Moleskine really seems the
best for sitting at a desk...but the Cahier is great for taking notes
on the run.
Speedmaster
Feb 1, 2006, 8:07:53 AM2/1/06
to Moleskinerie
I have a hard time getting too excited about the Cahier line, mainly
for the reasons you mentioned. ;-(
for the reasons you mentioned. ;-(
--
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
argonic
Feb 1, 2006, 11:02:55 AM2/1/06
to Moleskinerie
The Volants are going, so it's on to the Cahiers. I use a Moleskine
Pocket Diary, so I don't want to carry a second hard cover notebook for
notetaking. The Volants had the nice cover (+), but were flimsy (-).
The Cahiers are more durable. Either way, I have a stock of both and I
just slip one under the band of the diary to keep them together.
Pocket Diary, so I don't want to carry a second hard cover notebook for
notetaking. The Volants had the nice cover (+), but were flimsy (-).
The Cahiers are more durable. Either way, I have a stock of both and I
just slip one under the band of the diary to keep them together.
Neal Dench
Feb 2, 2006, 3:50:58 AM2/2/06
to Molesk...@googlegroups.com
In my Moleskine pocket diary, I've been using the address book that slips in the back as a notebook for general note-taking (contact info is about the last remaining thing that I rely on my Palm for). It has occurred to me that, when the address book is used up, I could trim a pocket Cahier with a guillotine and slip it in instead. (I've tried it untrimmed, and, of course, it's just a little too big -- the address book inserts are a few millimetres smaller.)
--
Neal Dench | http://porkpop.blogspot.com/
Neal Dench | http://porkpop.blogspot.com/
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