» User Review: CopyGuru on the New Rhodia Planner
Image of pocket Rhodia Planner courtesy of Biffybeans © All Rights Reserved
CopyGuru from the Fountain Pen Network recently reviewed the new Rhodia Planner.
“For starters, the planner is not made in France by Rhodia, it is made by QuoVadis in the USA for Rhodia with the 90g paper- which is heavier than the 80g used in the Rhodia Staple-Bound pads. *Editor’s Note: Similar to the pocket/large Quo Vadis Habana journals, the pocket Rhodia Planner uses 64g paper and 90g in the large- all Clairefontaine paper.
I would have liked it if the Webnotebook and the Planner were the same size- like the Mole planner and notebooks. It just looks cleaner when they are used together.
Not only are the sizes different from the Rhodia planner to the Webnotebook, but the cover on the planner is much softer than the cover of the Webnotebook. You can tell they are made by two different companies.
I’d say the 2010 Large planner is basically a softer-covered QuoVadis Habana with a Rhodia logo on it. This is by no means bad, QuoVadis planners are awesome- especially the Notor Habana.
On the rear, the elastic band “web” sticks tight to the rear of the planner if not in use- which I prefer to the loose web of the Mole or the Webnotebook.
Overall- I will use the 2010 Rhodia planner this upcoming year… I gave up on the Mole planner 2 years ago for the Notor by QuoVadis.
Size of Rhodia 2010 Large Planner: 6”x9”, made in USA by QuoVadis- for Rhodia. Price is $19-20″
Comments
This planner looks great! I love the extra space on the side and how every day gets the full space it needs. My current planner is frustrating me because Saturday and Sunday are given half space, and those are two very busy days for me. Ugh.
I am a big fan of Rhodia, and so was really looking forward to this planner. It has been quite a disappointment. It’s now the first week in February and I’m already wondering whether I can continue to use this for the remainder of the year, or will it become too annoying.
The features that bother me are: (1) The covers are too stiff. I much prefer the softer Moleskine covers. (2) The paper is too heavy. Although your review says it’s Rhodia paper, but a heavier weight, the texture feels very different to me.
I’ll keep on with it and maybe it’ll grow on me.
Hi Lucy – Sorry that you aren’t loving your new planner. The standard white Rhodia paper is an 80g, and the paper used in the large planner is 90g. (The small is 64g) 90g is significantly thicker than the paper found in the Moleskine planners, and I can understand how that might take some getting used to.
If I may ask about your cover preference, in what circumstances do you find a flexible cover to be more beneficial?
I just received my 2010 Rhodia 4×6 planner today and I’m afraid to write in it. I use a Lamy Safari extra fine point fountain pen. The paper seems to be unusually thin with lots of bleed through potential. I’m new to Rhodia. True confession: old Moleskine user. I just bought a “bunch” of Rhodia online. I thought that it would have the much acclaimed Clairfontaine paper and that I would have no worries. Also bought a large and a small webnotebook, and the Boutique pad holder with 6 refills size 3 1/4 x 5 1/4. So, am I a sitting duck for bleed through on everything?? Thanks for your help…
Jane – thank you so much for trying Rhodia with little knowledge about the product! All of the paper in Rhodia/Clairefontaine & Quo Vadis products are manufactured under the parent Clairefontaine family. The “typical” 90g bright white Clairefontaine paper found in their notebooks is very, very fountain pen friendly. The 90g Clairefontaine Triomphe paper (in pad form) is also quite wonderful w/ FP inks. The “typical” 80g white Rhodia paper found in their Bloc Rhodia stapled & spiral pads is also very FP friendly. (Refills for your pad holder are the Bloc Rhodia 80g paper)
The Rhodia Webnotebooks contain an off-white 90g Clairefontaine paper that LOVES fountain pen inks. Unless you have a super wet writer with a very bold nib, you shouldn’t expect to see any bleedthrough or feathering.
The 4×6 Rhodia Planner has the same 64g Clairefontaine paper as the small Quo Vadis Habana journal. 64g is good w/ fountain pen ink. Give it a shot! You may see a bit of show through on the back but not bleedthrough and no feathering. I’ve worked my way through an entire 64g Habana and was quite happy with it and can’t wait for the new blank version.
I think you will be quite surprised at the difference in the Rhodia products from what you had previously been using. One thing – high quality paper is made to resist ink – that’s the quality that keeps inks from bleeding/feathering. Having said that, you might notice that it may take a few moments longer for your ink to dry on the page.
As a new Rhodia user, we will love to hear your feedback.
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Hi Stephanie,
Regarding your question about my preference for a soft cover. I suppose it is more accurate to describe the Rhodia planner cover as significantly less flexible, or stiffer, than what I prefer – rather than a hard cover. I find that with a stiffer cover, the planner is less comfortable and convenient to stash in and remove from my satchel, which is generally full of laptop and books of various sizes. Thus, it is very handy to have a more flexible planner that can fit in among these other items.
As well, I find it less comfortable to flip through with a stiffer cover.
Thanks for asking,
Lucy
Hi Stephanie: Thanks for taking the time to comment on my 2-9-10 post. As I stated then, I use a extra fine point LAMY Safari fountain pen. I’ve been using the Rhodia planner and my writing does show through on the back of the page. In some places there is mild bleedthrough but no feathering. I do wish that there was no showthrough, I find it “messy”. I wish it had the 90g paper that you described. I even have tried using a blotter card immediately to reduce the showthrough but it didn’t help much. I’m not sure that I will make it through the year with this planner. I do like the compact size. I would prefer a bit more room to write appointments. My printing is small but I keep running out of room. Thanks for your interest in my feedback. Any suggestions?
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