Moleskines and Markings

While back in PA visiting family, I noticed a nice little notebook that my brother-in-law had. Pocket-sized with grid print, he used it for taking notes as he worked and for recording ideas before he forgot. I had been thinking about something to collect my random thoughts and to help in general organization. The notebook he had turned out to be a Moleskine, which has quite a history and following. During our conversation, he mentioned that he saw a "knock-off" version at Target, so later that week I went over to check it out. What I found was a very similar notebook branded "Markings by C.R. Gibson." The following table is a detailed comparison between the two journals (see pictorial comparison by clicking on the photo at the beginning of this entry)



*proprietary, but anecdotal evidence suggests the same weight as the Markings


A few comments on the table...The model number for the Markings notebook indicated is for a black cover at Staples (MJ3-5715 was on the journal at Target). Model numbers for the only other "Moleskinesk" Markings notebooks are the following: MJ3-4792 for a brown cover, MJ5-4791 for a large (5" x 8", 240 pages) black cover, and MJ5-4792 for a large brown cover.

Paper quality for the Markings notebook was determined from a call to a C.R. Gibson rep who needed to call me back because she didn't initially have the information on hand. During this call, she informed me that these notebooks are only sold in bulk. If bought directly from C.R. Gibson, three at-a-time would need to be purchased for $5.80/notebook + shipping. Shipping equals $4.49 (flat-rate) + $0.65/lb (each journal is approx. 4.25 oz.). Therefore, to pay less than the $6.99 that Target (and others) price the Markings notebook, you need to buy at least 6 journals from C.R. Gibson to realize a savings ($6.77/notebook).

Notice that the Markings notebook is slightly smaller than the Moleskine. Others have noted the benefits of the smaller dimensions when trying to fit it into their pockets.

As defined on the Markings packaging, the cover material is bonded leather, which is 80% genuine cowhide leather fiber and 20% non-leather materials. The Moleskine uses oilcloth. A nice explanation of its other design features is given here.

Unless you are taken by the history of the Moleskine for journaling/notetaking, the Markings notebook seems to be of sufficient quality and a good price. However, the shear variety of Moleskine covers (soft, hard, volant), style (reporter, notebook, cahier), and page format (ruled, squared, plain, sketch, music, storyboard, travel, address, Japanese, and memo pocket) can easily suck in the avid or pseudo-interested observer (Markings notebooks are only hardcovered and either ruled or squared pages). Many unique Moleskine creations have been made with the various styles and formats.

Clearly, I have spent way too much time researching this comparison (as my family can attest!). My main reasons for doing so are because I am fascinated by good designs and their history, and in my quest to determine the better product (Markings vs. Moleskine), I felt that the information was scattered. Now I can sleep a little better knowing I have wasted so much time that others can be more efficient with their's!?