I am a corporate trainer and teach quite a few different classes. I maintain a disk notebook for each course and can easily and quickly shift notes around or remake a notebook in minutes even move notes from one notebook to another in an instant. Have been using the ARC brand for years now but any of the disk systems seem equally well suited for the task. These are great! Well worth the investment.
I've been using an A5 Arc notebook (Staples) at school for several years. I get the Academic planner inserts that start with June and I discard the unneeded pages. I fill the remainder of the notebook with lined paper. I use this notebook not so much as a planner but for documenting, reflecting, meeting notes, etc. This year when I was picking up my back-to-school supplies, Staples had the desktop punch for $53 (punches 8 sheets at a time) and a compact punch (1-2 sheets at a time) for $17. I got the compact punch and use it to put meeting handouts in my full size notebook. Unfortunately, I've noticed that Staples no longer sells the compact punch.
I've had both ARC and TUL for a while now. They both have their pros and cons, but I really think TUL does it a bit better than ARC for paper. But ARC does better with the poly covers.
Levenger sells rings in different sizes, so is pretty flexible. I used the Levenger Circa notebooks for years, for meeting notes. The plastic covers never got a ding. It’s possible they’re not the same quality now, but they were extremely sturdy when I used them.
@@inkdependence They also make rigid covers of various types. I have a Staples Arc cover with a leatherette finish to it that's pretty nice. But I stopped using it, since I needed to get into huge rings to be able to load enough pages and dividers. I went to MIdori MD and Rhodia Dotbooks for meetings.
Coincidentally I happened to read one of Leigh Reyes's older blog posts in which she mentions using Tomoe River paper folded in her disc-bound notebook (holes punched on the fold side, obv.). About 30 years ago, I bought a few disc-bound notebooks (in Belgium or Sweden) and wrote to the company inquiring if I could purchase directly from them - no reply. You make a good argument for purchasing the hole-puncher and discs. Leigh used a variety of papers (and sizes!) In her notebook. Enticing idea! :-)
Thank you, Mikde. I use Arc notebooks for certain projects. The paper quality is amazingly good, even with 1.5 nibs for titles on notes. I also have a punch. (Re Beta Ray Bill, how about Simonson's frog?)
I enjoyed your review! It sounds like the paper is really nice, so maybe I’ll get some for notes or something and use it like loose leaf paper. :) I wish I liked discbound planners and notebooks, i don’t care for how the discs feel in my hand. They systems seem so convenient, though, because you can customize it however you want with the different inserts. Levenger has beautiful covers and discs. I’m kind of glad they are so expensive, because I’m not at tempted to get one just because, lol.
Thanks! Yeah, sometimes it's a relief when there's something that'll keep you from getting something you kinda want, but are pretty sure you won't love.
I've been using discbound systems for a looooong time. Began with the original Rollabind discs and systems, then went to Levenger. The Circa rings make it easier to flip/add/pull pages; they've been no less sturdy than the ARC, TuL or Martha Stewart systems (are they made by the same folks?). The only thing I hate about Staples ARC system is they discontinued the dot grid that didn't have the title / date bar at the top. And when it comes to asking about the paper, the people who work in the stores have no idea; they just have jobs.
That's a really good system for notes. I wasn't ever introduced to it, and I had to fumble around until I found a method that worked for me. Mine is messier, but gets the job done. Also, gives me an excuse to use post-it notes and highlighters. ;)
@@inkdependence I agree it is a nice note taking system. As far as highlighters and things he needs. the lil punk shops via Mom's desk everytime he comes home haha.
I have several Staples Arc notebooks, but mostly use a Levenger Circa leather covered notebook at work. I prefer the Levenger paper. Both the Levenger and Arc sell different size discs. The problem with the hole punches (I have the less expensive Levenger portable) is the larger ones are expensive and they don't handle too many pages at one. On the less expensive option, 3 sheets is pushing it. But its great for adding daily agendas or the occasional sheet. I've been meaning to try the dot grid options from elevendiscs.com/shop
I’ve used disc bound for quite a while. They are versatile and the best thing about them is (if you have the puncher), you can any paper you want.
Yep. Seems like the best of both the bound and loose leaf worlds.
I am a corporate trainer and teach quite a few different classes. I maintain a disk notebook for each course and can easily and quickly shift notes around or remake a notebook in minutes even move notes from one notebook to another in an instant. Have been using the ARC brand for years now but any of the disk systems seem equally well suited for the task. These are great! Well worth the investment.
I've been using an A5 Arc notebook (Staples) at school for several years. I get the Academic planner inserts that start with June and I discard the unneeded pages. I fill the remainder of the notebook with lined paper. I use this notebook not so much as a planner but for documenting, reflecting, meeting notes, etc. This year when I was picking up my back-to-school supplies, Staples had the desktop punch for $53 (punches 8 sheets at a time) and a compact punch (1-2 sheets at a time) for $17. I got the compact punch and use it to put meeting handouts in my full size notebook. Unfortunately, I've noticed that Staples no longer sells the compact punch.
I've had both ARC and TUL for a while now. They both have their pros and cons, but I really think TUL does it a bit better than ARC for paper. But ARC does better with the poly covers.
I love the TUL paper and writing on it. I use my TUL for notes and just recently got some additions to be able to put dividers, etc on it.
Levenger sells rings in different sizes, so is pretty flexible. I used the Levenger Circa notebooks for years, for meeting notes. The plastic covers never got a ding. It’s possible they’re not the same quality now, but they were extremely sturdy when I used them.
I'm not sure when my friend got this Levenger one, or what happened to the corner. The cover feels sturdy enough, but who knows?
@@inkdependence They also make rigid covers of various types. I have a Staples Arc cover with a leatherette finish to it that's pretty nice. But I stopped using it, since I needed to get into huge rings to be able to load enough pages and dividers. I went to MIdori MD and Rhodia Dotbooks for meetings.
Coincidentally I happened to read one of Leigh Reyes's older blog posts in which she mentions using Tomoe River paper folded in her disc-bound notebook (holes punched on the fold side, obv.).
About 30 years ago, I bought a few disc-bound notebooks (in Belgium or Sweden) and wrote to the company inquiring if I could purchase directly from them - no reply.
You make a good argument for purchasing the hole-puncher and discs. Leigh used a variety of papers (and sizes!) In her notebook. Enticing idea! :-)
"Coincidentally" cos that was yesterday.
:-D
Ha! That's good timing, and a good idea.
Thanks Sandra!
Thank you, Mikde. I use Arc notebooks for certain projects. The paper quality is amazingly good, even with 1.5 nibs for titles on notes. I also have a punch. (Re Beta Ray Bill, how about Simonson's frog?)
I enjoyed your review! It sounds like the paper is really nice, so maybe I’ll get some for notes or something and use it like loose leaf paper. :) I wish I liked discbound planners and notebooks, i don’t care for how the discs feel in my hand. They systems seem so convenient, though, because you can customize it however you want with the different inserts. Levenger has beautiful covers and discs. I’m kind of glad they are so expensive, because I’m not at tempted to get one just because, lol.
Thanks! Yeah, sometimes it's a relief when there's something that'll keep you from getting something you kinda want, but are pretty sure you won't love.
I've been using discbound systems for a looooong time. Began with the original Rollabind discs and systems, then went to Levenger. The Circa rings make it easier to flip/add/pull pages; they've been no less sturdy than the ARC, TuL or Martha Stewart systems (are they made by the same folks?). The only thing I hate about Staples ARC system is they discontinued the dot grid that didn't have the title / date bar at the top. And when it comes to asking about the paper, the people who work in the stores have no idea; they just have jobs.
Yeah, I wouldn't expect anyone in the stores to know off hand. I do wish they'd put that stuff on their websites, though.
Hmmm. My kid has a Prof that insists on Cornell Notes. This might be a nice paper format to show him
That's a really good system for notes. I wasn't ever introduced to it, and I had to fumble around until I found a method that worked for me. Mine is messier, but gets the job done. Also, gives me an excuse to use post-it notes and highlighters. ;)
@@inkdependence I agree it is a nice note taking system. As far as highlighters and things he needs. the lil punk shops via Mom's desk everytime he comes home haha.
I have several Staples Arc notebooks, but mostly use a Levenger Circa leather covered notebook at work. I prefer the Levenger paper. Both the Levenger and Arc sell different size discs. The problem with the hole punches (I have the less expensive Levenger portable) is the larger ones are expensive and they don't handle too many pages at one. On the less expensive option, 3 sheets is pushing it. But its great for adding daily agendas or the occasional sheet. I've been meaning to try the dot grid options from elevendiscs.com/shop
I haven't tried the hole punch yet, but the one Sandra showed me looked pretty beefy. Maybe she'll chime in about how many it can handle.