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Writersblok Pocket Notebook after a month of use
I finally filled the Writersblok pocket notebook several years after first reviewing the brand. It took about a month of regular writing to use the lined pages. My overall feeling is mixed: I enjoyed using it, but it was not an amazing notebook, and the narrow format became harder to ignore as the month went on.
This is a useful durability test precisely because the result is not dramatic. The cover did not disintegrate, and the notebook remained usable, but the binding began to separate at one signature. That is enough to change whether I would buy it again. A pocket notebook needs to survive constant opening, closing, bending, and carrying without making the writer worry about loose pages.
The narrow shape changes how you write
The most noticeable feature is the width. This notebook is considerably narrower than the pocket Moleskine used for comparison. Some writers will see that as an advantage. If you like the long, slim proportion of a Traveler’s Notebook insert, the Writersblok shape may feel natural and easy to carry.
For me, it made each line feel too short. I had to interrupt sentences more often and turn pages faster than I wanted. Measurements only tell part of that story. Two notebooks can both be described as pocket size while giving you very different writing rhythms. The usable width matters as much as whether the cover physically fits in a pocket.
Writing across the full spread
I eventually stopped treating each page as a separate writing area. Instead, I wrote straight across the open double-page spread. That gave the lines more room and made the notebook much more comfortable for longer thoughts. It is an easy workaround, but it only works when the binding opens well enough and you do not mind crossing the center fold.
This approach also changes how the finished pages look. The spread reads as one wide block rather than two narrow columns. For diary entries or continuous notes, that can be pleasant. For lists, indexed notes, or anything you expect to scan one page at a time, it may be inconvenient. The workaround improved my experience, but it also confirmed that the original page shape was not ideal for the way I write.
Lined pages and perforated sheets
The main notebook is lined, which keeps compact entries orderly. At the back, several pages are perforated so they can be removed more neatly. I only used that feature a couple of times, but it is useful for a shopping list, a phone number, or a note you want to hand to someone else.
Perforation is a small feature, and it should not outweigh the binding or page dimensions when you choose a notebook. It is still better than tearing an ordinary page out and leaving paper around the seam. If removable notes are central to your routine, check how many sheets are perforated and whether replacements or current versions retain that feature.
The main durability problem: a detached signature
The most important failure appeared at the spine. One signature, which is a folded group of pages within the binding, started to detach. The binding also became loose around that section. The pages had not completely fallen out during the review, but the separation is not what I want to see after roughly one month of use.
Binding damage matters because it usually gets worse with repeated handling. Once a section pulls away from the spine, opening the notebook flat can place more stress on the remaining attachment points. A notebook does not need to stay cosmetically perfect, but the page block should remain secure for the expected life of the book. This fault is the main reason I would not seek out another one.
What held up well
A fair review should separate the binding problem from the rest of the notebook. The cover remained reasonably tidy, and the book was still usable after it was filled. I did not have a long list of other failures. The experience was acceptable rather than terrible, which is why I can understand someone enjoying it despite my reservations.
The slim shape also carries neatly. In the video, it matches the general footprint of the phone used for comparison, allowing the two items to sit together without adding much width. Phone dimensions vary, so this is a visual comparison rather than a universal measurement. Still, the notebook’s narrowness makes sense for someone who prioritizes a minimal pocket setup over generous line length.
Availability and buying old stock
I could not confirm that this exact Writersblok pocket notebook is still in regular production. Kikkerland was associated with these notebooks, and old stock may appear through resale marketplaces. Availability changes, so treat any current listing carefully rather than assuming it is the same version shown in the video.
Check photographs of the spine, ruling, perforated pages, and exact dimensions. Ask whether the notebook is unused and whether it has been stored somewhere dry. A discontinued notebook can be interesting to collect, but paying a premium makes little sense when the format did not suit you in the first place. Our earlier Writersblok notebook review covers the brand before this month-long durability follow-up.
Who might still like this notebook?
This format may suit someone who writes short lists, quick observations, or compact travel notes. It may also appeal to people who already enjoy narrow Traveler’s Notebook inserts. The perforated sheets are useful for occasional removable notes, and the slim cover takes up little space next to a phone or wallet.
I would skip it for long journal entries, broad handwriting, or any use where you expect the binding to remain archival. If you find one inexpensively and like narrow notebooks, it can still be an interesting short-term book. For most buyers, readily available alternatives will be easier to replace and compare.
How to judge pocket notebook durability
Open a prospective notebook through its full range and look at the gap between the page block and spine. Check whether the first and last signatures pull when the covers lie flat. Flex the cover gently, inspect the corners, and make sure any perforation tears cleanly without disturbing neighboring pages.
Then consider the way you actually write. A durable notebook can still be the wrong notebook if its lines are too short or its page shape forces an awkward grip. Carry comfort, writing comfort, and binding strength need to work together. In this case, the Writersblok carried well but fell short on the other two points for me.
A simple home test can reveal this before you commit to a full notebook. Draw the advertised page dimensions on a sheet of paper, write several normal sentences inside that space, and fold it to the likely opening angle. This will not reproduce the binding or paper, but it quickly shows whether the line length suits your handwriting. It is more useful than choosing solely from a product photograph that gives no sense of scale.
FAQ
How long did it take to fill the Writersblok pocket notebook?
It took about one month of regular use to fill the lined notebook shown in the review.
What failed during the durability test?
One signature began detaching from the spine and the binding became loose around that section. The notebook remained usable, but the separation affected the final verdict.
Is the Writersblok pocket notebook still available?
The exact version may be discontinued. Old stock or used listings can appear, but buyers should verify the dimensions, ruling, condition, and seller photographs.
Is it the same size as a pocket Moleskine?
No. The Writersblok notebook shown is noticeably narrower. Its slim footprint may be easier to carry, but it creates shorter writing lines.
Final Thoughts
The Writersblok pocket notebook was pleasant enough to finish, but I would not buy it again. Its narrow pages did not suit my writing style, and the detached signature was disappointing after only about a month. The compact footprint and perforated sheets have real appeal, especially for short notes, but they do not outweigh the writing and binding compromises for me.
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