They’re here:
Sometime last summer, I started this blog in the search for finding the perfect black notebook. I related the story of how I had, in fact, already found the perfect black notebook, but that it wasn’t being produced anymore. The Italian company behind it, Mazzuoli, had come up with a very innovative little black notebook called The Stifflexible, in which the hard, Moleskine-like cover actually had two creases in it that allowed it to bend open when folded, yet remain stiff at the same time.
Sadly, the company had since moved on to other endeavors, and I was lucky to come across probably the last five in existence on Ebay.
Thankfully, and in part to your letters, the Mazzuoli company has realized what a hit they have on their hands, and have put them back into production, with a redesign.
The other day, I received a package in the mail, and lo and behold, I had two of the new Stifflexibles to check out!
The edition I was sent is called the Black Cover, in part a reference to this website, and for this I am very flattered. But how to fairly review a notebook that is named after your website?? Good question – it’s tough! There have been some changes to the design, which I urged against, but which are ultimately to make it stand out from the Moleskine.
First off, the cover – the main part of the Stifflexible. Like the original Stifflexible, this has two creases in the cover that allow it to be rifled through without opening it. Brilliant. According to the new insert, Giuliano Mazzuoli got the idea after finding a book in a Florentine library from the 1700s with a similar design. This latest edition of his popular notebook continues that idea, and I cannot praise it enough.
But something is different here! The oil skin cover (a la the Moleskine) has been replaced by a smooth, (I believe) latex-infused cardboard cover that is very, very firm and somewhat waxy to the touch. The feel is very similar to the Xonex Ru notebooks, only vertically lined instead of dimpled.
On the one hand, this change makes the notebooks look very, very sleek. Also, the cardboard adheres better than the oil skin did; after repeated use of the older version of the Stifflexible, the oil skin cover would unfortunately begin to peel back. I seriously doubt this is possible with the redesign.
The downside is that this type of material doesn’t stand up to a beating as well as the oil skin – scratches show up pretty easily in the cover. Also, because it’s thicker, it’s a more rigid in terms of flexibility (though I’m sure this will go away with repeated use). Personally, I wish they had stuck with the old, but I also realize the reality of trying to stand out from the ever-popular Moleskine.
Size-wise, this is the absolute perfect dimensions for a notebook: 3.5″x5.5″, and just slightly smaller than the Moleskine. Great for your back pocket, a book bag, coat pocket, purse, and beyond.
Let’s check out the inside. On the first page is a place for personal information, which includes some distinctly Italian things I don’t understand, like your “VAT code” and “Tax Code.” There’s also a place for your credit card number, though with the frequency I misplace my notebooks, that’s probably the last thing that’s going in there 
.
The pages are different. Rather than the creamy yellowish color from their previous editions (the current color of Moleskine pages), these are very white. According to the insert, the new pages are from “well managed forests,” “elemental chlorine free,” have low wood and semi-chemical pulp content ensuring long life to the paper, and are fountain pen friendly, guaranteeing “the absorption of ink without affecting the opacity of the paper.” This is all great news, especially to you fountain/quill pen guys out there (I’m fine with a boring old Bic, thanks!).
I’m definitely a fan of better paper quality, and it’s an improvement over the old Stifflexible stock. But I will miss the old creamy yellow pages, and the colored page edges that made the old Stifflexibles distinctly European.
The Stifflexible continues to dominate the Moleskine with their back pocket, which doubles as a book mark:
And a tight elastic keeps the whole thing shut.
Let’s not forget one more important aspect of this – this bad boy is made IN ITALY. This is not made in China for a company in Italy. This notebook was designed, produced, and finished entirely in Italy, a country I hold dear after living in the wonderful city of Bologna during college. The quality is top notch – you’re not going to find broken spines or warped elastics with this notebook.
Overall, this is a different notebook than the original Stifflexible. Rather than being, essentially, a Moleskine with a bendable cover, Mazzuoli has redefined themselves to stand out as something different. This adheres more closely to the fine arts crowd than the all-purpose-throw-it-in-your-pocket-and- write-in-the-rain user, and you frequent readers know how I’ve traditionally felt about that. But then, it’s a Stifflexible, and where else can you find something similar?
I will miss the old Stifflexible edition (and deep down have my fingers crossed that some day it will return to the market unchanged), but even with the changes, its a breath of fresh air for those of us looking for the perfect little black notebook.
Company website: Mazzuoli.it
Where to buy: Still no distributor. Got ideas? Send them to Mazzuoli here.
25 responses so far ↓
1 Steve // Mar 19, 2008 at 9:31 am
Great review! I’m so happy to see these in production again. Too bad things had to change, but it seems that most of the best things about this notebook are still there. I’m so glad they kept the same size. To me that’s its real advantage over the Moleskine. The pocket M is just a tad too big for most of my shirt pockets, where a pocket notebook has to reside on the days I’m not wearing cargo pants (4 or 5 out of 7).
Can you tell how many pages are in the notebook?
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that someday a U. S. distributor will be found.
2 Andy // Mar 19, 2008 at 10:29 am
Nick,
That’s an awesome review, and what an honor, to have a new edition of this notebook named after your blog!
I hope that Mazzuoli can find themselves a US distributor soon so we can all get our hands on one of these!
-Andy
http://www.pencilthings.info
3 BSR // Mar 19, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Want!
Realizing that a US distributor will ensure better long-term success, it still might be a while before we see them over here.
Does Mazzuoli sell to another European distributor that possibly has a web-storefront that these can be ordered from? Sure, shipping will be expensive, but I already order from places like cultpens.com.
It looks like they already do sell to a few US outlets — unfornately, few of them are e-merchants, and none of those have these items.
4 Steve // Mar 19, 2008 at 6:14 pm
The Museum of Modern Art carries their stifflexible pocket planner. So they already have a relationship with Mazzuoli. I don’t know why it would be difficult for them to start stocking this line of notebooks. But I don’t know anything about such matters. Plus MOMA would probably insist on some sort of branding which would make them less appealing to a wide public.
5 Raihan // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:13 am
Hi Nick,
Came across this page a month or so ago and cried a bit because its wonderful. I’m really jonesing to get my hands on one of these notebooks and to be honest, I’d gladly be an American distributor for the company, even though it would be a primarily internet-based deal. I have some experience working e-commerce and spend a lot of time at the post office as is.
6 Sharon // Mar 24, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Great review of a very cool notebook. I understand Chronicle books now distributes Moleskine. Perhaps they’d be willing to take on a second line. Here’s hoping someone does. These notebooks look fantastic.
7 Velma // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:04 am
Wow! This is great news. I will keep my ears open for news of possible distributors stateside.
8 ana // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:46 am
Thanks for a great review! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that a US distriubutor will start carrying this product.
9 tom // Mar 27, 2008 at 9:23 pm
http://eshop.sebach.it/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=5
horrid graphic but it seems to be a stiffie
10 BSR // Apr 2, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Echhh!!! MAN that’s ugly! As much as I want one, I couldn’t bring myself to buy one of those. I’d have to whip out a large black sharpie and “fix” it.
Then the fumes would overcome me….
11 Hal // Apr 24, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Dang! I so want this notebook! But they’re not answering my emails! Anybody know where to get one?
12 Paul // Jun 5, 2008 at 1:19 am
For those of you who would like to purchase the Stifflexible via internet but cannot find it in the USA, you can revert to: http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl
These people (located in the Netherlands) have a webshop and an interesting selection of exclusive pens. They also carry the Stifflexible line. In the near future they will also offer the Mazzuoli agendas and leather products. Great stuff!
13 Dennis // Jul 3, 2008 at 8:45 am
Like Paul said on June 5th, we carry the complete Stifflexible line and can deliver from stock. As of now we also carry the colourful diary line made by Mazzuoli.
We welcome you to our webstore at:
http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl/webstore/main/
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions at all: we would be more than willing to help in any way we can.
14 Dennis // Aug 1, 2008 at 8:52 am
Great news from the Stifflexible front!
Mazzuoli introduced several Stifflexible collections, all with their own themes and prints.
Like I already mentioned in my last post, we carry the complete line and ship worldwide. For pictures and info, please visit:
http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl/webstore/main/index.php?cPath=115_116
15 Travels and Old Notebooks Revisited // Sep 8, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] will be happy to know that the New Stifflexible is FINALLY AVAILABLE STATESIDE (woo!) at the Bloomfield Pen Shop in [...]
16 Reggie // Sep 9, 2008 at 10:18 pm
This is quite wonderful, I’m intrigued, it seems to be a great notebook. Do you have any idea whether or not they will make specific kinds, such as sketchbooks/ drawing journals?
17 Dennis // Nov 19, 2008 at 1:18 am
Special sizes and editions are planned, but sadly no specific release date is known.
I will keep you all posted on any news.
Furthermore, we are now six months in business and have had so many wonderful customers for the Stifflexibles from all around the world (and especially from the US): most of our Stifflexible customers learned about us through this web site and that is why we have decided to give a discount on the Stifflexibles until the end of 2008. Instead of €10,04, all Stifflexibles are €8,36 (export prices).
18 Juanma // Nov 30, 2008 at 3:56 pm
This Comment is in Spanish.
Recientemente he comprado varios Stifflexible al distribuidor de Mazzuoli en Barcelona, Spain, y he de decir que son fantásticos. De lo mejor que he visto. Las hendiduras de cortesía que tienen en las tapas son geniales.
El negro se llama “BLACK russian”.
El amarillo se llama “GIN lemon”.
El azul se llama “BLUE laguna”.
El verde se llama “GRASS hopper”.
El rojo se llama “CUBA libre”.
Stifflexible es insuperable !!!
19 Juanma // Nov 30, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I recently purchased several Stifflexible from the wholesaler of Mazzuoli in Barcelona, Spain, and I have to say that they are fantastic. The best I’ve seen. Courtesy clefts they have in the covers are great.
The black is called “BLACK russian”.
The yellow is called “GIN lemon”.
The blue is called “BLUE laguna”.
The green is called “GRASS hopper.”
The red is called “CUBA libre”.
Stifflexible is second to none !!!
20 Iago // Mar 12, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I thinks that´s a good notebook, do you know some place in Spain to buy by web. thanks
21 Maus Nonny // May 21, 2009 at 3:31 am
I have no idea what’s wrong with me (clearly something) but in all the readings I did on this blog, all the measurements I apparently completely ignored, photos I must have thought meant you had a giant hand, and the constant reference to a “pocket” notebook I looked past, I thought you have been reviewing MY personal favorite size of notebooks (Moleskines up until now), the larger whatever-size. I wouldn’t think of carrying a notebook in a pocket (I’m a lady!) and so have always purchased the larger, black-covered, hard-covered ruled Moleskine which I love with some intensity. After stumbling across a following of people who don’t like Moleskine’s, I got curious. The only thing I disliked about Moleskines is how inaccessible the pages are; that is, you can’t flip through them easily because of the cover, and if often feels, when I turn the page, it’s kind of gone forever.
I thought I’d give Stifflexible a try, the very allure being that, while not soft-covered, the flipping is quite easy. The other pluses were: it’s made in Italy, the quality is supposed to be better, and the bookmark/pocket was intriguing.
I am a master of completely ignoring any display of measurement and so ordered a nice little black cover from Bromfield pen shop thinking I was getting a hearty full-sized notebook. I understand this is entirely my fault, but oooh was I disappointed. I mean, I ache at forking over the $16-17 at Borders for my bi-monthly Moleskines, but a different notebook that is TINY for so much more?? It was a sad day. Again, recognizing completely this was my fault and deciding I need to seriously stop thrusting my expectations onto things in front of me and PAY ATTENTION, I of course set off to use it.
I thought I was finding a replacement for Moleskines in all honestly. Love them as I do, the “made in China” throws me off as I’m a sucker for authenticity, and if something is better, well, then it’s better.
But, ugh, really? Pushing the size aside (seriously? I fill up half the book in like a day), the cover is not what one looks for in a black notebook! Moleskine has that down, no doubt. I knew the cover had changed and was disappointed, but hoped it would fit with the rest of the notebook and be perfection. Well, the first time I opened the notebook, the spine splinched (red underline leads me to believe that’s only a word in Harry Potter land, but I’m leaving it) all weird and now certain spots are seperated from the paper while some isn’t, and this is pulling the cover from the whatever it’s glued to. So it is possible. That doesn’t scream quality to me. Did I receive a dud?
I miss the creamy color of Moleskine paper too. Not just that, but Moleskine paper is so soft! I know nothing about the mechanics of paper-making, but seriously if something looks better and feels better, it’s better to me. I almost didn’t buy the Stifflexible when realizing that beloved soft, warm, inviting paper in every Moleskine would not be there, but again, thought Stifflexible would win out. I guess ’cause it’s made in Italy. I don’t know. I think I need to reconsider my decision making.
So the paper, not my thing. Not as pretty, not as soft, and I’m not fancy enough for fountain pens so my pens work just as well on either.
The Moleskines I use, maybe just because they’re bigger, sit flat very well. The Stifflexible? Not so much. My hand aches after pressing it down so I can write on the left-side page. It’s truly a pain to write in.
What they did do well though is the lovely pocket/bookmark. It works so much better than the Moleskine ribbon it’s insane. I thought the ribbon was all fancy when I first got it, but it’s always getting lost and being flippity and annoying. The pocket is incredible. I’m still in the habit of searching around for the ribbon, but then I remember the pocket (which stays put!) and tuck it into place. It’s far easier to find my page, and much much much easier to deal with.
Actually, I think my review was somewhat like yours. I set it thinking you gave them way too much credit, but I suppose you kind of said the same thing in a polite way. Besides the fact that my cover started separating immediately.
Basically, Stifflexible people: make a bigger notebook, give me the sweet sweet feel of a Moleskine cover and Moleskine pages and we’ve got a deal. I’ll be yours for life.
Until then, not even the flexibility and pocket marker is enough to make me want to write in a tiny notebook with an ugly cover and ugly paper.
(Still can’t believe I missed the size so entirely.)
22 Meg // Jun 1, 2009 at 7:45 am
Hi there thanks for your great comments about the Stifflexibles….I have a question – I bought a 3.6.5 Stifflexible style Diary in 1997. It was a fabulous book. Really innovative page layout with the stifflexible cover. Would anyone know if Mazzuoli still make this style in the Diary?
23 La Couronne du Comte // Dec 11, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Hi to all,
Since we get a lot visitors to our web store from blackcover.net, I wanted to let everyone know we are currently offering a 30% discount on all Stifflexible notebooks, including special designs.
We ship worldwide and tax free outside the EU.
Please do not hesitate to contact me in case you have any questions.
Dennis van de Graaf
General Manager La Couronne du Comte
24 tommy // Apr 16, 2010 at 1:08 pm
update on the stiffie’s for sale at Couronne: only Lilac covers remain, so grab them while you can. IF you like Lilac.
25 tommy // Apr 16, 2010 at 1:15 pm
one more thing: now you can order the stifflexible Blackcover on the Mazzuoli website – http://shop.mazzuoli.it/sho_main.aspx?t=5&cat=3351&az=390296&codice=GM365-080416 – BUT it will cost you over $36 (24 of that being shipping & handling).
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