I've used this brand off and on for about a decade or more now. This is the first I've purchased in many years, and I must admit they have made one change that severely disrupts the product's like-ability.

Before, the pen used to scratch its holder a little, so after a long period of use some of the color would get scratched off. Really not a big deal and I didn't care about that since the pen covered the damage when not in use. But apparently enough high-maintenance people complained so that they must have tweaked the design - now the pen doesn't clasp so tightly it scratches, but the flip side is that now the pen just drops right out of the pad if held upside down. Considering I use this to take notes at work as well as hiking in the woods, this is a huge problem. I lose the pen just pulling the pad out or returning it to my pocket. I once lost the pen for a day or two.

If the situation I am encountering is a fluke that only happened to my particular pad, I would love to be corrected so I can continue getting these products. But for the time being my otherwise perfect score for this has been tainted by a rather problematic design flaw.

Just perfect for the person who wants something really small, always handy, and with the offset pen holding the notebook closed, you'll never lose the pen! In this case, for my husband who was making notes and to-do lists on random pieces of paper, then losing them! He loves it. Well-made too.

this is a nice product. i think a little expensive for what it is, but worth it. one arrived with a slight dent in the edge, but other than that, i'm pleased with the quality. very nice if you are a "note taker", but don't want to pull out a ragged paper-based product. looks classy and gives a hard surface to write on. pleased with my purchase.

Love this things. Can carry in my back pocket and it does not get damaged from sitting on it. Allows me to always have a piece of paper and pen handy. Used to think I did not need paper and pen as could make notes on my cell phone or tablet, until I wanted to give a number to someone else who did not have a cell phone, or tablet with them. Be wary of who you show this to however as others will fall in love with it and you will wind up giving it to them and ordering another for yourself lol.

Best pocket-sized notepad I've ever seen. I have two and I gave two to a lady friend of mine. (This is one of mine.) Both of us are photographers and we each need a small notepad to record IDs.
These notepads come in two versions, apparently, which isn't all that clear in descriptions. I bought two of each:
1) The Signature Flip Notes feature a cover that can be folded all the way behind the notepad, which makes it fit one's hand very well while taking notes while standing. A small magnet holds the cover closed. The pen does not have to be removed to open the note pad. My brown faux leather one measures 2-7/8x4-3/8x3/8.
2) The Metal Flip Notes are, indeed, made of metal. The cover doesn't fold past 180 degrees, so it's best used while flat on a surface. The pen is held by both front and back; or, put another way, the inserted pen holds the front and back closed. You have to remove the pen at least half-way up to open it. My metal one measures 2-7/8x4-3/8x1/4 (slightly thinner than the Signature).
Both versions use the same kind of pen and same kind of paper pads. You can write on a note and immediately tear it out if you want to give it to someone else.
Both versions are truly pocket-sized, which is exactly what we were looking for. For me, to go in a shirt pocket. My lady friend carries a very small pocketbook, and she finds it fits perfectly.
The Wellspring note pads some in a huge variety of cover designs. I think they'd make great gifts.