I thought this would be a lot cheaper in quality if you get what I mean. The pages are thick with a nice weight, the texture is gorgeous, and the weathering is beautiful. Use an ink heavy pen or sharpie/calligraphy marker/calligraphy pen, a ballpoint is not going to do it. The lock is secure and hasn't broken at all in the year I've had it, which I did worry about. It's worth the money for sure, I'm surprised something of this quality was inexpensive, I honestly expected way worse quality than I received. But definitely when writing, avoid any pens that aren't going to make a REAL mark. Heavy ink for sure. A light