Lihit Lab Aqua Drops Twist Ring Memo Notepad - 2.8" X 4.7" - 5 mm Graph - 40 Sheets - Blue

Man, I don't know what the other reviewer did to their Lihit Lab Twist Ring Memo Notepad... I can't read Japanese, but it was obvious to me from the image how to open the rings - the notepad must be open and then you gently tug the top and bottom in opposite directions (right with your right hand and left with your left hand). It pops right open! I got it open on my first try with almost no force. Use your fingers to close the rings as pictured. I am concerned that the rings might get battered over time if I carry the notebook around, but I guess I'll find out.

The covers are reasonably sturdy, but flexible, not stiff, which some people might not like. The covers have rounded corners which is a nice touch. I've had to round the corner on some American notepads because they were too sharp. The pages do not have rounded corners but they're not sharp. It's the little things...

Oh, and the color is great. (But I may be biased as purple is my favorite color.)

I purchased one of these notebooks because I very much liked the design. Unfortunately, when i received it, I was less than happy. To begin with the cover is not tightly matched to the contents is the only way I can describe it. It flops around possibly because it contains so little paper. More importantly there are no instructions for opening the binding mechanism except for a small picture. As a result when I tried to open the thing to add paper, it broke into several pieces. So much for ever using it.

It works great, but I absentmindedly put it in my back pocket for a couple of weeks and the spring came off at some point and was lost, and the middle portion snapped. I think it still functions, but as I can't put it in my back pocket anymore I stopped using it...but otherwise this is a great little notepad. I'll probably consider buying a replacement at some point.