I'm looking for a pad where the backing does not bend. Is the cardboard backing on this pad bendable?

Yes. Very bendy. I use them for cheap writing pads, but use the Tops Docket Gold which is premium and the backing does not bend when I need something substantial.

You call them "legal," but aren't they letter size? Legal size is 8 1/2 by 14. Letter size 8 1/2 by 11.

Good question. To answer your question, the page size is 8.5 x 11. It seems that the terminology of Legal Rule came into play, so I will address that, just in case. Terminology differences can easily be confusing. I am no expert, so please forgive me if I say something remedial. Common pad sizes are: Standard (8.5 x 11), Legal (8.5 x 14), Jr Legal (5 x 8). The particular pad of your query is listed as 8.5 x 11.75 because of the ¾ inch binding at the top, but the page is 8.5 x 11. The confusing part could be the terminology of "Legal Rule." If so, "Rule" refers to the spacing between lines and is commonly called Wide Rule, Legal Rule, College Rule, and Narrow Rule (some sources list Wide = Legal, Medium = College, and Narrow). Unfortunately, the definitions vary from source to source. Different countries of pad manufacture often use different spacing, and consistency within the United States varies also. Because I have many pads with different line spacing, personal experience has shown existence of the 4 "Rules" listed at the beginning with accompanying spacing: Wide (3/8 in), Legal (11/32 in), College (9/32 in), and Narrow (1/4 in). Confirmation of these widths with some sources has been made, but due to my own pads, I know they exist. I have not been to sleep for about 40 hours, so I hope that I did not mis-read your question and also hope that I made sense. This is the best that I can do. Good luck.

When you finish the front of the first page and flip it up, is the space at the top of the back side so it looks like the front page?

My remaining pads are approximately 4 years old, but my answer is the same as Kimberly's. Unless there has been a change in manufacture, the back is the same as the front, except that it is upside down as it relates to the front (the large space is on the bottom of the back side to make be at the top when the page is flipped over). The large space at the top measures the same for both front and back, which is not always true with other brands.

ASIN	B0006HWRK8
Best Sellers Rank	#1,144 in Office Products ( See Top 100 in Office Products ) #8 in Letter & Legal Ruled Pads
Binding	Office Product
Brand	Tops
Brand Name	Tops
Color	Canary
Customer Reviews	4.6 out of 5 stars 15,177 Reviews
Global Trade Identification Number	00025932753213
Item Dimensions L x W	11.75"L x 8.5"W
Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness	11.75"L x 8.5"W x 2.5"Th
Item Type Name	Legal Pads
Item Weight	5.59 Pounds
Manufacturer	Tops
Number of Items	12
Pages	600
Paper Size	8.5" x 11.75"
Pattern	Single
Ruling Type	Legal
Sheet Size	8.5" x 11.75"
Special Features	Soft Cover
Specific Uses For Product	personal
Style	Classic
Theme	Educational
UPC	025932753213
Unit Count	12.0 Count

TOPS 8.5 x 11.75 Legal Pads, 12 Pack, The Legal Pad Brand, Wide Ruled, Yellow Paper, 50 Sheets Per Writing Pad, Made in the USA (7532)

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