Posts filed under Notebook Reviews

Maruman Cover Note B5 Notebook Review

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

The Maruman Cover Note is a B5 size notebook (176 x 250mm/6.9 inches x 9.8 inches) inside a black leatherette cover. The cover looks quite classy, with a textured surface, the words “Cover Note” embossed on the front, and gold-colored metal corner protectors.

The notebook itself is cardboard with thread binding. Two ribbons in black and red are sewn into the book as bookmarks. The notebook contains 88 pages.

Each page has a large upper section for titles. The remaining lines are 8mm apart and are printed in light gray ink.

The paper is ivory colored and is 78gsm, but it’s unclear what kind of paper it is. Is it cotton? Tomoe River? Linen? Wood pulp? I couldn’t find any information about the paper content.

Unfortunately, the paper is definitely not fountain pen friendly. First, I wrote my calligraphy alphabet with an Opus 88 fitted with a Regalia Labs Crossflex nib. The ink is Montblanc Corn Poppy Red. Not only did the ink bleed through the paper, the individual letters feathered as well.

Next, I tested the paper with various pens and inks. All the fountain pen inks bled through the paper. The only pens that did not exhibit any problems were gel pens and brush pens.

Except for Montblanc Corn Poppy Red, the other fountain pen inks didn’t seem to feather, at least not as noticeably.

I copied a quote from Ambrose Bierce, The Unabridged Devil’s Dictionary using my Montblanc 149 inked with Kobe Mikage Grey. The ink didn’t feather and writing on the paper was pleasant. But, once again, there was significant bleed through.

As much as I like the way the Maruman Cover Note looks, with its classic black cover, gold corners, and ribbon markers, the notebook paper inside is not at all impressive. I cannot recommend this notebook for fountain pen use. However, it appears to handle gel pens and brush pens adequately. Usually, I am impressed with Maruman products, but the paper in this notebook is a major disappointment.

You can purchase the Maruman Cover Note from JetPens for $25.50.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on February 1, 2019 by Susan Pigott and filed under Maruman, Notebook Reviews.

Tsubame Fools Cream B5 Notebook Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter.)

Have you got something fancy to write, or something boring to write that needs a little spice? Definitely check out the Tsubame notebooks. These flew under my radar for a while, and now the oversight seems scandalous. These are great notebooks.

The cover is sturdy cardstock, and the single signature is secured with sewn binding. With a bit of training, it lays open flat. The spine is protected with a lovely, rustic bit of gauze tape that adds strength and texture.

Inside, there are 32 sheets of cream-colored, acid-free, 7mm lined, 83.5 gsm paper. This paper shouts "luxury" and "workhorse" at the same time--a rare but noteworthy feat. The paper is crisp with great tooth, but feels smooth. There is a subtle watermark to it that is most apparent when it is held up to the light. There are also grid dots along the bottom, to assist with any vertical alignment you might need with your text, if you're using it for notes or outlines.

This paper handles ink like a boss. I threw all kinds of things at it, and the only thing I could get to bleed at all was sharpie. Nothing, not even my dribbly flex nib, feathered. The back side of the page shows hardly any ghosting. It's a bit more absorbent than more heavily-coated papers, so it doesn't show quite as much sheen, but there is still some. And, due to that cushy paper, it dries more quickly, too.

Overall, I really like this notebook. The 32 sheets leave me wanting more, though, and I wish there were other sizes. It does come in graph and plain varieties as well, which is very nice. Each notebook is $8.50, a bit steep for something I could fill in one sitting. Because of that, I won't be collecting these, but I will be enjoying the one I have.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on January 31, 2019 by Sarah Read and filed under Tsubame Fools, Notebook Reviews.

Yamamoto Ro-Biki Reticle Notebook Review

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

The Yamamoto Ro-Biki notebook is a non-standard notebook in terms of size and materials, but it really pays off in the end. When I first saw the Ro-Biki, I was pessimistic about the weird size and assumed I would never be able to find a use for a notebook of that size. But, after looking at the months and months of notes I take for work, I realized that my notes naturally fit the tall and slender shape of the Ro-Biki even though the page was wider. So, I decided to purchase one of the Ro-Biki notebooks to see if the size would work for me.

At 3.6 x 8.3 inches, the notebook has a similar size to the Traveler's brand notebooks. Tall and skinny, it works great for jotting down quick notes but also still fits into most pockets as long as vertical space isn't an issue. Since the size is basically a Field Notes with three extra inches on top, it was really easy to become comfortable with the size.

The Ro-Biki only contains 30 sheets (60 pages), but that's still a few more than you find in a standard Field Notes book. Yamamoto explains that the paper is from recycled materials, but I honestly can't tell a difference from other papers of the same thickness. What I can tell you, though, is that the Ro-Biki recycled paper is a stellar performer with any pen and ink combo you throw at it. This paper is exceptional!

The paper feel is smooth with the slightest amount of texture that you can feel when writing. The version I chose has a 5mm reticle grid pattern that has really grown on me. They make a standard graph paper, but only in 2mm or 4.5mm sizes. Like dot-grid, the reticle pattern provides a lot of structure on the page if you need it, but it also easily melts away if you don't need the lines and intersections.

The cover is made of an interesting "wax-infused kraft paper" that is delightful to touch and handle. Even though it is wax infused, I don't get a sense of waxy fingers after I've touched it. This has happened to me with some waxed canvas goods I've used in the past, and I can't say I enjoyed that experience. I'm glad that the Ro-Biki notebook cover has the protection of wax without the waxy feel. Another positive of the wax is that it gives the cover a nice sheen, and it will also develop over time as it picks up oils, dirt, and other particles from your journey.

The notebook is held together with a great-looking stitch, and I've had no issues with the notebook staying open and also feeling well-constructed. This book will hold up to back pocket and bag use, and the additional strength that the wax gives the cover will ensure it stays intact until you finish filling the pages.

The Yamamoto Ro-Biki was a notebook I quickly overlooked when it was introduced on JetPens, but I'm glad I took the time to look again. This is a notebook format that I have quickly become a fan of, and the paper quality will keep me coming back for more.

If reticle grid isn't your thing, Yamamoto has several other options that range in paper style and cover art. The Ro-Biki notebooks cost $9 a piece, which is a bit pricy compared to other small pocket notebooks. But, given the extra sheets, the taller size, the materials, and the superb paper quality, I think this is a fantastic price for what you get. These have easily shot to the top of my favorite notebooks, and I can't recommend them enough!

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!