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Seven Seas "STANDARD" A5 Blank Journal 5th Edition

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Price:
$28.00
Rating:
( 104 product reviews )
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Max Purchase:
5 unit(s)

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The SS Standard is back! Now with the Sanzen Tomoe River notebook paper, 52gsm!

 

Please note that all reviews prior to August 2022 refer to older versions, which used TRP from the Tomoegawa company.

 

What we mean by "Standard": Plain, regular, no-frills. No lines on the pages. Simple, tough, no-nonsense design. It's a blank canvas, ready for your personal touch. But at the same time, it is so dense with capacity, and its paper is so thin and receptive, that by the simple act of adding ink you physically transform the book in a way that is real and tangible. That much will become apparent as you go through more and more pages. We think it is better for capturing your thoughts, vision, aspirations, art, work, and whatever else you choose to put down, than any other notebook. And even if you're the type to throw away old notebooks, you'll probably want to keep this one long after it is filled.

Features:

 

  • Flexible, semi-stiff coated fabric cover.
  • Smythe-sewn (thread-bound), lay-flat binding
  • White Tomoe River paper - lots and lots of it
  • No printing or branding except for the back end sheet
  • Comes with a kraft slip case

 

The pages are "thread-bound", which is a very old and still the best production method of bookbinding. Thread-bound pages are sewn (with a special sewing machine) into signatures, which are gathered to form a text-block, which is then cased into a cover. This method allows the journal to lay flat with no stress to the spine, and for that reason it is the absolute best method for binding a book (including a library book) that sees the daily rigors of opening, closing and pressing down with the hands. It can even be folded back on itself. If you were to go on an around-the-world trip over the course of many months and needed to document your experiences in great detail, this journal would certainly be up to the task.


The paper size is A5 (148x210mm or 8.3x5.8 inches), and 15mm thick. The cover is made of buckram, which, aside from leather, is the absolute toughest flexible cover material available. The cover has also been made stiffer through the use of a core board sandwiched between the buckram fabric and the end sheets. You can use the book as-is, or put it inside a leather, cloth, paper, vinyl, fabric, etc. outer cover.

Tips:

 

  • The notebook will lay flatter if you bend it back on itself a bit. Don't be afraid to do this - the binding is top notch.
  • If you use a fine-to-medium fountain pen, the ink will generally dry fast enough. If it doesn't, close the book on the included pink blotter sheet.
  • If you use a pencil, softer leads such as 2B and 3B work well.
  • Pencil marks erase very cleanly from this paper, and using a high quality eraser is pure pleasure. Don't be surprised if you find yourself making mistakes on purpose.
  • If you find the book a bit thick for your writing style, please read this.

Recommended accessories:
 

Specifications:
 

  • Size A5, 210x148mm, 15mm thick, (8.3x5.8x0.7 inches)
  • White-color Tomoe River "Notebook" paper
  • 480 pages (240 leaves), no lines, rounded corners
  • Lay-flat thread binding
  • Flexible, tough, thin water-resistant coated-fabric cover
  • Ivory-colored end sheets
  • Comes with one A5 blotter paper
  • Made in Japan

 

ABOUT MANUFACTURING VARIATION: We've found that Tomoe River paper, and thin paper in general, is unlike working with "regular" weight papers such as 20 lb bond, laid, wove, etc. papers (we have actually be unable to find any binders in the US that are willing to work with TR paper). Tomoe River paper is very sensitive to humidity, and when bound in a thick book by machine as ours are, some unexpected variations can occur. So far, we've experienced the following (also please see the pictures):

  1. Rippled pages
  2. A subtle "waviness" on the edge of the book block
  3. Dog-eared pages (rare)

None of these issues will affect the writing surface or quality of the writing experience, and it's not practical for us to go through each book page-by-page (these issues can be quite random). However, if for any reason you are not satisfied with the book you receive, please let us know (dave@nanamipaper.com) and we'll do our best to rectify the situation. Thank you for your understanding!

For more information and design goals, please read the Seven Seas Journal Fact Page.

If you'd like to compare this journal to the cost of other journals, please see our notebook value comparison.

Did you know that Hemingway wrote with a pencil? We like to think that, had he known about the Seven Seas Standard, he would have used a fountain pen. Here's the full story.

 

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Product Reviews

Previous | Showing reviews 91-100 of 104 | Next

  1. Functional & Beautiful 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 18th Apr 2016

    This is one of the best journals you can find for the money. The paper is excellent and amount of pages is fantastic. I know the "writer" is the brass ring so to speak but if you do any sketches the blank pages are awesome. I use a guide page made from an A5 sheet of lined stationary for writing and the pen and ink sketches look great minus the lines. Think about what you are going to do. If you plan on writing a novel, or use this for bullet journaling wait for the "writer" to come back in stock. If not the "Standard" is fantastic... Word to the wise, do get the "cheap notebook cover." It does help the covers from deforming. Also the customer service is amazing. Big UPs!

  2. I hope you keep a lot of these... 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 14th Apr 2016

    Because I want more of them. Lots more.

  3. Best notebook 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 14th Apr 2016

    Best notebook ever !!!

  4. Beautiful notebooks 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 13th Apr 2016

    Seven Seas notebooks are the only notebook that I use as of February 2016. I have both, the Crossfield and the Standard. Quality is wonderful, paper is exquisite ( especially with Fountain pens). And the A5 size is perfect for portability ( although with the massive page count, it's a bit heavy on my purse).

    These notebooks wear out well. With the muted colors and the sturdy binding, it reminds me of old library books.

    Beautiful notebooks! Thank you Dave for selling such a well made and well priced product.



  5. For the love of Writing 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 12th Apr 2016

    These journals are the only journals I will EVER use from now on. I am so pleased with the paper, the construction, the presentation and the price. I have given 2 as gifts and the receipents are just as excited about them as I am. I am embarking o. A new chapter in my life. I will be joining a month astic life at the end of Sept 20@6. Dave I need you to please hold onto 4 of these Writers for me as soon as they come in in May. I can begin my monastery life without these incredible journals. If you want I can send you check or my card # to hold them. I am telling everyone I know about Nanami Paper Co. and the Sealben Seas Writer as the best journal I have EVER used. What is the max # I can order Dave? Let me know. And thank you for such great customer service. Namaste

    Louis

  6. Superlative 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 16th Dec 2015

    Having just finished filling my Standard (and just received a new Writer), I feel confident that I can now offer a fair review. After a year, the notebook is better than ever — a wabi-sabi delight. The binding is supple and well-broken in, yet remains unshakably strong. I can bend the book back on itself with no fear. The paper — well, if you've ever tried the wonder that is Tomoe River paper, you'll have some idea what a sensuous experience is bound between these buckram covers. And yet, the Seven Seas notebooks remain delightfully unpretentious, without grandiose frills, aren't too "pretty" — they invite real work. And remember: although a vastly superior product, page for page, these are cheaper than Moleskines. Don't be any more precious with these than you would any other notebook. There are nearly 500 pages here for goodness sake. Now if only these came in other sizes...

  7. Beautiful notebooks 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 16th Nov 2015

    These notebooks are put together exceptionally well.
    They also have a lot of sheets but does not look big at all.

    I read the reviews and when I got the notebooks I can understand why they were rated that high.

  8. Beautifully made 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 4th Nov 2015

    It is a beautiful notebook. I like that the cover is plain, and the stitching is sturdy and allows the notebook to lay open flat. I've heard so much about Tomoe River paper, and this is my first ever encounter with the paper. It's so thin! I don't mind the ghosting, there is just a little bit of it. I used ink with high sheen on it and it's just beautiful.

    It's A5, same as a Hobonichi Cousin, so it fits into the Hobonichi A5 cover, too!

    I am really happy with my purchase. I've been using Daycraft notebooks as my journals and work notebooks, but I just might shift completely to Seven Seas.

  9. beautiful & high quality 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 25th Oct 2015

    Lovely book. So pretty I will have to get past that in order to get busy and use it! Packaging was super nice, too.

  10. Excellent as usual 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 24th Oct 2015

    I write a lot, e.g., notes for classes and from lectures, calculations, and recording commitments. For all of these the Nanami notebooks are perfect. I also use fountain pens. Sometimes a Pelikan with a generous flow of ink and sometimes a Namiki, Sailor, or a Platinum pen with a fine tip. For all of these, these notebooks are unsurpassed. Smooth, no smearing, no bleed through.

    I was glad when the blank notebooks came back into stock. Same excellent notebook.

    The cover is slightly different: not so plain gray and with a bit of texture. Though only cosmetic, I like the new cover!

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