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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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Calculated at checkout
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 11-20 of 104 | Next

  1. Still satisfying - stock up 4 Star Review

    Posted by on 25th Aug 2022

    I was relieved to see the Seven Seas Standard available again, though with the “new” Tomoe River paper, and I’m happy with it, though I still miss the old paper. The new TR paper is a bit softer and thicker — and more porous, so with fountain pen there is occasional bleed-through to the verso, which never happened in the old paper. But my hand seemed to automatically adjust and I am now a fan of the softness. And the notebook itself is as well-made as ever, and almost as thin, though packing 240 sheets (480 pages) into one slim volume. I have a pink vinyl cover on it, also from Nanami, which fits it well and makes it feel compact and well put together. I recommend the notebook if you want a lot of writing or drawing in one volume.

  2. Still satisfying - stock up 4 Star Review

    Posted by on 25th Aug 2022

    I was relieved to see the Seven Seas Standard available again, though with the “new” Tomoe River paper, and I’m happy with it, though I still miss the old paper. The new TR paper is a bit softer and thicker — and more porous, so with fountain pen there is occasional bleed-through to the verso, which never happened in the old paper. But my hand seemed to automatically adjust and I am now a fan of the softness. And the notebook itself is as well-made as ever, and almost as thin, though packing 240 sheets (480 pages) into one slim volume. I have a pink vinyl cover on it, also from Nanami, which fits it well and makes it feel compact and well put together. I recommend the notebook if you want a lot of writing or drawing in one volume.

  3. Best notebook ever / transcends my past experience with notebooks 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 22nd Aug 2022

    This paper is so smooth and soft thar my very-fine nibbed Sailor 1911S — a feedback-y pen by anyone’s standard — feels oddly cloud like, and glides over the page in a way that struck me instantly. I am not someone who craves soft or smooth paper, but having known this notebook, it’s tough to go back. Fantastic binding, a massive amount of paper (it’s not even expensive when you stop and think about how much paper you have) and low key, nearly absent branding make for what is actully (by far) my favorite notebook ever. Makes me want to write more. And I’ve been writing for pleasure since I was a little kid. Ah it writes *extremely* well, is extremely attractive (if you like low key design, as I do) and will obviously last for a long time.

    Sidenote: their customer service is crazy good. Like at this point I actively seek to go out of my way to recommend this shop, only I don’t know many paper people in real life, so it’s a rare thing to get to do. But I can do it here. If you’re reading this review and debating, I’d say do it.

  4. Please please please...... bring these back !! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 3rd Apr 2021

    This is my most favorite journal in the whole world. Perfect in every way. I am using my last one....... What will I do if they aren't back in stock when I need one????? Oh dear......

  5. Old Reliable 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 16th Dec 2020

    Absolutely love these notebooks! Some years ago I got myself a Writer for NaNoWriMo and have been hooked ever since. The Standard is my go-to notebooks for my comic work and they stand up to fountain pens, mechanical pencils, and water brushes without complaint. I adore the way they gain character over time and the pleasant sound of flipping though one.
    I just wish you had EMail alerts when these restock!

  6. Please bring back more! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 4th Oct 2020

    I got this because I was desperate for a A5 TRP notebook and there were no grid notebooks available. I didn't know what to think of all the blank space at first, but ended up loving this notebook! My only regret is that I didn't order more since they are now all gone.

  7. A classic 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 24th Sep 2020

    I have now purchased three of these. They last super super long since the paper is so thin. I love flipping through my filled up journal with its crinkly written on paper. I love the lack of branding and the simplicity of the cover. The platonic ideal of a notebook.

  8. A classic 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 24th Sep 2020

    I have now purchased three of these. They last super super long since the paper is so thin. I love flipping through my filled up journal with its crinkly written on paper. I love the lack of branding and the simplicity of the cover. The platonic ideal of a notebook.

  9. Unsure at first but now it's my favorite 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 19th Aug 2020

    I ordered this journal after reading such great praise online for Tomoe River paper. With such high expectations, I was a bit let down at first because I have been using Leuchtturm 1917 journals and like most things about them. The TRP is very thin and at first I didn't like the ghosting. After writing for a few days I really like the way the journal lays flat (more so than the L-1917). Writing left-handed is easier and I seem to use the whole page, whereas usually I have large margins. After the pages are written upon, I love the way they look and feel and sound--very sensual. I have some beautiful Oberon Design 9x6 covers that work great with it. These are my new favorite!

  10. nanami thank you 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 30th Jul 2020

    With just about everyone using the all time favorite of fountain pen nibs and its ink, nanami wins me over with quality of product and its presentation.

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