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This is the 7th edition Writer, with the "new" 52gsm cream Tomoe River paper. Please note that all review prior to 11/23/2021 are for the 6th and earlier editions!
Thanks to its cult-like following, Tomoe River paper needs no introduction, so onward to the Seven Seas Writer!
We like to think of the Seven Seas Writer not as a great fountain pen notebook, but rather as a great notebook that just happens to be fountain-pen-friendly. Therefore, regardless of your chosen writing instrument, you will enjoy this notebook's substantial page count (480), pleasant heft, subtle printed lines, lay-flat capability and unassuming character.
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 automated 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 impregnated cloth, stiffened through the use of a core board sandwiched between between it and the end sheets. You can use the book as-is, or put it inside a leather, cloth, paper, vinyl, fabric, etc. outer cover.
For more information, please read the Seven Seas Writer and Standard Notes and also the Seven Seas Tomoe River Journal Facts.
Tips:
- The notebook will lay flatter if you bend it back on itself. Don't be afraid to do this - the binding is very strong. there is no way the pages can fall out by themselves.
- 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, 2B and softer leads work well.
- Pencil marks erase very cleanly from this paper. Use a high-quality plastic eraser.
- If you find the book a bit thick for your writing style, please read this.
Recommended accessories:
- Cheap Notebook Cover and Insert
- MF Faux Leather A5 Notebook Cover with bookmark
- Seven Seas + Gfeller Kip leather cover
- Herz of Japan Italian leather covers
- Super Clips and Mini Clips
- Hard or soft writing mats - Order size A5; larger works well too
- Blotter paper - Order size A5 (please note that the notebook already comes with one sheet)
Specifications:
- Size A5, 210x148mm, 8.3x5.8 inches
- Cream-color Tomoe River "Notebook" paper, 52gsm
- 480 pages (240 leaves) with rounded corners and 7mm lines
- 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):
- Rippled pages
- A subtle "waviness" on the edge of the book block
- Dog-eared pages (rare)
Except for a torn page, none of these issues 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 table.
Did you know that Hemingway wrote with a pencil? We like to think that, had he known about the Seven Seas Writer, he would have used a fountain pen. Here's the full story.
Showing reviews 1-10 of 199 | Next
Posted by Unknown on 6th Dec 2023
I bought my first notebook (Dot pattern) about 4 years ago, and still not 1/4 of the way through. I use it daily for notes at work, and it is everything I need as an engineer. Sure they make other dot matrix pads of all sizes. But the combination of portable size, perfect paper that works well with all my writing utensils, and limitless paper. I bought two more for other areas of writing. My favorite features are the crinkle of the pages when indented from ballpoint use, and the secrecy of the notebook. I feel like I'm in a secret club
Posted by Unknown on 27th Oct 2023
For years I had used a specific "Tomoe River" journal very similar to this one, which ceased to exist when Tomoe River changed hands. This thing is perfect for my daily diary/journal. The lines are not too small (5mm) and not too large so as to waste space. The lines are also very faint, so it isn't such an eye sore, but is clearly visible when writing. Very happy with this purchase. No telling how the new Tomoe River paper will hold up over time, but I suppose that I will find out next year.
Posted by Laird Gordon on 28th Sep 2023
This is my first foray into Japanese fine writing papers. I have used sources such as Claire Fontaine etc., previously since I write with fountain pens. The association with touch, the neurophysiology and the written word is a very profound and delicate one. I will certainly let you know how my experience unfolds.
Posted by Wirmind on 27th Jun 2023
This is my go-to journal, I absolutely love it.
Posted by Obie Yadgar on 17th Mar 2023
This paper is as close to perfect for my fountain pens as possible. I am a writer and I go through quite a lot of paper. This paper is pure joy to write on. I just have to make sure I don't run out of it.
Posted by Bert Carson on 24th Jan 2023
Journals are an addiction and at age 80 I should note they are one of my longest running addictions. I do not know when I discovered The Writer but I do know the stack now goes from the top of short bookcase that sits on my worktable almost to the ceiling. As long as I go on I will be journaling and I'll be journaling in a Writer.
Posted by Prose on 23rd Jan 2023
Paper is so thin, and its amazing to write on this. I don't use fountain pen. Sharpie S Gel 0.7. I'm in love with this book. I use it to take notes as I'm reading a book. Book binding is also amazing.
Posted by DK on 1st Jan 2023
Writing habits:
- Typically write with broad nibs
- Usually journaling
- I'm a pretty light (in terms of pressure) writer
- I use regular inks (colorful inks, but no special properties like sheen/glitter; Waterman, Diamine, and Pilot Iroshizuku)
With all of the above characteristics in mind, I didn't find the new TRP to be too different from the old one. I was able to feel the toothiness of the new paper, since I came directly from an old TR Nanami Writer journal (I finished the old Writer right in time for 2022 to end after 4 years; what luck) and I was paying a lot of attention to the differences. But once I stopped focusing on the feel of the paper and just on the writing, I couldn't even tell that it really was more toothy.
Since it's not like we're ever going to get the old Tomoe River paper back, I'm not too upset about the change. However, I will admit that there was something incredibly special about how the first stroke on the old TR paper felt.
Posted by Cierra on 27th Nov 2022
The Writer is the perfect mix of luxurious and minimal.
I was surprised how nice the new Sanzen paper is, particularly in this journal. A month ago, I tried white 52gsm Sanzen in a planner from a different company, and I hated it. I was nervous to order The Writer, but I'm so glad I did. I compared the feel of this paper to the original Tomoe River in my Hobonichi, and it's pretty similar. Yes, it has more tooth, and there is a very slight chance of pinpricks of bleedthrough if you use a wet ink, but in many ways its similar to the old TR. I wonder why the cream Sanzen is so much nicer than the white.
The subtle lines are wonderful.
Anyway, this is everything I ever wanted in a journal and more. The heft is beautiful, but it's not so fancy that I feel put off of journaling in it.
I hope Nanami continues to make these journals, and that Sanzen continues to perfect its TR recipe.
Posted by Jim on 27th Sep 2022
I'm a fountain pen user, and I've been using the Seven Seas Writer for my journal for years. There are many good journals available, but many are tuned to rollerball pens. The Seven Seas Writer is very fountain pen friendly. The journal is very well made, with very high quality in material and workmanship. The only thing I miss is page numbers. I like numbered pages. Adding page numbers is the first thing I do when opening a new journal. Even so, the Seven Seas Writer can't be beat.
Showing reviews 1-10 of 199 | Next