Loading... Please wait...

STUDIO NOTE A5 3.7mm Grid READ DESCRIPTION!

Image 1
  • Image 1
  • Performance of various pens.
  • Note heavy feathering when fountain pen ink is pooled on thick with a dip pen (in my opinion, the ultimate test for writers)
  • There is heavy bleed with the dip nib and Pilot blue-black ink. Not as much bleed with the broad and fine-medium nibs, but it is still there. For that reason, I won't call this paper 'fountain pen friendly', at least not compared to the old Tomoe River 52 gsm paper. Other non-fountain pens seem to do ok.
  • Close-up of other pens.
  • Close-up of more pens and pencils.
  • Image 7
  • Image 8
  • Image 9
  • Image 10
  • Image 11
  • Next to the Hobonichi Techo. Both have a 3.7mm grid.
  • Image 13
  • Image 14
  • Image 15
  • Image 16
  • Image 17
  • Image 18
  • Image 19
  • Image 20
  • Image 21
  • Image 22
  • Image 23
  • Image 24
  • Image 25
  • Image 26
  • Image 27
Pin It
Price:
$13.00
Rating:
( 83 product reviews )
Shipping:
Calculated at checkout
Max Purchase:
5 unit(s)
Quantity:

Introducing the new "Zen" paper. Great for ballpoint pens, gel pens, various other kinds of pens, pencils....but for fountain pens, not so much. Too much bleed-through! So, if you want a high-quality, high page count notebook, and don't intend to use fountain pens, this may be the book for you!

To be honest, I really had high hopes for this paper as a Tomoe River 52gsm replacement. But, it was not meant to be, and the search goes on. And, who knows, maybe in the future, this paper can be reformulated with a thicker sizing (coating) so that it is more bullet proof.

I thought about not selling this at all, but it would be a shame to make it unavailable, because in every other respect, it is still an excellent notebook - our partner in Japan really has the craft down, and everything about it is just so...beautiful. But - I also don't think I can justify the same price as Tomoe River, so for now, we are lowing the price.

 

Finally...please note: the slip case says "3.5mm grid", but it is really a 3.7mm grid, as stated on this product page.

---

The Zen paper is very similar to 52 gsm Tomoe River paper; slightly thicker than the "old" Tomoe River, perhaps about the same as the "New" Tomoe River. The writing experience lies somewhere in between the old and new TR, but it's so subtle that I am not really sure. It IS somewhat toothier than the old TR, which some people will like, others may not.

Finally, because of the slightly thicker paper, the page count has been reduced from 480 to 432...it makes a difference of about 1mm.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All reviews dated before 6/16/2021 are for the prior version which used the OLD TR paper!

 

If you'd like to try our new ZEN paper, please ask for a free sample by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

 

Nanami Paper
Att: Samples by Mail
P.O. Box 17422
Irvine, California 92623-7422

 

I'm confident that you will like this this paper as long as you don't expect it to be fountain-pen-bullet-proof like Tomoe River, but I always encourage "trust but verify", so please don't hesitate to ask for a sample.

 

Specifications:

 

  • Size A5, 210x148mm, 8.3x5.8 inches
  • White-color ZEN "Notebook" paper,  52gsm
  • 432 pages (216 leaves) with rounded corners and 3.7mm grid
  • 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 thin paper 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 52gsm). Thin 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)

 

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.

 

 

Write your own product review

Product Reviews

Previous | Showing reviews 41-50 of 83 | Next

  1. Perfect for Bullet Journals 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 23rd Sep 2019

    I have been bullet journaling for about 3 years now. I Purchased a Hobonichi and found that even that was ignoring the preprinted dates and calendars and wishing I could just use the pages how ever I wanted regardless of the date. I loved the grids and the paper quality but I wanted something I could make my own. A friend recommended this notebook for me last year and now I am ready to buy one for 2020!!!!

  2. Please bring this back! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 21st Aug 2019

    I love the minuscule 3.7mm grid, the incomparable Tomoe paper and the rock-solid binding. Please bring this back so my writing projects don't starve for want of paper!

  3. Please restock soon! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 11th Jul 2019

    I love this journal, it is the perfect companion for the Cafe Note. With it I have planner peace. The paper is exquisite and the grid is perfectly functional without being intrusive. Please restock soon!

  4. Don't Buy This!! ;) 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 5th May 2019

    I hesitate to review this product, because then everyone will want it and it may not be available when I'm ready to re-order it LOL.

    Paper--fantastic. Perfect for my fountain pens. Ink comes to life. Nibs work perfectly. Even with normal pens.

    I love the size of the squares...just like my Hobonichi. It's so easy to practice handwriting or journal or write down your favorite quotes...whatever your use. The color of the squares is dark enough but not too instrusive.

    The paper is white, but not so bright. As one who prefers cream paper, this is a good thing.

    This is one of several Nanami paper products I've purchased, and I'm thrilled with the quality AND the very quick service.

    My favorite store to purchase Tomoe River Paper notebooks!

  5. Wonderful Notebook 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 30th Apr 2019

    Impeccably well made in my view. There's so much attention to detail. The paper is great, but so in the binding, the covers and their general flexibility. This makes for a highly usable and durable notebook. The grid is also great and not too obtrusive.

    I couldn't recommend one more.

  6. Meets ALL of my journaling needs. 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 16th Apr 2019

    I’ve tried many journals and planners. I’ve explored many organizing systems. I’ve been able to successfully adapt the Bullet Journalling method. I loved the Tomeo River Paper and the tiny grids of the Hobonichi but the layout was distracting and limiting. This product is the perfect solution for combining my love of art journaling, doodling, planning, and organizing. PLEASE DO NOT DISCONTINUE! (I ordered 2 just in case.)

  7. love it! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 12th Apr 2019

    It is amazing no joke just buy it!!

  8. Great notebook, okay cover 4 Star Review

    Posted by on 27th Mar 2019

    I love the paper in this notebook. The grid is just visible enough to stand out, but subdued enough to not be obnoxious. I like the small size of the grid, since I can write super tiny with a fine point pen, or use a stub nib and use two rows for a double wide ruling. The margins are pretty much perfect in how much space they take up.

    The only thing I'm not too keen on is the cover. Unlike every other Seven Seas notebook, this does not have a nice, thick, sturdy cover on it. This one is much thinner. It tends to bend outwards on its own and I am always having to bend it back to straight. I can maybe see this being a benefit if you always put your notebook into a notebook cover, but if you are like me and you just use your notebook "naked" then you may find yourself wishing the cover was thicker and sturdier.

    Still, overall I love this notebook and I think it's one of Nanami's best.

  9. I am in journal heaven !! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 17th Feb 2019

    I have found the perfect journals. Thank you Nanami Paper (Dave). My collection includes 3 journals - all with Tomoe River paper. What could be better than that? I have the Seven Seas Standard A5 unlined. I have the Cafe Notes A6 with the wonderful light grid. And now... as of today... I have the Studio Note A5 with the same wonderful grid. All made with top quality construction, amazing Tomoe River Paper, fast delivery and wonderful customer service. I am a customer for life.

  10. Nanami Studio Note = the perfect notebook! 5 Star Review

    Posted by on 14th Feb 2019

    I have been on a quest for the perfect notebook and now I can stop searching. The paper is amazing with fountain pens. The printing is perfect. The color of the paper is perfect. I don't miss page numbers or ribbons. I am still getting used to the smaller grid, but I LOVE that it is grid and not dot grid. The number of pages is very generous and I will enjoy getting a whole year in one notebook. Shipping was fast. I ordered a second Studio Note the same day I received this one. I hope to only use these notebooks in the future. Thanks so much!

Previous | Showing reviews 41-50 of 83 | Next