(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
The Takasago Fountain Pen Notebook is a simple softcover notebook that really delivers on its name since it handles fountain pen inks like a champ. The paper is from Takasago Paper Mill, which is where the name of this notebook comes from. With 86 sheets of white 88gsm paper with a 5mm grid pattern, you'll have plenty of space to think, record, or whatever else you decide to take down.
88gsm is fairly common for paper weight in notebooks that make the rounds in our stationery circle, but this paper has a particularly lovely smooth feel that sets it apart. It's not a thick paper, but it handles fountain pen ink so well. The smoothness is apparent both to your fingers and when writing. Nibs float across it with ease, and there's hardly any resistance or feedback. It's quite an enjoyable paper to write on.
Whenever you use a paper that feels this smooth, it's likely due to some sort of coating on the paper that reduces friction. This can have unwanted side effects, like slow dry times, feathering, and skipping. Fortunately, there aren't really any negative side effects with this paper. I have noticed that the couple of fountain pens that lean toward the dry side don't perform particularly well on this paper. They're totally usable, but I can tell that the ink flow is a little diminished. Aside from those two dry-ish pens, I've had a really good experience. For most pens and inks, this paper is fantastic.
The paper is smooth and maintains the true ink color once it dries. And speaking of drying, it does tend to shed a couple seconds off the dry time. It's not a magical difference, but it definitely helps. You'll still have to choose your inks wisely if you plan to jot down notes and close the book quickly, or if you're a left-handed or non-traditional grip user. The quick dry time is part of the marketing on this notebook, so that's why I paid special attention to it. I'm not sure if I'd notice the slightly faster dry times if it wasn't called out on the packaging and marketing materials.
One thing that really surprised me is the lack of show-through on the back of the page. Based on how thick the paper feels, I assumed there would be moderate show-through (meaning, it feels thin enough for that to be an issue). To my surprise, show-through isn't an issue at all. You can barely see the writing on the reverse side of the page, and you can easily use both sides of the page. You'll get full use of all 86 pages here!
The outside of the notebook is sparse. There isn't any Dominant Industry branding to be found, and there are only a couple of markings on the front cover that are really difficult to see since they're black on black. The bottom center of the front cover has a small "Takasago Paper Mill" printed on it, and there's an even smaller vertical spot next to the upper left-hand side that says something about Fountain Pen. It's honestly so small and light that I can't make it out with 100% certainty. Let's just say that this notebook is minimally branded.
Inside, the covers are blank. There's no printed spots for your name or contact info. Both front and back covers have some additional material folded back on the interior to act as either minimal pockets for stray pieces of paper or for marking a place in the notebook. In my use, I haven't used the extra material and I'd prefer it not being there.
There's a blank page at the beginning and end to sandwich the 86 grid pages, and the pages are also very sparse. Besides the grid pattern, there's no other printing. No page numbers or spots to put a date or subject. This notebook is minimal both inside and out.
The binding is strong but flexible and easy to open and close. I haven't had any trouble with the notebook staying open, and it closes and stays shut on its own without any elastic banding.
Personally, I really love the minimal aesthetic of this notebook. It fully delivers on the paper quality, and I like the sparse look. Writing in this notebook is a great experience, which keeps me coming back to it. It makes my pens and inks look and feel great, and the grid pattern provides structure when I want it, but easily disappears if I want to go more free-form.
This notebook is only available with a black cover. The cover and paper pattern are tied together, so the white cover only has plain paper, and the gray cover only has lined paper. This makes it easy to tell them apart if you have all three, but I wish I could pick and choose between the pattern and cover colors.
The Takasago Fountain Pen Notebook is $25 and makes a great companion to your favorite fountain pens and inks. The price is fair for the quality you get, and it's comparable to other notebooks in the same price range. I really enjoy the glossy paper feel, but that's not something that everyone enjoys. If you do like smooth papers that show off your inks, this is a great notebook for you!
(Brad purchased this notebook at regular retail price from Smruti Pens at the 2023 Orlando Pen Show.)
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