Posts filed under Notebook Reviews

The Paper Mind Mitsubishi Bank Paper Notebook Review

You had me at Bank Paper.

I first heard of The Paper Mind notebooks when their creator, Blake, reached out to share his new product, and set up a future ad spot to run on the blog. Turns out, I knew Blake already from his former stationery blog Unroyal Warrant. Blake’s Broadcast has taken over the blogging side of things for Blake, while The Paper Mind is scratching another creative itch he had.

As I witnessed during Unroyal Warrant’s blogging run, Blake exhibited exquisite taste. It should come as no surprise that his notebook creations follow along the same lines. The launch notebook, using Mitsubishi Bank Paper, was designed to be a premium experience, with a clean design, flexible stitching for lay-flat binding, and paper that is elite for fountain pens - all while being universally usable for all other types of writing instruments.

As I alluded to at the top, I am a bank paper fan. As a self-professed Pen Addict, I have an enormous amount of paper types and styles at my fingertips. If I were to pick one paper out of the entire lot to be my one and only, it would be bank paper. I enjoy it that much.

I went through many reasons why in my Life Bank Paper Review, and the same holds true for The Paper Mind version. In fact, it is the same Mitsubishi Paper Mill Three Diamonds paper that is used for both products. The only product difference between the two is the binding.

The stitched binding, in 12 signatures for each 192 page notebook, allows for ultimate flexibility. Combined with the paper cloth cover, the notebook lays flat on any surface, or can fold back on itself without damaging the spine for use cases that may require it. Even if I don’t use this notebook in that manner, I like the soft setup for better portability in a bag or backpack, while remaining sturdy enough to take a beating.

I’ve been using the lined version of the notebook that Blake sent me a few months ago for product reviews. You will see a sampling of pictures here that you may have seen previously. That I choose this notebook for pen and ink testing reviews should tell you how highly I think of it.

The Bank Paper notebook also comes in a blank page format. If I could wishcast other formats for the future, I would love a 5 mm grid version, and would settle for the universally more popular dot grid format. One can dream!

Build, quality, and design-wise, this notebook is in a class that few other similar products reside in. It’s up there with the Apica C.D. Premium and Musubi Bank Paper notebooks in my personal rankings, and I would recommend it to users looking for a similar high-end experience.

At $35, it is not cheap, but fairly priced. Taking into account the all of the parts that make up the whole, it seems right, and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a blank one the next time they appear in stock. Or, maybe I should test out the recently released Gmund Blocker Paper notebook for another interesting writing paper experience.

(The Paper Mind provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on May 9, 2022 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Paper Mind, Notebook Reviews.

Kokuyo Field Sketch Book Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

Usually I like a hardcover notebook when the notebook is large and needs the extra structure to keep it in line. A hardcover on a pocket notebook seems odd--but it's brilliant.

The Field Sketch Book from Kokuyo offer all the marvel of Kokuyo's fantastic paper in a compact but durable package that's perfect for taking on the go. I am a constant pocket notebook user--they're bound scrap paper for me, and I can fill one in a week, easily. But this one has some special features that nudge it into its own category of use, and it's an essential category.

The cover is made from firm resin board that is quite inflexible. It's stronger than heavy cardstock and more closely resembles the hardness of a hardbound fiction book, but it's as thin as cardstock, and very lightweight.

Inside are 40 sheets of Kokuyo's lightweight 3 mm grid paper that is so fine it looks like it will melt if ink is applied, but instead it holds up to almost any ink you throw at it. All liquid inks did well, even in a wet flexy nib, with no bleeding or feathering and almost no show-through. The only ink that bled was the notorious Sharpie.

While I typically use a cardstock pocket notebook like Field Notes for my everyday use, this hardcover version feels great in the hand. At 3.7" x 6.5" it is a little taller than a typical pocket notebook, and that plus the hard cover means it's not great in the back pocket. This notebook will never take on that telling curvature of a well-used back pocket Field Notes. But one thing it is ideal for is being its own surface. Often, when I'm making the kind of note that goes in a pocket notebook, I'm not at a table or desk--I'm on the go. The closest thing I have to a writing surface might be a shopping cart handle or my knee. Having the sturdy hard cover on this pocket notebook means I always have a writing surface when I make my notes. Which is why I've picked one to be my official convention notebook, where I'll be taking notes on panels and readings all day. Its slim profile will make it easy to keep on hand whether I'm shoving it in a tote bag between panels, or in my fancy clutch for the formal evening events.

These have won me over in a big way. I'll keep putting my cardstock pocket notebooks through the wringer every day, but this slim and sturdy $5 workhorse will perfectly meet my needs when I need something just as small, but with more structure and 200% better paper.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on April 28, 2022 by Sarah Read and filed under Kokuyo, Notebook Reviews.

Maruman Croquis Pocket Series Notebook Review

Brad's been raving about Maruman Croquis paper, and I've been dying to try it, so I was stoked when this small gem came my way. This is the Pocket Sketchbook version, with 55 dual-spiral-bound sheets of 96.4 gsm cream cotton paper. It has a soft woven surface that works well with artist's pencils, but also behaves beautifully with any pen you want to use.

The paper has a slight texture to it, which lends control to your drawing or writing, but it does not bleed or feather at all. Even the sharpie barely dots through, so this paper is up for your wildest artistic adventures. The pages are not perforated, so they do not tear out easily. Instead you get the dreaded spiral-bound confetti. The dual coil does keep the pages secure, though, so they won't tear out unless you really want them to.

The cover is thick cardstock designed to keep the coils inside the spine of the notebook, rather than sticking out where they might snag or be crushed. It makes for a great compact sketchbook. At 4.2 x 6" I'd consider it a bit larger than what we usually consider pocket size, despite its "pocket series" name. I dunno, mayhaps it fits in dude pockets, but I've never had a pocket this big. Still, it's compact for a sketchbook and perfect for travel or a daily sketch. It's also great as a notepad for writing, though this thicker paper really does beg for art to be made with it.

Best of all, this is some fabulous paper for only $4.45. Yes, under five bucks for 55 sheets of goodness. I highly recommend you give it a try. Toss one in your JetPens cart next time you need a boost to free shipping. I'll be doing the same, as the one pictured has already been stolen by a young artist in my home.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!