(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
I've always been a fan of the B5 notebook size, as it's smaller than the standard A4 but still larger than the ubiquitous A5. Plenty of space to stretch out and write, but still small enough to easily carry around.
There are plenty of Life and Apica notebooks in my stationery closet, but I'm always interested in new players that enter the scene. That's exactly why I picked up a Tsubame Fools University Notebook to try out. They style and price is similar to Apica and Life, so I had to find out if this notebook performs as well as the former examples.
Let's start with the specs. The Tsubame Fools University Notebook contains 30 sheets of acid-free white paper that weighs in at just over 80 gsm. There are plenty of style options, but I went with the lined version. You can also get these notebooks with plain or graph paper. The marketing description on JetPens' site includes some information about traditional lattice work patterns in the paper that can be seen when holding it up to the light, but I have really struggled to see anything outside of regular paper. Who knows — maybe it makes a difference, or maybe it's just a fancy checkmark for their marketing materials!
The cover is made of a heavier grade of paper and bends easily. It won't stand up to a lot of abuse, but it does a good job of protecting the insides of the notebook under normal circumstances. The notebook is bound with thread, and seems like a well-done job that will hold up through the life of the notebook. The exterior spine has some additional tape to provide extra durability and some aesthetic contrast. Inside the notebook, there's some marketing and the company logo on the front inside cover, while the back inside cover is empty. All in all, the notebook has a very simple look without any distracting colors or extraneous text.
Now, the real star of this notebook: the paper. I rarely find a Japanese paper that I don't like, and the Tsubame Fools paper is no different. It's a delight to use. The feel of the page is a little toothy, but only enough to give the perfect amount of feedback while writing. I've used several types of pens and inks with the paper, and it performs admirably. I haven't seen any bleeding, feathering, or other odd quirks (like longer dry times, etc.) with this paper, and it also does a fantastic job of preventing show-through on the back of the sheet. With this paper, you can definitely use the back side of the sheet without any worries.
On top of all that, the paper is acid-free, which means your marks won't discolor or fade over time. Great for referencing old notes or musings!
The quality of the Tsubame Fools University Notebook is on par with the competition, and I can easily recommend this notebook to anyone looking for a great lightweight notebook for notes, journaling, and anything in between. At just under $4, it's a great deal. Pick up a couple on your next order!
(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.
Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!
