Posts filed under Cosmo Air Light

The Paper Mind Cosmo Air Light Notebook 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 her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Even when writing starts to feel like work, which can happen sometimes when the deadlines weigh heavy, the right tools can make it feel like play again. The Paper Mind Cosmo Air Light Notebook is one of those notebooks that is so pleasant to use that it makes you want to write even when you don't want to write. I need those in my life, because I have to want to write even when I don't want to write, know what I mean? This is an essential, and I'm so grateful for tools like this.

This notebook tics a lot of boxes for me. It's elegant and minimal, with a grey woven linen cover. There's minimal branding, with just the Paper Mind name in silver debossing on the lower back cover. The front and spine are completely clean. There's nothing printed inside except for the unimposing light grey 7mm lines.

The cover is hard, which protects the pages nicely and it holds up well after being dragged around in a backpack. The lovely linen color does pick up dirt and smudges, so if you like your notebooks to stay looking pristine, you might want to go for the navy colored blank page option. I like it when my notebooks take on the character of their experiences, so it doesn't bother me when it starts to look used.

There are 176 pages in this book, which means I can write for days, which is good, because I need to be doing exactly that. The Cosmo Air Light paper is fantastic. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you don't like CAL, I do question your taste. Lovingly, but, I don't understand you. The coated paper is the best I've used since we lost our OG Tomoe River. Nothing feathers on it, not even my aggressively juicy Monoc nib, and nothing bleeds through it, not even Sharpie. My pens glide over it, which reduces hand fatigue. It does have a long dry time, but this notebook comes with a crisp sheet of blotting paper, so problem solved. It shows off ink colors and sheen better than any other paper in my current collection.

If you REALLY don't like Cosmo Air Light paper, Paper Mind also makes notebooks with Tomoe River paper and Bank paper -- so you can still get the same elegant look and excellent construction with great paper that's to your preference.

This notebook sells for $29, which is reasonable. I can daydream about the good old days when I could get 400 pages of bound old-school Tomoe River paper for $25 all I want--but those days are years behind us. For this many pages of good quality paper in a great cover, this notebook is now a staple in my pantry.

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

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Posted on October 31, 2024 by Sarah Read and filed under Paper Mind, Cosmo Air Light.

Yamamoto Paper Cosmo Note Notebook 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!)

The Yamamoto Paper Cosmo Air Light is known for its ability to make inks look their best, but every time I use it, I'm surprised at how well it works. Inks stand out so well on this paper that it makes me want to keep writing, even when I've run out of things to write.

This notebook from Yamamoto packages that experience in a nice, no-fuss minimalist book that ticks all of the boxes for a paper enthusiast.

The cover is a plain, grey cardstock that is flexible but sturdy enough to be a writing surface when needed. It's begging to be decorated with stickers, washi, or your own artwork. The spine is bound with a fabric tape with a minimalist brand stamped into the fibers. The sewn binding allows it to lay flat after a bit of training.

Insisde there are cardstock endpapers, and then 176 pages of excellent plain paper. There are no lines or words or numbers--it's just an open world of possibility. There is a line guide sheet included, which offers a 6mm grid or 12mm line if held behind the page you're using. This way, every page can be exactly the format you need, whether you're sketching, writing, or taking notes.

The paper is what really makes this notebook. Not everyone likes the texture of Cosmo Air Light (Brad), but there's no denying the way it makes ink stand out. If you want to show off shading or sheen, this is the best option out there, in my opinion. The cushy texture of the page is exacerbated by fine point pens, but medium and broad tips glide over it with no problem at all, which are generally what one uses when showing off ink properties, anyway. It also works fabulously with pencil, ballpoint, rollerball, gel, fineliners, even Sharpie--pretty much anything you want to write with. It's a finer, 83gsm paper, so there is ghosting, but not even the Sharpie bled through--not even a dot. The paper does have a long dry time, though, so patience or a sheet of blotting paper are required.

I've really enjoyed using this notebook. There's nothing extra about it--it's just a plain cover holding together a generous chunk of very nice paper. It's not too "nice" to use. The minimalism is inviting and utilitarian, and I find I keep reaching for it.

It's not inexpensive at $21, especially for a softcover notebook. But you do get a good page count for that price, so I don't think it's asking too much. There are certainly less expensive notebooks with paper that is almost as good, but the emphasis is on "almost." This is paper for ink lovers. Ink lovers with lots of writing to do.

(This notebook was purchased from Yamamoto Paper at the 2022 San Francisco Pen Show at regular price.)

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Posted on December 15, 2022 by Sarah Read and filed under Yamamoto, Cosmo Air Light, Paper Reviews.

Pebble Stationery Cosmo Air Light x Liberty London Notebook Review

I'm not sure I've ever called 'dibs' on a review item as quickly as I did for the Pebble Stationery Cosmo Air Light x Liberty London Notebook. Aesthetically, this notebook was a win for me even though I'd not yet tried Cosmo Air Light paper, of which I've heard mixed things. I was very excited to try it for myself.

Liberty London William Morris designs get me every time and this design is completely gorgeous. Pebble Stationery has several other Liberty London designs as well, but they are fairly limited, so if you're as stricken as I was, act quickly!

This notebook is an A5 hardcover wrapped in fabric. It is entirely handmade, so each one is slightly unique. The binding is sewn stitch and it includes a satin ribbon bookmark that coordinates with the fabric color. The binding does allow the notebook to lie open flat, with some training. Between those stunning covers are 160 pages of blank, 75 gsm Cosmo Air Light paper. Which I now know I like very much.

I have been told I would love CAL paper, but I've also been told I would hate it, so I really wasn't sure what to expect. It definitely has a unique texture to it, somehow both smooth and grippy at the same time, which makes no sense unless you've used it. It's smooth, but has drag. I found it pleasant to write on. I saw beautiful shading, lovely sheening, and no feathering or bleeding. Even the Sharpie did not bleed through, which shocked me. So I got a bigger Sharpie and tried that, and it still did not bleed through. The only bleeding I got at all was when I poured ink onto the page and let it dry. Impressive.

The only negative issue I had with the paper at all was that it has a very long dry time, similar to most coated papers. It's not an issue that bothers me much, but I know it can be a problem for some, especially lefties.

Overall, I think this is a very nice notebook. It's well constructed with that special handmade feel, with top-notch materials. And somehow, even with all that considered, it's only $28. I was genuinely shocked by that price, but in a good way. It could easily have been half again as much and still reasonable, especially for a limited run. You should probably get one or three before they read this and come to their senses.

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

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