Another commenter already corrected Tomoe River as "to-mo-e" (3 syllables), but let me add more Japanese pronunciation notes... Techo (as in, Hobonichi Techo) is pronounced with a "ch" sound (as written) not "k" sound (like English tech/technical). te-cho. Not te-ko. Romanized Japanese words are pronounced in syllables exactly as written. ho-bo-ni-chi, te-cho, to-mo-e, san-zen, na-na-mi, ma-ru-man, mi-do-ri, i-to, yu-sa-ri, u-ru-shi, fu-de, ma-ki-e.... etc. There are only 5 vowels in Japanese: a (ah) i (ee) u (oo) e (eh) o (oh) which are pronounced without any accents. The only independent consonant is n. All other consonants are paired with a vowel. 1 consonant+vowel pair = 1 syllable. If you see double vowels (like Tomoe), you pronounce the vowels independently. For someone like yourself that probably encounters lots of Japanese stationery, I hope this helps. Thank you for the extensive notebooks comparison.

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tips. I will do my best to keep them in mind.

As a FP nerd I’m afraid to say I’m late to the party regarding this video, and what amazing content it is! I will be recommending this video to anyone getting into the pens and writing, as we all know the paper you use is more important than the pen (well most of the time). Great work Vincenzo!

@fountainpentherapy

13 күн бұрын

Thank you. I am in the process of working on 3-part series on nibs.

sir you deserve more likes and support ❤

@fountainpentherapy

Ай бұрын

Thank you so much.

Wow, you really covered it all! After countless hours of Googling & pondering & Googling again, I sure wish I’d found your video sooner! I hope you had fun making this; to get to play with all the various papers sounds like a dream! Well, partial nightmare, but mostly dream […] Cheers!

@fountainpentherapy

7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Happy Holidays!

Over the years I have spent a lot of money on expensive pen but I’ve bought rubbish journals. I now realise the stupidity of this, I’ve now started using Galen Leather Cosmo Air notebooks and I’m loving it. Thanks for this

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

It makes a real difference. Enjoy.

This was so well done and the first I’ve seen that is so comprehensive and expansive. Well done! Definitely earned a subscriber here

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind words.

Dear Vince, thank you very much for your extraordinary effort in producing this video. Your experiences and loving descriptions are unique and special. I am sure that many viewers will appreciate this.

@fountainpentherapy

4 ай бұрын

Thanksyou for the kind words.

@kookatsoonjan

Ай бұрын

I sure do!

This really is comprehensive and therefore very helpful. Thank you so much!

@fountainpentherapy

10 ай бұрын

Your welcome.

I’m glad you made one long video with time stamps. Paper is everything to writing. Most people just think about the pen and ink.

@fountainpentherapy

3 ай бұрын

I agree.

@kookatsoonjan

Ай бұрын

most definitely Janie...espescially if you have ink to show off some cool sheening and shading!...but for just normal ink...fountainpen friendly paper would be just fine...😀

I truly enjoyed every minute of this video, you did an amazing job describing and actually showing the quality of the paper!! I was especially excited to see a few that I own and use myself!! This is the type of video that most definitely helps you make the right decision when looking to buy!!

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thank you for all the meticulous information about notebooks for fountain pens, I am just a beginner in fountain pens and this is one of the most well explained videos I’ve found so far !

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I love those videos!! Thank you so much.

@fountainpentherapy

2 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

Thank you!! I was trying to do all these comparisons in my head from the information of many different videos here on youtube. Love how you use Tomoe River as the benchmark, because it is my benchmark too. This was very helpful.

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

You're so welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to do this research. It was VERY helpful. I'm amazed that you covered so many papers and notebooks and really appreciate the effort and time you put into this. I'm putting this video in my back pocket for future reference and will remember to refer others to it. Well done.

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! By the way stay tuned for a follow-up video. Since that video I have gathered several other notebooks and journals that need to be mentioned and reviewed. I will try to get the follow-up video up as soon as possible. So do not forget to subscribe.

Thank you so much for this very hard work. I found it extremely helpful to my search for my perfect paper.

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Stay tuned I am in the process of preparing a sequel to that video with more notebooks that I have tested since. Cheers.

Thank you Vincent! I recently ordered some papers based on your recommendations and found another that you may be interested in adding to your next review. It is the "Strathmore 500 lined writing pad". I haven't tried it out yet but Strathmore makes some of the best artist papers like "Bristol" which is also recommended in a calligraphy book I read recently.

@fountainpentherapy

Ай бұрын

Its done. I just ordered it. Stay tuned, it will be reviewed on my next recap.

amazing! thank you for sharing this!

@fountainpentherapy

10 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

Thank you so much for this review! I love your pen reviews! I’m serious about my paper also so I appreciate learning about everything out there! I recently bought(haven’t used it yet)a Galen notebook for my Galen portfolio !

@fountainpentherapy

19 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful! The Galen Tomoe River Notepad forms part of most of my reviews.

Thank you Vincenzo, for this extensive compilation of notebooks! It‘s saved and downloaded as a reference guide. It‘s so easy to navigate because it’s well-structured.

@fountainpentherapy

9 ай бұрын

Your welcome.

@richardpeters4086

6 ай бұрын

your welcome = you're welcome

@craft-o-matic399

2 ай бұрын

There is a Part 2!

I've never seen such an inclusive/comprehensive review of PAPER... Tomoe River 52gsm is your LITMUS TEST!!!...HAHA...love that... thanks soo much for your time and effort you put into creating this wonderful video. It is incredibly instructive and informative to anyone choosing paper...for whatever reason....Janis in The Yukon Canada

@fountainpentherapy

Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the time stamps! It really helped. I am newish to fountain pens but I've been a long-time calligrapher with brush pens. I use rhodia and maruman most.

@fountainpentherapy

6 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I love the grid especially the 2mm tiny grid.

@fountainpentherapy

2 ай бұрын

Grid is my favorite.

Hi… just watched your video. It was very timely since we were going to Yoseka Stationery in Brooklyn yesterday. They had almost all of the journals you mentioned that I had bookmarked! Your video was very helpful in seeing which ones bled and ghosted (my personal pet peeves) so 😊

@fountainpentherapy

2 ай бұрын

So cool! GRAZIE!

Wonderful video, just found your channel! Thank you😊

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

I stocked up on tomoe paper several years ago before they stopped production. Now there are papers that are close to the original. If you have never used the original you can miss what you never had. I’m saving the original paper for special projects.

@fountainpentherapy

3 ай бұрын

Same here.

This is a very nice reference guide. Paper is very subjective. All the same, you've got enough info on each to provide a good reference for each. A little absorbance can be nice on a notebook. It lets you close the book faster without having to worry about transfer or stuffing a blotter in the book. I personally like the Leuchtturm1917s. As long as you aren't putting an ocean of ink on the page it holds up pretty well under most inks. Pretty tough too. The paper is a pretty good compromise between its properties and cost. Not incredibly vulnerable to hand oils either. I frequently keep a blotter on the current page so I can close the book faster.

@fountainpentherapy

4 ай бұрын

That notebook just passes the fountain pen test for me. It's otherwise a real quality notebook.

Thank you Vincenzo! Very helpful! So far, my favorite paper is my little Clairefontaine Séyès French ruled Notebook. I have the A5 Clairfontaine Triomphe as well. Obviously, I have many more to try, but this video has been a huge help. Now, on to Part 2! Lisa

@fountainpentherapy

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! The Seyes French paper was a recent addition for me when I decided to change my handwriting.

@craft-o-matic399

2 ай бұрын

@@fountainpentherapy Yes, I remember! If only I could write that small on unruled paper. More practice is in order.

Thank you for this useful and very complete videos ! Collecting and referencing everything is a huge work !!! Also : I'm from Belgium and we used to write on Atoma notebooks at school :) and I was waiting for the moment you detached and refixed a page to show this marvelous technology...but you did'nt ! :o

@fountainpentherapy

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! You are right. The next time I use one of the notebooks for my reviews I will try to remember the page technology.

Greetings from Australia. WOW, what a great video! All those notebooks. For me, trying to find the perfect fountain-pen friendly notebook was like finding the Holy Grail. Then I found Midori, which I love, but I was a little disappointed that you were not keen on. You skipped over this a bit quickly. I use this for my everyday journal, plus I also have it in a 5 year leather bound journal. I love this video and will always come back to it as a reference point.

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@kookatsoonjan

Ай бұрын

me too Scouze...saved it...somehow I hope it is findable later!...greatest reference of [paper for fountain pens ON THE INTERNET...with time stamps even...the amount of work and effort...sure appreciate!...janis

Thanks a lot for your effort going through all of those notebooks! You have a very pleasant voice making it a pleasure to follow you through your reviews. If I may, I would just like to add that some constructive criticisms: - I would have enjoyed you talked a bit more about ghosting & the ability to write on both sides of the paper. For me, sheening and shimmering are not the only important properties of paper. - It would have been interesting to know about the gsm of each notebook/paper you reviewed. - Maybe at the end of your video you could have given us your personal favourites or disappointments Please continue to make videos! All the best from Germany.

@fountainpentherapy

10 ай бұрын

All great points for me to keep in mind for my next paper/notebook review. Thanks

This is such an impressive project you’ve put together with this video. I found it edifying. I have always been beyond happy to use the Hobonichi products with TRP. I haven’t had enough time to put the Sanzen paper through it’s paces to form a complete opinion on it but it’s certainly suitable for long writing sessions. The only other paper from this list that I’ve tried is the Stalogy. I think I like the Sanzen just a bit more than that. I have a secret stash of the Hobonichi Plain Notebooks so I can keep using the old TRP for a long time. In the future, I will be consulting this video to see what else I should try when there’s no more Tomoe River Paper to buy. Have you tried any of Kokuyo’s papers? I’ve found some of their products to be a joy to write and draw on with fountain pens. Their Sarasara paper plays so well with my Hobonichi glass dip pen. That said, I don’t usually gravitate to such vibrant inks as the ones you featured here. I’m a big fan of the De Atramentis Document inks, and some of Noodlers permanent inks. Your selections are certainly better samples for a litmus test though. Again, thank you for putting together such a comprehensive resource!

@fountainpentherapy

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comments.

I recently got two MON CARNET DE POCHE notebook/journals. A little funky in that the book has three different types of paper: 1/3 lined with margin and date, 1/3 tan paper with grid and blank with perforated in the middle to detach as cards. Definitely fountain pen friendly. Even with juicy Kingfisher pen no feathering or bleed through. No idea what paper probably its own brand but I’m enjoying using it for notes. It has a vintage feel and look. I happened upon it at Barnes and Noble which recently started carrying Rhodia, Fabriano, Tomoe River and other good quality journals.

@kaytee-zs1ue

Ай бұрын

I forgot to mention that my one peeve is it does not lay flat so writing on the back side of the page is challenging

@fountainpentherapy

Ай бұрын

I will have to check it out.

My favorite notebook is the Smythson Panama. But I also use Midori and Leuchttrum1917 paper (the a5 size). If you have a change try the Smythson Panama. I can write (on both sides) with my Pelikan M1000 M Bob with no problem. And is it is 50 GSM paper!

@fountainpentherapy

4 ай бұрын

We learn something everyday. Never got a chance to try the paper you suggested. I just googled it and for some reason the prices in Canadian dollars are crazy - between 180 and 350 for a notebook. There must be something wrong there.

So sad to hear your thoughts on Midori 😢 However thank you for your extensive video, very cool reference.

@fountainpentherapy

Ай бұрын

It has never grown on me. But like fine nibs were never in my redraw and now they are. Our tastes change over time.

Vincenzo, thank you for the most comprehensive review I've seen! Minor niggle: the intro audio level is too loud (here and in other videos), especially when listening with AirPods or hearing aids. Again, kudos for research and production for a goldmine of information.

@fountainpentherapy

9 ай бұрын

My earlier videos all have that issue. I jus did not realize how loud the music was. I am trying to be more careful in my recent videos. Thanks for the kind words and the helpful comments.

@kookatsoonjan

Ай бұрын

ya...it is quite TOO LOUD...to almost scare me away...until I hear your kind and calming voice...somehow the intro music...does not match your style or manner...quite "blasty"...sorry...just wanted you to know...kindly. thanks Janis

I love the Nobel notebooks. I call it a 'hard' paper. It writes very fine. Where the same pen writes more wet and thick, this paper writes with a fine line, but keeps the different characteristics of the ink. They are a little pricey, but I love how they write. MD paper depends on the paper. I have the Cosmo Note, and I love the paper. Very smooth and beautiful colors. Btw, MD ink is terrible. It bleeds through almost any paper you write on.

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for your observations.

Hope that you do find it worthwhile to do a Muji review. Am interested in seeing that one. Thanks again.

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

I hope so too!

Where did you purchase that Seven Seas Crossfield (Japanese) notebook at? I've only found one place and they don't ship to the US..

@fountainpentherapy

6 ай бұрын

www.nanamipaper.com/

What a great extensive, interesting and informative work ! The only thing is with Cosmo air light, you unfortunately don't show the comparative swatches. Would it be possible for you to put it in a future video? Merci beaucoup!

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

Good point! For some reason I omitted to include the follow-up where the comparison was made. However, I invite you to view another one of my videos where the comparison is made. kzread.info/dash/bejne/nat52ZWvk7icec4.html

@bouphilusojo3577

11 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your answer, I will be viewing soon this video.Really appreciated!

@Volkmannx

11 ай бұрын

@@fountainpentherapy Thanks!

I love Tomoe River. Love it. Want to marry it and have its babies. That being said, I much prefer the first version of Tomoe River, the one from machine #7. Then Tomoegawa changed to machine #9 and the structure of the paper changed drastically. Sanzen is a little closer to the original paper than the second Tomoegawa iteration, but it's still not as good. For me, it's not so much about sheen or shading as it is about writing experience. The original Tomoe River is smooth and soft. The other two are much stiffer. It's a good thing I've got a 10-year supply of the old stuff. If my house burns down, I'm saving my notebooks and the cat. Yes, in that order. Thank you for this EXTENSIVE comprehensive guide!

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

I have tried but I too am hooked on Tomoe River paper. I just ordered a bunch of stale dated Hobonichis with the original papier. The discounted price was worth it.

@BiggestBeans

10 ай бұрын

Hey could you share where you found the stale journals?

@kookatsoonjan

Ай бұрын

🤣that's too funny...the paper before the cats...In real life...I doubt that...also hope you never have to make that choice. Janis

@darkchocolate4643

Ай бұрын

@@kookatsoonjan Of course, Janis, but tell the cat that. He's cocky enough as is ;)

I look for a japaneese notebook. It's made with diffent parts/books depending of the user's needs. Any thoughts on what I'm looking for? Thanks on beforehand! Liselotte

@fountainpentherapy

4 ай бұрын

If its more than one notebook, that is usually the Traveller's notebooks that you put in leather sleeves.

Yikes, you just tore apart one of my favorite notebooks (Midori). Great video and review though, thanks!

@fountainpentherapy

24 күн бұрын

Not my favorite.

Really amazing guide. But it is a pity I have not got any of these in my country😢😢😢😢😢. So sad 😭

@fountainpentherapy

4 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that.

Vincenzo, Wanted to touch base with you and ask if you've ever heard of OtterBlotter Notebooks? It's a relatively new company that makes some fantastic notebooks with very fountain pen friendly paper @ 100gsm. I discovered them about a year ago and have absolutely fallen in love with them for my journaling. Great Paper. Great Price. many options. Thought you might want to take a look since I didn't see it listed in this video. If it is in another forgive me! See going through all your videos.

@fountainpentherapy

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion. I am always looking for new journals to spotlight. I will check them out.

I wish there more options in the B5 size, and the ones there are always seem to be more expensive 😔

@fountainpentherapy

3 ай бұрын

A5 is my go to size so I have not paid too much attention to B5. But you may very well be right.

I think they have versions w/ translated text/quotes for English speakers... but they're usually sold out :( Hope you can get back into the habit of dashing a note everyday in the 5 year hobonichi.

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

I will do my best.

Ah, the rabbit holes get deeper. I've got Tomoe and Muji, but am always curious about what else is out there. BTW, Tomoe is pronounced Toh-moh-eh (the e is sounded out). Thank you.

@fountainpentherapy

11 ай бұрын

Good point! By the way because of your comment I ordered and received several Muji notebooks. The verdict is still out. I may do a review on them in the future. But you certainly can't beat the price.

I wish I could find some original tomeo River.

@fountainpentherapy

2 ай бұрын

same here

Have you tried the Hightide Penco notebook? Can anyone give me any reference about it? Thanks 🙂

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

I just pulled the trigger and ordered a notebook. I am doing an update on my comprehensive guide video and it will be included. Thanks for sharing.

@studiowallace6915

8 ай бұрын

@@fountainpentherapy Thanks to you and congratulations for your channel and your appreciations 🙂

What about Fabriano's Ecoqua paper?

@fountainpentherapy

10 ай бұрын

You are right. I have always meant to test that paper. I will try to do this as one of my future projects. Thanks for reminding me.

@__mader__

10 ай бұрын

​@@fountainpentherapy I have lots of Ecoqua (Plus) Notebooks because here in Italy you find them in (large) supermarkets too. I can anticipate you that, while this card is great for cursive italic nibs (I write on Ecoqua paper with my Leonardo Officina Italiana CSI nibs daily) and its thickness is 90g/m², ink tends to dry rapidly on it, so the resulting sheen is minimal, at least compared to the Rhodia paper.

@ladyflimflam

5 ай бұрын

It’s my favorite and has been for several years.

Good selection of notebooks. Its just a shame your writing is awful.

@fountainpentherapy

13 сағат бұрын

Was that really necessary ????

I lost interest and nearly fell asleep after 10 minutes, even though I specifically am interested in this subject and am looking for a fountain pen friendly A5 notebook ! This needs to be 15 minutes, maximum.

@fountainpentherapy

6 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear you fell asleep. You are the first. But that's OK the beauty of KZread is that if you do not like or appreciate a video you can simply not watch. The video was not meant to be an action 007 film. Its is a comprehensive guide of more then 60 products which is impossible to do in 15 minutes. I could have done 60 separate videos but i chose to do one with time stamps - so you can pick and choose. Part 2 is out but I don't suggest you look at that one either since it too is just as long as I review another 40 products.

@ladyflimflam

5 ай бұрын

You can go away and come back and youtube will save your place. Isn’t that a wonder!

No one needs this many notebooks. It’s more of an illness called hoarding and must be treated at a clinic. I hope you have good family and friends who will check you in for treatment.

@YyNRCyY

8 ай бұрын

ur fucking insane. Im sorry this video set u off.

@fountainpentherapy

8 ай бұрын

Your comments constitute a totally inappropriate and unnecessary disrespectful personal attack. For what its worth, your comments also demonstrate a total misunderstanding of not only me as a person, but of the difference between hoarding and collecting and/or buying items for you tube reviews. In this regard, I am in the process of purchasing several additional notebooks that I will be reviewing. If this offends you or disturbs you in any way, the beauty of KZread is that you don't have to watch.

@XtianApi

8 ай бұрын

I would say, considering there are hundreds of thousands of people out there that are interested in this man's channel, despite not finding it yet, one could say this is the start of a lucrative business. Hoarding is not this. Hoarding is beyond all logic. Would you say the same comment if they were baseball cards? If you Google hoarding vs collecting, this is 100 percent a collection.

@XtianApi

8 ай бұрын

​@@fountainpentherapywell said. Honestly, I thought their comment was a joke at first. I love this video. I hope everyone on the forums finds it.

@littlebear3879

8 ай бұрын

An example of what envy looks like!