ツバメノート Tsubame Notebook, B5, Horizontal Rule, 0.3 inches (8 mm) x 28 Lines, 200 Sheets W3013

Let me start by saying that I've been using very fine papers and notebooks for decades. This notebook, which I use as a journal, is my new favorite!I knew about the long lead time, so I expected the leather cover that I ordered for this notebook to arrive first...it did not. I didn't wait and started writing in it straight away. I write with fountain pens and bottled ink, so I really like high quality paper. I love this paper! First, it is not bright white. It's a lovely light, bright ivory which allowed both a pale orange and a light golden brown ink to be easily readable. Second, is the smoothness of this paper. Being able to write on the back of the back of the page as well as the front with very minimal show through, no bleeding and no feathering with an assortment of inks is a huge bonus. Third, and this is really more aesthetic than anything, is that the papers have a lovely watermark through them. The watermark is a grid pattern of sorts, not unlike a vintage ledger, and is clearly visible when you hold the paper up to a light source. All in all, for 200 sheets of the highest quality paper, I consider this notebook or journal refill to be the best money can buy. I am ordering more as I should never want to run out. I might even be OK stranded on an island provided I had a case of these notebooks!

Even if the left edge of the photo gets clipped, this notebook only has 5 signatures not 8 as shown in the Amazon add. This means the signatures are almost twice as thick which results in the notebook not laying flat on its own. Thats important to me, and I purchased based on the 8 signatures shown in the add. Specifically the signatures go from the expected 25 sheets each, to 40 sheets each.the covers are very thin but that was expected. The paper is the same quality, great for fountain pens, little to no bleeding. Just makes the book difficult to use.

This is super thick notebook. I’m using it to craft a novel by hand, computerized after I’m done hand writing. I write fifty pages a day, in this and three other thin notebooks.It shipped from Japan, meant a week longer than normal delivery an expected circumstance. Tsubame notebooks are my EDC for writing and my lousy art, perfect size B5 fit easy in EDC messenger bags. I prefer thicker, more pages for continuity instead of several books that tend to get misplaced. For my purposes more is better with few exceptions.I use this everyday. It’s half used and I’ll buy another before I fill this one. I use fountain pen, fine and extra fine nibs, pilot blue ink without bleed through or smearing, dries fast. Great product.

The paper quality is so nice, it’s a great size, and so many pages. Also good price, much cheaper than at Kinokuniya!! I wish I could find the larger A4 size that comes in blue.