Nanami Seven Seas Standard A5 Notebook Review

[Mongoosey]

Nanami Seven Seas STANDARD A5 Notebook Review:

 

OOTB

 

The Nanami Seven Seas Standard arrived in a very well packaged box.

 

The Notebook itself comes with a blotter paper and a cardboard outer sleeve all sealed in a plastic envelope.

 

Design

 

The Standard has a minimalistic design that not only keeps the cost down, but enhances the functionality of the notebook as well.

 

—A Blank Canvas—

 

The most apparent aspect of the notebook is the beautiful blank gray cover. IMO, it has a retro hue to it, not being dull, but lending itself to that impeccable void of markings/labels/logos and succeeding in evoking a keen sense of, “this is my notebook and I’ll make of it what I make of it.”

 

And with its purely blank pages the Standard becomes the epitome of a blank canvas with that unique feeling of an open terrain to accompany it. Unhindered with no distractions, there is simply no comparison to the feel of a blank page.

 

 

—A Welcoming Page—

 

• There’s no folders on the inner covers.
• There’s no elastic strap to make bumps on the pages where it anchors,
• The cover is flexible,
• and the pages are thread-bound,

 

And this all culminates to a notebook that lies beautifully flat so you can use the entire page comfortably. It’s honestly a relief compared to other notebooks and there’s no spiral rings in the way either if you know what I mean.

 

 

The Paper

 

• The Standard comes with 52 gsm Tomoe River Paper, which is the best fountain pen paper I’ve tried.
• It provides a harmony of smoothness and tactile response that allows the pen to glide effortlessly without being slick.
• The pages are thin which keeps the notebook relatively lightweight especially for 480 pages!… while still not being a fat notebook!

• The pages can crinkle relatively easier, but I had be careless and reckless for that to be a problem.
• The thinness of the paper does mean that there is more show-through, but as someone who uses Heart of Darkness and Kiwa-Guro in my daily writers I don’t mind and even stopped noticing quickly. And I think that’s largely because the paper characteristically absorbs ink relatively less resulting in a softened/milder show-through that is more from the paper being thin rather than ink penetrating towards the other side.
• As a result of this characteristic ink does have a slower dry time and a reduced water resistance, though my permanent inks are still permanent.
• I also do find the inkflow of my pens significantly improves on this paper.
• The paper is white, and it is beautiful with a soft hue, yet light enough to provide excellent legibility and optimize the characteristics and colors of my inks (Shading, hue, sheen).

​

(Pilot Blue Black Ink from a Ranga Model 3- Jowo Medium nib)

 

(Organic Studios Nitrogen Ink from a Jinhao x750)

 

Put to use: An All-Rounder:

 

• The Standard is an A5 size I find great for any type of writing.
• It’s my preferred journal size,
• and though I prefer something larger for certain compositional work I will use this A5 for such as well.
• and though I do prefer a B6 for greater mobility, I still find this A5 highly portable especially when carrying it around in the cardboard outer sleeve.
• If I were to have only one notebook, it would be an A5 Nanami Notebook, being either the Standard or the Writer.
• It took some time to acclimate to writing on blank paper, but after a while I began to prefer it.
• Some people do like to put guideline-paper under the page to give a lovely presentation of line-less straight words when removed. A grid-guideline may be helpful for such as well.

 

How did the completed Standard hold up?

 

• The cover is very durable despite being flexible.
• The spine and binding held up very well.
• There are no loosening pages.
• There was absolutely no compromise to the structural integrity of the notebook.
• I was rather rough with mine and I can say this is simply a robust notebook that can be used for archival purposes with confidence.

 

Conclusion:

 

I stock up on Nanami notebooks. I have 2 backup Cafes, 1 Writer I’m using now with another as a back up, and 3 back up Standards.

 

At the value of $26 (as of now) I think the Nanami Seven Seas Standard is a remarkable notebook. I love its minimalistic design, and I find it elegant and able to acknowledge the importance of even the most sincere of words. It was the first Nanami Notebook I tried and it absolutely set a new Standard for what I thought a perfect notebook could be.

 

Edited February 26, 2019 by Mongoosey

[inkstainedruth]

Nice review. I've just ordered one of the B6 journals, based on your other review. (And here I thought I only had to worry about pen and ink enablers lurking about.... )

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[OCArt]

Oh, if only it came in A4! I write in a large hand and the smaller pages just don't fo it for me.

[Mongoosey]

Nice review. I've just ordered one of the B6 journals, based on your other review. (And here I thought I only had to worry about pen and ink enablers lurking about.... )

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

I hope you like it. I'm pretty confident you will.

 

I'd be happy to hear your feedback on the thread : )

 

I won't write a review unless I think something really stands out and/or it impressed me substantially.

Oh, if only it came in A4! I write in a large hand and the smaller pages just don't fo it for me.

 

I wish the same thing. I'm waiting for a B5 Nanami Notebook at least

 

The Standard feels like having an open terrain, but an A4 feels like having an open country side. I love just sprawling out along a flowing stream of thought on an A4 like notebook...

 

Which is why I even use Mead 5-star notebooks with rOtring Tikky Ballpoints-Easyflow9000's for just such occasions which account for about 10% of my writing. I have a weak spot for Easyflow9000's on cheap paper

 

But for much of my writing I need something less large with a higher degree of mobility while still having good open space and the Nanami A5's hit that sweet spot for me. I could use Eayflow9000's on smaller Mead Notebooks, but I start missing 52 gsm Tomoe River Paper too much.

Edited February 26, 2019 by Mongoosey

[dvalliere]

I have two of the Nanami A5 writers and love them but I'd be thrilled to have it with half the pages or so and half the thickness.

[Mongoosey]

I have two of the Nanami A5 writers and love them but I'd be thrilled to have it with half the pages or so and half the thickness.

 

Firstly, I will say that I love the fact that they put so many pages of premium paper in a single notebook. And the value per page is tremendous for 52 gsm TRP.

 

I also really like the size of the 480 page notebooks. I think it's an optimal balance of size for providing the most amount of paper while keeping the thickness comfortable...

 

...In contrast to the HippoNoto I tried, which is a solid notebook, but, for me, gets a little to thick at times and can hamper the writing experience, especially on the early and later pages.

 

but with that in mind I would like to see "Slim" Writer also as a secondary option. I'd purchase both sizes.

 

I do like the slimness of my Nanami Cafe and that's still 384 pages!

Edited February 27, 2019 by Mongoosey

[dvalliere]

I do like the slimness of my Nanami Cafe and that's still 384 pages!

Is the 3mm/~20% thickness reduction enough to be appreciable over the A5 standard/writer?

[Mongoosey]

Is the 3mm/~20% thickness reduction enough to be appreciable over the A5 standard/writer?

 

It's significant, yes: Noticeable, and makes a difference.

 

I did find the added slimness (and reduced weight) of the B6 Cafe even made it comfortable to carry it around in the inner pocket of my large jacket without obtrusiveness or feeling weighed down, whereas the A5 Standard required a satchel/bag of some sort.

 

I am glad they decided to make their B6 Cafe a slim version. I think it was a good idea. Like their other notebooks, the proportions of the Cafe have a great balance IMO not only aesthetically, but functionally, providing as much paper as possible while still being slim, lightweight, and mobile.

 

The amazing part is that thanks to the 52 gsm TRP they can go even slimmer and still have many more pages than the average notebook.

Edited February 28, 2019 by Mongoosey

[inkstainedruth]

Well, the B6 Cafe came today. And I'll admit I was staggered by just how slim it really is -- barely half an inch thick, closed.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[DrDebG]

Thank you for the great review. I confess that I have been considering purchasing one of these for some time. I am currently working my way through a paperforfountainpens (paperforfountainpens.com), but I really don't care for the size as it is narrower than an A5. The B5 is of interest, but they are always sold out. So I think I will give this a try instead.

[Mongoosey]

Thank you for the great review. I confess that I have been considering purchasing one of these for some time. I am currently working my way through a paperforfountainpens (paperforfountainpens.com), but I really don't care for the size as it is narrower than an A5. The B5 is of interest, but they are always sold out. So I think I will give this a try instead.

 

This youtube reviewer said the same thing:

 

 

But I also want the paperforfountainpens B5. But, like you say, it's always sold out and when I email them I never get a response back.

 

I'd like to have that hard cover with that larger B5 size. But I also love how flat Nanami's notebooks lie due to their flexible covers. It lets me get the most out of my page while being comfortable to write with.

[RPB]

Is the 3mm/~20% thickness reduction enough to be appreciable over the A5 standard/writer?

 

Yes the reduction is definitely noticeable. The B6 Cafe is an easier book to carry around for sure.

 

Nanami Seven Seas STANDARD A5 Notebook Review:

 

OOTB

 

The Nanami Seven Seas Standard arrived in a very well packaged box.

 

The Notebook itself comes with a blotter paper and a cardboard outer sleeve all sealed in a plastic envelope.

IMG_0285.JPG

 

Design

 

The Standard has a minimalistic design that not only keeps the cost down, but enhances the functionality of the notebook as well.

 

—A Blank Canvas—

 

The most apparent aspect of the notebook is the beautiful blank gray cover. IMO, it has a retro hue to it, not being dull, but lending itself to that impeccable void of markings/labels/logos and succeeding in evoking a keen sense of, “this is my notebook and I’ll make of it what I make of it.”

IMG_0316.JPG

 

And with its purely blank pages the Standard becomes the epitome of a blank canvas with that unique feeling of an open terrain to accompany it. Unhindered with no distractions, there is simply no comparison to the feel of a blank page.

IMG_0279 copy.jpg

 

 

—A Welcoming Page—

 

• There’s no folders on the inner covers.
• There’s no elastic strap to make bumps on the pages where it anchors,
• The cover is flexible,
• and the pages are thread-bound,

 

And this all culminates to a notebook that lies beautifully flat so you can use the entire page comfortably. It’s honestly a relief compared to other notebooks and there’s no spiral rings in the way either if you know what I mean.

IMG_0340.JPG

 

 

The Paper

 

• The Standard comes with 52 gsm Tomoe River Paper, which is the best fountain pen paper I’ve tried.
• It provides a harmony of smoothness and tactile response that allows the pen to glide effortlessly without being slick.
• The pages are thin which keeps the notebook relatively lightweight especially for 480 pages!… while still not being a fat notebook!

IMG_0336.JPG

• The pages can crinkle relatively easier, but I had be careless and reckless for that to be a problem.
• The thinness of the paper does mean that there is more show-through, but as someone who uses Heart of Darkness and Kiwa-Guro in my daily writers I don’t mind and even stopped noticing quickly. And I think that’s largely because the paper characteristically absorbs ink relatively less resulting in a softened/milder show-through that is more from the paper being thin rather than ink penetrating towards the other side.
• As a result of this characteristic ink does have a slower dry time and a reduced water resistance, though my permanent inks are still permanent.
• I also do find the inkflow of my pens significantly improves on this paper.
• The paper is white, and it is beautiful with a soft hue, yet light enough to provide excellent legibility and optimize the characteristics and colors of my inks (Shading, hue, sheen).

IMG_0304.JPG​

(Pilot Blue Black Ink from a Ranga Model 3- Jowo Medium nib)

 

IMG_0308.jpg

(Organic Studios Nitrogen Ink from a Jinhao x750)

 

Put to use: An All-Rounder:

 

• The Standard is an A5 size I find great for any type of writing.
• It’s my preferred journal size,
• and though I prefer something larger for certain compositional work I will use this A5 for such as well.
• and though I do prefer a B6 for greater mobility, I still find this A5 highly portable especially when carrying it around in the cardboard outer sleeve.
• If I were to have only one notebook, it would be an A5 Nanami Notebook, being either the Standard or the Writer.
• It took some time to acclimate to writing on blank paper, but after a while I began to prefer it.
• Some people do like to put guideline-paper under the page to give a lovely presentation of line-less straight words when removed. A grid-guideline may be helpful for such as well.

 

How did the completed Standard hold up?

 

• The cover is very durable despite being flexible.
• The spine and binding held up very well.
• There are no loosening pages.
• There was absolutely no compromise to the structural integrity of the notebook.
• I was rather rough with mine and I can say this is simply a robust notebook that can be used for archival purposes with confidence.

IMG_0266.JPG

 

Conclusion:

 

I stock up on Nanami notebooks. I have 2 backup Cafes, 1 Writer I’m using now with another as a back up, and 3 back up Standards.

 

At the value of $26 (as of now) I think the Nanami Seven Seas Standard is a remarkable notebook. I love its minimalistic design, and I find it elegant and able to acknowledge the importance of even the most sincere of words. It was the first Nanami Notebook I tried and it absolutely set a new Standard for what I thought a perfect notebook could be.

IMG_0311.jpg

 

 

Another great review Mongoosey, even though I found the B6 review first! Thx.

 

Well, the B6 Cafe came today. And I'll admit I was staggered by just how slim it really is -- barely half an inch thick, closed.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

 

They really are an awesome little book aren't they? Like I said on the B6 review, having the cardboard cover is great for travelling and backpacks. I bought one of the leather covers for my Seven Seas Writers Edition, however, I do agree with you about the price of those covers being quite steep. If you can make your own cover, like you suggested, then all the more reason to do so

[DrDebG]

I finally broke down and ordered two of the Seven Seas Standard - the same as this review. After using it for a few days, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this notebook. I love everything about it - well almost everything. I would have preferred a Crossfield, but they don't have any of those anymore. Sigh!

 

Interestingly, over the last several months, I have been using several different notebook - the Midori MD A5 notebook, the Clairfontaine Essential, the LetterBox journal (www.spiceboxbooks.com) and now the Seven Seas Standard. I hope to do a comparison review on all of these soon.

[Mongoosey]

I finally broke down and ordered two of the Seven Seas Standard - the same as this review. After using it for a few days, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this notebook. I love everything about it - well almost everything. I would have preferred a Crossfield, but they don't have any of those anymore. Sigh!

 

Interestingly, over the last several months, I have been using several different notebook - the Midori MD A5 notebook, the Clairfontaine Essential, the LetterBox journal (www.spiceboxbooks.com) and now the Seven Seas Standard. I hope to do a comparison review on all of these soon.

 

That would be an interesting review : )

 

Midori is on my Radar.

[mhguda]

I am a serious fan of Seven Seas and have a number of their journals, in the spirit of you can never have too many good empty journals waiting for use...

But recently I wanted to try a new paper, and ordered some Midori notebooks. Among which was one sporting a new paper: Midori notebook cotton.

I'm not ready to start using it, but usually I test paper by adding page numbers to a new notebook. And this one seems just fantastic. I may like it as much as Tomoe River 52 gsm - or even more! So as soon as I've filled the current notebook (only 40some pages still to go) I think this one will come under the pen. And then I'll know if I need to order more right away, or if it can wait until they have books with more than just 176 pages...

[DrDebG]

 

That would be an interesting review : )

 

Midori is on my Radar.

 

It is in "the works" . . . hopefully in the next couple of weeks. No promises, though. RE: Midori MD notebook - it is a great notebook. Very smooth - not like Clairfontaine. It has just a bit more tooth and not "coating" to weight down your writing like Clairfontaine/Rhodia. It shows the loveliness of your ink but not as much as Tomoe River. The paper is heavier than Tomoe River, but not as heavy as Clairfontaine. Overall, it is a great value equal or better than the Seven Seas notebooks depending on who you buy the notebook from.

Edited May 4, 2019 by DrPenfection

[Mongoosey]

 

It is in "the works" . . . hopefully in the next couple of weeks. No promises, though. RE: Midori MD notebook - it is a great notebook. Very smooth - not like Clairfontaine. It has just a bit more tooth and not "coating" to weight down your writing like Clairfontaine/Rhodia. It shows the loveliness of your ink but not as much as Tomoe River. The paper is heavier than Tomoe River, but not as heavy as Clairfontaine. Overall, it is a great value equal or better than the Seven Seas notebooks depending on who you buy the notebook from.

 

I saw one FPN member praise Midori notebooks highly, so I looked it up and was surprised at the value of it on Amazon, which is like you say: a great value equal or better.

 

I may give it a try.

 

Right now I'm replacing my daily writer, which is a Pilot Custom 74-M, with a Platinum 3776-M. For two reasons:

• Firstly and mainly: because I need a larger nib and that 74 never stops feeling too small for me.
• Secondly: I actually found the 74-M to be too smooth with the paper-ink combo I use right now. I found myself pressing down to get the necessary feedback.

I do plan on getting a Pilot 912 in the future, possibly with a finer nib, and/or in conjunction with more feedbacky paper with considerations for 68 gsm TRP...,

 

...But those Midori Notebooks are only $10 on Amazon with free shipping. It's not such a large commitment.

 

And I love their blank covers.

[DrDebG]

 

I saw one FPN member praise Midori notebooks highly, so I looked it up and was surprised at the value of it on Amazon, which is like you say: a great value equal or better.

 

I may give it a try.

 

Right now I'm replacing my daily writer, which is a Pilot Custom 74-M, with a Platinum 3776-M. For two reasons:

• Firstly and mainly: because I need a larger nib and that 74 never stops feeling too small for me.
• Secondly: I actually found the 74-M to be too smooth with the paper-ink combo I use right now. I found myself pressing down to get the necessary feedback.

I do plan on getting a Pilot 912 in the future, possibly with a finer nib, and/or in conjunction with more feedbacky paper with considerations for 68 gsm TRP...,

 

...But those Midori Notebooks are only $10 on Amazon with free shipping. It's not such a large commitment.

 

And I love their blank covers.

 

 

The price does change from time to time. When it is lower or I can get two for $17, I will stock up.

[DrDebG]

 

That would be an interesting review : )

 

Midori is on my Radar.

 

I just posted it here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/346167-review-of-6-different-a5-notebooks/

[LyaT]

Your review inspired me to buy a couple of seven seas. I had heard of the brand before, but the shipping to Europe is just too expensive. After reading this post, I ordered a microdot and a writer. $45 each with shipping. Worth it!!

 

I am happier with the writer than the microdot. The dots are fun, but they are misaligned on some pages. I didnt get the standard because I can find Tomoe River notebooks in Europe with blank pages for much cheaper price.