That was my process when switching papers. I decided to just go ahead and suck it up and switch from Tomoe, like ripping off a band-aid, because I didn't want to drag it out. I chose Cosmo Air Light. It was the most tolerable out of the two dozen papers I tried, but it still took me some time to actually start liking it. I disliked the velvety feel of the paper, I missed the smooth, effortless glide of my nibs on Tomoe. I disliked that the ink spreads a bit more, making my nibs look a half size (or even full size) larger. But the more I used it, the more I liked it. I've been slowly adapting and really enjoy it now. I'm journaling in a B6 Cosmo Air Light notebook, and when I'm done will switch to an A5.
I'm excited to try the new Sanzen Tomoe River successor paper, whenever they start getting that overseas. Almost wondering if I won't get to try it until my 2023 Hobonichi, though.
Well, Tomoe River paper was bought by a Japanese company called Sanzen. They are making Tomoe River paper. Look into that. When it will be available I don’t know. But find out about it and try to get some and review it. Love your videos.
@@taccora !!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!! Ive. been waiting for sooooooooooo long I Have a tab of their website I wont Close and refresh every week to see when they will restock...... Oh Thank you for that!!!!!
@@taccora I think they already do have this new paper in the A5 size on nanami website. If you read the description under the new notebook and paper the owner of nanami paper mentions he had high hopes for it being just as good as the old TRP But in the end it wasn’t. He says it works well for gel pens and normal pens but not so much for fountain pens. Which is a bummer! Unless this new “Sanzen” paper is different from what is already on their website it won’t end up being a good replacement either.
Thank you for the review! I had all intentions of ordering it the first time this book was offered, however it sold out quickly.! I absolutely Love Galen Leathers crazy horse leather bound notebooks, The TR paper was surperior & I love the leather covers as they are soft, flexible and almost indestructible.! I wish this was a burgundy leather cover. I am placing my order and will try this Cosmic Air paper and I hope I like the feel of the cover as I love the color.!
Love the size/page count bigger than most likely plus plain plain plain notebook with good paper that does lay flat ….yea!! Glad to hear these details!
Ohh I love how you just dive in! I’ve had this notebook for a couple of weeks and I’m excited but apprehensive to use it. It’s so beautiful and large that intimidates me a little bit, I’m using a Leuchtturm pocket size.
I got a notebook of this paper from Danika on Etsy. I too think it will be my replacement for Tomoe River, though I really wish that it wasn't so expensive! I bought mainly from Nanami Paper, and the shipping wasn't bad for the US. Now I have to pay for the shipping no matter where I order from - a problem I guess you have a lot. But I like sheening and shading inks, and so far this is the best substitute I have found for TR.
That is something for me to consider. I like the Rhode notebooks because they wear very well in my travels to the woods, but now this is something that might scratch my itch.
Tomoe River paper was “super calendered,” meaning it’s smooth, non-absorbent surface was created by heavy compression between calendaring cylinders on the paper machine. Will give Cosmo a try since I love sheening, shading and shimmering inks.
Yes, and that's exactly why I hate it. Because it doesn't absorb the ink, everything dries on the surface, leaving a LOT of dye exposed to moisture, including humidity. I've seen old TR diaries and journals that were a complete mess because the dye got damp enough to run all over the page it was against. Add to this how ridiculously easy TR crinkles and creases, and it is not a paper for posterity. At least with fountain pen ink. For me, the ghosting is so bad you could pay me to use it, and since that means using only one side of a sdheet, an already far too expensive paper becomes twice as expensive. I see why Tomoe River paper is so popular with many people. I really do. It just doesn't fit my personal needs nearly as well as many other fountain pen papers, and it's the extreme calendering and thinness of the paper that prevents it from meeting my needs, while at the same time making others very happy. Though I do believe that it isn't really any smoother than many other papers, it's just a lot slicker, and there is a difference.
I agree with your assessment of this CAL paper. There are things I like and dislike for sure. But if you have Akkerman SBRE Brown ink I highly recommend giving it a try on this paper. I have it inked up in my Limited Edition Brown LAMY 2000 and it is glorious on this paper!! Well, I love it on just about every paper but it is really something special on the Cosmo Air Light.
I was lucky enough to receive a notepad from Robert Oster from my local online store in Australia and have played with it. The first pen Pilot 743 slid beautifully but with each pen I picked up it required a completely differently, pressure, angle.. what on earth?? Pilot 743 - amazing. Lamy 2000 the pad actually moved when I tried to push upwards and then sideways. Montblanc 146 the same drag (my hands are sore the reason I moved to Fountain Pens). Pilot 805 not dragging. 3 Jowo nibs 3 different experiences one of them like nails down a chalkboard, the paper was squeeking! 1 Estie was great. I'm just shattered and hope to goodness the new TR is better than this weird paper. Thanks for your review as always
I truly hate Tomoe River paper. It doesn't last well at all, and is simply too expensive to use for disposable writing. And the ghosting, and I hate it. But I understand why some people love TR, and for those who do, I suggest being patient. There's still a good chance something very close to TR will hit the market later this year. I know one company is getting ready to start experimenting with the idea of creating a new TR, and a second company is considering doing the same. How well this works out remains to be seen, but at least there is a chance. I really do disagree about any resistance due to the coating on Rhodia or Clairefontaine. I find the opposite to be the case. Nor do I find TR to be any smoother than several other papers. It is slicker, which I see as a definite fault, and this is why ink just wants to run off it, bot I feel no more resistance with top grade Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Apica, or even Oxford Black & Red Optic paper, for that matter. I write with almost zero pressure, though, so your milage may vary.
Great review! I love Cosmo Air Light. It's the best paper I've found for sheening inks. I also love Tomoe River for journaling, but find it's too lightweight for letters. Cosmo is imo definitely better than Rhodia; it's slightly better than Clairefontaine.
Have you had the opportunity to try the “tomoe river successor”? Thank you very much for the review, I has not yet tried this paper and I was curious because a lot of people compares it with TR. Thanks for the video!
I've heard some other people mention that Cosmo Air Light makes it look at though the ink is almost floating above the page (more than just sitting on the surface). I think the paper is slightly off-white, so I wonder if that is somehow contributing to this optical illusion, and making the colors pop just a bit more. (On the other hand, there was cream-colored Tomoe River too, and that didn't see to give this same effect, so it's something more than just the color.) As some other commenters have mentioned, another company has bought the right to Tomoe River, so will be something available in the future, the question is just how close or different will that end up being from the original. (Some reviewers that have been given samples say it's very close, but not identical, but it also sounded like they might not have settled on a final version, so we'll see.)
Great observations like it lies flat, and it is interesting you say the paper is coated, I like the Rhodia and treated myself to Cosmo from Galen Leather for Christmas, Like the comment from another viewer, I am intimidated to use it because it’s so beautifully presented, but I will when I finish my current note book. Gladly, I did not get hit with import tax into the UK!
This was such a great informative video. I'm sort of new to Hobonichi. I've have a few, and the paper seems a little different from notebook to notebook. For example, I have the 2023 Hobonichi Techo A6 Planner in English and the 2022 Hobonichi Techo Original Avec A6 in Japanese. I'm hoping that you can tell me which Tomoe River paper these would each have. One is 2022 and one is 2023. I would think that would mean that each was produced the year before, so 2021 and 2022. Would that mean that they each have the "New" Tomoe River paper? In other words, not the "Old" original and not the "Successor?" Thank you so much!
Interesting, but sounds like I will still prefer Tomoe River paper. I'm curious, but not a big fan of the Rhodia Webbie coating, so that's very useful to know that this is similar, thanks. Great review! 👍
Tomoe River is not being entirely discontinued: apparently, a new version of the paper will become available. It is called the Tomoe River Successor and there is some information about it on Inky Rocks' RUclips channel at ruclips.net/video/nq6w-GAIgZk/видео.html I think it is correct, however, that the pre-2021 Tomoe River paper is no longer being manufactured.
Thanks for a great review on a Tome River alternative. Do you know if Cosmos Air is used by many other notebook companies? Love the simple look of that notebook but I don’t buy leather.
There is a cosmo note brand journal but I’ve never used it. That said this journal isn’t leather, their other journals I was referring to are the ones that are leather 👍🏻
@@PensandTea Unfortunately, even the Galen non-leather journals come with a sheet of scrap leather to use as a blotter or writing mat, which makes them a no-go for vegans anyway...at least in my opinion.
Marilyn Gardner Yes I noticed that. I can’t support that business but I’m definitely going to get that paper. I’m deciding between the 83 gsm and the 75 gsm. I’ll get a pretty fabric cover.
@@mathewbacsik8681 Pebble Stationery Company has some very pretty notebooks made with Cosmo Air Light, and their website says they have some original Tomoe River paper on notebooks as well. Selling out fast but it always pays to watch for restocks.
No it’s not Kerry. No way CAL is better. 🤦🏻♂️ Makes lines write broader and so that’s a massive no for me. Also, Tomoe River is not going away, well, the ‘old’ paper is done, however it’s being replaced by ‘Tomoe River Successor’ paper which is being looked into and has been superbly reviewed by RUclips channels. 😃👍🏻
I’m with you on COA. It’s no match for TR. I heard the same about new TR paper, but then I heard that this is only the case for TR 52 gsm. My understanding is that there won’t be any successor to the 68 gsm. I much prefer the 68 gsm paper so I’ve been stocking up on it.
Re: notebooks that lay flat, might I suggest Danika58 (on etsy) notebooks? They're from japan and they're fountain pen friendly too! In other news, I might just order one of these when i run out of my Danika58 notebook!
Where is Tomoe River paper going? I just bought a bunch. It’s still available everywhere. Should I be hoarding it? I have a Cosmo notebook. I don’t think it’s a replacement for Tomoe River, it’s nothing like it, in my opinion. I like the paper, but I don’t adore it, and i don’t want to use it all the time. It feels very slippery with broader nibs, better with fine nibs, I think. TR paper has more tooth, even though one would think you would never describe TR as a toothy paper. I also don’t care for blank paper, and don’t think the guide that comes with the Cosmo notebooks is dark enough. One plus, nice that Galen has a non-animal skin option.
68gsm isn't affected as it's manufactured at a different plant on different machines. As a lefty I'm wondering about dry times and smudging. I'm hoping someone can weigh in.
@Geslina M Yes, but as I understand it, even the non-leather Galen notebooks come with a sheet of scrap leather to use as a blotter or writing mat. So you are still buying animal skin if you buy any Everyday Notebooks from Galen Leather. Kerry can confirm, but that makes them a hard pass for me. (I know Galen makes great products and I hear they're lovely people, but I won't buy products with leather components of any kind.)
@@marilyngardner4269 oh rats. Well, thanks for letting me know. Would you buy from them even if it weren’t for the leather ink blotter, considering all the leather they use in their other products? A while back, I heard one company that makes leather TN covers say they were non-cruelty because all their leather is left over from the food industry. Kind of a strange justification.
That was my process when switching papers. I decided to just go ahead and suck it up and switch from Tomoe, like ripping off a band-aid, because I didn't want to drag it out.
I chose Cosmo Air Light. It was the most tolerable out of the two dozen papers I tried, but it still took me some time to actually start liking it. I disliked the velvety feel of the paper, I missed the smooth, effortless glide of my nibs on Tomoe. I disliked that the ink spreads a bit more, making my nibs look a half size (or even full size) larger.
But the more I used it, the more I liked it. I've been slowly adapting and really enjoy it now. I'm journaling in a B6 Cosmo Air Light notebook, and when I'm done will switch to an A5.
I'm excited to try the new Sanzen Tomoe River successor paper, whenever they start getting that overseas. Almost wondering if I won't get to try it until my 2023 Hobonichi, though.
Well, Tomoe River paper was bought by a Japanese company called Sanzen. They are making Tomoe River paper. Look into that. When it will be available I don’t know. But find out about it and try to get some and review it. Love your videos.
Nanami will have new notebooks with the Sanzen paper this spring so I'm hoping Galen Leather will start using the Sanzen Tomoe River Paper.
@@taccora !!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!! Ive. been waiting for sooooooooooo long I Have a tab of their website I wont Close and refresh every week to see when they will restock......
Oh Thank you for that!!!!!
@@jinseinogakuseiesq2724 You're very welcome!
I read that also
@@taccora I think they already do have this new paper in the A5 size on nanami website. If you read the description under the new notebook and paper the owner of nanami paper mentions he had high hopes for it being just as good as the old TRP But in the end it wasn’t. He says it works well for gel pens and normal pens but not so much for fountain pens. Which is a bummer! Unless this new “Sanzen” paper is different from what is already on their website it won’t end up being a good replacement either.
There is to be another tomeo river paper I think it is called successor see "inki rocks "
Thank you for the review! I had all intentions of ordering it the first time this book was offered, however it sold out quickly.! I absolutely Love Galen Leathers crazy horse leather bound notebooks, The TR paper was surperior & I love the leather covers as they are soft, flexible and almost indestructible.! I wish this was a burgundy leather cover. I am placing my order and will try this Cosmic Air paper and I hope I like the feel of the cover as I love the color.!
Love the size/page count bigger than most likely plus plain plain plain notebook with good paper that does lay flat ….yea!! Glad to hear these details!
Ohh I love how you just dive in! I’ve had this notebook for a couple of weeks and I’m excited but apprehensive to use it. It’s so beautiful and large that intimidates me a little bit, I’m using a Leuchtturm pocket size.
I got a notebook of this paper from Danika on Etsy. I too think it will be my replacement for Tomoe River, though I really wish that it wasn't so expensive! I bought mainly from Nanami Paper, and the shipping wasn't bad for the US. Now I have to pay for the shipping no matter where I order from - a problem I guess you have a lot. But I like sheening and shading inks, and so far this is the best substitute I have found for TR.
Kerry, In Australia a Ute is a pickup truck. Pronounced with a hard U and soft T.
Isn’t it true that TR is being revived by a different company, albeit, with a slightly different feel ?
They were sold out by the time I got to the site. Found elsewhere. Looking forward to the experience that you had, Thank you for all the reviews.
That is something for me to consider. I like the Rhode notebooks because they wear very well in my travels to the woods, but now this is something that might scratch my itch.
Tomoe River paper was “super calendered,” meaning it’s smooth, non-absorbent surface was created by heavy compression between calendaring cylinders on the paper machine. Will give Cosmo a try since I love sheening, shading and shimmering inks.
Yes, and that's exactly why I hate it. Because it doesn't absorb the ink, everything dries on the surface, leaving a LOT of dye exposed to moisture, including humidity. I've seen old TR diaries and journals that were a complete mess because the dye got damp enough to run all over the page it was against.
Add to this how ridiculously easy TR crinkles and creases, and it is not a paper for posterity. At least with fountain pen ink. For me, the ghosting is so bad you could pay me to use it, and since that means using only one side of a sdheet, an already far too expensive paper becomes twice as expensive.
I see why Tomoe River paper is so popular with many people. I really do. It just doesn't fit my personal needs nearly as well as many other fountain pen papers, and it's the extreme calendering and thinness of the paper that prevents it from meeting my needs, while at the same time making others very happy. Though I do believe that it isn't really any smoother than many other papers, it's just a lot slicker, and there is a difference.
I agree with your assessment of this CAL paper. There are things I like and dislike for sure. But if you have Akkerman SBRE Brown ink I highly recommend giving it a try on this paper. I have it inked up in my Limited Edition Brown LAMY 2000 and it is glorious on this paper!! Well, I love it on just about every paper but it is really something special on the Cosmo Air Light.
I was lucky enough to receive a notepad from Robert Oster from my local online store in Australia and have played with it. The first pen Pilot 743 slid beautifully but with each pen I picked up it required a completely differently, pressure, angle.. what on earth?? Pilot 743 - amazing. Lamy 2000 the pad actually moved when I tried to push upwards and then sideways. Montblanc 146 the same drag (my hands are sore the reason I moved to Fountain Pens). Pilot 805 not dragging. 3 Jowo nibs 3 different experiences one of them like nails down a chalkboard, the paper was squeeking! 1 Estie was great. I'm just shattered and hope to goodness the new TR is better than this weird paper. Thanks for your review as always
However Kerry, I think I'll press on as you suggested and see how I feel. Your videos are so helpful 😀
Have you tried Midori MD notebooks? They are pretty good too.
They're really nice. Good paper and they lie completely flat. They're also nicely no nonsense.
Good point Thomas! I'm using my first one now and it's really nice, simple, and comforting
wow, I will try to get one of these soon! thank you for sharing this.
I wish they d bring back the leatherbacks.
I truly hate Tomoe River paper. It doesn't last well at all, and is simply too expensive to use for disposable writing. And the ghosting, and I hate it. But I understand why some people love TR, and for those who do, I suggest being patient. There's still a good chance something very close to TR will hit the market later this year. I know one company is getting ready to start experimenting with the idea of creating a new TR, and a second company is considering doing the same. How well this works out remains to be seen, but at least there is a chance.
I really do disagree about any resistance due to the coating on Rhodia or Clairefontaine. I find the opposite to be the case. Nor do I find TR to be any smoother than several other papers. It is slicker, which I see as a definite fault, and this is why ink just wants to run off it, bot I feel no more resistance with top grade Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Apica, or even Oxford Black & Red Optic paper, for that matter. I write with almost zero pressure, though, so your milage may vary.
Great review! I love Cosmo Air Light. It's the best paper I've found for sheening inks. I also love Tomoe River for journaling, but find it's too lightweight for letters. Cosmo is imo definitely better than Rhodia; it's slightly better than Clairefontaine.
Looks pretty good.
Have you had the opportunity to try the “tomoe river successor”? Thank you very much for the review, I has not yet tried this paper and I was curious because a lot of people compares it with TR. Thanks for the video!
I've heard some other people mention that Cosmo Air Light makes it look at though the ink is almost floating above the page (more than just sitting on the surface). I think the paper is slightly off-white, so I wonder if that is somehow contributing to this optical illusion, and making the colors pop just a bit more. (On the other hand, there was cream-colored Tomoe River too, and that didn't see to give this same effect, so it's something more than just the color.)
As some other commenters have mentioned, another company has bought the right to Tomoe River, so will be something available in the future, the question is just how close or different will that end up being from the original. (Some reviewers that have been given samples say it's very close, but not identical, but it also sounded like they might not have settled on a final version, so we'll see.)
Great observations like it lies flat, and it is interesting you say the paper is coated, I like the Rhodia and treated myself to Cosmo from Galen Leather for Christmas, Like the comment from another viewer, I am intimidated to use it because it’s so beautifully presented, but I will when I finish my current note book. Gladly, I did not get hit with import tax into the UK!
I like CAL paper. It’s very different from 52 gsm TR.. I like both, for different reasons.
My snobby thing is that I prefer the B5 size 😬
This was such a great informative video. I'm sort of new to Hobonichi. I've have a few, and the paper seems a little different from notebook to notebook. For example, I have the 2023 Hobonichi Techo A6 Planner in English and the 2022 Hobonichi Techo Original Avec A6 in Japanese. I'm hoping that you can tell me which Tomoe River paper these would each have. One is 2022 and one is 2023. I would think that would mean that each was produced the year before, so 2021 and 2022. Would that mean that they each have the "New" Tomoe River paper? In other words, not the "Old" original and not the "Successor?" Thank you so much!
Thanks for reviewing this. I keep buying up Tomoe River paper. Good to know how this other paper. Have you tried Life paper? Wonder how that compares.
Interesting, but sounds like I will still prefer Tomoe River paper. I'm curious, but not a big fan of the Rhodia Webbie coating, so that's very useful to know that this is similar, thanks. Great review! 👍
Tomoe River is not being entirely discontinued: apparently, a new version of the paper will become available. It is called the Tomoe River Successor and there is some information about it on Inky Rocks' RUclips channel at ruclips.net/video/nq6w-GAIgZk/видео.html
I think it is correct, however, that the pre-2021 Tomoe River paper is no longer being manufactured.
Thanks for a great review on a Tome River alternative. Do you know if Cosmos Air is used by many other notebook companies? Love the simple look of that notebook but I don’t buy leather.
There is a cosmo note brand journal but I’ve never used it. That said this journal isn’t leather, their other journals I was referring to are the ones that are leather 👍🏻
@@PensandTea Unfortunately, even the Galen non-leather journals come with a sheet of scrap leather to use as a blotter or writing mat, which makes them a no-go for vegans anyway...at least in my opinion.
Ooohhhhh good call, I didn’t even think of that!
Marilyn Gardner Yes I noticed that. I can’t support that business but I’m definitely going to get that paper. I’m deciding between the 83 gsm and the 75 gsm. I’ll get a pretty fabric cover.
@@mathewbacsik8681 Pebble Stationery Company has some very pretty notebooks made with Cosmo Air Light, and their website says they have some original Tomoe River paper on notebooks as well. Selling out fast but it always pays to watch for restocks.
Does this come with the leather blotter?
No it’s not Kerry. No way CAL is better. 🤦🏻♂️ Makes lines write broader and so that’s a massive no for me. Also, Tomoe River is not going away, well, the ‘old’ paper is done, however it’s being replaced by ‘Tomoe River Successor’ paper which is being looked into and has been superbly reviewed by RUclips channels. 😃👍🏻
I’m with you on COA. It’s no match for TR. I heard the same about new TR paper, but then I heard that this is only the case for TR 52 gsm. My understanding is that there won’t be any successor to the 68 gsm. I much prefer the 68 gsm paper so I’ve been stocking up on it.
Re: notebooks that lay flat, might I suggest Danika58 (on etsy) notebooks? They're from japan and they're fountain pen friendly too!
In other news, I might just order one of these when i run out of my Danika58 notebook!
I find it more ‘squishy’ than coated.
Where is Tomoe River paper going? I just bought a bunch. It’s still available everywhere. Should I be hoarding it?
I have a Cosmo notebook. I don’t think it’s a replacement for Tomoe River, it’s nothing like it, in my opinion. I like the paper, but I don’t adore it, and i don’t want to use it all the time. It feels very slippery with broader nibs, better with fine nibs, I think. TR paper has more tooth, even though one would think you would never describe TR as a toothy paper. I also don’t care for blank paper, and don’t think the guide that comes with the Cosmo notebooks is dark enough. One plus, nice that Galen has a non-animal skin option.
68gsm isn't affected as it's manufactured at a different plant on different machines. As a lefty I'm wondering about dry times and smudging. I'm hoping someone can weigh in.
@@yuklimka7251 I heard 68 gsm was discontinued. I hope you’re right and I’m wrong!
@Geslina M Yes, but as I understand it, even the non-leather Galen notebooks come with a sheet of scrap leather to use as a blotter or writing mat. So you are still buying animal skin if you buy any Everyday Notebooks from Galen Leather. Kerry can confirm, but that makes them a hard pass for me. (I know Galen makes great products and I hear they're lovely people, but I won't buy products with leather components of any kind.)
@@marilyngardner4269 oh rats. Well, thanks for letting me know. Would you buy from them even if it weren’t for the leather ink blotter, considering all the leather they use in their other products? A while back, I heard one company that makes leather TN covers say they were non-cruelty because all their leather is left over from the food industry. Kind of a strange justification.
@@rogerrothman I’m still seeing it for sale. Jetpens has loose sheets, and then there are the Endless Recorder notebooks.
I'm confused. I thought cosmo was rebranded rebound tomoe river.
Nope. Different brand. Alesa of Inky Rocks has extensive videos on Japanese paper out. Well worth your time.
wont replace tomoe but, the results will be evident in the premier of the new tomoe once it arrives..........
wont replace tomoe......