PAPER REVIEW: AJOTO POCKET PAPER NOTEBOOK

Ajoto - the British design brand known for THE pen - has expanded their product catalog with a selection of premium notebooks. Their new "Pocket Paper" notebooks landed on my doorstep a few weeks ago. With the crowdfunding live on Kickstarter as we speak, it's about time to have a quick look at what you can expect from these new products...

The Pocket Paper collection comprises three different notebook types, or rather paper types, accompanied by a custom leather cover and pen holder. All three notebooks share the same external design: softcover (heavy black cardboard stock) with an exposed bound spine that creates an interesting look, but more importantly, a flexible notebook that opens flat without needing too much convincing.

The notebook's lay-flat properties come from the unique Swiss-style binding, a design I've only ever seen on the rather obscure Fantasticpaper Color notebooks (reviewed HERE). 

The Swiss binding does have one downside: Because the paper is only attached to the right side of the cover, the left sides of the pages are unsupported and hover in the air a bit. So keep in mind that writing on the reverse side of the pages is a bit awkward. That is, at least until you're past halfway through the notebook.

The Pocket Paper project has apparently been in the works for several years, and I think it shows in the attention to detail of the final product. The packaging is minimalistic and clean, and the notebooks itself reflect the same design style. Minimal branding is visible on the front, just the Ajoto hallmarks stamped in the bottom corner of the cover. The first page has embossed lines (not actually printed) to jot down content details or "return-if-found" information. It's all very tastefully done.

Interestingly, Ajoto chose a very non-standard size for their notebooks. At 17.2 cm tall, and 10.5 cm wide, it's distinctly taller than your average notebook. In fact, it's as wide as an A6, while being as tall as the larger B6 format. For comparison, Midori's large travelers notebook measures 12 by 22 cm.

As they found out in their journey of creating 'the perfect notebook', there's no such thing as one perfect notebook! That's why they're offering three different paper types, to cater to different needs:

#1 Notebooks come with 116 pages of a rather thick 120 gsm paper. This notebook is pencil/ballpoint/gel pen-oriented, which is clearly noticeable from the coarser paper texture. It can take some fountain pens with finer nibs, but it's not focused on fountain pen use. It's also not the paper to render inks in a particularly nice way, as they mostly fall flat. 

To me, the #1 notebook compares closest to a Leuchtturm or Baron Fig notebook; fountain pens CAN be used, but it's not their main focus. #1 Makes a lot of sense in Ajoto's product lineup since they're focused on making rollerball pens, which pair well with this paper.

#2 Is a smooth fountain pen-friendly paper. The notebook has 126 pages (slightly more than the #1) of a slightly thinner 100 gsm paper (which is still distinctly heavy for general writing paper). This paper is also noticeably more white than the other two paper stocks (which are a light cream color). #2 can handle a variety of fountain pen nibs and ink swabs like a champ.

Dry times are longer on the #2 paper, but in return you get excellent shading and sheen characteristics!

Inks dry nicely with strong, crisp shading and a good amount of sheen. That does come at the drawback of extended drying times, but that's to be expected. There's some showthrough on the back of the page, but no bleedthrough (except with heavy ink swatches).

Paper #3 is made for sketching and drawing. The notebook contains far fewer pages (only 62) of a much heavier 190g stock. It's quite unconventional paper for a notebook but I can imagine it being a very popular option for (urban) sketching, as it can easily withstand heavy ink and aquarel applications. Fountain pen actually works very well on this paper, too!

Ink swatches look great on it, and there's absolutely no bleedthrough whatsoever. Also, the pages don't warp much when using water because the paper is so thick. If you don't mind the lesser page count and want something to experiment with fountain pen inks (maybe a swatch book?), This one could be a very interesting option!

An overview of the bleedthrough/ghosting you can expect from the different notebooks, from left to right: #1, #2 and #3

All in all, I'm very impressed with the overall quality of Ajoto's first steps into the paper world, and I really like their concept with different paper types for different use cases!

I do have two remarks though: For one, I think the heavy card stock covers aren't quite up to the standards I'd expect from a 23€ notebook (MSRP, the pre-order price on Kickstarter is 18€). Something a bit more durable would be nice, especially since these notebooks are designed for pocket carry. Extra durability can be obtained in the form of Ajoto custom leather covers for the Pocket Paper, though at an MSRP of 95.95€, they add a hefty chunk of change to the overall cost. 

Secondly, all three paper types are currently only offered in an unruled blank version. Ruled/grid/dot paper options for #1 and #2 will only be made available if certain stretch goals are met during the Kickstarter - I wish they just made those options available straight away. While blank paper absolutely makes sense for the creative-focused #3 paper, #1 and #2 could definitely use a subtle ruling to help structure your writing. 

Note: This product was provided by Ajoto, free of charge, so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review. The opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affiliate links.

RE-REVIEW: NAMISU NOVA STUDIO FOUNTAIN PEN

For a long time, the Namisu Nova was the pinnacle of minimal fountain pen design for me. I think it's even fair to say that Namisu was (one of) the brands that paved the way for the wide variety of machined, metal fountain pens we see nowadays.

But the original Namisu Nova dates back to 2015, so it's time for an update to bring it up to speed with the more 'evolved' design language of Namisu's more recent pens. Back in 2017, Namisu already toyed with the idea of a different version of the Nova, in the form of the Nova Studio Ebonite. Later, in 2020, they expanded the 'Studio' line with titanium and bronze versions (reviewed HERE), which existed alongside the original Nova. The Studio wasn't a standalone product though, until now. 

With the latest update to the Nova Studio, which sees three new finishes and colorways we'll look at in this review, it seems that Namisu fully embraced the Studio as the successor to the brand's flagship pen (please note: I don't know if the original Nova line will effectively be discontinued, but it does seem that way, looking at their website). 

The Nova was by far the cleanest, most simple design in their catalog. In comparison, the Nova Studio leans closer towards Namisu's other, more industrial-styled pens like the Naos, Ixion, or N2. Not that it's such a huge departure from the original in terms of design, but the addition of separate finial 'inserts' in the cap and barrel creates a break in the otherwise clean lines of the Nova, offering a bit more visual interest. It also creates an opportunity for more special finishes, as demonstrated with the latest polycarbonate 'Frosted' versions of the Nova Studio. 

The use of matte, translucent polycarbonate is a first for Namisu, but they executed it extremely well in my opinion. The material is machined and finished perfectly with a smooth, consistent matte finish inside and out. The cool thing is that you can now choose between two varieties of this pen, thanks to the titanium finials and section. Go clean and minimal with a natural titanium look, or a bit more flashy with titanium details that received a rainbow 'Petrol' PVD coating! 

Rainbow PVD coatings are quite trendy these days, but they're typically not my first pick. Though, despite my usual preference for a more muted color palate, this one caught my eye! The amount of color is not too much, nor too little... It's quite tastefully done, IMHO.

Alongside the new polycarbonate versions, the Studio also comes in either bronze, titanium, or a new black PVD-coated titanium finish. The latter has a nice and soft matte feeling in the hand. Finials are matched to the metals, but since they're just screw-fit into the cap and barrel, nothing would -hypothetically - prevent you from mixing and matching if you own different versions of the Studio! 

The old Nova Studio on the left, and the new version on the right.

Dimension-wise, the updated Nova Studios differ slightly from the previous versions that I reviewed. Nothing changed on the outside, so it still measures 14.1 cm (5.55") when capped. The biggest change (the only one, really) is the section, which was extended by about 3 mm, while retaining the same tapered profile and average diameter (12 mm). This also translates to an uncapped length of 13.3 cm (5.24"), up from 13 cm (5.12"). It's a subtle change, but it does improve on what was arguably one of the biggest pitfalls of the Nova in the past: the rather short section, combined with the substantial step behind the threads. To be clear, that step is still there, but the elongated section helps keep your grip a bit further away. 

With the addition of a polycarbonate version, the Nova Studio now offers something for everyone in terms of weight and balance: the polycarbonate comes in at just 23 g, the full titanium version bumps that up to 55 grams and the bronze version comes in at a super-hefty 106 (!) grams. The balance of the Studio also changes depending on the material: The polycarbonate model has a subtle front-balance due to the metal section, while the solid metal versions are more center-weighted. 

Since I've already reviewed multiple versions of the Nova (and literally dozens of pens with Bock nibs), I won't go too much into the writing experience. It's exactly what you can expect from a stock steel Bock nib, which is to say: a decent writing experience, though nothing particularly out of the ordinary. I will say that the design of the Nova Studio would benefit from a color-matched nib, especially on the polycarbonate 'Petrol' and black PVD titanium versions.

I'm glad that, besides other interesting models, Namisu remains invested in their Nova line of pens. The clean, minimal design continues to be one of my personal favorites, and the new section design offers a small but welcome improvement to the writing comfort.

The addition of new finishes makes the Nova Studio a more diverse and interesting offering, with plenty of choices depending on your preferences. Pricing is a bit all over the place: The new polycarbonate versions come in cheapest at 80£/101$, bronze is a little more (85£/107$). The titanium versions command a rather substantial premium: 115£/146$ for the regular titanium and 130£/164$ for the new PVD black finish. Though right now, you can snag one up at a pretty good discount during Namisu's Summer sale.

The products shown in this review were sent to me by Namisu so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review; the opinions shared in this review are completely my own. This post does not contain affiliate links.

REVIEW: GALEN LEATHER MAGNUM OPUS PEN CASE

Galen Leather has been a staple within our community for several years now. Along the way, I've tested and reviewed a fair amount of their products. The consensus always boils down to Galen being exceptionally good at creating a well-thought-out, unique, and affordable product. Galen's Magnum Opus pen cases (which translates to "masterpiece"), feel like a step in a different direction for the Istanbul-based brand. Affordability may not have been a top priority this time around. Instead, they went all-out on creating a beautifully made and highly practical means to store and carry your pens!

While that may sound like a bit too much praise for a pen case (hah, that rhymes!), I genuinely think the Magnum Opus comes close (and maybe even surpasses) my all-time favorite, the now-discontinued Visconti's Dreamtouch case - which, up until today, remains my baseline for a great pen case.

Why am I so lyrical about this case? Well, there are a couple things I look for in a pen case. Sturdiness is the most important one, I want my pens well-protected at all times. Finishing, and especially soft, pen-friendly finishing on the interior of the case, is my second pet peeve. Why protect your pens with a case, if the case itself feels like it'll scratch them up?

It just so happens that the Magnum Opus does those two things almost flawlessly, and it does so while looking stylish and minimalist, to boot! From the outside, the Magnum Opus is a super-clean-looking hard leather case. It's completely made out of smooth leather that's soft to the touch (available in both 'regular' leather finishes and Galen's signature 'smokey' leather), stitched all around, with a stealthily hidden magnetic closure. The outer shell is very stiff, meaning there's no chance of your pens getting crushed in transport or from un-gentle handling.

The Magnum Opus comes in two variants. However, when I picked up mine at the Dutch Pen Show a few years ago, the newer, zippered version wasn't introduced yet. The zippered version seems to share the same internals as this one, but obviously has a zippered closure instead of magnets. The zippered version can also stand up straight on a desk, which is probably the biggest differentiator between the two.

L to R, on the top row: Galen 10-pen case, Galen Magnum Opus 6-pen, Galen Old School 5-pen.
Bottom row: Esterbrook Nook 6-pen, Visconti Dreamtouch 6-pen, Franklin-Christoph Penvelope 6

The Magnum Opus has quite a chunky profile, especially compared to the Dreamtouch case

Galen's cases are typically quite compact and space-optimized, but this one isn't. The Magnum Opus is a beefy case, as can be seen in comparing them side-by-side to some other 5 and 6-pen options. While that seems like good news for people who want to carry large pens, it's not entirely that straightforward. The Magnum Opus has a very similar capacity to the Visconti Dreamtouch case. So purely in terms of efficiency, the Dreamtouch case still wins. Then again, the two-part design of the Magnum Opus, with its removable inner tray, eats away some of the interior space.

L to R: Visconti Homo Sapiens (large), Pelikan M805, Montblanc 149, Leonardo MZG Art Deco 2021, Lamy 2000, Pilot Capless LS

So what can you fit in the Magnum Opus, then? Well, normal pens like a Pelikan M800, Lamy 2000, or Visconti Homo Sapiens aren't an issue whatsoever. The Magnum Opus can fit a lot of oversized pens too, but 'oversized' isn't exactly a very precise definition. Galen's own website states pens 16cm (6.3") long, and up to 1.6cm (0.63") in diameter will fit, and this matches my own experience with the case. So, even very long pens like the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande (about 15.5cm/ 6.1") fit easily because they're not extremely wide. On a sidenote, I noticed that for some reason the Leonardo MZG Art Deco 2021 limited edition (pictured above) is a bit longer than usual, and at 16 cm it's at the absolute limit of this case. 

It's the thickness of some pens that might be a more limiting factor (especially for pens with a beefy clip). A classic, 'chunky' pen like the Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 proves to be a fairly tight squeeze. The Montblanc is quite wide around the cap band (1.6 cm/ 0.63"), which causes it to sit snug against the sides of the case (something my OCD brain would rather avoid, even though I doubt the microfiber and leather interior of the case will cause any harm). 

Both exterior and interior are nicely put together. Even the interior parts you can't really see, seem to be finished with care. The color-matched stitching is done clean, straight and even. The microfiber lining is super soft and comfy for your pens, and there are no sharp edges or hard surfaces that could damage your pens. Also, the leatherwork on the hard 'shell' of the case is done cleanly and ensures that your pens only come into contact with smooth microfiber or leather surfaces. 

I can see why Galen called it the Masterpiece, they really outdid themselves on the construction of this one. I have quite a good eye for flaws or imperfections, and I genuinely couldn't find anything to complain about!

The Magnum Opus doesn't have any unnecessary details or ornamentation, but it's the small details that really add to the premium look and feel. Details like the tight and crisp molded edges of the case stand out to me. Everything is so precise and clean! It feels like a much more expensive product than it actually is.

At 109$ (about 103€) for the 6-pen, or 159$ (€150) for the larger 12-pen variant, the Galen Leather Magnum Opus is priced at the top of Galen's product portfolio... And it shows! It sets a new bar for the brand in my opinion. And considering what you're getting, I think it's worth every cent.

Construction is just that bit more refined (I literally couldn't spot a single flaw), it's good-looking and minimalistic, yet also refined in its details. And what's more important, once again Galen knows exactly what customers want: durable and sturdy protection for your pens, but at the same time an easy way to display your pens, thanks to the removable insert. It accommodates considerably large pens better than most other options on the market today. And while the footprint of the Magnum Opus is perhaps a bit larger than I would've liked, it's not unreasonable for its two-part design.  

Disclaimer: This product was bought with my own funds. This review was in no way sponsored or influenced by Galen Leather. This post does not contain affiliate links.