While Atelier Musubi has established a well-deserved reputation as a maker of high-end handbound journals made from unique and/or vintage fabrics, they recently launched the Musubi “Folio” series, described as “notebooks for the everyday.” Because the Folio notebooks are intended for everyday use, they come in at a lower price point, all while maintaining Musubi’s high standards in terms of quality construction and materials.
Introducing Cosmo Air Light Paper
What had me most eager to test this particular notebook, however, was the paper. In addition to 52 gsm Tomoe River and 88 gsm Bank Paper, Musubi has released a version of the Folio notebook that contains Cosmo Air Light, an exceptionally fountain pen friendly paper that has recently begun to capture the attention of the pen community, much in the same way that Tomoe River did years ago. While Cosmo Air Light has been somewhat difficult to find in notebook format, that is changing as supplies make their way to manufacturers.
Writing Sample: Cosmo Air Light achieves high sheening and shading by allowing the ink to spread out slightly on the page (without feathering). As a result, extra fine and needlepoint nibs may write a broader line than on other papers.
Musubi describes Cosmo Air Light paper as having an “upper middleweight thickness” - thicker and more absorbent than Tomoe River but not as thick/absorbent as bank paper. In terms of paper that I use regularly, I might compare the weight of Cosmo Air Light to the paper used in Write Notepads spiral bound notebooks. Though both handle fountain pen ink without bleed or show-through, the Write paper is a bit more absorbent and doesn’t showcase ink color, sheen, or shading in the same way as Cosmo Air Light. Inks look incredibly vibrant on this paper.
A writing sample with non-fountain pens. As with Tomoe River, you will want to give gel and rollerballs a few moments to dry (see smear test above), but there was no smearing days later. Also, unlike Tomoe River, gel pens and rollerballs saw absolutely no bleed through on the Cosmo Air Light. For how I use notebooks, Cosmo Air Light is likely a superior product because it’s more versatile.
In terms of texture, Musubi compares writing on Cosmo Air Light paper to a “velvety dry erase board.” While the paper is more absorbent, with better dry times than Tomoe River, it retains a slick feel yet still has a touch of tooth or drag, which I didn’t find unpleasant. I even tested this paper with rollerballs, ballpoints, pencils, and gel pens, and found the experience largely positive. While this notebook is clearly intended primarily for fountain pen use, I didn’t get the sensation of “writing on a magazine” that others have described. With non-fountain pens, I might compare it to Yupo or Rite-in-the-Rain waterproof paper, only with more texture that creates a much better everyday experience, IMHO.
A subtle, but highly useful design touch: page numbers placed in the lower right-hand corner of the cross-grid paginated notebook.
While the lined notebooks do not feature the page numbers like the cross-grid version, the top and bottom lines feature spaced dots to allow you to write headers, draw margins, and/or number pages, should you so desire. Again, these notebooks were designed with maximum versatility in mind.
Notebook Specifications
The Musubi Folio notebooks are bound in Japan by a small, family-owned bindery (as opposed to in-house by Musubi in Singapore) and sized to fit Musubi’s forthcoming “Tomo” notebook covers. Featuring 208 pages of Cosmo Air Light paper, you will get ample use out of this notebook. (If maximizing your page count is important to you, 384-page Tomoe River versions are also available.) The Folio notebook features a semi-rigid cotton cover with a linen texture, and should fit most A5 notebook covers in addition to the Musubi Tomo system.
The Smyth-sewn binding easily lies flat, and since it’s sewn, not glued, should hold up to long-term use.
Takeaways, Where to Buy, and Giveaway Details!
The Musubi Folio notebook is an excellent addition to Musubi’s product lineup, which should help make their goods more accessible to the broader pen community. Cosmo Air Light paper, as expected, performs exceptionally well with fountain pens and presents another alternative for Tomoe River fans who for whatever reason are not happy with the new formulation. I would clearly characterize Cosmo Air Light as “Tier One” fountain pen friendly paper that you can use without concern for things such as bleeding, feathering, or show-through. That said, those particularly sensitive to tooth or drag on paper, as well as those who value the ability to write an exceptionally fine line, might consider trying a sample of Cosmo Air Light prior to investing in a full notebook. It’s a unique paper with no clear comparison in terms of feel.
You can purchase Musubi Folio notebooks directly from Atelier Musubi via their website. Prices are listed in Singapore Dollars, and depending on the exchange rate, the Folio Series notebooks will run you $30-35 USD. As I’ve said before in my prior reviews, Musubi notebooks are not inexpensive, but the superb quality and company mission statement leave me with no regrets every time I purchase from the Atelier. Finally: giveaway details! In addition to the review unit, Daryl was kind enough to send me a second notebook to give away to readers. See below for full Terms and Conditions, and use the Gleam App to enter. I will pick and contact a winner after the giveaway closes at 11:59pm EDT on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.
Many thanks to Daryl at Atelier Musubi for providing these two notebooks free of charge for review and giveaway!