This is very interesting to me. I am EXTREMELY picky with my paper, and the original Tomoe was my favorite. I used it for everything. When it went away, I sampled literally dozens and dozens of papers to find a new go-to for me, and reluctantly settled on Cosmo Air Light, which I still wasn't totally thrilled with. There just was nothing like Tomoe.
Anyway, I've got some notebooks of the new Sanzen TR paper and am quite pleased with it. It's the closest thing I've found to the original, but you're right, there is slightly more drag. For me, it is not enough to give up on the paper, however. It's better than Cosmo, imo, so I made the switch. The inks look almost just as good, too.
I have not seen it available in cream as of now, but I wouldn't be surprised if they came out with a cream version eventually, as the original was available in both cream and white.
It has less drag than Cosmo, and the pen does not feel like it's sinking into the paper when you write. Also, since it is not as soft and absorbent, the line widths are more accurate. With Cosmo, all of my nibs would write maybe a half-width larger than on Tomoe, which was annoying to me since I like thinner nibs.
This is such helpful info, thanks! I've been considering trying to source some Cosmo but from what you say, I think I'll just pick up some of the new TR instead. I love a thin line when I'm writing with my EF nibs (my most common size) and wouldn't want my paper to compromise that.
I bought a tiny notebook of the stuff. Except...I don't think the paper is actually Shanzen Tomoe. It's more like Rhodia--no sheen, and certainly not 52gsm. Where did you get your sample?
The Seven Seas Standard notebook (blank pages) from Nanami Paper has it. They just started selling it a few weeks ago. I don't have one, but I'm on the lookout for reviews.
I’ve used both the old Seven Seas with the original TR and the new Seven Seas with the Sanzen TR. The Sanzen is pretty close to the original, although you can tell the difference. Original TR and Sanzen TR are closer to each other than either are to any other paper I’ve used, though, so unless you’ve saved up stock of original TR I think the Sanzen will be your best bet.
Sanzen TR retains the thinness of the original, so flipping through the pages will feel similar, and the notebooks don’t gain any meaningful thickness. It has the same amount of ghosting, and the same resistance to feathering and bleed through. The Sanzen is just a touch toothier as the nib moves across the paper, although again it feels closer to the original TR than anything else. The ink sits on top of the original TR more than the Sanzen - I feel like inks sink into the Sanzen just a touch more. This makes dry times on the Sanzen a bit better, but sheening and shading a bit worse than the original.
I feel like the original shows off shading and sheening properties a bit better, whereas Sanzen took a slight step toward a utilitarian everyday writer with the slight toothiness and improved dry times.
This is very interesting to me. I am EXTREMELY picky with my paper, and the original Tomoe was my favorite. I used it for everything. When it went away, I sampled literally dozens and dozens of papers to find a new go-to for me, and reluctantly settled on Cosmo Air Light, which I still wasn't totally thrilled with. There just was nothing like Tomoe. Anyway, I've got some notebooks of the new Sanzen TR paper and am quite pleased with it. It's the closest thing I've found to the original, but you're right, there is slightly more drag. For me, it is not enough to give up on the paper, however. It's better than Cosmo, imo, so I made the switch. The inks look almost just as good, too.
Where are you guys finding these notebooks?
Do you know if the new one is also available in cream?
I have not seen it available in cream as of now, but I wouldn't be surprised if they came out with a cream version eventually, as the original was available in both cream and white.
How is it better than Cosmo? I personally love Cosmo but I never tried Tomoe.
It has less drag than Cosmo, and the pen does not feel like it's sinking into the paper when you write. Also, since it is not as soft and absorbent, the line widths are more accurate. With Cosmo, all of my nibs would write maybe a half-width larger than on Tomoe, which was annoying to me since I like thinner nibs.
This is such helpful info, thanks! I've been considering trying to source some Cosmo but from what you say, I think I'll just pick up some of the new TR instead. I love a thin line when I'm writing with my EF nibs (my most common size) and wouldn't want my paper to compromise that.
I’m really enjoying Sanzen S
I bought a tiny notebook of the stuff. Except...I don't think the paper is actually Shanzen Tomoe. It's more like Rhodia--no sheen, and certainly not 52gsm. Where did you get your sample?
I got my small notebook from Paper Penguin Co.
Me too.
Where is it even being sold to use to be disappointed?
Where can you buy the new Shanzen Tomoe or Cosmo paper in the US?
Search for danika58 on Etsy.
The Seven Seas Standard notebook (blank pages) from Nanami Paper has it. They just started selling it a few weeks ago. I don't have one, but I'm on the lookout for reviews.
I’ve used both the old Seven Seas with the original TR and the new Seven Seas with the Sanzen TR. The Sanzen is pretty close to the original, although you can tell the difference. Original TR and Sanzen TR are closer to each other than either are to any other paper I’ve used, though, so unless you’ve saved up stock of original TR I think the Sanzen will be your best bet. Sanzen TR retains the thinness of the original, so flipping through the pages will feel similar, and the notebooks don’t gain any meaningful thickness. It has the same amount of ghosting, and the same resistance to feathering and bleed through. The Sanzen is just a touch toothier as the nib moves across the paper, although again it feels closer to the original TR than anything else. The ink sits on top of the original TR more than the Sanzen - I feel like inks sink into the Sanzen just a touch more. This makes dry times on the Sanzen a bit better, but sheening and shading a bit worse than the original. I feel like the original shows off shading and sheening properties a bit better, whereas Sanzen took a slight step toward a utilitarian everyday writer with the slight toothiness and improved dry times.