These have become my very favorite writing notebooks. I love the way the pages fall open with ease, which makes the act of writing so much easier. The lines themselves are nice + faint and don't feel like prison bars. At first I wasn't entirely pleased with the glide and smoothness of the paper, as I prefer a bit of tooth to lend resistance, but I've become used to it over time. -- A+!!

I tested with 20 pen/ink combos - all but 5 gave me some bleed-through. I write mostly with F, EF and a few Ms - even a TWSBI Eco EF (wet) bled through a bit. I did not get noticeable feathering on any of them, though, so that's good. I'll probably dedicate this one to morning pages with a Sailor MF, although that is not my favorite long-form writing experience pen. If you primarily use very fine nibs, or only write on one side of the page, it's a good option, although for the price there are probably better choices.

Great paper and binding. Behaves better with various inks than any notebook I've previously use.

Ordered from a different retailer, but thought I'd leave a review here too. First of all, the paper is extremely smooth. It's truly amazing, some of the best paper I've written with. There was one huge downside, and it looks like some other people in the reviews have had the same experience. The notebook I received has lots of feathering and bleeding problems. It definitely varies with nib size and the ink. I can understand having some feathering with broader nibs and wetter ink, but this is happening with my medium nibs. It really shouldn't be happening at all, given how the paper is advertised. If this didn't happen, it would definitely be one of my favorite papers. It is a great-looking notebook, and it lays flat quite well. But I am left disappointed with it.

I am giving this 5 stars even though I don't expect to buy another one because the notebook is exactly as advertised: The paper is very smooth with no bleed-through or shadowing, and the notebook lays nice flat and is well-made. But I am still learning what I like--mostly Rhodia and Leuchtturm1917--and this paper is too smooth for my chicken scratches. I need a bit more feedback and resistance from the paper to help me control my writing! Otherwise, it is a gem, and I will certainly put it to good use.

The pages feel very smooth, the quality of writing really feels to benefit from the craftmanship taken into this notebook. I mainly use it for meetings and office notes, and it surely does all it's meant to do in style and in quality.

I purchased a couple of notebooks from Goulet simultaneously so as to try them out. I'm already half-way through the empty pages of this notebook--much sooner than expected. I used a variety of pens I purchased from Goulet, such as Noodler's Ahab, Lamy CP1, TWSBI Vac 700R, Pilot Vanishing Point, Pilot Metropolitan, Lamy Safari, and a Platinum 3776 with extra-fine nib. I have written with a host of sample inks from Goulet. There is no bleed-through. There is no feathering. There are no torn pages. This is a very nice notebook. The paper is first class. I have only one negative remark: I wish it came hardbound! It's a shame that something this nice comes only paper-bound!

I am always looking for the perfect notebook. So far, it's a Rhodia Webnotebook cover filled with Tomoe River 68 gsm paper. Unfortunately, that animal doesn't exist, so the search continues. I tried the Apica premium after reading some of these excellent reviews, and mostly I wasn't disappointed. The paper is EXTREMELY smooth; smoother even than the paper in a Rhodia Webby. It's almost too smooth--I touched the nib of my Lamy 2000 to it and almost went back in time. Anyway, if you're looking for a fountain-pen friendly A5 notebook, you certainly won't be wasting your money with the Apica premium. BUT ... If you're laying down a LOT of ink, you should be aware that the Apica paper is prone to feathering and bleedthrough. Using my Noodler's Neponset, which, I admit, is an extreme example, the Apica feathered and bled-through like nobody's business. It was way worse than either the Clairefontaine or Tomoe River paper, as you can see from the photos. So again, you won't be wasting your money, but beware if you like broad nibs or big flex music nibs.

One of the best softbound A5 notebooks around. The paper is sublime and has little 'show through' with FP ink. it is the same size as the Clairefontaine Basic and Nanima Seven Seas (though thinner than the Seven Seas) and oddly enough, it is one line shorter than the insanely pricey hardbound version of the same notebook.Go for it if you want a top-shelf A5, you will not be sorry you bought one.

I was disappointed in this paper, especially at this price point, to find that some of my favorite inks and pens (primarily flex) had noticeable feathering. Although sublimely smooth, the paper did have some bleed through as well. Oddly enough, this is NOT the case when I tried the same pen/ink combos with the Apica blue wirebound notebook in A4 size. I believe that one is their standard paper and that there are just two kinds (standard and premium) but I'm not sure. One would assume that the reverse would be the case! I have found pens and inks that do not feather in the premium notebook so I'll just have to remember to limit myself to those specific combinations. Frankly, I like using the wirebound notebook better, it's just easier, but I liked the look of bound notebooks - which is why I purchased the premium, as well as I thought the papers would be superior. Although I won't purchase these premium paper notebooks again, I will purchase the Apica wirebound notebook as I really liked the layout, smoothness, feel of the paper and how well it behaved with my pens and inks. I was surprised that no one else had this experience, or wrote about it, and thought I should review and mention this.

I tend to switch up my journals every couple months. I have been an addict of the Traveler's Notebook with the Goulet inserts (which I will always continue to use) but a friend recommended this notebook to me. I have been using it for a couple weeks and I can safely say it might be the best notebook I have ever written in! The paper feels too smooth to soak up ink like it does... It is a joy to write with any pen in this notebook! I HIGHLY recommend this notebook to any fountain pen enthusiast!

The paper is pretty darn good. It lies flat and is well stitched. The only notebook for journalling that could be better is the Clairefontaine spiral--and I have used them, they just don't look bookish.

I bought this paper on the recommendation of other internet users, and have been extremely satisfied. The paper is exceptionally smooth to the touch, and writing on it is a pleasure because it is neither too slick to make me slip up nor too firm to cause me to slow down. I consider it the best paper I've written on. I use a fine point Parker with Noodler's Antietam ink, and the ink looks almost 19th century against the bright white of the paper. I bought 2 lined and 1 unlined pad. Am currently using the lined pad, but will probably try a lined sheet under the unlined one (haven't tried yet, so I can't comment on whether I can see through well enough). If you haven't tried this paper, I highly advise it.

Likely to become my 'go-to' notebook if I don't want to pay the premium price for some of the premium notebooks, but still want to enjoy good paper.Make no mistake, the stitching seems to be excellent, it's just that cover & stitching are not as luxurious as with some other notebooks�but then again you're paying a much better price with this, and a soft cover has advantages sometimes!Right now this seems to hit the sweet spot of amazing paper, great price and decent book quality.

The paper in this notebook is fabulous! Smoooooth, and white! I just wish the cover were stiffer. But the notebook lays open, so it is very easy to write. Nice notebook. Will buy again.

I have been using Rhodia Webnotebooks for journaling and was about to finish one so I decided to give this new notebook a try. I had previously been unable to find a good replacement for the Rhodia, which I really like except for one flaw: they don't always lay flat. I know it's a small thing but it drives me batty. Anyway, back to this notebook. It excels at laying flat. I am not that far into it yet but I can tell that this will not be an issue with this notebook. Regarding the paper itself, it is very smooth and a pleasure to write on with a fountain pen. The only negative there is that there is some show through on the opposite side of the page. The Rhodia has virtually no show-through but the pages in the Apica seem slightly thinner. Surprisingly, this doesn't bother me but I thought I would point it out. I am still undecided if this will be a permanent replacement for the Rhodia, but it's the closest I've found.

On first look, I was afraid this might be too smooth--the Red/Blacks look similar on first glance, and those are like writing on a skating rink. But this was a pleasure to write on. My Lamy Al-Star EF with Noodler's Red Black wrote like a dream. My Pilots were even better. Just enough tooth to feel comfortable, but smooth as silk. I love the look of the navy cover. This notebook screams classy in a completely understated way. I'm delighted!

These notebooks look as super premium as they feel. The binding lets them lay flat pretty much anywhere. The paper is very glossy - slightly more glossy that Rhodia premium, which means a longer dry time for wet inks or fat nibs. Inks look very saturated and vibrant on this paper. Would have been 5 stars but for the dry time.

This is the best notebook I've ever used for journal-keeping. The paper is heaven to write on. I'm using a Sailor Professional Gear Realo pen with extra-fine nib, and Sailor Sei-Boku Blue/Black Pigment ink. Between the quick-drying characteristic of that ink and the extra-fine nib, I've had no problem with the ink drying too slowly and smearing, but I do take care, and keep blotting paper handy. I do have a wish-list - I'd love a firmer cover, darker rule lines, and maybe even page numbers for starters. However - this is still the notebook I'd choose over any other I've been able to find.

Love the notebook and paper quality. I wish they made a hardbound notebook.

Oh my this paper is amazing. So smooth and lovely. I am so happy, I can't wait to fill this one up and get another one. I mean I loved to journal before but now, wow, the paper makes it even more enjoyable.

Excellent paper, second only to Midori paper ... just my opinion. Even Apica's non-premium paper beats lots of competition when it comes to the FP-friendly paper. Japanese paper makers are just blowing my mind lately with their attention to detail and high quality products.

I really have nothing bad to say about this product. The paper is smooth and has nice weight, texture and, coloration. The lines are just visible enough for my aging eyes and the 7mm is right for my writing style. Well worth the price and most likely my only journal choice for the foreseeable future.

This notebook has the best paper to use with a fountain pen.

This notebook is, without a doubt, my new go-to choice. The paper is butter smooth, and it handles fountain pen ink beautifully. Very minimal show through, though easy yo ignore. I live how it lies perfectly flat on any given page. I'll be buying this gem again and again.