Have I got the bad batch Hobonichi paper? Hobonichi 2025 pen test!

[@nadineF]

Liked that you are drama free. Truly appreciate that

[@lethbridgepaper]

I try!

[@LoveYouBeTrue]

Definitely a Sanzen problem from what I am seeing. Multiple brands are affected. Thanks for a great video!

[@lethbridgepaper]

Such a shame! And I can’t say I’ve seen any communication anywhere from Sanzen?

[@LoveYouBeTrue]

@@lethbridgepaperI haven’t from Sanzen directly. Some planner company have shared that their publisher inquired with Sanzen. Sanzen acknowledged the issue and is investigating.

[@lethbridgepaper]

Here’s hoping they find the issue!

[@LoveYouBeTrue]

@@lethbridgepaper me too!

[@tortagialla]

A new manufacturer of course means there would be changes. It’s probably hard to explain all the specifics but I think paper manufacturing is very complicated! But I totally get people being shocked by differences but at the same time they have announced the paper change for years 😅 of course there will be combinations of ink pen nib etc that might cause trouble as always - similar to rubber stamping and inks - it can changes over time within the book when you stamp with different inks. All very interesting and stationery nerdy - but I hope the information just helps folks make the right decision for themselves!

[@lethbridgepaper]

Oh absolutely I imagine the tolerances that they have to work with make it crazy. I think the thing that is confusing to people is that the paper on the Cousin didn’t change for 2025, it was the same as 2024’s paper, and so for the results to change so dramatically it has to be jarring. I don’t recall anywhere near this amount of noise last year when most of the books changed to the Sanzen paper so I’m really intrigued as to what changed in the process this year.

[@tortagialla]

@@lethbridgepaper That totally makes sense, when you buy something with a certain expectation and it totally changes. I haven't really noticed much change at all and I have weeks from 2023-2024-2025 and then the original techos... but I mostly use extra fine fountain pens, so probably the lowest "stress" on the paper so to speak. I wonder if there is just a bad batch as many have noted and you should get a replacement if the product is defective!

[@lethbridgepaper]

It’s definitely anything felt tip adjacent that seems to cause issues. So for my day to day use with a fountain pen I can’t imagine it’ll impact anything, thankfully!

[@LittleKikuyu]

Tbh, people should be contacting customer service left right and centre, imo. Paper quality is not a natural phenomenon that one has to accept 😅 Hobonichi is famous for being fountain pen friendly, so for me the price is not justified if the paper is now equal to the the worst of moleskine‘s 🙈

[@lethbridgepaper]

@@LittleKikuyuwhere the fountain pen is bleeding I totally agree. You don’t buy a planner with TR paper to not use a fountain pen on it.

[@leonaut6927]

Hobonichi should just do a planner with Kokuyo Mio Paper

[@lethbridgepaper]

Ooh I’d love that.

[@TheEmPemm]

I got mini samples of the new paper with some of my books last year so I think Hobonichi prepared us the best they could - baring an actual issue with the 5 years. I actually thought the ghosting got more obvious in the 2024 cousin (compared to 2023), so maybe I am just used to it by now and tbh I like ghosting. I hope people with issues get them resolved

[@lethbridgepaper]

I didn’t notice any extra ghosting with the 2024 Cousin and I don’t really notice any more ghosting with the 2025 Cousin but that bleeding is definitely worse than last year. It sounds like those with issues with the five year are getting their books swapped which is good.

[@rozettemori]

This year I bought my first Hobonichi Cousin and was super excited about it because I heard all the best about this paper. I was unaware that they changed their paper and I have to say that I am super disappointed... I love using fountain pens and this paper should be fountain pens friendly but the bleeding is just... Shocking for me. I'm so sad 😢

[@lethbridgepaper]

I'm so disappointed for you! It's such a shame this was your first year as it's definitely not normally like this!

[@ziggy2255]

I was disappointed that my fine Twsbi Eco writing looks thicker in the 2025 weeks compared to 2024. It showed me the difference. Luckily as my weeks is my EDC I use the Hobonichi pens. I use fountain pen in my A6 original. Not tested that you but think I will off the back of this. Thanks for doing this. 💛

[@lethbridgepaper]

I hope your experience with the A6 paper aligns with mine!

[@Branchoutofthefire]

I just used tombow brush pen to set up my cousin and the bleed through/ghosting is soooo bad 😢, I know they have a link for faulty 5year techo ones but what about the cousin!

[@lethbridgepaper]

Oh no! This isn’t great. I’ve seen they’re doing something on the 5 year and it’s a shame they haven’t said anything about the cousin. I suspect they won’t be anything about it.

[@Branchoutofthefire]

@@lethbridgepaper it is a shame, it’s so expensive in Jetpens feels like a scam 😭😭😭

[@shythi]

The same thing happened to me as well.. the bleed through not even ghosting in my cousin was bad.. what a let down...so so disappointed.. the paper definitely feels thinner.. errr p.s I used the tombow soft brush pen.. as for the hard brush pen no bleed through.

[@lethbridgepaper]

​​⁠I’ve just started using my Cousin for 2025 and one of the new pens I bought for this year has mega bleed. I’m so sad.

[@Branchoutofthefire]

@@shythi yess definitely thinner and cheap , i checked the sample they provided in 2023? Definitely not the same as 2025 :(

[@MicheleMaBelle67]

Liked and subscribed! 😊

[@lethbridgepaper]

Thank you and welcome!

[@katkaat]

Thats... really unfortunate ): Ill need to check mine now too!

[@lethbridgepaper]

Hopefully yours is okay!

[@jaz_likes_bees]

I’m researching for my first planner/book of this type. I bought A&O and absolutely hate the “paper”. Did you say the new paper is thinner? Also how does the paper react with stamps? Dry paint? Watercolour?

[@lethbridgepaper]

The paper in the Cousin/A6 is the same thickness as last year but it’s very minimal anyway. Think they went from 52gsm to 48gsm? Stamps depends on the ink, I always use the Dew Drop ink pads as anything else tends to bleed. Watercolour is okay as long as you don’t mind the paper crinkling but I haven’t tried dry paint I’m afraid!

[@jaz_likes_bees]

@ - thanks so much for your reply - that’s very helpful 🙏 it’s quite a rabbit hole!

[@lethbridgepaper]

A massive rabbit hole!

[@LoveYouBeTrue]

2025 paper is said to be 47gsm so thinner than most brands. I paint watercolor and inks in my wonderland 222. It’s great! I do have to watch how much water I lay down though, but that would be the case with any planner. Did you find one for 2025?

[@jaz_likes_bees]

@ - thank you!! I haven’t settled on one yet - but that info is very helpful.

[@OTommy81]

I used all sort of pens and everything transfers, I want to cry really .. even their own pens bleed in those papers

[@lethbridgepaper]

Oh no! That’s definitely unusual for the Jetstream to even bleed?