Midori MD Notebook Review

In this 4K video I review the Midori MD Notebook. This minimalistic Japanese notebook features excellent fountain pen friendly paper.
Midori MD - A5 - Ruled - amzn.to/33HIHuN
Midori MD - A5 - Grid - amzn.to/3faGy06
Midori MD - A5 - Blank - amzn.to/33IIc3P
Midori MD - B6 Slim - Ruled - amzn.to/2SNcuAd
Midori MD - B6 Slim - Grid - amzn.to/3hv3N7I
Midori MD - B6 Slim - Blank - amzn.to/3flmvwe
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About this 4K video:
On Blake's Broadcast, I review the Midori MD notebook line. The Midori MD notebook features a coverless design with a 12 signatures and fountain pen friendly cream colored paper.
About Blake's Broadcast:
Blake's Broadcast is a channel that reviews fountain pens, paper, and ink.

[@Unlucky1776]

Ive just ordered the midori md notebook journal! As well as my first fountain pen so im very excited to receive them

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Awesome! I hope you will enjoy the writing experience.

[@christiangroth2677]

In Japan, just picked one up for a little over ¥800. Dirt cheap for the quality. It was sitting right next to the moleskin line which is going for around ¥3300 over here. I think midori is going to be my go-to sketch pad moving forward. Good stuff, thanks for the review!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment Christian! They are excellent notebooks and ¥800 is a great pice.

[@catwhisperer911]

My favorite notebook. Handles my fountain pens and inks beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

You are welcome Jeff. The Midori MD was my go-to notebook for years.

[@bixby451]

Thanks for the review. I ordered one of these along with a Kaweco Classic Sport. Super excited 😊

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you for the comment! That will be a very nice combo.

[@radicallad]

I have the lined notebook with the premium paper cover, and oh gosh i love the cover. The paper almost feels like smooth suede, its water resistant, I adore it. I dislike the way tomoe paper sounds and how thin it is, so MD paper is really lovely for me

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment Carter! I may have to give the paper cover another try. I also tend to prefer Midori MD paper of Tomoe River.

[@criscrisler8604]

Midori MD notebooks have become my number one choice. I love the perfection of the minimalist design…so crisp, so perfect with all supercilious pieces pared away. The paper is a pleasure, the lines are non intrusive, subtle and muted. This is a beautiful notebook, a pleasure to use.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

They are great notebooks.

[@Amyduckie]

I love my Midori MD. I have the B6 slim and knowing what’s happening now with tomoe river paper, I’m really thankful that I like the MD paper so much. I know a lot of people are scrambling to find notebooks they love.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I think it is hard to beat the Midori MD line. Tomoe River is more unique and exotic paper but I like MD better for ever day use. I think the newer version of Tomoe River is decent. There are also nice alternatives to TR out there so hopefully those TR lovers will find something that works for them.

[@Amyduckie]

@@BlakesBroadcast I honestly go back and forth about what I like best for daily use, but I do like how hardy the MD paper is. And lots of paper sizes!

[@darkchocolate4643]

What is happening with TR paper?

[@Amyduckie]

@@darkchocolate4643 they’re discontinuing it. There is a new TR, but I have no idea of the longevity.

[@darkchocolate4643]

@@Amyduckie Ah. Thanks for the info. I don't know how I missed that. :) Apparently rumor has it that Tomoegawa is looking into outsourcing production.

[@DrDavidMLevy]

Thank you! Very useful.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

You're welcome!

[@fossilimprint2954]

Great review, subscribed !

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the sub!

[@eggbunni]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dafarce]

Excellent review, thanks. I've never used the Midori brand before, but this would be a great notebook to have at hand. The separator line in the lined version appeals to me for some reason. The MD aesthetic is sort of the opposite of the Hollywood notebook you recently recently.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

You are welcome! With the MD less is more. I am a huge fan of Pineider stationary but the Hollywood notebook, while nice quality, is a bit overdone for my tastes.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

They have other notebooks that do note have that heavy line in the middle. Those are the ones I prefer.

[@Richard_Barnes]

I’ve recently received my first one in A5 lined paper. I am surprised by how much I like it. I’m not usually an off-white paper person, however I like this. I’m a 10 year tomoe river fanboy so getting me in another book for longer than a few days usually doesn’t happen. In this book it has and I am still writing in it a week later. Favourite pen so far is my Pilot Custom 823 with WA nib and kon peki ink. Thanks Blake 🙂👍🏻 I recommend these a lot and mine is in a TSL leather cover. The bookmark is removable cus its glued on the spine outside.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Richard, glad to hear you like Midori MD paper. I've never had a WA nib. What do you like about it? The TLS cover looks nice very nice.

[@Richard_Barnes]

@@BlakesBroadcast - the WA nib is purely ground so as to be smooth no matter the writing angle or even a bit of rotation also. So, left handed writers often get one as they write with a lot of push movements and the WA nib push strokes are often smoother compared to some other nibs. Of course, any nib can be smooth, however the WA is made so any angle or bit of rotation gives a smooth experience 👍🏻

[@BlakesBroadcast]

@@Richard_Barnes Thank you for the explanation. I will have to give one a try when I get a chance.

[@LunnaySol]

Just found your channel, very nice. You may already know this but you can hook thicker pens to a small penloop, by hooking them to it by the clip.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you! That is a good tip.

[@Snick3927]

Yeah, I totally swallowed the Midori MD aesthetic Kool Ade, Blake-all notebook forms (not least the fat A5 Codex model), the overpriced goatskin covers…even the Midori MD fountain pen (needed some adjustment, but now writing nicely)-all happily put to regular use.. I like pretty much all the Japanese fp-friendly papers, esp. TR and Graphilo but, since I care more about shading than sheening and because a wee touch of texture encourages some reluctant nibs to put out, Midori MD paper remains in my #1spot. (Except for the blue-colored grid format!). Another first rate review-thanks, as always.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Jack, thank you for the comment! The Midori MD line was my go to notebook for years until I started to want hardcovers but I've been using MD notebooks again recently and I love them. I was not aware of the Codex model...very tempting.

[@user-el7rd8pp1l]

I dislike the fountain pen. Feels so cheap, the least favorite in my collection.

[@ginopagnani7286]

Great review Blake. I’ve never used any Midori product but this seems interesting.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks Gino! Midori makes great notebooks. Their most famous notebook is the very popular (and frequently copied) "Traveler's Notebook"...the line was so successful that they changed the brand name from "Midori" to "Traveler's Company".

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

The notebook cover pen loop is not for the pen barrel, it is for the pen clip. And you are right about the goat skin leather being way over priced! These are great notebooks. I have all of them and love them all. I enjoy the buttery smoothness of the paper with the perfect amount of feedback.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Tracie, I've tried using the pen loop with the pen clip and I found it to be too loose. Midori shows the pen loop with a wood pencil (that's about the only thing you can fit in there). I too love Midori MD paper. It's some of the best in my opinion.

[@Cortesevasive]

Yeah, very good notebook, very good paper, maybe a bit too yellow. Had the notebook soaked in the rain and it survived it perfectly . The plastic cover is very practical and dirt resistant.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I would prefer a bit whiter paper given the choice but everything else is great. I am not out much with my notebooks in the rain but certainly the plastic cover would be very useful in that scenario.

[@helgarodrigues8317]

Md Paper notebooks are my absolute favourite. I've been fantasizing with that leather cover for a while now. Is it possible to fit the B6 slim md notebook light on that bigger pocket on the inside?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Helga! I love MD notebooks too. Great question! I just tried it and unfortunately the B6 slim MD light is about half a cm too wide. It does fit a Field Notes size notebook beautifully though. The slit is approximately 102mm wide.

[@briangray1704]

I’m just discovering this notebook line. I kind of love that this company is selling text blocks (what is normally the guts of a case bound book) and calling it a notebook 😂.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Brian thank you for the comment! To be fair, they call it a "coverless notebook" which I think is accurate because all that is missing is the proper cover. The Midori MD line is one of the most complete notebook lines out there and they offer paper, plastic, and goat skin covers for these MD notebooks.

[@briangray1704]

It does look like a nice book. I’ve actually ordered a set and the covers to see what they’re like. Bookbinding is my hobby, and I mostly make casebound books. These Midoris remind of what the text block looks like after the mull is glued to the spine.

[@TheCelestialhealer]

@@briangray1704 exactly. The designers explain why they wanted it to look “ raw”.

[@mollymollie6048]

I think the marketing department said we can save so much by putting absolutely no ink color, different colors, printing or anything else, sell it now while “beige” is popular, and make 50% more money because we’re selling half a notebook! They’re laughing their way to the bank if this is selling well..especially with having to “pay” for a cover…up to $100!

[@samgilson9419]

How resilient is the white ‘cover’ (not the extra ones you buy) to everyday handling? Does it get dirty looking quickly when moving it in and out of a bag?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Sam, I don't use these without some kind of cover. The white paper will get dirty if you are pulling it in and out of a bag a bunch. I think if you are careful with it, it should hold up just fine but keeping it perfectly clean will be quite hard.

[@criptonessy3522]

wow video is so clear , how !

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I used a Sony A7III to make this video. It's a great camera.

[@savedfaves]

The bookmark colour is dependent on the size of the MD notebook you buy.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I have several in the same sizes and they have different color bookmarks. You can see them in banner on my channel page: kzbin.info/door/qlN-y2tB_aIoVj0fP1tyqA

[@dbk_kvd]

Great video mate! Do you mind telling me if its okay to write on this MD paper using a regular cheap ballpoint pen?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Yes, absolutely

[@spacecat7715]

What do you think of this Midori notebook as compared to a Moo notebook? Which do you think is better for fountain pen writing? I really like the way a Moo notebook is bound. Midori is so minimalist.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I like the Moo notebook a lot. After testing many notebooks with Munken Krystall paper though, I don't think the paper is all that consistent. Some notebooks with the same paper show more bleeding so I think the Midori paper is better overall for fountain pens. From a binding perspective I do really like the Moo's Swiss binding.

[@_.WildMoonChild]

If I enjoy tomoe river paper, would I enjoy this? I know it's slightly thicker.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Katie, I am not sure. MD Paper is an uncoated paper so it absorbs ink more than Tomoe River. I personally think MD Paper is nicer to write on and you get faster dry times but it will bleed slightly more easily and if you like sheening and shading you will get less of it.

[@ganbiandoujiao]

Super useful review; I bought one today! You mention that there are other companies making covers for this notebook. Which would you recommend? Thank you~~~~

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you for the comment! I like the covers from this company quite a bit: olpr.com/collections/midori-notebook-leather-covers That said, I do not have their Midori covers but I do have a Field Notes and Moleskine covers from them and they are very nice.

[@ganbiandoujiao]

@@BlakesBroadcast Thank you so much :) :)

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

These will fit in a moterm cover and you can get them on Amazon.

[@ganbiandoujiao]

@@sistergoldenhair0727 hard to find in the uk...

[@Shmyrk]

Can’t you just use the pen loop by clipping the pen in, regardless of size? Beautiful patina 😍

[@BlakesBroadcast]

You definitely can do that. The pen may move around a bit more and will probably be less secure.

[@Shmyrk]

@@BlakesBroadcast just saw another vid where someone attached a leuchtturm pen loop to a cut out aligned with the hole and slid it in to the cover so it was aligned with the pen loop and she said it worked even better. Plus it was elastic

[@AnonymousSam]

Do you think it's a waste to get this notebook if I'm only writing in it with pencils? Most of the comments I see mention it's usability for fountain pens. Do you think this notebook is somehow not "suitable" for pencil writing?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I don't think it is a waste for pencils at all. The paper has a lovely texture which will be enjoyable with pencils. The design is great as are the accessories. My channel focuses on fountain pens and finding notebooks with paper that works well with fountain pens can be a challenge.

[@AnonymousSam]

​@@BlakesBroadcast Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate you posting this video, I can't wait to try the Midori out, looking forward to it.

[@KingAzion1232]

What is that thicccc fountain pen you use with green ink? Thanks

[@BlakesBroadcast]

It's a Montblanc 149 with an OBB nib.

[@wungabunga]

@@BlakesBroadcastThat nib looks gigantic! I like it.

[@defaultea]

What pen is that in the thumbnail preview?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

It is a Nakaya Naka-ai Negoro in Shiro Tamenuri.

[@defaultea]

@@BlakesBroadcast thank you!

[@samar3uk]

What's the GSM pls?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Samar, Midori does not provide this information and I do not have the correct equipment to test the weight. Based on other papers I have I would say it is around 80gsm.

[@badclientmaker]

that watch looks beautiful what is it

[@BlakesBroadcast]

It is a Seiko SNK803 with a custom strap.

[@saraerina3315]

i hate the thick line in the middle 😭

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I agree, it is distracting. These notebooks have such a great design otherwise.

[@KikiJ1112]

Is there one without the gray line in the middle? And what is there ?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Kiki, I don't believe they off are a ruled version without that line in the middle. They have blank, grid, and dot grid options though in a lot of sizes. The MD Line is more complete than most.

[@KikiJ1112]

@@BlakesBroadcast thanks! I am trying to find notebooks with soft cover ruled 11.5 x 17.5 but seem to be impossible. I guess this is the only choice beside moleskine medium but they dont do soft covers for it. Do you know any? With not like 40 sheets but like the Midori. Thanks

[@BlakesBroadcast]

@@KikiJ1112 The Moleskine is a custom size. I would look at B6 notebooks these are 12.5cm x 17.6 cm. There is also a B6+ Leuchtturm1917 softcover that comes ruled. What types of pens do you use?

[@KikiJ1112]

@@BlakesBroadcast thanks. I just bought a leather cover that fits the moleskine but i would like to be able to find something with soft cover. Pens are not a problem for me i use pilot 0.35 gel pen.

[@mollymollie6048]

Thank you for this review…this is a total fail for me (and notebooks and paper are personal and individual.) Some pens I really like and use do have problems in your test…and unlike what your writing style is, mine is heavy handed, and would be terrible from looks (and I’ve only seen this online…never been able to touch it.) The biggest immediate “no” for me was that line divider…(although I almost always buy grid or dot grid) it was so visually distracting, it drove me nuts. Everyone’s aesthetic is different, and I appreciate sleek and minimalist…but this is over the top. Looking at that, all I can think is that it will survive about 3 seconds before it looks filthy…and…if I wanted the feel and look of it, why would I want to put it in a plastic cover (reminiscent of old hard back library books) or, spend $100 for the goat skin leather…ummm…no. Additionally, the minimalistic look goes beyond that to “institutional” to me. There are so many fantastic papers and notebook designs available…and I keep hearing about how wonderful this is (and it may be absolute perfection for the next person, and what I like someone else hates…that’s great! I’m glad we have all of the choice!!! Seriously!) But…I just don’t see any appeal at all with this (beyond the bending flat…and there are quite a few others that do that, so that isn’t a standout for me, although it is a feature I like.)

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment Molly! I hear what you are saying and I agree I am not a huge fan of the divider. I like the MD a lot but it isn't for everyone. It is great that we have so much variety in the notebook world.

[@mollymollie6048]

@@BlakesBroadcast Absolutely! We are so fortunate to have so many available to choose from. I wish our local stores carried a larger variety of papers and other stationary brands. The majority of the nice European paper and Japanese pens are available…but not the Japanese paper and other interesting stationery. Maybe I’ll ask if they’ve considered some of the ones that seem to be more popular. I live in a large US city, but there are a limited number of places with higher end stationery…and it is nice to hold it and feel it before you make the investment. I also wanted to compliment your reviews…you cover all the important points in a concise manner that enables me to understand what would work for me and what wouldn’t, without dragging it out, or skimming by things too quickly. Thanks!