Smythson Panama Notebook Review

In this 4K video I review the Smythson Panama notebook. This luxury notebook features a lambskin cover and Smythson's patented Featherweight Paper.
Smythson Panama - www.smythson.com/us/silver-pa...
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Blake's Broadcast is a channel that reviews fountain pens, paper, and ink.

[@penthevision4706]

Thanks for this review. I do not see many reviews or vlogs about Smythson stationery so I was very pleased to see this one.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Glad it was helpful! It is a great brand. They make a lot of fountain pen friendly papers. Several years ago I did a review of 12 different Smythson papers on my blog: blakesbroadcast.com/2015/05/17/smythson-mega-review-part-1-12-writing-papers-reviewed/

[@pavlovajack3561]

when you have an array of colours of these books on your shelf, a rainbow of your life, it's the best feeling.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Maximum fulfillment.

[@vernaracey1174]

Watched the video and ordered two of these. Also the kings paper end envelopes. Keep these coming.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I hope you will like them! They are special notebooks.

[@aeky168]

This is great review. Smythson notebook reviewed is rarely found in KZbin. I really like a lambskin cover and Smythson's patented Featherweight Paper. Now Smythson is on sale 50-70% at Shopping complex.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Glad you liked it!

[@creoleblue3543]

Smythson had a sale after Christmas. I purchased the Panama Organiser which included the notebook . The organiser and book are wonderful. I am so happy with my find. Make you to check all the colors. Some colors may have a bigger percentage off then other colors.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for letting me know. They do still seem to be having a pretty nice sale. Panama notebooks in some colors are 40% off....tempting.

[@arguchik]

Pretty little notebook! Definitely a luxury indulgence.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

It really is!

[@KB-cx2dr]

Great review again.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@DrDavidMLevy]

Thanks for the review! More toys to lust after.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Definitely!

[@janetlam2133]

Love their notebooks I also only order (mostly) when they go on sale, and stock up then. I've found the organiser inserts to be a good alternative as sometimes I am scared to 'ruin' my fancy notebooks.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Janet, I used to be precious with my expensive notebooks but I just try to dive in and use them as I get so much out of them. Ssense has some Panama notebooks including the larger size Portobellos for 60%. I am feeling tempted.

[@mountfujieagle]

Now this is Bridgerton league. New to me but the price breaks the bank thou. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

You are welcome!

[@anrn5303]

I just recently discovered smythson... I was looking for saffiano leather and smythson came upI im glad because it's quite posh yet affordable!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I definitely put Smythson in the luxury category but their prices aren't outrageous in context.

[@Snick3927]

Significant pros and cons for me here, Blake-eccentric page color, pricing and this particular cover, (not that I mind eccentricity). I’m looking forward to your review of the newly announced 'Tomoe River Successor' by Sanzen, the new manufacturer.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment Jack! Yes, writing on blue paper does get old. I am looking forward to trying the new new Tomoe River once it makes its way into a notebook.

[@Jordskotts]

If you get the chance, try Aspinal of London as an alternative. They are around the same price for diaries, but use full-grain leather.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I am familiar with the brand. Their products are typically priced lower than Smythson but I have not seen their notebooks. I will add them to my list to try.

[@JuLa-222]

The Soho size (smidge larger than B6) comes in a refillable version (no leather binding) in both diary or notebook version. It’s called “Evergreen”. Still expensive, but a bit more affordable than the leather bound books. And you can use them with your own leather covers.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Interesting. I will have to consider getting an Evergreen. I have one of their larger spiral refills.

[@user-qj4dx4fc3n]

I think that Montblanc wants to imitate the Smythson Panama with their pocket notebooks, but the Smythsons are way better and not that much more expensive.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

If you want a luxury notebook Smythson is a better choice as long as you can tolerate the blue colored paper.

[@larrybenjamin2738]

I’ve been splurging on these for years as well. I think you have to have it in hand to appreciate the feel and the quality. It’s overpriced but with so many pages it takes me more than a year to fill one up with lists, appts, and whatnot on the go. I use much cheaper Rhodia books for journaling in long form.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I would love to try one in a bigger size to see how well they stay open.

[@chrisw3327]

I have the slightly larger format Smythson Chelsea notebook. It's amazing - the best feel and performance. However, I recently gave some thought to their use of lambskin and calfskin. This doesn't sit so comfortably with me. I am not totally against the use of leather, but not from younglings! Even if the lambs and calves were killed to be eaten (and some are killed mainly for leather), using their skin for leather is increasing the demand for more to be produced. Don't get me wrong, I wear leather shoes, a leather belt and have a leather jacket and leather wallet, but none are lambskin or calfskin. Hopefully, this is food for thought. Smythson do not currently appear to show the details of their leather supply chain on their website. It would be better if this info was made available. It's all a choice for the individual. Just make sure you choose with your eyes open. For me, I would be happier to buy a Smythson notebook with a cowskin or horsehide cover. Mind you, I have no idea about whether horsehide covers leather from horses of all ages! Sorry to go off on one. I hope this comment is taken with the good will intended.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I agree more transparency in the leather sourcing would be nice.

[@Danny.1.007]

Hello Firstly a great review, thank you, Also Frank invented the panama diary with the thin blue paper so that it was thin enough and light enough to fit in a jacket pocket as at the time diaries were much larger and could only fit in a bag since then with tradition the panama still has the thin light blue paper as it did when Frank first brought the first panama diary out in 1908. Hope i didn't bore you too much just thought you might be interested as to why it has that thin paper. All the best

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for sharing! These are great notebooks, I just wish the paper wasn't blue.

[@Danny.1.007]

@@BlakesBroadcast I think Franks favourite colour was Nile Blue he used it once and then stuck with it as the Smythson colour and the new owners continued it, you never know they may change it in the future. All the best and a great review

[@georgemitchell1980]

I purchased one of these after watching a Jon Gadget video. It feels great. This far, I have been afraid to write in it due to the expense. Kind of like writing on an original Van Gogh. I’m going to have to get over that.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

You just have to go for it. The more you use it the more enjoyable it will be.

[@dashsunil]

If it is refillable, it might be a good price. Else, I would prefer a TN over this for sure. Thanks for the review. 😊

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment Dash! Unfortunately they are not refillable.

[@Richard_Barnes]

I have been looking at these for years and still miss the sales. LOL. I will own one, I have to 😃👍🏻

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Even on sale they are so expensive. The good news is you can buy loose leaf sheets of featherweight paper or agenda/folio refills like this: www.smythson.com/us/silver-a4-silver-spiral-bound-refill-pad-1015320.html Still not cheap but can be a good way to try the excellent Featherweight paper.

[@Richard_Barnes]

@@BlakesBroadcast - just got a silver cover Panama book 🙂 40% off in Black Friday sales and delivered next day too! £29 so that’ll do. The info about the paper and suchlike has changed around in my book. The front flyleaf info with Royal warrants is the same, however in the back there is no history just blank flyleafs. Although in the front, there is one page about ‘The Panama Hat of Books’ history. The edges are then silver gilt. 👍🏻

[@hanslim4031]

Is the page colour that strange? I think it’s quite a subtle colour. Sure it’s not black or brown but it’s pretty discreet.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

It's blue paper, not like a white with a blue tint. Maybe it isn't strange but I do get tired of it quickly.

[@AtilioEscobar]

Aaaand, I just bought a Smythson, Notes Chelsea Notebook in Panama. Damn you Blake! Ha. 62 dollars on a notebook!=]

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Congrats! I know it is still a lot but that is a great price for the Chelsea size. I hope you will enjoy it.

[@ginopagnani7286]

Yikes!! But I have to say I was impressed when I visited their London store.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

The full retail price is definitely hard to swallow.

[@lware1]

Where do you find them on sale?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Ssense has a lot of them on sale for 40-60% off. You can also find them at Smythson's own website when they have a sale.

[@JuLa-222]

The usually have a sale in December and June!

[@agrainofsalt4889]

Great alternatives to these??

[@BlakesBroadcast]

The paper and the cover make these notebooks pretty unique in my opinion. An A6 notebook could be a good alternative though a bit bigger. I like the softcover Lamy A6 notebooks.

[@agrainofsalt4889]

@@BlakesBroadcast thank you very much! Will check the Lamy a6

[@panamike6178]

It's for a homicide/vice detective. Also could be for one of those FBI agents that specialize in art theft.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

A narrow market.

[@commenter4799]

I'll eat out at $20-30 a plate several times a month, but I won't buy a $75 notebook. If I could take back all of my bad purchases through the years I could create a notebook company myself, lol.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment Devin! A non-refillable notebook like the Smythson is a consumption item just like a meal. I would argue that there is potentially more enjoyment to be had with the notebook as it would last longer than a few meals. That said, living in San Francisco, $75 for a meal isn't too out of the ordinary, while a small $75 notebook still seems quite extravagant.

[@commenter4799]

@@BlakesBroadcast that came across wrong. I'm saying eating out so often is a waste. I'll waste hundreds a month at restaurants, yet feel guilty for buying a $500 chair I'll have for years.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

@@commenter4799 Thanks for the clarification. I definitely understand.

[@kookatsoonjan]

@@commenter4799 ya...important...to do that comparison...more often...thanks!

[@annelisabethcom]

Only lined paper kills it for me. I just can't deal with lines. Give me grid. I can deal with dotted. Possibly blank. Lined? Hard no!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Blank and grid options would be great.

[@antonmarkov1635]

Great review! I wish it was a refillable notebook. Smythson is pronounced as you would pronounce Smithson. It’s not Smiteson.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks Anton, I appreciate it!

[@JuLa-222]

It’s pronounced Smy (like Sky) thson, so smiteson was pretty close 😂

[@michaelreed649]

Wow

[@BlakesBroadcast]

It's a classic; an expensive one.

[@Volkmannx]

🤓👍

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Glad you liked it!

[@lucm6476]

Sorry but i have a hard time seeing the quality that justify this kind of prices... Thanks for the review.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I hear you but Smythson is a luxury brand. Quality is only one component of the price.

[@kookatsoonjan]

@@BlakesBroadcast what would other components be???...LABEL?BRANDING???