Choosing fountain pen paper & notebooks usually comes down to one practical tension: do you want a dedicated writing surface, or a package that gives you the pen and ink accessories too? The Yu-sari Notebook A5 Plain Fountain Pen Paper Writing Pad Journal Japanese and Speedball Calligraphy & Illustration Executive Fountain Pen & Journal Kit NEW take distinctly different approaches to a fountain pen-friendly notebook purchase.
Quick verdict
Choose Yu-sari when the notebook itself is the priority, especially if smooth paper and a plain writing surface appeal to you. Choose Speedball when you want a coordinated fountain pen, journal, and ink setup in one purchase. Yu-sari is the paper-focused choice; Speedball is the more complete kit.
Comparison at a glance
| Detail | Yu-sari Notebook A5 Plain Fountain Pen Paper Writing Pad Journal Japanese | Speedball Calligraphy & Illustration Executive Fountain Pen & Journal Kit NEW |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 19.69 | USD 12.00 |
| Named format | A5 plain notebook | Pen & Journal Kit |
| Paper wording | Ultra-smooth texture with quick-drying properties | Soft, delicate paper |
| Main purchase focus | Notebook and writing paper | Fountain pen, journal, and ink accessories |
Where each product wins
Yu-sari wins for notebook-first writing
Yu-sari is the more focused fit for someone shopping specifically for a fountain pen journal or writing pad. It is identified as made in Japan, and its paper is intended to complement fountain pen or rollerball ink. The listed price spread is $7.69, so the higher-priced choice needs to earn its place through the notebook-centered experience rather than bundled tools.
Speedball wins for a bundled setup
Speedball is aimed at shoppers who want more than paper in the package. Its title identifies an Executive Fountain Pen & Journal Kit, and its description adds the pen, journal, cartridges, and converter. That makes the purchase decision simpler when the goal is to begin writing with a coordinated set rather than select accessories separately.
Product notes
Yu-sari Notebook A5 Plain Fountain Pen Paper Writing Pad Journal Japanese
Yu-sari is the paper-centered pick for shoppers who want a fountain pen journal rather than a collection of tools. Its paper has an ultra-smooth texture, quick-drying properties, and a thick, egg shell-colored finish, with the writing surface intended to complement fountain pen or rollerball ink. That gives it a clear reason to choose: the page itself is the focus, and the plain format leaves room for freeform writing. The limitation is equally clear for a kit shopper: a plain notebook does not answer a need for a bundled pen, cartridges, and converter. At USD 19.69, it also carries the higher listed price here, so it makes the most sense when paper and notebook feel matter more than included extras.
Speedball Calligraphy & Illustration Executive Fountain Pen & Journal Kit NEW
Speedball takes the opposite approach by packaging writing tools with its journal. The set includes an Executive Fountain Pen, a 5.5 x 5.5-inch journal with 152 blank pages, two black ink cartridges, and an ink converter that lets you add your own ink. That bundle is the concrete reason to choose it when a fountain pen writing setup needs to start with more than paper. Its limitation is the journal format: 5.5 x 5.5 inches is not the A5 format named in the Yu-sari title, so shoppers committed to A5 should choose accordingly. The paper is called soft and delicate, a different description from Yu-sari's ultra-smooth, quick-drying paper; neither description alone establishes a universal winner.
Final choice by use case
For a paper-first fountain pen journal, choose the Yu-sari notebook if its smooth, quick-drying paper and plain format match the way you write. For a purchase that needs a fountain pen and ink components alongside the journal, choose Speedball. If price is the deciding factor, the $7.69 spread points toward Speedball; if the notebook surface is the deciding factor, Yu-sari gives that priority a clearer focus.
