Notebook Review: Mark’s Inc. EDiT B7 Grid Notebook (320pp)

While attending the DC Pen Show, I had an opportunity to participate in a survey at the Pilot USA table. The tam at Pilot was asking attendees to compare to types of paper using various pens and asked a series of questions as to why we preferred one over the other. Upon completing the survey and giving the team my preference, I was given a small notebook with the paper I liked best as a thanks for participating.

The Paper:

The paper I preferred was the Mark’s EDiT  and the notebook I received was a petite B7 semi size (70x120mm) with 320 pages and 5mm grid. The notebook includes a clear plastic cover with a slide zip pocket on the front to tuck business cards, stickers or other ephemera and protect the pocket-sized notebook.

The paper is warm white and thin and incredibly good with fountain pens. I found it a little smoother than your average Tomoe River 52gsm but at least as thin as Midori MD, maybe thinner. The only information I could find about the paper describes it as “original planner paper ‘NEO AGENDA for EDiT’, 52.3gsm”.

The paper is very reminiscent of Tomoe River, it’s lightweight, thin and takes fountain pen ink very well. I did not dump gallons of ink on the paper so I don’t know if there would be a lot of bleed or showthrough if you chose to use a book like this for ink testing or sampling. For general writing and note-taking, it performed above expectations with minor show through as would be expected for paper this thin but no actual bleed through and no feathering with any of the pens and ink I tried.

I did not see any sheening but I was not testing any inks that sheen particularly so I need to go back and check for that specifically. Because of the tiny form factor, it was hard to think of this tiny book as an ink testing tool so I forgot to try it — you know, for science.

The Notebook itself:

Regarding this specific size and format–  the B7 semi-size notebook with the plastic protective cover — I discovered over the weeks testing it that I really liked the form factor. While I have not added anything in the zip pouch cover, I suspect that it will be a great place to tuck a sticker, business card or little bits of ephemera. Because this little notebook has 320 pages, it can be used for some time so I think the plastic cover will keep the paperboard cover from disintegrating in the bottom of my pocket, bag or glovebox.

The notebook features a stitched binding covered with book binding tape for stability without added bulk so the notebook will easily lay flat. The printed grid is 5mm and light enough to use with a range of nib widths and ink colors without being distracting. There is a solid line about 7-8mm in from the top and side to create a place for a date or title at the top and a checklist or number down the side.

The Tiny Notebook Revolution

I don’t often use notebooks so small they fit in the palm of my hand but, as an alternative to grabbing my phone, this is a great solution. I’ve been wanting to reduce my online time and I am really thinking that this little B7 semi-size notebook is my gateway.

It has changed my thinking about some notetaking. I have started carrying this teeny tiny notebook with a pen loop (simple gel pen in the loop) around with my wallet and/or phone and it has been a great way to have that tactile experience of grabbing something to “browse” without doom scrolling. Instead of logging into Instagram, I am pulling this EDiT notebook out and brainstorming, writing lists and reminders instead. I am carrying it with me at all times to write things down that I want to remember or look up later. So instead of immediately grabbing my phone to look up who starred in some movie I saw 10 years ago, I write it down. Maybe I look it up later, maybe I don’t but I have captured the thought. Isn’t that what bullet journal and “trusted systems” are all about?

Final Thoughts:

When I started to write this review, I was not expecting it to revolutionize my life but I think it did. I don’t think there’s higher praise, do you?

Eventually, I would love to try an A5 or B6 size of the EDiT notebook and really expand the usage since the paper is so lovely. But for now, I am falling in love with this little EDiT B7 semi notebook in ways I hadn’t imagined.

The good news is that starting in 2026 (hopefully), Pilot USA will be distributing Mark’s EDiT to the US market. US distribution will make this delightful paper option easier to get on this side of the pond. At present, I am not finding any shops that are currently carrying the EDiT B7 semi-size notebook so maybe I need to stock it in the shop? Let me know in the comments if you’re interested in trying it out for yourself.

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DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by Pilot Pens USA for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.