I loved hearing you say you prefer non-leather because of sustainability and animal cruelty! I didn't know your stance on this and I see a lot of enthusiasm in BuJo groups about real leather notebooks, which made me wonder if I was alone in this, haha.
The Staples Comp books are actually pretty darn good for a grid notebook for under 2 dollars. I stock up when I buy my boys school supplies. They are usually cheapest then. I think it's a great "starter/minimal investment" notebook. Thank you for the excellent reviews with my morning coffee. And seeing as it's Veteran's Day, please Thank Mr. Boho Berry for his service.
I actually found one that i bought from them in 2006 and compared it to one they sold more recently, and the paper quality of the 2006 was better, how sad is that... I now wish I had bought more when they were at $2.99
I love how detailed you are with the comparison! So many things I hadn't even thought of but are actually important. I always only check the binding of the notebook and the price but I never stop to think about paper quality or additional features
Thanks so much for this! I have decided to continue with bullet journaling into 2017 and was looking for a hardbound notebook with Tomoe River paper. You answered that question for me! I see that the Seven Seas Crossfield A5 is not available until late November so will stalk their site until I can order!
I personally have just started bullet journaling in a limited edition Peter Pan Moleskine notebook which is lined. I know a lot of people think that the ruled notebooks aren't good for bullet journaling but I have personally not have any problems with it. I just wanted to say this just in case anyone was not wanting to start bullet journaling in a ruled notebook. Go for it! I haven't had any problems so far and don't see myself having any. P.S I loved the video Kara, thank you for making such great content!
I do love my Leuchtturm notebooks, but I have a high opinion of the Peter Pauper Press notebooks, as well. I want to love Moleskine, but the German in me is offended by their failure to be A5. Incidentally, the Peter Pauper Press notebooks are available in black and red, plain, ruled, quad, and as of next month, dotted. I just bought a few Leuchtturm notebooks and I still have two unused red ruled Peter Pauper Press notebooks, so I won't be getting one, but I did see that Amazon has it available as of sometime in December.
This is a wonderfully informative video. Thank you for taking the time (and spending the money) to review all of these notebooks. Well worth the 38+ minute run time. I especially appreciate your thoughts on such seemingly minuscule things such as ribbon length and the covers' proclivity to retain indentations...details which are important to consider.
Wow! Thank you for a great comparison review! I fell in love with my Rhodia dot grid A5 (in fact, I just received 2 more of them today!) for use as my bullet journal. I'm having fun with it. I love the way it doesn't feather or bleed and barely ghosts. I'm new at all of this, so it seems I've bought a little bit of everything. I'm trying to narrow it down to what really works for me, but a couple of those notebooks are really tempting ! These have become my new obsession, and I learn so much from you ! oh, and yes, the bookmark is too short, and I'd love to have 2 bookmarks! 😀
This was a great video. I really appreciate all the detail that you put into it. As someone who does not have a favorite notebook, I've been trying to find one that I like and it's helpful to have this for a comparison. It would be awesome if you could do more different notebooks some time in the future.
I really loved this. I was looking at the lined Crossfield for when I write my first book, mostly for the amount of pages, and I appreciated your review of their paper and notebook quality.
You should try the "scribbles that matter" journal. I'm new to bullet journaling but from what I can see my scribbles that matter journal is somewhat similar to the leuchtturm. I'm really enjoying mine. 😊
Hi Kara. As usual, an absolutely great post! I love how thorough you are a the great variety of notebooks you reviewed. I might have to try more than one. Thanks for all the great info. You are a consulate professional!
I am 14 and am super busy with acting, singing and dancing and then to chuck school on top. You gave me the idea to start bullet journaling and it has helped so much. In Australia you start High school in grade 7 and the work load is pretty tough to tackle with being a triple major as well. Thankyou for encouraging me to be more organised it has helped so much💖
Another terrific video, Kara. You hit on many I've wondered about after reading comments on Reddit. And thanks for providing more details on the Baron Fig pen test in the comments! ;-) Also thanks for confirming my experience with Tomoe River paper. I found out Nanami will sell you a small sample set of loose paper sheets so you can try it out before investing in a Seven Seas or Crossfield notebook. I'm winding up my 3rd LT1917 and, although I love them for many of the reasons you mentioned, the ivory paper and slight ghosting is beginning to get to me. So when I start a new notebook c. May 1917, I'm considering (a) Black and Red, or (b) a big ol' Miquelrius. Now I know I should look for the Peter Pauper Essentials also. I love the Black & Red paper for fountain pens, but it only comes in lined versions. As for the Miquelrius, I'm thinking I should have bought a thinner version! But the 300--leaf/600-page A5 gridded was such a bargain at B&N that I snapped it up.
Cool video. I know this was all graph notebooks, but I really don't like graph paper. My bullet journal is in a plain Moleskine that is a limited edition Batman version. It's worked out very well for me, even though plain paper scares some people, when it comes to bullet journaling. I find it great for drawing, if I want to make a small sketch of something that happened that day. I guess graph paper reminds me of math, and I just never liked it, even before bullet journals. ;)
I use a plain notebook too (in Brazil dot grid notebooks are expensive, so I just use plain notebooks for bullet journal)... I feel so free to draw, sketch, journaling, everything! Its so good!
I got the flu from my brother which makes your body feel really weak and makes you sleep a lot. So unfortunately I slept through most of the video, but the parts that I did see we're amazing. Keep up the amazing work !!!!!😀
Wow! Thank you so much for the wonderful tests you did on each of the notebooks. I have learned many details about journaling from you. This is pretty scientific! Great job!
I bought an Essentials Blank Notebook for my brother for Christmas and, after watching this video, I totally want to get on of the dot-grid ones once they're available!
Wow, such a thorough comparison, I appreciate all your information and detailed descriptions. Thanks for taking the time to do this, I know how overwhelming these types of videos can be!! :-)
Thank you for this video. I started BuJo back in late June and I'm still going. I got a cheap $5 journal from Kmart and for next year I'm going to upgrade to something a bit fancier. :) I'm thinking of trying a Nuuna.
For the composition notebooks. It's a little time consuming but I glued two pages together to make sure the paper was thick enough for doodling and art journaling while I bullet journal. Just in case someone still wants to use a cheaper notebook. I decorated my cover as well to personalize it. But glue stick two pages together allows for even acrylic paint. This was an awesome review!!!
i used to live for Moleskine, its a wonderful product but I have learned to enjoy thicker paper. Right now I enjoy Rettacy, Paperage, and Emoshi notebooks all purchased from Amazon, and a very good price point as well.
I wish, I could give this video two more likes. I love these kinds of videos! Even though I live too far away to have acess to most of these notebooks.
You should also review the Shinola Detroit journals. They come in grid, blank, and lined. I'm in love with them- pretty colors and free monogramming! The quality is really nice in my opinion and the price point is comparable to the other popular brands.
Wow thank you so much for your in-depth review. I know it takes time to do this. I really appreciate how you mentioned on the Rhodia that in case you're left-handed and smudging... Thank you again for your efforts!!
I love the 'ghosting' part along with the bleed on pages. It's really helpful. Thank you, love the full details on your pens, journal brands, pages, bleeds gawd did i just 'loved' everything 😝
My first bullet journal was in a quad-ruled composition book. It is actually really nice for someone that can't afford a whole lot, but not very convenient to carry around (unless you're a student with a backpack.) The more compatible pens tend to be the cheaper ballpoints like Pentel, Zebra, Bic, as well as gel pens (like the Pilot G-2) of various brands. Gel highlighters also work well. For color, gel pens or colored pencils (but there can sometimes be color transfer from rubbing with colored pencils.) The pages are so roomy to write on, but I've since switched to smaller journals for convenience.
I have the essentials notebook by peter pauper press and I love it. That weird bleed through is something I didn't notice for a while. It depends on how heavily you color. But I usually don't have much of a bleed through problem
Thank you for this video -- I found it so helpful to know about the options that are out there for dotted and graph notebooks!! It must have taken you a lot of time - I'm very grateful - right now I'm using a soft cover dotted moleskine for my first bullet journal but I do believe Santa is going to bring me a dotted Leuchtturm. :)
I'm just starting my BUJO journey and you have been a great inspiration, I love that you really stay true to what the bullet journal is meant to be while adding all the creative flairs! When i went out to get my first dot journal I just went to my local craft store because I figured they would have a lot of options for graph/dot journals and I found the Fabriano brand journals. They use a 4mm dot grid paper and i fell in love with this size grid, the only problem is that it is a glued spine and flipping through frequently causes pages to tear out. I know it doesn't seem like a big difference to go from a 4 to a 5 mm grid but i've found that the 5 mm have less space and don't fit my handwriting quite as well.. I've looked high and low and can't seem to find a stitch bound 4mm book.. do you know of any resources I could look into or have you stumbled on anything like this?
Hey Boho Berry, Love the reviews really helpful. Im in my final year and really would love a copy of the Crossfields 1st edition. Unfortunately its now no longer in manufacture. Would you consider a sale of your copy? Cheeky I know but I'm obsessed with its look. Thanks again for your videos!
Just FYI, all the Nuunas have that kind of dot grid. I love it for that though! It's such a good way to get smaller spaces between 'modules' in my spreads :)
Not exactly! The Graphic L sized Nuuna has a smaller dot grid than normal as well but I believe it's 4mm per square compared to the 2.5mm with the mini. It's 40 across and 56 down with the Graphic L size. I love it! But I do want to try a Graphic S sized with the mini dot grid ☺️
I loved this video! Just seeing a whole bunch of notebooks together was great, I love the visual. Do you have a plan of what are you gonna do with all those notebooks?
Great video! I'll have to buy a new notebook pretty soon, so this video is really helpful :) I was wondering what you are going to do with all these notebook? Future bullet journals? :D
Howdy I like this video - especially with the skip times - very helpful! I prefer the Essentials Peter Pauper Press grid notebooks, as someone else mentioned. I've tried composition books (just bought Staples and CVS lined), Rhodia, Moleskine, Artist's Loft Journals (from Michael's) and many more brands too numerous to mention. Peter Pauper Press notebooks are the winners to me. They are reasonably priced, sturdy paper, and almost no bleed through or ghosting. I love blank books, since my grandmother an opera singer / world traveler, gave me my first one as a child. I wrote my first short story in that book! Keep up the good work.
This was so helpful in knowing which notebook to choose. I am a newbie so I'm starting with a regular composition notebook, (I have a bunch I use for writing! :) ), and RSVP pens in different colors. I am LOVING bullet journaling, but I need to practice my doodling and getting creative on my pages so they're not boring lol!
I have Nuuna notebook, both in A6 and A5 size. I'm using A6 as my bullet journal right now. I think the dot grid is a bit small for me, but I'm sticking to it couse I hate not finnishing a notebook. I write kind of small so it's ok for me, but if you have large handwriting it could be a problem. I'm looking forward to try the A5 size next. That one has a bit larger dot grid. I found mine on sale here i Norway, and i picked up two A5 with qoutes from Douglas Adams. My favourite author. :D The small one, that I'm using now, has "Write" in the front and "wrong" on the back. :) Thank you for this informative video. I wish I could get my hands on The seven sea writer. I love Tomoe River paper. But I enjoy watching these videos, so pleas keep it up making these notebook videos for us to enjoy. :D Sorry if my english is bad. Lis from Norway.
There is a notebook brand that you should look into. It's more affordable like the composition books however the paper quality is higher. It's Studio C. I use them for school. They are spiral bound and come in a bunch of cute covers. Most importantly they hold up to my fountain pens. Barely any ghosting and no bleed through. I discovered them by accident one semester and now I use them exclusively for note taking. I have found them at Target during the back to school season and at Staples and other office supply stores year round.
Love your Time Stamps, in the description...thanks again, for another homerun video. can't figure out why moleskine is a million dollar business...with all the complaints about there products...LOL cheers
Loved this Kara and thanks for keeping it honest about what you liked and didn't like about each. Especially love that you used the Noodlers Ahab Flex in your tests. I have that pen and it is soooooo juicy. I've yet to master how to properly use it or how to get past the smell of it. :-). Loved seeing a few new notebooks I've not used or seen before (especially the Baron Fig). Thanks!!!!
Thank you for this video! My current bullet journal is the one I started with, which is a plain ol composition notebook. I've been looking around for better notebooks to upgrade to when I finish mine, and I have a nice list from this video :)
hey, thank you so much for this video!!! it is so informative, a lot off the notebooks i've even never heard about!!! just one question: what is the name off the flat binding? i could understand very well :)
The TOPFLIGHT composition book is really good for fountain pens, $1.5 each at Fred Meyer but their other products vary. Pay attention to where the paper is made, only buy these made in Vietnam if you want to use a fountain pen. Mead composition book is also really good, but they have a coating which sometimes inconsistent and result in strange skipping. Other than that is very well behaved. I bought mine in 2016 and these are also made in Vietnam.
I actually use an Unni. Don't have too much info on the brand, and I really don't have much to compare it to because this is my first bullet journal. I got it on Amazon for like $6, and for me, the price is usually the deciding factor in choosing a notebook. Even if I have to use regular ball-point pens (which are also generally cheaper than the more fancier pens). But I guess you can call my bujo a minimalist-style. Few pages are aesthetically pleasing but it certainly helps in organizing my slightly ADD brain:)
Love your videos and your designs. I am a Recovering addict my children's father has passed away and all I want is a way to get back organized and my life back together. I just moved out a homeless shelter but have lost my job due to no transportation so no money at all any tips or ideas.
Pilot G-2 is gel, not ballpoint. 😉 Also, a great way to make the thinner covers on the composition notebooks durable is covering with clear packing tape or clear contact paper.
Hi great video. I love stationery and I have a massive collection of notebooks. Half of which I never use lol. With the top notebook, the Nunni one do you know if they ship to the uk. Did you have to pay customs charge for it also? xx
I'm having such a hard time trying to decide on a notebook. I'm just wondering if everyone on UA-cam is sponsored by Luechtrum because the Amazon reviews are shit. I'm so confused 😅 I think I'm gonna have to go with the essentials because the leuchttrum I wanted was the olive one and it's currently $27 😔
Most of the negative Amazon reviews are about the method of shipping that the US distribution centers use for Leuchtturms, especially the softcover ones. The actual notebooks are fantastic. I'm no UA-camr or blogger, but I have two LTs (B5 emerald dotted and A4 red master classic) and I love them! I want to start bullet journaling just so I have an excuse to buy them in more colors 🤣
Wow! Thanks for this great review, Kara! I love the Crossfield!! The Japanese are famous for their thin paper for inking, of course. I want one!! Otherwise, being German, I love the Leuchtturm paper and books (I also have a sketchbook) and also the Rhodia paper. I have an A5 block and it's super smooove! ;-) I'm so happy, I'm not the only super fussy person on earth! Hugs Chrissie
I love the Mead graph composition notebooks and the ONLY time I can find them is right before school starts in the fall and I get them at Target. Walmart has graph composition books (not Mead) but the paper is bad and so I can only use them if I am only using a ballpoint pen. Unfortunately, I didn't know this until I had bought a bunch.
The Crossfield is sold out! 😫 but will return soon... I hope they sell covers! That notebook would last me 2 years! The Baron Fog seems similar to Moleskine in size... I appreciate that you showed graph composition notebooks! I wish you had some MUJI notebooks!
I've been trying to get my hands on a specific nuuna book but shipping from there to the US is more expensive then the books itself... would you be able to tell us how you were able to purchase yours? I just need one but I would not pay more than $45 😅
Very helpful! Has shown me that I don't think -my- "perfect" notebook yet exists. If you ever do another one of these (because there are still *more* notebooks to test ;)) please test correction tape as well -- my biggest concern that I don't see tested a lot is how white the pages are compared to the white of most correction tapes. Thanks!
Heya, great video and thank you. You mentiomed sustainability with the leatherbound notebook. In reference to this do any of these notebooks mention paper sources and hpw sustainable that is?
2019: Great presentation! Do you know of any that have 'blank pages' (other than leuchtturm and rhodia)? id like to find some that i could get more for (not really less) but I could have the option to get two if I need (or want) to...... I run through them cause I take Notes Like a high school and college student put together (mainly scribbles of ideas and references if you will)..... I know for sure baronfig wont be an honorable mention (as you have cited its performance referenced similar to moleskine's bleeding and ghosting [ ohh had I bought so many of them!!!!! BIG REGRET... my fountain pens hate me for it!]
Minor note... I know this information was available on the pen test pages themselves, but I would love to hear the nib sizes while you're describing your fountain pens as well.
Staples also has a fairly inexpensive squared graph composition book. It is my favorite as it has 4mm squares and not the 5mm. Translates to I can get more on a page than a 5mm! lol It is the Staples brand.
I didn't get a chance to read through all of the comments so I don't know if this was touched on, but do you have any suggestions for Binder style notebooks to use? I am arriving way late to this party and started to do some research on Bujo The one thing I noticed from all of the videos that I watched, is how much work and upkeep goes into these journals. I think it would be nice to be able to take some of the pages out from previous notebooks and add into your new ones. Also, I see that some of the specialty pages (such as inspirational quotes, 10 ring round thingy you did, which I am so gonna do) are scattered through-out the page. I want to be able to rearrange my pages as I create. Any advise for this first time user? Also, just wanted to add; I ❤❤ your videos. Very informative and to the point. Love it!
Wow! This was an awesome video. Thanks so much for all this information. Also, I love that it was an actual mega comparison, it wasn't just a title... Great job, as always ;P
I'm having serious issues with page bleed, especially since I use a fountain pen in my diaries :c Does anyone have a favourite of these journals they can recommend to me? Thank you for posting this video!
Wow great comparison video Kara. In case you didn't know, Peter Pauper Press are releasing a dotted notebook in december. That's going to be my next bujo and I'm so excited for it to arrive! Currently using the grid version. Also hoarding a leuchtturm, rhodia and another grid PPP just in case :-p
Gemma F Thanks for sharing that info! I like the square grid, but really want to try a dot grid next. I love the quality & good price on the PPP notebooks. :)
I wouldn't worry about the notebook harming animals. As long as it's steer leather, the animals are not killed for leather, they're killed for food. Leather is just a byproduct of this process. If no one buys things that use steer leather, the hides will just be thrown away, and part of the animal will be waster. The best way to think about it is to understand you're making sure as much of the animal as possible is being used. There are animals killed just for the fancy leather their hides make, and these are the ones you should avoid, if you're worried about harming animals because of the product you buy. As for the notebooks, Rhodia paper is coated with a powdered ceramic material, which is why it feels so incredibly smooth. Composition notebooks come in several qualities, based on who makes them. I have a couple of brands that don't even ghost with the wettest pens, and others than bleed with almost any kind of ink. I have one type of composition book that cost seventy-nine cents, but the paper feels like Rhodia, and it never feathers of ghosts, regardless of the ink or fountain pen I use. Unfortunately, it has no brand name on it anywhere, so I have no idea how to find more. I really don't like Leuchtturm paper. Maybe it's the pens and inks I use, but it ghosts so bad I can't use both sides. 52 gsm Tomoe River is even worse. When I can't use both sides of the paper, it essentially doubles the price of a notebook. On the other hand, 68 gsm Tomoe is the best paper for writing letters I've found anywhere. The one thing I wish you would do in such reviews is say whether a notebook is available ruled or blank. I detest grid paper of any kind for writing, whether regular grid, or dot grid, I hate it. Even worse is French ruled with three types of lines going in every direction. Moleskin notebooks are very nice for regular pens, but I tried two with fountain pens and the paper feathered and ghosted terribly. I did watch a video where a reviewer said that Moleskin paper is better for fountain pens than it used to be, but I haven't yet been anywhere to buy a new one. It's all personal preference, but it would be nice to know the options available with each notebook. I've used Rhodia, Tomoe, Moleskin, and Leuchtturm, and many brands of composition books of course, but the others are a mystery to me.
My first bullet journal was a dot grid piccadilly, i had that issue with the covers being “too soft” and it kept the markings of the rubber band snd the clip when i used them, but my cover bounced back.. 😕
Kara if you have a bullet journal that you use for bills and such please upload a vid for that or at least sample pages! I'm moving out on my own soon and want to stay organized !! Pleaseeeeee
Hi Kara, thanks so much for that great comparison video! Really appreciate all the work you put into it. The only thing missing at the end when you talked about the baron fig confidant: the bleeding and ghosting part. Or did I just miss it? As for me it was a really interesting notebook - would you mind adding that information? x x x
Sorry about that! I noticed it when I had already uploaded the video. The Baron Fig was on par with the Leuchtturm when it comes to ghosting and bleedthrough if that helps. Another commenter said that the Baron Fig is 90gsm, so that would make sense :)
I am in Australia and we have had the Piccadilly Essentials ones. They come in other colours here but unsure where you are as to it being black only. I haven't seen them here for about four months in my local store but I have found similar ones by the store. (if you know what I mean) Mine was lined though, so maybe only the grid is black cover.
Just FYI that Nuuna uses ONLY leather remnants for their notebooks, and they do offer a notebook cover made out of jean label material. Keep doing what you're doing :)
I had like a 7 year exclusive relationship with the soft cover Moleskine blank notebooks, but I tried out a Leuchturm dotted grid this year and I feel terrible cos I love it so much! It feels like I’m cheating or breaking up with Moleskine
I loved hearing you say you prefer non-leather because of sustainability and animal cruelty! I didn't know your stance on this and I see a lot of enthusiasm in BuJo groups about real leather notebooks, which made me wonder if I was alone in this, haha.
Sabine Metz I thought the same thing 😊 that's why I love the vegan bullet journal group I'm in on Facebook!
I have the same issue!! As a vegan it is so hard to find vegan notebook and planners
Plant Based Bride what is the group name please?
I'd love to know too! so many of the travellers notebooks too are leather and tey are beautiful but not something I want to own.
-.-
The Staples Comp books are actually pretty darn good for a grid notebook for under 2 dollars. I stock up when I buy my boys school supplies. They are usually cheapest then. I think it's a great "starter/minimal investment" notebook. Thank you for the excellent reviews with my morning coffee. And seeing as it's Veteran's Day, please Thank Mr. Boho Berry for his service.
Thanks Angel, I'll pass on your thanks to my husband for sure :)
Ooh, I didn't know they come with grid paper. I will get some today. Thanks!
I actually found one that i bought from them in 2006 and compared it to one they sold more recently, and the paper quality of the 2006 was better, how sad is that... I now wish I had bought more when they were at $2.99
I love how detailed you are with the comparison! So many things I hadn't even thought of but are actually important. I always only check the binding of the notebook and the price but I never stop to think about paper quality or additional features
Thanks so much for this! I have decided to continue with bullet journaling into 2017 and was looking for a hardbound notebook with Tomoe River paper. You answered that question for me! I see that the Seven Seas Crossfield A5 is not available until late November so will stalk their site until I can order!
I personally have just started bullet journaling in a limited edition Peter Pan Moleskine notebook which is lined. I know a lot of people think that the ruled notebooks aren't good for bullet journaling but I have personally not have any problems with it. I just wanted to say this just in case anyone was not wanting to start bullet journaling in a ruled notebook. Go for it! I haven't had any problems so far and don't see myself having any.
P.S I loved the video Kara, thank you for making such great content!
I agree I dont see why people hate on lined pages for bullet journaling
But I do use dotted journals
I do love my Leuchtturm notebooks, but I have a high opinion of the Peter Pauper Press notebooks, as well. I want to love Moleskine, but the German in me is offended by their failure to be A5. Incidentally, the Peter Pauper Press notebooks are available in black and red, plain, ruled, quad, and as of next month, dotted. I just bought a few Leuchtturm notebooks and I still have two unused red ruled Peter Pauper Press notebooks, so I won't be getting one, but I did see that Amazon has it available as of sometime in December.
This is a wonderfully informative video. Thank you for taking the time (and spending the money) to review all of these notebooks. Well worth the 38+ minute run time. I especially appreciate your thoughts on such seemingly minuscule things such as ribbon length and the covers' proclivity to retain indentations...details which are important to consider.
Wow! Thank you for a great comparison review! I fell in love with my Rhodia dot grid A5 (in fact, I just received 2 more of them today!) for use as my bullet journal. I'm having fun with it. I love the way it doesn't feather or bleed and barely ghosts. I'm new at all of this, so it seems I've bought a little bit of everything. I'm trying to narrow it down to what really works for me, but a couple of those notebooks are really tempting ! These have become my new obsession, and I learn so much from you ! oh, and yes, the bookmark is too short, and I'd love to have 2 bookmarks! 😀
This was a great video. I really appreciate all the detail that you put into it. As someone who does not have a favorite notebook, I've been trying to find one that I like and it's helpful to have this for a comparison. It would be awesome if you could do more different notebooks some time in the future.
I really loved this. I was looking at the lined Crossfield for when I write my first book, mostly for the amount of pages, and I appreciated your review of their paper and notebook quality.
You should try the "scribbles that matter" journal. I'm new to bullet journaling but from what I can see my scribbles that matter journal is somewhat similar to the leuchtturm. I'm really enjoying mine. 😊
Hi Kara. As usual, an absolutely great post! I love how thorough you are a the great variety of notebooks you reviewed. I might have to try more than one. Thanks for all the great info. You are a consulate professional!
I honestly love this channel. I started my own BuJo, and started posting my own BuJo plan with me's. Been amazing so far!
I am 14 and am super busy with acting, singing and dancing and then to chuck school on top. You gave me the idea to start bullet journaling and it has helped so much. In Australia you start High school in grade 7 and the work load is pretty tough to tackle with being a triple major as well. Thankyou for encouraging me to be more organised it has helped so much💖
Thanks for this. I decided to get the essentials one. Can't wait until it comes in.
Hi, you did not show the back of the page for the Barron Fig.
Possible reply on the ghosting and bleed-through please?
Oh my goodness, you're right! The ghosting on the Baron Fig was on par with the Leuchtturm, with little to no bleeding except for the Ahab flex pen.
Nice! Thanks so much for the response. =D
I'm so glad this was asked & you responded. Thanks.
oh yeah, I was also going to ask about that! Good to know the answer! :)
same as moleskine because it has the same quality in its paper
Another terrific video, Kara. You hit on many I've wondered about after reading comments on Reddit. And thanks for providing more details on the Baron Fig pen test in the comments! ;-) Also thanks for confirming my experience with Tomoe River paper. I found out Nanami will sell you a small sample set of loose paper sheets so you can try it out before investing in a Seven Seas or Crossfield notebook.
I'm winding up my 3rd LT1917 and, although I love them for many of the reasons you mentioned, the ivory paper and slight ghosting is beginning to get to me. So when I start a new notebook c. May 1917, I'm considering (a) Black and Red, or (b) a big ol' Miquelrius. Now I know I should look for the Peter Pauper Essentials also.
I love the Black & Red paper for fountain pens, but it only comes in lined versions. As for the Miquelrius, I'm thinking I should have bought a thinner version! But the 300--leaf/600-page A5 gridded was such a bargain at B&N that I snapped it up.
Cool video. I know this was all graph notebooks, but I really don't like graph paper. My bullet journal is in a plain Moleskine that is a limited edition Batman version. It's worked out very well for me, even though plain paper scares some people, when it comes to bullet journaling. I find it great for drawing, if I want to make a small sketch of something that happened that day. I guess graph paper reminds me of math, and I just never liked it, even before bullet journals. ;)
We all have our preferences, for sure. The great thing is that most if not all of these come in blank and lined as well :)
I use a plain notebook too (in Brazil dot grid notebooks are expensive, so I just use plain notebooks for bullet journal)... I feel so free to draw, sketch, journaling, everything! Its so good!
I wish there were more videos like this for sketchbooks
victoria garcia i agree! 😩
I got the flu from my brother which makes your body feel really weak and makes you sleep a lot. So unfortunately I slept through most of the video, but the parts that I did see we're amazing. Keep up the amazing work !!!!!😀
Wow! Thank you so much for the wonderful tests you did on each of the notebooks. I have learned many details about journaling from you. This is pretty scientific! Great job!
Wow Kara!! That was a huge job! Thank you for taking the time and share all this information
I bought an Essentials Blank Notebook for my brother for Christmas and, after watching this video, I totally want to get on of the dot-grid ones once they're available!
Thanks for this review!! It opened my eyes to different notebooks which is awesome, I do now want to try a few so thank you for the links!
I've realized I'm a journal snob & very particular. 😆 Loved this video though. I found out about journals I've never heard of before.
Wow, such a thorough comparison, I appreciate all your information and detailed descriptions. Thanks for taking the time to do this, I know how overwhelming these types of videos can be!! :-)
Thank you for this video.
I started BuJo back in late June and I'm still going. I got a cheap $5 journal from Kmart and for next year I'm going to upgrade to something a bit fancier. :) I'm thinking of trying a Nuuna.
Moleskine was meant for drawings, sketches sudden inspired, not for bullet journaling.
That said, my favourite one is... Rhodia! Great video!
For the composition notebooks. It's a little time consuming but I glued two pages together to make sure the paper was thick enough for doodling and art journaling while I bullet journal. Just in case someone still wants to use a cheaper notebook. I decorated my cover as well to personalize it. But glue stick two pages together allows for even acrylic paint. This was an awesome review!!!
i used to live for Moleskine, its a wonderful product but I have learned to enjoy thicker paper. Right now I enjoy Rettacy, Paperage, and Emoshi notebooks all purchased from Amazon, and a very good price point as well.
This video was SO helpful! Thank you so much for taking the time to film such an informative video!
I wish, I could give this video two more likes. I love these kinds of videos! Even though I live too far away to have acess to most of these notebooks.
You should also review the Shinola Detroit journals. They come in grid, blank, and lined. I'm in love with them- pretty colors and free monogramming! The quality is really nice in my opinion and the price point is comparable to the other popular brands.
Wow thank you so much for your in-depth review. I know it takes time to do this. I really appreciate how you mentioned on the Rhodia that in case you're left-handed and smudging... Thank you again for your efforts!!
You should check out paperblanks. Love their notebooks.
I love the 'ghosting' part along with the bleed on pages. It's really helpful. Thank you, love the full details on your pens, journal brands, pages, bleeds gawd did i just 'loved' everything 😝
My first bullet journal was in a quad-ruled composition book. It is actually really nice for someone that can't afford a whole lot, but not very convenient to carry around (unless you're a student with a backpack.) The more compatible pens tend to be the cheaper ballpoints like Pentel, Zebra, Bic, as well as gel pens (like the Pilot G-2) of various brands. Gel highlighters also work well. For color, gel pens or colored pencils (but there can sometimes be color transfer from rubbing with colored pencils.) The pages are so roomy to write on, but I've since switched to smaller journals for convenience.
I have the essentials notebook by peter pauper press and I love it. That weird bleed through is something I didn't notice for a while. It depends on how heavily you color. But I usually don't have much of a bleed through problem
Good to know! I think sometimes it depends on the particular color as well. I feel like some colors are more prone to bleeding than others :)
Wow! Thank you for comparing all of those notebooks! That was awesome!
This is a great comparison video. Thanks a bunch. Can you share the price for each notebook?
Baron Fig is 90gsm. I love their Vanguards!!
Thank you for this video -- I found it so helpful to know about the options that are out there for dotted and graph notebooks!! It must have taken you a lot of time - I'm very grateful - right now I'm using a soft cover dotted moleskine for my first bullet journal but I do believe Santa is going to bring me a dotted Leuchtturm. :)
I'm just starting my BUJO journey and you have been a great inspiration, I love that you really stay true to what the bullet journal is meant to be while adding all the creative flairs! When i went out to get my first dot journal I just went to my local craft store because I figured they would have a lot of options for graph/dot journals and I found the Fabriano brand journals. They use a 4mm dot grid paper and i fell in love with this size grid, the only problem is that it is a glued spine and flipping through frequently causes pages to tear out. I know it doesn't seem like a big difference to go from a 4 to a 5 mm grid but i've found that the 5 mm have less space and don't fit my handwriting quite as well.. I've looked high and low and can't seem to find a stitch bound 4mm book.. do you know of any resources I could look into or have you stumbled on anything like this?
But but but... You didn't show if there were ghosting or bleedthrough for the Confidant ☹️
Hey Boho Berry,
Love the reviews really helpful. Im in my final year and really would love a copy of the Crossfields 1st edition. Unfortunately its now no longer in manufacture. Would you consider a sale of your copy? Cheeky I know but I'm obsessed with its look.
Thanks again for your videos!
Just FYI, all the Nuunas have that kind of dot grid. I love it for that though! It's such a good way to get smaller spaces between 'modules' in my spreads :)
Not exactly! The Graphic L sized Nuuna has a smaller dot grid than normal as well but I believe it's 4mm per square compared to the 2.5mm with the mini. It's 40 across and 56 down with the Graphic L size. I love it! But I do want to try a Graphic S sized with the mini dot grid ☺️
I loved this video! Just seeing a whole bunch of notebooks together was great, I love the visual.
Do you have a plan of what are you gonna do with all those notebooks?
Great video! Maybe you could include it in the BJ 101 video playlist as well, I'm sure other beginners like me could appreciate it!
Fantastic and thorough comparisons. I wasn't familiar w Baron Fig. Thanks for sharing.
I purchased the Piccadilly in tan today at my local books a million. There were some in red, gray, and black as well. I agree about the indentation.
Great video! I'll have to buy a new notebook pretty soon, so this video is really helpful :) I was wondering what you are going to do with all these notebook? Future bullet journals? :D
Howdy I like this video - especially with the skip times - very helpful! I prefer the Essentials Peter Pauper Press grid notebooks, as someone else mentioned. I've tried composition books (just bought Staples and CVS lined), Rhodia, Moleskine, Artist's Loft Journals (from Michael's) and many more brands too numerous to mention. Peter Pauper Press notebooks are the winners to me. They are reasonably priced, sturdy paper, and almost no bleed through or ghosting. I love blank books, since my grandmother an opera singer / world traveler, gave me my first one as a child. I wrote my first short story in that book! Keep up the good work.
This was so helpful in knowing which notebook to choose. I am a newbie so I'm starting with a regular composition notebook, (I have a bunch I use for writing! :) ), and RSVP pens in different colors. I am LOVING bullet journaling, but I need to practice my doodling and getting creative on my pages so they're not boring lol!
I have Nuuna notebook, both in A6 and A5 size. I'm using A6 as my bullet journal right now.
I think the dot grid is a bit small for me, but I'm sticking to it couse I hate not finnishing a notebook.
I write kind of small so it's ok for me, but if you have large handwriting it could be a problem.
I'm looking forward to try the A5 size next. That one has a bit larger dot grid. I found mine on sale here i Norway, and i picked up two A5 with qoutes from Douglas Adams. My favourite author. :D The small one, that I'm using now, has "Write" in the front and "wrong" on the back. :)
Thank you for this informative video. I wish I could get my hands on The seven sea writer. I love Tomoe River paper.
But I enjoy watching these videos, so pleas keep it up making these notebook videos for us to enjoy. :D
Sorry if my english is bad.
Lis from Norway.
There is a notebook brand that you should look into. It's more affordable like the composition books however the paper quality is higher. It's Studio C. I use them for school. They are spiral bound and come in a bunch of cute covers. Most importantly they hold up to my fountain pens. Barely any ghosting and no bleed through. I discovered them by accident one semester and now I use them exclusively for note taking. I have found them at Target during the back to school season and at Staples and other office supply stores year round.
Love your Time Stamps,
in the description...thanks again, for another homerun video.
can't figure out why moleskine is a million dollar business...with all the complaints about there products...LOL
cheers
Loved this Kara and thanks for keeping it honest about what you liked and didn't like about each. Especially love that you used the Noodlers Ahab Flex in your tests. I have that pen and it is soooooo juicy. I've yet to master how to properly use it or how to get past the smell of it. :-). Loved seeing a few new notebooks I've not used or seen before (especially the Baron Fig). Thanks!!!!
You're welcome Kiala! It took me a while to get used to the Ahab too. The smell does go away a little bit after a while :)
Thanks for this video - I was trying to decide between the 1917 and the Rhodia...
I loved watching this so, so much! Thank you for all your awesome inspiring videos!
Heh, my Baron Fig's Confident was a disappointment. Partly badly bound so it won't lie flat, paper feathers under my pens. I wanted to love it.
Thank you for this video! My current bullet journal is the one I started with, which is a plain ol composition notebook. I've been looking around for better notebooks to upgrade to when I finish mine, and I have a nice list from this video :)
xdarkness22x what is a composition book? I keep jearing about them but im not sure what they are 😊
hey, thank you so much for this video!!! it is so informative, a lot off the notebooks i've even never heard about!!! just one question: what is the name off the flat binding? i could understand very well :)
I really apreciated this video kara because idk much about notebooks...so thank youuuu😘 and from now on im gonna pen test my notebookks
The TOPFLIGHT composition book is really good for fountain pens, $1.5 each at Fred Meyer but their other products vary. Pay attention to where the paper is made, only buy these made in Vietnam if you want to use a fountain pen.
Mead composition book is also really good, but they have a coating which sometimes inconsistent and result in strange skipping. Other than that is very well behaved. I bought mine in 2016 and these are also made in Vietnam.
I actually use an Unni. Don't have too much info on the brand, and I really don't have much to compare it to because this is my first bullet journal. I got it on Amazon for like $6, and for me, the price is usually the deciding factor in choosing a notebook. Even if I have to use regular ball-point pens (which are also generally cheaper than the more fancier pens). But I guess you can call my bujo a minimalist-style. Few pages are aesthetically pleasing but it certainly helps in organizing my slightly ADD brain:)
Love your videos and your designs. I am a Recovering addict my children's father has passed away and all I want is a way to get back organized and my life back together. I just moved out a homeless shelter but have lost my job due to no transportation so no money at all any tips or ideas.
Pilot G-2 is gel, not ballpoint. 😉
Also, a great way to make the thinner covers on the composition notebooks durable is covering with clear packing tape or clear contact paper.
Hi great video. I love stationery and I have a massive collection of notebooks. Half of which I never use lol. With the top notebook, the Nunni one do you know if they ship to the uk. Did you have to pay customs charge for it also? xx
I'm having such a hard time trying to decide on a notebook. I'm just wondering if everyone on UA-cam is sponsored by Luechtrum because the Amazon reviews are shit. I'm so confused 😅 I think I'm gonna have to go with the essentials because the leuchttrum I wanted was the olive one and it's currently $27 😔
Most of the negative Amazon reviews are about the method of shipping that the US distribution centers use for Leuchtturms, especially the softcover ones. The actual notebooks are fantastic. I'm no UA-camr or blogger, but I have two LTs (B5 emerald dotted and A4 red master classic) and I love them! I want to start bullet journaling just so I have an excuse to buy them in more colors 🤣
I loved this video, thanks!! I'm absolutely with you on the length of the Rhodia bookmarks! Much too short!
Wow! Thanks for this great review, Kara! I love the Crossfield!! The Japanese are famous for their thin paper for inking, of course. I want one!! Otherwise, being German, I love the Leuchtturm paper and books (I also have a sketchbook) and also the Rhodia paper. I have an A5 block and it's super smooove! ;-) I'm so happy, I'm not the only super fussy person on earth! Hugs Chrissie
I love the Mead graph composition notebooks and the ONLY time I can find them is right before school starts in the fall and I get them at Target. Walmart has graph composition books (not Mead) but the paper is bad and so I can only use them if I am only using a ballpoint pen. Unfortunately, I didn't know this until I had bought a bunch.
The Crossfield is sold out! 😫 but will return soon... I hope they sell covers! That notebook would last me 2 years! The Baron Fog seems similar to Moleskine in size... I appreciate that you showed graph composition notebooks! I wish you had some MUJI notebooks!
tishushu i emailed namipaper... they are making a smaller seven seas cand calling it "cafe" size... possibly releasing in spring next year!
Could we see the back of the Baron Fig test page? Great review!!
I've been trying to get my hands on a specific nuuna book but shipping from there to the US is more expensive then the books itself... would you be able to tell us how you were able to purchase yours? I just need one but I would not pay more than $45 😅
Very helpful! Has shown me that I don't think -my- "perfect" notebook yet exists. If you ever do another one of these (because there are still *more* notebooks to test ;)) please test correction tape as well -- my biggest concern that I don't see tested a lot is how white the pages are compared to the white of most correction tapes. Thanks!
The composition grid books are a $1 at Wal-Mart. For that price I am willing to glue two pages together. Webster's Pages has adorable covers for them.
Hi Kara when will you post about your mega planning weekend?!!!!!!!!!!!! On tenterhooks ;)
Heya, great video and thank you. You mentiomed sustainability with the leatherbound notebook. In reference to this do any of these notebooks mention paper sources and hpw sustainable that is?
great video you are extremely knowledgeable about notebooks! thanks for taking the time to film it! :)
You're welcome! And thank you :)
2019: Great presentation! Do you know of any that have 'blank pages' (other than leuchtturm and rhodia)? id like to find some that i could get more for (not really less) but I could have the option to get two if I need (or want) to...... I run through them cause I take Notes Like a high school and college student put together (mainly scribbles of ideas and references if you will).....
I know for sure baronfig wont be an honorable mention (as you have cited its performance referenced similar to moleskine's bleeding and ghosting [ ohh had I bought so many of them!!!!! BIG REGRET... my fountain pens hate me for it!]
Minor note... I know this information was available on the pen test pages themselves, but I would love to hear the nib sizes while you're describing your fountain pens as well.
I have them listed in the companion blog post that is linked in the description as well :)
Staples also has a fairly inexpensive squared graph composition book. It is my favorite as it has 4mm squares and not the 5mm. Translates to I can get more on a page than a 5mm! lol It is the Staples brand.
BusyMomGoingCrazy does it bleed through other ghost very much?
I didn't get a chance to read through all of the comments so I don't know if this was touched on, but do you have any suggestions for Binder style notebooks to use? I am arriving way late to this party and started to do some research on Bujo The one thing I noticed from all of the videos that I watched, is how much work and upkeep goes into these journals. I think it would be nice to be able to take some of the pages out from previous notebooks and add into your new ones. Also, I see that some of the specialty pages (such as inspirational quotes, 10 ring round thingy you did, which I am so gonna do) are scattered through-out the page. I want to be able to rearrange my pages as I create. Any advise for this first time user? Also, just wanted to add; I ❤❤ your videos. Very informative and to the point. Love it!
Wow! This was an awesome video. Thanks so much for all this information. Also, I love that it was an actual mega comparison, it wasn't just a title... Great job, as always ;P
Thanks so much, Alba! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
I'm having serious issues with page bleed, especially since I use a fountain pen in my diaries :c Does anyone have a favourite of these journals they can recommend to me?
Thank you for posting this video!
I have the Lamy LX is the same color and I love it so much!!
I like the Journals that say ONE large Letters.. I can only find on Ebay and he wants like 3 or more that I got for 1 or less.. I Appreciate you
Wow great comparison video Kara. In case you didn't know, Peter Pauper Press are releasing a dotted notebook in december. That's going to be my next bujo and I'm so excited for it to arrive! Currently using the grid version. Also hoarding a leuchtturm, rhodia and another grid PPP just in case :-p
I did not know that, Gemma! Very cool! :)
Gemma F Thanks for sharing that info! I like the square grid, but really want to try a dot grid next. I love the quality & good price on the PPP notebooks. :)
Gemma F z
Gemma F I
Gemma F
Your handwriting is so beautiful omg
I wouldn't worry about the notebook harming animals. As long as it's steer leather, the animals are not killed for leather, they're killed for food. Leather is just a byproduct of this process. If no one buys things that use steer leather, the hides will just be thrown away, and part of the animal will be waster. The best way to think about it is to understand you're making sure as much of the animal as possible is being used.
There are animals killed just for the fancy leather their hides make, and these are the ones you should avoid, if you're worried about harming animals because of the product you buy.
As for the notebooks, Rhodia paper is coated with a powdered ceramic material, which is why it feels so incredibly smooth.
Composition notebooks come in several qualities, based on who makes them. I have a couple of brands that don't even ghost with the wettest pens, and others than bleed with almost any kind of ink. I have one type of composition book that cost seventy-nine cents, but the paper feels like Rhodia, and it never feathers of ghosts, regardless of the ink or fountain pen I use. Unfortunately, it has no brand name on it anywhere, so I have no idea how to find more.
I really don't like Leuchtturm paper. Maybe it's the pens and inks I use, but it ghosts so bad I can't use both sides. 52 gsm Tomoe River is even worse. When I can't use both sides of the paper, it essentially doubles the price of a notebook. On the other hand, 68 gsm Tomoe is the best paper for writing letters I've found anywhere.
The one thing I wish you would do in such reviews is say whether a notebook is available ruled or blank. I detest grid paper of any kind for writing, whether regular grid, or dot grid, I hate it. Even worse is French ruled with three types of lines going in every direction.
Moleskin notebooks are very nice for regular pens, but I tried two with fountain pens and the paper feathered and ghosted terribly. I did watch a video where a reviewer said that Moleskin paper is better for fountain pens than it used to be, but I haven't yet been anywhere to buy a new one.
It's all personal preference, but it would be nice to know the options available with each notebook. I've used Rhodia, Tomoe, Moleskin, and Leuchtturm, and many brands of composition books of course, but the others are a mystery to me.
Very good idea... here in Brazil we have a problem in finding dotted notebooks... grid is easier, but not that much..
My first bullet journal was a dot grid piccadilly, i had that issue with the covers being “too soft” and it kept the markings of the rubber band snd the clip when i used them, but my cover bounced back.. 😕
Kara if you have a bullet journal that you use for bills and such please upload a vid for that or at least sample pages! I'm moving out on my own soon and want to stay organized !! Pleaseeeeee
I don't do any financial planning in my Bullet Journal. I actually use an app called YNAB (youneedabudget.com) and I love it! Highly recommend them :)
+Boho Berry okay . thank you so much !
Hi Kara, thanks so much for that great comparison video! Really appreciate all the work you put into it. The only thing missing at the end when you talked about the baron fig confidant: the bleeding and ghosting part. Or did I just miss it? As for me it was a really interesting notebook - would you mind adding that information? x x x
Sorry about that! I noticed it when I had already uploaded the video. The Baron Fig was on par with the Leuchtturm when it comes to ghosting and bleedthrough if that helps. Another commenter said that the Baron Fig is 90gsm, so that would make sense :)
I am in Australia and we have had the Piccadilly Essentials ones. They come in other colours here but unsure where you are as to it being black only. I haven't seen them here for about four months in my local store but I have found similar ones by the store. (if you know what I mean) Mine was lined though, so maybe only the grid is black cover.
Thanks, Corina! I should have been more clear. It's the grid that comes in black only :)
That is fine =)
The Mead Five Star composition notebooks have grid lined ones.
Just FYI that Nuuna uses ONLY leather remnants for their notebooks, and they do offer a notebook cover made out of jean label material. Keep doing what you're doing :)
Thanks for sharing! ... I have watched two of your videos now and in both the ribbons bothered you. Why not add your own? So easy to do.
I had like a 7 year exclusive relationship with the soft cover Moleskine blank notebooks, but I tried out a Leuchturm dotted grid this year and I feel terrible cos I love it so much! It feels like I’m cheating or breaking up with Moleskine