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Discussion Pens, paper, inks and stationery |OT| Don’t call us, we write you!

1101 is the Hobonichi store itself but the shipping fee is brutal. If you are in the US it might be worth it ordering from Yoseka instead.
Jetpens.com is another option. I don't think they carry much beyond the Techo line which is why I've been going to 1101 directly since I've enjoyed having the whiteboard calendar the last two years.
 
Finally put my Techo order in for next year. Sadly missed the Giyyig Strikes Back M2 cover but I went for the Starmen and Franklin Badge covers instead. I really like the look of both and I figure if nothing appeals to me next year I'll just use the Franklin Badge one as the Starmen is going to be my daily driver for 2023.

There's definitely a bit of sticker shock this year as all the Mother items are up at least 2k yen (~$15) from previous years. Likely due to a combination of there being more graphics on the interior than before and also the weak yen. FWIW, the whiteboard calendar this year is only up 200 yen. Kinda odd.
 
Finally put my Techo order in for next year. Sadly missed the Giyyig Strikes Back M2 cover but I went for the Starmen and Franklin Badge covers instead. I really like the look of both and I figure if nothing appeals to me next year I'll just use the Franklin Badge one as the Starmen is going to be my daily driver for 2023.

There's definitely a bit of sticker shock this year as all the Mother items are up at least 2k yen (~$15) from previous years. Likely due to a combination of there being more graphics on the interior than before and also the weak yen. FWIW, the whiteboard calendar this year is only up 200 yen. Kinda odd.
The prices are crazy yeah. And then there is the costs of importing them too sigh :(
That's why it's at least sensible to buy in bulk for multiple people. Unfortunately I don't know people in my immediate surroundings doing planning and journalling.
 
The prices are crazy yeah. And then there is the costs of importing them too sigh :(
That's why it's at least sensible to buy in bulk for multiple people. Unfortunately I don't know people in my immediate surroundings doing planning and journalling.
The funny thing is that if I wasn't getting the whiteboard calendar again, importing directly was still significantly cheaper than going through JetPens for the Starman cover. Like $10-20 cheaper. Just bizarre.
 
I’m fairly new to stationary, kind of neat to find this thread here! Aside from pens from Muji, and notebooks from Moleskine and a planner from Leuchtturm1917, I don’t have much experience with notepads or pens.

Yesterday, I was gifted a Rhodia Dotpad N12 and N16, as well as a Clairefontaine notebook so I’m excited to use all of them. I also was trying my friend’s Lamy Safari Fountain Pen and I think I’m going to grab one for myself in Terra Red (special edition) with a Fine Nib.

LAMY-safari-terra-red-farbe.jpg

Any suggestions for someone who is basically a beginner?
 
I’m fairly new to stationary, kind of neat to find this thread here! Aside from pens from Muji, and notebooks from Moleskine and a planner from Leuchtturm1917, I don’t have much experience with notepads or pens.

Yesterday, I was gifted a Rhodia Dotpad N12 and N16, as well as a Clairefontaine notebook so I’m excited to use all of them. I also was trying my friend’s Lamy Safari Fountain Pen and I think I’m going to grab one for myself in Terra Red (special edition) with a Fine Nib.

LAMY-safari-terra-red-farbe.jpg

Any suggestions for someone who is basically a beginner?
There are some great YouTube channels on stationary and fountain pens. I'd suggest:

Goulet: https://www.youtube.com/@Gouletpens
PenBoyRoy: https://www.youtube.com/@PenBoyRoy
GoldSpot: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldspotPens

I also suggest getting a converter with your pen so you can use bottles of ink. Start with buying ink samples to see what kind of inks you like. A good resource on inks is InkSwatch: https://inkswatch.com

When you get deeper into the hobby, start browsing the Fountain Pen Network for in depth reviews of pens and inks: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/
 
Just read Drawing Thought: How Drawing Helps Us Observe, Discover, and Invent by Andrea Kantrowitz.

51BqkpicycL._SX398_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg


I would recommend this to anyone that wants to learn why to draw.

And now... I want to learn how.

Edit:

Okay.

Wrong thread, actually.

😔
 
There are some great YouTube channels on stationary and fountain pens. I'd suggest:

Goulet: https://www.youtube.com/@Gouletpens
PenBoyRoy: https://www.youtube.com/@PenBoyRoy
GoldSpot: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldspotPens

I also suggest getting a converter with your pen so you can use bottles of ink. Start with buying ink samples to see what kind of inks you like. A good resource on inks is InkSwatch: https://inkswatch.com

When you get deeper into the hobby, start browsing the Fountain Pen Network for in depth reviews of pens and inks: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/
Thanks very much!
 
My Lamy Safari Fountain Pen gift set just came in today. It’s my first fountain pen, and I’m genuinely surprised at how many items it came with. I got the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen with a pre installed cartridge, a pack of five cartridges, a converter and a bottle of ink! I was gifted two Rhodia DotPads as well so I’m excited to try the pen out!

CEDBF812-2-B7-D-4-A4-D-89-EE-9-D97-A4-D010-AB.jpg
 
On the subject of writing, any tips on improving your hand writing? Admittedly, mine has become quite poor so I do need to practice again lol.
 
On the subject of writing, any tips on improving your hand writing? Admittedly, mine has become quite poor so I do need to practice again lol.
Just write a lot on lined paper so you create consistency in your lettering. Also try to find someones handwriting you like that looks a bit like your own, and see what's making their writing good.

Lastly, just keep writing and write a lot 🙂👍
 
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General question - is it more worth your money buying cartridges or bottled ink?

I see Lamy cartridges for $5.75 CDN versus some bottled inks for $19 CDN for 15ml which seems small, but I have no idea!
 
General question - is it more worth your money buying cartridges or bottled ink?

I see Lamy cartridges for $5.75 CDN versus some bottled inks for $19 CDN for 15ml which seems small, but I have no idea!
Bottled ink is ALWAYS more woth your money. I have bottles here I probably won't empty in my lifetime haha!
 
Bottled ink is ALWAYS more woth your money. I have bottles here I probably won't empty in my lifetime haha!
Good to know! Right now the ones I’m interested in are the Pilot Iroshizuku - Syo-Ro green ink and Monteverde Blue-Black. I’m also looking at a second pen to grab, the Twsbi Eco-T (transparent) with an Extra Fine nib. I also wanted to grab this pen case!

61zi38LPOBL._AC_SL1000_.jpg
 
Any recommendations for covers and notebooks that work well with fountain pens? I saw some nice Traveler’s style of notebook on the first page of this thread and some nice sleeves :). I’m new to a lot of those so it’s been fun exploring and finding all these new things!
 
Any recommendations for covers and notebooks that work well with fountain pens? I saw some nice Traveler’s style of notebook on the first page of this thread and some nice sleeves :). I’m new to a lot of those so it’s been fun exploring and finding all these new things!
I would defiego for Hobonichi. They come in different sizes and styles with plenty of choice in covers. They use Tomoe River Paper which is very fountain pen friendly.
 
I would defiego for Hobonichi. They come in different sizes and styles with plenty of choice in covers. They use Tomoe River Paper which is very fountain pen friendly.
Looks like those are a bit tough to find here in Canada, but we have a few speciality shops in downtown Toronto so I’ll take a look when I get a chance. Thanks!
 
I recently got a pocket notebook from Etsy.

Shit's glorious.

Like, it's more useful than even a hand notebook that you may normally get, like I usually did.

I'll still use my small notebooks, but the pocket notebook is definitely staying until I decide to get another one after using it up.
 
I got my Eco-T and filled it up last night! I saw some bubbles when I filled the pen up but after some time it looks like it’s fine inside (I have a transparent version). I wasn’t sure if I did it wrong, never filled ink before!

Now I have a decision of whether or not I get a normal sized Midori Traveler’s Company notebook or Passport size.
 
I got this Detective Conan monthly planner. It has blank and lined pages at the back of the book. I'm trying to figure out how to fill them out...
 
I must say:

the paper that I have enhances the experience.

I have this paper:



It's great.

I never knew this existed, but I use it to journal.

It's especially good with black ink.
 
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I got my Eco-T and filled it up last night! I saw some bubbles when I filled the pen up but after some time it looks like it’s fine inside (I have a transparent version). I wasn’t sure if I did it wrong, never filled ink before!

Now I have a decision of whether or not I get a normal sized Midori Traveler’s Company notebook or Passport size.
It's going to be ok! Some people insist on having a 100% filling, so nu bubbles, but it really is nothing to worry about :)

I must say:

the paper that I have enhances the experience.

I have this paper:



It's great.

I never knew this existed, but I use it to journal.

It's especially good with black ink.
I swear, the type of pen and the ink you use are important, but definitely the type of paper is important. If the paper writes horrible, no pen can fix that. However, if you find good quality paper that writes to your liking, wether that's smooth or with a little bite, it enhances the writing experience ten fold.
 
I’m fairly new to stationary, kind of neat to find this thread here! Aside from pens from Muji, and notebooks from Moleskine and a planner from Leuchtturm1917, I don’t have much experience with notepads or pens.

Yesterday, I was gifted a Rhodia Dotpad N12 and N16, as well as a Clairefontaine notebook so I’m excited to use all of them. I also was trying my friend’s Lamy Safari Fountain Pen and I think I’m going to grab one for myself in Terra Red (special edition) with a Fine Nib.

LAMY-safari-terra-red-farbe.jpg

Any suggestions for someone who is basically a beginner?

My gf got me a Lami Safari recently, I really like it!

Consider a Hobonichi planner, they are recommended a lot because they are awesome.
Other suggestions, consider a mechanical pencil like the Uni Kuro Toga, here's a special edition for Spiritied Away https://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Kuru-Toga-Advance-Mechanical-Pencil-0.5-mm-Spirited-Away/pd/27004 . If you live in USA, jetpens is a great site to buy stationary.

A nice little case can be fun as well, I have this one https://www.jetpens.com/Saki-P-661-Roll-Pen-Case-with-Traditional-Japanese-Fabric-Black/pd/7470
 
Hobonichi 2024 sales start september 1st!
It's august, and traditionally Hobonichi, Shigesato Itoi's brand (of Mother fame), will introduce what's new for Hobonichi in 2024. Every day up until the 1st of september they cover something about the 2024 line-up for Hobonichi and the first three write up are up now here!

Some titdbits:
  • The normal A6 Techo is now also translated in English!
  • The paper in most Hobonichi's is now the new Tomoe River S paper. I tested it, and really REALLY like it! More on the new paper here!
  • One Piece is back and gets its own A6 notebook this year. Have a look!
  • There is a cool interview with Shigesato Itoi on the first entry. Read it here!
I still haven't chosen yet, will wait for the reveal of the new covers, but for a stationary lover like myself, this is always an exciting part of the year hehe :)
 
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Hobonichi line-up reveal 2024 livestream announced
I absolutely ADORE the new Hobonichi covers!!!

hobomother6yf92.jpg


Also for those interested, there are two livestreams today and tomorrow where the whole Hobonichi line-up is introduced:

Day 1:


Day 2:


Schedule:
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hobolive22ris6.jpg

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hobolive47zf1j.jpg

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Hobonichi 2024 reveal part 1 aired yesterday live, watch it back here:



Tonight part 2 will air live. Then they will also show all the Mother-related planners and tools, can't wait!
 
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Those of you who have used Japanese-language Hobonichi before: is it worth waiting for the English-language A6 to go on sale November 1st? I'd like to get into the habit of journaling/planning a bit more next year.
 
Those of you who have used Japanese-language Hobonichi before: is it worth waiting for the English-language A6 to go on sale November 1st? I'd like to get into the habit of journaling/planning a bit more next year.
Well, if you like the daily quotes definitely wait for the English version if you want an Original. The English Techo goes on sale september 1st. It's practically the same as the Original, but the pages are a bit less colorful and you are more flexible in filling in timeslots in the sidebar, since the Techo only had a marking indigcating 12'oclock and dinner time. So the techo is more 'business oriented ' I'd say, but pratically the same as the Original including the quotes :)

But if yopu can't wait and want an Original as fast as possible, buy the Japanese version. It's completely doable. I've been using Hobonichi for years and only last three years or something there are English version, so you should be fine :)

Original:
original38ewa.jpg


Techo:
techopvcqk.jpg



Also, depending how big you write, the Japanese grid is a bit smaller than the English grid to accomodate for Japanese and English writing. So that could also something to factor in.

Here is a good comparison video of all the versions and sizes:

 
That's very helpful -- thank you! I think I actually prefer the Techo, since a lot of my events are all-day or recurring things, and the uncluttered left-hand side might be more conducive to journaling. So I'll probably grab that one on Friday when it goes on sale.
 
got my hobonichi order in, I'm really looking forward to it! this is my first time buying one for myself, but I'd ordered one for my partner last year and as soon as it arrived I realized I'd definitely want my own next time lol—they're such lovely, high-quality little objects.
decided to go with a nice solid-color Weeks since I don't feel like I need pages for each day, and I picked the japanese-language one to get a tiny bit more practice in by reading the quote each week lol. some really nice designs across the board this year! my partner went with the anone-anone linen techo cover, can't wait to see that in person.
 
Got my order in too!!!

hobo2024mmd4q.jpg


But stupid me forgot to get the weeks. But since I also want the One Piece Techo I'll wait until october 1st to get a weeks :)
 
Today I got my Hobonichi order in, which means my 2024 setup is complete!

I got a grey cover with brown inside and a plastic cover-on-cover. Also pictured is the small stationery back I got for free and of course the multi-colored Hobonichi pen they give you every year:

Here is my Techo and the Mother 2 stickers that came with the Mother 2 cover. I will use the Techo for journalling throughout the year:


Here is the Mother 2 cover with a cover-on-cover:


I also ordered a Mega Weeks with cover-on-cover and a fittin pencil board which I plan to use as a planner for work and social stuff. First time I use a Weeks so I hope it works for me. I also ordered a leather Galen Leather cover for the Mega Weeks with a zipper, and some extra Hobonichi notebooks that fit the Weeks:

 
Always wanted a hobonichi planner, think I'll get the one piece hardcover when it goes on sale today.

product_visual.jpg


Never been good at sticking to planners since I end up going digitally too much, but I'll give it a go next year.

But stupid me forgot to get the weeks. But since I also want the One Piece Techo I'll wait until october 1st to get a weeks :)
Do you usually order straight from their site? Like https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/2024/pc/detail_cover/wb24_opmlts/?

Edit: wanted the weeks but it doesn't have any of the one piece designs on the inside, only the cover, so think i'm getting the hon.
 
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Always wanted a hobonichi planner, think I'll get the one piece hardcover when it goes on sale today.

product_visual.jpg


Never been good at sticking to planners since I end up going digitally too much, but I'll give it a go next year.


Do you usually order straight from their site? Like https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/2024/pc/detail_cover/wb24_opmlts/?

Edit: wanted the weeks but it doesn't have any of the one piece designs on the inside, only the cover, so think i'm getting the hon.
Yes, I order always directly, but you can always compare local shops prices with those of Hobonichi's and see if you can save on shipping.
 
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Yeah good call. Turns out there's a store nearby that does local pickup, I'll probably do that to support them even though it's not much cheaper.
 
My Hobonichi One Piece order came in today!

Ordered a One Piece Techo, some Hobonichi papers and two One Piece notepads:


I also ordered with that the first manga season of One Piece in a beautiful boxset (I have no idea why I expected a manga, bought from a Japanese store, would be in English though lmao!):


And also in todat my Laban pen, a few bottles of ink and my leather pen holder came in:

 
I waited too long this year to order and the Attention! cover is back ordered until February. Shipping really stings without the cover to offset the shipping:goods ratio, and I'd order from Jetpens except for the fact I like the Mother whiteboard calendars which they don't carry 😭
 


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