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

[CloverNotes]

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.

Okay thanks.

 

[shoptroll]

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.

 

[shoptroll]

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.

 

[7threst]

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.

 

[shoptroll]

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.

 

[Haziqonfire]

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.

Any suggestions for someone who is basically a beginner?

 

[7threst]

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.

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/

 

[merp]

Just read Drawing Thought: How Drawing Helps Us Observe, Discover, and Invent by Andrea Kantrowitz.

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.

 

[merp]

In truth, my therapist wants me to keep a journal and write entries here and there.

 

[Haziqonfire]

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!

 

[Haziqonfire]

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!

 

[7threst]

Nice, you can't go wrong with Lamy! What nib size does your pen have?

 

[Haziqonfire]

Nice, you can't go wrong with Lamy! What nib size does your pen have?

I picked up the Fine size.

 

[7threst]

In truth, my therapist wants me to keep a journal and write entries here and there.

I can always recommend it. I've been journalling for over 15 years nad it really brings clarity. and it's fun!

 

[Haziqonfire]

I can always recommend it. I've been journalling for over 15 years nad it really brings clarity. and it's fun!

It’s also nice to write down your thoughts and see them written out. It helps me a lot and it’s fun to do.

 

[Haziqonfire]

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.

 

[7threst]

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

 

[merp]

As I said over here

Nintendo General Discussion |ST18 March 2023| The physical version of ST18 will be available in stores next month

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour tonight, my fellow Americans.

famiboards.com

I love writing in a notebook or journal (recently a journal for therapy).

But I couldn't tell you why writing notes now about a video game has me... weirdly embarrassed?

I think this has something to do with being neurodivergent in this case...

 

[Haziqonfire]

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!

 

[7threst]

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!

 

[Haziqonfire]

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!

 

[Haziqonfire]

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!

 

[7threst]

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.

 

[Haziqonfire]

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!

 

[Haziqonfire]

I just ordered a Twsbi Eco-T with a bottle of Monteverde Mulberry Noir ink

 

[7threst]

I just ordered a Twsbi Eco-T with a bottle of Monteverde Mulberry Noir ink

That's a great pen (even if I stopped buying TWSBI's because of problems in the long run). Monteverde Mulberry looks so very good! If you like that, I can recommend "Lievens Kardinaal Paars" too: https://inksnibs.com/en/2018/07/14/lievens-kardinaal-paars-akkerman-2/

 

[merp]

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.

 

[Haziqonfire]

That's a great pen (even if I stopped buying TWSBI's because of problems in the long run). Monteverde Mulberry looks so very good! If you like that, I can recommend "Lievens Kardinaal Paars" too: https://inksnibs.com/en/2018/07/14/lievens-kardinaal-paars-akkerman-2/

Oh that’s a lovely colour! What are the problems with Twsbi’s long term?

 

[7threst]

Oh that’s a lovely colour! What are the problems with Twsbi’s long term?

They tend to last not that long if you are a heavy writer. Then again, the almost always write awesome out of the box.

 

[Haziqonfire]

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.

 

[CloverNotes]

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...

 

[merp]

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.

 

[7threst]

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.