(Part 2) Top products from r/bulletjournal

It's the obvious choice, but I have to recommend The Leuchtturm.

It's prenumbered and has sturdy structure - a pleasure to write in, even on the go. And you have plenty of colors to choose from!

The only thing it doesn't have from your list is thick pages - personally I don't mind seeing what I wrote on the other side of the page - the opposite, I like feeling like I make good use of the notebook.

I really hope you find bujo helpful! Don't let that choice stop you from taking care of yourself. I started with a cheap A6 spiral notebook before committing to more expensive notebooks. I wish you the best of luck!! And congrats for winning your battle. There's nothing you can't do now.

Any notebook using Tomoe River paper, such as this one, is famous for being able to handle ink well while having super thin pages. For me, I've discovered that my Leuchtturm1917 is perfect for what I do. That being said, I don't use relatively wet inks such as fountain pens, so if you're planning to move onto those at some point, you might want to invest in something like the link above.

As for writing utensils, a good starting point would be the Staedtler pens, such as this, or if you want a bigger pack of them--this.

Good luck on finding your perfect notebook/pen combo! :)

Edit: I also thought I'd link Boho Berry's Mega Notebook Comparison and her review of bullet journal supplies--they're a bit long and I'm sure many other big names in the bullet journaling world have made similar videos, but she was the first one who introduced me to all this and I find her comments pretty detailed and insightful :)

Well I love Papermate pens and use flair (felt-tipped) personally, which DO show through. But I also use their gel-pens, and I love them. I don't know how they hold up on moleskin pages, but these pens are amazing: Papermate Inkjoy. They're not nearly as classy as some of the pens other bullet journalists like to use, but they fit my price point and they write really well.

I just ordered! Holy FROG! $35 + $7 shipping with the exchange rate, comes to almost CAD$60!

I had originally ordered this black dot grid journal and I was testing to see what pens would work in it. I'm using white Sakura Gelly Roll. I'm hesitating on getting the Moonlight colour ones, but I'm sure they work, just don't know if they'll be bright enough. I tested a Uni Posca paint pen at the store and it seemed to work well too. Crayola Metallic markers also work well.

There were many things that I didn't like about that notebook though. The size, the doesn't-lay-flat-ness, the squares are not exactly 5mm apart =\ I actually just tore out all the untested pages last night and was going to trim them, fold them in half and make my own notebooks out of the pages. =D

In between, I ordered some cute black page notebooks, but were blank. I was trying to see if I could make them work somehow...

I've heard good things about Scribbles that Matter notebooks (I'm thinking about getting one for my new journal), though those are a little on the expensive side.

The journal I'm currently using is a Minimalism Art A5. It's not the fanciest, but I think it's really good quality for less than $10. I would recommend it because I think it hits all your criteria.

It doesn't bleed as long as you're not too heavy with your markers (I've even been able to use light watercolor without any bleeding - just some slight buckling).

There is some ghosting, but again as long as you're not heavy on it with the markers or pens, it's hardly noticeable.

It comes in a range of sizes, has a bookmark, and comes in a variety of pretty colors. The only thing it doesn't have is the pen loop, but I don't think it would be hard to add one yourself if you really wanted to.

EDIT: To add more info cuz I hit submit too soon 😅

Not identical, but similar idea and have heard great things about Lihit lab products. I ordered a couple and am still waiting for them to arrive. If you're stateside, I think jetpens carry them as well.

First option

Second option

I ordered both in the cream color and am looking forward to the bag-in-bag option, as a woman I tend to rotate my bags and always forget something. Hoping this will help keep everything together easier.

Lot if people use Momeskin or leuchtturm1917. I personally use whatever notebook I find interesting. Barnes and Noble has a pretty good selection. The one I have now is Minimalism Art I found on Amazon. I really like it and plan on getting another for 2019.


https://www.amazon.com/Minimalism-Art-Classic-Notebook-Journal/dp/B077Y3N8NN/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538075845&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=minimalism+art&dpPl=1&dpID=41MwSXlkP%2BL&ref=plSrch

I have found a few pens I like for different reasons. Papermate inkjoy gel dry really fast, even the thick ones I use. I think you can buy just black too.... I would suggest getting smaller than you think because the ink really comes out. My other pens I like 0.7, but the 0.7 here is too thick for me...

For not bleeding through anything I like the uniball signo. I've linked the 0.38 because I got them because they dried faster, but I prefer the look and feel of the 0.7's. I'm looking for 0.5's too... I like them, but they definitely start having into continuity issues once they're about halfway used.

> monthly calendar on one page

I'm currently using a Field Notes Dot Grid, and I do squeeze the monthly calendar on a single page, splitting the dates into 2 columns. I use symbols for things like holidays, and only write in the important appointment for the day.

The key for the symbols takes 2-3 lines below the dates, and I'll have about 7 lines left for the tasks and goals I want to achieve for the month.

If you want to have more space for your monthly calendar, you can rotate the notebook 90 degs CW/CCW and you'll have 1 line per day.

Also, I love LAMYs!

Large as in size of paper?

• Buy an A4 dotted notebook on Amazon. I'd recommend Scribbles That Matter, because I love their products, but Leuchtturm1917 has A4 too, as does Dingbats and Minimalism Art. If you can investigate and find out what brand she uses, just go a size up. I haven't seen bigger than A4. (B5 is between A4 and A5, and she probably uses an A5 notebook, because that's the official size).
  
  Large in terms of number of pages? That's more difficult.
  
  
• I though the Code and Quill Monolith was 300 pages, but I see that either I misremembered or they downsized to 216.
  
• A colleague uses Miquelrius (300 pages) but the paper quality wouldn't work for someone who uses watercolor in their journal.
  
• Amazon is suggesting a couple unrated notebooks to me, when I search. You may want to order ahead of time, and touch the paper and see if will work. Buy/return kinda thing?
  
• Consider looking into a laboratory notebook. They work pretty well as bujos -- hardbound, hard to extract pages, usually numbered, and lots of pages.
  
• Lots of people do a Travelers' Notebook instead of going up to larger number of pages. They can just use up inserts and add more.

I currently use kuretake watercolors with these brush pens and I think they’re pretty solid. It’s not a huge investment and I think they’re a good starter pack for casual water colorists.

I highly also recommend clipping your pages and having maybe a hair dryer handy so your pages don’t warp from getting too wet.

I just bought myself a similar book to this: https://amzn.com/B00SBDMWC2 As a notebook dork, I'd be happy with trying something new to me, especially if it has a good reputation and is higher-end than I usually use. I also went a little crazy on Goulet Pens getting new inks to try. That would be a fun gift.

I've got this dot grid comp notebook. It's OK. Like any comp notebook it doesn't lay flat. It handles ink well and there is some ghosting with wetter inks but it's not bad at all. The dot grid is fairly small, which is nice.

My favorite atm is Tekukor

Tekukor A5 Notebook Hardcover Dot Grid - 100gsm - Dotted Pages For Bullet Journal - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT974AP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xDvRDbZ7J8E63

But a quick amazon search found this

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.-WALT DISNEY: Dot Grid Journal, 110 Pages, 6X9 inches, Inspirational Quote on White matte cover, dotted ... for teens women girlsmen kids children boys https://www.amazon.com/dp/1698358431/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bwvRDbNHCQ2JE

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MT974AP/ref=sxts_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542033546&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65

My go-to journal! It is inexpensive and has thick pages! I’ve tried several journals (nothing crazy expensive so I don’t have a comparison to some of the popular brands people use) but I LOVE this journal and always come back to it. I have no urge to try any other journal after finding this one.

You do you. Seriously, lines aren't the end of the world. But if you actually /want/ a dot or squared journal, do shop around a little more. There are more grid notebooks than the typical Leuchtturm, Moleskine, or Rhodia picks (which are all great, just expensive).

I found one (link below for U.S. Amazon) for about 12 bucks. Pretty darn cheap, relatively speaking. It's for 2017 and it hasn't arrived yet, so I can't speak to the quality (crosses fingers) but the reviews looked promising.

amazon.com/Ecoqua-Banded-Journal-Black-Inch/dp/B00MEM5C6O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482901236&sr=8-1

Amazon has a great option that's a lot less expensive than Moleskine, and IMO has a lot less bleed through. I've only been using it for a few weeks, but I like it so much more than all the Moleskines I've had.

Tekukor A5 Notebook Hardcover Dot Grid - Dotted Pages For Bullet Journal

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT974AP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_6N1eXOmM4W8gh

Zebra Glitter Highlighter, Kirarich, Pack of 5 (WKS18-5C) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHQS8DU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7G.EzbPV9T2CP

You're welcome. 😁

If anyone else is in Germany they're also available on Amazon de

Thanks for sharing. I just ordered some!

I didn't see a squared version, I got in on Amazon for super cheap!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1548868167/ref=ya_st_dp_summary?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You might want to get them the book so they know what their meant to be doing with the journal. If they lean towards being artistic some nice pens or markers would be a good start. And I’m a maniac for washi tape, so I like to include a couple rolls as part of a gift.

https://www.amazon.com/Shine-Bright-Productivity-Journal-Chronicle/dp/1452168245/ref=nodl_

I got this one at Barnes and Noble. I think it’s really fancy and the pages are quite thick. I def recommend.

How thick of a marker are you wanting?

If you like thinner markers, I recommend the (Staedtler Triplus Fineliners)[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VY9U9W0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_H93PzbSP28FR7] as they are good quality, lasted me a long time, and relatively cheap. I have no suggestions for thicker markers though because my next purchase was Tombows, which are quite pricey, but worth it to me.

Yes, that's the gluebound version! I also have that kind for notes that I take for classes and work. I use this as my bullet journal! The ecoqua line also has spiral and stapled versions as well.

Stalogy365 editors series in A5 is, to me, the closest you can get with a reasonable price, but it's very minimalist and not really dated. It has all twelve months in a line, numbers 1-31 on a line and days of the week on a line, very small and light in the top corner of each page where you can highlight or circle the info.


Edit for link https://www.amazon.com/Nitoms-S4101-STALOGY-365DaysNotebook-A5/dp/B00LFEBTCI

I like the small, simple, and very flat Field Notes books. They are inexpensive, durable enough, and small enough. I began my BuJo-ing with them and would buy again. I am a lefty also and appreciate the thin, flat, small format.

I found metal ones pretty similar to those on Amazon Here

Not OP, but it looks like Field Notes Dot-Grid Memo Notebooks.

I just ordered a Lihitlab notebook cover. Technically, it's a notebook with a cover, but I bought it for the cover. They come in A5 and I think also B5. They do not seem to be waterproof but they seem to be made of a decent material that could be sprayed with something like Scotchguard. Functional and non-fussy design.

Here's a AZ-UK link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LIHITLAB-Smart-Multifunction-Cover-Notebook/dp/B00BBNNYE4/

If you look at the "also viewed" bit, they also get listed under other product names ("durable notebook", etc.) and come in a variety of colors. I ordered mine in green.

I'm personally using this one right now. Definitely going to pick up another.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1481011162/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just discovered this a few months ago and love it: Nitcoms Stalogy

Well-made and uses Tomoe River paper, or something very similar. I'd show you mine, but the dog "redecorated" it. I have a new one on the way and will post pics when I'm set-up again.

I got it on Amazon, its this:
Miquelrius Soft Bound Medium Journal, 300 Sheets/600 Graph Pages, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019PVSRBI/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_2YzCybR2EZHPM

It's also available at Barns and Nobles for cheaper, but since I live far away from one the cost was the same either way.

The binding can come loose if you use it heavily, I just tossed in elmers glue into the bit and let it dry. Haven't had another issue yet. Hope this helps!

It’s called a waterbrush pen. It looks like OP used one from this set: Pentel Arts Aquash Water Brush Assorted Tips, Pack of 3

Edit: typo.

It's the Shine Bright productivity journal. Here are some links for Amazon US and Amazon UK

The grid is about 4mm instead of 5mm so not quite as small as you're looking for. Index built in, numbered pages, one ribbon, back pocket and stickers included. Paper quality feels very thick, but haven't actually used it yet so can't comment on bleed.

Looks like 150: Shit to Do:
Unicorn Dot Grid Journal, Over 150 Pages, 8" by 10" Notebook, Planner, and Sketch Book Diary for Bullet Grid Journaling, Calligraphy, and Hand Lettering https://www.amazon.com/dp/1548868167/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fy8Gzb83F7XBW

From Ryder Carrol (the creator of BuJo) - Book:

>Breaking down goals into Sprints mitigates the risks of being overwhelmed and fatigued.

The idea is to break down your goals into sprints, by doing so you can create a momentum by completing each sprint and keeping you motivated.

100 gsm I don't know what that means lol but I bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B077Y3N8NN?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

Amazon keeps recommending these to me: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KBRWKLI/

Googling "black paper dot grid notebook" seems to yield some results. Here's a few that look decent:


https://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Black-Note-Notebook-B5-Dot-Grid/pd/18585

https://www.dotgrid.co/products/a5-dot-grid-notebook-black-pages

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Page-Journal-Dot-Grid/dp/1543046185

I use a black 0.38 ballpoint Muji pen. https://www.amazon.com/Muji-Ball-Point-0-38-mm-Black/dp/B00E391XXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1504107652&sr=1-1&keywords=muji+pen

Are you talking about these? If so, I'm going to get them to try.

You could also try a grid lined composition book

[amazon seems to have a lot of graph paper composition options for cheap] (http://www.amazon.com/Roaring-Spring-Cover-Composition-sheets/dp/B006IAT61K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462998968&sr=8-4&keywords=composition+book+graph+paper)

Their graph paper version is even cheaper than their college ruled version.

The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525533338/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ouoFDbGR4BW5P[The Bullet Journal Method](https://www.amazon.com/Bullet-Journal-Method-Present-Design/dp/0525533338/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=the+bullet+journal+method+book&qid=1568466284&sprefix=the+bu&sr=8-3)

I gotchu fam

I don't care for the rings in that.
I have this:


https://www.amazon.com/LIHITLAB-Smart-Multifunction-Cover-Notebook/dp/B00BBNNYE4