(Part 3) 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 :)

I started with these Fudenosuke pens, which are super cheap on Amazon. If you're looking for a wide variety of color, but still a pretty easy-to-use pen, check out these as well. The trick is to find a pen that has a stiffer tip. The softer brush pens are trickier to learn on, but it can be done. I like the black Fudenosuke pens because they are pretty similar, but the blue one has a harder tip and the green one has a bit more give. It should be able to help you transition into using softer brush tips!

I tend to go to Barnes and Noble for bullet journals. They have some pretty ones. My preferred journal is an A5 dotted type. Amazon also has a couple good brands too I’ve tried. Here’s the specific one I’m using right now.

I get my pens from Amazon. They’re like off-brand Staedlers: 60-pack with stencils or a smaller pack for trying.

Happy bullet journaling!

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...

Agreed with the Leuchtturm1917. I just got mine & it's heavenly. Best place to purchase (if you're looking for a good variety in color) seems to be Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FWQXVS0?psc=1&smid=A1E8AJDELN2AKR

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.

on amazon, it’s super durable with the plastic cover on the front and back and the spiral is a lot easier!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N97XD0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_JooLAb9SWCPNT

Haven't tried any of those, but now I want one. :D

As a cheaper alternative, there's the Lihit Lab Bag in Bag A5 or A4. It won't suit anybody that needs to fit in lots of stuff, but I use the A4 variant at work to hold my Surface, a slim A5 notebook, a stylus, two pens, sticky notes, and knick-knacks like a USB drive and paper clips. The MochiThings pouch is rather tempting as a home-away-from-home organiser...

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

Thank you! It's a Minimalism Art classic notebook. $11 on Amazon! I'm really pleased with my choice.

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

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.

Hey! Sorry for the late reply.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EWXCP1M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just ordered it! It is the exact same thing and has great reviews

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

Notebook cover, but highly useful so far: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049KD4LE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

Staedtler Triplus Pens

Tape

Thanks!

thank you! the blue words were from the Kuretake Zig Brushables, and the black words were from the Zebra Disposable Brush pen


Kuretake Zig brushables:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/Zig-Memory-System-Brushables-Markers/dp/B004W8OP34&ved=2ahUKEwiYsZOBsJ3iAhXRCuwKHZtEDWkQFjAKegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2ftVSTtmAn6nRHCLbkyGgI&cshid=1557917796266


Zebra Disposable Brush Pen:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Disposable-Brush-Pen-Extra-Fine/pd/2309&ved=2ahUKEwi038nur53iAhUQ_qQKHSc8DGIQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw0Rn_mPewcbQ-MYHYbkWZZf

I use the Kokuyo Systemic notebook cover for 2 of my A5 notebooks (a Hobinichi Cousin & a slim A5 leuchturm1917). Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but I like it's versatility.

yes, here you go!

Yes! I got some Van Gogh washi tape from amazon a while back

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.

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

I'm actually doing faux calligraphy with the Staedler triplus fineliners . I grabbed myself the 20-pack off amazon

It's the purple Pentel Sign from this pack! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EN0HCH6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this stuff?

It was one of the ones in this pack! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XNJH7YK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/iSuperb-Documents-Multifunction-Organizer-13-4x9-8x1-4/dp/B01EWXCP1M/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1484670961&sr=1-1&keywords=better+together+organizer

found this on amazon

[Ghost Grid Dot Journal] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N97XD0Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BXcOAbFNN1TCX)

It's from this set.

Yes

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 Lihit Lab Bag-in-Bag organizer in my messenger bag. It fits 2 notebooks inside the main zipper pouch (I keep a Leuchtturm1917 and a Rhodia No. 16 Dot Pad in mine). I have mechanical pencils and pens in the pen slots on the front, a set of 6 Staedtler fineliner pens in the smaller velcro pouch, and a set of 10 brush pens in the larger velcro pouch. There's also a pocket behind the front velcro pouches that I keep notecards and misc. stuff in.

No problem! If you're interested in them, you can find them here