journalsandplanners | Weekly Discussion: Let's have a re(s)olution!

I know we've talked about which journals/planners people are getting for next year, but I want to know--what is is the plan for your planner? What is the goal of your journal?

What is your journaling/planning resolution for 2023? How do you plan to do it? What do you hope to get out of it? Are you planning to "stash down" that stationary? Is there a new system you're hoping will be your silver bullet for maximum productivity?

Let us know in the comments!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

smallrobot

I never gave it a second thought that coating might be an issue. :( Granted, I've only had trouble with a specific Oxford notebook which was vry glossy so far, but it was concerning. It doesn't have to be this way with Tomoe River, after all, their coating is different from what I know, but let's be real, it wasn't developed with longevity in mind, I think... I wish there were more experiences to draw from. My Japanese is not yet good enough to actually research it, but it seems that Japanese stationery and art supplies generally focus more on effects/novelty than longevity (just my impression). :o

I actually love the "new" Tomoe River paper (that was created in machine no. 9, before Sanzen), love how crinkly it is, and it has exactly the right tooth and thickness for myself personally. ^^ I also bought several notebooks, since it was going out of production. But since I've found this old Oxford notebook, I've been a little worried. Maybe I'm just getting old, because 10 years ago, I didn't care so much, but now, "20 years from now" doesn't seem like such a crazy time span, lol!

From:

lunabee34

*nods*

I also haven't heard of anyone complaining about losing their writing on Tomoe River paper, and it's so so popular in the fountain pen community (Hobonichi, Nanami Seven Seas, etc) that I think if it was an issue with that particular paper, it would be a known one by now. So Tomoe River paper is probably safe as is Rhodia and Clairefontaine and Midori, the big names that have been used for years. It's probably just that Oxford notebook. But I bet the coating is the reason why the writing faded.

Using archival ink would probably be helpful.

I haven't tried the new Tomoe River paper, but I'm sure I'd find it as fiddly as the old. I don't like that the thinness means I have to use a shitajiki or else dent the pages behind. I don't like that the thinness means I have to write at a desk because it's really too floppy to write in my lap. And I don't like that I have to write with a sheet of paper under my hand to protect the page from my hand oils. It's just too fiddly. I have never understood how people use this paper as a planner because you have to touch a planner over and over. But I love the way ink looks on it. Just gorgeous.

From:

smallrobot

I think you're right, "coated" does not necessarily have to mean "non archival". I suppose I'm just a little worried, because I got Tomoe River notebooks specifically for the use with multishader inks (such as Sailor Manyo Haha, Sailor Manyo Nekoyanagi, etc.), when I saw this comparison", I was like, "I GOT to try this out", and it looks great, but... The multishaders are known to be very fugitive, and some people, especially in Japan, have complained that their notes were affected. Mine were't (at least those kept in the dark), so I wonder if there is a Tomoe River connection. I suppose I have to try it out for myself, but if this paper doesn't work out with multishaders, for me, it will kinda defeat the purpose. 🥲

It's ok, I don't think it's for everyone, and to be honest, I think it's a little overrated. Yes, multishader inks look best on it (this is why I ended up getting the notebooks), but it's not even my favourite fountain pen paper, soo I guess each to their own. ^^ And I totally get the sturdy aspect, my diaries and planners all look very battered when I'm through with them, lol!

From:

lunabee34

Oooh, what is your favorite fountain pen paper?

Have you tried Cosmo Air Light (which sadly as also been discontinued, but you can still get it for now)? To me, ink looks even better on it than Tomoe and the paper is thicker. It still has the hand oil issue but less ghosting and the paper is not as delicate.

Sailor Manyo Haha has really taken the fountain pen world by storm! I see that ink touted everywhere. It is very pretty. I am trying so hard not to fall down the ink rabbit hole. LOL I have a paper hoard, so I am trying to keep my pen and ink collection super slim.

From:

smallrobot

My favourite are the now discontinued Accessorize cloth-bound notebooks. :') I seriously wish I knew what paper manufacturer they worked with. This paper was really good for multishaders (not as good as TR, but really good in its own way) and for sheen. And, most importantly, the ink didn't spread on it, it was a win-win all the way!

I did hear of the Cosmo Air Light, but someone has said that the ink spreads on it more than on TR, and it was a deal breaker to me. ^^; Personally, I prefer my lines as sharp as possible. I really like Rhodia in this respect, but it's way too coated for me personally, and not good for multishaders and shading in general... Would you say that the ink spreads out more/the lines look thicker on Cosmo Air Light than other high-end papers?

Haha yes, the struggle is real, right? I think it's completely sensible. :) It can also be nice to get samples sometimes, this way, one can get the experience without spending too much. In some cases, I ended up getting the bottle, in some cases, I was happy I only got a sample, lol! And as for Sailor Manyo Haha, imho it's way too light for daily use, so if you're looking for a workhouse ink, I think you're making the right decision to steer clear of it. ^^ It also doesn't shade THAT pretty on ordinary paper, one needs to be really lucky to get it to shade like in those advertisement images, and a VERY thick and wet nib.

Edited Date: 2022-12-20 12:38 pm (UTC)

From:

lunabee34

Oh that's so frustrating to not be able to figure out the manufacturer!

I don't think the ink spread on Cosmo Air Light, but I have to admit that I am not very attuned to that, and my experience with it is limited. I used one notebook. I also only have one Tomoe River notebook, and I just did a couple of pages of pen and ink tests in it before realizing I did not dig it, so my experience there is limited.

I really like the Pilot Iroshizuku inks. I have six of the little bottles of it, two bottles of Monteverde ink, and a bunch of cartridges of inks of various brands. And I'm not buying any more until all that's gone. LOL

From:

smallrobot

I can only hope I come across something equally nice one day... *sigh*

I think I'll give Cosmo Air Light a chance someday, maybe I'll just get a small notebook for a "disposable" goal first before I buy a more thick/expensive one, so thanks for the recommendation! :) Maybe it'll really become my next favourite paper, who knows?
What's funny, I realised that a lot of people love the "old" Tomoe River paper (the one used for Hobonichi), but I completely fell in love with the "new" one (not Sanzen, produced shortly before it). They are supposed to be the same weight, but they feel VERY different. The new one is more crinkly and firm, but still smooth and coated. I wonder which one you have, because if you have the Hobonichi type paper, the "new" paper feels different. Just in case you come across the other type!

That sounds like a good choice! :D I have only got Kon-peki and Tsutsuji, and have also tried Ajisai and Momiji. I would like to try Tsuyu-kusa sometime. Kon-peki made a super dry fountain pen I got write very smoothly! What are your favourite colours of Iroshizuku?
I've heard Montverde has issues with mold, and since I'm very paranoid about that, I've been steering clear of their line of inks... even though it is very nice looking! ^^;
My favourite brands are Sailor and Diamine, though! I'm not a "brand loyal" person, I just feel drawn to their inks a lot. I really like the Kobe #17 ink by Sailor, I've been looking for a very long time for an intesive true blue like this. The only downside is their smell, it's awful (and I can#t imagine it to be healthy, tbh :o ). I really admire your dedication to finish the inks you got. I'm not as invested as some people in this hobby, but 1-3 bottles a year do happen.

From:

lunabee34

I don't think they do any small notebooks unfortunately (or I haven't seen any). There's this

https://www.jetpens.com/Yamamoto-Fountain-Pen-Friendly-Paper-Collection/pd/28400#index=1

where you can try a bunch of different papers, but it's not cheap.

I've got Asa-gao, Shin-kai, Yama-budo, Tsuki-yo, Kon-peki, and Take-sumi. My favorites are Shin-Kai and Tskuki-yo.

I think the Monteverde mold problem is likely overblown. I think most people don't ever get any. But I'm keeping my eyes peeled! LOL I've got Brown Sugar and Fire Opal.

From:

smallrobot

Wow, that pad sure is pricey... but I'll definitely keep it in mind. It's really a good idea to try the paper out first before committing. Might save more money and disappointment in the end! ^^; Thanks so much for pointing it out! :o Not sure when and if I'll be able to get it, but it's certainly worth a consideration!!

Ahh, Kon-peki, everyone's favourite! :D It's funny, it seems our taste is almost reversed - I prefer very bright or at least "special" colours (glitter & sheen), but we meet at Kon-peki (though it is by far not my favourite blue). Though I actually also have the Taccia Jeans ink collection, I wonder if that might be something up your alley (if you ever consider getting new ink)? Just thought I'd point it out, because it seems you like subdued colours. ^^

You're probably right! I also think that it's better to have a good ink hygiene and only take the ink out with a clean syringe, not a nib with ink still sticking to it... I actually LOVE those two colours from your collection, very warm browns! :)

From:

lunabee34

I like kon-peki, but shin-kai is my favorite. It's such a deep blue black, and it sheens reddish on fountain pen friendly paper.

I do like more subdued colors, I guess. LOL

I do have some Pilot cartridges with purples and greens and oranges. And some random cartridges of various colors.

Thanks for the rec! I will check that out. <3