January 2024 in Pens and Paper

January was a big month in terms of writing pens dry. For the first time ever I managed to write all of the Inkvent pens dry by the end of the month. That’s 12 fountain pens written dry, which is the most I’ve ever written dry in a month. The secret is not filling them more than 50% full, and making sure to journal and note-take consistently.

In terms of paper products I’ve journaled in my Stalogy 365 B5 journal and will be switching to a new journal next month (also a Stalogy 365 B5 because I like the paper and the format). I do have a little quirk with these notebooks – I use them upside down because I don’t like the header with the dates on it, so I flip the notebook around so that it’s at the bottom of the page. That way it doesn’t bother me as much.

Stalogy 365

I’ve also been using a Rhodia A5 dot pad to time block my day, and Kokuyo A4 KB which I cut in half (to get two A5 pieces of paper) and write my daily todo list on. At work I use a Maruman Mnemosyne horizontal A5 notebook (either squared or blank) to brainstorm on, track my tasks, take meeting notes, etc. My weekly plans and long term 12 week year goals are in a Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal that stays at home, on my desk. The rest (Stalogy B5 journal, two pieces of daily planning paper, and the Mnemosyne) travel with me when I go to the office.

I have a monthly calendar with some monthly reading, running, gym, swimming and blogging targets on it and I draw that on a Well Appointed Desk “Rebel Plans” notepad.

Earlier this month I used the wonderful Pelikan Hubs paper to do my daily planning, and it was amazing (cardstock thick and fountain pen friendly). I was running out of it quickly though, which is why I moved to the Kokuyo.

Pelikan Hubs paper pad

In terms of standard pens I’ve used the Pilot Hi-Tech-C in 0.4, my Spoke Design Spoke Pen in orange crush, and a Pilot Juice Up 04 in orange and light blue. As I will be spending a lot of time at hospitals next month, I will likely be using more standard pens then.

Pilot Hi Tec C and Spoke Design Pen

Pencils in use were the Tennessee Red, which is gorgeous and a treat to use, and Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel Nr.2 mechanical pencil in red and grey. I have better mechanical pencils that this one, and yet I keep returning to it. Something about the Drehgriffel design is simply appealing to me. You can read my review of it here.

Next month will likely see more use of standard pens and pocket or cheap fountain pens. I will be in the hospital a lot, so that means that my setup will change to reflect that.

Here are the fountain pens I filled for February:

Schon Design Pocket 6 pens.
Kaweco Sports.

The new and challenging setting will mean that I’ll likely go back to my trusty Moleskine hardcover and Ti Arto for the duration of my dad’s stay in hospital.

What stationery products have you been using in January?

2 thoughts on “January 2024 in Pens and Paper

  1. DeeOrbra G. Hamilton's avatar

    DeeOrbra G. Hamilton

    I received a mystery box and haven’t had time to use them yet! I did get my A5 Hobonichi Cousin set up and rolling. I love IT! I have used them for about 5 years. I use the monthly pages to track my budget, the weekly for task reminds and the daily are used for everything else. SO much room to create. And of course, I have my fountain pens which are all under $40 since I am on a budget but my favorite is the Sailor Compass 1911 fine/med. My favorite ink in January was Diamine Monboddos Hat with is a great purple for me. I inked my other pens with Diamine Sunset and Hope Pink, TWSBI Sky Blue and Montverde USA’s Horizon Blue ink.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Pingback: February 2024 in Pens and Paper – Writing at Large

Leave a comment