In Paper Review

A Review of Paper for 6-Ring Binders

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments
A Review of Paper for 6-Ring Binders

I’ve recently acquired several packs of paper for 6-ring binders like Plotter, Filofax and similar. While you can cut and punch paper yourself to fill 6-ring binders, its fun to see that the 6-ring binder market is being revitalized.

I bought a combination of Personal/Bible size (6.73×3.74″) and A5 size (8.26×5.82″). Many of these are also available in the Pocket size but I don’t currently have a binder in Pocket size (4.72×3.18″).

I purchased:

I randomly chose different paper sizes, paper types and rulings without doing a ton of research. It was only when I started testing the paper that I discovered some of the paper was Tomoe River (RayMay Decona 4mm Dot Grid and probably the RayMay DaVinci 6.5mm Ruled but it says its 52gsm bu doesn’t call out Tomoe River specifically). The pink colored paper is a type of paper called Tant and has a very unique texture made from cotton and flax that is normally used for origami but works great with fountain pens.

Once I tested the papers, I discovered some interesting things. The Iroful paper, which I’ve reviewed before (and Tina and Laura did too), didn’t need a thorough review but, when I have a particular use for paper, then I realize what characteristics I need. The Iroful spreads fountain pen ink a little bit which on larger sheets isn’t a big deal but on the reduced real estate of a Bible/Personal-sized sheet can be a problem. The small scale of Bible/Personal planners means every bit of space is precious.

Both the Decona Dot Grid A5 and DaVinci Personal Lined paper is Sanzen Tomoe River — or as close to it as I could tell. Surprisingly, the DaVinci paper (listed as 52gsm but not specifically Tomoe River) has a similar issue with ink spread  as the Iroful but the Decona did not. As a result, both raise the question of the overall quality of the Tomoe River paper from these batches. I loved the Decona and then realized it was Tomoe River so I was very “duh! of course!” and the back of the paper showed very little show through.

The DaVinci was a little squidgy and had more showthrough so maybe its not Tomoe River. For rollerball, gel, ballpoint or felt tip, the DaVinci paper works great and the thinness of the paper will maximize how many sheets you can carry at any one time.

The surprise was the Decona Tant pink paper. It has a very unusual texture. It’s pleasingly toothy (to me) but others might not like it. There is no bleed through and almost no show through even with a thick marker. The color was pleasing and if pink is not your thing, there is an option for ivory as well.

I enjoy having a collection of paper to use in my 6-ring binders and will find ways to use each type of paper to make it quick and easy to add paper when and how I need it. But it does make me think that I need to play with random paper and the hole punch I have so I can add whatever, whenever to my binders.

left, Decona Lined Tant Paper and right, Decona Dot Grid Tomoe River
left, DaVinci lined and right, Iroful blank

Do you like pre-made sheets for your binders or do you like to do-it-yourself?

DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens and some were provided by Vanness Pen Shop for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Pen Review

Finding an Old Treasure in my “Stash”

Author AnaPosted on 5 Comments
Finding an Old Treasure in my “Stash”

As I wander through my stash this month, I rediscovered my Caran D’ache 849 Fountain Pen. At one point, I had two (one pink and one green) but I have only been able to find the green one.

These pens are soft hex shaped barrels with a snap cap. The cap can be posted but make the pen ridiculously long. The nibs are unusual and custom Caran D’Ache nibs. They are an unusual shape with the hexagon “logo” embossed on the nib and a slit but no breather hole. Sleek looking.

Both models I have (or had) are EF nibs that I love though I have had to have one or the other tuned. But as a result, I love the nibs. I use them with cartridges since they are long enough to hold two cartridges, one in use and one in the barrel for a quick replacement. This makes them great for an office environment: snap cap and two cartridges for quick ink swap. These conveniences are what made me fall in love with them in the first place. The day-glo color makes the pens easy to spot in a bag, case or on your desk but there are navy, black and white options if you want one that’s not so flashy.

I did have a fuss at one point and swapped out the nibs with some cheap Delike and PenBBS nibs but I switched the nib back and it works fine. (Insert eye roll at me here).

Caran d'Ache 849 Fountain Pen writing sample extra fine

The nibs have an interesting stub-ish quality to the writing that I love with all my heart. I hope I find the pink one again. It was my original Caran d’Ache and I have a little sentimentality about it.

Sadly, Caran d’Ache has not added new colors or patterns on the barrels since the original release of these pens. They release a bunch of 849 ballpoints every year with custom colors, wraps and special designs but the fountain pens have been neglected. They did release an all-black version complete with a black nib but the price for this model is almost twice what I originally paid for the 849 fountain pens but is has been NINE YEARS!

My advice to you is to dig into your collection and refill a pen you loved at one point but haven’t used lately. Give it another try. Maybe its as good as it ever was or maybe its not for you anymore? Either way, you will be able to determine if its a pen forever or a pen whose time has come to move on.

In Link Love

Link Love: Overworked

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Link Love: Overworked

I got a ton of freelance work this month. Which is great because January is a slow month for the shop so I was a little short on funds. However, when it rains, it pours, right? So, all the freelance I need to get out of my financial hole means I am working A LOT. Then I am out of town for the California Pen Show in the middle of the month. So, hi. Welcome to Link Love. I am too busy to say much more this week. Check in with me next week. I will either be deliriously tired or contentedly counting my newfound wealth.

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils Typewriters:

Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

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In Pen Review

What’s old is new… more on discovering gel pens!

Author Laura CameronPosted on 1 Comment
What’s old is new… more on discovering gel pens!

A few weeks ago when I went down the gel pen rabbit hole, Ana suggested I place an order with JetPens to try out everything. I meant to order the JetPens Purple Gel Pen Sampler ($22 for 10 pens), but I accidentally ordered the Purple Pen Sampler ($33 for 13 pens). For today’s review I’ve only included the gel pens (and one fine liner that snuck in!)

In this set, JetPens includes:

  • Pentel EnerGel X and RTX
  • Pilot Juice
  • Sakura Gelly Roll
  • Uniball Signo in 2 widths
  • Zebra Sarasa Clip Gel

Of all of these, I have to say that I still prefer the Pilot Juice (and the G2 of a few weeks ago) as my favorite. That may be because I’m leaning towards wider nibs that put down more ink these days, but I just find them so “flowy” to write with. They just glide across the page and are such a pleasure to use. I think the Pentel EnerGel pens were a close second there. In comparison, my original PaperMake Ink Joy Gels feel a little clunky now.

I do appreciate the finer points for those who wish to use them and the Uniball delivers nicely at both .28mm and .38mm. However, those just aren’t my preferred ones!

If you’re interested in finding out which gel pens you prefer, I can recommend the sampler sets – a variety of pens at a decent price in your favorite color!

DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Ink Review

Finding Dupes in my Ink Collection

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments
Finding Dupes in my Ink Collection

As I am putting our Fix It, Finish It or Frog It challenge to use this month, I decided to compare a few ink samples I purchased with some of the inks I already own (in full bottles!).

I grabbed samples of

I am shocked at how differently these inks look in photographs versus in person. Like those aura photos you can get at psychic fairs, these inks look so different but I’ll tell you how the colors look in person.

Surprisingly, Troublemaker Sea Glass looks a lot like other sea-inspired colors I already had — Dominant Industry Seaweed and Vinta Sirena. Honestly, when writing, Sea Glass and Sirena are almost identical with subtle differences in the undertones. Sirena is a little more blue/brown than Seaweed or Sea Glass. When Sea Glass is applied more heavily it actually looks more similar to Ferris Wheel Moss Park Green not that you can tell from the sample above.  But really, Moss Park Green is a good alternate to Seaweed or Sea Glass or vice versa. In comparison, Robert Oster Sinner’s Weed is a very saturated grass green and a bit too bright for my taste.

I own both Vinta Ink Karnival Summer Green and Dominant Industry Atlantis which are very similar but Atlantis has shimmer and Karnival does not. I’d recommend choosing based on your own personal preference. I don’t use a lot of shimmer inks so really, I only need the Karnival ink.

Troublemaker Kelp Tea and Esterbrook Forgotten Iced Tea are almost identical on paper but look so different in the photo. Kelp Tea is a bit warmer reddish brown while Forgotten Iced Tea is a little cooler with blue undertones. But Troublemaker Kelp Tea is more accessible so if you were bummed to miss the Esterbrook Forgotten Iced Tea, Kelp Tea is a good alternative.

In my head, I thought Robest Oster Sydney Darling Harbour would be similar to DeAtramentis Pigeon Blue but it seems like Pigeon Blue is more more saturated. Darling Harbour has that deeper teal blue that I had always associated with Pigeon Blue. Weird, right?

This experiment showed me that I do tend to pick similar types of ink colors and that honestly, I don’t need all of them as full bottles. I have a bit of Sirena left and a whole bottle of Seaweed and Moss Park Green so I don’t need a whole bottle of Sea Glass, right? The same with Kelp Tea. I have a bottle of Forgotten Iced Tea so I don’t need both.

The Robert Oster Sydney Darling Harbour was the only ink samples I purchased that I did not have a similar color in my collection. I liked its teal-y deep tone with some greenish undertones. I might buy a bottle of this soon but this experiment definitely tempered my ink mania. I don’t need every bottle and I do tend to use the same colors over and over anyway.

Have you tried a similar experiment? What ink colors do you buy over and over?

DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by Dromgoole’s and Vanness Pen Shop for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In feature

Shop Update: More Journal Clips, Page Markers & more

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Shop Update: More Journal Clips, Page Markers & more

Journal clips, decorative page markers and paper clips are a great way to make your daily journal/planner tasks easier and more beautiful. I have become a diehard enthusiast in journal clips which help keep your pages flat while writing. Our journal clips are weighty and just the clip will help to keep pages down, clipped tight will keep a page from moving or wiggling around so your writing is more consistent and confident.

Page markers can make finding your page faster and shaped paper clips can also collect your ephemera or keep pages together, away from prying eyes.

We’ve added some new heavy duty journal clips and restocked some of our favorites from CoraCrea Creates and Creeping Moon. More are on the way soon so stay tuned!

 

In Link Love

Link Love: No More Doomscrolling

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Link Love: No More Doomscrolling

The trend for 2026 of getting away from doomscrolling is continuing and I am seeing posts from lots of people looking for other options to distract, entertain and grow this year. Check out the Baum-Kuchen post a well as several posts in the Planners, Notebooks and Paper section for more inspiration.

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Planners, Notebooks & Paper:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

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