Product Review: Leuchtturm1917 A5 Square Grid Hardcover Journal
The Leuchtturm1917 is a stationery company that produces planners and notebooks, which are commonly used and recommended by the bullet journal (bujo) community as a beginner. In fact, it was also the first type of notebook that I used, specifically in dot-grid paper. The dot-grid was a very popular choice among the bujo community and it was indeed visually appealing. But as I continued to write in that journal, it made me realize how much I needed lines to guide my writing. I took a break from bujo-ing this year because of 2020 (lol), and I’m excited to start again for 2021. Fresh year, fresh start. Yet instead of the dot-grid format, I chose the square-grid lines due to their ease in creating tables and columns.
This is the hardcover Leuchtturm1917 A5 with square grids in army green. It weighs about 12 pounds with dimensions in inches of 8.25 (l) by 5.75 (w) by 0.67 (h). The paper grade is 80 gsm which is slightly thicker than Tomoe River Paper. There are 249 numbered pages bounded by a thread, and the corners are curved instead of pointy so that it doesn’t easily bend. The hardcover is not too thick and allows the entire journal to bend for both durability and flexibility, and it also sticks out a tad bit to protect the pages inside from environmental factors. And there is a vertical elastic band attached to the back of the journal to keep the journal secured, to prevent the edges from flapping and bending out too much, and to prevent articles from falling out (like pieces of loose-leaf paper).
There are 2 distinct ribbon page markers (one is solid while the other is striped) attached at the top area of the spine and are about 2 inches longer than the journal itself. One of the ribbons can be used to mark the last position and the other ribbon as a reference to a certain page that is visited frequently. Of course, bookmarks and page markers can be utilized or if additional pages permit attention.
The paper itself is an off-white color, which is better and easier on the eyes than plain white paper. And as I have mentioned about the weight being 80 gsm, it feels familiar like printing paper. Because of the way that these pages are bound to the spine of the notebook, it is designed to be opened and laid flat, making it convenient to write without pushing down onto the pages.
The very first page has a place to write your name and address in case the notebook gets lost. But of course, you can include other contact information like your phone number and email address in regards to privacy. The first page is thick similar to card stock paper most likely to preserve the first page which tends to get flipped through the most. This page somewhat continues onto the next and it is uniquely attached perhaps with glue.
The next three pages behave like a table of contents. I have seen bujo-ist use these pages to write down personal achievements, a list of books that were read, or even a bucket list. I have not filled this out though I might put it to good use later on. And the back of the third page is left blank probably as a way to transition into the main part of the journal.
The very heart of the notebook begins on the right side, as does the page number in the bottom lateral corner. The square grids start about half an inch from the top and it also has the word “Date” printed (which may be suitable for daily entries). Since the print is not too dark, it can be easily ignored, decorated, or written over. Moreover, it has a header space for items like titles, and a footer on the bottom for footnotes or perhaps a key/legend.
The size of each square grid is 5 by 5 millimeters for a comfortable and natural writing experience. There are 29 squares across and 37 squares top to bottom, which is consistent in all 249 pages. But the squares on both ends are a bit cut off as it may be difficult to write in that area; so they may serve as margins.
The last two pages are similar to the first two pages in this journal such that the page adjacent to the back cover is thicker while the page “attached” to it is not and it’s also blank. There is an expandable jacket pocket on the inner part of the back cover that opens up medially. It can store small loose materials like receipts, pictures, memos, ticket stubs, and whatnot. Inside the jacket pocket contains sheets of information about the company, the authenticity of that journal, and label adhesives that can be placed on the cover or spine of the journal.
So there you have it, an ideal physical notebook with various features to fit your preferences if you want to start journaling or switch to a different brand.
NTS: perform an ink test on the paper to analyze the amount of bleeding, feathering, and ghosting. Include fountain pens in various tips and nib sizes, gel inks, markers, highlighters, etc.
<3 Sole
