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Pen: Jinhao X750 ($10) is a no-brainer. Or the Platinum Carbon desk pen ($12) if you like really thin lines. Notebooks: Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Leuchtturm1917,

Pen: Jinhao X750 ($10) is a no-brainer. Or the Platinum Carbon desk pen ($12) if you like really thin lines. Notebooks: Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Leuchtturm1917, or equivalent quality. Should be around $15 depending on size. Moleskines are no-go (ink bleeds through page) Ink: Private Reserve is a nice starting point. I am particularly fond of their foam green. $11 for a 66ml bottle. Shop: I really like Goulet Pens. Good service, amazingly careful packaging. Source: personal experience and preference.

y2bd 11y ago
I'd generally recommend the Pilot Metropolitan over the X750, I feel as if the Metro is a "surer bet" when it comes to QA, and it's only around five bucks more. Plus the Metro comes in fine and medium nibs so you have a bit more choice there. Source: I have $100+ pens but I'm using a Metropolitan literally right now.
- semi-extrinsic 11y ago
  Interesting. My X750 sees quite randomly varying usage, and I really like how it's easy to "hard start" it after a couple weeks of non-usage. Is the Metropolitan similar? Edit: after reading some reviews the Metropolitan is now on my buy list. Thanks for the tip.
icpmacdo 11y ago
I appreciate the reply, I have had a few Moleskines but the pages seemed relatively thin, is that your reason for them being a no go?
- semi-extrinsic 11y ago
  Updated to say the ink bleeds through. I use a Moleskine, but only with a 3B pencil.
Tomte 11y ago
I've gone from a Pelikan fountain pen and Leuchtturm1917 to... Faber-Castell pencil (grade B) and cheap Muji notebooks. Yes, pencil does smear a bit, and those non-mechanical pencils get annoyingly short. But pencil is surprisingly durable (against light, and even against water accidents). And cheap is a big psychological factor in "I want a set of those everywhere".
brazzledazzle 11y ago
I use Zig Writer with Moleskines without any bleed through. Heck, I even use a Papermate Flair with them without issue sometimes. Edit: I see you use fountain pens, that explains it. I prefer the fine tipped markers since you get a smooth writing experience with an adjustable line width without the mess or bleed through.

y2bd 11y ago

I'd generally recommend the Pilot Metropolitan over the X750, I feel as if the Metro is a "surer bet" when it comes to QA, and it's only around five bucks more. Plus the Metro comes in fine and medium nibs so you have a bit more choice there. Source: I have $100+ pens but I'm using a Metropolitan literally right now.

semi-extrinsic 11y ago
Interesting. My X750 sees quite randomly varying usage, and I really like how it's easy to "hard start" it after a couple weeks of non-usage. Is the Metropolitan similar? Edit: after reading some reviews the Metropolitan is now on my buy list. Thanks for the tip.

icpmacdo 11y ago

I appreciate the reply, I have had a few Moleskines but the pages seemed relatively thin, is that your reason for them being a no go?

semi-extrinsic 11y ago
Updated to say the ink bleeds through. I use a Moleskine, but only with a 3B pencil.

Tomte 11y ago

I've gone from a Pelikan fountain pen and Leuchtturm1917 to... Faber-Castell pencil (grade B) and cheap Muji notebooks. Yes, pencil does smear a bit, and those non-mechanical pencils get annoyingly short. But pencil is surprisingly durable (against light, and even against water accidents). And cheap is a big psychological factor in "I want a set of those everywhere".

brazzledazzle 11y ago

I use Zig Writer with Moleskines without any bleed through. Heck, I even use a Papermate Flair with them without issue sometimes. Edit: I see you use fountain pens, that explains it. I prefer the fine tipped markers since you get a smooth writing experience with an adjustable line width without the mess or bleed through.