Great comparison video! I just started using Hobnichi Weeks this year and I'm looking forward to the 2025 release. Now I need to go check out the Sterling Ink one as well. Thank you for taking the time to do your video!
Point of clarification: Sterling Ink is already using the new Tomoe River (S) Sanzen paper, in their 2024 planners and going forward. The OG Tomoe River paper isn't being manufactured anymore, but Hobonichi bought up a bunch which is why some of their planners for 2024 still had it.
I prefer the Hobonichi Weeks. I am the American exception in only ordering the Japanese versions of Techos. I love the look of the original Japanese language and enjoy not being distracted by the quotes, etc.!
Stay tuned for my next video! I actually mentioned how I use Google translate with a camera to be able to easily read the Japanese quotes and other text.
I don't use the weeks because it just didn't work for me, but i'm like you in that i only purchase the Japanese versions even though I'm American and don't read or speak any Japanese. I just prefer the look of them.
@@emilyinwhite I also prefer the Japanese version when I use Hobonichi Techos. There’s enough English to navigate, and it’s easier to ignore the quotations.
I don't think that the English version of the Hobonichi weeks is meant particulary for the U.S. market only. I think it's supposed to be for the rest of the world other than Japan and Japanese speakers. So I don't think it would make sense for a Japanese brand that has been making planners for years before americans or the rest of the world started buying them, to listen to a group of Americans that wants the planners to not look like they are Japanese anymore. For many outside of Japan that's some of the charm, I think. I've never used any of these planners, but doing a bit of research now wondering if I'll buy a Hobonichi. I was a bit taken aback by your take on the Japanese part of the Hobo Weeks planner. It is a Japanese planner still even though the language is English.
😄😆 This was a comparison video. I still like the Hobonichi planners very much. In fact, I'm using the Hobonichi Weeks as my daily planner right now. But, I could do without the moon phases. I don't need to see them in my planner.
Your message was very kind and refreshing to me while some planner people on TH-cam are calling the bottom quotes “wasted space”. I am Japanese and Japanese is my first language but currently live in North America. I make my point to always order hobonichi in Japanese version because for me seeing our holiday such as our emperor’s birthday is very important.
Before I start I want to be clear that I’m not saying everyone has to love the Weeks. I'm not a Hobonichi standard bearer. I'm not anti-Common Planner or any other planner system out there. I'm not even using a Weeks or a N2 this year, just the Jibun Techo planner so it didn't matter to me which planner you said you were going to use in 2025. Now, I hope you take this as constructive criticism because I do often watch your videos and find your content interesting, but your approach on this topic was heavily biased from the beginning and less a comparison of the two systems and more of a laundry list of things wrong with the Weeks, how it should change based off your and other people's opinions, and only mentioning changes being made to the 2025 Common Planner based off of user feedback with no cons that you mentioned after having used it over the past year. That was not fair to either planner. The Weeks has positive aspects just like the N2 has negative aspects but none of them were brought up. You might not have meant it that way-or maybe you did-but that is how the commentary sounded throughout the video. And making sweeping opinions about what is best for a planner from an American perspective (such as remove all Japanese elements from what is still a Japanese planner even if it is in English and make it seemingly more like the Common Planner) as if all Americans are in agreement, may be negating or trivializing what other people in the world may feel positive and negative about the Weeks *and* the Common Planner by extension. We know what you like about the N2, but what are things that you find it falls short of based on your usage? Why are you torn between the N2 and the Weeks for 2025 if you had such good things to say about the Common Planner versus the Weeks? Is it a sense of familiarity or a level of exhaustion trying to use so many blank pages in the N2? I'm also curious why people feel like the Weeks needs to be more like other Western planners that have seemingly already "fixed" the Weeks's issues? If there are alternatives already in the market, why is there still a call for Hobonichi to change things? What would be unique about the Weeks at that point? The covers? Would you leave the Common Planner or other similar system for the Weeks for a cover if they were even more alike and you still had to pay the higher price for the Weeks due to it needing to be imported? Again, please don't take my comments the wrong way. You are very much entitled to your opinions and can be as strong about your beliefs as you like. This is your channel. You can do whatever you like and post whatever videos you like. Please have a wonderful day and know that I wish you the best and want you to succeed as a content creator.
I appreciate your opinion. Let me just say that I am an American, and I mentioned that in one part of the video...how that affected my opinion about having the Japanese characters in the English version. I was honest about it and how it may not affect other people from around the world. I discussed the cover being an issue. Hobonichi has more variety and that pulls people back to using it...I've heard this on TH-cam and on Instagram. As for the N2, I also said that I did not like having so many extra pages. If I do buy it for 2025, it will be the compact version. I have to admit, I could have included more reasons why the N2 may not be worth it, but honestly, I don't have a lot of reasons that it wouldn't be. As for the other options, I've looked around. I'm not a fan of PaperTess Designs notebook- I don't care for the layout. The Angel Shoppe one is a contender, but it's totally undated...I'm not quite sure if I would want that either. And there are more options than those that I previously mentioned. I'm still trying to figure out my 2025 planner lineup. You'll have to see if I stick to the Weeks or not.
@@PlanYourOneLife I tried to find different ways to explain this but I think it boils down to this: I was hoping for a video that compared and contrasted the Weeks and the horizontal N2 Common Planner as they are designed with no personal opinions about what should or should not be included in the planners, and then a breakdown of each planner’s strengths and weaknesses after having used them for several months. Things like hearing about how the binding of the N2 full year held up after a year of use and the addition of deco in your experience. Would the full year still fit in any cover purchased for it at the beginning of the year or would you have to purchase a different custom cover to fit it once it started swelling from the addition of deco. Did you find the TRP S of the Common Planner still comparable to the old TRP of the Weeks or were there issues once you settled into using it long term. Things like that which would help people make an informed decision during the planner buying season. Not necessarily those specifics because you could focus on whatever aspects of the planners you wanted to but something about the how the form and function of the two planners worked after extended use. Instead the video was more about your personal opinions on how the Weeks could be better with some unbiased comparisons between the two such as the cover options. I’m still not saying your opinions aren’t valid or that you shouldn’t express them. What I am saying is that when you are presenting a video comparing planners to help people decide which to buy and say that the invisible line needs to be removed because we can draw our own lines, that maybe the topic derailed a bit. As far as the American statement, I’m talking about what you said specifically about the moon phases in the Weeks and not about the Japanese characters. That part was a little off because you said very few people outside of Japan could make use of them and they should be removed. I could be wrong on this as I only checked a handful of countries west of Japan and I didn’t check to see if there are differences between northern and southern hemispheres, but I think that if you are within 12 hours of Japan the moon phase dates are fairly accurate. The US-I’m also American-is 13-14 hours behind Japan depending on whether it’s daylight saving time. That’s why the moon phases are a day off for us. But there is an awful lot of world between us and Japan such as sizable portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa that are all within the 12 hour span. So in that regard, I just really wanted to point out that we Americans sometimes have a very focused and narrow view of the world and should break the habit of making sweeping generalized statements when it comes to who does or doesn’t find things useful when there are thousands to millions of people that may have a differing opinion that we tend not to account for. Again, please don’t take anything I say the wrong way. I don’t mean to be cruel or demeaning in anyway. I don’t want to offend and I don’t want to come off as knowing what is best for your channel. I’m not a content creator nor have any desire to be. I just hope to be a slightly helpful voice on the internet. All the best and I look forward to your future videos. ❤️
Agree with this… to be honest I will be sad if those Hobonichi’s quirks are removed because those are what make Hobonichi, Hobonichi. Those quotes, extra stuff at the back are something I enjoy and had encouraged me to use the techo in lighthearted and fun ways. I tried other planners last year and again this year. They are good in their own ways but those very clean and minimalist pages somehow intimidate me to start, and halfway through, it’s not as fun anymore then I stopped.
@Pandanichi The "extra stuff" that Hobonichi has in their Weeks can be both fun and annoying. I think that is why I keep going back to using it. Even though I don't care for the red on some of the dates, I do enjoy some of the quotes and other tips that are in the back of the techo.
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I am in the sterling ink weeks dupe this year. I love it. I tried hobonichi weeks the previous 2 years. It was never love. I adore the vertical lay out, I’ll miss the quartz in this size this year. SI is si classy and subtle. 😊
Speaking of Battle of the Brands, for a lot of people it's going to come down to goodwill. Sterling Ink and Hobonichi both offer excellent products so brand affinity will be a huge factor in deciding what one is willing to put up with. Less writing space & no grids on half the spread. Or limited cover designs and less brand accessories? For some one thing is more important than the other. I'm also seeing a lot of people liking and buying both! That's pretty significant when you consider one has only existed for 2 to 3 yrs.
I'm a little bit disappointed in the covers that are being offered for the 2025 SI Weeks' planners. I wish that she would have chosen 3 or 4 colors and offered them for every planner. Instead some colors are being offered for certain sizes/layouts and not for others. The planner that I may get, I will probably have to cover up. It's not being offered in the mulberry or the caramel colors that I love.
@@PlanYourOneLife I agree with you on the sterling ink color choices. I use a6 vertical and have the quartz color. It matches my moterm cover and other accessories…but for 2025 it’s only available in forest, which is a beautiful color but TOTALLY off for the look of the neutral pink hues I have in everything.
@@PlanYourOneLife I like her compact sizes, so I was a bit bummed that the color I really wanted was in full year. 🥲 However I just keep telling myself that whatever I get from her will be an elevated experience because it's true. My hope is that with more and more support and stability, she may be able to expand her color options, however I do understand and accept that she's not quite there yet. Edit: Yeah, just side ramblings here, thinking more about the strengths and weaknesses of Hobonichi and Sterling Ink... SI has more layout and size options but very curated cover options. Hobonichi has more cover designs and accessories but a very rigid selection of sizes and layouts. I think for this reason a person may choose both for different uses? With my scatterbrain I cannot use more than one planner at this time, but perhaps a HB for one thing and SI for another will work for a lot of people.
I ordered a Hobonichi Weeks again for next year. 2023 was a no brainer because it was the only planner that still had the old TR paper. I‘ll see how I like the new paper with my fountain pens. I prefer the Weeks over the N2 because of the harder cover (don‘t like the Sneakers Weeks that much) and the slimmer profile because it is my main planner and also for on the go.
Thanks for doing this side by side comparison. I am a Hobonich user but this year I'm going to give Sterling Ink a try both in this size and the A5. What really appeals to me is that the SI books seem much more "grown up" and elegant compared to the Hobonichi which seem to be geared toward a more juvenile market. The SI books appeal to me on that level and they seem to incorporate my favourite features of my beloved Hobonichis. Looking forward to something new.
Phases of the moon are important in the US too. By the way, a lot of companies in the US are Japanese owned, and they are starting to ask for Japanese speakers for their companies. Even Chemours (Dupont) is Japanese owned now. So while it might not be needed, it can still be read by some. For those learning the language, that exposure frequency is important.
Thank you for taking the time to compare them and offer your personal options on each. As my pastor said, eat the meat spit out the bones. You provided info to help me make a decision on which one I’d like.
I get it that there’s no way they can offer everything but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that there wasn’t a pink option in the B6 or A5. I really do like the weeks, though.
Thank you for the side by side comparison. I’m still torn. I’ve tried a variety of planners and am currently in a Hobonichi Weeks Mega for personal use. I dislike the yellow paper (funny since I chose it because of eye fatigue from Jibun Techo!). The N2 is so clean but might be too minimalist for me though it captures the goal planning that I loved in my Full Focus planner. I need to make a decision.
I like the minimalist look of the SI planners, too. But sometimes, that can be a bit boring. The Weeks might have some "annoying" features, but it also makes it more unique and interesting.
I like the phases of the moon and it's a feature I use and look for, it's great for pagans. I like the Japanese characters too because it just says whst day of the week it is. I'm use to it having studied Japanese though tbh. I'm not American but my native language is English. I'm glad i can get my hands on this to try. I have only tried a cousin.
Thank you so much for this video, it was so helpful! Now that I’ve made up my mind for the Sterling Ink, I need to decide between the N1 or N2. I’ve never used a weeks planner of either brand, usually I go for an A5, but I’d like something a little more portable.
Thank you for doing this comparison, i’ve always bought the HB weeks as a “to go” planner when i’m out running around for errands or whatever and my A5 cousin didn’t fit well in my purse. I just found sterling ink and have been debating on switching over. All the stuff you pointed out about the HB is some of the reasons i’ll probably switch. The quotes, the paper color, no grids on the weekly, and the colors for the weekends. As for the HB cousin ive been in, i’ll probably switch to SI for that. I do like the pages in the back for “daily” are not dated, so i dont feel sad or down when i see a bunch of blank dated pages because i just didnt feel like writing in it. I debsted getting the B6, but whew, switching companies is all the excitement i think i can take right now. 😂
In general it's very easy for me to stay within 1 book (I don't like to archive multiple of the same sort of book for the year) and Hobonichi lost it's luster for me years ago because the A5 was too much room, and the A6 and weeks weren't enough so when the B6 from Sterling Ink came, I felt I found my happy place. After using B6 for planning for 2023 and 2024 and using the N1 (regular TN) size for my reading journal I'm thinking of switching up my planner for 2025 for something totally different. I've found that what I like most is a monthly and a day free without the weekly and I fell in love with the Regular TN size so I think I'm going to do the N1 with the monthly booklet from sterling in paired with a notebook (no one is making a fountain pen friendly TN size planner with monthly and day free pages only)
Hi! Great video !! What did you order a sterling ink planner and you don’t like it so you order a different one can you return it? I’m so stressed out. I’ve spent way too much money. I bought theN2H. And it’s almost like too short and too thick like I really thought I was buying the TN caramel color and black anyway then I ordered the one vertical which I don’t know if I’m gonna like the layout. I just don’t understand these option options lol doesn’t even make sense.
Such a great comparison! Just wondering where the clear cover on your Sterling Ink weeks is from? I don't think Sterling Ink is planning on releasing clear covers for 2025, so I'm wondering if a Hobonichi weeks cover would work 🤔🤔😇
Thank you! The cover is from her shop. I was able to get it last year when I ordered that size. Have you looked into the Lauren Phelps Designs' Weeks' cover? I think that she sells the Weeks' covers too. The Hobonichi Weeks cover should work on her compact N2, but keep in mind that HWs' covers are more rounded.
Also Catherine said she will release clear covers for all the sizes after she finishes this planner thing Hopefully before the new year so you can just wait fir it if you will get other sizes which is not in hobonichi
I started out using a Hobo weeks, but only got through a couple of months because I could not tolerate the cream colored paper. Will definitely consider the SI N2!
My 2023-2024 was a hobonichi a6 and I felt like I wasted so many pages because I didn’t like the set up. 2025 is a sterling ink a6 horizontal and I finally got it and flipped through it and it had what I need so time will tell if I’m sticking with sterling ink or going back to hobonichi.
I ordered both, but after seeing this video I’m questioning if I did right in not purchasing a SI compact instead of the regular because it looks thick thick 😬
I tried the Hobonichi Weeks a couple of times, but the format didn’t work for me. I preferred the A6 Original (Japanese version) and now I use the Sterling Ink A6 Compact. If I wanted the Weeks format I would choose the SI. The pages look cleaner and I like the quarterly pages in the SI. I’d also pick the SI because the paper is white. I hated the cream paper in the Hobo Weeks.
First time watcher, thank you so much for sharing this side by side. I've used the Hobonichi products and have enjoyed them but I do not care for the red in all the planners and the extra writing on the bottom of the pages. I am planning on using a Sterling Ink this year. Just not sure if I'm going to get a Common Planner or a Daily Planner. I know there is a new horizontal layout in Sterling Ink's bigger size common planners so I'm leaning that way as of now. I have not seen the complete Hobonichi line up yet, so who knows. Thanks again for sharing!!
I think the binding on Hobonichi is a lot better. I've had binding issues with the Common Planner where the cover is separating from the pages. Also, I like the structure provided in the Hobonichi and a lot of the printable sticker kits I have fit the Hobonichi.
I had binding issues with her imperfect notebooks and planners, but not with the "perfect" ones. I have to agree with you when it comes to the sticker kits. Since Hobonichi is a bigger company and has a wider range of buyers, more sticker kits are available for their planners. It can be frustrating, having to adjust your sticker kit to slightly different spread.
Hi Brittany 👋🏾 thanks for showing the differences . ❤ i dont love the small size of wither but if i had to choose one i would go with sterling ink because i dont love the red/pink font
I'd depends on which planner and if you're buying them from Amazon, another store or Hobonichi directly. Hobonichi has added $30 for shipping when I've ordered directly from them (just the Weeks Techo alone to America). Amazon adds the shipping to the price of the planner and makes it one price so you don't see the separation. Another option is ordering from an online shop or buying it in retail brick and mortar shops to save money. Last year, I ordered from Hobonichi directly and then later on from Atlas Stationers. I was able to received the freebies when I ordered from Hobonichi directly, but not from Atlas. But with Atlas, I was able to use my discount code and shipping was free due to total order cost. Also, some of the online or brick and mortar retailers might not sell the entire Hobonichi 2025 Techos.
@@TheSmdl I’m glad you mentioned the price points. I think Sterling Ink has a wonderful product and I adore the feel of her planners/notebooks, as well as the overall design. But, Hobonichi has been my go-to in the past and the actual planners and Weeks are much less expensive (the price can rise quickly when you add on the covers/cover-on-cover options) and the shipping is more. So to me, I do agree with a prior comment about being intimidated by a minimalist planner. Some people thrive with the blank pages and can turn them into works of art…that isn’t me. I thought that I would know 100% what to choose for 2025 by now but I’m still unsure. I think the one thing to keep in mind about ordering from Hobonichi directly is that the free shipping this year is for an order of $300 US$. That is definitely high, but worth looking at if you are looking for an expensive cover or many items. Also, my experience with their shipping last year was incredible. My box came quickly. For Sterling Ink, the wait will be longer but also a great product. It’s cheaper for US shipping (or free) but each planner size costs more than Hobonichi (for just the planner). The nice thing about Sterling Ink planners is that the covers have such a great feel to them that you almost don’t want to cover them! Tough decisions….thanks for the comparison!
I overall like the Sterling Ink N2 version. I use the moterm covers for weeks but also purchase covers from Happie Scrappie which are wonderful. The one thing that I would love to be added is in the front the current year and next year with a little planning space for future planning on dates. But I can add a tip in page if needed.
Yes, I recommend Gillio or Moterm. Their covers are wider. Eternal Leather Goods sells covers for the full Weeks size too, but you will have to pay a few more dollars to get it.
Moon phases are the same no matter where you live. They just happen at different times according to when the moon is visible in the sky. So it's a lovely feature, especially for those who use it in spiritual practices or to see it's affects on menstrual cycles. I'm not bothered by the Japanese touches in the English because it is a Japanese brand and I like that represented. At least it doesn't have all those dumb holidays printed in our planners. The things you think are not necessary are nice features that some of us enjoy.
😂 Dumb holidays? 🤣😂🤣 I disagree with you, I don't think that is dumb to have the holidays listed have in my planner. We can agree to disagree on the moon phases too. Thank you for watching!
@MusicalSaraJo It's the same for the moon cycles for me. I have no need for them in my planner. ☺️ But it's not the end of the world for me either. I still like the Hobonichi Weeks. I was only stating something that might bother some people.
Well update, they dont due to lack of demand. Which sucks because the community raves about them being the hobonichi alternative yet for my need I dont even get an alternative.. :/
Great comparison video! I just started using Hobnichi Weeks this year and I'm looking forward to the 2025 release. Now I need to go check out the Sterling Ink one as well. Thank you for taking the time to do your video!
You're welcome! 😊
Point of clarification: Sterling Ink is already using the new Tomoe River (S) Sanzen paper, in their 2024 planners and going forward. The OG Tomoe River paper isn't being manufactured anymore, but Hobonichi bought up a bunch which is why some of their planners for 2024 still had it.
Thanks!
I prefer the Hobonichi Weeks. I am the American exception in only ordering the Japanese versions of Techos. I love the look of the original Japanese language and enjoy not being distracted by the quotes, etc.!
Stay tuned for my next video! I actually mentioned how I use Google translate with a camera to be able to easily read the Japanese quotes and other text.
I love it!! 😊
I don't use the weeks because it just didn't work for me, but i'm like you in that i only purchase the Japanese versions even though I'm American and don't read or speak any Japanese. I just prefer the look of them.
@@emilyinwhite I also prefer the Japanese version when I use Hobonichi Techos. There’s enough English to navigate, and it’s easier to ignore the quotations.
I don't think that the English version of the Hobonichi weeks is meant particulary for the U.S. market only. I think it's supposed to be for the rest of the world other than Japan and Japanese speakers. So I don't think it would make sense for a Japanese brand that has been making planners for years before americans or the rest of the world started buying them, to listen to a group of Americans that wants the planners to not look like they are Japanese anymore. For many outside of Japan that's some of the charm, I think. I've never used any of these planners, but doing a bit of research now wondering if I'll buy a Hobonichi. I was a bit taken aback by your take on the Japanese part of the Hobo Weeks planner. It is a Japanese planner still even though the language is English.
😄😆 This was a comparison video. I still like the Hobonichi planners very much. In fact, I'm using the Hobonichi Weeks as my daily planner right now. But, I could do without the moon phases. I don't need to see them in my planner.
Your message was very kind and refreshing to me while some planner people on TH-cam are calling the bottom quotes “wasted space”. I am Japanese and Japanese is my first language but currently live in North America. I make my point to always order hobonichi in Japanese version because for me seeing our holiday such as our emperor’s birthday is very important.
Before I start I want to be clear that I’m not saying everyone has to love the Weeks. I'm not a Hobonichi standard bearer. I'm not anti-Common Planner or any other planner system out there. I'm not even using a Weeks or a N2 this year, just the Jibun Techo planner so it didn't matter to me which planner you said you were going to use in 2025.
Now, I hope you take this as constructive criticism because I do often watch your videos and find your content interesting, but your approach on this topic was heavily biased from the beginning and less a comparison of the two systems and more of a laundry list of things wrong with the Weeks, how it should change based off your and other people's opinions, and only mentioning changes being made to the 2025 Common Planner based off of user feedback with no cons that you mentioned after having used it over the past year. That was not fair to either planner. The Weeks has positive aspects just like the N2 has negative aspects but none of them were brought up. You might not have meant it that way-or maybe you did-but that is how the commentary sounded throughout the video. And making sweeping opinions about what is best for a planner from an American perspective (such as remove all Japanese elements from what is still a Japanese planner even if it is in English and make it seemingly more like the Common Planner) as if all Americans are in agreement, may be negating or trivializing what other people in the world may feel positive and negative about the Weeks *and* the Common Planner by extension. We know what you like about the N2, but what are things that you find it falls short of based on your usage? Why are you torn between the N2 and the Weeks for 2025 if you had such good things to say about the Common Planner versus the Weeks? Is it a sense of familiarity or a level of exhaustion trying to use so many blank pages in the N2?
I'm also curious why people feel like the Weeks needs to be more like other Western planners that have seemingly already "fixed" the Weeks's issues? If there are alternatives already in the market, why is there still a call for Hobonichi to change things? What would be unique about the Weeks at that point? The covers? Would you leave the Common Planner or other similar system for the Weeks for a cover if they were even more alike and you still had to pay the higher price for the Weeks due to it needing to be imported?
Again, please don't take my comments the wrong way. You are very much entitled to your opinions and can be as strong about your beliefs as you like. This is your channel. You can do whatever you like and post whatever videos you like. Please have a wonderful day and know that I wish you the best and want you to succeed as a content creator.
I appreciate your opinion. Let me just say that I am an American, and I mentioned that in one part of the video...how that affected my opinion about having the Japanese characters in the English version. I was honest about it and how it may not affect other people from around the world.
I discussed the cover being an issue. Hobonichi has more variety and that pulls people back to using it...I've heard this on TH-cam and on Instagram.
As for the N2, I also said that I did not like having so many extra pages. If I do buy it for 2025, it will be the compact version.
I have to admit, I could have included more reasons why the N2 may not be worth it, but honestly, I don't have a lot of reasons that it wouldn't be.
As for the other options, I've looked around. I'm not a fan of PaperTess Designs notebook- I don't care for the layout. The Angel Shoppe one is a contender, but it's totally undated...I'm not quite sure if I would want that either.
And there are more options than those that I previously mentioned. I'm still trying to figure out my 2025 planner lineup.
You'll have to see if I stick to the Weeks or not.
@@PlanYourOneLife I tried to find different ways to explain this but I think it boils down to this: I was hoping for a video that compared and contrasted the Weeks and the horizontal N2 Common Planner as they are designed with no personal opinions about what should or should not be included in the planners, and then a breakdown of each planner’s strengths and weaknesses after having used them for several months. Things like hearing about how the binding of the N2 full year held up after a year of use and the addition of deco in your experience. Would the full year still fit in any cover purchased for it at the beginning of the year or would you have to purchase a different custom cover to fit it once it started swelling from the addition of deco. Did you find the TRP S of the Common Planner still comparable to the old TRP of the Weeks or were there issues once you settled into using it long term. Things like that which would help people make an informed decision during the planner buying season. Not necessarily those specifics because you could focus on whatever aspects of the planners you wanted to but something about the how the form and function of the two planners worked after extended use. Instead the video was more about your personal opinions on how the Weeks could be better with some unbiased comparisons between the two such as the cover options. I’m still not saying your opinions aren’t valid or that you shouldn’t express them. What I am saying is that when you are presenting a video comparing planners to help people decide which to buy and say that the invisible line needs to be removed because we can draw our own lines, that maybe the topic derailed a bit.
As far as the American statement, I’m talking about what you said specifically about the moon phases in the Weeks and not about the Japanese characters. That part was a little off because you said very few people outside of Japan could make use of them and they should be removed. I could be wrong on this as I only checked a handful of countries west of Japan and I didn’t check to see if there are differences between northern and southern hemispheres, but I think that if you are within 12 hours of Japan the moon phase dates are fairly accurate. The US-I’m also American-is 13-14 hours behind Japan depending on whether it’s daylight saving time. That’s why the moon phases are a day off for us. But there is an awful lot of world between us and Japan such as sizable portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa that are all within the 12 hour span. So in that regard, I just really wanted to point out that we Americans sometimes have a very focused and narrow view of the world and should break the habit of making sweeping generalized statements when it comes to who does or doesn’t find things useful when there are thousands to millions of people that may have a differing opinion that we tend not to account for.
Again, please don’t take anything I say the wrong way. I don’t mean to be cruel or demeaning in anyway. I don’t want to offend and I don’t want to come off as knowing what is best for your channel. I’m not a content creator nor have any desire to be. I just hope to be a slightly helpful voice on the internet. All the best and I look forward to your future videos. ❤️
Thank you very much for your opinion. I 100% agree.
Agree with this… to be honest I will be sad if those Hobonichi’s quirks are removed because those are what make Hobonichi, Hobonichi. Those quotes, extra stuff at the back are something I enjoy and had encouraged me to use the techo in lighthearted and fun ways. I tried other planners last year and again this year. They are good in their own ways but those very clean and minimalist pages somehow intimidate me to start, and halfway through, it’s not as fun anymore then I stopped.
@Pandanichi The "extra stuff" that Hobonichi has in their Weeks can be both fun and annoying. I think that is why I keep going back to using it. Even though I don't care for the red on some of the dates, I do enjoy some of the quotes and other tips that are in the back of the techo.
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I am in the sterling ink weeks dupe this year. I love it. I tried hobonichi weeks the previous 2 years. It was never love. I adore the vertical lay out, I’ll miss the quartz in this size this year. SI is si classy and subtle. 😊
Speaking of Battle of the Brands, for a lot of people it's going to come down to goodwill. Sterling Ink and Hobonichi both offer excellent products so brand affinity will be a huge factor in deciding what one is willing to put up with. Less writing space & no grids on half the spread. Or limited cover designs and less brand accessories? For some one thing is more important than the other. I'm also seeing a lot of people liking and buying both! That's pretty significant when you consider one has only existed for 2 to 3 yrs.
I'm a little bit disappointed in the covers that are being offered for the 2025 SI Weeks' planners. I wish that she would have chosen 3 or 4 colors and offered them for every planner. Instead some colors are being offered for certain sizes/layouts and not for others. The planner that I may get, I will probably have to cover up. It's not being offered in the mulberry or the caramel colors that I love.
@@PlanYourOneLife I agree with you on the sterling ink color choices. I use a6 vertical and have the quartz color. It matches my moterm cover and other accessories…but for 2025 it’s only available in forest, which is a beautiful color but TOTALLY off for the look of the neutral pink hues I have in everything.
@AndreaK1013 Aww, man. You're right that planner cover won't match with the A6 cover at all.
@@PlanYourOneLife
I like her compact sizes, so I was a bit bummed that the color I really wanted was in full year. 🥲 However I just keep telling myself that whatever I get from her will be an elevated experience because it's true. My hope is that with more and more support and stability, she may be able to expand her color options, however I do understand and accept that she's not quite there yet.
Edit: Yeah, just side ramblings here, thinking more about the strengths and weaknesses of Hobonichi and Sterling Ink...
SI has more layout and size options but very curated cover options.
Hobonichi has more cover designs and accessories but a very rigid selection of sizes and layouts.
I think for this reason a person may choose both for different uses? With my scatterbrain I cannot use more than one planner at this time, but perhaps a HB for one thing and SI for another will work for a lot of people.
Great video. Awesome comparison. I'm a Sterling Ink fan, so I'm sticking to Sterling Ink. Loved your comparison.
Great comparison 🙏🏻
Thank you
I ordered a Hobonichi Weeks again for next year. 2023 was a no brainer because it was the only planner that still had the old TR paper. I‘ll see how I like the new paper with my fountain pens. I prefer the Weeks over the N2 because of the harder cover (don‘t like the Sneakers Weeks that much) and the slimmer profile because it is my main planner and also for on the go.
Thank you for the comparison as I have always wondered but haven’t strayed, I love the Hononichi, Jibun Techo and Midori
Thanks for doing this side by side comparison. I am a Hobonich user but this year I'm going to give Sterling Ink a try both in this size and the A5. What really appeals to me is that the SI books seem much more "grown up" and elegant compared to the Hobonichi which seem to be geared toward a more juvenile market. The SI books appeal to me on that level and they seem to incorporate my favourite features of my beloved Hobonichis. Looking forward to something new.
Phases of the moon are important in the US too. By the way, a lot of companies in the US are Japanese owned, and they are starting to ask for Japanese speakers for their companies. Even Chemours (Dupont) is Japanese owned now. So while it might not be needed, it can still be read by some. For those learning the language, that exposure frequency is important.
Thank you for taking the time to compare them and offer your personal options on each. As my pastor said, eat the meat spit out the bones. You provided info to help me make a decision on which one I’d like.
I get it that there’s no way they can offer everything but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that there wasn’t a pink option in the B6 or A5. I really do like the weeks, though.
I’m a rings girl just now investigating book bound. This walk-through was so helpful. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Thank you for the side by side comparison. I’m still torn. I’ve tried a variety of planners and am currently in a Hobonichi Weeks Mega for personal use. I dislike the yellow paper (funny since I chose it because of eye fatigue from Jibun Techo!). The N2 is so clean but might be too minimalist for me though it captures the goal planning that I loved in my Full Focus planner. I need to make a decision.
I like the minimalist look of the SI planners, too. But sometimes, that can be a bit boring. The Weeks might have some "annoying" features, but it also makes it more unique and interesting.
I like the phases of the moon and it's a feature I use and look for, it's great for pagans. I like the Japanese characters too because it just says whst day of the week it is. I'm use to it having studied Japanese though tbh.
I'm not American but my native language is English. I'm glad i can get my hands on this to try. I have only tried a cousin.
Thank you so much for this video, it was so helpful! Now that I’ve made up my mind for the Sterling Ink, I need to decide between the N1 or N2. I’ve never used a weeks planner of either brand, usually I go for an A5, but I’d like something a little more portable.
Thank you for doing this comparison, i’ve always bought the HB weeks as a “to go” planner when i’m out running around for errands or whatever and my A5 cousin didn’t fit well in my purse. I just found sterling ink and have been debating on switching over. All the stuff you pointed out about the HB is some of the reasons i’ll probably switch. The quotes, the paper color, no grids on the weekly, and the colors for the weekends. As for the HB cousin ive been in, i’ll probably switch to SI for that. I do like the pages in the back for “daily” are not dated, so i dont feel sad or down when i see a bunch of blank dated pages because i just didnt feel like writing in it. I debsted getting the B6, but whew, switching companies is all the excitement i think i can take right now. 😂
In general it's very easy for me to stay within 1 book (I don't like to archive multiple of the same sort of book for the year) and Hobonichi lost it's luster for me years ago because the A5 was too much room, and the A6 and weeks weren't enough so when the B6 from Sterling Ink came, I felt I found my happy place. After using B6 for planning for 2023 and 2024 and using the N1 (regular TN) size for my reading journal I'm thinking of switching up my planner for 2025 for something totally different. I've found that what I like most is a monthly and a day free without the weekly and I fell in love with the Regular TN size so I think I'm going to do the N1 with the monthly booklet from sterling in paired with a notebook (no one is making a fountain pen friendly TN size planner with monthly and day free pages only)
The moon cycle is necessary for people outside Japan.
For some people...not everyone. 😉
Hi! Great video !! What did you order a sterling ink planner and you don’t like it so you order a different one can you return it? I’m so stressed out. I’ve spent way too much money. I bought theN2H. And it’s almost like too short and too thick like I really thought I was buying the TN caramel color and black anyway then I ordered the one vertical which I don’t know if I’m gonna like the layout. I just don’t understand these option options lol doesn’t even make sense.
Such a great comparison! Just wondering where the clear cover on your Sterling Ink weeks is from? I don't think Sterling Ink is planning on releasing clear covers for 2025, so I'm wondering if a Hobonichi weeks cover would work 🤔🤔😇
Thank you! The cover is from her shop. I was able to get it last year when I ordered that size. Have you looked into the Lauren Phelps Designs' Weeks' cover? I think that she sells the Weeks' covers too. The Hobonichi Weeks cover should work on her compact N2, but keep in mind that HWs' covers are more rounded.
@@PlanYourOneLife That is so true! Thank you 💘
Also Catherine said she will release clear covers for all the sizes after she finishes this planner thing
Hopefully before the new year so you can just wait fir it if you will get other sizes which is not in hobonichi
@@saraelgaili3305 OMG this is news to me! Thank you so much!
Hobo forsure
I started out using a Hobo weeks, but only got through a couple of months because I could not tolerate the cream colored paper. Will definitely consider the SI N2!
My 2023-2024 was a hobonichi a6 and I felt like I wasted so many pages because I didn’t like the set up. 2025 is a sterling ink a6 horizontal and I finally got it and flipped through it and it had what I need so time will tell if I’m sticking with sterling ink or going back to hobonichi.
I ordered both, but after seeing this video I’m questioning if I did right in not purchasing a SI compact instead of the regular because it looks thick thick 😬
The full size SI Weeks is very thick, that is why I stopped using it. It had too many pages for me.
I tried the Hobonichi Weeks a couple of times, but the format didn’t work for me. I preferred the A6 Original (Japanese version) and now I use the Sterling Ink A6 Compact. If I wanted the Weeks format I would choose the SI. The pages look cleaner and I like the quarterly pages in the SI. I’d also pick the SI because the paper is white. I hated the cream paper in the Hobo Weeks.
First time watcher, thank you so much for sharing this side by side. I've used the Hobonichi products and have enjoyed them but I do not care for the red in all the planners and the extra writing on the bottom of the pages. I am planning on using a Sterling Ink this year. Just not sure if I'm going to get a Common Planner or a Daily Planner. I know there is a new horizontal layout in Sterling Ink's bigger size common planners so I'm leaning that way as of now. I have not seen the complete Hobonichi line up yet, so who knows. Thanks again for sharing!!
Stay tuned! I'm going to share video of the Hobonichi Preview soon on my channel! 😃
I think the binding on Hobonichi is a lot better. I've had binding issues with the Common Planner where the cover is separating from the pages. Also, I like the structure provided in the Hobonichi and a lot of the printable sticker kits I have fit the Hobonichi.
I had binding issues with her imperfect notebooks and planners, but not with the "perfect" ones.
I have to agree with you when it comes to the sticker kits. Since Hobonichi is a bigger company and has a wider range of buyers, more sticker kits are available for their planners. It can be frustrating, having to adjust your sticker kit to slightly different spread.
I prefer the weeks, ripped out my blank sheets to reuse.
Hi Brittany 👋🏾 thanks for showing the differences . ❤ i dont love the small size of wither but if i had to choose one i would go with sterling ink because i dont love the red/pink font
Hey Tara, a lot of people have switched to the SI version because of that reason.
I just can't get into the sterling ink. I really like the jibun techo and take a note both in B6. I'm trying the hybrid planner by #twinesandpaper
I believe the price point is different. Common planners being more expensive.
I'd depends on which planner and if you're buying them from Amazon, another store or Hobonichi directly.
Hobonichi has added $30 for shipping when I've ordered directly from them (just the Weeks Techo alone to America).
Amazon adds the shipping to the price of the planner and makes it one price so you don't see the separation. Another option is ordering from an online shop or buying it in retail brick and mortar shops to save money.
Last year, I ordered from Hobonichi directly and then later on from Atlas Stationers.
I was able to received the freebies when I ordered from Hobonichi directly, but not from Atlas. But with Atlas, I was able to use my discount code and shipping was free due to total order cost.
Also, some of the online or brick and mortar retailers might not sell the entire Hobonichi 2025 Techos.
@@TheSmdl I’m glad you mentioned the price points. I think Sterling Ink has a wonderful product and I adore the feel of her planners/notebooks, as well as the overall design. But, Hobonichi has been my go-to in the past and the actual planners and Weeks are much less expensive (the price can rise quickly when you add on the covers/cover-on-cover options) and the shipping is more. So to me, I do agree with a prior comment about being intimidated by a minimalist planner. Some people thrive with the blank pages and can turn them into works of art…that isn’t me. I thought that I would know 100% what to choose for 2025 by now but I’m still unsure. I think the one thing to keep in mind about ordering from Hobonichi directly is that the free shipping this year is for an order of $300 US$. That is definitely high, but worth looking at if you are looking for an expensive cover or many items. Also, my experience with their shipping last year was incredible. My box came quickly. For Sterling Ink, the wait will be longer but also a great product. It’s cheaper for US shipping (or free) but each planner size costs more than Hobonichi (for just the planner). The nice thing about Sterling Ink planners is that the covers have such a great feel to them that you almost don’t want to cover them! Tough decisions….thanks for the comparison!
Does the hobonichi weeks clear cover fit the stealing ink planner?
I'll change to check and get back to you.
I overall like the Sterling Ink N2 version. I use the moterm covers for weeks but also purchase covers from Happie Scrappie which are wonderful. The one thing that I would love to be added is in the front the current year and next year with a little planning space for future planning on dates. But I can add a tip in page if needed.
Do you have any weeks covers? Does the sterling ink full fit inside?
Yes, I recommend Gillio or Moterm. Their covers are wider. Eternal Leather Goods sells covers for the full Weeks size too, but you will have to pay a few more dollars to get it.
Moon phases are the same no matter where you live. They just happen at different times according to when the moon is visible in the sky. So it's a lovely feature, especially for those who use it in spiritual practices or to see it's affects on menstrual cycles. I'm not bothered by the Japanese touches in the English because it is a Japanese brand and I like that represented. At least it doesn't have all those dumb holidays printed in our planners. The things you think are not necessary are nice features that some of us enjoy.
😂 Dumb holidays? 🤣😂🤣 I disagree with you, I don't think that is dumb to have the holidays listed have in my planner. We can agree to disagree on the moon phases too. Thank you for watching!
@@PlanYourOneLife For those of us who don’t celebrate them it is annoying to have them take up space.
@MusicalSaraJo It's the same for the moon cycles for me. I have no need for them in my planner. ☺️ But it's not the end of the world for me either. I still like the Hobonichi Weeks. I was only stating something that might bother some people.
Do the sterling ink have any kind of planers (preferably weeks) that are Sunday start?
No, unfortunately they do not.
Well update, they dont due to lack of demand. Which sucks because the community raves about them being the hobonichi alternative yet for my need I dont even get an alternative.. :/
@@PlanYourOneLife By any chance, do you know any company/ small business that makes a weeks type planner in a Sunday start?
I think that Aura Estelle does...But their weekly spread is not horizontal, it's a dashboard spread.
@@PlanYourOneLife they do but its really weird because the monthly layout indeed start on a Sunday yet the week in a glance is still Monday
Hobonichi all the way
I use the Aura Estelle Weeks🫶🏾