Re: your comments on brush lettering Simone. I had a go at brush lettering with fibre tip brush pens and never really got on with it. I recently got a flex nib from The Good Blue, a U.K. company (they sell just the nib unit) which I have put into a pen body that had a nib I didn't get on with and I am now making lovely headings in my books and have the bonus that I am using up my fountain pen inks. They also make a pen in the ultem material you have mentioned in videos you like the look of. Like what you are doing with your system.
I don't love rings but this is the right application for them, it just makes organizing much easier. I've been keeping up and enjoying mine. (I do have a video, but you've seen it 😊)
Thank you so much for sharing! I love your rings system! It’s so thorough without being complicated. This is a future project for me. I have a digital system for my lists of pens and inks with minor notes. Otherwise, for pairings, I have a 6 strand pocket TN that is bursting at the seams with a currently inked insert and multiple inserts for pen and ink pairings over the years. Each 2 page spread is a combo of initial writing sample and journal entry about the combo. I also have a report card system inspired by Chris Saenz for my observations about performance. I fill this in after I’ve used the combo multiple times. I also notate the pen on the back of my Col-O-Dex cards for the ink. I’ve been using the pocket TN system for over 5 years, and the report card system for 3 years. I am loathe to change it because it is very comprehensive, but it is chronological. My brain works well that way, but I’m finding so much time has passed that I’m leafing through too many books to find info now that it has gotten to be so much. My first major undertaking is an inky encyclopedia so that I stop acquiring so many inks of the same colors. 🤘🏼😸🧡🖋
I love this idea so much.. I've been planning to incorporate this but haven't gotten around to it yet. Someone commented they did this on one of my videos and it sounds like an excellent way. I quite like the tabs for each pen, so practical and elegant in its simplicity! Yes the Plotter system is so expensive.. I'm trying a knock-off A5 I got from Ali Express, still leather but larger ring size. Video review on that coming soon. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your system. I love the idea of one page per pen to find good pen/ink combos. That is something I am focused on now. I am working on my ink swatching books using what I have in my stash. Right now I am swatching inks on wearingel ink swatching cards and in an A6 MD notebook with some handwritten quotations (like an ink and quotation commonplace book). I am also keeping an inventory of pens and the inks I use in them in an A6 hobonicho weeks notebook I've had for years. I plan to make a video soon about it and will come back and share it with you ☺
Ooooohhhh. Another notebook for my pens! I have a pen catalog and a notebook for my ink bottles, but my pen catalog simply notes the info (details of pen and nib, when bought, where and how much) but no mention of the inks I used in that specific pen. Thanks for sharing!
I keep a currently inked log, as well as keeping track of usage both in a planner and on Fountain Pen Companion. I keep an ink notebook with sections for each pen, and I write down, like you do, each time I ink it and what ink I used. I think it's a good way to see which pens I reach for more, or if there are pens I don't use at all.
Thank you for sharing! I prefer to keep things simple, so my pens and inks log is in a dot grid Rhodia pad (I am going to make a disc bound notebook later). There are only an ink swatch, waterproof test and writing samples with each pen I used the ink in to see if the combo works ok. It is quick and easy to check a pen-ink combo and make a decision, but there is no place for my thoughts about the writing experience etc. So i am considering starting another ink testing journal to write my observations there.
Thanks for watching! I was briefly considering making a disc bound notebook as well, but I felt the Tomoe River paper was too thin. Rhodia paper is great for this though.
I really like this. Thanks for sharing! I started down the rabbit hole of fountain pens in January and I need something to log what pen is inked with what. 😊
I'm still trying to decide on a complete system! I thought I had it, but haven't even touched it since I set it up. Quite annoying! I like what you are doing and will be watching closely!
Thank you! It works quite well at the ,moment. Now I wish I also had a fountain pen fact sheet that I could use to refer back when I want to compare pens. I guess that's next. LOL.
Oh, share your complete system that's not working on youtube. Usually, making a video about it helps me figure out the reason why it's not working. That's when you watch a video from me asking for help and the next video you see is: here is my new system, it's not at all what any of you suggested because I already knew what I needed to change after filming the video and talking about it.
Thanks for sharing! I currently have my B6 galen leather journal which is just a chronological log of what I acquire and use versus a proper catalogue. I will be in the process of creating this catalogue of inks and pens after 30inks30days and I'll be doing something similar to this (as inspired by Sarah of GingerPeachyPens and Katie as well).
I have a spreadsheet with all the small maker pens -- once that I might forget the maker's name or the name of the color, etc., Every month, redo the currently inked pens list (typically about 15-20). I also enter an entry in my planner whenever I ink a pen. I have a several notebook (now 2!) with ink swatches and samples of writing.
Sounds like a great system! Once I dip my toes into the small makers, I'll have to do the same. It's so hard to remember the names, especially when there is two makers involved: the pen and the blank.
I just did a Currently Inked Pens video today so thats how I record them.. I use to do them on a loose leaf paper and throw them away but this year I wanted a way to track all the inks and pens I used this year I am also using the hobonichi to see which pens inks and sample writing look for future reference I think next year I will get a weeks instead of the cousin cause I just find I cant get what I need to get out in the space allotted and I am not a itty bitty teeny weeny writer like most of the hobonichi community I just cant I have to see the flex and when I overflow into another book which is just waisteful I think then my thoughts are everywhere Next year I am going to get a weeks and a cvs caliber notebook and do the same thing only I am going to get a second cvs caliber notebook for doing journaling cause I think that will be a better way to blather my thoughts on paper and not have to worry about space constraints :) I dont know if that helps but there ya go Take soon
I've noticed you're using your Kakimori dip pen often recently. Do you prefer it to the Sailor Hocoro? I was thinking of buying the Hocoro and wondered if you are finding them less useful than you did originally?
I bought the Sailor Hocoro dip pens for one specific use case: to make writing samples in my ink journal. The nibs give me a great line variation and are very easy to clean. Previously, I was dipping fountain pens and I had to clean the nib and feed thoroughly even with just dipping the nib. I prefer the Kakimori nib now that I have gotten the hang of it over the Sailor Hocoro but that's not because I don't like them.
I do not yet have so many Pens and inks to feel the need for such documentation. I have 5 bottles of ink and 2 are just newly acqired and not in use until not, and I own less than a dozen pens and some of them haven't been used. I use them to journal and for notes and just write down when I change something. I am more interested on how many refills I can get from a bottle of ink, so I count that. The rest is only joy and normal usage. I like Videos to enjoy inks that I do not have or to decide what I like to buy and what not. I'm less Explorer,more boring user....
Thanks to you, Liane Likes, and the Ink Archivist, I now make swatches. It is fun and informative for my ink selections.
Documenting my pens and inks is one of the ways I enjoy the hobby.
Yes, that's exactly how it is for me too!
Re: your comments on brush lettering Simone. I had a go at brush lettering with fibre tip brush pens and never really got on with it. I recently got a flex nib from The Good Blue, a U.K. company (they sell just the nib unit) which I have put into a pen body that had a nib I didn't get on with and I am now making lovely headings in my books and have the bonus that I am using up my fountain pen inks. They also make a pen in the ultem material you have mentioned in videos you like the look of. Like what you are doing with your system.
I don't love rings but this is the right application for them, it just makes organizing much easier. I've been keeping up and enjoying mine.
(I do have a video, but you've seen it 😊)
Yes, I saw your video and it's fabulous. I enjoy mine as well and it works perfectly for me, especially now that I cut it apart.
Thank you so much for sharing! I love your rings system! It’s so thorough without being complicated. This is a future project for me. I have a digital system for my lists of pens and inks with minor notes. Otherwise, for pairings, I have a 6 strand pocket TN that is bursting at the seams with a currently inked insert and multiple inserts for pen and ink pairings over the years. Each 2 page spread is a combo of initial writing sample and journal entry about the combo. I also have a report card system inspired by Chris Saenz for my observations about performance. I fill this in after I’ve used the combo multiple times. I also notate the pen on the back of my Col-O-Dex cards for the ink.
I’ve been using the pocket TN system for over 5 years, and the report card system for 3 years. I am loathe to change it because it is very comprehensive, but it is chronological. My brain works well that way, but I’m finding so much time has passed that I’m leafing through too many books to find info now that it has gotten to be so much. My first major undertaking is an inky encyclopedia so that I stop acquiring so many inks of the same colors. 🤘🏼😸🧡🖋
I love this idea so much.. I've been planning to incorporate this but haven't gotten around to it yet. Someone commented they did this on one of my videos and it sounds like an excellent way. I quite like the tabs for each pen, so practical and elegant in its simplicity! Yes the Plotter system is so expensive.. I'm trying a knock-off A5 I got from Ali Express, still leather but larger ring size. Video review on that coming soon. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your system. I love the idea of one page per pen to find good pen/ink combos. That is something I am focused on now. I am working on my ink swatching books using what I have in my stash. Right now I am swatching inks on wearingel ink swatching cards and in an A6 MD notebook with some handwritten quotations (like an ink and quotation commonplace book). I am also keeping an inventory of pens and the inks I use in them in an A6 hobonicho weeks notebook I've had for years. I plan to make a video soon about it and will come back and share it with you ☺
Absolutely, I'd love to watch it!
Ooooohhhh. Another notebook for my pens! I have a pen catalog and a notebook for my ink bottles, but my pen catalog simply notes the info (details of pen and nib, when bought, where and how much) but no mention of the inks I used in that specific pen.
Thanks for sharing!
You are so very welcome!
Thanks for sharing 😊 in the process of setting up sonthing similar
You are so welcome! Have fun making your own!
I keep a currently inked log, as well as keeping track of usage both in a planner and on Fountain Pen Companion. I keep an ink notebook with sections for each pen, and I write down, like you do, each time I ink it and what ink I used. I think it's a good way to see which pens I reach for more, or if there are pens I don't use at all.
Thank you for sharing!
I prefer to keep things simple, so my pens and inks log is in a dot grid Rhodia pad (I am going to make a disc bound notebook later). There are only an ink swatch, waterproof test and writing samples with each pen I used the ink in to see if the combo works ok. It is quick and easy to check a pen-ink combo and make a decision, but there is no place for my thoughts about the writing experience etc. So i am considering starting another ink testing journal to write my observations there.
Thanks for watching! I was briefly considering making a disc bound notebook as well, but I felt the Tomoe River paper was too thin. Rhodia paper is great for this though.
I really like this. Thanks for sharing! I started down the rabbit hole of fountain pens in January and I need something to log what pen is inked with what. 😊
Glad it was helpful!
I'm still trying to decide on a complete system! I thought I had it, but haven't even touched it since I set it up. Quite annoying! I like what you are doing and will be watching closely!
Thank you! It works quite well at the ,moment. Now I wish I also had a fountain pen fact sheet that I could use to refer back when I want to compare pens. I guess that's next. LOL.
Oh, share your complete system that's not working on youtube. Usually, making a video about it helps me figure out the reason why it's not working. That's when you watch a video from me asking for help and the next video you see is: here is my new system, it's not at all what any of you suggested because I already knew what I needed to change after filming the video and talking about it.
Thanks for sharing! I currently have my B6 galen leather journal which is just a chronological log of what I acquire and use versus a proper catalogue. I will be in the process of creating this catalogue of inks and pens after 30inks30days and I'll be doing something similar to this (as inspired by Sarah of GingerPeachyPens and Katie as well).
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
I have a spreadsheet with all the small maker pens -- once that I might forget the maker's name or the name of the color, etc., Every month, redo the currently inked pens list (typically about 15-20). I also enter an entry in my planner whenever I ink a pen. I have a several notebook (now 2!) with ink swatches and samples of writing.
Sounds like a great system! Once I dip my toes into the small makers, I'll have to do the same. It's so hard to remember the names, especially when there is two makers involved: the pen and the blank.
I just did a Currently Inked Pens video today so thats how I record them.. I use to do them on a loose leaf paper and throw them away but this year I wanted a way to track all the inks and pens I used this year I am also using the hobonichi to see which pens inks and sample writing look for future reference I think next year I will get a weeks instead of the cousin cause I just find I cant get what I need to get out in the space allotted and I am not a itty bitty teeny weeny writer like most of the hobonichi community I just cant I have to see the flex and when I overflow into another book which is just waisteful I think then my thoughts are everywhere Next year I am going to get a weeks and a cvs caliber notebook and do the same thing only I am going to get a second cvs caliber notebook for doing journaling cause I think that will be a better way to blather my thoughts on paper and not have to worry about space constraints :) I dont know if that helps but there ya go Take soon
I've noticed you're using your Kakimori dip pen often recently. Do you prefer it to the Sailor Hocoro? I was thinking of buying the Hocoro and wondered if you are finding them less useful than you did originally?
I bought the Sailor Hocoro dip pens for one specific use case: to make writing samples in my ink journal. The nibs give me a great line variation and are very easy to clean. Previously, I was dipping fountain pens and I had to clean the nib and feed thoroughly even with just dipping the nib.
I prefer the Kakimori nib now that I have gotten the hang of it over the Sailor Hocoro but that's not because I don't like them.
@seemownay Thanks for the feedback. I so trust your opinions!
I do not yet have so many Pens and inks to feel the need for such documentation.
I have 5 bottles of ink and 2 are just newly acqired and not in use until not, and I own less than a dozen pens and some of them haven't been used.
I use them to journal and for notes and just write down when I change something.
I am more interested on how many refills I can get from a bottle of ink, so I count that.
The rest is only joy and normal usage.
I like Videos to enjoy inks that I do not have or to decide what I like to buy and what not. I'm less Explorer,more boring user....