This notebook was my prize selection from last month’s Bureau Direct Haul. I’ve noticed a bit of a Leuchtturm 1917 notebook trend going around different teams at work, and I’ve wanted one for ages but not needed a new work notebook. My May Bureau Direct order came at a perfect time to justify finally getting one. I chose an A5 size, as it fits in my handbag so I can carry it around to meetings. And actually, this picture above is after it being thrown around in my bag for a good few weeks. As you can see the hard cover holds up pretty well.
There’s minimal branding on these notebooks, with the only clue from the outside being this subtle embossing on the back cover.
Leuchtturm 1917 are all about details and functionality. One thing I really like is the contents page:
Which can be used in conjunction with the numbered pages:
I think this is such a great little detail. It works perfectly for me, because most of the notebook will just be to-do lists and random notes, but occasionally I’ll take minutes at a meeting or notes at a briefing that I’ll need to refer to again, and instead of have to constantly flick through the pages to re-find the notes, I can just use the contents page for reference.
I love a good gusset in a notebook. So useful for storing business cards and things. When I was showing this feature off to colleagues at work there was an audible ‘oooh’ in the room.
The other great feature are these archiving labels. There are different sizes so you can choose what’s best for you. Personally I like the idea that when I’m finished, I can put it on a shelf, and use one of the spine labels to display the notebook dates for easy reference.
So how does it hold up in the writing department…
Pretty well! The only problematic pen I used what the 1.5mm Lamy Al-Star nib. This obviously lets out a lot more ink than the other pens though so it’s not surprising that it should bleed slightly. The paper works well for everything else I’ve tried. With fountain pens you can see ever the ink ever so slightly on the following page, but not enough to not write on both sides of the paper.
I only really have one negative, and that is that at the beginning of the notebook – and in fact this is still true 20 pages in – I struggle a bit writing when I get to the bottom of the page. The notebook is quite fat and there’s an uncomfortable gap between the desk surface and the notebook, which makes my wrist hurt a bit. In suppose this is because you get so many (249) pages in the notebook, which is ultimately a good thing, but until I’m a bit further into the book, it’ll be a bit uncomfortable – unless anyone has any tips for this? And I guess this is an issue that affects any similarly sized notebooks.
Anyway, this is my first experience with Leuchtturm 1917, and I think I’d definitely use them again. That is, if I ever make my way through this notebook!
You can get yourself Leuchtturm notebooks in sizes A4 – A7 and in plain, lined, dot and grid paper, in a variety of colours, from Bureau Direct. This version is the A5 Lined Notebook in Emerald.
Please note I was sent this item free of charge form Bureau Direct for the purpose of this post, but all views are my own.
Gorgeous review. The color of the notebook is stunning! Is this one of the newer colors? I don’t think I’ve seen it before, though I know Leuchtturm makes notebooks in colors other than the standard black.
I have the same exact problem with my Nanami Paper Seven Seas Writer! My hand starts falling off the edge and it’s really uncomfortable. A good way to stop it though is to get something about the same height as the page you’re writing on (the Nanami Paper website suggests your phone, but I’ve used thin books and a stamp pad and anything else I had handy) to support your wrist. I hope this helps!
Thank you! I’m not sure if it’s a new colour… It’s called Emerald, but it’s definitely more turquoise, so the name is a bit deceiving! That’s a great idea, I hadn’t thought of that – I’ll give it a go. Thanks!
It’s a shame that the “slim” isn’t available in the smaller sizes (I think it’s only an option in A4) to alleviate the issue with writing to the bottom of the page!
I’ve been using their daily planners for two years, and I’m impressed with the quality of the paper they use. Now they offer an A6 in dot grid paper, I think I’ll pick up a notebook too!
Oooh, maybe I’ll try one of the A4 slim ones next! I’m definitely impressed with the paper. I’ve never liked the idea of dot grid, but I think I should definitely give it a go one of these days…
Great review, Tessa. Thanks for sharing!
Unless you guys put a book or any other flat surface under neath the part you writing on.