Field Journal Notebook questions - paper, accessories, etc.

[adalangdon]

I got a Pilot Metropolitan Violet Leopard and a couple ink samples -- colors: Cassia and Ku-Jaku. I'm going to wait and see how much I use it before getting a more expensive pen. I now seem to be listening to a pen podcast (in addition to knitting podcasts) and viewing pen and paper sites though -- which I wasn't doing a couple months ago.

Those are great colours! Hope you like the pen. And I hope it works great straight out of the box.

[prairiegl]

I got a Pilot Metropolitan Violet Leopard and a couple ink samples -- colors: Cassia and Ku-Jaku. I'm going to wait and see how much I use it before getting a more expensive pen. I now seem to be listening to a pen podcast (in addition to knitting podcasts) and viewing pen and paper sites though -- which I wasn't doing a couple months ago.

[marytattoo]

I'm bookmarking that for possible later use -- they do seem to have a nice array of paper and journals. I just got my first fountain pen in a looongg time last month, so will be trying out some different papers.

What fountain pen did you get? Over the years I've had dozens.

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[prairiegl]

I'm bookmarking that for possible later use -- they do seem to have a nice array of paper and journals. I just got my first fountain pen in a looongg time last month, so will be trying out some different papers.

[adalangdon]

Resurrecting this thread because it seems like the most appropriate place to post. I found myself wanting to bring a shitajiki (pencil board/writing mat) in my FJN, because it's really helpful for when drawing or writing on thin paper. Although there aren't many options online, I fortunately discovered Nanami Paper's hard clear shitajiki in A5, which is nearly as rigid as the FJN's plastic leaf but is a fraction of the weight and completely smooth (instead of having small ridges, like the plastic leaf). Jet Pens has another option, but I didn't like the polka dots and how flexible it looked.

I didn't want to risk bending the shitajiki out of shape when fitting it into the giant pocket on the underside of the pen area (I tried and felt like I was pushing it), or risk having it fall out of the back pocket of the FJN, so I punched holes in it instead. My heavy duty 3-hole punch managed just fine and I don't feel like the functionality of the pencil board is compromised by having 3 holes on the side. So now I have a pencil board with me at all times that won't become lost or deformed :-)

(Nanami is great, BTW. They carry a thoughtfully selected array of stationery, including Tomoe River paper, and ship fast. I bought some nibs, nib holders, and erasers from them in addition to the shitajiki... 100% satisfaction!)

[backpack]

Probably, but overseas shipping can be prohibitive on heavy items like paper


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You might be able to pick up a pack or more of filler paper half letter size (5-1/2" x 8-1/2") at Staples.

If they are only available online, maybe one of the get together person can order a couple for you.

If that is not possible, Rhodia bloc number 16, or any paper in A5 format fits really well.

Rhodia is the best with fountain pens, I settled for other kind of paper but it gave the nibs of my fountain pens flow problems, so when I found a local retailer, I bought some of their stock and my fountains pens have been great to use, ever since.

You can get them at supermarkets in France and probably the rest of Europe.


I bought a 7 holes punch when I first got my FJN but I was not overly enthusiast about it, I just got a two hole punch, I aligned the paper with the Plastic Leaf, made marks in pencils and punched two holes in the upper part of the left side of the page, realigned the two hole punch with the lower hole to punch again and make the third hole.

Result, perfect three hole page.

I know, I make it look a bit complicated but I do not like the very thin, portable hole punches, I find it a struggle to get enough force to be able to punch neatly, more than one page at a time.

TB pre punched pages fit inside a Medium Pouch, I will say twenty at a time.

[Sasquatch]

Another +1 for Staples. Very reasonable price. I took a ream of blank 8 1/2 x 11" paper and had them cut it with their fancy laser-guided machine. I think it cost a few bucks or so to do, not including the paper. Works really well when you want to print stuff out and put it in the notebook. Just print, three-hole punch it, and go.

[fernando]

1. I use it as a daily calendar/agenda and commonly take it with me writing down various things and sometimes brief notes. I think it does a pretty good job of having a mini office with you. I can carry pens, markers, pencils, memory sticks, eraser, stapler remover, my phone, and keys inside of it. I haven't used it to keep extensive notes, I usually have the field journal, and a laptop.

2. You can also use the paper that has 7 holes, my agenda/calendar has 7 holes as long as it's the right size. I believe you can buy some online but not sure about office depot, etc.

3. I use the plastic leaf that comes with it as a divider for current date, it works fine.

4. I carry a Maped Classic 1-Hole pencil sharpener in the front zipper. I haven't had any problems with it, not bulky. My front zipper can get somewhat bulky at times especially when I throw in the keys.

5. I also have a pental polymer eraser in the front zipper.

[Shelly]

Quick question for the folks at Tom Bihn: Is the iPad mini version of the FJN still in the works and any idea of an ETA if it is? Thanks in advance!

[scribe]

Probably, but overseas shipping can be prohibitive on heavy items like paper


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[Melissa]

I shall have to try and make it to a Staples when I'm in the US - we have them here, but obviously they sell A4/A5 stuff rather than letter/half-letter (which is why I resorted to Day-Timer paper and dividers - they're the same size everywhere).

Can you order letter size or half letter at Staples online? I know that in the US, we can get A4 and A5 very readily at Staples online.

[scribe]

I shall have to try and make it to a Staples when I'm in the US - we have them here, but obviously they sell A4/A5 stuff rather than letter/half-letter (which is why I resorted to Day-Timer paper and dividers - they're the same size everywhere).

[Grandcache]

I found vinyl mini accordion pockets that are hole punched and have Velcro closures at Staples. They fit perfectly. I use it to store extra paper. (Also from staples). I also found vinyl diagonally sliced pockets, business card holder pocket pages, and calendar pages. Definitely worth exploring. In addition to DayRunner, they have a Martha Stewart line that is quite colorful. Also check the Post It display...I picked up some accessories there too...maybe the pockets? I keep my eyes open every time I go in there...options seem to come and go. Good luck and enjoy! :-)

[Miking]

I actually just received my FJN today and have been looking at some stuff like Maverick's printing paper field journal notebook tutorial as well as Free Online Graph Paper / Grid Paper PDFs
Printable Paper
D*I*Y Planner | the best thing in printing since Gutenberg

http://markrevans.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/evernote-grid-paper.pdf

And google searching "printable planner templates"

I will have my work cut out for me for the next little while making up some handy templates although between Invoice2Go, Evernote, Calendar and Bento most of what would happen in a planner is now app based.

My local Staples print and copy centre will chop a ream of paper in half and punch holes for a few bucks. I am awaiting a quote from the printing press that does my carbon triplicate safety and liability forms about the price on a box of custom printed graph paper with indexed lines, perforations and company logo and watermark, I better make sure The FJN fits my system before I commit to 10,000 sheets of custom paper or my family and friends will all be getting their next 20 years of Christmas presents wrapped in green grid paper with wooly mammoths on it!

[backpack]

Does anyone here have experience taking "on-the-ground" notes with the FJN? What were your experiences like?

I take notes at the doctor offices, where there is just the chairs. The FJN works great, I just wear it cross body and by some ultra genius play with surface tension, gravity, Tom smarts and his own testing and use.

I notice that the Field Journal Notebook takes 3-punch 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" paper. While I would like to have some of the specialty papers sold through Tom Bihn in an FJN, I'd also like to get some regular, inexpensive filler paper through other channels. Does anyone know if chains like OfficeMax, Office Depot or Staples offer this kind of filler paper? If so, what search terms do I use to find it?

The paper you show below will work just fine. You can also use printer paper cut in half, it is the cheapest way to get filler paper. I just learned that a regular three holes punch for letter size paper can be changed to fit 5-1/2" x 8-1/2

If I had different kinds of paper held in the FJN, is it easy to put in dividers between the different kinds of paper? How well does that work?

Day Timer, Day Runner and Avery tab dividers can be found at office supply stores.


Does anyone carry a compact pencil sharpener in an FJN? How well does it carry? Any specific type to use?
What about erasers? Is there a place to fit rubber stand-alone block erasers in an FJN?

A compact pencil sharpener and a block eraser will both fit in the front pocket.


There are 2 O-rings, one in the front small pocket and one in the main pocket.

A mini OP could fit in the front pocket, a Medium in the main one.