New Journal! Paper for Fountain Pens, B5, Cream

Paper for Fountain Pens (PFFP) seems to be my “perfect journal.” After several years, I am excited to return back to the brand, this time in a different selection! I just received my B5 journal in cream (other available option is white). It won’t be replacing my current journal just yet (I have another journal lined up to take its place once it is filled), but I will be using it soon. Here is a short video and some details on why it is one of my “perfect” journals!

Rediscovering the Hobby

My foray into the world of quality journals started in 2015 I decided to switch my journaling back from digital to analog. The limitations of analog are daunting to anyone who journals electronically. My primary concerns were:

1. Memories are gone if a journal is lost or destroyed (can always email/save multiple digital copies).
2. Same as (1) if the ink smears due to rain/etc. What’s the point in writing something if is easily destroyed?
3. Anyone can read it (no password protection)

I needed to reduce these factors in order to move forward. If my memories are to be passed on, they need to be written on something as bold and elegant as them. Fairly early into my research, I knew that writing in handmade journals with specialty paper was the only option.

Searching for the Perfect Journal

I embarked on my search for the best “fountain pen friendly” journal to suit my needs. My criteria were elegant in their simplicity. The two most important factors were:

1. Paper: must be strong enough to handle my archival inks without bleedthrough or feathering.
2. Build Quality: must be rugged enough for outdoor adventures.

Less important but still noteworthy features include:

1. Form Factor: how much of a pain will it be to lug this around everywhere I go?
2. Number of Sheets: will this journal last me a month or a year?

Paper for Fountain Pens

I stumbled across the Paper for Fountain Pens (PFFP) catalog fairly early on in my search. I ended up purchasing their 5×8 cream journals (there was a discount for buying multiple journals), and within a few months, my first journal was filled. Since then, I have used many different journals – Nanami Seven Seas, Zequenz, Miquelrius, Black n’ Red, etc. – but this brand is one of my favorites so far!