Leuchtturm 1917 Dotted Bullet Journal
Bullet Journal Notebook Review
Key Features:
- Key Features: it’s the most popular choice among bullet journalers, not great paper though
- Size: 5.8” x 8.25” – true A5 size
- Cover: hardcover, multiple colors available
- Binding: sewn binding
- Pages: 249 pages
- Additional features: 2 bookmarks, back pocket, index pages at front
- Page style reviewed: dot grid / dotted
- Paper Quality: 80gsm, smooth, coated
- Ghosting? Yes, moderate to heavy ghosting with most
pens - Bleeding? Yes, for some of the wettest inks
- Feathering? No, the coated paper prevents feathering on wet inks
My Review:
Yes, this is the most popular bullet journal in the planner community, but I am not impressed with the paper quality and will not choose this for my everyday bullet journal. In fact, I’m very disappointed with the number of raving reviews I see and when I compare what everyone says about this notebook with the reality of my own review, it makes me wonder how many of those online reviews are a result of paid endorsements. These raving reviews of poor quality paper have made me suspicious of the entire bullet journal guru community and instilled a level of mistrust that probably perpetuated this entire 28-notebook epic review situation. <sigh> Yes, the notebook itself is well made and high-quality binding, cover, and bookmarks – but the paper is lightweight and the ghosting on the pages is a serious problem for me. I bought one, but I probably won’t be using it for bullet journaling.
In my unpaid, unsponsored opinion…. skip this one and go for something with at least 100gsm paper. There are plenty on this list at a much lower price point that are higher quality choices.
Video Review:
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Oh wow, I’m surprised how low this rated as so far this has been the only notebook to work for me (I havent tried as many as you though, and sadly not as many available on my side of the world).
To be fair though, I think the way we bujo are drastically different–I use boring old ballpoint pens, so ghosting was never a dealbreaker for me.
I’m still reading through your other notebook reviews though and hopefully will find one for me. Thank you for doing these!
Hi Danna – I think the LT1917 is great if all you’re going to do is straight journaling. Either ballpoint pen or a narrow-nibbed fountain pen. But anything that lays down a lot of ink is going to become a ghosting problem. Although, there’s definitely a whole sect of people who love ghosting (I’m definitely not one of them). Tekukor is my favorite… be sure to check that one out.
Thank you for your honest review of the Leuchtturm 1917. I agree with you – people should avoid the hype and skip this one! You are the first person I have seen to identify the ghosting and bleeding on the pages. I wish I had come across your blog earlier! I can’t wait to read the rest of your reviews!
The current edition Bullet Journal has 120 GSM – has that been reviewed? I use it regularly and have had no ghosting issues.