My Complete Leuchtturm1917 Review
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This full Leuchtturm1917 notebook review goes over the pros and cons of this journal so you can be ready when you set out to buy your next notebook.
Finding Joy in Journals
I have a fondness for journals. There is something about a brand new notebook that captivates me. The potential of those blank pages leaves me completely spellbound, and I’m not alone in this feeling. There are tons of people just like me who adore journals and use them every day for bullet journals, morning pages, habit trackers, and more. If you are on the lookout for a new notebook and you’re trying to figure out what will best fit your needs, the choices can be a bit overwhelming. Let me help you decide with my full Leuchtturm1917 review! Who knows? Maybe this funny-sounding journal brand will suit you perfectly.
My Leuchtturm 1917 Review
I have used a number of different journals over the years, and the Leuchtturm1917 has become an absolute favorite in recent years. There are a lot of reasons why I would recommend this notebook, which I’ll get into soon, but that doesn’t mean it is great for every purpose. This journal does have its setbacks and limitations that are worth keeping in mind while you shop. Keep reading to get the full picture and make the best decision for your needs!
I should point out that for this Leuchtturm1917 review, I’m going to specifically be reviewing the A5 sized hardcover version. There are a few different sizes and versions of the Leuchtturm1917, so it’s important to know exactly what is being covered here in this review!
Where to Find Leuchtturm1917 Journals
I have personally never seen a Leuchtturm1917 in a brick-and-mortar store before. I’m sure they exist in certain regions or store chains, but I have no idea where that might be. That’s why I exclusively purchase my journals on Amazon. Plus I’m a Prime member, so even if I need a new journal ASAP, I can get free two-day shipping and get my journal quickly. If you want to order your journal from Amazon, give Prime a try with their 30-day free trial!
- The A5 MEDIUM notebooks are the perfect size with a wide range of colors making them ideal companions for all walks of life — this notebook series is perfect for midnight ramblings, daily entries,...
- Thread-bound to open flat which helps make reading the contents easy and adds efficiency to note-taking
- Features 80g/m² acid-free paper with high ink compatibility to help prevent bleed through, an expandable gusseted pocket on the back cover, 2 page markers / bookmarks and an elastic closure band
- Includes 251 numbered pages or our signature 80gsm with 8 perforated detachable sheets, a blank table of contents for easy organization and notes, also includes stickers for labeling and archiving
The Pros
Leuchtturm1917 journals are packed with features that set them apart from other brands. Here are my top reasons why I love Leuchtturm!
Numbered Pages
Unlike most blank journals, the Leuchtturm1917 has numbered pages. That means that it’s incredibly easy to find what I’m looking for in a hurry.
Built-In Index
Another unique feature of the Leuchtturm1917 is the index on the first few pages. This makes tracking your pages and staying organized a piece of cake.
Two Ribbons
Each Leuchtturm1917 notebook comes equipped with two distinct ribbons. If you’re bullet journaling, these ribbons are perfect for keeping a tab on two pages at the same time — like your weekly spread and your grocery list, for example.
Back Pocket
If you ever have a loose note that you want to keep or a sticker you have yet to use, you can always stash them away in the back pocket of your Leuchtturm1917! This handy pocket keeps all your stray pieces of paper all in one convenient place.
Label Stickers Included
When you’re finished with your Leuchtturm1917 and you’re ready to put it up on the shelf, you might want to label it so you know what it contains. Thankfully, this notebooks comes equipped with a sheet of spine and cover labels so you can keep it organized and lookin’ good.
Excellent Paper
While the paper isn’t graded as particularly heavy duty, it can still take quite a bit of abuse. Over the last few years I have used watercolors, brush pens, and fountain pens (just to name a few) in my Leuchtturm1917 journals, and the journal always survived. I even created a massive watercolor test for the Leuchtturm, and it passed with flying colors! I haven’t experienced any bleeding from normal pens or even fountain pen ink. While there can be a bit of ghosting, it’s never bothered me one bit.
The Unique Scent
I can’t describe the smell of a brand new Leuchtturm1917 journal. All I can say is that I love it and need to smell it for the rest of my life.
Grid Varieties
Something that is pretty dang cool about the Leuchtturm1917 is that you can get a few different types of paper styles. Of course, there are plain and ruled journals — everyone sells those. Leuchtturm1917 also has a graph paper version of their journal and a dot grid version!
Colors Galore
The Leuchtturm1917 journals come in a huge variety of colors, and they are all delightful. I absolutely love every single color I have ever used, and I’ve never gotten the same color twice. If you’re looking for a journal to have a specific color, chances are that Leuchtturm1917 has you covered.
The Cons
Okay, so it’s obvious that I love this journal. But as with any product, it isn’t totally perfect and there are a few cons that are worth noting before you buy one.
Price
The Leuchtturm1917 isn’t the cheapest journal you can get your hands on. In fact, I’d say that the Leuchtturm1917 is about middle of the pack when it comes to journal cost. If you go through journals quickly, then this particular notebook might not be cost effective for you. Also, if you’re paralyzed by perfection and blank pages send you into a panic, then using a more expensive journal might exacerbate the problem.
Availability
Leuchtturm1917 notebooks might be tough to get your hands on — this is especially the case for certain countries or regions. Being a German brand, I’m sure they’re all over Germany and available in other areas of Europe. I have no problem ordering them from the United States. However, it’s totally a crapshoot whether your country (if not the US or certain parts of Europe) will have access to this journal. That definitely makes for a big hitch and is something to keep in mind when you shop.
Ghosting
As I mentioned in the pros section, there can be some ghosting with certain pens. At 80 gsm, this is to be expected. It doesn’t bother me at all, but I know some people have complained that they had to switch journals because it was so annoying. If you are irritated by ghosting, then bear this in mind!
Enjoy this Noteworthy Notebook
Once you get your hands on a Leuchtturm1917 journal, I have a feeling that you will love it. The paper quality is incredible and it just feels so luxurious to write in every day. In fact, I can confidently say that my bullet journal habit became much easier to establish once I switched to a Leuchtturm1917 for the first time. Once I felt that bliss of using excellent materials, I was drawn to using them every day, which led me down a very positive path. I’m not saying this journal will change your life, but I’m not saying it won’t, either. If you’re comfortable spending a little extra money on this great notebook, I know you will appreciate that investment every time you write in your Leuchtturm notebook!
I hope you have found this Leuchtturm1917 review helpful as you search for your dream journal! Let me know in the comments section what product you want me to review next, and head to the My Supplies page to see some of my other favorite materials!
- The A5 MEDIUM notebooks are the perfect size with a wide range of colors making them ideal companions for all walks of life — this notebook series is perfect for midnight ramblings, daily entries,...
- Thread-bound to open flat which helps make reading the contents easy and adds efficiency to note-taking
- Features 80g/m² acid-free paper with high ink compatibility to help prevent bleed through, an expandable gusseted pocket on the back cover, 2 page markers / bookmarks and an elastic closure band
- Includes 251 numbered pages or our signature 80gsm with 8 perforated detachable sheets, a blank table of contents for easy organization and notes, also includes stickers for labeling and archiving
Just FYI, under the “Price” section, the correct word is “exacerbate,” not “exasperate.” 😉
Ooop! I got it fixed, thanks!
Hi there! I like your review. Just one question: I think I’d like those notebooks, but I really don’t like the look. Do they have leather journals?
As far as I’m aware, Leuchtturm doesn’t carry leather journals. However, you might consider Rhodia! They have soft faux leather journals with creamy paper. You can see my review of Rhodia journals here: https://littlecoffeefox.com/rhodia-notebook-review/
Hi, I recently came across your blog and I really appreciate all of the advice and reviews. Not to mention your watercolor videos are better than meditation. 🙂
I specifically found this post because I was looking for info on the number of dots on the grid of this notebook. I just bought a new one and in the past they were 27 dots x 39 dots, and everything I found online also said 39 dots, but my new one only has 38. I emailed their customer service to ask if the product changed, this was their reply:
“We did reduce the amount of rows to be 38 dots. We did this to bring back our margins due to our customer feedback. So your notebook is not defective you have just received one of the newer styles.”
I just thought it was worth putting that info out there for folks who are trying to migrate from and older journal and can’t figure out why their layouts aren’t working the same!
Thank you so much for sharing that information with is Elicia!
oh my gosh, I was trying to figure this out! this makes me mad! I LOVE the bigger margins, but I also want that one extra square! there are no grid spacing guides for the new ones that I’ve been able to find, so if anyone finds one, let me know!
I’m very new to the bujo idea.. I have always had notebooks around and I found your site and thought I should try one.. Haven’t even done the first page! But my LEUCHTTURM1917 is sitting on my desk, waiting for my first small step, thanks to this place, and the inspiration provided 🙂
I hope you’re able to jump in soon Phoebe! Enjoy the journal and the journey.
I’m so glad I found your blog! Although I heard about bullet journaling a while ago, and I know my daughter has used it, I’m just now looking into it. Thank you for all the reviews!
I’m wondering if you’ve ever tried the Scribbles that Matter journal? For now, I want to decide on a journal, some colored pens and a nice daily pen. I love the ink joy pens. The Scribbles that Matter journal has a page just for pen testing – that’s a nice touch.
I’ve used many different journals and they each have their own benefits and drawbacks. One great way to know which on works for you is to try them. Scribbles that Matter is a good option and I’m sure you will like it Tessa.
Great review! I can’t believe the pages are numbered. That’s like…magic! I am transitioning to a ring bound journal so I can move pages. So far not a fan!
I have not gone Leuch but loved the review. I would love some fountain pen reviews. Do you use Lamy? I am curious to how they perform. Thanks for inspiring us!
Thanks so much, Eli! You’re in luck, I actually just published a Lamy Safari fountain pen review! You can read it here: https://littlecoffeefox.com/lamy-safari-fountain-pen-review/
I love Leuchtturm1917 notebooks. I use a Lamy Dialogue cc with an extra fine nib and just glides across the pages. There is no bleed through and possibly very light ghosting. Not enough to bother me. I am a “dream of consciousness “ writer. I write when I see something that makes me think, so I write a fair amount. I use a hard cover B6 notebook and one lasts about two months for me. I love the 1917 and wouldn’t use anything else.
In the past year, Barnes and Noble has gone all-in on the Bullet Journal hype. The stores near me, in Virginia, have a full wall case dedicated to LT1917s – hardcovers and soft, A5, the new soft B5 (or is it B6? – I’m still learning all the varieties of sizes), all the different grid varieties. Coupons and membership to Barnes makes them a little less pricey. The store also has the official Bullet Journal version of the LT1917. And it isn’t the only dot-grid journal they carry right now. It is really nice to be able to hold and touch the different types. I bought the LT back in October last year, and only started it in June (my first journal held a lot more than I’d anticipated!). I think I can finish the year in it, or at the least get close, with my journaling style. Not sure what I’m doing for my next one – I collect notebooks and journals – but I’ve loved using the LT. The only time I’ve had bleed-through was when trying to use alcohol-based markers, or when I’d held a pen/marker in one spot for too long – especially a gel pen.
I agree that actually being able to see and touch them is so much better than shopping for them online, Kathleen! That’s great that there are so many options right there locally.
Love the review but I think it might be worth mentioning that the Leuchtturms are quite heavy. I started bullet journalling on them last year and purchased another one for this year. Lately I’ve been getting shoulder pains because I’ve switched from backpacks to totes and discovered that my Lechtturm weighed nearly half a kilo (458g). That along with my water bottle and power bank (avid phone gamer) and my bag was weighing close to 1.5kg with those three items alone! Add in my school notebooks and it was no wonder my shoulders were hurting. Because of this I’ve found myself leaving my journal at home a lot which is a shame. It’s honestly a great journal but isn’t very portable if you tend to carry other heavy items like I do.
Am actually in the market for a (lighter) journal for next year so I’m looking forward to your future reviews!
Thanks so much for your input, Jam! I work from home, so I don’t have a habit of walking around with it or transporting it from place to place. It’s a great point, though! Especially for folks who are on the go and who are trying to minimize the weight in their bags.
I have always used a L1917 and I love it. I, too, haven’t use the same
Color — New journal, New color. Thank you for the review and I look forward to the next one.
It’s fun to get a new color, isn’t it Eva! I love it when they release new ones.
Great review!
I love these notebooks too!
Could you do a review on Tombows?
Thanks so much, Helen! I actually recently published a review of the Tombow Dual Brush Pens that you can find here (https://littlecoffeefox.com/tombow-dual-brush-pen-review/). Or did you mean a different pen in the Tombow line? I’m always looking for more supplies to review!
I have tried a few different journals, including Blue Line and Moleskine. I bought my first Leuchtterm1917 about two months ago, and am hooked. I bought a dot-grid one, and I really enjoy it. Up until starting it, I was happy with the Moleskine I had been using. I’m fortunate to have a Coles bookstore less than an hour away, so can buy whichever type I want. The only thing I will change when I get my next one is the size. I do prefer something just a little bigger.
I have been using it more for morning pages than a BuJo, but I will take the time to set up the BuJo aspect of it one day soon. It’s worth the price in my books. ?
It really is a great journal Diane! You’re fortunate to have a store where you can see them, touch them, and check them out before buying them.
This is a great review! I am currently using a LT1917 and I really love it – I like the ghosting because it makes the journal look “lived in” if you know what I mean! For anyone who lives in Canada like me, they sell them in store at Chapter/Indigo stores so that’s where I buy mine. 🙂 Great post!!
Thanks so much, Jessica! I totally know what you mean about it looking lived in, and I agree wholeheartedly 🙂 and thanks for the tip for where to find them in Canada!
Thanks for the review. I think I found my Leuchtturm1917 at a Barnes & noble. It’s just waiting for me to start a journal.
I hope you’re able to jump in and start using it soon Amy! I have a feeling you will love it 😉