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January 13, 2020

Buke stationery dot grid notebook review (pros, cons and pen testing)

While on the quest for a dot grid notebook with thicker paper I came across the Buke Stationery notebook. Since the Inkwell Press planner has 140 GSM planner (so far the best paper quality of any planner or notebook that I’ve come across), and the Buke Stationery notebook has 160 GSM paper – I wanted to give it a try.

Quick facts

  • Size: 5.75″ wide x 8.25″ high
  • Hardcover
  • Sewn binding
  • 160 GSM dot grid paper (5mm spacing)
  • Pen loop
  • 1 ribbon bookmark
  • Pocket folder
  • Stencil

buke stationery dot grid notebook and planner stencil video review

Let’s take a closer look!

To enlarge the screen of the video, click the square icon in the bottom right hand corner of the video (it will say ‘full screen’ when you hover your mouse over the icon).

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The Cover

The cover is the same type of material – like a faux leather – that almost all sewn bound dot grid notebooks have.

buke stationery dot grid notebook review video pen testing 160 gsm paper quality

buke stationery dot grid notebook review

It came with this weird flap thing which I think is supposed to help you with your bullet journal spreads… but it’s paper and the protractor thing is just printer on paper so I don’t see how it would be that helpful unless you cut it out.buke stationery dot grid notebook protractor template

The style of this cover reminds me of the Archer and Olive notebook.

buke stationery dot grid notebook review video pen testing 160 gsm paper quality cheaper alternative to archer and olive aliexpress

Almost 1 inch thick (about 2cm)

buke stationery dot grid notebook review video pen testing 160 gsm paper quality thicker paper 5mm dot spacing

buke stationery dot grid notebook 160 gsm paper

buke stationery dot grid notebook review 160 gsm paper

The page lay flat on their own.

buke stationery dot grid notebook lay flat binding sewn bound notebooks ivory paper 5mm dot grid spacing 160 gsm paper

There is 1 ribbon bookmark, pen loop and a pocket folder at the back.

buke stationery dot grid notebook pocket folder

Pen Testing

160 GSM paper is thick so I was expecting no ghosting and certainly no bleed through however…

buke stationery pen testing 160gsm paper ghosting bleed through paper quality worth spending extra for thicker paper

There was still some light ghosting 🙁

buke stationery pen testing 160gsm paper ghosting bleed through paper quality worth spending extra for thicker paper highlighters

buke stationery pen testing 160gsm paper ghosting bleed through paper quality worth spending extra for thicker paper gel fine tip ballpoint

Pros of the Notebook

  • Pages lay flat on their own
  • Paper is thicker than most dot grid sewn bound notebooks
  • 1 pocket folder
  • Sturdy hardcover (and in a color that’s not black!)

Cons of the Notebook

  • No page numbers
  • No index page
  • Only 1 ribbon bookmark

Would I use this notebook?

Yes. If you want a notebook where the pen doesn’t show through much, then this is a good option.

More dot grid notebook reviews

  • Happy Planner Dot Journaling Notebook Review (Pros, Cons & Comparison with the Happy Notes)
  • Plum Paper Bullet Journal Custom Notebook
  • Modena Stationery Dot Grid Notebook 

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

buke stationery dot grid notebook review 5mm cream paper stencil pen testing 160 gsm ghosting bleed through

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Posted In: Bullet Journal, Bullet Journal Reviews, Rachael's Favorites · Tagged: 160 gsm dot grid notebook, 160 gsm paper notebook, 160gsm journal, best bujo notebook, best bullet journal notebook, buke dot grid notebook, buke dot grid sewn notebook, buke notebook, buke stationery, buke stationery dot grid notebook

Comments

  1. Charis says

    January 13, 2020 at 20:43

    So I have found ONE that has thicker paper: also printed by Buke, it’s on AliExpress and is advertised to be good for watercolours.

    I’ll post the link below:

    AU $20.80 51% Off | Notebooks Journals Watercolor Thicken Paper 180GSM Dot Gird 160 Pages 5X5mm Dotted
    https://a.aliexpress.com/ChFeEN3E

    I haven’t tried it, only found the listing last night!

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