Hobonichi Haul, Holy Flock

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Hello pen fam! I'm not really back yet, and this isn't a real review. It's just show-and-tell. But I am in my new house, and I did get my parents moved across the country, but their first apartment didn't meet their needs, so now I'm moving them again, and because I was moving them, my house still isn't unpacked, and... Well. Basically, I'm still in the thick of things, and my stationery is still in boxes, and has been since April. That's now half the year, if you're counting, and I am definitely counting. That stationery deprivation is the excuse I'll be citing to justify losing my absolute mind on the Hobonichi update last week. Here's my haul.

I always find something I love in the annual Hobonichi lineup, but this year I felt personally targeted by the selections offered. I'm not mad about it. For those of you who participated in the feeding frenzy that was release day, I salute you. I was there, too, watching the swirly circle of doom on the checkout page while my items disappeared from my cart. But between my computer, my phone, and my husband's phone, and two hours of persistence, I managed to get my whole list.

I had several Hobonichi store tabs open, as well as all my favorite US vendors. While Hobonichi was spinning, I tried other sources. JetPens sold out like lightning, but Dromgoole's came in clutch, and there I was able to score my first priority item, the Hon Weeks Mega in the sheep pattern. Sheep! Woolly friends! I am so delighted with this design. This will be my main planner for work and life. The weekly layout lets me see what's coming and plan accordingly, while my running to-do list fills the right page. And they had the drawer pouch in stock, so that came to live with me, too. Obviously, that's destined for the knitting bag. While I was snagging those, my husband managed to score the V&A Strawberry Thief A6 Techo. I adore William Morris designs. I love this one in particular. And the colors! This A6 will be my writing notebook for hitting a daily writing goal for fiction. I'll use it to track my deadlines.

Then I focused back on my Hobonichi tabs and managed to get the A5 One Piece cover with Sabo on it for my youngest, who is obsessed. He has recently started writing a book (he's 60 pages into it and dedicated!). He's going to be my stationery buddy, I can tell. While writing, he's realized he has preferences for his writing tools. His current favorite is a Pilot V5, so he has good taste. Naturally.

The shearling knitting bag also fell into my cart, because of course it did. More sheep! It's already hauling my current project. It's a great design, made in a nice thick canvas. I'm a little worried about the fluff on the bottom getting dirty, but the size and ergonomics of the bag are perfect. It will be attending the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Market with me this weekend.

That's my Hobonichi 2027 haul. It was indulgent, and it's the first stationery mail to arrive at my new house. I like that my first stationery mail was planners--future-focused and goal-oriented. We're at a new beginning here, and I'm looking forward to documenting the journey in my favorite planners. Covered in sheep!

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Posted on September 10, 2026 by Sarah Read and filed under Hobonichi.

Midori 2027 MD Product A7 Diary Giveaway

When I saw this Midori 2027 MD Product A7 Diary I knew I had to get one for giveaway because look at it! This is the planner for people who just want a little something - emphasis on little - to keep with them for a quick look at their monthly and weekly schedules. It’s kind of awesome if you ask me, and I’m including a perfect pen for it in the Pilot FriXion Synergy Click Pen. One person will win both, so read the rules below and enter away!

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Giveaways.

KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro Mechanical Pencil Review

Out of all the different feels stationery provides, there is nothing I like more than how a quality mechanical pencil feels in hand when writing. Yes, it’s little weird to kick off a product review like that, but I know I’m not alone in having an outsized love for the tactile aspect of the products we use every day.

I knew the KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro Mechanical Pencil was special when I first picked it up, simply because of how it felt in my hand. We will get into more of the “why” in a minute, but first, who are KAYOU+?

Founded in 2025, KAYOU+ are the Japanese subsidiary of the Chinese company Kayou, who are one of the world’s leading card game and collectibles companies. It’s an interesting offshoot, but if what I’ve seen so far is the result, I’m here for it.

KAYOU+ products began showing up in my feeds last year, and I was immediately intrigued by what they were making. Mechanical pencils seemed to be at the forefront, and they offer a few pens as well. I didn’t rush out to purchase anything at first, but having products on my radar early helps when I come across them in the wild. That’s exactly what happened at Stationery Fest this Summer.

It wasn’t necessarily like finding a needle in a haystack, but coming across the Aimvision Pro at the Hachimojiya tables was a pleasant surprise. I was stopping by their table anyway, but upon seeing this pencil I knew what I was coming away with.

There are three colors of the Aimvision Pro - Meteor Black, Snow White, and Titanium Gold - but there was only one choice for me. White barrels are a favorite of mine, and with everything the Aimvision Pro has going on, I think it looks the best.

*Who did it better: Rotring 600, or KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro?*

Those goings on? Let’s list them. This is a machined Brass barrel, with a knurled grip. On top of the grip are rubberized ridges for added control. The grip is heavier than the barrel, giving the pencil the forward weighting I want in an engineering-style pencil. There is a rotating lead grade dial with a satisfying click when turned (only in one direction,) a knurled edge on the eraser cap for easy gripping, and a short clip to stay out of the way more than a traditional length clip.

With all of that listed out, the next question is does all of it work together? For the most part, yes.

What I’ve found interesting so far is the “short clip that stays out of the way” is just as in the way as any other clip on any other mechanical pencil. When writing in pencil - with the exception of the uniball Kuru Toga (and still even then if I’m being honest,) - you rotate the barrel in your hand to find the sharp edge of the graphite. Pencil clips are always in the way because of that, and with this one, the leading edge hits my hand. I think the clip is a cool design element and thought it wouldn’t be any different than any other pencil clip. It’s no better, and might be worse.

The other concern I have are the rubber strips on the grip section, and how they will handle usage and time. I enjoy its current state, but I’ll have to check in over the months and years to come.

Any small annoyances you can find in a product like the Aimvision Pro are exacerbated when you tie in the cost. This is one of the most expensive mechanical pencils I’ve bought at around $60. I say “around” because I bought it in person from Hachimonjiya at Stationery Fest and I was thinking it was marked at $58. Looking at the pencil on Hachimojiya’s website (based in Japan,) it is listed at $68. In the US, Yoseka has it listed for $80. Regardless of my memory, or where you acquire it, it is a pricy one.

And I still really like it.

It goes back to what I mentioned up top: the Aimvision Pro just feels good. It is a rock in the hand, and firm when writing. That’s what I’m looking for in any engineering style mechanical pencil. And despite some minor concern with the clip and grip, I think it is Top 10 material in my personal rankings. That’s something I can look into soon, and see what changes need to be made.

Until then, the KAYOU+ Aimvision Pro will be within arms reach or in use for the foreseeable future.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Brad Dowdy and filed under KAYOU+, Mechanical Pencil, Pencil Reviews.