Brace yourselves, because as I hinted in my San Francisco Pen Show recap, a lot of notebook/system-Techo-related content is headed your way in the coming weeks. I thought I’d kick things off with a quick photographic response to the burning question that many of you have been asking via e-mail, DM, and in the blog comments: What pens fit the various Plotter leather pen loops?
Plotter A5 (bottom), Plotter Narrow (Middle), and Plotter Mini 5 (Top). If Plotter is reading, all I need now is a Bible Size and a Mini to complete the set (well, that and the “Square”). I promise I’ll figure out a way to use them all. (Maybe.)
Before we get started with pen comparisons, I need to do an overview of how Plotter works from a setup perspective. One of the key features of the Plotter system (which is either a benefit or a drawback, depending on how you like to purchase your planners), is that Plotter is completely customizable, meaning that you purchase the cover, refills, and all desired accessories separately to create the notebook that works for you. While the Plotter system does not ship with a pen loop, you can add one by purchasing the “Leather Penholder with Lifter” accessory refill specific to your size leather binder.
Pens that Fit Plotter A5, Narrow, Bible Size, and Mini Pen Holders
The product listing for the Plotter A5 penholder states that it will fit pens up to 13mm in diameter. The listings for the Bible Size, Narrow, and Mini penholder accessories indicate that they are supposed to be the same size as the A5, and since I personally own both A5 and Narrow-size Plotters, I can confirm that they are roughly identical. That said, these penholders are leather, so in real world testing, there is definitely variation in how tightly individual penholders are sewn, and the leather may stretch over time depending on the size of the pens that you keep in the loop. For example, both the Platinum Plaisir and the Nahvalur (f/k/a Narwhal) Original Plus fountain pens fit the pen loop on my Plotter Narrow, while neither came close to fitting the tighter pen loop on my Plotter A5. Here are several examples of how different pens fit, with pictures. (Narrow is on the left, and A5 on the right, with the exception of the Nahvalur that wouldn’t come close to fitting the A5.) If something fits both my A5 and Narrow “easily,” I can only assume it will work with most Plotters, except the Mini 5 discussed separately below.
Pilot Decimo (Fits both A5 and Narrow Easily)
Gravitas Ultematum/Polycarbonate Twist (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Easily)
Schon DSGN Full Size and Engineered Plastics Fountain Pens (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Fairly Easily)
Waterman Carène (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Easily)
Platinum Plaisir (Fits Narrow, But Not A5)
Nahvalur Original Plus (Fits Narrow, But Not A5)
Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint and Rollerball (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Easily)
Pens that Fit the Plotter Mini 5 Pen Loop
By far, I’ve received the most questions about my Plotter Mini 5, the smallest of the Plotters and the one I’ve been carrying as a combination wallet/pocket notebook. According to Plotter USA, the Mini 5 pen loop holds pens up to 9mm. As you might imagine, finding a suitable pen to fit this tiny notebook has been more challenging, and for the most part I’ve simply clipped a variety of pocket pens to the outside of the loop. (This technique also makes for quicker deployment - something I find advantageous for most forms of pocket writing.) To be honest, the only pen I’ve tried that actually fits inside the pen holder is the Kaweco Liliput, though it’s not pictured here because I don’t own one and borrowed one at pen club to test. Here are a few that I’ve actually been carrying in the Mini 5, all clipped to the outside:
Pokka Pen with Add-on Clip
Pens such as the Lamy Pico, Schon DSGN Pocket 6, and Kaweco Sport are too wide to fit inside the loop. I suspect the Fisher Space Bullet Pen might work, but don’t have one on hand to test.
Given that the Fisher Space Pen “Shuttle Pen” fits (even though it’s too long for actual carry in my pocket), I suspect the bullet pen will fit as well.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
This post isn’t intended to be comprehensive, but rather to provide examples of what pens fit the Plotter pen loops. As you can see, the A5/Bible/Narrow/Mini pen loop is fairly versatile, while the Mini 5 somewhat more restrictive. My experimentation, of course, is limited to those pens that I have on hand in either my personal collection or the shop. Your mileage may also vary depending on your particular leather pen loop and how aggressively you try to stretch it.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using my Plotters over the past few weeks, and it’s prompted me to undertake a relatively deep reconsideration of how I use my notebook systems and the role of notetaking in general. As I mentioned, you’ll be seeing more Plotter-related content soon! For more information on Plotter and to purchase if you’re interested, visit the Plotter USA website, which is currently the sole retail source.
The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the TGS Curated Shop and pledges made via the TGS Patreon Program. While certain of the links contained in this post are links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, this post does not contain third-party affiliate or sponsor links.