In news

Giveaway: Galen Leather Pen Cases

Author Laura CameronPosted on 154 Comments

Today we have a pen case giveaway for two lucky readers of The Desk.

Galen Leather generously sent us two pen cases to share with you.

Galen Leather Cases

The first is the Leather Flap Pen Case for Three Pens in Brown ($44.00).  This is a very classic pocket pen case, and holds three of your favorite pens near and dear to your heart.

Galen Leather Cases

The leather is a rich brown and the edges are beveled, waxed and burnished for a finished feel.  The case is slim – I couldn’t fit a Platinum 3776 into it, so I stuck with a Lamy Logo, a Kara’s Kustoms Fountain K and a Pilot Metropolitan.

The second case we received from Galen is the Leather Zippered 6 Slots Pen Case in Crazy Horse Brown ($45.00).  This is a zippered case with three pen slots on each side, and two super soft suede flaps that cover each side of the case and keep your pens from touching each other.

Galen Leather Cases

This is a nice case as well and held most of my pens comfortably.  The slots here are bigger and could accommodate a wider pen, although a super long pen might not fit.  The case measures 15.5 cm (6″)  x 9.5 cm (3.75″) when closed and obviously there is a bit less height inside because of the zipper.

 

TO ENTER: Leave a comment ON THIS POST ON THE BLOG and tell us which pen case you would like to win! Only one of each model is available so in drawing a winner, we will select the first name and they will win the pen case they have chosen. The second name selected will win the pen case they have chosen, assuming it is not the same model selected by winner #1. If they picked the same model, we will select another name until we have selected someone who has chosen a different pen case… and so on, until we have given away both cases. Make sense?

FINE PRINT: All entries must be submitted by 10pm CST on Sunday, July 1, 2018. All entries must be submitted at wellappointeddesk.com, not Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook, okay? Winner will be announced on Monday, July 2. Winner will be selected by random number generator from entries that played by the rules (see above). Please include your actual email address in the comment form so that I can contact you if you win. I will not save email addresses or sell them to anyone — pinky swear – just email you if you win. If winner does not respond within 7 days, I will draw a new giveaway winner. Shipping via USPS first class. Additional shipping options or insurance will have to be paid by the winner. We are generous but we’re not made of money. US residents and APO/FPO only please.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in giveaway were provided free of charge by Galen Leather. Please see the About page for more details.

In feature

Pelikan Hub comes to Kansas City!

Author Laura CameronPosted on 3 Comments

Each year, on a designated date and time, Pelikan supports local hosts with Pelikan goodies and a reason to meet and celebrate fountain pens and ink.  You don’t need to own any Pelikans to join in the fun.

These parties, known as Pelikan Hubs, are scheduled to take place on September 21, 2018 at 6:30 pm local time.   You can find out more information, see if there’s a hub scheduled near you, and register to attend on the Pelikan Hubs website.

For anyone in the Kansas City metro area (or willing to travel to join us) this year Ana and I and members of the Kansas City Stylographic Society registered to host a Kansas City hub.  However, we are only granted a hub if we secure 15 registered attendees before registration closes on July 9th.  So if you’re local and want to attend a pen party in September, please go register now.  There is no cost to attend and we promise a fun evening with snacks and drinks, free ink samples and other swag!

Even if you don’t register, you are welcome to join us for the party, but Pelikan only sends materials for those attendees who have registered through their site, so we can’t guarantee we’ll have enough materials if you decide to drop by later.

In Ink Review

Ink Review: Diamine Hope Pink

Author Laura CameronPosted on 1 Comment

Apparently this year I have given in to my inner 5-year old and trying all things pink and purple.  I also managed to acquire a Sailor special edition Sweet Pink Love earlier this year, and wanted to try and match ink to pen.  So a while ago I purchased Diamine Hope Pink (30ml for $7.50).

Diamine Hope Pink

Hope Pink is a sweet bubble gum pink. It is bright, and very very pink, but not neon colored. In fact, it tends more towards a raspberry in dark applications.

Diamine Hope Pink

I get a bit of yellow sheen to the darkest spots, and lots of yummy shading.

Diamine Hope Pink

Diamine Hope Pink

The ink performed well in my pen, and was lovely to write with. I also confirmed via Diamine’s website that proceeds from the sale of Hope Pink are donated in support of breast cancer research.

Diamine Hope Pink

In comparison to other pink fountain pen inks, Hope Pink is very similar to Bungubox Sweet Love Pink, which was the ink designed by Sailor to match the limited edition pen.

Diamine Hope Pink

It is much pinker and softer than Monteverde Emotions Kindness, or Banmi’s Rose Red, or even Lamy Vibrant Pink.

Diamine Hope Pink

Do you need some sweet pinks in your life?

In Link Love

Link Love: Cotton Candy FTW

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments
Artwork by Madeline Tompkins of Tag Team Tompkins with a Krink Marker.

Today, Jesi and her daughter will arrive in Kansas City on their way to Saint Louis for the Saint Louis Pen Show. They will stay here for the night and go with Laura and I to our local pen club. Needless to say Laura and I are ridiculously excited to have three-quarters of the Desk staff in one city.

Remember, you can find Jesi and I at tables 220 and 221 all weekend in St. Louis so please stop by and say hello! Buy some lovely restored Esterbrook Pens from Jesi and get your Col-o-ring and Col-o-dex from me, along with a great assortment of paper goods from Skylab Letterpress. We even have vintage pencils, a couple typewriters, vintage Rolodex and more. I’m pretty sure I’m bringing more than will actually fit on the table!

As a result of pen show preparations, Link Love will be short this week. So I leave you with the fastest way to eat cotton candy:

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Paper & notebooks:

Art & Creativity:

Other Interesting Things:

In Tools

Review: Galen Leather Writing Box

Author AnaPosted on 9 Comments

Review by Jessica Coles

A writing box.  Is it something I need?  Working from home has some amazing benefits.  One of those is the ability to work on my laptop outside during the amazing weather, especially with a glass of iced tea.  The convenience of the laptop allows me to lean back, prop up my feet, and work in the best “office” available!

Summer office
My outdoor office

Missing

One thing has been missing from this setup, though.  A writing surface.  A laptop is great for typing, surfing, chatting, and multi-tasking.  But what about deep focus?  I rely on a notebook for processing my thoughts when they are jumbled, or for focus when the rest of life gets too hectic.  But I have found that trying to write with a notebook outdoors can be awkward at best.  I usually try to balance a notebook on a knee, hoping to find enough support to give me a writing surface.  Often the result is not pretty.

Lap Desk

I have tried lap desks before.  One had a soft pillow with a hard writing surface.  Unfortunately, the puppy loved it and the stuffing, well, lets just say I still find pieces of styrofoam filling every once in a while.

Another attempt was made with a vintage-inspired lap desk that folded open in three parts.  While it is lovely and useful, pens would roll around inside and there was no way to store more than a few sheets of paper.  No journals allowed!

The Writing Box

Then, one day, a magic box appeared in my mail.  The Writing Box ($120) from Galen Leather, crafted by Walden Woodworkers, Istanbul.

Outer box
Even the outer cardboard box is heavy-duty and beautiful
Beautiful
The Writing Desk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well made
Elastic bands hold securely

As I opened the outer cardboard box, a wonderful scent came out to meet me.  The rich smell of wood and leather together. The wood is solid walnut that has been finished with linseed oil so there is no chemical smell.  The same is true with the leather; the vegetable tanned leather doesn’t give off a chemical smell but just smells wonderful.

When I opened the writing box, the upper portion revealed the origin of the leather smell.  This part of the desk is lined with rich-feeling leather with two thick bands of elastic.

The Writing Box is a beautifully made piece of functional art.  The materials are high quality, the construction of the piece is simple but solid and elegant. Even the elastic bands feel like someone put thought into the material selection.

Evil eye
The writing box interior with extras

There was a card detailing the desk and giving a background of Galen Leather.  Yusef was the individual who lovingly crafted this writing desk.

A 10% off coupon was included along with a glass evil eye charm.  I was rather surprised at that one!

No slipping
The pegs hold the writing surface securely

 

The bottom of the desk is covered in a sheet of felt material.  This sheet isn’t attached to anything so it can be removed.  I left it in the desk since it seemed to keep notebooks from sliding around as much.

Two pegs rotate up and hold the top of the desk at an angle — somewhere around 15 degrees.  This inclination created a pleasant surface for writing, especially when I was sitting back, relaxing outside.  Which, as far as I’m concerned, is a major plus.

Well supported surface
15 degree slant to the writing surface

 

 

At first it seemed that the writing surface itself was too small to comfortably use with a notebook.  But as I used the desk more, I quickly realized it was the perfect size if I moved the notebook slightly as I moved down the page.  At the center of the bottom edge of the writing surface is a metal plate screwed into the wood bearing the name Walden Woodworkers, Istambul.  This is another detail that I thought would detract from the writing experience, but it never did.  It actually helped when I was using my Weeks or writing a letter; the metal plate supported the bottom edge of my work.

A great addition
Thick label plate that serves to hold papers

 

All my stuff fits perfectly!
The interior, fully loaded up

 

But wait!  Inside the desk, the amount of space was impressive.  I was able to easily fit a Hippo Noto notebook and a Seven Seas Writer notebook side by side. Perfect, since I’m using both at the moment.  I threw in all of my pens that currently hold sparkle ink (because why not?) and a Hobonichi Weeks.  The largest diameter pen in this batch was a TWSBI Eco. The elastic held the pens well but it was still easy to slip them in and there is space for 6.  One elastic loop would be perfect for a small ruler and the upper four loops are just right to hold 5 Col-O-Ring cards each.

Another solid detail
Nickel-plated latch

Once I packed up my notebooks, my sparkle pens and Hobonichi, I latched the case closed with no issue at all.  In fact, I had aditional space to throw in my letter writing supplies!  The latch here is another detail that I loved.  It is plated with nickel and a solidly made piece.

The writing box itself is close to the size of my laptop (although much thicker).  Perfect for grabbing both and getting back to my sitting outside for work.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in review were provided free of charge by Galen Leather. Please see the About page for more details.

In Pen Review

Preview/Review: Karas Pen Co. Reaktor Galaxie Pens

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments
Preview/Review: Karas Pen Co. Reaktor Galaxie Pens

Karas Pen Co. has been quietly working away in their secret hideaway in the desert to create a new line of pens they are calling Reaktor. The series is doing some particular unique things in the machined pens field. First, they are aiming to sell these pens starting at $40 for the Galaxie ($45 for the XL) which is making them competitive with many entry level “good pens”. In the ballpoint and rollerball arena, this is comparable with the Retro 51, Schon DSGN or BigiDesign. Those brands sell pens that range in prices from $50 and $150. Of course, they are often limited edition, handmade or more modular. But Karas is definitely making the move to compete in this field and do it with a SNAP CAP! You heard that right. A snap cap. How cool is that?

 

To start, Karas trimmed the packaging down to recyclable plastic tubing. They are sturdy, reusable or recyclable. The square tubes are easily stackable and color coded. Pens with anodized grip sections in red or blue ship in matching colored tubes. The black models ship in a black tube and the tumbled finish ships in the clear tube.

I love the tapered end of the new Reaktor line.

Once the cap is removed, the look of the uncapped pen has a beautiful line. The cap still has a classic “Karas” industrial look but the pen is much more refined and elegant. I really like them.

When the box of Reaktor pens arrived, my husband and I spent a whole evening trying all the different varieties. We tested the different sizes and finishes to see which we preferred. Since I have small hands and Bob has considerably larger “man hands,” it was worth having both of us trying both the Galaxie and the Galaxie XL.

Bob definitely preferred the XL. He found the standard Galaxie a wee bit too short for his long hands. He also liked the clip. As a girl, I don’t always have a need for a clip, other than as a roll stop, but I kept going back to the Galaxie. The size is perfect for my small hands.

They are light and easy to hold and the snap cap is fun. The clip is sturdy if that’s what you need and the Galaxie is streamlined and sleek without it if you don’t need a clip. I am definitely in the Galaxie clipless camp. It slips effortlessly into my dress pockets and I don’t worry about toting it around to meetings, having it bumping up against my phone, keys, change or, often times, a pocket knife for the many  projects I work on at work or in the studio that require opening a box, trimming an edge or some other fiddly detail. If someone would just make the perfect pocketable, snap cap X-acto!

What you really want to know when I get a hold of a ballpoint or rollerball is what refills did I use? And of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone. The Galaxie XL ships with the notorious Schmidt 8126 rollerball which, for this lefthander, is basically useless. I immediately popped it out and tried a Pilot G2. Voila! Fits fine. This established that most of the refills in my Refill Guide in the G2 list should fit, though some were a little wiggly and may require trying a couple different springs for a perfect fit.

So, if liquid rollerball ink is not your cup of tea or you want a wider variety of colors, start disassembling all those gel pens you purchased early on in your pen life and see if they fit. Just open them gently or you’ll have refills and springs flying everywhere. Don’t  ask me how I know that.

As for the standard Galaxie, it takes a standard Parker-style refill so there are many options. If, like me, you prefer gel ink to ballpoint, I cannot recommend the newly discovered Premec Gel Refill (Black 0.5mm 2-pack) highly enough. I found them on Amazon. There’s also other sizes available as well but the 0.5mm is a good place to start. If you’re looking for a more universal option, Tofty’s Parker-style adapter-to-D1 is another good option then you can fill the Galaxie with Jetstream D1 refills.

The Galaxie XL ($50) and Starliner XL (the fountain pen version, $55) will be the first to release in early July, in limited numbers to Karas Coin Club Members first. If you’re not a Coin Club member, you can join here. Annual membership starts at $25 per year and includes early access to new releases, limited editions and, of course, their cool coin plus many other benefits.

Needless to say for Karas Kollectors, these pens are a no-brainer. For others, these is a great entry into “nice pens.” In some ways, it may even be a better option than a Retro 51 as it doesn’t have that finicky twist mechanism. Though for some, the cap might be a no-go. But a snap cap is definitely light years better than a twist cap. And the price point is awesome.

DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were provided free of charge by Karas Pen Co. for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In photo

Eye Candy: Heidi Swapp Memorydex Card Tray

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

I’ve been on the lookout for alternative options for Rolodex rotary card files for the Col-o-dex cards ($15) because I know that they are hard to come by, expensive and large. I stumbled across the Heidi Swapp Memorydex Desktop Card Tray box which is considerably smaller and considerably less expensive (just $9.54 Prime at the moment). It’s also in a simple gold and white striped paper wrap.

Memorydex Col-o-dex box option

I’ve had mine for about three weeks and in my humid, Missouri summer house, one corner of the paper is coming loose but its nothing that a little glue or double stick tape wouldn’t fix. It would be easy to remove the paper and recover the box in another paper if you’re the crafty sort.

Memorydex Col-o-dex box option

Overall, I really like the low profile and the tray fits perfectly inside my Ikea hack table so that the cards stay dust-free and out of direct sunlight.

Memorydex Col-o-dex box option

I love the mint lining on the box and it actually matches the mint tabs that we sell almost perfectly.

Memorydex Col-o-dex box option

So, if you are looking for an alternative to the larger Rolodex wheel and something considerably less expensive, the Heidi Swapp Memorydex Desktop Card Box is a good option.

DISCLAIMER: The item in this review include affiliate links. The Well-Appointed Desk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Please see the About page for more details.