In Pen Review

Review: Monteverde Soft Roll Refills

Author AnaPosted on 8 Comments

Monteverde Soft Roll Refills Retro 51a

Generally speaking, I tend to avoid ballpoint refills because I don’t often have very good luck with ballpoint ink. Being left-handed, it tends to smear more often and hard start more often for me than most people. But when Bert at Bertram’s Inkwell insisted I try the Monteverde Soft Roll refills in my Retro 51s as an alternative to the Schmidt P8126 refills, I decided to give it a shot, if only as scientific research. Bert insisted that the superbroad version was one of his best sellers but I was skeptical, being a proponent of the extrafine refills myself. So we settled on trying both. The Parker-style refills fit perfectly in the Retro 51s, something I had not actually tried before so that was an added bonus and opened up a whole new world of refills to me.

Monteverde Soft Roll Writing Samples

It turns out, that on Rhodia paper, both of the Soft Roll refills actually worked really well. The superbroad refill forced me to write a little bit larger than I normally do so that the letters didn’t close up. The ink was actually quite smooth and didn’t have that oily look a lot of ballpoint ink gets. It also didn’t skip or break up like a lot of ballpoint ink does when I write either. The extrafine wrote so smoothly and precisely I forgot it was ballpoint ink at all and kept thinking it was a gel ink.

Monteverde Soft Roll Refills Retro 51s

I used the extrafine refill all week in my Retro51 Bouquet so it was tested on copier paper, Moleskine paper and various and sundry office papers with satisfactory results. I did a few additional tests with the superbroad on a legal pad and there was a bit more evidence of bloops but that’s probably a result of cheap paper combined with the refill putting down a good deal more ink.

If I’m going to use a ballpoint, I’m going to choose one of these refills because the quality is far superior to the average drugstore stick pen. Go, Monteverde!

Both the superbroad and extrafine refills come in a two-pack for $8.95.

DISCLAIMER: Thanks to Bert at Bertram’s Inkwell for these samples. This item was given to me free of charge for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Paper Review

Review: Crescent Rendr No Show Thru Sketchbook

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments

Crescent Rendr No Show Sketchbook

The Crescent Rendr No Show Thru Sketchbook 3.5″x5.5″ ($10) was something I wanted to try in hopes of finding a good multimedia sketchbook. I got the small size to sample at first before investing in a larger version. Crescent also claims that the sketchbook lays flat as show on the wrap included with the book.

The sketchbook has a flexible, soft touch paperboard cover and a perfect binding. In looking closely at the pages, the paper looks like there is a black core in the middle of the white sheet to create the bleed-proof quality.

Crescent Rendr No Show Sketchbook

Was the paper bleed proof? Yes, but any wet media, including watercolor markers, liquid ink applied in any volume, brush pens filled with liquid acrylic or ink, caused the paper to buckle and curl severely. I tried adding water to Winsor & Newton watercolor markers to blend the color and the color wouldn’t move. So there is another aspect to this paper that changes the property of some materials as well. The watercolor marker absorbed into the paper and made it impossible to manipulate those markers with water. I got a little movement with water soluble pencils like a Stabilo ALL but mostly, I found the paper frustrating. Sure, most material didn’t bleed to the reverse but the curl and buckle was so bad I couldn’t really use the other side of the sheet anyway so bleed through didn’t really matter by the time I finished a page anyway. At least for the types of art materials I use.

Crescent Rendr No Show Sketchbook Crescent Rendr No Show Sketchbook

As for the claims about lay-flat, I found in the small 3.5×5.5″ size, the book did not lay flat at all, even after trying to bend the pages and cracking the spine. I ended up having to use a clip or hold the book with my hand. Maybe the larger book lays flat more easily but the small pocket-sized book did not lay flat and then after I used it, it did not close either.

Crescent Rendr No Show Sketchbook

Overall, I found this particular product quite frustrating. I looked online to see if anyone else had reviewed it. Notebook Stories agreed with my findings: bleed proof but curls with wet media. On Amazon, I found reviews that suggested that if you use a lot of alcohol-based markers like Copic Markers, then you might have a better experience with this paper but that fountain pens feather terribly. So, this is definitely not for fountain pen users or watercolorists. If you do a lot of marker illustrations, I would be more inclined to recommend traditional marker paper which is translucent but designed to withstand alcohol markers. If you want to use a wider range of mixed media (from pens to ink to graphite) and wet media (watercolor, markers, etc), I’d recommend Strathmore Mixed Media, Canson XL Mixed Media, Stillman & Birn or one of the artist’s sketchbooks from Seawhite of Brighton. I’ve written reviews about the Seawhite Artist’s Travel Journal and the A5 Starter Sketchbook pack if you’d like more information.

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Fountain Pen Review

Review: Ranga Modified Fountain Pen

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments

Ranga Nikko G Fountain Pen

The Ranga Acrylic Fountain Pen is a very different kind of pen for me to review and to describe so I apologize in advance if this is a little strange. First of all, this pen came to me pre-modified by the fabulous Leigh Reyes. She has provided detailed instructions on her web site along with a video on how to make this modification for yourself, I was just lucky enough to get a hands-on demonstration and prepared pen.

So, to give you more details, the Ranga acrylic fountain pens come with a standard steel fountain pen nib with an ebonite feed that is friction fit and an eyedropper filling mechanism. The reason this is such a good candidate for modification for a flex dip nib is because of the ebonite feed which will allow better flow and can be manipulated to increase flow.

If you can’t tell yet, this is not a beginner’s fountain pen or project. If you averse to having inky fingers for get annoyed if your pen chokes up on you this is NOT a pen for you. However, if you are tired of dip pen dipping, then this can be your new best friend. Because, with some patience and tweaking, the Ranga can hum along beautifully.

Ranga Nikko G Fountain Pen

I included the above image to show that there was a lot of trials on scratch paper and nib cleaning. I’m serious when I say this is a tweaker’s pen. But look how cool this is! If you do a lot a lettering with flex dip nib, anything that makes writing a few more lines without dipping is a bonus so you know what I’m so excited about.

Ranga Nikko G Fountain Pen

The pen is about 5.5″ long capped. The cap will post making the pen almost 7″ from the tip of the flex nib to the end of the cap. Filled with ink it is pretty light, only 20 gms but the Ranga Acrylic is a little wider at the grip section in the hand than a lot of nib holders which tend to be very narrow which is really nice.

Fountain Pen Weights

Ranga Acrylics are available on Amazon with free shipping which seems to be the best option if you live in the US. If you live in the Phillipines, Pengrafik stocks the Ranga Acrylics. Peyton Street Pens in the US stocks some Ranga pens fitted with vintage nibs that may offer some flex as an alternative to using dip nibs.

I purchased a Desiderata Daedalus pen in Chicago that I will review in the next week or so. It works on a similar principle in that it holds a Zebra G nib but is comes prepared to accept the Zebra G nib without the tinkering required to make the Ranga work with a flex nib but it still requires some preparation.

Finally, here’s a little Instagram video I did (handheld!) and managed to misspell Ranga in the process but you can see the flex in action. I’ve since purchased a tripod so hopefully my videos will improve.

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Off To The Races

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments

Fashionable Friday: Off To The Races

I’m back on schedule and just in time to celebrate Derby weekend, Desk-style. So, pull out your race day finery, mix up some mint juleps and place your bets! And don’t worry, I practice what I preach, I bought the Rose Garland dress immediately.

  • Too Much Fun Dress in Rose Garland On Sale $59.99 (via Modcloth)
  • Mint Julep recipe (via Food52)
  • e + m Cedar Wood Pencil in Metallic Copper $1.45 (via Anderson Pens)
  • Pilot Iroshizuku Tsutsuji (50ml Bottle) $28.50 (via Anderson Pens)
  • Montegrappa Copper Mule Fountain Pen Retail $375, Sale Price when added to cart (via Pen Chalet)
  • Karas Kustoms Copper Retrakt Pen $95 (via JetPens)
  • Filofax Cover Story Primrose Personal Organizer $52 (via Goldspot Pens)
  • Cross 2014 Year of Horse Imperial Special Edition Fountain Pen $360 (via Pen Boutique)
  • PH Memo Pad in Green $5 (via Fresh Stock Japan)
  • Midori D-Clips Horse Paper Clips – Box of 30 $7.25 (via JetPens)
  • Bulleit Bourbon available wherever fine liquors are sold
  • Elegance 6-inch Silver Mint Julep Nickel Plated on Brass Cup $21.26 (via Amazon)
  • Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Poster 24×32″ Giclee Print $99.99 (via Art.com)
In Link Love

Link Love: Shows & Trolls & Links Galore

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments

rp_link-anaPost of The Week:

Pen Show-related:

Pens:

Ink:

Paper & Notebooks:

Planners & Organizers:

Other Interesting Things:

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Road Trip Edition

Author AnaPosted on

FF-RoadTrip

After driving all the way to Chicago and then back to Kansas City, I thought this week’s Fashionable Friday TUESDAY (?) should be inspired by the great American road trip. Open roads, adventure, truck stops and roadside attractions that you might want to capture with pen and paper.

On our road trips, we like to make lists à la Top Four like Desert Island books, most earth-shattering album purchases, movies we’d watch 100 times, etc. Which reminds me, you should probably add Top Four to your podcast list before hitting the road, as inspiration, of course. I also recommend Sporkful, 99% Invisible, Pop Culture Happy Hour, Note To Self and, of course, The Pen Addict and Erasable. Don’t forget to pack lots of great tunes to sing along to as well.

  • Rabbitbrush Sweater pattern by Andi Satterlund (via Stranded Magazine)
  • Pilot Iroshizuku Ama-iro Ink (Sky) 50 ml Bottle $28 (via JetPens)
  • Clairefontaine 1951 Staplebound Lined Notebook in Black – 5.875 x 8.25 $4.50 (via Anderson Pens)
  • DeAtramentis Sky Blue Bottled Ink (35ml) $15.95 (via Goldspot Pens)
  • Field Notes Chicago Edition 3-Pack $9.95 (via Field Notes)
  • Chuck Taylor All Star Lo-Tops In Lemon Chrome $50 (via Converse)
  • Nomadic PE-09 Flap Type Pencil Case in Red $14 (via JetPens)
  • Nähe General Purpose Wide Case $7 (via Fresh Stock Japan)
  • China Glaze Pop The Trunk Nail Polish $3.05 (via Amazon)
  • Faber Castell Ondoro Graphite Black Fountain Pen € 110 (via Fontoplumo)
  • Sailor Professional Gear Color Series Fountain Pen in Yellow $248 (via Pen Chalet)
  • Edison Collier Fountain Pen in Blue Steel $149 (via Anderson Pens)
In Pen Review

Review: Platinum Maki-E Nylon Bristle Brush Pen

Author AnaPosted on 8 Comments

Platinum Maki-E Brush Pen

Platinum Classic Brush Pen with Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossoms Pattern ($52) is a nylon fiber brush pen with a beautiful slender black body. It features a gold toned clip and gold accents and a painted Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms designs. Its one of the most traditionally Japanese motfi pens I’ve ever owned and I’m surprised how tickled I am with the overall aesthetics of the pen. The overal shape of the pen is a smooth torpedo shape and the cap has a smooth, pill-shaped clip which is simple and understated.

The pen came in a simple black paperboard box with gold foil lettering and graphics on the exterior and red velveteen paperboard on the inside with a simple ribbon band to hold the pen in place. The packaging was elegant without being extravagant, if that makes sense.

Platinum Maki-E Brush Pen

Platinum Maki-E Brush Pen

But the real feature of the pen is the brush tip rather than a fountain pen or rollerball under the cap. The brush tip is made up of nylon fibers like a paintbrush but inside the aesthetics of a fountain pen. The pen works with a cartridge or a regular Platinum converter.

Platinum Maki-E Brush Pen Close-up

The bristles on the nylon tip come to a crisp point and the nylon fibers spring back quickly with a nice bounce. I decided to test the pen on both my usual Rhodia paper as well as some Strathmore Mixed Media drawin paper which is a toothier stock and found both the pen and the stock ink cartridge to perform quite well. The toothier Strathmore paper made it a little bit easier to control the brush pen versus the silky smooth Rhodia paper making me feel a little more confident in my mark-making.

Platinum Maki-E Brush Pen Writing Sample

The pen comes with a black cartridge with Platinum Black ink and the  Platinum converter ($7.50) will fit as well which will allow a range of inks to be used. The Platinum Black ink is not waterproof but its definitely water resistant. I’m inclined to keep only black ink in this pen for the duration as I expect it would be difficult to ever get all this black out of the bristles and feed. I’d also be cautious about leaving this pen sit too long without using it in case the ink dried in the brush. It might be difficult to get it cleaned completely if the ink were to dry. Altenately, the Platinum Black is a rich, dense black that looks fantastic so it appears to be worth the trouble it might cause if you like a good solid black line for drawing or calligraphy.

Overall, I really like this pen. As its one of my first brush pens over $10 (by a long shot) I don’t have a huge basis for comparison. However, the quality of the brush tip itself is a big upgrade from the budget-priced nylon bristle brush pens I’ve purchased in the past. Add to that, the overall feel of the pen and the beautiful Maki-E painting and I feel like I have a real treasure on my hands.

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Pen Boutique for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.