In Ask The Desk

Ask The Desk: Spiral Notebooks

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments

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Jennifer asks:

I was wondering if you could do a post on the best medium/small spiral notebooks on the market. I would much appreciate it. Thank you.

When you ask “what’s the best” do you mean best quality paper, best ring binding or are you using other criteria to determine what makes a serial notebook better than others (hard covers, pockets, divider tabs,etc)? Do you prefer true serial binding or is twin-ring binding or even plastic ring acceptable? I’ll make my best guesses here and hopefully hit on the best of the best here.

sprial-notebooks

I’m going to focus on paper quality and availability.

Rhodia offers a couple different formats of wire bound notebooks that use the fountain pen friendly Clairefontaine paper. There is the 8.25″ square Reverse Book or a wide range of smaller top-ring notebooks like the medium Wirebound Pad that is 6×8.25″. Rhodia pads use mostly graph paper so if you’re looking for lined paper, you might want to consider the Rhodia Classic Meeting Book (A5). Pretty much any notebook from Rhodia, Clairefontaine, or Quo Vadis will use the much touted Clairefontaine papers which work well with fountain pens. Rhoda notebooks are often the easiest to find in the US and Canada but keep your eyes out for Clairefontaine as well.

Doane Paper offers their Grids + Lines paper in their Idea Journal twin ring notebooks, in a small (5.25″ x 6.875″) and large (8.4″ x 10.8″) size. They also have Flap Jotters (with top ring binding) in large and small (pack of 3/ 2.875″ x 4.75″). And their latest offering is the Moon Camera notebooks with cross marks instead of grid, line or dots. The Doane paper is pretty good with most fountain pens but if fountain pen endurance is a criteria for you, Rhoda will be your top choice.

Field Notes makes The Steno which features heavy-duty chipboard covers and is bound at the top with twin-rings like old school stenographer pads. The paper is not as conducive to fountain pens but the lines are light enough not to distract and the notebook sturdy enough to hold up to everyday abuse.

The Maruman Mnemosyne line of notebooks from Japan offer an array of ruling and size options with paper that is a favorite with a lot of pen bloggers out there. Some of the features they offer in their books are quite unusual and specific to Asian penmanship but can be appealing for tabbed note taking, coding and other functions.

As for big box office supply products, the M by Staples and the ARC by Staples are often recommended as having good quality paper. I don’t have a Staples near me so I haven’t had personal experience with these but there are lots of positive reviews. Try searching Pennaquod for ARC by Staples or M by Staples and reading through those options if you have quick access to a local Staples. The ARC introduces the disc bound system into the equation which is not technically a sprial binding but I thought you might let that slide for good quality paper and flexibility.

For even more reviews and opinions, you might want to check out Office Supply Geek’s lengthy list of Notebook Reviews with Sprial Bindings because he covers a lot of other possibilities as well.

I hope this helped and started you on a path to good quality paper in a spiral notebook.

In feature

Analog Products/Digital App Makers Round-up

Author AnaPosted on 5 Comments

I’ve noticed a lot of analog tool makers are also making apps. I thought I might take a look at a few of them and see if any of them might of use with or in combination with your favorite analog tools.

moleskine app icons

Moleskine:

Moleskine offers several apps at the moment, the latest being the Moleskine Timepage Calendar for iCloud, Google Calendar and more (iPhone and Apple Watch). Its a paid app that claims to be revolutionary. It looks like a clean, simple calendar app that is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing calendar tools like iCloud, Exchange and many others. It is a $4.99 paid app so I’ve just downloaded it to give it a try. I have been using Fantastical for years on my phone without complaints so I’m trying the Timepage as an experiment. The app has beautiful typography and a very simple design. The default view is the week-at-a-glance and if I swipe to the left I get a monthly calendar view with each of the days with activities highlighted with “heat circles” indicating activities from various calendars – i.e. work, personal, birthdays, holidays, etc. The method to build individual events in the app are a little different than other apps like the default Calendar app or Fantastical but I quickly figured it out. It is actually pretty elegant and uses a built-in weather app and a lot of natural language elements that make it feel very friendly. My work meetings are all scheduled through digital calendars and I don’t always get them moved to my paper planner so having an aesthetically appealing interface to view these makes having work meetings a little less painful. If you haven’t invested in a calendar app beyond the default app that ships with your iPhone, the Moleskine Timepage is actually a lot nicer than I thought it would be.

Moleskine also offers their digital Moleskine Journal app (free with in-app purchases for iPhone and iPad) and a Moleskine/Creative Cloud connected app to work the Moleskine and Adobe Creative Cloud notebook (iPhone only). The Moleskine/Creative Cloud Connected App has only one very lackluster review. The notebook was designed to work for Adobe creative products like the Evernote/Moleskine notebooks work with the Evernote app system though it appears most folks aren’t using the Adobe or reviewing the Adobe Creative Cloud version.

There’s a Moleskine Photo Books app for the iPad (free) to help build a photo book through their service. Again, there are very few reviews and I don’t know anyone who’s actually used Moleskine’s photo books as an option so I don’t know about the print quality. But if you’re feeling brave, please let us know if you like the app and the quality of the photos you receive.

Baron Fig app icons

Baron Fig:

Baron Fig has released two digital products to compliment its analog tools: Spark and Mosaic.

Spark ($0.99 + in-app purchases) is an iPhone and Apple Watch-enabled set of creativity prompts. The reviews look positive as quick flashes of ideas to help stir thinking and mindfulness. Think of it as your digital page-a-day calendar with better typography.

Mosaic ($1.99) is Baron Fig’s answer to a digital notebook. While I prefer to write my notes on paper, there are moments when I just don’t have a paper and pen with me but I do have my phone and the Mosaic app lets me capture those little tidbits so I can transpose them later. I do wish there was a way to export projects or share them but they are sort of trapped in the the Mosaic app. Its good for to-do lists and quick reminder notes though.

Exaclair App icons

Exaclair (AKA Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Quo Vadis):

LifeNoted (free + in-app upgrade $1.99 for full version) is a calendaring, journaling and to-do app all rolled up into one. You can add photos and videos as well plus tagging. While it looks like it keeps it all the appointments and to-dos together, I don’t find it to be the most aesthetically appealing app. But if you’re juggling professional, personal, home and family commitments, this might help balance it all. There’s more information available about the app at Life Noted.

ME Journal is the app interface for the Quo Vadis Habana ME (Multimedia Enhanced) Journal. The app is available for iPhone and iPad. I wrote a review last fall about my experience with the ME Journal.

Do you know of any other analog companies that are dipping their toes into the digital world? Or vice versa? Let me know if I missed anyone.I live in both the analog and digital worlds so I won’t say I don’t appreciate efforts to make my digital world as pleasing as my analog world but I do still have some reservations about it. How about you?

In Ask The Desk

Ask The Desk: Entry Level Gel Pens

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments

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Jennifer asks:

I am completely ignorant in regards to gel pens. But my daughter (who is in 6th grade) is only asking for 3 things for Christmas and one of them is gel pens. Since she is not asking for much I wanted to get her some really great ones, but I quickly got overwhelmed. I think she is wanting them to take cool notes with at school alternating colors and to do basic fun doodle drawing etc… What would you recommend for me to buy?

I guess, at heart, I will always be a 6th grader because I love this question and it is probably one that many of my readers will also delight int thinking about as well. Wouldn’t we all love to open a big package of bright colored gel pens on Christmas morning?

First, I recommend choosing good quality gel pens and those are definitely Japanese brands. I’ve seen some huge sets in warehouse stores but they are not branded and look like they could be leaky nightmares. I would be disinclined to risk it despite the rock bottom prices and the revolving carousels.

Depending on the size of your daughter’s penmanship, I would probably recommend an 0.5mm size (which is kind of the middle of the range of tip sizes). The wider 0.7mm and wider tend to get a bit gloopy and will take longer to dry which can cause smudging. Anything smaller might be a bit too fine if she’s still mastering fine motor skills. If she has small, neat handwriting, though, she might like the 0.4mm or 0.38mm. I wouldn’t recommend going any smaller than that for the tip sizes though as they can feel a bit scratchy on the paper.

Sakura Ballsign 0.4 pen color sample

At the moment, my favorite gel pens are the Sakura Ballsign Knock Gel 0.4. They are  available in 0.5mm in a 10-color set  $27 and are water resistant so she could use highlighters and markers with them and they will not bleed. The Sakura Ballsigns are also available in neon colors, metallics, glitters and pastels which are not water resistant but are super-cool and are available in 0.6mm and 0.8mm (specifically the glitter) which are still  fine for writing. Despite their dopey name, I have ended up loving these pens.

A big favorite are the Pilot Hi-Tec C Maica sets. The 12-color set is $29.50. These are not water-resistant but they are capped pens and have jewels on the caps which might be a big hit with the pre-teen set. I have a set of these on my desk at work because they look nice in a pen cup. I told you I’m a 6th grader at heart.

Zebra Sarasa Clips are excellent gel pens. They write great, have big clips that hold well onto notebooks and binders but are kind of average looking. Luckily, they have a line of Chupa Chups scented pens out right now that might be just what a 6th grader might appreciate.

The Pilot Juice line is also excellent. Great writers, super comfortable to hold and great color range. Again, pretty average looking pens but they can be purchased in up to a 36-color set range for $59.40. That’s a pretty big gift for a kid but probably much better for their creativity than an X-Box.

And the Uni-Ball Signo DX line is also excellent. These are the plainest in terms of looks but have a wide color range and tip size. Oh, there are some Hello Kitty versions of some of the Uni-Ball Signo DX pens. Not all the colors are available with Hello Kitty though. Have you outgrown Hello Kitty by the 6th grade or is she ironically cool by then?

Is that enough options? I think any of these would give your daughter a great jump start into the wonderful world of gel pens.

In feature

Giveaway Winner: Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop from Goulet Pens

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

Pilot Metropolitan Reto Pop Fountain Pens

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Pilot Metropolitan Retro Pop Giveaway generously hosted by Goulet Pens this week. And thanks for entertaining me with all your color memories and suggestions for future Retro Pop colors. Maybe Pilot will stumble across these posts and hear our requests!

Most entertaining lime green color comparisons were:

  • Guacamole
  • Kool-Aid, Limeade, Jell-o
  • Margaritas and mojitos
  • vintage automotive paint colors
  • lollipops, popsicles and various candies
  • Bugs
  • Key Lime Pie
  • Nail Polish
  • decor from the 1970s
  • Apples, kiwis and pistachios
  • Grass and bamboo
  • Slime
  • Soylent Green

Most Frequent Suggestions for Future Retro Pop Colors:

  • Shades of pink from fuchsia to pastel
  • Copper
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Bright Yellow
  • Navy Blue
  • Burgundy
  • Rose Gold

Now, on to our giveaway winner:

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Congrats, Jackie! I’ll be emailing you directly to arrange everything. And a big thanks to Goulet Pens for arranging the giveaway!

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Pantone Colors of the Year 2016: Rose Quartz & Serenity

Author AnaPosted on 8 Comments

For 2016, Pantone has decided that two colors will be the colors of the year: Rose Quartz and Serenity, a soft peachy pink and a cornflower blue. Here’s a quote from the official site about why they feel these colors will best represent 2016:

For the first time Pantone introduces two shades, Rose Quartz and Serenity as the PANTONE Color of the Year 2016. Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times.

Do you think you might integrate some of these colors into you desk accessories? Maybe some of these items will tempt you?

FF-Pantone2016

  • PANTONE UNIVERSE Mug with Gift Box Color of the Year 2016 $25 (via Pantone.com)
  • Stipula Deep Blue Ink in 70ml Bottle $25 (via Goulet Pens)
  • Diamine Shimmering Night Sky Fountain Pen Ink in 50 ml bottle $20 (via JetPens)
  • Visconti Michelangelo Venus rose fountain pen €245 (via Fontoplumo)
  • Pentel Sharp Kerry 0.5 mm Pink Mechanical Pencil $19.50 (via JetPens)
  • Faber-Castell Loom Metallic Blue Fountain Pen Medium Nib $40 (via Anderson Pens)
  • Sailor Professional Gear Starburst Galaxy Fountain Pen $200 (via Pen Chalet)
  • Pilot Capless Decimo Fountain Pen in Champagne Pink $133 (via JetPens)
  • Kokuyo Kadokeshi Eraser $2 (via Fresh Stock Japan)
  • Mi Goals Bianca Cash 2016 A5 Weekly Diary Planner, Hard Cover in Pink $25.59USD (via Notemaker)
  • J. Herbin Rouille D’ancre Fountain Pen Ink in 30ml Bottle $11 (via Goulet Pens)
  • Bubble Braces Stationery $25 (via House Inudstries)
  • Kaweco AL Sport Stonewashed Blue Medium Point Fountain Pen $71.95 (via Goldspot Pens)

And you can also download Pantone’s digital wallpapers for desktop and mobile devices.

In Pen Review

Pen Review: Pilot Multi Ball

Author AnaPosted on 5 Comments

Pilot Multiball

I found the Pilot Multi Ball pen in a subscription kit I received this week. Its not a pen I’d ever seen before but it turns out to be one I could easily pick up at JetPens for $1.65. Its a fine tipped rollerball and what I didn’t realize until after I wrote my review is that one of its notable characteristics is its ability to write on slick surfaces though it might take awhile to dry. I just used it as a standard rollerball and compared it to other pens in my stash.

Pilot Multiball

The entire time I was using the Pilot Multi Ball I kept yelling “multipass!” If you’re a fan of the sci-fi film The Fifth Element, you’ll understand the reference. Besides the silly and slightly distracting name, the pen was actually a pleasing experience. I was surprised because I  picked it up on a whim thinking it was going to be a ho-hum extra added into my subscription kit as filler.  I’m also one of those unfortunate left handed writers that choke the life out of rollerball pens so I have a tendency to avoid them most of the time. Killing a pen by touching it is just embarrassing. But I didn’t kill the Multi Ball. In fact, it wrote smoothly for me and created a nice, clean, fine line.

The Multi Ball pen is a simple, capped, plastic barrel with a rubbery grip section and a plastic clip. Its wider than most low-end, plastic, non-refillable pens. The barrel is closer in diameter to a Sharpie marker than to a Sharpie Pen. It makes it quite comfortable for longer writing sessions. The cap will post but the clip also keeps the cap from rolling off the table so I just left it off while I wrote.

Pilot Multiball

I wanted to compare the Multi Ball to the writing from a couple other pens to show the line weight and ink color. As you can see the black ink is quite dark and dense and, because of the rollerball tip, the Multi Ball is not going to lose its fine point over time the way a felt tip pen will. At the bottom you can see how, within three words, I choke the life out of a regular Uniball rollerball pen.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with the Pilot Multi Ball. Its not a pen I would have purchased because of my past experiences with rollerball pens but I’m glad it ended up in my hands. It’s made me reconsider looking at other rollerballs as well.

In Link Love

Link Love: Retro Pop Love

Author AnaPosted on 2 Comments

rp_link-ana11111111111111.jpgPens:

Ink:

Paper & Notebooks:

Planners & Organizers:

Other Interesting Things:

Submit your Link Love art: Would you like your art to be on an upcoming Link Love? Send in your writing, drawing, photograph, or doodle. It can be your own interpretation of Link or anything else you think might relate to the weekly list of pen/pencil-centric blog links. Email your submission to me at chair @ wellappointeddesk.com. Please include any information you’d like in the image credit (your name, Twitter handle, Instagram, blog, etc) and any information about inks, tools, paper, etc used in your creation. Please let me know that I have permission to publish your work in Link Love and that the image is your original piece.