The Well-Appointed Desk

The fine folks over at Knock Knock sent me a few of their Dress Your Desk office essentials. I received two sets of Not-Your Average Index Cards, a Random Notes notepad,  a Whatever Lined Pad and a set of Honest Acronym File Folders.

I cannot tell you how much the Honest Acronym File Folders make me smile. The set comes with six different files folder ($9) with bold acronyms on the front in an array of bright colors. They are tabbed with a white area on the tab to write and inside the folder is a full lined “page” for adding additional notes to your file. The folders are super-thick cardstock with a gloss matte finish which means they’ll stand up to lots of abuse. I recommend writing on the tabs and inside with a ballpoint pen or alcohol-based marker like a Sharpie ultra fine marker. I plan on using some labels, typed on one of my vintage typewriters. I think that would look fab. I’ll be using the ASAP (As Slow As Possible) for bills and there’s a project at work destined for the WTF (What’s This For) file.

I received two sets of the Not-You-Average Index Cards ($6 per set), the “tabbed” index cards and the “indexed” index cards.

There are 60 cards in each set, tied together with a printed rubber band. Each set of cards came with three colors. The “tabbed” set is an assortment of of yellow, lime and green with 7mm line spacing and the “indexed” set is an assortment of red, pink and orange with 6mm line spacing. I didn’t notice that the index cards were different line spacing but if you have a preference it’s good to know. Both sets have die cut notches about a half an inch from the left edge that is wide enough to hold the rubber band  that’s included with each set.

The cards are a bit heavier weight than the average office supply store grade index cards. The printed border colors and lines are vivid and fun but not so bright or dark as to obscure most standard pen and ink colors. Where I work, we live and breath 3×5 cards and these will certainly beat the plain ol’ white cards I normally use.

In writing tests, the index cards performed admirably. None of the fountain pens, rollerball or felt/fiber tip pens I used feathered or bled at all. and the inks did not show through or bleed through to the other side either meaning that both sides of the cards are truly usable.

The Random Notes pad ($7) is a 6×9″ gummed pad printed with an assortment of areas to take notes, doodle or make lists all while looking like you’re paying attention in your next droll meeting. There’s 60 sheets in each pad so you’ll have plenty for every dull meeting.

Overall, I was quite impressed with the entertainment value AND the paper quality of the pad. There’s a blank area, a dot grid space (4mm spacing), a gridded section (about 3.5mm grid) as well as a lined area (7mm spacing). At the top is space to add a date and time of the note-taking adventure.

Using my TWSBI Mini with a dark blue-black ink, I got a little show through and a little bleeding in the darkly colored areas. There were a few dots of bleed through on the next sheet. Otherwise, for a novelty scratch pad, this is good paper.

The Whatever Lined Pad ($7) is a classic pad styled like a legal pad with the folded paper binding at the top, perforated, lined and a creamy orange color with green and grey lines.

The paper is definitely better quality than the average budget, legal pad. At the top is three ares for “Who(ever)”, “When(ever)” and ‘Where(ever)”. Along the left side is  a large, blank  for an additional list, check marks or cross-referencing. There’s a large margin at the bottom as well.  The line spacing is 6mm.

I tried all my currently inked fountain pens with pleasing results. There was no feathering of any of the inks or pens that I used and only a little bit of show through, though I admit, I seldom use the reverse side of legal pad paper. Do you?

Overall, I loved all these products and I have to admit I was not expecting such a high level of quality in what I’d thought of as “novelty products”. Knock Knock really knocked it out of the park.

So, how can you get your own “Dress Your Desk” Essentials?

Dress Your Desk Campaign:

First, check out all the great Dress Your Desk Essential products.

Then submit photos of your desk to Knock Knock. If selected, your desk could be the “Featured Desk of the Week” on the Knock Knock blog and our social channels. To share with your photos, just tag Knock Knock on FB, Twitter, or Instagram and use hashtag #DressYourDesk for your chance to be the “Featured Desk of the Week”.

The Awesome Offer for Well-Appointed Desk Readers:

All readers can get 20% off at Knock Knock by using the code DESK20 on their next order. The code works one-time use per customer code and its only good through 11/1/14.

Also, if you sign-up for the Knock Knock newsletter, you can get 15% off orders over $50.

and finally, THE GIVEAWAY:

Knock Knock has kindly offered to give away a new set of these Dress Your Desk Essentials selecte by The Well-Appointed Desk. Winner will receive all the products reviewed here:

• Tabbed Index Cards
• Indexed Index Cards
• Random Notes
• Whatever Lined Pad
• Honest Acronym File Folders

I’m trying out Rafflecopter this time around so leave a comment on the blog and tell me what your favorite “desk essential” is to be entered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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