The Well-Appointed Desk

Link Love: Death by Digital (or not)

AnaJuly 28, 2014Leave a comment

Link(s) of the week:
It’s another week in which the pen must defend itself against the tide of digital futurism. It all started with the NYTimes article and was rebutted around the internet by digital AND pen enthusiasts in equal measure.

Analogue and digital: an equal partnership (via Pete Denison)
The Demise Of The Pen Has Been Greatly Exaggerated (via The Pen Addict)
Fare Thee Well, My Pen (via NYTimes)
Handwriting (via Matt Gemmell)

Paper:

Smythson Pocket Notebook (via All Things Stationery)
Clairefontaine Basics Life. Unplugged Staplebound Duo Review (via Modern Stationer)
Miro Notebooks (via Notebook Stories)

Pens & Ink:

Noodler’s Apache Sunset (via Alt. Haven)
The Esterbrook Bandwagon (via Pen Pursuit)
None More Black: Aurora Black (via Gentleman Stationer)
Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite Cartridge (via Fountain Pen Quest)
Eco-Essential Pen and Pencil Set by now&then (via Clicky Post)
The Kaweco Skyline Sport (Mint) (via From The Pen Cup)
Pen Review: Nakaya Neo Standard (via The Pen Habit)
Nemosine Singularity Fountain Pen Review (via Write To Me Often)

Pencils:

Walden Pond Pencilcast (via Pencil Revolution)
Tanner Goods Pencils (via All Things Stationery)
Indigo Basic Roll Pencil Case (via Better Living Through Design)

(via The Cramped)

In photo

Typewriter As Art

AnaJuly 26, 20143 Comments

Olympia Typewriter print — Olympia Typewriter Print by SloeGinFizz (via Etsy)

While not everyone might be as inclined as I am to have a pile of old typewriters at hand, the image of a typewriter inspires the writer, poet and correspondent in all of us. Today I discovered several “typewriter as art” pieces to inspire and compliment the paper aficionados desk.

(Click on images to visit the sources or purchase images.)

Typerwriter Spring Flowers Framed Print — Poetry Typewriter framed art ($46) by Kata (via Society6)

Typewriter note card — Typewriter Greeting Card ($4) by Michele Maule (via Etsy)

In feature

Review: Rhodia Ice Notepad

AnaJuly 24, 2014December 14, 20175 Comments

I finally got a chance to see what all the hullabaloo surrounding the new Rhodia Ice pads is all about. In honor of its 80th anniversary, Rhodia has released a white covered version of its classic notepads. I got the No. 16 (6 x 8.25″) which is a good desktop sized, comparable to an A5 or Steno pad. The logo is metallic silver on the warm white, matte-coated cover. Inside, the paper is white with a light grey grid.

The Ice notepads are available in lined or graph, both with the same light grey ink for the lines. The Ice notepads all feature the same high-quality paper that the original Rhodia notepads use.

Rhodia Ice writing sample

Since my Rhodia pads tend to have the cover folded back from the moment they are unwrapped, the color of the cover isn’t all that big of a deal. But I’ve avoided anything but the blank Rhodia notepads because I find the purple lines to be too dark and distracting for me. The grey lines in the Ice notepads is such an improvement! The Ice notepad is a lot more usable to me than the standard lined or graph in the orange or black notepads.

I much prefer the grey lines to the standard pads. I might have to stock up on the Ice pads in case they discontinue them.

Prices for the Rhodia Ice pads range from $2-$9, depending on size, on Goulet Pens.

Tested with my Kaweco Skyline Mint with Kaweco blue ink. Seemed like a good icy companion.

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

In feature

Review: Zebra Sharbo-X Multi-Pen in Mint

AnaJuly 23, 2014July 23, 20146 Comments

Sharbo X minty green I had been hesitant to invest in the Zebra Sharbo-X because its a pricey multi-pen at $49.50 for the body only. But its one of the few brand name multi-pens that has an aluminum body rather than plastic. So, when I saw that quantities of the minty green model were getting limited at Jet Pens, I bit the bullet and bought one. This particular model the F-Line is considered a slim “lady” model. Its the same diameter around as a Pilot Precise V5, so its not wispy but I think its probably a little slimmer than the more commonly reviewed LT3.

Sharbo X outer packagin Sharbo X presentation box Sharbo X revealed

I don’t know that I recall anyone mentioning it before but, the packaging for the Sharbo-X is top notch. The pen came in a clear presentation case which is shipped in a protective glossy black paperboard box. I don’t tend to care much about packaging but, at this price point, its nice that the pen wasn’t delivered in a clear polybag or a blisterpack.

Sharbo X rubber end

The minty green is gorgeous. It has a slightly metallic sheen to it. The eraser is hidden under the end cap which has a color-coordinated rubber bumper on the end. Why? I don’t know. The rubber end is not conductive so it can’t be used with touch screens nor is it an eraser. Curious little detail.

I filled it with the 0.5 mm mechanical pencil module and two 0.4 mm gel refills: one blue-black and one in emerald green. I also added an extra pack of erasers.

Sharbo X writing sample

I was worried about the writing performance of the gel inks but they perform admirably. They wrote smoothly and I had no issues with flow or consistency. I have not determined how long my refills will last but comments indicate that these mirco-sized gel refills run out quickly so its best to have a few extra standing by. Zebra even makes a little carrying box for extras which I kind of like (PEN NERD!!!).

Sharbo X eraser

The mechanical pencil works as expected. Pushing the end of the pen body advances the lead. Despite the petite size of the pencil component, a full-sized lead refill will fit into the pen body. Holding the click down allowed me to push the lead back into the pen body as well.

Sharbo X meets Kaweco Skyline Mint

I was tickled to discover that the Sharbo-X in minty green is just a slightly darker version of the mint color of the Kaweco Skyline so its needless to say that these two pens have become my pocket’s new best friends. With these two, I have a fountain pen, two gel inks AND a pencil. I think this may be my go to everyday carry for awhile.

I’m very happy with my purchase and I think that, in the end, the Sharbo-X is worth the sticker shock. Its stylish, functional and great quality. If you’ve got some money burning a hole in your pocket, this might be a good investment.

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

In feature

Upcoming: Blackwing Slate Notebook

AnaJuly 22, 2014July 21, 2014Leave a comment

Blackwing Slate profile view with elasitc pencil loop

It’s a week chock full of new notebooks. The new Blackwing Slate is an updated version of the Blackwing Luxury notebook. This time the notebook is hardcover but uses the same polymer leather-like material. The branding is center at the bottom of the back cover and not central across the cover.

The size looks like an A5-ish at about 5×8″ and has 160 pages.

The spine is canvas with an elastic loop along the spine to hold your coveted Blackwing pencil. The paper inside is 100gsm and is available light grey lines (that look quite similar to the current format) or blank.

The new Blackwing Slate adds a ribbon bookmark and a pocket inside the back cover. Since I’ve been using my Blackwing Luxury notebook as my daily book for awhile, I can tell you that the absence of the catchall pocket is keenly felt. I’m glad they’ve added this feature.

The new Blackwing Slate will retail for $22.95 and is expected to be available in limited quantities by the end of July. Check with your favorite retailer or pencils.com to order.

Blackwing Slate notebook branding

In link

Link Love: Slow News Week

AnaJuly 22, 2014July 21, 2014Leave a comment

Link Love Link Mascot Did you get a chance to listen to me blather on about indelible pencils last week on the Erasable podcast? If not, I hope you check it out. Let me know what you think.

Pens & Ink:

Sakura Decorese Pens (via Kimberly Ah)
XTS Raw Titanium + Stylus Pen Review (via My Pen Needs Ink)
Caran D’ache Infinite Grey Ink (via Office Supply Geek)
Pelikan M205 Fountain Pen Update (via Clicky Post)
Sakura Pigma Micron 05 Blue Black Review (via Pen Addict)
Noodler’s Black Swan in Australian Roses Formula Change (via Inkophile)

Pencils:

What’s the Best Everyday Pencil (via All Things Stationery)
Staedtler Noris Stylus Pencil (via The Pencil Case Blog)
Staedtler 5-in-1 Pencil Set for Paper & Tablet (via Selectism)

Other Stuff:

Maximize the Impact of Handwritten Notes with these 6 Tips (via Entrepreneur)
Good Tips for Editing Photos on an iPhone (via A Beautiful Mess)
Top Glues for Mail Art (via Letter Writers Alliance)
Germany ‘may revert to typewriters’ to counter hi-tech espionage (via The Guardian)
Word. Notebook Indigo Review (via The Writing Arsenal)

Don’t forget to throw a little love to our awesome sponsors: Jet Pens, Goulet Pens, The Pen Chalet and Gallery Leather. These fine people keep me in pens, pencils, ink and paper and they can help you. Please let them know you heard about them on The Well-Appointed Desk. Thanks!

In feature

Upcoming: Moleskine Voyageur Notebook

AnaJuly 21, 2014July 21, 20146 Comments

Moleskine Voyageur

Moleskine recently announced a new addition to their notebook line, the Moleskine Voyageur, A Traveller’s Notebook. The notebooks start shipping this week so this seemed like a good time to take a closer look.

The Voyageur notebook does not follow Moelskine’s standard sizing. The Voyageur is 4×7″– a little smaller than the regular A5-sized “medium” and a bit larger than the “pocket”. Its also clothbound instead of leatherette. And currently, it is only available with a brown cover. I feel like this is Moleskine’s attempt to capture some of the enthusiasm that exists around books like the Midori Traveler. Even the name is awfully reminiscent.

Moleskine Voyageur

Inside the front of the notebook are pages with information about creating printable sheets to insert into your notebook as well as a map.

Moleskine Voyageur

The pages are color coded along the edge to visual indicate three separate paper choices: lined, dot grid and blank sheets for various projects or type of note-taking. There are three color-coded ribbon bookmarks that match the various sections in the book.

Moleskine Voyageur

In the back of the book are pages that are perforated along the vertical to make to-do lists.

Moleskine Voyageur

And finally, in the back is a pocket for storing ephemera. A sheet of stickers is included with the notebook as well. I’m not sure how useful the stickers would be but I appreciate the effort.

MSRP for the Voyageur notebook is $24.95 US but vendors like Amazon are offering the Voyageur a little under retail.

Is this a notebook you’d consider ordering? I’m intrigued and I like the multi-functionality of it. I don’t think the paper will be any better with fountain pens than standard Moleskines but all the little extras make it seem like its a better value than a plain Moleskine. What do you think?