The Well-Appointed Desk

Just wanted to let you know that I’ve got new stamp designs coming to the shop in the next week or so. The designs are postally-themed like the ones shown here plus a couple other new designs. These are all original designs based on the looks of vintage air mail envelopes and postage.

Some will be available with the classic wood handle and other in the smaller, more compact wood block style. I like the handle-style because they fit on my vintage stamp carousel but I also like the wood blocks as they are more portable. Let me know if you’all have a preference.

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Midori Traveler’s Notebook: Star Edition

AnaApril 20, 2013Leave a comment

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong for work and my absolute favorite thing to do was to take a trip across the harbor after work on the Star Ferry. I didn’t have a lot of free time so a quick jaunt gave me a scenic view of Hong Kong for the low, low price of ($2.50HK during the week and $3.50HK on the weekends which is about $0.35-.50US) so when I heard about the special Midori Traveler’s Notebook: Star Ferry Edition, I had to order one.

I have always been curious about comparing the Midori notebook to its more reasonably -priced cousin, the Pelle so I guess this is my chance.

The set includes a passport-sized Traveler’s Notebook in camel leather that has been embossed with special branding indicating that it is the “Star Edition”, a special refill that features a Star Ferry route map and a brief history. There is also a certificate for a free ride on the ferry, should you find yourself in HK and out of pocket change.

The notebook kit costs $54 but if you already own a passport-sized Midori notebook, the special Star Ferry insert is $11US. There is currently a delay in Star Edition notebooks coming into the US, postponed until June, but you can pre-order them and have them shipped when they are available.

Additional items are available in the Star Edition line including stickers, metal charms, clips a rubber stamp, printed masking tape and a Midori Bullet Pencil in bright green with Star Ferry branding.

When my notebook arrives, I’ll do a follow-up.

(via Resor Shop with a shoutout to Patrick Ng and Gourmet Pens for keeping me informed!)

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Link Love: Instagram Love

AnaApril 20, 2013Leave a comment

CLockwise from top left, photos by: _______, TagTeamTompkins, Ben Jones, and new button badges from Emma at LetterLoves — Clockwise from top left, photos by: Pilot Falcon by Bakanekosan AKA East…West…Everywhere, a new stash of Pilot Hi-Tec C pens straight from Japan by TagTeamTompkins, PMS3965 inked up on a Heidelberg windmill press by Benjamin Cole Jones, and new button badges from Emma at LetterLoves

Acquired any new pens or office ephemera this week? Put your Instagram username in the comments so I can see your fresh goodies! And if you want to follow me, see the link in the sidebar.

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Field Journal from Tom Bihn

AnaApril 19, 20134 Comments

Yesterday, a co-worker showed me his Tom Bihn Field Journal and I was fascinated. I’ve visited the Tom Bihn site in the past because people always rave about the bags that they make but I had not seen the Field Journal product before. My co-worker had filled his journal with printouts of all the projects he was working on and using it as a great way to tote his notes to and from meetings all over our gigantic campus.

The Field Journal is a small 3-ring binder with a zip-around cover. The outside includes a pocket with a key strap and room to carry lots of little bits. The paper inside measures 5.5″x8.5″ (US half-sheet) and each journal comes filled with 100 sheets of lined or grid paper. For an extra $7, you can upgrade the paper to Crane though the site is not specific about the exact paper. Inside there are pockets to hold pens and other tools. When zipped, there are carrying handles and a strap to be able to carry the binder over your shoulder for easy carrying.

For a more thorough description and demo of the bag, check out the video. Towards the end of the video, they demonstrate how to flip the 3-ring binder to be on the right-hand side for lefties. I love any company that thinks about how to accommodate us lefties!

The Field Journal is available in four colors, base price is $80.

UPDATE: Both The Pen Addict and Okami/Pens Paper Inks…Whatever wrote extensive reviews of the Tom Bihn Field Journal if you’d like some hands-on information.

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Counterfeit Pens

AnaApril 18, 20134 Comments

What an odd coincidence occurred this week. I had just recently come across the “replica” Parker 51 pens made in China called the Hero 616 only to find an fascinating article on counterfeit pens on the Tiger Pens Blog. The article discusses the manufacturing of knock-off pens that ranged from fake Sharpies to counterfeit Mont Blancs.

So, I wonder, is there any harm in buying a Hero 616? Parker no longer produces the much-coveted Parker 51 pen and most of the user information suggests that the pens are made from cheaper plastic and gold tone versus 14K gold nibs. Currently, Ebay seller YesPen sells a pack of three Hero 616 for less than $13. That’s considerably cheaper than even the worst quality vintage Parker 51.

And the irony? There are mentions in some of the listings for Hero 616s about how to spot a fake. Yep… even replica pens get counterfeited. Who knew?

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Ask the Desk: India Ink and Calligraphy Ink

AnaApril 18, 20136 Comments

Ask The Desk Header

Ever wondered about india ink or calligraphy ink versus “fountain pen” ink? Meg posed this great question about just such a topic.

… I’ve been refilling the Pilot Petit1 cartridges with some bottled india ink that I have left over from dabbling in calligraphy. Ink seems to be pooling in the thready area (like on the Preppy), am I doing something wrong?

Calligraphy and india inks are not designed for fountain pens. They can be corrosive and can dry to be waterproof which, in the pen overtime, can cause it to clog. Some calligraphy inks are also thicker and gooier meant for dip pens so that the ink sits up on the paper and does not bleed into the paper fibers. This characteristic is particularly handy when you are using very wide italic nibs.

The good news is that if you did really jam up a pen, it is a Pilot Petit 1 and not a pricier pen.

I would recommend purchasing some ink specifically designed for fountain pens like Noodlers, Diamine, DeAtramentis, J. Herbin or any fountain pen manufacturer that sells ink (i.e. Lamy, Waterman, Parker, Kaweco, etc). These inks are specifically designed for fountain pens so that they flow easily through the feeder. These inks are not waterproof which means they will not dry and cake up the feed of nib. If fountain pen ink does dry in a pen, usually a good soak in water will clear it up, though it might take awhile.

In the future, save the calligraphy inks for dip nib pens. Since the nibs in most dip pens can be easily swapped out for less than $5, when they do corrode, its not such a big deal.

If you want to experiment with fountain pen inks, check out Goulet Pens which sell sample sized vials of ink for a dollar or two and use the syringe method to refill your cartridges.

Thanks for the great question, Meg!

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Link Love: Eraser Day and His Bradness Goes to a Pen Show

AnaApril 17, 2013Leave a comment

Happy (belated) Eraser Day from Present + Correct.

For me, the big news this week was The Pen Addict’s trip to the Atlanta Pen Show so if you read nothing else, check out both of his recaps from the show.