In feature

Field Journal from Tom Bihn

Author AnaPosted on 4 Comments
(via Tom Bihn Flickr)
(via Tom Bihn Flickr)

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.

(via Tom Bihn Flickr)
(via Tom Bihn Flickr)

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.

(via Tom Bihn Flickr)
(via Tom Bihn Flickr)

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.

In feature

Counterfeit Pens

Author AnaPosted on 4 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.

Hero 616 Doctor

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?

In feature

Ask the Desk: India Ink and Calligraphy Ink

Author AnaPosted on 6 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!

In link

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

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment
Happy (belated) Eraser Day from Present + Correct.
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.

Pens and Pencils

Notebooks

Misc. goodies

In photo

The Napper’s Desk

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment

studio-nl-desk-bed-1-650x435

Ever napped under your desk, or even just considered napping under your desk? Then you’ll appreciate this desk designed by Studio NL with a bulit-in nap cubby underneath it. When you’re productive, the nap pad creates the back wall of the desk. Swivel it down and fold open the end to have space for a snooze.

(Via Lost at E Minor, top o’ the hat to reader MJH. Thanks!)

In feature, Ink Review

Review: J. Herbin Vert Olive Ink

Author AnaPosted on Leave a comment

J. Herbin Vert Olive Fountain Pen Ink

Green is my favorite color, if you haven’t guessed already, and yellow-greens like lime, avocado and olive are my favorite, favorite greens. So, it was only a matter of time until I broke down and purchased the J. Herbin Vert Olive ($9 per bottle or $6 for a tin of six cartridges) which appears to be right in my color “sweet spot.” I was hesitant though because I’ve had a long string of not-quite-right green pens in my life and I was really hoping I wouldn’t end up with a whole bottle of disappointment.

J. Herbin Vert Olive Fountain Pen Ink Writing Sample

When I was finally brave enough to uncap the bottle, I was pleasantly surprised. In the swab test, the color looks a little pale, like a lemon-lime Kool-Aid but when I filled my TWSBI Mini and actually wrote with it, it ended up being a more concentrated lime-peel green. It absolutely glided out of my pen and while it was a little lighter when wet, it darkened as it dried.

I think Vert Olive and I are going to have a long, happy life together.

What’s your favorite color and have you found the perfect fountain pen ink in that color?