Uni-Ball Jetstream F*Series Multi-Pen

Uniball Jetstream F*Series Multipen

As I have previously mentioned, after swearing that all ballpoint pens were the vilest of all writing tools and eating crow when introduced to the Uniball Jetstream 0.5 in Ash Green, I decided to test drive one of the Jetstream Multipens. This model is considered part of the F*Series (F for feminine but I think F* looks like a swear word and there is nothing about this pen that is all that feminine other than it is a fairly narrow body for a 3-tool multipen) and was purchased from our fine sponsors, JetPens for $11.50. The body of this pen is a smooth black plastic (called Luminous Black) with bits of metallic mica flakes in the plastic that gives it a sparkly, starry night look. Inside the pen are two Jetstream pens, one red and one black and both 0.5 and a mechanical pencil that is also 0.5. There is no eraser included with the pen. While I normally find on-pencil erasers inadequate, I thought I’d point it out.

uniball jetstream f*series multipen

The ink is super slick but the fine point and whatever hoodoo magic Uniball worked, the inks dry quickly, even for this messy overwriting lefty.

To be honest, I think the Uniball Jetsrteam perform best on cheap office papers, legal pads and copy paper. I think its also writes extrememly well with little showthrough on the thin paper in most Moleskines. Its the perfect budget tool for the office for this reason where you may not always get the option to choose high quality papers for notetaking.

There are lower-priced Jetstream multipens available in both 0.5 and 0.7 widths with erasers and soft grip areas but I chose this one for its good looks. I have a Pilot Opt Mechanical Pencil in Stardust Blue that compliments the Jestream F* nicely.

Additional reading:

The Pen Addict reviews:

 

We Are What We Do (and sometimes even what we give away)

Action paper goods

The fine folks at We Are What We Do sent me some of their products to sample. They are a non-profit company whose goal is to fund school and community projects. They sent me a medium-sized Action Notebook, a large-sized Action Notebook, an Action Diary for the 2011/12 Academic Year (almost too late but nice to see the size, format and design) and a set of Action Bookmarks.

Action Diary cover

The Action Diary is a small pocket-sized book at just 4.125″ x 5.875″ with a perfect binding and a contrasting (this book had purple) satin ribbon bookmark with a sealed edge.

Interior of Action DiaryAction Diary, interior

Inside the book is heavy white stock (my husband says its at least 80lb text but probably more like 100lb text weight). On the lefthand pages are actions in a usable note-taking space and on the righthand page is a week-at-a-glance calendar. In the back of the book is an Action Tracker where you can check off any action you may have undertaken from saying thanks to  taking public transportation. Its inspiring without being too preachy.

P7021744

In the ink tests, the heavyweight stock held up to all sorts of pens without even a smidgen of showthrough. Only a Sharpie (or in my case, a China-acquired Zebra version of a Sharpie) caused any bleed or showthrough.

P7021747

From the reverse, only a few specks from the “Sharpie” showed through. Everything else didn’t leave even a visible mark.

Action Bookmarks

The Action Bookmarks is a set of six paper bookmarks with spaces on the back to note comments and a rating on a book before “recycling” it to a friend.

Action bookmark, in action

The bookmarks have a die cut notch in the top to hold on to your page. They are inexpensive, colorful and clever. I may have to order several sets to give to all my bookworm friends for the holidays.

Action Notebook, interior

The Action Notebooks feature the same heavy-duty paperstock as the diary and “action items” in the form of section dividers. The lines on the paper are 6mm and, after each action item page, the lines change color to coordinate with the divider page. The large notebook is 9.75″ x 6.875″ and the medium notebook is 6.875″ x 5″ and each feature a contrasting ribbon bookmark as well.

I am going to give these fabulous notebooks away to a lucky reader (or two). Package one will be the large notebook, package two will be the smaller notebook and bookmarks. Leave a comment below and tell me which notebook you want and what action you plan to take to make your world a better place.

FINE PRINT: All entries must be submitted by midnight CST on Monday, July 9, 2012. All entries must be submitted at wellappointeddesk.com, not Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook, okay? Winners will be announced on Tuesday. Winners will be select by random number generator. Please include your email address in the comment form so that I can contact you if you win. I will not save email addresses or sell them to anyone — pinky swear. Shipping via USPS first class is covered. Additional shipping options or insurance will have to be paid by the winner. We are generous but we’re not made of money.

Halfway Through (almost)

My lovely friend Diane from Tag Team Tompkins opened her Moleskine to share  what it looks like to be halfway through for her. She uses a large Moleskine hardcover with lined pages. She uses an assortment of tools from office supply gel pens to artist’s brush pens and was keen to tell me that she did not mind when she got ink showthrough on the opposite side of the page. “It’s all part of the process,” she told me.

This page features notes about insect symbolism in Japan and a bit of her insect paper cuts taped into the book with washi tape.

Diane and her granddaughter tried out some new brush markers.

On this page, Diane’s grandson drew her portrait and gave her a sticker fortune which he proclaimed to be “very lucky.”

While traveling to Japan, Diane sketched and kept notes including details from a book she was reading.

Many thanks to Diane for sharing this intimate look at her words, pictures and ephemera!

Are you ready to share what your notebook looks like when it “halfway through”? Email me your submissions!