The Well-Appointed Desk

Thanks to everyone who has sent us well-wishes and kind words — and a little ribbing too. Bob and I both managed to go three years without catching Covid-19 and then we both went down this week.

I’m in the “draggin’ a**” phase of Covid-19. I am so exhausted right now. Every activity requires a minimum of 30 minutes of recuperation. Dishes? Then 30 minute rest. Making lunch? Another 30 minutes to an hour of resting. You get the idea. But I’m not suffering from many of the cold and flu symptoms that plagued me over the last few weeks when I “just had a cold” so there is a bit of a bright side.

Hopefully, by next week, we’ll both be back on our feet.

Pens:

Pilot Fountain Pens: A Comprehensive Guide (via JetPens Blog)
Why Are Namiki Fountain Pens So Expensive? (via Yoseka Stationery)
broken in: sailor pro gear realo (via A Fleeting Ripple)
Striking a balance between moderates (via mnmlscholar)
Pen Review: Onoto Scholar in Mandarin Yellow (via The Gentleman Stationer)

Ink:

Shokido Amalfi on Midori MD (via Inkcredible Colours)
Ferris Wheel Press Shimmer Inks (via Mountain of Ink)
Ink of the Week – Diamine Teal (via Fountain Pen Love)
Diamine Exclusives for Art from the Heart (via FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART)
Diamine Reddit Inks Celadon Cat and Sailors Warning are now released (via FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART)
Ink Review #765: Scribo Grigio Scribo (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist)

Pencils:

Triple outdated (via Bleistift)

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In photo

Yarn & Ink: Delightfully Springy

Laura CameronApril 25, 20231 Comment

This week I’m working on a fun new chicken for The City Girl Farm, so it’s time for another ink + yarn palette.

This yarn is mostly natural (white) with hints of tons of other colors. There’s a bright carrot orange, a pretty pea green, an orangey-red, and an aqua to name just a few.

My ink palette includes:

In feature

Oops!

AnaApril 24, 2023April 23, 202313 Comments

We may be a little light on posts this week as I managed to catch COVID this week. This is my first case of COVID since the start of the pandemic. And I managed to catch it on the heels of the cold I caught in Atlanta. Enough already!

Let’s talk about pens soon!

In Pencil Review

Pencil Review: Uni Kuru Toga 0.5 mm Mechanical Pencil – Kiki’s Delivery Service

AnaApril 21, 2023April 16, 20231 Comment

Want to know how to get me to buy anything? Stick Totoro or Kiki on it. I grew up on Miyazaki films and was never able to find any swag or toys with the characters when I was a kid. Peanuts, Disney Princesses and such were everywhere but never any Catbus, dust sprites or Jiji the cat. So, now as an adult with access to “disposable income,” I enjoy feeding my inner child the occasional treat.

The most recent limited edition Kurutoga Studio Ghibili Mechanical Pencils ($14 each) were a must-buy for me. I had to choose between the Totoro, Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service designs but who was I kidding? A pink barrel with Jiji printing on it was always going to be the winner.

Kurutoga pencils are popular for the self-turning lead function. Everytime you lift up the lead rotates slightly. I am a compulsive pencil turner because I did not grow up with this self-turning feature so I am not sure I really notice the advantage of this. Especially with the thin 0.5mm leads, I am not sure how beneficial self-turning mechanical leads are.

As a lefty, I still smear what I draw when I use standard graphite lead. I know there are some less-smeary options available but for this review I used the lead that shipped with the pencil. It was nice and dark and reasonably soft but that, of course, meant it would also be easy to smudge.

There is a teeny tiny eraser under the cap on the end of the pencil but I prefer to use a nice block eraser when I use one but its always nice to have something to use in a pinch.

If you like inner-child-inspiring graphics on your mechanical pencil, I can’t recommend this more highly. I get a wave of delight every time I pull this pencil out of my daily carry case. I know folks love the Kurutoga self-rotating ability but this feature is lost on me. If you prefer a more understated mechanical pencil with the self-rotating option, other 0.5mm (or even 0.3mm) options are available starting at $5.50.

In feature, Ink Review

Ink Review: Troublemaker Nenita and Moon River

Jessica ColesApril 20, 2023April 20, 2023Leave a comment

A couple weeks ago I wrote about two new Troublemaker inks – Butterfly Dream and Polar Lights. Today’s post is about two more inks within that same new release – Nenita and Moon River. These can both be found at Vanness where the 60 mL bottles can be purchased for $16.50.

I appreciate the minimal packaging with all Troublemaker inks – a simple card stock box and large plastic bottles that are dark enough to protect the ink from most light.

Troublemaker Nenita is a dark burgundy red – not so dark that it appears black in writing, though.

The sheen is what makes this ink pop, however. A green-gold sheen shows up in the correct light. The sheen is a bit muted – this keeps it from overwhelming the base color and keeps the ink from smearing after it dries.

Troublemaker Nenita on Tomoe River 52gsm (TR7) paper:

Troublemaker Nenita on Midori MD paper:

Troublemaker Nenita on Cosmo Air Light 83gsm paper:

Troublemaker Moon River is quite different from Nenita. This is a multi-chromatic ink that shows plenty of shading with a color somewhere between grey, pink, and green. It brings to mind other recent multi-chromatic inks like Sailor Studio 123 and Sailor Yurameku Seki, but I think it is more helpful to show it compared to other standard inks. The swatch is close to Vinta Pangtangi but in writing, Moon River appears as a dusty rose.

Troublemaker Moon River on Tomoe River 52gsm (TR7) paper:

Troublemaker Moon River on Midori MD paper:

Troublemaker Moon River on Cosmo Air Light 83gsm paper:

I love the degree to which Moon River changes from paper to paper.

Troublemaker inks can be a bit hard to find in the US, however, it seems that more retailers are beginning to stock the ink. At $0.28 per mL, I would definitely recommend picking up a bottle!

DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were purchased by me. Please see the About page for more details.

In Link Love

Link Love: ChatGPT Wrote My Review!

AnaApril 19, 2023April 19, 2023Leave a comment

This morning Bob got a wild hair to try letting Chat GPT write reviews of the Col-o-ring. We couldn’t just do it any old way so we tried some “colorful” writing styles. Enjoy the ridiculousness.

Col-o-ring review written as holy scripture:

And lo, the Col-o-Ring did come forth from the hands of the skilled artisans, fashioned from the finest materials and imbued with the power to reveal the true nature of color. Its circular form, like unto a halo, did encompass a multitude of hues, arranged in perfect order for ease of comparison and contemplation. With each turn of the page, the colors did dance and sing, revealing their depths and nuances to those with eyes to see. Truly, the Col-o-Ring is a wondrous tool, a testament to the mastery of those who crafted it and a blessing to those who wield it in their quest for beauty and truth.

Col-o-ring review from a “military manual”:

The Col-o-Ring is a compact and efficient tool for color matching and organization, suitable for various military applications. The circular design of the Col-o-Ring allows for easy access to a range of color swatches, which are securely held in place by a durable metal ring. The swatches are printed on high-quality paper, ensuring accurate color representation. The compact size and rugged construction of the Col-o-Ring make it an ideal tool for field use, making it an invaluable resource for mission planning and execution. The Col-o-Ring is a must-have tool for any military personnel seeking to optimize their color matching and organization capabilities.

Pens:

The Japan stationery haul, Part 1: The pens (and a few pencils) (via Urban Adventure League)
Opus 88 Minty Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
What Is the Best Make of a Fountain Pen? (via Pen Chalet)

Ink:

Ink Review #2131: Vinta Bisperas (via Mountain of Ink)
Ink Review #2122: Robert Oster Ghost (via Mountain of Ink)
Dominant Industry Periwinkle Blue on Kokuyo Campus (via Inkcredible Colours)
Ink of the Week – Robert Oster Plumb Nut (via Fountain Pen Love)
Sailor Yurameku 2nd Edition Date Gokoro Ink Review (via The Pen Addict)

Pencils:

HB Pencil Comparison (via Yoseka Stationery)

Notebooks & Paper:

Field Notes Consultant at Your Service (via Fueled by Clouds & Coffee)
Sudoku Challenge (via Wonder Pens)
Paper Over The Cracks (via Nero’s Notes)
Guest Post – Journalling in Filofax Part 2 – Daniel (via Philofaxy)
Aluminium versus plastic discs: which are better for binding your planner? (via All About Planners)
Enneagram Bullet Journal Setup (via Bullet Journal)
Dapper dots (via Nero’s Notes)

Art & Creativity:

A Typeface for Knitters (via Modern Daily Knitting)
A beginner’s guide to watercolour pencil drawing (via The Pen Company Blog)

Other Interesting Things:

Broken stationery surprise (via Bleistift)
Rickshaw Bagworks Peter Pen Ocean Blue 6-Pen Coozy Roll Review (via The Pen Addict)
RIP Mary Quant, the Fashion Designer Who Invented the Miniskirt (via My Modern Met)
385,000 Vintage 78 RPM Records in Online Archive for Free (via My Modern Met)
Why teacups are special: the tea tastes better (via Liz Steel)
Chicago’s Miniature Art Fair Is a Big Success (via Hyperallergic)
AI Portraits of Republicans in Drag to Get You Through the Week (via Hyperallergic)
The USPS is raising rates again. It’s still an incredible bargain. (via The Washington Post)

We need each other. Please support our sponsors, affiliates or join our Patreon. Your patronage supports this site. Without them, and without you, we could not continue to do what we do. Thank you!

In Fountain Pen Review

Fountain Pen Review: Platinum Preppy Wa Modern Maki-e Fountain Pen

Laura CameronApril 18, 2023April 18, 20236 Comments

Often, as fountain pen collectors, we get wrapped up in finding our grail pen. That perfect balance of aesthetics and exquisite writing ability that will make it our favorite pen ever. Or we get caught up in FOMO (fear of missing out) and purchase pens that are all the rage. Sometimes it’s nice to go back to some basics and see what’s out there.

When I started with fountain pens several year ago, I actually skipped what I consider the truly “introductory” fountain pens and immediately went to the next level. I started with a Lamy Safari, a Pilot Metropolitan and finally, a TWSBI Eco. While they’re all great pens in a decent price range, I know that I skipped some of the even lower end pens that make a great introduction to those new to the fountain pen industry, and even beloved by more experienced writers.

So when the new limited edition “Maki-e” Platinum Preppys ($10) showed up on Jetpens site, I was compelled to take a look. The Platinum Preppy is an introductory level demonstrator-body fountain pen that is well loved and has been around since 2007. The pen itself is around 5″/12 cm (uncapped) and weighs in at just 13g. It’s durable, fun to use and comes with steel Platinum nibs, generally in extra fine, fine or medium. The pens can be used with cartridges or converters, but beware that Platinum uses proprietary ones so you won’t be able to just get away with standard international cartridges. The nibs write well out of the package, and the ink flows smoothly immediately.

I chose to purchase the Kachimushi 03 which comes with a blue body printed with silver dragonflies, intended to look like Maki-e. The pattern is aesthetically pleasing and hasn’t been damaged in the few weeks I’ve been using the pen, but I also haven’t see what long term use might do. I expect the pen may get scratched and the dragonflies may not stay intact forever.

A quick note: maki-e is a time-consuming Japanese technique of lacquer decoration. While the motifs in these Platinum Preppy echo what you might see in true maki-e, they are in fact printed on the plastic barrel. True maki-e would be far more expensive.

So what do I think? For a $10 pen, I think the Preppy provides a pretty great writing experience. In comparison, I did pull out my as yet unused Pilot Kakuno to compare. The Pilot Kakuno is also a plastic demonstrator pen, featuring a Pilot nib (this one is in medium). Capped, the lengths are a bit different (about 1/4″), but uncapped they are virtually the same length. The nibs are different – you can see the Kakuno is a larger nib unit. The standard Kakuno retails for $12.50, whereas the standard Preppy retails for $7, with the Maki-e limited edition coming in at $10. Pilot also makes use of proprietary cartridges and converters, so you’ll have the same issue there (that is, you can’t just throw a standard cartridge in there and go).

In truth, both of these are great little pens and I sometimes forget how you can introduce someone to a really fun writing instrument at a fraction of the cost of what many of us spend pursuing our hobbies. For what it’s worth, I have a slight preference for the Preppy but I don’t have a good reason to articulate why.

What’s your favorite low-cost or introductory fountain pen?