The DRILLOG v. 2 Machined Dip Nib (& Graft Spirl Barrel)

The DRILLOG v. 2 Machined Dip Nib (& Graft Spirl Barrel)

The first launch of the DRILLOG on Kickstarter ended in November 2021 to much hype and fanfare. Many people were excited by the machined metal dip nibs as a unique and durable alternative to glass, plastic or the classic, bent metal, dip nibs.  To continue the excitement, this month, on Kickstarter, they launched a new…

Kickstarter: Ensso Ebonite Fountain Pens

Kickstarter: Ensso Ebonite Fountain Pens

The latest Kickstarter from Ensso is a pair of Japanese Ebonite fountain pens. One is a mini pocket pen and the other is a full-sized, cigar-shaped (dirigible-shaped?) fountain pen. Ebonite is extremely lightweight which allows these pens to be of similar width and size to the earlier Ensso metal machined PIUMA pens but at a…

Notebook Review: Dapper Notes/Railway Station Press Mikado Notebooks

Notebook Review: Dapper Notes/Railway Station Press Mikado Notebooks

Review by Tina Koyama The pocket-size notebook market is well-saturated with the stapled-paper basic. Finding a unique offering isn’t easy; in fact, only one comes easily to mind: Dapper Notes and Stationery. Handmade by Enon Avital, each fabric-covered, sewn notebook edition has a distinctive theme. Many past limited editions included cover designs in collaboration with…

Sponsored Post: Kickstarter ēnsso Aria, Minimalist metal pen for the BIC ballpoint refill.

Sponsored Post: Kickstarter ēnsso Aria, Minimalist metal pen for the BIC ballpoint refill.

The ubiquitous BIC ballpoint. We all have one, or have used one. Did you know approximately 60 BIC pens are sold every second. Its success relies on its affordable price point, reliable ink refill, and worldwide availability. ēnsso was intrigued by the BIC pen and set about designing a premium, yet affordable pen that accepts…

Sponsored Post: Kickstarter Ensso GIRO Titanium Ballpoint

Sponsored Post: Kickstarter Ensso GIRO Titanium Ballpoint

Ensso has designed and developed several different pens through Kickstarter. Their latest release is the GIRO Titanium Ballpoint Pen. The design is reminiscent of the PIUMA Fountain Pen with a cigar shape and similar dimensions. The GIRO features finely grooved, textured, aircraaft-grade titanium body and has a flattened end cap. The pen uses a twist…

Kickstarter Review: Iris Drawing Compass

Kickstarter Review: Iris Drawing Compass

When I saw the Iris Drawing Compass pop up on Kickstarter, I was intrigued enough to back the project. I have backed enough Kickstarter projects to know that no matter how optimistic the creators are,  they will never hit their shipping date goals. So when it arrived right around the holidays, I was pleasantly surprised.…

Fountain Pen Review: Hippo Noto x Herbert Pen Co Pygmy Invasion Pen

Fountain Pen Review: Hippo Noto x Herbert Pen Co Pygmy Invasion Pen

Hippo Noto created some special add-ons and collaborations for the pre-order period for the latest phase of their Hippo Noto notebooks.  Along with new notebooks in A5 an B6 size and a new Robert Oster ink color, there is also a limited edition fountain pen collaboration with the Herbert Pen Company: the Hippo Noto x…