Paper and Pens

Review: J. Herbin Rouge Opera Fountain Pen Ink

2010-08-30T16:26:00.005-04:00

This is a bit of a delayed review, thanks go to Karen over at Quo Vadis Blog for sending me this ink to review.

Info:
Paper: Rhodia Bloc N*14 5x5Pen: Hero 616

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Navigator
Inkjet Paper
24lb
8 1/2 x 11"

I think because of the time of day I took these pictures and the flash it came out darker then the actual color. This ink is a real vibrant red under bright lights and a bit more muted in low light.

I'm Back!

2010-08-26T15:33:00.001-04:00

It's been a while and new post will be up soon. Where have I been, while until next time.....

Glasses anyone?

2009-08-25T10:16:00.000-04:00

I was in the market for an everyday pair of eyeglasses that if I broke/lost them no tears would be shed. I did a Google search and came across this website Zenni Optical. I got a complete pair of glasses in under two weeks for around $23! Feel free to check them out.

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

2009-08-23T22:15:00.005-04:00

Sorry for the lack of post recently, I'm in the process of taking an online language course, through this great website called eduFire, I felt is was time for me to really work on my French. If anyone is in the market for a headset for online classes/Skype/Video Games the Microsoft LifeChat Lx-3000 Stero Headset is a great fine; I purchased mine from www.buy.com. I was worried if it would work with my Mac, but plugged it in and it was great. Absolon3 over at www.youtube.com has a great review of them if your interested.

Review: J. Herbin Orange Indien Fountain Pen Ink Review

2009-05-03T22:39:00.004-04:00

Okay so I'm a little late with this review, thanks go to Karen over at Quo Vadis Blog for sending me this ink to review.

Info:
Paper: Rhodia Bloc N*14 5x5
Pen: Hero 616
&
Navigator
Inkjet Paper
24lb
8 1/2 x 11"

This color really popped on the page, it came out bright and clean. Not a color that I would usually buy but really changed my mind.

Hopefully this review can give you some ideas if your in the market for Orange ink!

Review: J. Herbin Vert Empire Fountain Pen Ink Review

2009-04-12T16:28:00.003-04:00

There's a couple reviews floating around the Internet about this ink so I wanted to show some pictures of it to give you an idea of the color if your in the market for a nice muted green ink.

Info:
Paper: Rhodia Bloc N*14 5x5
Pen: Hero 616

Thanks to the great folks at Quo Vadis Blog! who provided this sample to review!

Enjoy,
~C

Review: Hero 616 Fountain Pen UPDATE

2009-04-09T12:12:00.003-04:00

I forgot to mention the filling system of the Hero 616 Fountain pen so I felt I'll just do another post so I could add more pictures.

There is a small ink window, which does nothing to indicate ink level. It only indicates the color of the ink inside and turns clear when the ink is almost out.

It has a permanent squeeze filling system, which comprises a sac which is housed in metal. One fills the pen by pressing on a bar next to the sac, which flattens the sac, forcing air out, and releasing the bar so that ink is sucked in the sac as it expands again. Here's the trick to fill these pen all the way, once you get the pen filled once turn it right side up (the tip pointing to the sky) and press the bar again. Now put the pen's tip back into your ink and depress to take in more ink. Two fills should be enough I tried three and it became overfilled.

Review: Hero 616 Fountain Pen

2009-04-08T19:22:00.000-04:00

Here's a quick picture post of some new fountain pens that I purchased to test out ink colors and to have a everyday fountain pen. I got this pack from eBay, for a little less then $11 including shipping & handling so they cost me about $1.10 a piece. :D

I'll have some reviews on inks coming soon.

Review: Piccadilly Wire-O Notebooks

2009-03-16T12:36:00.000-04:00

The great folks over at Piccadilly, Inc. were kind enough to send me a couple Wire-O Notebooks to review. I was sent one of the Butterfly and Asian Art covers. First off the cover is nice and thick not easily torn (if even possible), and the colors are extremely vivid. Which, I think is great if our going to be carrying this around daily for note taking; the paper is smooth (200 pages) with a bit of a thick feel.

Specs from the site:
Pages: 200
Inside Pages: Lined
Cover style: Hard Cover
Paper color: White
Paper Quality: 100GSM Wood Free Paper
Binding: Wire-O

Now it might not be the best notebook for fountain pens because some reviewers had issues with bleeding, but if your a regular pen and pencil user then this notebook is smooth sailing for you. With it's great price and nice paper Wire-O is a great everyday notebook.

Review: Zebra Clip-On Slim 3 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Multi Pen - Crystal Body

2009-03-10T16:47:00.000-04:00

Review: Zebra Clip-On Slim 3 Color 0.7 mm Ballpoint Multi Pen - Crystal Body

I picked this up from JetPens! a while ago and have to say I love this multi-pen. Feelings may be because I love Zebra products, they always work when I pick one up and I do like multi-pens when I'm taking notes.

However, quality is quality and this is a quality pen, looking for a smooth writing multi-pen this would be in the top five.

Review: Myndology Disc Bound Notebooks

2009-02-28T14:59:00.000-05:00



myndology graciously sent me a sample of there notebooks
and note cards to review.

Your taking notes and turn the page to continue your thoughts and realize that you just skipped two pages! What do you do: tear the pages out and use them to make airplanes or work on your art skills and draw pictures to remember what your writing. Well with these great notebooks from myndology you don't have to worry about that anymore. Myndology notebooks lets you tear pages out and rearrange them however you like.

Need to make a copy of a page in your notebook, just tear it out and add it back in wherever you like. Working on some poems and want to rearrange the order feel free! Now here's some words from their site:

What is Disc Bound? Innovative. A binding that lets you pull sheets out and put them back in. Freedom to change your mind. Rearrange your thoughts. Even use multiple sizes of paper in one notebook. How many sizes are in yours? What will you do with them? Study? Create? Journal? Reorganize? Sort?

Now what are the note cards, (come in different sizes) description from their website:

Notebook page full? Need a to-do? A note? A page marker? Don't lose it. Snap one of these into any of the Disc Bounds for quick and easy reference. Or use it by itself. Vocabulary study. Memorization. Doodling. E-mail addresses. Versatile. For big thinkers.

On to the ring bound note cards, which come in different sizes:

Keep your thoughts together. Put them in order. Rearrange. Organize. Bring them with you, wherever you go. Pick the size that's right for you. Choose your favorite color. These aren't your everyday flash cards. This is Ring Bound. This is for students, artists and business people. Myndology. Fresh. Smart. Good thinking.

So do I like this style of notebook? YES! Great paper, great look, great idea.

Review: Zebra Sarasa Gel Ink Pen - 0.4 mm - Red Black

2009-02-23T16:02:00.002-05:00

I picked this pen up from JetPens because I read some reviews on it and they said this pen is great. Well..... it is!!! Writes like a charm this red/black ink is really nice it's a great mix of both colors.

Looking for a everyday pen, well here you go!

* UPDATED with pics of the ink.

SICK....

2009-02-20T13:46:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lack of post, I've been under the weather with this bug going around. Today is first day that I actually feel a bit better. So I'm hoping later on today or the up coming week I'll have some things to talk about.

Take care,
~C

Review: Lamy Safari Charcoal EF Nib

2009-02-03T11:42:00.006-05:00

Many say great minds think alike, while I was working on the post I checked out a fellow blogger that I enjoy and noticed that he had recently purchased the sameLamy Safari, check out his site, there's a witting sample posted! When I started this blog I noticed that many that had a blog on pens had a equal love for fountain pens.

I remember my first experience with a fountain pen, I was in high school and I believe I purchased one at Wal-Mart. To be honest it was a disaster, the nib was to big, I was using the wrong paper so it bled through multiple pages, and leaked! So after reading many post on fountain pens I felt the best pen to try out would be the Lamy Safari. I did purchase a Platinum Preppy prior but that's for another review.

I found this great Ebay seller (jbs1963) from the UK that had an assortment of Lamy's and if you email him he can check to see if there's a color or nib not posted that you would like, that's how I got the Charcoal Lamy with an EX-nib, I just sent him an email. Great prices and shipping is extremely quick about 5-7 days to the US.

If your looking to try your hand with fountain pens, I have to say Lamy is the way to go!

Review: Pentel EnerGel Pen

2009-01-27T17:19:00.003-05:00

I picked up the Pentel EnerGel Needle-Point Liquid Ink Pen - 0.5 mm - Violet from JetPens, the description stated its a top choice for lefties (which I'm one of) because of the quick drying ink. It's ascetically please and has a great grip. I have to say I used this pen about four - five times.

Description from the site:

The best qualities of liquid ink and gel ink pens are blended into a super smooth ink formula in the new Pentel EnerGel Needle-Point pen. The pen comes in vivid colors that dry quickly and are smear proof. The pen is wonderful for left-handers. Its acid-free ink makes it safe for scrap booking!

Now on to the issues, I really wanted to like this pen but it's extremely inconsistent, which is the reason why I've only used it five times tops. It starts off with a good clean line of ink, dries quickly, and three words into your thoughts the ink dies. I was able to resurrect it once before, now I think it might be dead... Maybe I just got a bad pen and you might have better luck.

*Pictures taken from JetPens.com

Review: Quo Vadis Habana

2009-01-26T10:34:00.004-05:00

It's always good to start with what our thankful for so thanks go to Karen from Exaclair, Inc. for another great Journal to review.

Specs from their website:

What's special about this notebook?

Soft, supple covers
Discreet embossed logo
Inside pocket for notes, cards.
Extra white, super smooth ruled paper
PEFC-certified. Acid & chlorine-free
Elegant round corners
Elastic closure
Slim & easy to carry

Available in two sizes:

6 1/4 x 9 1/2"
90 g, PEFC-certified paper
96 sheets

I know on the website they call this a notebook but I look at this as a journal, where you write your dreams, goals, and desires. I love the look and feel of this journal it's slightly flexible with a good size back pocket to save your goodies. You can find this and the smaller size of this journal at The Daily Planner.

Review: Clairefontaine Wirebound Notebook

2008-12-23T14:23:00.006-05:00

Big thanks go out to Karen from Exaclair, Inc. for another great Notebook to review.

* Image taken from Swisherpens.com

Info on Notebook:
* Wirebound
* Multiple Subjects Pages in pale pastel colors: blue, pink, green & yellow with blank index tabs
* Graph w/12 tabs
* 60 sheets 6 3/4" / 8 5/8"

This is a real handy notebook you can divide it up and use as a sectional for classes or as a handy journal. As always extremely smooth paper, which you will find with all Clairefontaine products. If your looking to pick this up head over to The Daily Planner for great prices and selection.

Review: Rhodia Notepads

2008-12-22T16:56:00.006-05:00

Have you ever looked and felt a notebook and said, "I'm going to enjoy writing in this one," if so then you know how I felt about the sample notebooks I received from Karen at Exaclair to review. First ones up are the Rhodia Pads we have the Bloc Rhodia N 14 (4.3 x 6.7in), and the Staple bound Graph Pad-Black (looks like a mini-notebook at 3 x 4 3/4in).
I really enjoy graph paper in notebooks because it helps me focus on my writing, makes me try to keep my writing small and contained in the boxes, and I save paper!

If you haven't had the chance to feel/use the paper in the Rhodia notebooks, telling you its smooth is an understatement! The pages also hold ink very will and I experienced very little bleed through when I wrote this review using my Platinum Preppy Fountain pen from Jetpens. These notebooks make great gifts you can find them in your local Art Stores or online at TheDailyPlanner.com.

Bloc Rhodia N 14 info:
- 80g acid-free white vellum paper - 21.3lb
- 80 sheets
- Perforated pages for easy removal
- Cover folds over the back, which helps when taking notes

Staple bound Graph Pad-Black info:
- Card covers coated and waterproof
- 80g acid-free white vellum paper - 21.3lb
- 48 pages 24 sheets

* Size comparison with the Staple bound Graph Pad-Black and Field Notes Memo Book.

Pelikan Fountain Pens and Refill Cartridges available at Jetpens

2008-12-18T15:45:00.006-05:00

Just a quick note for anyone looking for those Pelikan Fountain Pens: Pelikano, Pelikano Junior, and Script Italic Calligraphy Fountain Pens there now available for purchase at JetPens!

Reviews on the way!

2008-12-17T21:39:00.005-05:00

I have a couple of reviews on the way... things have been a little hectic.

Review: Field Notes Memo Books

2008-12-09T22:17:00.006-05:00

"I'm not writing it down to remember it later,
I'm writing it down to remember it now."

The good folks at Field Notes sent me a sample package to review!
Details:
- 48 page memo book
- 3-1/2" wide by 5-1/2″ tall
- Rugged three-staple saddle-stitch process
- Perfect 3/16″ (5mm) graphed paper
- Manufactured and printed in the U.S.A.
I really enjoy the brown graph lines instead of the standard blue.

When I'm on the go I usually write myself notes on Post It's Notes and toss them when I'm done, with these handy memo books these are a keeper for my purse! Great size, smooth paper, and appealing layout.

Review: Uni-ball Signo Bit UM-201 Gel Ink Pen - 0.18 mm - Red

2008-12-01T16:10:00.000-05:00

I received the Uni-ball Signo Bit UM-201 Gel Ink Pen - 0.18 mm - Red from JetPens! to review. I know there's a couple of reviews out there about this pen so I won't be too wordy with mine. The design of the pen is really nice with a splash of color from the cap of the pen to the tail section letting you know which color your using.
Writing with the pen is pretty comfortable because of the molded plastic on the body. Your able to make some really fine lines with this pen as I realized with the rice test. I was able to write clearly on a grain of rice the word 'pens'.
The is some scratching noise when writing with this pen other then that this is a great everyday pen.

Put Your Best Pen/Pencil Forward

2008-11-27T17:27:00.007-05:00

I was reading a blog about pens, and the blogger said (paraphrasing) that it’s important to use quality pens/pencils when writing to really bring out your best in what your doing. I thought about it and I have to agree, most of the time I'll just grab the closes pen that I have and jot down some notes but I think it's important that if there's something I care enough about to write it down, I have to use a quality writing instrument to display it in the proper ink/lead. Now I'm not saying to spend tons of money on pens/pencils (if you have go for it), just use the best product you have.

Review: Sakura Pigma Micron 01

2008-11-26T19:22:00.004-05:00

What a great pen! I was a bit nervous about the fine tip thinking that it would break because I have a tendency to press down hard on my pens when writing but this wasn't the case. I love these pens for taking notes on fine paper like a bible because the ink doesn't bleed through the page. If you looking for a fine tip pen pick these up. The ones that I purchased are the 01 - .25MM nib, 6-color pack. This isn't where I purchased them but I love this store JetPens!

The Starting Point

2008-11-21T16:01:00.004-05:00

Back in college (2003) a classmate who was majoring in Graphic Design gave me this pen. I used it on occasion and over the years forgot about it. On Monday (11/17/08) I was going through my pen drawer and can across this old favorite! It works like new, the description of the pen has faded over the years but the ink quality hasn't. It's a ITOYA Finepoint System .2. It's a gem to write with, doesn't bleed, works great if your using it everyday.

Hyperlinks

2008-11-21T15:57:00.001-05:00

Trying to test this out:

Visit CNet

Pens Drawer

2008-11-21T15:31:00.004-05:00

These are the pens that I see everyday in my home office.

Good Morning

2008-11-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

This is my first blog and post! Here I'll cover/review some of my favorite pens and paper. Feel free to drop a note and say 'Hello'.

Thanks,
~C