Pens and Stationery for Traveling: My Travel Kit in 2019

July 10, 2019

Way back when I first started this blog, I published a short post titled “The Gentleman Hits the Road” where I walked through my travel kit that I used for work. Since I’ve spent so much time on the road this year, I thought it might be a good time to revisit that post and offer some insight into what I’ve been using when I’m away from my desk. There may be some recency bias here, as you’ll recognize several things that I’ve reviewed in the past month or so, but this selection is fairly representative of my work “road carry”, with the exception of pen shows where I’ll obviously take more. Here goes:

Nock Co. Sinclair. The Sinclair remains my preferred travel pen case and general carry-all, mainly because it zips closed and holds all of the pens that I would want to carry with me on a work trip, along with room for a pocket notebook and a few other things. I’ve thinned out my pen cases over the years to where I only have one Sinclair, with black waxed canvas with red interior.
Rotring 800. I like having a pencil on me, but sharpening a woodcase pencil on an airplane or in a hotel or conference room isn’t exactly convenient. My choice of mechanical pencil typically alternates between one of my Rotrings (this time it was the 800) or the Uni Kuru Toga.
PenBBS 355. Even though I don’t carry it with me everywhere and it often never leaves the hotel room, I travel with at least one fountain pen, and preferably one that either has a large ink capacity or uses cartridges so I don’t have to refill from a bottle when I’m away from home. I’ve been extremely satisfied with PenBBS’s take on the syringe filler (or “bulkfiller”), and it likely will be at least another month of steady use before I have to refill this thing.
Baux Pen or Pokka Pen. I’m sometimes torn on whether to actually bother to pack a ballpoint when I’m traveling for work, since most hotels and conference centers will supply a functional ballpoint pen (and sometimes pretty good ones). If I do take a ballpoint, it’s one of the sturdy and portable Baux Pens or the pocketable Pokka.
Nanami Paper Cafe Note. This compact-yet-voluminous B6 notebook has been my constant daily writing companion over the past two years. Since much of my notebook writing takes the form of long lists of bullet points, the longer, narrower format of something like the Cafe Note, the hardback Kunisawa Find pocket notebook, or even the Field Notes End Papers or Front Page works best for me. I still use standard A4 or A5 notebooks, but for specific purposes such as long-form journaling or drafting things longhand.

I was pleased to see that the general format of my travel carry hasn’t changed much over the years, and that my use is fairly consistent. If I ever needed to take a truly extended trip, I might add another fountain pen and consolidate my ballpoint/rollerball/mechanical pencil carry into a multi pen like the Lamy 2000 or the Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black, but I still try to limit it to no more than three pens/pencils. Packing for trips and making these decisions is all part of the fun!

From left: Rotring 600, Rotring 800, Uni Kuru Toga Roulette, Spoke Pencil Version 4, and Sailor Imperial Black Multi Pen.

Top Five Mechanical Pencils: For When You Really Want To Write Small

July 6, 2019

One category of writing instruments that I haven’t addressed much here on the blog is the mechanical pencil. I’ve reviewed a few pencils in-depth, including the well-known fan favorites Rotring 600 and 800. While the Rotring duo represents 80% of my mechanical pencil usage, there are other great options out there, many at extremely inexpensive price points. As I mentioned in my recent Rotring 800 review, I like to use mechanical pencils when I’m taking notes in tight margins and annotating books/documents in pencil. the complastic lead isn’t as smeary as standard graphite, and comes available in a range of sizes (.3mm to 2.0mm) depending on just how small you want to write. .5mm pencils are my sweet spot.

So what do I look for in a mechanical pencil? Basically the same things I look for in a pen: grip comfort and balance to be sure, but with a mechanical pencil, like a multi pen or a retractable ballpoint, the quality of the mechanism becomes an issue as well. You will be clicking this thing tens of thousands of times throughout its lifespan, so it needs to be well-built and durable. If nothing else, the pencils that made my “Top Five” list have stood the test of time for a number of years. I have provided links to full reviews of each pencil, where possible.

Rotring 600. Arguably the most famous mechanical pencil on the market, and certainly one of the best made. If you’re a fan of classic industrial design, a Rotring 600 pencil should be in your collection, alongside a Lamy 2000 fountain pen. Purchase here.
Rotring 800. A slightly larger version of the Rotring 600 that also features a retractable “pipe” for more portable carry. While I love my Rotring 600, I probably prefer the 800 for everyday use since I don’t have to worry about bending the tip in my bag or pocket. I also find the slightly larger size of the Rotring 800 to be more comfortable for longer writing sessions. Purchase here.
Uni Kuru Toga “Roulette”. If I had to make a blind recommendation of “one” mechanical pencil, to someone whose preferences I didn’t know, hands-down that pencil would be the Kuru-Toga. The key selling point is Uni’s innovative mechanism that rotates the lead in order to keep the wear uniform on all sides and maintain a sharp point. Not only are the Kuru-Toga’s extremely inexpensive, but they have the Uni name standing behind them, so the quality is there. I really need to do a stand-alone review of this pencil. Purchase here.
Spoke Pencil. Wait, if you consider long-term durability important, how can I include the Spoke Pencil on this list, as Spoke is a relative newcomer to the stationery scene? Well, because the Spoke Pencil is built around the Pentel P20X mechanism, found in one of my childhood favorites, the Pentel Sharp. The Spoke pencil takes the “guts” of the humble Sharp and adds a futuristic machined body and textured metal grip, both of which you can customize to your preference (at least in Version 4). Prefer a weightier pencil? Opt for a brass or stainless steel grip. Looking for lightweight? Then aluminum or titanium would be your best options. Order directly from Spoke.
Sailor Imperial Black Multi Pen. I’m sure that I’ll horrify mechanical pencil purists by including a multi pen here, but I use this one all the time, including the mechanical pencil component. The Sailor pen is nicely balanced - importantly, it’s not slim - and would be a great option for those who like to use a mechanical pencil but also regularly need a ballpoint and don’t want to to carry multiple writing instruments. The one knock is availability. You’ll need to order this one directly from Japan. (Purchase here.)

Honorable Mention

Mechanical pencil brands attract hardcore devotees, and there is a plethora of options out there, so I’m sure people will disagree with my decision to put certain pencils into a “top five,” but please remember that the five listed above just represent my own personal experience and preferences. If there are others you think I should check out, let me know! One great thing about mechanical pencils is that you can find excellent inexpensive options on the shelf at your local office supply store, including the Pentel Sharp referenced above, the Pentel “Quicker Clicker” (a version of which I still own from high school - 20+ years later!), or even BIC’s “disposable” version (which can be refilled). If you prefer a heavier writing instrument or like the “machined pen” look, check out the Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil and the Inventery Interchangeable Mechancial Pen and Pencil. On these latter two, I would recommend using the strongest lead you can find, as the increased weight of a metal pencil can lead to breakage. I have had good results with Pentel Ain Stein, even in the B or 2B hardness. Happy writing!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates.

Are Stationery Subscription Services Worth It? (Or, Why Do I Need All These Blackwings?)

June 29, 2019

Subscription services of all kinds are having their moment. Whether it be books, vinyl records, food, clothes, quirky pop culture swag, or, yes, stationery, the rise of vocal communities of internet enthusiasts has revitalized the market for the old concept of the “book of the month” or “record of the month” club. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember (fondly or not) those promotions where you could get nine different books/records/CDs/tapes up front in exchange for subscribing to the monthly club, and agreeing to buy at least four of whatever over the next year. Some of these clubs were legit, and occasionally you could get some good books or albums, but what you usually ended up with was a monthly shipment of whatever item the record company or publisher had in overstock (translation: that they couldn’t sell at retail). I don’t recall any of my friends becoming longstanding members or subscribers - most of us just bought our three CDs and cancelled. (And, of course, subscribed again under your dog’s name to get another nine free CDs.)

Today’s riff on the mail order subscription service is less about freebies and discounts than about offering your customers willing to pay extra some combination of first access to new products, exclusive “members only” releases, or a curated experience in which the member gets a box of stuff specially selected for them. For stationery, the two most popular options are the Blackwing Volumes pencil subscription service and the Field Notes pocket notebook subscription service (formerly Field Notes “Colors”). I’ve subscribed to both, along with the now-discontinued Write Notepads subscription. Currently, Blackwing Volumes is my only active subscription. I’m asked a lot about whether I think these subscriptions services are a good idea. Here are my thoughts.

So what do I like about being able to subscribe?

You don’t miss any limited edition releases. I prefer brand-specific subscription services. If there’s a brand that I enjoy, such as Blackwing, I can subscribe to the Blackwing Volumes program and ensure that I’m among the first to receive a dozen of each new limited edition pencil without having to remember to place an order. I did the same with Write Notepads before that service was discontinued. (BRING IT BACK, CHRIS!!!)
You support a brand you really enjoy. For me, this is probably the most compelling reason to subscribe. If you like a brand, and want to make sure they keep releasing special editions (or stick around in general), paying for a year’s worth of their limited releases in advance gives the company a predictable revenue stream that allows them to plan for the future.
You get a slight break on price. Blackwing recently raised their prices on the Volumes editions, so by subscribing you get $2-3 off retail.
Subscriber extras in the box. Brand-specific swag isn’t a particularly big draw for me, but some people collect this stuff. Of more interest are special promotional codes with discounts on “subscriber days,” and sometimes “members-only” sales where you can purchase limited-run products.

While I was writing this review, I made a point of sharpening one of each Volumes edition, just to make a point to myself that I’m going to use all of them.

Downsides to Subscription Services

For me there’s really only major downside: Hoarding and paying for things you don’t need or won’t use. It’s why I discontinued my Field Notes subscription. I like Field Notes fine, but I realized I was subscribing simply to collect the latest design of the notebooks, whereas from a practicality/usability perspective there were other brands whose paper I enjoyed more. I still use Field Notes occasionally, but not enough to justify having nearly three dozen pocket notebooks shipped to me every year, which only adds to the never ending S.A.B.L.E. stash. For Pete’s sake, use this stuff, don’t hoard it! A major issue I have with the “limited edition” culture pervading stationery - and pretty much everything else these days - is that it encourages a mentality where all the things are meant to be kept sealed, unused, and pristine in a box and later sold on eBay for $150 for a dozen pencils or a three-pack of pocket notebooks. I don’t get it.

So that begs the question: What am I going to do with all these pencils? Fortunately, I have a daughter entering Kindergarten this year, so these pencils will get used one way or another. (She’s already started raiding my stationery cabinet for drawing supplies.) I’m also starting to use more pencils at work, and have become more proactive in giving them away when people come up to me at work and express interest.

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

Are subscription services “worth it?” Honestly, it just depends on your personal reasons for subscribing. If you find yourself enjoying everything that a brand has released over the past year, go for it. Personally, I’ve enjoyed all of the past four Blackwing Volumes editions, including the vinyl-themed Blackwing 33 1/3 edition that nobody else seemed to appreciate. I have no regrets about re-upping my subscription, and in fact I wish I had subscribed a year earlier. On the other hand, if you find yourself not using or not appreciating all of the various releases, or if you’re simply looking to save money, I’d discourage you from subscribing because the few dollars you might save off the retail pricing are more than offset by the 1-2 quarterly releases you won’t be crazy about and wouldn’t buy other than through the subscription program.

You’ll notice that my personal experience extends only to brand-specific/limited release subscription services, not any of the “curated” stationery boxes that are available. Those include the CW Pencils Pencil Box Quarterly Subscription, which offers a curated selection of pencil-related goodness four times a year for $30 per box, the Rad and Hungry kits that bring you stationery from different travel destinations around the world, Art Snacks (focused on art supplies), and even fountain pen ink sample subscriptions such as Ink Flight, where you can get a set of five new inks sent to you monthly. If you’re interested in trying out new products that you might not otherwise pick up yourself, you might enjoy a curated box!

Disclaimer: I purchased each of the products featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. I was not compensated for this review.

Six Month Review: Miscellaneous Paper, Accessories, & More

June 2, 2019

Last recap post before things get back to normal this week! Today I’ll look at miscellaneous stationery accessories that I’ve enjoyed reviewing in 2019. As with other similar posts, all links are to my own previous reviews. Enjoy!

Traveling with Fountain Pens: Do You Need a Traveling Inkwell? Although “Traveling Inkwells” or “ink pots” have been on the market for some time, they’ve received a lot of attention over the past year when Visconti and Pineider both made a push to get these products some additional exposure by lowering the price to a more reasonable level. Personally, I use my two inkwells to hold the remnants of near-empty ink bottles, or to help me use inks from bottles that make it hard to fill pens with larger nibs. It’s also much easier to fully fill a vacuum-filler fountain pen using an inkwell - just be sure to hold the inkwell tightly so it doesn’t fly across the room.

Traveling with Fountain Pens: In Praise of the Humble Ink Cartridge. In the second entry of my “Traveling with Fountain Pens” series, I looked at the ink cartridge - something that often gets overlooked (or mocked) by “serious” fountain pen enthusiasts, but which I use regularly as a convenient and functional way to refill pens at work and on the road. Use those cartridges proudly!

Jetstream SXR-600 Refill. For years, I’ve wanted a Uniball Jetstream hybrid-ballpoint refill that I could use in my standard ballpoint and rollerball pen bodies. Now, you can have the Jetstream’s write-anywhere, quick drying experience in any pen that takes a standard Parker-style refill, such as the Retro 51 Tornado or the Baron Fig Squire.

Staples TRU RED Notebooks. The paper in the black “soft-cover” notebooks is excellent for fountain pens, and I hope Staples continues to source this paper in the future. It’s a low-cost option that’s readily available at your local office-supply store, and the leatherette covers are nice as well.

Pen Storage Solutions: Pen Boxes and Folios. I’ve really reworked my pen organization/pen storage over the past year, and am preparing to do another round of thinning the herd in the coming months. In this post I highlight several storage options that I use to keep my pen collection (relatively) organized and easy to navigate.

Thanks for bearing with me while I’ve been on vacation. I’ve needed a break and I look forward to tackling the second half of the year!

Six Month Review: Favorite Inks from 2019, So Far

May 29, 2019

As with my Six Month Review of my favorite pens from the first part of this year, I’ll take a look at some favorite inks I’ve reviewed so far. Unfortunately, I don’t do as many ink reviews as I do pen reviews (honestly, I don’t use THAT many different inks), so this may actually turn into a recap of most of the inks I’ve reviewed this year. The good thing is that those inks I choose to review actually end up being the inks I really like and use, and I’ve loaded up on ink in the first part of this year, and look forward to broadening my horizons a bit going forward.

Pilot Iroshizuku 100th Anniversary Inks Bishamonten (Red) and Hoteison (Dark Green). While I wasn’t blown away by the 100th Anniversary Iroshizuku inks as a whole - I found the overall color palette underwhelming - these two inks have both seen steady use, and caused me to pull out my other underused Iroshizuku inks and invest in several additional colors. Look forward to seeing more Iroshizuku content coming your way.

Rediscovering an Old Favorite: Private Reserve Burgundy Mist. I set aside my Private Reserve inks years ago and more or less wrote off the brand, but my recent experience with Burgundy Mist has me wanting to repurchase more old favorites as Private Reserve has been revitalized under new ownership.

Robert Oster / Pen Addict “Fire on Fire” Collaboration. Brad and Robert Oster came up with one of the best “everyday” orange inks on the market, in terms of flow, visibility, and the lack of any tendency to form “nib crud.” Fire on Fire will be a mainstay of my rotation for as long as they continue making the ink.

Taccia Ebi (Purple Red) and Uguisu (Olive Green). Taccia is a brand that I’ve grown to appreciate over the years. They don’t make a wide range of products, but what they do make - both pens and ink - are of excellent quality. The inks are also quite reasonably priced, and I’m certainly going to pick more of these up in the future.

Waterman Tender Purple. Making a guest appearance in my review of the Tactile Turn Gist 2.0, I will always think of this ink as Waterman Violet, which is what it was called for years before Waterman updated its line not to add more colors, but rather a series of cheesy names such as “Tender Purple,” “Inspired Blue,” “Serenity Blue,” etc. Strange marketing decisions aside, it’s a great ink, and I’ve had multiple fills of this ink loaded in my Gist for the past couple months.

Thanks for reading! For more of my thoughts on inks, check out my post titled “Favorite Workhorse Fountain Pen Inks, as Determined by Actual Use.” As a reminder, I’m on vacation for the rest of this week so nearly all of what I post will be recap-style content. Things will be back to normal next week!