The owner of the store is an elderly man from India, a very friendly, talkative sort. He emigrated to the US some 40 or so years ago, and has self-published a book about his journey.
Journals and notebooks, fine papers and pens, inks and their ilks, a few other things, and the occasional rant
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Favorite New York Stationery Store
The owner of the store is an elderly man from India, a very friendly, talkative sort. He emigrated to the US some 40 or so years ago, and has self-published a book about his journey.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Something to Ponder
When I was in the hospital recently for surgery, I noticed that quite a few of the attendings, residents and medical students (long white coats, medium length white coats, short white coats, respectively) used Bic 4 Color Pens to take notes and get my signature on various forms. If there is one pen I remember from childhood it's that 4 color Bic, one of the least attractive pens I've every seen. Are medical and nursing staff attracted to Bics in particular, or are these pens just more available at the hospital? Maybe it's the ballpoint, which is better for multi-page forms than gel ink? Maybe they are freebies from the various companies? Had I brought my Hi-Tec-C Coleto I'd have made a point of letting them know that the below is a better multi-pen option.
Comparing Colors: Field Notes

There are any number of reviews of Field Notes memo books so I wanted to focus on something slightly different. When I saw the Mackinaw Autumn collection I wondered how much the brown and orange were differed from the Standard Brown Memo book and the special color edition Butcher Orange book. And so here is the side-by-side comparison.
On the bottom left to right: the Mackinaw Autumn collection in Running-Board Brown, Harvest Moon Orange, and Burnt Red. On the top, left to right: Standard and Butcher Orange. There is a huge difference between the Running-Board Brown and Standard Brown, the former is a deeper, warmer brown that I have to admit I like much more than the Standard Brown color. The Harvest Moon Orange is slightly more yellow than Butcher Orange, which I think is a truer orange. I do like the Harvest Moon just a bit more than Butcher Orange, but both are strong colors. Finally there is the Burnt Red, a very pretty red that does look like the color of turned leaves and apples.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Gel Pens Best Quality--A 99 Cent Shop Find

For some reason, I've never checked out the pens and notebooks at my favorite 99 Cent shop on E. 14th Street near Avenue A. The place is crammed to the rafters-literally-with all sorts of stuff, but as there is a great little stationery store right next door I've never looked at the pens until now.


Anyway, the ink flow is smooth and dries very fast, a plus for lefties. There is some skipping when I write, but that seems more a function of my not holding the pen more firmly rather than the ink being at fault. All in all, this is a great gel ink pen. If you're near a 99 Cent shop check and see if they have any of these; this no-name will surprise you.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time Travelling by Address Book


Friday, September 25, 2009
Sakura Pigma Micron 05 Pen


Thursday, September 24, 2009
Coming Soon to Art Brown

Art Brown The International Pen Shop has some new inks coming soon, the De Atramentis inks made from wine. These inks will be shipped in early October 2009 and quantities are limited. According to the site: "These exclusive handmade inks are suitable for fountain pens. The inks are produced on the basis of latest ink technologies and according to current regulations of the European Union. Content per ink bottle: about 35 ml. Colors are reproduced from printed color card and are not reproduced exactly as liquid ink." A 35 ml bottle is $14.50; I can't imagine there is a wide range of colors here but I'm definitely interested and will have to give them a call.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Light posting today
I probably won't be able to post anything of interest until tonight or tomorrow. I had emergency surgery yesterday to remove my gallbladder, due to a large gallstone obstructing the bile duct.
On my way to Presbyterian to check into the ER, I did stop by a great stationery store and picked up a few new pens to review. Glad my priorities are straight here!
On my way to Presbyterian to check into the ER, I did stop by a great stationery store and picked up a few new pens to review. Glad my priorities are straight here!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Bandelier Journals and Kits
Monday, September 21, 2009
3M Post-It Flag Markers and Highlighters


Saturday, September 19, 2009
Because Life Is Not Just Pens and Paper
Friday, September 18, 2009
Rhodia 4 Colors Book
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My Writing Supplies--Fountain Pens
These are the good fountain pens, which really is any pen that cost me more than $5. From left to right:
Faber-Castell Ambition black resin with a fine nib, the first fountain pen I've bought in about 20 years, purchased at the Art Brown International Pen Fair in March 2009;
Steel fine point fountain pen from Muji;
Rotring Surf in mint green with a medium nib, one of a set of four (but two have given up the ghost and one is at the office);
Pilot Cavalier with a fine nib bought from JetPens (the body is actually a shimmery warm pink);
Rotring Esprit Special Edition telescoping fountain pen with a fine nib; and,
My x750 Legislatur medium nib from xFountainPens. This last is an interesting website, and I'll review the Legislatur in a future post. I like it alot, and I'm not a fan of chunky-style fountain pens.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Multi Pen

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
It's the Great Pumpkin!

Monday, September 14, 2009
Foray Gelio Gel Ink Pens


Saturday, September 12, 2009
Black Widow in an Eyedropper


Any drawbacks at all? Heavy shadow on the reverse side of the Doane Paper and some ink spots as well indicating bleed through, so this isn't a good choice for double-sided writing.
An Intruder Among The Pens


Friday, September 11, 2009
Best Donuts in New York

The Donut Pub at 7th Avenue and 14th Street is one of the few remaining shops in New York that makes its own donuts from scratch. They also have outrageous muffins, scones, crullers, and biscuits; the coffee is a special blend, strong and excellent. Stop by for coffee and a chocolate covered donut.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Phone Booth
I started leaving for work a few minutes earlier, and would get to the stop before my buddy. Some months back I started putting a quarter in the change slot. Every once in awhile when I'm late I'll see him at the phone booth twisting the coin return, looking for the quarter I have in my hand. Tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My Writing Supplies--Pens
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Second Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper
I made it into the Second Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper, hosted this month by Brad at The Pen Addict. Thanks much for selecting my post. I'm looking forward to reading all of the links.
Another New York story
Monday, September 7, 2009
Platinum Preppy Sign Felt Tip With My Own Mixed Ink
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Muji Recycled Journal
The song is one of my favorites, and this YouTube is the best version.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Zebra Disposable Brush Sign Pen Fine Point
There was no bleed through on the Doane Paper but there was a very definite dark shadow, making this pen ineligible for double-sided writing. But somehow I don't think the pen minds very much; it doesn't look or feel like a delicate writing instrument.
I am definitely going to get a few more of these, and I know they have the Extra Fine version at Kinokuniya as well as several Pilot Brush Pens I've been thinking of purchasing. The only drawback, and it is minor, is that I feel I'm going to crush the brush tip if I press too hard. So I am holding the pen very lightly, and my hand is starting to cramp. Tho' I suspect the pen is meant for a light grip, built to dance over the paper the way a brush with black ink on it does.
Red Ink

The Muji gel inks have a standard ballpoint-type ink cartridge. This particular red ink is vibrant and a true red. The pen has a polycarbonate shell and is slightly frosted so you can't see inside the pen, and refills are available so you'll never run out of red. Very modern design with a rectangular clip. For the price, about $1.60, it is a great gel ink pen. Can't wait to try the other colors.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Mixed Inks: Diabolo Menthe and Bleu Nuit
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