Sun-Star Belt Type Pen Jacket Review

Color didn't come out right, this isn't really tomato red

JetPens has some new pen cases from Sun-Star that interested me, pen jackets in two flavors: belt type and magnet type. The one I thought I'd do best with is the belt type, and with a few clicks of the mouse a Wine Red belt type pen jacket was in hand and ready for action.

I like that the back loop can be tightened, so it will fit easily on different journals

 This is a slim case, which appeals to me, and is made of a lightweight, textured nylon fabric. The belt type has a removable, adjustable elastic band that slips over the outside of a journal or notebook, so you can carry your favorite pens and have them at the ready when you need to write. There's also a small loop at the top, so you can the case take off the band and clip it on something.

Above I'm testing it on a Rhodia webbie, and like the way it looks. The Pen Jacket doesn't hold a lot of pens, and at first it seemed small--too small to hold my fountain pens. But when I put a few of my thicker pens inside, they fit perfectly and with enough space so the pens weren't rubbing against each other.

The case measures 5.7 inches by 1.8 inches, and is very lightweight. There's a slide closure loop on the front that was just a little awkward for me, no big deal and likely due to first-time klutziness rather than a problem with the Pen Jacket. The main thing is that the pens are secure and won't fall out, something I've had a problem with on my roll-style cases (surprising to me, as the cases have a flap to put over the pens that keeps them in place).

Since my usual daily arsenal includes a fountain pen, I added my Ohto Dude as well as a Uni-ball Signo retractable to the case. Both pens have a pretty wide diameter, but there was no problem. The Pen Jacket is nicely made, the stitching is sturdy without being too tight and pulling on the cloth. I like the black lining they added to the closure flap, and think this is a great addition to my pen case collection.

The belt type Sun-Star Pen Jacket will hold regular-sized pens (I'd say something in the Hi-Tec-C range) or two wider pens. Definitely a winner, and the price isn't outrageous. Check out the other colors, and take a look at the Magnet Type if you're looking for a new pen case.

Lamy Tipo Rollerball

Looks like it's ready for take off

Once again, thanks to JetPens for supplying this Lamy Tipo Rollerball for review. It's one of the more interesting designs I've seen, and has 'fun' written all over it. Check out OfficeSupplyGeek's review of the Tipo as well.

First, the box (couldn't get a good picture of it, so I'm borrowing one from JetPens). That has to be the coolest packaging I've ever seen, something like a trapezoid shape that flips open and reveals the pen like a single flower in a vase. Very spare and definitely amazing.
 

The pen itself has a big diameter, definitely not your slim Hi-Tec-C or Cavalier. The plastic grip and barrel are sturdy, and feel like they can take some rough handling.

The really interesting feature is the clip, which keeps the pen from accidentally staining your pocket.

There's a small hole in the side of the pen that catches the clip, so when the tip is extended the clip won't work. Of course, if you're used to just stuffing the pen in your pocket rather than clipping it, this won't work. But for the more precise pen users among us who appreciate and use their clips, this is ideal.

I like the medium rollerball cartridge that comes with this pen, but I'm sure you can swap out for a finer point. Great handfeel, four colors to choose from, and not exceptionally expensive in a refillable rollerball.

Very simple design for this pen, just a barrel, grip, and the rollerball ink cartridge. There's a spring inside the grip area that doesn't come out, something I'm always worried about losing with my other retractable pens.

The Tipo is a great addition to Lamy's pen lineup, and worth a look if you're interested in adding a new rollerball to your collection.

Back to School with JetPens--The Pen Edition

Just saw an email from JetPens.com reminding me it's back to school time, and all the choices you have in pens are just a click away.  I thought I'd highlight some of the pens that I love, and a few I'm going to review soon. I'll take a look at other school supplies in a second post, definitely including some cool Nomadic pen/pencil cases.

Let's start with gel ink pens. Lots of incredible choices, almost too many to choose from but I'll give it a go.

One of the basics would be Pilot Hi-Tec-C gel ink pens, which are comfortable, edgy, and quick-drying. Maybe a selection of colors and tip sizes, but definitely start with the little black pen.

Another favorite of mine is the Pilot B2P Bottle to Pen gel ink pen, a great recycled plastic that really looks like bottled water.

The Uni-ball Signo RT UM-138 gel ink pens are a great choice as well, particularly for their Blue Black ink as well as this Lavender Purple Black.

Finally, if you have a bit more cash to spend, is the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Cavalier Executive gel ink pen, a needle point tip with a lot of style.

Roller ball pens are among my favorites, and I always find something cool and interesting. If you want a modestly-priced roller ball, the Pentel EnerGel needle point is your pen.

A bit more expensive, but with a very high wow! factor, is this Lamy Tipo roller ball, one of the best pens I've ever used (review coming soon). Naturally I have the orange and black one.

If you're a fountain pen type, there are some nice options that aren't all going to leave your wallet weeping.

Top of my list would be this Sailor Clear Candy fountain pen, which I reviewed and liked a lot. Ditto the Ohto Dude fountain pen, elegant but removing the cap does take some strength.

Pelikan's P480F Pelicano has an interesting design and color choices, which I like. Definitely a good, sturdy pen which I'm hoping to review soon.

I wrote about this Monteverde Artista clear demonstrator a year ago and heard from a few readers who bought it (seems you can change out the nib and put in a Noodler's flex), so I'm thrilled to see it at JetPens, and love the clear color choices.  It also comes in a roller ball version, if you want the beautiful style in an easier writing format.

Finally, this Parker Vector has intrigued me for some time. I've used the Vector roller balls and liked their spare design, the fountain pen looks equally good.


There are so many other pens I could have added, but time is limited and I wanted to start posting again. Hop over to JetPens.com and take a look at everything else. I'd be curious to know what you

Murder at the Old Asch Building Available on Amazon Kindle

It's here! I am planning to offer some free download days, I just have to figure out when and I'll announce them. Whatever else, I finally wrote it.

If you don't have a Kindle, there are apps available so you can read on your PC/Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other devices.

Preview: Launches Thursday on Amazon Kindle

The cover for the project I've been working on the past three months. I'm publishing Thursday on Amazon, in their Kindle e-books section. Will have more details then, but I'm starting to get excited. Many thanks to Jack & Carolyne for reading parts of the various drafts.

Edit--forgot to add the synopsis.

The Akashic Records is a mystical library that records everything that happens in the universe, and contains the life stories of everyone who's ever lived. But sometimes, there are blanks.

Malley Hanson is a Keeper, part of an elite group of information hunters charged with finding missing knowledge for the Akashic Records. Her first assignment is Sophie Torresta, a factory worker who should have died in the 1911 Triangle Factory fire at the old Asch Building but who's death was not recorded.

When Sophie appears claiming she was murdered, Malley doesn't believe her but begins investigating. Strange attacks start happening at the old Asch Building, and Malley must stop a ruthless spirit who holds the key to Sophie's murder--and plans to kill again.

Field Notes at Governor's Island

My friend C and I went to Governor's Island for the “Graphic Design—Now In Production” show. Just inside the door is a glass case highlighting smaller design concepts and there it was, Field Notes.

The description on the left reads:

Aaron Draplin and Coudal Partners

This line of handy memo books is designed for capturing ideas on the move. Designed by Aaron Draplin (Portland, Oregon) in league with Coudal Partners (Chicago), the brand invokes the can-do, make-do spirit of plumbers, farmers, and software engineers. Limited-edition series such as the dry-transfer edition have been known to incite frenzy among hardcore collectors.

Diamine Sargasso Sea Ink Review

Many thanks to B. for color correcting the above pic. This looks much better.

Many thanks to JetPens for giving me the chance to review one of Diamine's new inks, Sargasso Sea.  One of Diamine's new inks introduced on June 1, it's a very deep blue with what I'd say was just a touch of purple, but not much.

I love Sargasso Sea's dark blue color. There's good saturation of the InkJournal paper, though I had a hard time seeing much shading.  It's also a fast drying ink, didn't smudge on my hands at all. I used a vintage Parker Duofold with a Lucky Chance fine-medium nib with the above InkJournal test, and liked the way the ink looked on the bright, thick paper. 

Here's a comparison of Diamine Sargasso Sea with a few other blue inks that I thought was interesting.: Everflo's True Blue, Noodler's Henry Hudson Blue, and Noodler's Manhattan Blue.  Henry Hudson, which Noodler's makes for the Fountain Pen Hospital, has much more purple in it, while the Noodler's Manhattan Blue (for Art Brown) has more black in it.  Everflo's True Blue is lighter and, like its name, a truer blue.  Sargasso Sea is much darker, but there's also a brightness to it that I like.

Sargasso Sea is a great addition to the Diamine line up, take a look at their other new colors as well over at JetPens.