tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47635641638176393372024-03-12T20:18:43.397-04:00Good PensA collection and some insight into the pens I use and love and a few of the dead ones as they pass their last drops of ink to paper from a pen junky.Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.comBlogger298125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-46523348741621357562023-12-13T15:53:00.000-05:002023-12-13T17:05:59.247-05:00Moonman AKA The Camry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuKQuCH5J2T35xGCAQj2vyu4yxFt__LRLl59jNV7Se16jYDcnxZXcVUX-l132FUW3X5XcCKt2I6QyTEWBKaX1Uq8qZNy5Fc3nZJuvv5ljzsnzHTcKgTjasVlFmsQkIlduPFj1WEqX8tXcS-CcbzMCJJnoR3o9DkyKeMYyM2tHSoPWn5ciacKdh4x2yv24=w531-h239" width="531" />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OK, Camry MIGHT be a little bit of a stretch comparison. Low cost and will run forever. The Moonman M2 is a super fun Chinese pen that I own 3 or 4 of this exact model. There are other versions, but I stick with this one. It comes in F (.5) and EF (.38) and I am a fan of the EF. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gas tank on this thing is massive and that's all part of the fun. If you don't own one, it's stays on my list of daily drivers and it's so easy to see what color ink I am grabbing. (clear body, duh Seth) It even comes with an eye dropper, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oZ9YD_4eo_DUL0rnEeOXmz2ioW2X0agUAWZn7FGI1EuECqbwk3dPHb2-Zcd1Hd_K_rGisEBXEDCdC0mwaIRro4kV9CPfAz6nA1D88mhNLAt16BU14HZJ69nBk3bISJb-etHxJaQDoMZmZXidxZF10GB5dUQ0lld93Psw-7Fp3J1zhZ67_QtarpMizVc/s4000/20231208_155123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6oZ9YD_4eo_DUL0rnEeOXmz2ioW2X0agUAWZn7FGI1EuECqbwk3dPHb2-Zcd1Hd_K_rGisEBXEDCdC0mwaIRro4kV9CPfAz6nA1D88mhNLAt16BU14HZJ69nBk3bISJb-etHxJaQDoMZmZXidxZF10GB5dUQ0lld93Psw-7Fp3J1zhZ67_QtarpMizVc/w288-h640/20231208_155123.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>Did I mention it's a little bleedy? It is, but I don't mind that. one thing I do mind... is that I do not recommend taking this thing on an airplane. (Unless the airplane never leaves the ground.) This thing will spit ink like an angry cobra once the plane pressurizes. I usually don't have issues with my pens and flying, but I take this one out of the bag when I travel. I heard rumors you could fill it completely up with ink to help with this but that feels like filling the bathtub up to the rim before you cannonball into it. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQVzTml7HR_eVZAQcNLqrzZojOVROJIsaYw4pNUDQOrBX8Ia2Gs5B3gPjckay_kKuistYz1dYvfSQ7o_4s3eHNsEo9eEvrwXOOFgcg7RalItShyngmRTdU5vyL5WoYtgdeBzsKfkrETtjphC1WqhU6R7tAln7sdyL48tHbUrUyIx1Ss5pudc9UZXvGb0/s4000/20231208_155151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQVzTml7HR_eVZAQcNLqrzZojOVROJIsaYw4pNUDQOrBX8Ia2Gs5B3gPjckay_kKuistYz1dYvfSQ7o_4s3eHNsEo9eEvrwXOOFgcg7RalItShyngmRTdU5vyL5WoYtgdeBzsKfkrETtjphC1WqhU6R7tAln7sdyL48tHbUrUyIx1Ss5pudc9UZXvGb0/w288-h640/20231208_155151.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>I mean it's pretty sleek right? I wish it had a clip because it gets a little roll-y on the desk, Moonman might now be Majohn now, if you need to google it, <a href="https://www.jetpens.com/Majohn-M2-Fountain-Pen-Fine-Nib-Green/pd/28017" target="_blank">Jetpens</a> used to sell them, but have stopped but for a while they had amazing colors.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCooXrMZiwZEBF5jIarpmSx5aQGL2Rnx-Emr3ImbkfKYF4A1-xkHCwEXU47imL7LtcMWbuFtnUOLuxEwjUDQt1YQnQ3pFGQJ6ascNi_-6Ux-D4jStWYEwQNN_ri5lvCQM44z62ekXni1v9GMg9r2_wUv02TXw-tXhyphenhyphenG5-OwIzEHScWNFOY2LfNtxU6VE/s1200/173853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCooXrMZiwZEBF5jIarpmSx5aQGL2Rnx-Emr3ImbkfKYF4A1-xkHCwEXU47imL7LtcMWbuFtnUOLuxEwjUDQt1YQnQ3pFGQJ6ascNi_-6Ux-D4jStWYEwQNN_ri5lvCQM44z62ekXni1v9GMg9r2_wUv02TXw-tXhyphenhyphenG5-OwIzEHScWNFOY2LfNtxU6VE/w640-h426/173853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div>I like this pen, some others have complained that it runs a little dry, but I never had that issue. It's nice enough that it gets noticed but it's not so nice that I worry about it getting eaten by the dog (don't ask, we have talked about it and I think he understands what pens not to chew on.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Nice pen, grab one off of ebay or amazon if you don't have one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-85804771229870895192023-12-09T19:31:00.000-05:002023-12-09T19:31:09.219-05:00This is why I am stressed <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ-uxcjicS6QET4GnAXrrbwkxeVT8dBxQWsUdNWApf686bFO6wU3EQiGDjluYKKJJ9R-g9t0x7vz4oOhUR_JBrT6U9S78-f55ol13A7B9A7SOUritbOG8ES7hDqz4k0pgTBIOxKyx2aqrrTJK83yunv37SH4vQ5fFT8YnnmnpMOoSeyFcZFB2SiXNaAo/s4000/20231209_140648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="816" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZ-uxcjicS6QET4GnAXrrbwkxeVT8dBxQWsUdNWApf686bFO6wU3EQiGDjluYKKJJ9R-g9t0x7vz4oOhUR_JBrT6U9S78-f55ol13A7B9A7SOUritbOG8ES7hDqz4k0pgTBIOxKyx2aqrrTJK83yunv37SH4vQ5fFT8YnnmnpMOoSeyFcZFB2SiXNaAo/w367-h816/20231209_140648.jpg" width="367"></a></div><p>There are way too many of these in my life, in my house, in my car and just generally hidden throughout the house. Bags and bins of pens and pencils that SOMEONE should sort. Take this one for example. These were all in a freezer bag hidden in a cabinet in the dining room. I was slightly stressed when I found it, mainly because there was an Auto Sharp OHTO 0.5 mechanical pencil hidden in the bag that I forgot that I even owned but I instantly realized that I missed it. <br></p><p></p><p>I am not sure why thar bag exists. I would never write with 90% of the pens in here and my use of wooden pencils has declined majorly since 3rd grade.</p><p>Let's be like Dora and explore this mess </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrNOUq6yKxIQcpUYLdTxyuiijLjEb2aWI-KeT7yVwp7PG__x-1MKfrL9TOepbWy6GJw_ti7cKqoAD_GTGcwWqxTYi5wcn_BvK9cFMhcLxgVctlkCl5ZBAv5e9J8409aiLGrbJEXkCp1kDtzv7PXAXsL5BSPRnk1hFhhyrTFnToU0k7cU7rjhl3i44Utk/w288-h640/20231209_140722.jpg" width="288"></div><p>Oh... a Geiple's pencil. Geiple's is a funeral home in the tiny postage stamp of a town that I grew up in. I don't know why I own an unsharpened pencil from likely 30-40 years ago at this point.. RANDOM shit. Oh and guess what... if you don't need funeral services or no one that you know if dying anytime soon, you can also...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuCqCMnuCtNU0YNdjf_HUpcZWmQGYYhMGanE435KmPKF7hEj5bemiNDvnivMvNFVD3G6ol2zu6yDjyH6ZBgIoYtadKdKqtl0JV757updOTmDqVxJT4f93Pmqechz5-GAkyIcHUksxEv0Z-mhMb54Qpgiiqj6aTHNdJ8HsxU8Q8OBzSKpySn0fXnT-Bk8/s4000/20231209_140728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuCqCMnuCtNU0YNdjf_HUpcZWmQGYYhMGanE435KmPKF7hEj5bemiNDvnivMvNFVD3G6ol2zu6yDjyH6ZBgIoYtadKdKqtl0JV757updOTmDqVxJT4f93Pmqechz5-GAkyIcHUksxEv0Z-mhMb54Qpgiiqj6aTHNdJ8HsxU8Q8OBzSKpySn0fXnT-Bk8/w288-h640/20231209_140728.jpg" width="288"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Buy some freaking furniture! More like a Credeathza if you know what I am saying. (You see...I combined death and credenza.) This stuff just comes naturally to me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I am sure that it is equally important that I own a ripper of a fun pencil from Abby's Styling Salon. Are there non- styling salons? Abby- I think you might have gotten a little redundant here. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCydUtkGcUSB-V1sBFVWSHA19do5buPW63SX1QI21Bf5FGb17CFUObPKUQbX48g17vqU3W5BG6dQBW7iXrCc5y80YdEY7ZczzFs7UGCT2Xozvsv36fikyopSY9tyu0MXZta52b_FUxqXg6ylX6OdlrKXsHBu8Vs7meWJE-oHLlPax7rRG7zw1_YuBO7L8" width="400">
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bet she ordered thousands of these. Lucky me... I have one in almost pristine condition. She didn't put a phone number on the pencil-maybe she just assumed everyone knows how to reach Abby's Styling Salon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also found my OLD Levenger Dry-lighter. I still love that thing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The stress comes from the lack of organization, pens should be with pens and pencils should be in a kids backpack somewhere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Years ago I realized I likely could get through this life without buying another pen or pencil, but what fun is that? An unsharpened pencil is safe... But that's not what pencils are for. I will not organize this bin tonight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Edit.... Geiple's is still a funeral home. But it looks like they dropped the furniture business. It was always a weird side hustle I guess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div>Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-4801637741521512132022-08-07T13:12:00.002-04:002022-08-07T13:12:38.681-04:00Also. Art. <p>I spent the last couple of years really trying to focus in on arts and crafts while. Part of me wanted to see where I could go with art, and part of me just needed that creative outlet. I don't call myself an artist. I know that it's vague and can be applied to many fields. Someone putting together an amazing stone mantle is an artist to me. We all tend to find ourselves and my art self is still looking around for a firm hold on things. </p><p>My biggest thing is that I don't worry about art. I don't do it to stress relieve, but I also don't want it to create stress. A few commissions have done that to me and I get them done, but I would rather just sit down with a few different kinds of mediums and create. Then at the end of the day sell it, or give it to a friend. I have one painting I pull out every couple months and slowly add to it, it's cathartic. But also...</p><p>I have been making jewelry:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeVOy3qBbPP9tzwOIK4-WVRPnSjaKoR4_jHFxFYHiLZnmaJOjTa07ygMUbTo21DzO9pUZ7oazlO2rSVxcPGjiWsBahbUTis4Kon-zGru2IDby2Oc6HRTVUkJzLmCS-Hzc3SIbV5kA_OHGETteWLojKQ3FXlGKqHxUDzaz5f56nxP7Gz2K2RQbVMxw/s2830/20220802_152712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2830" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeVOy3qBbPP9tzwOIK4-WVRPnSjaKoR4_jHFxFYHiLZnmaJOjTa07ygMUbTo21DzO9pUZ7oazlO2rSVxcPGjiWsBahbUTis4Kon-zGru2IDby2Oc6HRTVUkJzLmCS-Hzc3SIbV5kA_OHGETteWLojKQ3FXlGKqHxUDzaz5f56nxP7Gz2K2RQbVMxw/w419-h267/20220802_152712.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div>Stained Glass Pieces:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjWDlbS4Ci6QdfTVacIqigvuDAUNkgg8vXKb09Ch9WODHgSB9-OkAYD8pCOzoC5hXCQveIsLJ-f37i0YgsT8mzB_gASBI57MtlyMbb9rJ4FoIheywNz9xhM-CaQ7MUFkTe1HpNaI_avh8LzPMvUjJ7QhjqYr6NOawm0T2gio6DyNpAcGzKPzuhuCh/s4000/20210601_075756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjWDlbS4Ci6QdfTVacIqigvuDAUNkgg8vXKb09Ch9WODHgSB9-OkAYD8pCOzoC5hXCQveIsLJ-f37i0YgsT8mzB_gASBI57MtlyMbb9rJ4FoIheywNz9xhM-CaQ7MUFkTe1HpNaI_avh8LzPMvUjJ7QhjqYr6NOawm0T2gio6DyNpAcGzKPzuhuCh/w397-h179/20210601_075756.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><br /><div>And Painting tons of Journals and stuff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1wxEc2W6PtM7qRZ4P_Nt6zS4_N6Mw8YyO8wlR1hwsI_fZpD6J_RcuQl6ADHwI9cxYcVAiW8UhbTpc7B-AiBRtRkVwdM5QTWff3Mf6FfORmVqQRCXOc4ryPHOJvRUCSrbljNek-ezWn-qH-0or8s5dA2odF2nEdba_5NiHqJyk6wXWfF8Nsr4I8y4/s4032/20200720_130712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1wxEc2W6PtM7qRZ4P_Nt6zS4_N6Mw8YyO8wlR1hwsI_fZpD6J_RcuQl6ADHwI9cxYcVAiW8UhbTpc7B-AiBRtRkVwdM5QTWff3Mf6FfORmVqQRCXOc4ryPHOJvRUCSrbljNek-ezWn-qH-0or8s5dA2odF2nEdba_5NiHqJyk6wXWfF8Nsr4I8y4/s320/20200720_130712.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ok7A67GgPlc0vlwwoXLQtQQ96uT1ZZ37_bjXlg4spbDos01U3u4CLcM2h5i9eHC92xUXK9YjnjJnfopc27ZT2iA5uR2JjGJZ998CM0JF6AplvqI8gHJweS9IgeiVhytSTpOENtw6_SmEasbLg3_W-0Fmb34O6JIMVq37BsQaFs8iH43RMb4SsyP/s4032/20201215_095350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="4032" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ok7A67GgPlc0vlwwoXLQtQQ96uT1ZZ37_bjXlg4spbDos01U3u4CLcM2h5i9eHC92xUXK9YjnjJnfopc27ZT2iA5uR2JjGJZ998CM0JF6AplvqI8gHJweS9IgeiVhytSTpOENtw6_SmEasbLg3_W-0Fmb34O6JIMVq37BsQaFs8iH43RMb4SsyP/w472-h230/20201215_095350.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But pens have always been along for the ride. I am still getting emails and requests from when I was more active here and I really want to get going again. I have bins of pens and stacks of journals that I havent talked about. If you are curious about the art, I am <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/XactStudio">Xact Studio on Etsy.</a> and also building out Sethgoodling.com but that's still a work in progress. Looking forward to catching up with everyone again. <br /><br /><br /></div>Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-13849449233999552402020-08-06T16:41:00.004-04:002020-08-06T16:41:29.456-04:00Wait, are we still blogging?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">I have been dying to
pass along the story of how I got an amazing chicken cordon bleu
recipe...kidding. So, I still use a pen and I still
have lots of paper. And- I still can somewhat create sentences that
sometimes make a little sense. So- it is time to crank up the part of the
brain that is the rustiest. Where have I been? Living.
Tightly, in a bubble as most reasonable people are- and that end in sight thing
keeps changing its target. So, we buy pens, we buy ink. We create
shitty reviews. It is what we do. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">In my strange way of
deciding what pens I am going with for the day, I sometimes feel the need to
stick with one pen, for the day, for the week...until I kill all of the
ink inside of it and THEN I can move on to a new pen. This Jetstream Uni .38
makes me feel this way. Then it would make me feel bad that it is out of ink
and I would have to buy more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxCznWkYRFw/XyxoIHKIo8I/AAAAAAACSaE/1KAAj1daQRUH4Z3ql6zsIm84dApDFSk6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200806_162654.jpg" style="display: inline !important; padding: 1em 0px;"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">It's near perfect, thin,
light, consistent. I don’t have a writing sample on this. Why?</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxCznWkYRFw/XyxoIHKIo8I/AAAAAAACSaE/1KAAj1daQRUH4Z3ql6zsIm84dApDFSk6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200806_162654.jpg" style="display: inline !important; padding: 1em 0px;"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">1. I am not even
sure the lights are still on in this blog. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">2. I have had
enough caffeine to jumpstart a 72 Cadillac and I might be a touch shaky.
(coffee jokes, ugh)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">3. yeah, only 2.
Sorry.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">I am not saying I am
back. That would lead to me disappearing again for 3 years. I am just
saying I have a ton of cool pens I should talk about. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;">Cheers. Missed
you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxCznWkYRFw/XyxoIHKIo8I/AAAAAAACSaE/1KAAj1daQRUH4Z3ql6zsIm84dApDFSk6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200806_162654.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GxCznWkYRFw/XyxoIHKIo8I/AAAAAAACSaE/1KAAj1daQRUH4Z3ql6zsIm84dApDFSk6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200806_162654.jpg" /></a></div>Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-67110825402159497632017-03-16T10:39:00.002-04:002017-03-16T10:39:44.143-04:00Zebra Airfit JapanIt's sort of sad...I found this pen under my workbench in a box that I haven't gotten around to sorting or going through yet. Sad, because I have far too many boxes of pens stashed away that I need to get to. I picked this thing up in the airport in Japan the end of last year and thought "Hey, this would be a good pen to review." and well, here we are.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KGPYPsbRPg/WMf0StbbE3I/AAAAAAABRVw/g8Ar00juaWwqY6lF3Gusrm1_0L4_xikPgCKgB/s1600/0314170932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6KGPYPsbRPg/WMf0StbbE3I/AAAAAAABRVw/g8Ar00juaWwqY6lF3Gusrm1_0L4_xikPgCKgB/s320/0314170932.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have seen other versions of this on Jetpens and around the different reviewers, but I never saw this version before. The colors and design are right in my wheelhouse. The "JAPAN" on the clip seems a little touristy to me, but I don't mind it (and it was in an airport... so...)</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxgnQCihU8o/WMf2uIAOkUI/AAAAAAABRWI/l_qK07Rcks8ZlSkpQWTtDv2ZbGH0-N7QwCKgB/s1600/0314170932b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxgnQCihU8o/WMf2uIAOkUI/AAAAAAABRWI/l_qK07Rcks8ZlSkpQWTtDv2ZbGH0-N7QwCKgB/s320/0314170932b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So apparently, this was 540 YEN which in today's dollars is under 5 bucks. Good deal! Whenever I pen shop in Japan it feels like fake dollars anyway. It's kinda like Monopoly money and I refuse to go into the higher end pen stores unless I am looking for something in particular. I went back through my photos and dug this up from one of my trips:</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zOcxvQmj4o/WMf3YAO2S0I/AAAAAAABRWQ/XiSdLIbsK4gX-ewkyzyYJ-fJIjA8_CiTwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20151217_090240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zOcxvQmj4o/WMf3YAO2S0I/AAAAAAABRWQ/XiSdLIbsK4gX-ewkyzyYJ-fJIjA8_CiTwCLcB/s320/IMG_20151217_090240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This photo was taken INSIDE a Japanese version of a 7-11. It's sort of pen heaven. " Oh, hey, let me go and buy a coffee, sushi AND a shit ton of amazing pens." It's an issue for me. My last trip, the Frixions were everywhere. And I bought them,</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy2NfidEJoc/WMf35v9T58I/AAAAAAABRWY/4JcnyUmpfSge6nN0T6mYKtTOqdKeHevrwCKgB/s1600/0314170933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy2NfidEJoc/WMf35v9T58I/AAAAAAABRWY/4JcnyUmpfSge6nN0T6mYKtTOqdKeHevrwCKgB/s320/0314170933.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This thing is very similar in size and weight of a G-2 pro but the guts are completely different. Big pen, smaller tank of ink. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqYEtCx1g8Q/WMf4JssOfGI/AAAAAAABRWc/Yiin7kJEYNok9xgRLl5t1dXuDhECPe4IQCKgB/s1600/0314170934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqYEtCx1g8Q/WMf4JssOfGI/AAAAAAABRWc/Yiin7kJEYNok9xgRLl5t1dXuDhECPe4IQCKgB/s320/0314170934.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The refills are not what I thought they would be and my Sarasa refills do not even come close to fitting. I need to do some research to see if I can get better refills for this. It's middle of the road for me in terms of writing quality.... Not as dark as I would like it, but the .5 is thin enough to make up for it. I swear all these .38 gel pens spoil me now. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tPjalzocAY/WMf4lJ7Jp_I/AAAAAAABRWk/jUgmrMeechggp6nFCNgMrgazACIUBiFbACKgB/s1600/0314170942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tPjalzocAY/WMf4lJ7Jp_I/AAAAAAABRWk/jUgmrMeechggp6nFCNgMrgazACIUBiFbACKgB/s320/0314170942.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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See, sort of ball-pointy, more than Gell-y. Bottom line, I like the feel of it and I will probably throw it in my travel bag. I don't see this one going into my daily rotation, just simply because of the ink, but in a pinch, it's a solid pen. You can get a very similar version of this on Jetpens <a href="https://www.jetpens.com/Zebra-Airfit-LT-Ballpoint-Pen-0.7-mm-Pearl-Black-Body-Black-Ink/pd/8700" target="_blank">here</a> if you so desire and crap! I just saw that they also make a mechanical pencil version of this. Awesome. I need to shop. </div>
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Feeling the need for a fountain pen review or two, let me look through my boxes....</div>
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Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-528254737737257122017-03-08T09:34:00.001-05:002017-03-08T09:34:44.119-05:00Shinola Medium Hard Linen Journal <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46sVDwsf3Is/WL8NFIHNgQI/AAAAAAABQ9c/kCYHM0-h8BUDn4FilDBxx9ZexQmpYNxnACKgB/s1600/0307171403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46sVDwsf3Is/WL8NFIHNgQI/AAAAAAABQ9c/kCYHM0-h8BUDn4FilDBxx9ZexQmpYNxnACKgB/s320/0307171403.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have known about the Shinola for a few years but I didn't know that they made journals...I knew them for watches and leather goods and then they added bikes and other things to take my money and I kinda lost touch with them a few years ago. Their story is a good one, they wanted to bring jobs to Detroit with American goods and I admire that idea... I happened to stop into my local art store I found this little A5 screaming to me to purchase it. </div>
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I use a journal for my work/life to do's (not a "Dear Diary"kind of thing) and an A5 usually lasts me about 6 months until I get bored with it or find another one that I like. For me, filling a journal is rare and I am pretty sure if I stacked all of my journals in my house into a single pile, they would be taller than the average human. Someday I will test that out. Not today, I have laundry to fold...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HP-Feo8phTo/WL8NGPhn0hI/AAAAAAABQ9g/Mn1pHs_TSRs5Q7RYXpw8jA8SsHq4GbydACKgB/s1600/0307171403a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HP-Feo8phTo/WL8NGPhn0hI/AAAAAAABQ9g/Mn1pHs_TSRs5Q7RYXpw8jA8SsHq4GbydACKgB/s320/0307171403a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My demands for a journal are simple: I prefer lined paper, a hard cover, as close to non-bleedy as possible just in case I do grab an EF fountain pen- and an A5 is usually right in my sweet spot to keep it portable for travel. As much as I love technology, I force myself to use a journal to keep my pen desires active. From a check box standpoint, this one hits all the major points. Picadilly is one of the other brands that I buy, mainly because Barnes and Nobles sells them cheap. Although after a few trips, the Picadilly's tend to start showing wear. This one has been to Japan once and 3 trips across the country and looks almost brand new. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqYmg530LE/WL8NHZ43iGI/AAAAAAABQ9k/qaJ2wsDAXxEkGTC7RrQyTyKsnoscDwoiQCKgB/s1600/0307171403b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxqYmg530LE/WL8NHZ43iGI/AAAAAAABQ9k/qaJ2wsDAXxEkGTC7RrQyTyKsnoscDwoiQCKgB/s320/0307171403b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I wasn't lying about the lined part. That's mandatory for me. I tried dots and plain paper and none of them keep my writing organized enough. By organized, I mean that can't achieve the higher OCD levels that I have of writing in a straight line. No surprises here...Cream paper and divider, there is a nice nice pocket on the back and a page saver (which I almost always cut off.) </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yE-6e321nxM/WL8NIM1izmI/AAAAAAABQ9o/Zt4XoFz2V0AiPL6AprYc-ZSJVpotewEOQCKgB/s1600/0307171414a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yE-6e321nxM/WL8NIM1izmI/AAAAAAABQ9o/Zt4XoFz2V0AiPL6AprYc-ZSJVpotewEOQCKgB/s320/0307171414a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The Sarasa (.4) works incredibly awesome here (no surprises) and so does the Pilot loaded up with some Noodlers Black. I think the journal was around $22 bucks or so. For an A5 is a little on the high end, but worth it. <a href="https://www.shinola.com/medium-hard-linen.html" target="_blank">They make these in tons of fun colors (I chose black as a fun color.) </a> The Shinola page tells me the paper weight is 60 LB. with 192 pages that are acid free and archival quality. The Smyth sewn binding allows it to lie flat. They make leather covers for these, but they are $195 and I need a new squash racquet, so that's not going to happen anytime soon. Anyway, Nice journal, 8.5 out of 10 for me.<br />
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P.S. I am once again moving stuff around on the website, Ignore all the dead links as I get sorted. Thanks- S-<br />
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-8352551862006296442017-03-07T12:25:00.002-05:002017-03-07T13:04:10.847-05:00Pen of the DaySome days, I try to stick with a pen or two rather than reaching into the pen cup for a new option every 5 minutes. When I reach in the pen cup I can get EASILY distracted by a fountain pen that needs cleaning or spend 4 minutes sad with the pen choice that I made. So grabbing a pen and sticking with it helps keep me focused a bit (P.C.P... Pen Choice Problems.) So, this morning I reached in, grabbed an old Pilot Precise V5 Extra fine and was amazed that around noon eastern, I was still pretty happy with my choice. <br />
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When I popped over to Jetpens and Amazon and saw that they still sell these. Pretty much with the same label. By the way, Jetpens tells me that this is made from 89.2% recycled material and refills are available (so, why do I own so many of these?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There's some ink creep on that needlepoint. (said no cool guy ever.) I probably have a dozen or so of these kicking around but I usually reach for the smaller points (.38 or .44) but for some reason, I can still get away with this in my notebooks and am happy with the dark ink and for me it dries fast enough. </div>
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Look, I get it, I know around 12:30 I will once again reach over into this mess (below) and forget about the V5 in a heartbeat. But, I still like this pen.</div>
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Here's where my hand goes by instinct whenever I need to write something. I only stab myself with the dip pen 3 or 4 times a day.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQj3cQnIwps/WL7r8sS8QeI/AAAAAAABQ78/h3NKxbrivoEDDykN7Ldzny4vC_przeXcQCKgB/s1600/0307171204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQj3cQnIwps/WL7r8sS8QeI/AAAAAAABQ78/h3NKxbrivoEDDykN7Ldzny4vC_przeXcQCKgB/s320/0307171204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The irony here is thick. (or it's not) Anyway, I might do this again tomorrow. I miss you crazy people and thanks for all the readers that still ping me. You guys rock. </div>
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Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-61792608108409903032016-06-22T12:26:00.002-04:002016-06-22T12:36:07.213-04:00Frixion friction functions failing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Craziness...My notes are disappearing from my notebook! I think the culprit might be that I left my work notebook (Shinola) in my hot car the other day. Today, when I went to go back though my notes from earlier in the month, whole sections had disappeared. The parts you see here are non Frixion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anyone else had this happen to them? </span><br />
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-73333537982500505792016-05-26T18:10:00.002-04:002016-05-29T08:55:06.891-04:00Pilot FriXion Ball 4 Color Gel Ink Multi Pen IN .38!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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So, last week I am sitting in a French restaurant in Yokohama, Japan at a business meeting. The guy across the table from me has a monogrammed Pilot Frixion <b>in .38</b> and I loved it. You may recall that in the past I said that multi-pens tend to do a lot of things...but none of them that well. </div>
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Something clicked and I needed to have this pen. (Not that exact one silly, it was already monogrammed.) The search was on and I started swinging by the stores, but all I can find are the .5's. I did find one .38 but it was in some sort of lavender color and I couldn't pull the trigger.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0L7GHHC9o6A/V0dYhEFRG2I/AAAAAAABGHQ/1JqWPVLwHu8tbQjoqxy2JGznJByxodFowCLcB/s1600/IMG_20160526_155509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0L7GHHC9o6A/V0dYhEFRG2I/AAAAAAABGHQ/1JqWPVLwHu8tbQjoqxy2JGznJByxodFowCLcB/s320/IMG_20160526_155509.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Oh, by the way, the 7-11's in Japan have a ridiculously awesome array of pens. Anyhow...cut to the airport later that week. .5's everywhere, but then across the display, I spy the .38 refills. BOOM, problem solved. Except for green, I could not find the green refills. No biggie, I can deal. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elusive little guys</td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fu2gCjB5rNs/V0dYfTzfjMI/AAAAAAABGGw/E9VzTSNvD-4ItawnNi12L-L1G1m5jf1sgCLcB/s1600/20160526_155819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fu2gCjB5rNs/V0dYfTzfjMI/AAAAAAABGGw/E9VzTSNvD-4ItawnNi12L-L1G1m5jf1sgCLcB/s400/20160526_155819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, for about 3 bucks a color, I made the pen more enjoyable for me. (I am not calling this a hack, that terms is getting overused in the pen circles.) </div>
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I like the Frixions. I wish the ink was a little darker, but I get it... It's cool technology with the heat/ friction erasing capability so I will cut them some slack on the darkness level. I am generally not a .5 anything type of guy, so thinner is better regardless.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks2BWWH5Y7U/V0dYgSRwP6I/AAAAAAABGG8/pA7mMFViBxcXob2vfmrHyAMAUE_fHPxPQCLcB/s1600/20160526_155846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ks2BWWH5Y7U/V0dYgSRwP6I/AAAAAAABGG8/pA7mMFViBxcXob2vfmrHyAMAUE_fHPxPQCLcB/s320/20160526_155846.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
It was a 2 second fix, the same as refilling, pop out, pop in, screw the top back on. Easy. The white ones have the ,38 tip.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green is .5, blue is .38</td></tr>
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It's not coming across on the paper as well, but it is a subtle enough of difference that I prefer the thinner width. (Blue) I started taking my work notes in different colors (red is for action items) and I have been picking this pen up more and more in my daily writing. I like the weight, I like the feel and this is the most that I have used a multi-pen in forever.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dayYFaHFUUU/V0dYgo6gw-I/AAAAAAABGHE/456YEEYcRbUoy27FfjlVYhuyxfK4fiZcgCLcB/s1600/20160526_160116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dayYFaHFUUU/V0dYgo6gw-I/AAAAAAABGHE/456YEEYcRbUoy27FfjlVYhuyxfK4fiZcgCLcB/s400/20160526_160116.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
I have not looked to see if the .38's are available in the US. I have seen the .5's for sale (Jetpens) and unless you geek out on thinner widths, the .5 should be fine for you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springy Spring</td></tr>
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The spring clip is a nice touch. It's still a pretty big pen to throw in your shirt pocket, but at least you know it will stay there. So, what else is new with me lately? I bought a TON of pens and notebooks. I bought a lathe to consider making pens with. The Red Sox are on an incredible run and I rescued this little Mastiff/ Lab mix.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGFu3ljGL0k/V0dxAVWX0eI/AAAAAAABGIY/9a8xwr4TmFcQj0M6n6x1jBp4HK5cTR0jgCK4B/s1600/IMG_20160217_160301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGFu3ljGL0k/V0dxAVWX0eI/AAAAAAABGIY/9a8xwr4TmFcQj0M6n6x1jBp4HK5cTR0jgCK4B/s320/IMG_20160217_160301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Boden the Great. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDlc-kwhFRo/V0dzCyDJImI/AAAAAAABGIk/xsWcvxfAWpwYwTkxQ6HzfzdFTrifn4PwQCK4B/s1600/20160526_160646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDlc-kwhFRo/V0dzCyDJImI/AAAAAAABGIk/xsWcvxfAWpwYwTkxQ6HzfzdFTrifn4PwQCK4B/s640/20160526_160646.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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My next post will probably be how I have just about perfected the perfect pen cup. Not the actual cup, but the contents. It's close to awesome and I will get it there before I post. Cheers.Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-82281117574129669772015-08-14T15:58:00.001-04:002015-08-19T14:55:56.474-04:00The Three AmigosLike a lot of you, I buy pens. Sometimes= for all the wrong reasons. Some people tend to eat when they are bored...some people play games...I tend to make rash, odd pen purchases. I generally remain within budget and try not to splurge and I think this is how I ended up with these Jinhao fountain pens. Probably off of Amazon, maybe off of Ebay or possible from Jetpens. No clue.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDFlg3L688/Vc4_226B25I/AAAAAAAA8vQ/fyBAnQRD90s/s1600/pens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qeDFlg3L688/Vc4_226B25I/AAAAAAAA8vQ/fyBAnQRD90s/s400/pens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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They are cool looking right? Nice beefy clip, nice colors, clear all around so you can see that ...yes, those are converters in there. I am not positive, but I think these are the 599's. (Which is also about what I think I paid for all three.) I could be wrong on both of those assumptions. </div>
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I am pretty sure I know what happened...I bought these, inked one up, decided they were a little too mediumy for my taste and tucked them away. My nib taste has been running in the EXTRA fine mode for fountain pens lately and rarely go too far away from that. I think only one has been inked. It's a small, tidy, cheap sin... I know. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJxFaiJl9SE/Vc5EyfbXsOI/AAAAAAAA8vk/dY9_Pd6Jvys/s1600/parts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJxFaiJl9SE/Vc5EyfbXsOI/AAAAAAAA8vk/dY9_Pd6Jvys/s400/parts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's how they break down, I know what you are saying. Looks a lot like a Lamy. Well who am I to assume that, but yes, it's a little eerie. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YE_BEp0h2bk/Vc5FJsb2z8I/AAAAAAAA8vs/dtnzFyWU2fA/s1600/vs%2Blamy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YE_BEp0h2bk/Vc5FJsb2z8I/AAAAAAAA8vs/dtnzFyWU2fA/s400/vs%2Blamy2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
Spooky World!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-liUdvaDyWsE/Vc5FMnVGy1I/AAAAAAAA8v0/BiyNg1o4GLs/s1600/vs%2BLamy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-liUdvaDyWsE/Vc5FMnVGy1I/AAAAAAAA8v0/BiyNg1o4GLs/s400/vs%2BLamy.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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My Lamy has a black nib, so they are clearly not similar. Case Closed, Court Adjourned, Brady is a free man. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8OayDIB-bU/Vc5Fm4q9UXI/AAAAAAAA8v8/2IWUfLYFMvE/s1600/quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c8OayDIB-bU/Vc5Fm4q9UXI/AAAAAAAA8v8/2IWUfLYFMvE/s400/quote.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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But, really, these are not terrible. The nib is smooth, it's not a overly light pen and when writing it has a nice balance to it. This could be on the list of pens that if I lost, I wouldn't go crazy searching the house for it. (The Mrs. is still looking for her good set of keys by the way.) </div>
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In other news, (and speaking of eerie) Lewis nailed the small little contest I held and with a few tips CRUSHED the test. Lewis your prize is... pick one of the above pens, I will clean it, buff it up and ship it out to you. Give me a shout and it's a done deal. </div>
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Bottom line (almost literally) take a chance, skip the Venti Extra Hot soy decaf latte and go buy a cheap pen. Use it, or give it away. No harm- no foul. Everyone should have a few inked up just in case. </div>
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Cheers.</div>
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SG</div>
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-31993456357905592582015-08-10T13:35:00.001-04:002015-08-10T17:44:40.030-04:00New Jetpens order in... <p dir="ltr">Can you name all 3 items? First person to do so correctly in the commenys will win something cool. <br></p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">Clue #1. All pens</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JiS6MX--MY/VcjgyXJJ2BI/AAAAAAAA8pw/t-7js3v4OYg/s1600/2015-08-10%25252013.32.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0JiS6MX--MY/VcjgyXJJ2BI/AAAAAAAA8pw/t-7js3v4OYg/s640/2015-08-10%25252013.32.07.jpg"> </a> </div>Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-73974277867659087652015-08-07T17:27:00.001-04:002015-08-07T17:27:42.756-04:00Dear pen chewers of the world...I don't like you. You make my life really hard. It's not easy telling someone that this is probably not polishing out. <br />
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Find a straw or something and get rid of your oral fixation. Not on Sheaffer's. And yes, I realize this was probably done 20 years ago. <br />
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Enjoy your (pen chewing free) weekend!</div>
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Seth</div>
<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-69679534892805884842015-08-06T13:02:00.001-04:002015-08-06T13:02:25.469-04:00My Daily 5 examined.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I looked down at my desk and found out I was pretty happy with the 5 pens that I have been keeping inked up and alive. Five is a really good "everyday at the office" number for me. Starting left to right:</div>
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1. Pentel Sign Pen. (.42 cents or so)</div>
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I buy these by the 12 pack from Amazon. If I need to scribble details on a call or meeting, I grab this. Writes big, fat, sloppy and is guaranteed to write. AK-47... not built for precision, but built to work, regardless. </div>
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2. 0.5 Pentel mechanical non pen. ($4.00)</div>
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I generally prefer a .04, but I also prefer that I can heavy hand it and the lead will not snap. I use the Lamy lead refills. They are a little more expensive, but for some reason they work out better for me. </div>
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3. Pilot G-6 07. (5.00)</div>
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kidding, seriously, did you just meet me? OK, it's a G-7 body with a Zebra .04 refill in it. I have a small trick that I use to make it better and will go over in another post. But comfort wise... I am happiest here. </div>
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4. Hero 616. ($1.00) </div>
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Yes, there are two fountain pens here. This one stays filled with <span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;">Thornton's Luxury Goods Black ink. Never gets cleaned... just refilled. I tweaked the nib to where it's somewhere between a fine and a medium and it's juicy. Not good for cheap paper, but good for my better notebooks. If someone asks me about this pen, I usually give it away to them and buy these by the 12 pack. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;">5. Pilot Penmanship. ($.8.00)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;"> Extra fine goodness, I swear this would write on toilet paper without bleeding. I think it's a refilled </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18.75px;">cartridge</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;"> with Parker's Super Quink but I am not sure. I just simply love it and have used this one for 3 or 4 years now </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18.75px;">consistently</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.25;">I do realize that these 5 pens are fairly inexpensive, but I don't mind that at all. These 5 will get me through 99% of my writing needs and I can easily replace them (by going to my stash) where I have backups. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18.75px;">Any one's daily 5 close to mine?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18.75px;">Cheers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 18.75px;">Seth</span></div>
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<a class="a-link-normal s-access-detail-page a-text-normal" href="http://www.amazon.com/Thorntons-Luxury-Goods-Fountain-Bottle/dp/B00WXYW0FY/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1438879857&sr=1-4&keywords=fountain+pen+ink" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px; text-decoration: none;"></a><a class="a-link-normal s-access-detail-page a-text-normal" href="http://www.amazon.com/Thorntons-Luxury-Goods-Fountain-Bottle/dp/B00WXYW0FY/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1438879857&sr=1-4&keywords=fountain+pen+ink" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.25px; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>
<br /><br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-61613050762661478082015-03-23T14:27:00.001-04:002015-03-23T14:27:54.044-04:00Daily CarryQuick update on the pens that I carry on a daily basis and what has been in heavy rotation. The other side of the book has my fountain pens. Will get a shot of those later. The G-6 has a Sarasa .4 (blue-black) in it (as does the Waterman.) Click for a better view. I need to review the Techno Line, I really like that little thing. After going from 20-30 pens in my bag, I have settled down a little. This changes when I travel, but for now I am happy with the rotation.<br />
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It's good to be back. </div>
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Good Pens</div>
Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-48832352254693605742014-03-31T04:55:00.000-04:002014-03-31T04:56:30.878-04:00Head clearing time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5VxAWq75i00/UzhvKmk67_I/AAAAAAAAa9E/wKSpNX65zlU/s1600/baby+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5VxAWq75i00/UzhvKmk67_I/AAAAAAAAa9E/wKSpNX65zlU/s1600/baby+Blue.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I needed a to-do list. Fast. Like heading out of the country for a week this afternoon fast. Like heading out of the country for a week and I haven't packed yet fast. Part of me (the evil, short sighted slacker who refused to even unpack my bag from my flight last week ) wanted to just grab a dull pencil and a coffee stained post-it note to cleanse the brain. But the pen lover in me won out and I decided to take an upgrade. I didn't grab the nicest pen in the world, but I grabbed one that I knew would be there for me. A work horse. A very inexpensive Sheaffer School pen. One day I will photograph all of my Sheaffers together for a family shot because they probably are used for about 75% of my writing time. This one needs a good cleaning and a shine and I always loved this shade of blue. Dirty or not.<br />
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Sure I needed to throw in a cartridge and get it flowing but taking the 60 seconds to do that was well worth it. Add in a simple notebook and start the download from the brain to the paper.<br />
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My to-do lists range from the desperately needed for organizing- to me just wanting to write something with a new pen. In this case it was everything that I wanted to take care of on the long leg of my flights. </div>
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1. Avoid crazy dude from my last trip that just wanted a first class drinking buddy.</div>
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2. Reach for and physically touch my passport 37 times.</div>
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3. Learn how to ask for a bathroom in German and check the local laws on public intoxication.</div>
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Today it was more about still wanting to enjoy the process of writing regardless of timing or schedules. It was about knowing what I needed to accomplish but not allowing laziness to get in the way of appreciating a nice pen or nice paper. I highly recommend it </div>
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Gut stifte. (is that correct?)</div>
Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-37853637441854925022014-03-25T21:20:00.000-04:002014-03-26T14:53:03.271-04:00JetPens Rocks: The Ohto Graphic Liner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are three cheers for JetPens! They knew I was inconsistent with my posts. (This is all in the past, settle in, this is going to be a bumpy ride.) Yet, they still offer to send out a few pens for me blog about. So blog about them I will and when I got this a while ago, I was very happy.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhF2AtMEm2I/UzHiwumpwvI/AAAAAAAAa7w/Kh930iwhrCs/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhF2AtMEm2I/UzHiwumpwvI/AAAAAAAAa7w/Kh930iwhrCs/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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Drafting pen, drawing pen, Liner... whatever you call it, I have about 40 drafting pens in a cup that I use a lot. Even some that I need to refill every single time that I want to use them. Not this baby, it is ready to go out of the envelope and nicely done. Here's a not too light plastic barrel full of water and fade proof black ink. Perfect for doodles or line work or Zentangles (did that word come and go or are people still using that word?) Zentangles..it sounds so mysterious. </div>
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The 02 is roughly about a .5 in my book and that is almost the perfect width my needs. They make a pile of other sizes- but I bet if I tried them all, this is the size I would go back to for writing and for drawing.<br />
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Here's what I like and what surprised me when I pulled off the cap...a needle point! Excellent when you really need to see what you are doing. I read a few reviews where people have had this pen leaks on planes...I am not sure what that is about... I have had this on 4 flights without any issues in the past 2 months. Click on the picture, take a look. It's nice.<br />
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Ohto: Has been making ballpoints since 1949. That's 65 years of Japanese pen manufacturing. I will appreciate that every single day. These guys invented the ceramic ball back in 1981. Amazeballs. (Get it?)<br />
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So...I doodle, if you have read my blog in the past you know this. They generally got tossed in the trash afterward and it's just a thing I do on calls and during breaks around the house. I have been doing more serious artwork that I might share on here later..I do love the way this ink flows and even on normal copy paper is just clean and precise. That's what this pen is good for.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw_HAhKmAHM/UzHi0PJxLJI/AAAAAAAAa8U/fkyxTf5Kabo/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw_HAhKmAHM/UzHi0PJxLJI/AAAAAAAAa8U/fkyxTf5Kabo/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
JetPens sells these cheap here: <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Ohto-Graphic-Liner-Needle-Point-Drawing-Pens/ct/1506" target="_blank">Clicky clicky..</a>. They run about $2.50 a piece depending. Worth it completely if this sort of pen is your thing. They are in stock and ready for delivery.<br />
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I like this pen. It's different in that fact that I don't see too many of them (and yes, I stalk peoples pens in meetings) In fact, I should be on some stalker list that you can go on and see who are the crazy pen stalkers in your neighborhood. And don't think I am not judging you. I am completely am. Show up in my meeting with a chewed up pen from a trade show and there is no way that I can take you seriously. For my co-workers ..I kid. (not really.)<br />
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Good Pen.<br />
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-33231948173844545302014-03-24T13:03:00.001-04:002014-03-24T17:43:59.633-04:00Where did I get this?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I really do hate the fact that I own a few pens that I have no idea where I got them from. I am not sure if that stems from the fact that I own a shit ton of pens or, if as I get older the brain stops remembering things in a crispy manner. The good news is- I am fairly certain I didn't steal this pen (especially if you are missing one of these.) Here's the truth, as I write this, I know little or nothing about this pen, other than it smells like the worst possible smelling pen that you can imagine.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVkR9XJK5P8/Uy-PBEZRy3I/AAAAAAAAa6s/oAZcLR_JVuw/s1600/1-DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GVkR9XJK5P8/Uy-PBEZRy3I/AAAAAAAAa6s/oAZcLR_JVuw/s1600/1-DSC_0083.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
Here's what I know without Googling...<br />
1. It's a demonstrator (ish)<br />
2. Brown and gold, already not my favorite...<br />
3. The smells... stanky, stanky, stanky. I have finished up a 2.5 hour squash session with a fresher smelling...well you get the picture.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPuME_-z20s/Uy-PBZs2GTI/AAAAAAAAa60/3wAl4W2n93Y/s1600/2-DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HPuME_-z20s/Uy-PBZs2GTI/AAAAAAAAa60/3wAl4W2n93Y/s1600/2-DSC_0092.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let the Googling begin...well it says "Romus Majestic" on the side of the pen. Let's start there....there's a couple FPN reviews....so it looks like it might be from India...and chances are I got it off of eBay. Awesome. I haven't honestly used this pen much, inked up a few times, but not my ideal daily carrier. (or is it?)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SG6UdAXotDc/Uy-PBeK8fJI/AAAAAAAAa6w/7LExwtqVcOQ/s1600/3-DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SG6UdAXotDc/Uy-PBeK8fJI/AAAAAAAAa6w/7LExwtqVcOQ/s1600/3-DSC_0095.JPG" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
Here it is in all of its glory. I am checking back on my eBay history as I speak....after spending 45 minutes on Reddit, I am back...Cool, it seems like I bought this for a whopping $4.00. That's crazy. 4 bucks! Sweet. That's a cup of coffee. I have said it before, I will take ANY $4.00 fountain pen.<br />
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If you own more than a couple hundred fountain pens... you understand what happens...you carefully ink and clean and organize and then you have 6 inked pens that you haven't used in 2 years. OUCH. Welcome to the club. Case in point. Agree to disagree. (I am aware this makes no sense to you.)<br />
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I don't hate the way this writes. I have been spoiled by a ton of EF point fountains lately so this is a little thick for my taste, but it's not horrible. Nice filling mechanism, writes very smoothly on the nib, lightweight pen. But back to the smell. I even rinsed this out a few times... the smell remains... somewhere between a small mammal in heat and a probably what Andy Dufresne smelled like near the end of the Shawshank Redemption tunnel escape scene.<br />
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Here's something that I wasn't expecting. Flex. Click on this picture, make it bigger, see the line widths. For this, I will put up with the smell. <br />
Let me summarize for those of you that just skip to the bottom.<br />
+ Demonstrator<br />
+ Flex<br />
+ $4.00<br />
- The smells.<br />
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Worth it. Every penny.<br />
Have a great day.<br />
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Good Pens.<br />
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-58558738804166316102014-02-12T20:28:00.001-05:002014-02-12T20:29:08.536-05:00Why is this pen making me so giddy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Stay tuned, post to follow. But it is incredible. Bonus points to anyone who can guess what it is before I get the post written.</div>
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Good Pen!</div>
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Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-51540316387723405882013-09-16T22:07:00.002-04:002013-09-16T22:12:37.958-04:00Uni Jetstream 4&1 ( and cupcakes!)I had been a consistent believer in the fact that multi-pens were not for me. My rationale has always been that they generally do a lot of things mediocre and can't do anything well. And I have been through <a href="http://goodpens.blogspot.com/2009/02/multi-pen-hell-and-new-contest-tease.html" target="_blank">a ton of multi-pens.</a> But- if there is one thing that can I do is to keep an open mind and accept possibility of change. That's exactly what hap<b>pen</b>ed in this case. <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/" target="_blank">Jetpens</a> was awesome enough to send me this little Swiss army knife of pens to try out. <br />
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To be clear and fair...I spent about a week with this thing on my desk... and guess what? I kept reaching for it. If it were just a pen that gave me the options for 3 or 4 mediocre ballpoints with bad ink...I would be very "meh" about this. However, the good folks at Uni decided to add a .5 pencil and give it solid writing ballpoints.. Which was for me... a game changer. Or mind changer...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dl25mKVmR0Q/UjewYOxGMHI/AAAAAAAAYoE/hRM2Ia-bQ48/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dl25mKVmR0Q/UjewYOxGMHI/AAAAAAAAYoE/hRM2Ia-bQ48/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I know that manufacturers need to make the bodies of multi-pens slightly larger to accommodate all of the ink tubes inside and generally this bulk equals a flimsy body. Not in this case at all. I appreciate the size and the weight of this one. It's solid. No rattles.<br />
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I really like how the pencil mechanism is built into the clip. I know it sounds trivial but sometimes you have to look at a multi and turn it upside down or shake it or squint to see which actual color you are trying to get. But I could find the pencil portion of this without looking and the ink color markers are clear. There's also a REALLY satisfying clunk when you change colors.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fIJ8XWXFZs/UjewZdRJ7TI/AAAAAAAAYoo/6BwGy3oyzoU/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fIJ8XWXFZs/UjewZdRJ7TI/AAAAAAAAYoo/6BwGy3oyzoU/s400/DSC_0206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I don't have anything serious to write here other than the fact that no cupcakes were hurt or destroyed in the process of this photo shoot. If they had icing on them it would have been a completely different story...however these were some of my favorite props to date.<br />
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Here's the other thing, 0.5 mm everywhere. Thank you again. I will take that option everyday. I just naturally prefer a smaller point. So.. what is right here?: Nice feel, nice 0.5 tip, perfect addition of a pencil and I am sort of giddy over this one. What's wrong? Nothing that I can come up with. The only thing that is really wrong is that this thing changed my mind on how I look at multi-pens. Like I needed another genre of pens to take my money.<br />
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The oil based ink is light and water resistant and really does flow nicely across the paper. </div>
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The clip had a little sticker on it letting me know that there was indeed a 0.5 pencil in here. Need to advance the lead? Just press down on the clip a little more. Easy. These come in a ton of flavor and styles, and if you are interested, <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Uni-Jetstream-4-1-4-Color-0.7-mm-Ballpoint-Multi-Pen-0.5-mm-Pencil-Light-Blue-Body/pd/7526" target="_blank">head over to Jetpens</a> and take a look. It could change your mind also, unless you already like multi's then well, have a cupcake and enjoy.</div>
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-80394475885336498892013-09-09T22:32:00.002-04:002013-09-09T22:34:58.227-04:00My weekend was a little chalky.First things first, I am not a fanboy..of anything. I have never bought a comic book and I have never seen a full Star Wars episode. (That's the truth.) But sometimes when the artistic mood hits me, the outcome is varied...and peculiar... and coming off of the chalkboard menu from the other weekend I had an itch that needed to be scratched. I do like the Homeland series and when I saw the trailer for season 3 it got the juices flowing. <br />
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18 x 24 chalk and blackboard only. My basement looks like Scarface's desk and my back is destroyed. I might start cranking some of these out. $3.00 in blackboard spray, a $6.00 piece of plywood and I stole the chalk from my kids. There you have it, </div>
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I should have a proper pen post up on Wednesday.</div>
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Cheers, thanks for looking.</div>
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Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-85703649457404746102013-09-07T09:14:00.002-04:002013-09-07T09:14:46.332-04:00Emergency $20: Ohto F-Spirit Fountain Pen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was once told by a very wise man that there are a few items that I (as a man) will need to have.</div>
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#1. An AMEX card</div>
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#2 A Tuxedo (owned not rented)</div>
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Solid advice. There might have been a third item, but I took care of 1 and 2 so the 3rd was probably a Mercedes or something that I blocked out. However, I added to the list: I almost always carry an emergency $20 bill on me or in my car. It rarely gets used, it is more of a safety blanket. I will drive around looking for an ATM rather than break into the emergency Mr. Andrew Jackson. I found myself last week stumbling out of my hotel in San Francisco for a cup of coffee and BOOM, I was standing right next to Maido. Which is one of my favorite brick and mortar pen stores. (Ok, so I might have booked my hotel close to them on purpose, but anyhoo.)</div>
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I had some non-emergency money on me and picked up some of the usual suspects, then I took a look over at the disposable fountain pens that were above the really expensive fountain pen case and this hit me like a Venti Red Eye (black please)</div>
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Somehow, and I would need to check the security camera to be sure, the 4 year old emergency $20 was on the counter and this pen was in my hand and I muttered something about a national crisis. </div>
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You see, I sort of have a soft spot in my heart for sub $20 fountain pens. I have been burned on this before. It's true, an overly wet fake Hero can put a bad taste in your mouth. But in this case... I regret nothing!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfDeyau2GTM/UisecHpwD0I/AAAAAAAAYgI/iURp7jt4VAM/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfDeyau2GTM/UisecHpwD0I/AAAAAAAAYgI/iURp7jt4VAM/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Black and Silver with a fine point. (they make a gold version also) It is just a classic in my opinion. <br />
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I mean really...It should have a bad clip, a steel tip or something. But it doesn't. It has a sweet little ball clip and that right there is iridium my friends.<br />
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The cap pops on with a satisfying pop and to be honest...if you handed me this pen and asked how much I would pay for it... I would have said over $20...easy.<br />
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I don't always spend less than $20 on a fountain pen, but when I do, I get giddy like a little girl with a new pony.<br />
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Oh, hey, standard International short refills makes this easy. It holds an extra cartridge in the back of the pen, but I noticed that it tends to rattle and that bugs me, so I don't keep it in there.<br />
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There is a little bleeding on the Moleskine here so ignore that...If you don't find yourself slightly hungover and stumbling through the streets of San Fran...my good friends over at Jetpens sell this. What's awesome? You will still have a little change left over after you bust through your emergency $20. I<a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Ohto-F-Spirit-Fountain-Pen-Fine-Nib-Silver-Clip/pd/3176" target="_blank">t's only $16.50 here</a>. <br />
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Who is this pen good for? (other than me?) Anyone. From the newest of fp newbs up through the crazy fountain pen junkies, they can all find a place for this in their collection.<br />
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Enjoy the rest of your weekend.<br />
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Seth<br />
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Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-90904708587608038692013-09-01T15:00:00.001-04:002013-09-01T15:00:11.133-04:00Final <p dir=ltr>Had to rush a little to finish... But here we are. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hrAalomUOzM/UiOOuEy2tZI/AAAAAAAAYdo/T-j4ES9i84E/s1600/IMG_20130901_145913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hrAalomUOzM/UiOOuEy2tZI/AAAAAAAAYdo/T-j4ES9i84E/s640/IMG_20130901_145913.jpg"> </a> </div>Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-13310050734743710052013-08-31T23:59:00.001-04:002013-09-07T08:22:28.579-04:00Chalk Menu<div dir="ltr">
Just a quick glance at what I have been up to tonight. "Create a quick menu" she said... I am over two hours in so far with a couple more courses to go.. Pen people do tend <u>to</u> be a little nutty. I will hopefully post completed pictures tomorrow. </div>
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Seth <br />
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Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-59564196169253610702013-08-21T22:53:00.003-04:002013-08-21T22:53:37.760-04:00Sailor DE! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am not even going back to look at the date of the last post.. Typical blogger...build us up and then let us down. Yep, guilty. So, if you are reading this and you are happy- you need to thank Robert. Robert (only using first names here, people) was kind enough to shoot me a quick email and just kindly ask "Hey, where are you?" Within 30 seconds of reading that email I had a plan- of sorts.</div>
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I reached over here. (see above) Closed my eyes and grabbed a pen. My mind was set, even if it was already reviewed, I was going to blog. I grabbed the camera, searched the whole house for my tripod (never found it) , cranked up <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oca-0wH9SyU" target="_blank">The Eels</a> and grabbed a <a href="http://img3.findthebest.com/sites/default/files/675/media/images/Lagunitas_Maximus_62524.jpg" target="_blank">Lagunitas Maximas</a> tro start the process. (And I did miss the process) Oh yeah, it's on. One or two of you might stop to ask where I have been. Funny you should ask. I have become slightly obsessed with Squash. Like.. sit in a dark room at night watching Squash videos learning strategy obsessed. I traveled through most of the US, started cranking out a ton of art that is mostly just for me and my friends. I did put up an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodPens" target="_blank">Etsy store</a> (I know, I know...but everyone knows I am a dude right?) and have been building up some ideas and some of those will start popping up here. (Linocuts are coming) Enough about me, here's what I grabbed. (wait, was that still about me?)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwSDjGkk7Rs/UhVzqd3xSbI/AAAAAAAAX_8/nma9sV2hD-A/s1600/2-DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwSDjGkk7Rs/UhVzqd3xSbI/AAAAAAAAX_8/nma9sV2hD-A/s400/2-DSC_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Ready for the embarrassing part? This pen was hard to Google and I couldn't remember where I had bought it and the Sailor website wasn't helping me. (That also might be because I haven't had any dinner and the Lagunitas is starting to kick in. "Blog Drunk.. Edit Never" might be my new motto! I finally found it on the <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/Sailor-DE-Brush-Stroke-Style-Calligraphy-Fountain-Pen-Bamboo-Green-Nib-Angle-55-Degrees/pd/4541?gclid=CNTOkpmAkLkCFZKk4AodLxQAXA" target="_blank">Jetpens website</a> but I am not sure I bought it there. It's possible, but I didn't think I would spend $16.50 on this when I am normally an XXF fountain pen guy. Regardless...I have it and there is a really good reason why this is still inked up. It is like butter.<br />
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And it's cool, that's why, long, green and different. The nib has a 55 degree angle that looks like someone dropped a rounded nib on the floor and ruined it. The best part is still to come though...<br />
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(looks scary right? click on the picture for a better view) Officially it is the </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Sailor DE Brush Stroke Style Calligraphy Fountain Pen - Bamboo Green - Nib Angle 55 Degrees (whew.)</b></span></div>
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IT IS SMOOOOTH! Writing with this reminds me of a worn down and well loved <a href="http://goodpens.blogspot.com/2009/06/sign-pen.html" target="_blank">Sign Pen</a>. It's ridiculously smooth even on the cheapest of paper. It makes you feel like a cartoonist, or a graffiti artist or a rock star. I might not have used this for a month or two, but when I fired it up for the shoot... it flowed like a beast and I love it. I wish I had more reasons to use it.<br />
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But sadly I do not have enough reasons to use it. </div>
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If nothing else, this thing served a purpose to get me back in the game. Next week I am visiting on of my favorite towns and in that town is a tiny little pen shop that seems to be able to leave me without any money in my pocket and I plan on going out to stock up on goodies for the blog. So, keep an eye out, I might be changing the drapes a little bit and cleaning up the site but for n ]ow, <u>you </u>can thank Robert. (and I will as well.)<br />
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Good Pens<br />
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<br />Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4763564163817639337.post-59356890128824538342013-02-10T13:15:00.002-05:002013-02-11T10:31:26.506-05:00Muji to GoSeriously. Do yourself a favor. Next time you are passing through Terminal 5 in JFK, swing by "Muji to Go" and pick up a few good pens. I don't want to say that I have purposefully flown through New York just to go pen shopping...so I won't actually say that. However, I have suddenly found myself in Terminal 5 with a itch and a twenty in my hand. Usually later...the flight attendants are wondering why I have a silly smile on my face while crazily switching pens back and forth in my journal. This is the Gel-Ink Ballpoint in 0.38. and you can buy them online for $1.25. That hurts to say. It's not fair. Good Pens like this at this price point make me want to buy handfuls of them. (I have.) <br />
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There's the goodness above. 0.38 might be my happy place when it comes to pen widths. Pens that help my handwriting better are always welcomed and this one is just right for me. There are other flavors if that's not your bag, but the skinny ones work for me.<br />
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It's a really lightweight pen- but not so much that it bothers me to write with all day. If you are saying to yourself that you do not want a pen that has a cap but you like the idea of this pen...fear not- they make a clicky version that I will post about later. <br />
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Here's a link to get some of these: http://www.muji.us/store/stationery/pen-pencils.html if you aren't lucky enough to get to NYC. I doubt you will be disappointed. I think that I have seen You've Got Mail...but I don't remember the line. Good one though.<br />
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So, if you have been on the blog lately. You will notice I have been making some small tweaks. I got rid of all the pay to click ads (Amazon and Google). They were just distracting and I was always donating the proceeds anyway. I added a Paypal donate button in case anyone wants to keep the lights on for me.<br />
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Back to shoveling. Elmo was a little nuts.<br />
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S-Good Penshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498004338881507983noreply@blogger.com9