Posts tagged review
I have been eyeballing the deluxe version of the Perfect Pencil for years with the aluminum cap and luminous golden pencils but a set starts at $50 but can go up to $500 for the platinum version. This Perfect Pencil, on the other hand, was purchased for $30HK (about $4US) and the set of three refills for $15HK ($2US) at LOG-ON in Hong Kong. I suspect that there’s a bit more “perfect” in those higher end versions but I was willing to take a chance for $6.
This Perfect Pencil is a fully-rounded black-on-black pencil with a pale grey stamp of the trademark and “Faber-Castell”. While I don’t normally prefer rounded pencils the matte finish makes it comfortable to hold.
The pencil came with a red plastic cap with a black grooved end that can be popped open to reveal a built-in pencil sharpener that doubles as an extender. The first thing I noticed is that the pencil and the replacements are much shorter (5”) than the average unsharpened pencil (7”-7.5”). I would consider the five inch length to be that pencil “sweet spot” when you’ve had a pencil for awhile and its been sharpened a few times so its at that perfectly balanced length. But, since this is an actually wood pencil that will require additionally sharpening, it won’t stay this length forever. The cap/sharpener can be posted on the end of the pencil like a fountain pen cap to extend the length of the pencil but I find that it throws off the balance of the pencil, at least at its current length. The cap also covers up the eraser.
The cap/extender fits snugly over the pencil and protects the point when traveling. There is a small rubber ring inside the cap to keep the cap on the pencil. I tested it and the cap/extender can be used with other non-Perfect Pencils (including hexagonals), if you’re so inclined.
I did not find any information about the hardness grade of this pencil but I would guess its around a B or HB. The higher end versions list the pencil grade as B so I suspect these are as well. The pencil really does write smoothly and the eraser on the end is adequate (which, in the world of pencils, is quite high praise).
The sharpener works well and has a visible screw so theoretically it could be replaced if it got dull though I’m not sure where proper sized blades might be found.
I wonder if the aluminum cap/extender on the higher priced versions is lighter than the plastic cap. While I find it convenient for protecting and sharpening I can’t get past how much heavier it makes the pencil. In general, I don’t find this pencil perfect but merely nice. I think the actual pencil quality could be improved. Compared with the Castell 9000 HB, the Perfect Pencil was noticeably scratchier on the same paper stock.
For a different perspective, check out Economy Pens’s review on a different version of the budget Perfect Pencil and Pencil Talk’s 9-part series on the Perfect Pencils.
The Staedtler WOPEX pencil was found because it was coated in my favorite shade of lime green. I was drawn to it across a sea of writing tools at CN Square in Hong Kong. It is about five stories of office supplies, art supplies and paper goods that would make most of my fellow readers weep with joy. Unfortunately funds and suitcase-space was getting desperately low so I had to appease my office supply lust with just the fewest of items but I could not pass this lowly little pencil without purchasing it.
For one, the surface of the pencil had a slightly rubbery texture on its hexagonal shape. The finish has a light metallic sheen. The cap end is unfinished, no paint or metal cap and clearly no eraser. Then looking more closely at the pre-sharpened point, I noticed an absence of wood grain. When I took it home and started writing with the WOPEX, I discovered that, when sharpened, it created long, tight curls of shavings. If you’ve ever wanted to sharpen a pencil and have a perfect little curl of pencil shaving, then this is the pencil for you. But what is this strange creature?
According to the Staedtler web site, the WOPEX (wood pencil extrusion) is an innovative new, natural fiber material made from wood extrusion using 70 % real wood that more efficiently utilizes wood material. Staedtler goes on to tout some of the advantages of this pencil:
- a completely solvent-free production process
- excellent lead stability and break resistance and
- higher write-out length as a comparable wood-cased pencil
I liked writing with it for the exterior texture and lightweight handling but I was not wowed by the writing quality. I missed the true wood casing for its fine cedar smell. The lead didn’t feel particularly pleasant on the paper. This pencil kept making me think of those cheap pencils I got for school standardized test-taking when I was a kid. My 12-year-old self would have loved the sparkly fairy-green pencil that I could jam a big novelty eraser on the end. But adult self though just thought, “Meh.”
Other reviews about this pencil can be found over at Scription and Pencil Talk.
I purchased this WOPEX for $4HK ($0.80US). If you’re dying yo try one, CultPens in the UK carries the WOPEX for £0.76 ($1.20US)
(This pen was tested on the Miquelrius medium flexible 300 grid paper book purchased from B+N.)
This Muji retractable gel ink pen in 0.38 purple is another in a long line of goodies I grabbed while at the Muji store in Hong Kong. It has a clear, frosted, hexagonal body and the total absence of graphics which is one of the things that make Muji such a nice antithesis to big box office supply pens. Even the clip is integrated into the overall look in the same frosted plastic. Its probably not a heavy-duty clip but enough to clip on to the front of a notebook or pocket easily. There is no cushion on the grip but it has a wider-than-usual body making it comfortable for the price. Probably not the pen to write your next novel with but would be perfectly comfortable for daily notetaking. Through the case, you get a hint of the ink color with the cap matching the ink (or at least coordinating with it).
I had never used this particular Muji pen model before and I don’t normally gravitate to retractable pens (nor purple pens) but this one is a delight to use. It glides across the paper with ease, the color is bright and rich without being too pale or too dark. Its actually a lovely violet purple color, not the pale lavender of the cap. It writes with a fine 0.38 tip and it really cannot be beat for the price. I paid $9HK which is about $1.16US. At this price, this is a pen you can leave on your desk and not be devastated if it was co-opted by a co-worker. I wish I had purchased more colors of this pen. If you’re ever near a Muji shop, I recommend seeking it out.
RECOMMENDED!
(This pen was tested on the Miquelrius medium flexible 300 grid paper book purchased from B+N.)
Quiet
While this may come as a surprise to some, to others it may not, but here it is, I am an introvert. A dyed in the wool, would rather be reading or doing something quiet, need a nap after a lunch date introvert. So I was interested in reading the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain which explores in detail the possible causes and influences of introversion, ways to encourage or overcome (at least temporarily) introverted tendencies and how introverts can be advantageous in a business world designed to be best served by extroverts, group activities, open seating and brainstorms.
I found the book very enlightening and fairly even-handed. As it was written by an introvert, the emphasis was clearly on what advantages or coping mechanisms introverts can use to survive in a world where being extroverted seems to be the preferred state. I do think that this book would be a good read for anyone who works with introverts or is raising an introverted child and since the estimate is that 1/3 to 1/2 of Americans (and Europeans) identify themselves as an introvert, that’s probably just about everyone.
Reading the book helped me to also better understand my more extroverted co-workers and how some of my tendencies may aggravate more than soothe when issues get heated. Mostly, I think books like this help me to realize that everyone behaves differently and that it is often those differences that make us great friends and great teammates.
Lamy Studio Brushed Stainless Steel with 1.1mm nib
I have been wanting to try a Lamy pen without the plastic grip guides for “proper holding” for sometime. All of the low-end Lamys (Safari, Al-Star, Joy, Vista and ABC) feature this grip which helps a lot of people but as a left-hander who overwrites, it is a pain to use. So, I decided to take a chance with the Lamy Studio line which features a smooth cylinder grip and some very classic modern looks.
Let me say right off, I was not disappointed in the look of this pen at all. Because its brushed stainless steel, its weightier than the Al-Star I’ve owned and it looks much more refined and elegant than other Lamys I’ve seen.
The cap clicks on and off with an audible click and the cap can be posted on the end with the same audible click. I found the pen a bit too heavy with the cap posted but its good to know it can be posted with no issues. I bought a 1.1mm nib with this pen in an effort to simulate the quality of my vintage Esterbrook stub nib in a modern pen and I have to say it worked out much better than I expected.
As you can see in the writing sample, there is nice line variation though the edges are a bit crisper than with my Esterbrook stub. I suspect that an experienced nib tuner could tweak a Lamy 1.1mm nib to write just like the Esterbrook Fine Stub by softening the edges just a bit. I’ll certainly look into it in the future.
With my overwriting angle, I was still able to get a variety of line variation with no issues — pushing, pulling, dragging — the pen was smooth and efficient. I used J. Herbin Vert Olive ink for my tests. One of the reasons I like the stub/calligraphic nibs is that it allows me to use some of these lighter colored inks and still have good legibility.
Even my right-handed friend Madeline who is well-recognized for her calligraphy took the pen out for a test drive with some wonderful results.
List price for the Lamy Studio is $85 and the 1.1mm nib can be purchased for about $10 more from your favorite pen retailer.
Economy Pens does a decent test drive of the Sharpie Pen and reports the results.
I sort of like that over time the logo is removed since I prefer less overt branding but are they refillable? Seems a waste if they aren’t.
(via Economy Pens)
Review: Uni Style Fit
Upon the recommendation of one of the fine readers here at Well-Appointed Desk, I purchased the Uni Style Fit, a direct competitor to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto multi-pens.
The model I purchased is a black body with white polka dots (though there were other more sedate options available) which holds five different writing tools. Oh, joy! Choices!
I chose four ink colors in 0.38mm size and the mechanical pencil in 0.5mm. The ink cartridges are avaiable in sizes from 0.28, 0.38, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0mm. There are 16 different gel color options available for the three smallest diameter pen sizes and just three at the 0.5 and 0.7mm sizes (red, blue and black), which are ballpoint ink. The mechanical pencil is only available in 0.5mm.
To load the pen body, I needed to unscrew the clear tip from the body and then press the ends of the pens into the top until snug. Through the clear tip, I can see the colors and the sizes written on the cartridge bodies. Clicking one of the white levers on the pen halfway will cause the pens to retract for easy transporting.
When organizing the pen and pencil inserts, I put the mechanical pencil on the clip so that it is easy to find. Pushing down on the clip repeatedly advances the lead as you would expect.
The pen body is fairly substantial as a result of holding five tools and completely smooth plastic on the outside which might not be comfortable or conducive for long-form writing. I favor this pen for meeting notes as the different colors allow me to embellish my notes and create call outs with the various colors. I did discover quickly that the ink flow is super smooth and requires the lightest touch to flow which is quite lovely.
In comparison to the Hi-Tec-C ink quality, I would say that the Uni Style Fit ink is silkier and less likely to dry out or jam when left unused. Alternately, the Coleto multi-pen bodies have soft rubber grips to make them more comfortable to hold for long periods of time. My favorite pen body to date in the Lumio 4-color which is very comfortable to hold and not much wider than my Kaweco fountain pens.
Overall, I quite like the Uni Style Fit. Its sturdy for a plastic pen, the inks are smooth and creamy on paper and the colors and sizes available are enough to suit just about any taste. I may try the smaller, 3-color body which might be more comfortable for me to hold though I hate to give up those extra color options.
Uni Style Fit Pen body $3.30, mechanical pen component $3, individual cartridges $1.65 each. Total investment: $12.90.
Incredibly thorough test of notebook papers and pens. The level of detail in this review puts my minor tests to shame.
(via Pens and Paper)
Review: Zig Letter Pen Cocoiro
When I initially purchased the Zig Letter Pen, I only bought the holder. I didn’t realize the cartridge was sold separately. So, after a frustrating wait with an empty pen case, I received cartridges to fill it. Oddly enough, the end of the pen projects out of the pen case in kind of a jarring way. While I like the texture of the matte-finish pen, the wonky protruding pen cartridge really disappointed me. But since I finally had cartridges, I figured I would go ahead and put it to use. Maybe it writes better than it looks?
The cartridge has a fairly fine-point, fiber brush tip. As opposed to other brush pens I prefer, the fiber tipped tend to lose their pointy-ness over time, particularly on toothy paper stock.
I tested it on some fairly smooth paper (Ecosystem blank) and what pleased me most was the richness of the black, very solid which is great for sketching and drawing. Brand new, the pen held a fairly fine point but I don’t know how well it will wear over time, the tip already looks a bit frayed.
I bought several different colors but I always seem to end up going back to black since I use brush pens mostly for work which means the art is scanned and manipulated digitally and black scans the cleanest.
In the end, for blackest black, fine point reusable brush pens, this isn’t bad. I do find the exposed end a little strange-looking though I see that it does allow you to see if there is still ink in the cartridge. Though I’m a sucker for anyone who will sell me something in acid-y lime green, this does not rank high in my pen hierarchy.
Leuchtturm 1917 Review
I found a display rack full of the Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks today at the new art supply shop in Kansas City, Artist & Craftsman Supply, and I’ve been itching to try them for sometime so I grabbed one. I chose the plain, pocket-sized book with a simple black cover ($8.10). From the outside, its almost indistinguishable from a Moleskine pocket notebook from the outside. I didn’t have a pocket-sized Moleskine handy for comparison but I grabbed my husband’s large Moleskine to compare paper and color. Based on the cover measurement, the pocket-sized Leuchtturm is listed as 0.5” taller than a comparable sized Moleskine.
Inside, the paper is a warm white but not as ivory as Moleskine’s paper. The stock itself is a bit toothier but not much heavier weight to the touch. What sets the Leuchtturm 1917 apart from the other leatherette notebooks in a similar class is the index pages in the front of the book and the page numbers printed in the bottom corner of each page to make it easier to reference notes at a later date.
The ribbon marker is black and sealed on the ends from the factory which is a big plus for me.
In writing tests, the Luechtturm paper has just enough tooth to provide some friction but not so much that is would cause ink to feather or resist.
From the reverse, not even the Pilot Envelope pen bled through. There’s a touch of show-through but with most of the pens used, its not so bad that you would be unable to use both sides of the paper.
I purchased the plain notebook first as they tend to be my favorite but I’m keen enough on the quality of this book to consider purchasing either the dot grid or the lined version soon. Office Supply Geek did a nice review of the lined version and Writer’s Bloc Blog and Gourmet Pens have some writing samples of the Dot Grid version.
For the quality and price, the Leuchtturm1917 is a much better value than Moleskine coming in several dollars cheaper with higher quality paper and a bookmark ribbon less likely to fray. It’s also available in an array of colors including white which is not particularly common in notebooks.
Other notes on the Leuchtturm:
- Acid-free, bleed proof, 80gsm paper. The Master A4 sizes contain a heavier 100gsm paper.
- Expandable pocket. All notebooks have an expandable pocket in the inside back cover. The Master A4 size notebook has a pocket that is big enough for letter size documents .
- Thread-bound for durability.
- Archival stickers for labeling
- Perforated pages, last 8 sheets are detachable
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