Ask HN: What stationary are you using? Moleskine notebooks are a given. But I'm struggling to find a good pen and pencil for every day use. Any suggestions? |
Ask HN: What stationary are you using? Moleskine notebooks are a given. But I'm struggling to find a good pen and pencil for every day use. Any suggestions? |
that said, i am fond of index cards and blu-tack. these go well with walls.
edit: for some reason this thread reminds me of the american psycho business card scene...
Stationery with an 'E' is for Envelopes and such
Stationary with an 'A' is when you Ain't moving much
The trolls ruin these things for the rest of us.
Question regarding your Safari -- does it carry well ? For example, can you toss it in a courier bag and tote it around safely without it leaking ink, or having some other fountain-pen-specific problem happening ?
I have also flown with it numerous times. I have the ink convertor, and I squeeze out the air (or make sure it's full of ink) before I fly, and have had no problems. I have even written with it in-flight, without issues.
I don't use pencils.
It's probably UK only, but for note pads, I use the Pukka Pad Jotta (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pukka-Pad-Notebook-Wirebound-Jotta/d... - reasonably priced, I think, but cheaper again at Costco if you're a member. Also available with squares rather than lines, albeit at higher cost). Inexpensive everyday notepad with good quality paper. Adequate construction quality. Spiral binding allows you to have it laid flat or folded back on itself.
(If you sit at a desk, and work somewhere where people won't mind if you have notepads that are purely functional, I rate these higher than Moleskines. They are cheap (but not crap), and cheap (but not crap) is good! You can't have too much notepaper.)
I use a variety of pens and pencils--my brief case usually has a substantial selection, enough to start a small writing instrument store. Lately I have been using Pentel CLICK 0.7 pencils available from Costco. They are nice for fine detail and have a substantial eraser. They have a very different feel from the iconic Blackwing 602 Palomino wooden pencils which I use for hand written drafts.
Interesting product. It's a regular moleskin, but it comes with an envelope so you can mail it in and the notebook will be scanned and put into a cloud account for you in various formats. Then the notebook will be mailed back to you. I find this to be a great way to preserve ideas and drawings.
Pencils: I'm an artist as well as developer, so I'm extremely picky about my mechanical pencils. My number one requirement is the need for a replaceable twist-up eraser. I burn through erasers like no other, so having a long eraser that you can twist up as it's depleted is a necessity.
Paper Mate Clear Point 0.5mm http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mechanical-Assorted-34666PP...
Pentel Twist-Erase III 0.5mm http://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Twist-Erase-Automatic-Assorted-...
There are pros and cons to each of these. The Twist-Erase III's are more durable and there is more friction that keeps the eraser put. The Clear Point can break if you step on it or simply wear down from use. You'll also find yourself twisting the eraser back out as it likes to twist back down over time. The main advantage of the Clear Point is that the nib retracts completely so you don't stab yourself when you put it in your pocket. I can't tell you how many times I've been stabbed by the Twist-Erase III. The quality of both of their erasers is good.
I'm very much 50/50 on these two. I will say that I won't use anything but these.
Pens: I do not use pens.
It doesn't look "fancy" but it is effectively a ballpoint pen than glides across the page. It is retractable so no caps, and it doesn't have a stupid thick stalk like some so called "premium" pens (so they're easy to hold for long durations).
Yet as much as I love these pens, they're only $12 for a box of twelve. Hardly super expensive.
I discovered them in what Americans would call "High School" and used them all throughout University and haven't stopped since. They're now my pen of choice. I have a whole draw of more expensive pens, but the G2's are the workhorse that gets it done.
PS - Yes, fountain pens glide across the page too. But I got tired of the mess/hassle.
PPS - My Parker Stainless Steel Classic is likely my favorite LOOKING pen. It is the same as the Parker Stainless Steel they still sell, but has a touch of gold leaf on the clip and cap. As much as I like the look of both the Parker Stainless Steel AND the Stainless Steel Classic, the G2 is simply better for actual writing.
Excellent choice, I get a dozen or two of black and blue each year and probably one of red. Feels great to write with, clean lines, really nice and very economical.
I have at times had various fetishes for mechanical pencils and fountain pens but that way can lie madness, so this is sort of the antidote to keep me grounded in a state of "just write it, dude, stop fussing with your tools."
A 5x8 tear-off notepad, ruled.
Postits.
A lab notebook for when it matters. It mostly doesn't.
As for paper products I just use whatever skillcraft steno pads are available.
There's also a slightly more expensive metal version: http://amzn.com/B004OHNTVC
I have both, but oddly enough I prefer the lighter weight of the cheap plastic one. Just feels more comfortable to write with for me.
Especially if you like spinning pens/pencils, the tapered tip makes it much less prone to accidental stabbing from a bad spin.
I don't use pen.
edit: http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.co.uk/ is a good resource for reviews of mechanical pencils and erasers.
I usually use a Pilot Hi-Tec-C (0.3mm) pen and a Pentel Sharp (0.9mm) mechanical pencil with a polymer block eraser.
Pad: whitelines black oceans (Lined) is really nice to write in.
Pen: Uniball Retractable Jetstream 1.0 thickness. I give them to the people I care about. I have many packs at home. I mourn when the pen runs out.
pencil: Zebra M-301, .5MM
eraser: Pentel clic eraser ZE22
paper: whatever is in front of me