Review: The Zebra Sarasa

Review by Melissa:

Zebra Sarasa pens are great gel pens.  I prefer the 0.7 mm tip because it gives a smoother, more consistent line than the thinner tips.  I'm not really fond of the scratchiness of the 0.4 mm pens I own.  My current favorite color of this collection is Mahogany.  I really like brown inks, and the reddish tint adds to the uniqueness of the color.  I think it's cool that 10 pack includes colors not commonly found or seen as pen (ink) colors, such as cobalt, frost, and mahogany.  The only flaw - these 0.7 pens don't dry fast enough - at least on Clairefontaine paper - so beware of smearing!  Luckily, I didn't observe this problem with other paper, such as my Mead Cambridge notebook. 

-MLB

PICS!

This was drawn by Melissa using:

Copic Multiliner SP Black Ink 0.2 mm

Uni-ball Noble Metallic Gel Ink Pen 0.8 mm

Without a flash:

With a flash:

Reviews: Lamy Al-star, Sheaffer Calligraphy Pen, Diamine Jade Green Ink

Reviews written by Melissa:

26 April 2009

I wrote the date with the medium Sheaffer nib.  Way too thick.  Even the extra fine nib is a little thick and the ink bleeds through the paper.  So I switched to my Lamy FP with a 1.1 nib.  It writes nicer and the bleed-through is minor.  The Lamy FP is becoming a fast favorite of mine, right up there with the Pilot Plumix.  I switched the EF nib to the slightly thicker 1.1 mm nib, and that has made all the difference in the world.  For a thicker barrel pen, the thicker nib is key.  It makes my writing experience better, and it provides a smoother line.  For thinner barrel pens, like the Pilot Cavalier Pen, the EF nib works better.  It just makes more sense to me.

23 May 2009

Jade Green (Diamine) written with a Kaweco Sport FP.  Nice, light green.  Reminds me of a sunny, spring day.  Good saturation.  Consisten, smooth lines.  Would definitely consider using this more often and purchasing a bottle.  On this Clairefontaine paper there is minor bleed-through.  On other paper, such as my Clairefontaine GraficFlow Hard cover Journal, there is no bleed-through.  I love this color.  It makes me happy.  =)

This last picture was written with a Kaweco Sport fountain pen with Diamine Jade Green ink.  We had gotten the Jade Green in a sample pack of a few different kinds of inks from Pear Tree Pen Company.  The sample packs are really a great (and cheap!) way to sample different brands and colors of inks.  It's so tough to get an accurate picture of the color of an ink on your monitor.  There's so many different variables as to the "true" color of an ink like how the picture was scanned in, your monitor color settings, things like that.  So it's definitely a great way to get just enough to try out on your own.  (This is where that glass pen comes in handy!  Just dip it into the sample, try it out on your Clairefontaine, and wash the color off to try the next color.  Works great!)

She used a Kaweco pen that was converted into an eye-dropper fountain pen.  For those that don't know this pretty cool technique, you basically eliminate the need for any kind of cartridge or converter.  You can fill up and use any ink in your pen relatively quickly without the hassle of a converter.  Writer's Bloc has a great write-up of how this is done here:

http://blog.shopwritersbloc.com/fountain_pens/pen_modification_convert_into_1.html

Most of your fountain pens can be converted into an eye-dropper pen, but, unfortunately, pens that have holes in the barrels, like my Lamy Al-star, can't be made into an eye-dropper pen.

Good Pens also has a great post about converting his Pilot Preppy FP into an eye-dropper:

http://goodpens.blogspot.com/2009/06/preppy-cartridge-fountain-pen-converted.html

And here's one from nrepose about using Noodler's Blue Ghost in a converted Preppy:

http://unpostednrepose.blogspot.com/2009/05/blue-ghost.html

Here's an example of the glass pen in use.  We received the ink sampler from Pear Tree Pens which included Noodler's Apache Sunset, Diamine Woodland Green, Diamine Maroon, and Diamine Quartz Black.  Sampling the inks with the glass pen took a matter of minutes.  Instead of worrying if your fountain pen is dry enough to put in your next ink, you can easily wash the color off the glass pen and use the next color.  

Fun with Calligraphy

I thought I'd post some pics of some pretty cool calligraphy.  The handwriting and calligraphy was done by my super-talented girlfriend, Melissa.  She used a Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen with a 1.5 mm nib.

A Few Pics...

Just a few of my favorite pens =).

Here's a close up of the Pilot Ageless Ballpoint (top) and the Pilot Timeline Gel ink (bottom).

J. Herbin Glass Pen

I recently got a black tinted J. Herbin Straight Body Frosted Glass Pen from Jetpens.

Upon first dip, the ink is applied rather heavy.  However, after writing a few sentences, the pen finds its groove.  Being a lefty, I've always had issues with smudging and smearing.  Because so much ink is applied at once, it takes a while to dry.  If you are a lefty and prone to smearing your inks, I'd recommend a quick drying ink to minimize smudging.

Certainly not a fine tip.  Produces a thick line.  If I had to guess, I'd say somewhere in the 0.5-0.7mm range, but probably closer to 0.7mm.  This might be remedied by writing faster as it gives less time for the ink to flow to one spot.

The idea of a pen made solely out of glass is a little foreign to me.  We're brought up to believe (that is, ingrained in our heads) that a pen is made from plastic and contains a cartridge of ink within its body.

The style of writing harkens back to simpler times; simpler in many respects and perhaps pens are symbolic of that.  We live in a time where the more complex the devices and the more technology it has, the better.  We assume it will perform because of the complexity and amount of technology.  If it doesn't have more than 10 moving parts, it must not perform well, because, heck, where is the technology?  We want something to brush our hair, order shoes online, drive our cars, all while cooking our breakfast.  

The glass pen is a refreshing reprieve from this madness.  It's really as simple as you can get.  No moving parts, no flashing lights, no fancy touch screens.  Just pen and ink.

Where the pen really shines is in showcasing the idiosyncracies of the ink itself, instead of the pen's characteristics overshadowing the writing experience.  To really get the full effect, I think it would be best to use multiple inks with the glass pen.  Ink can be washed off very easily from the tip of the glass pen.  This allows use of multiple types of inks and allows for direct comparisons of the inks side-by-side.  For instance, my girlfriend and I have been experimenting with the Noodler's Ink Mixing Kit and trying to come up with some cool, homemade colors.  (I'll most definitely have a post about that sometime soon.)  We've definitely noticed that when the ink is in the vial, it can look drastically different than when the ink meets the paper.  The glass pen is the perfect tool in seeing how the ink flows and how it looks on paper.  If we want to add a few drops of a certain color, the ink on the glass pen is easily rinsed off and the newly mixed ink freshly applied.

In short, the glass pen is the most intimate interaction between writer, pen, ink, and pad.  In my opinion, writing in its purest, original form.

Of course, it's not the most ideal pen for quick note taking in class, for example.  But, nonetheless, even if you don't use it that often, it's a great piece of artwork.

The box that the pen comes in, however, hardly does the workmanship justice.  I received a pen stand that was custom made for the glass pens courtesy of Zero_dgz from the Jetpens.com forums.  This pen stand is the absolute perfect way to showcase the glass pen.  The stand is displayed on my workspace and I've certainly gotten a few interesting looks and inquiries about the glass pen from passersby.  Zero_dgz does great work, thank you!!

Ageless vs. Timeline

Today I wanted to talk about the ballpoint Pilot Ageless Medium Point and the gel ink Pilot Timeline 0.5 mm.  These two pens available from Jetpens have quite a unique tip-extending mechanism and are two of the coolest looking pens I own.  One twist of the translucent end extends the nose and another twist extends the point from the nose.  Definitely a line of pens that turns pen tips as well as heads.

Both pens are certainly a pleasure to use.  However, they each have their own qualities and it really comes down to a personal preference as to which one you'll enjoy more.  There aren't any fancy gel comfort grips on these pens, but the shape of the tinted part of the barrel is ergonomic enough to feel quite comfortable in your hand.

The difference between the two becomes apparent with the first few words you write.  The Ageless line is thick and muddled while the Timeline's line is crisp and clean.  Surprisingly, the Ageless is remarkably smooth for a ballpoint.  I rarely pick up ballpoints anymore - I just prefer a smoother write - but for some reason the Ageless is something entirely different than what I've come to expect from ballpoints.  Now, don't get me wrong, certainly I'm not saying the gel ink Timeline pens aren't smooth.  I'd say the smoothness of the gel ink Timeline is comparable, if not slightly better than, the liquid ink Ohto Fine Ceramic Rollerball 0.5 mm pen - and that's one of my favorites.  All I'm saying is that the Ageless might change your opinions of ballpoints.

From a purely aesthetic perspective both these pens look absolutely cool.  From the innovative twist mechanism to the sleek, futuristic design, these pens will surely turn some heads when you use it.

If you had to get just one, which one would you get?  It's an excellent question and it really comes down to personal preference, in my opinion.  Does your work require more precision in your lines?  Can you sacrifice a little precision in your lines to get a super smooth flow?  Do you detest ballpoints no matter what?  It's hard to argue for the Timeline with a $45 price tag - you might be inclined to say there are slightly better gel ink pens for a cheaper price - but, boy, if you like gel ink pens, I think these are some of the coolest out there.  (My advice?  Get both... =P)

Stay tuned for pictures =) ....