The Art of Inscription

Various reviews of pencils can be found on here. I try to give objective reviews. Check back often.

[ink-pens]

Fountain Pen Inks Infographic From Pen Chalet

They offer a 10% discount to the followers of this page. Use the coupon code INKPENS when purchasing from Pen Chalet.

[ascriabin]

On the Hiatus

I've recently been occupied with my studies. However, reviews of the following pieces are lined up for posting:

Zebra Push Clip Gel Pen, 0.4, Black-Blue

Pilot Frixion, 0.5 Blue

Enjoy the reviews when they appear. 

[wittacism241253-deactivated2016]

It’s essay writing season for tons of students!

After being a college writing tutor for over a year, I thought I would share my advice with all you awesome people on tumblr. This is how I write essays, but if you’ve got more tips, feel free to add them below. 

Happy writing. You can do it!

[deactivated-blog]

[Tutor mode]

[apihtawikosisan-deactivated2014]

I had to figure all this out for myself. This is now pretty much how I teach essay writing to students.

[le-petite-lili]

I love fountain pens

[patrickdiomedes]

*drools*

[circadius-blog]

These guys made the line this year.

Pentel Graphgear 1000, 0.5 Jetstream Sport, 1.0 Lamy Safari, Charcoal Black, Extra fine nib. Hi-Lighter Highlighter. Pentel Clic Eraser Uni Alpha Gel Kuru Toga, 0.5

Kokuyo Pencil Case (stand thing…???)

[ascriabin]

My pencil case this year is glorious.

[redscharlach]

Fountain Pens That Look Like Tom Hiddleston. Because a Guardian film review described Tom as “tall, thin, blue-suited and looking somewhat like a fountain pen" and I decided to run with it…

[penguinsandpaper]

The top right comparison to the Sheaffer is perfect.

[ascriabin]

Finally something fandom and stationery related.

[ascriabin]

Pencil Review: Pentel Graph 600

In short:

Weighing in as a moderately light pencil, even lighter than the graphgear 500, the Graph line of pencils is the precursor to the graphgear line. However, despite this, the graph line is no less competent than the graphgear line. I would argue that the Graph 600 is an excellent purchase. It can be found online for about $10, although I bought the one I'm reviewing from singapore for about $7 USD.

In depth: 

The top of the pencil features the lead cap, with a '.5' sticker on the very top [or a .3/.7 sticker, whatever you chose]. The cap is also a lead indicator, which goes from 3H to B. The cap itself comes off with relative ease, revealing a second lead cap and a trademark drafting pencil eraser.

Below that is the metal clip, which isn't very fancy. It's quite normal. The clip therefore has a tendency to bend slightly if misused.

The words "graph 600, pg605 pentel 0.[3/5/7]" appear to be printed on the plastic body of the pencil, leading down to the grip, which is metal. The grip is where the magic happens, in my opinion.

Most grips have what's called a beveled, or crosshatch grip. The Graphgear 1000 features this, and some plastic dots on it, but if you focus just on the metal part of the grip, you can definitely see a crossing pattern going on. This is the preferred grip, as it provides a good deal of grip and control over the pencil. 

The graph 600 lacks this, and instead ops for one with various lines going down the grip, which still affords some control.

But for somebody who isn't doing many technical drawings, a crosshatch grip isn't even needed. The grip on the graph 600 is comfortable enough that it can be used for extended periods of time by most people and still afford both a good level of control, and comfort.

This also happens to be what sets this pencil apart from the graphgear 500, to which the graph 600 is often compared. The graphgear 500 has a beveled grip like the graphgear 1000, and has all the same features as the graph 600. However, the weight distribution between the graph 600 and graphgear 500 are slightly different. The graph 600's weight distribution works perfectly for very many activities, whereas the graphgear 500 attempts to mimic his older cousin by being heavier in general. In a world where draughtsmen are moving toward technology, this has become an outdated technique. As for the lead sleeve, the graph 600 has a fairly standard one, and has very minimal 'lead play' (movement of the lead within the lead sleeve). 

Overall: The Pentel Graph 600 is an excellent buy. Where the graphgear 500 affords a good writing experience for slightly cheaper, go the distance and buy a graph 600. This is a much more multi-purpose pencil, and on top of that, it comes in pretty colors, whereas the graphgear 500 has one color per size. 

You won't regret purchasing this one. Just remember: Dirt Furtively Taints, Belying Aptitude. 

Pictures

[ascriabin]

Pen Review: Jetstream Color

In short: The Jetstream Color's body is a palette change of the Jetstream Sport model, and is really no different than the rest of its kin. That being said, the Jetstream line is still reliable, and this pen is no different. 

Don't pay any more than $2.00 for this one.

In depth: This pen is generic in design for a Uni-ball pen. It's a run-of-the-mill retractable pen exterior-wise, with a white stripe and white 'JETSTREAM' text highlighting the translucent upper-mid section of the pen. The grip is an average rubbery-grip which can be found on most pens anyway. 

As for writing with this pen, this pen can be compared to others like the Papermate Inkjoy series. The whole goal is smoothness. This is generally difficult to achieve with a thinner-point pen, but the Jetstream Color manages to accomplish...some degree of smoothness. One quality that the Jetstream line seems to exhibit is the boldness in color compared to other ballpoint pens. The blue of this pen stands out compared to cheaper blue pens [except gel pens, which are designed to have the boldest of the bold colors].  Overall: Paying a Uni-price like anywhere upwards of $3 is daylight robbery. This pen is reliable, but it's not fancy enough to warrant a large pricetag. Still, if you need a good, smooth, and thin-enough blue pen, then the Jetstream Color line may be the one for you. 

[ascriabin]

Hiatus Reasons and new material coming soon...

I had been in Singapore for the past week and a half.

Those among my readers who know even the slightest bit of geography will know that Singapore is a south east Asian country. Asian. You know what that means...

....Asian stationery. I have obtained the following pieces:

Uni Jetstream Color 0.5 Uni Jetstream Sport 1.0 Uni Alpha Gel Kuru Toga 0.5 (already reviewed on this site) Pentel Graph 600, 0.5 and 0.7 Uni Signo DX, 0.38 x 5 Zebra Sarasa 0.4. Along with what I always say I'm GOING to review, I'm going to review most of the pieces above. Be prepared.

[ascriabin]

Uh oh.

So it seems like I've accidentally been reblogging here instead of the other tumblr...which is something I'll be fixing promptly. By the time you read this, it may already be fixed. I bought a JetStream 3-in-1 today, made by UniBall, which I will be reviewing.

[ascriabin]

Lamy Safari Review

Lamy Safari Review

In short: The Lamy Safari is a famous fountain pen which is most famous for not only its quality and smoothness of writing, but its price tag. In a realm of pricetags upwards of $50, the Lamy Safari provides a smooth writing experience at the pricetag of around $30, plus about $5 for the converter, which lets you use bottled ink.

In depth: The pen has great balance in the hand, strangely enough, WITHOUT the cap. Adding the cap is for those with LARGE HANDS. Even if you think you have large hands as a result of playing a musical instrument, the pen really feels better without the cap.

From the top down, the cap adds a lot of weight, and the clip looks to be of some metal. It scratches moderately easily, so it MIGHT be aluminum, but that’s just a guess.

The top of the body has “LAMY” embossed into it. The rest of the matte black body has a window for viewing ink in the cartridge, and the bottom component has a “grip” carved out, which may interfere with writing if you don’t have a traditional grip (as opposed to matched grip. Har har har). The extra fine nib is darker than what you’d expect, so staining isn’t as large of a problem because it doesn’t really show up as obviously.

Writing is a joy with this pen.  Unfortunately, it won’t be if you REALLY expected an extra-fine nib.

Most European and Americans disagree with the Japanese on “fine vs. bold.” If you look at most Asian brands, “fine” is somewhere around 0.5mm (for most normal pens,) and “extra fine” is somewhere around 0.3. However, Europeans and Americans believe that “fine” is somewhere around 0.7 mm, and that “extra fine” is around 0.5, leaving 0.3 to be part of that ultra-rare “ultra-fine” sizing.

Therefore, the Lamy Safari, made in Germany, will not have the finest point, but then again, it IS a fountain pen.

Overall: If you’re looking for a delightful writing experience, STRONGLY CONSIDER investing in a Lamy Safari! If you are a calligrapher, DEFINITELY consider this pen. I myself am not a calligrapher, but many of my “associates” have assured me that this pen is definitely a keeper in anyone’s collection.

Have fun, and remember: Dull Fine-Tips Bleed Annoyingly.

Pictures

[ascriabin]

Coming soon...

The following will definitely be reviewed. Pieces are listed with gradually decreasing priority...

Lamy Safari (Courtesy of a friend: Natalie Brdlik)

Pilot Precise V5 Set

Papermate Syncro

Jetstream 0.5, Black

[ascriabin]

An explanation for the hiatus....

I'm taking these classes called "Advance Placement" or AP classes at my school, and we're having the AP tests right now until May 17th. However, do expect the Pilot V5 Review to come out shortly after that.

[omoionline]

Nakabayashi Recycled B5

Plain, unbranded, begging for a personal touch (or none at all), and with a soft gray 7mm rule. Mmmm, dreamy…

at Zakka Shop

[ascriabin]

Pen Review: Platinum Preppy

Fountain pens have removed themselves from the mainstream of writing utensils, but on the other hand, there’s still a portion of people out there who continue to appreciate fountain pens.

Fountain pens are rather expensive, but many disposable fountain pens have become prominent in this niche writing instrument market. In the world of fountain pens, $30 is the average for a Lamy Safari, but the following review is for the Platinum Preppy disposable fountain pen, which sells for around $4. Below is my review of a friend’s Platinum Preppy [belonging to Eric Yu]. Without further ado, let's get to the review!

In short: The platinum preppy is a moderately good introduction to the fountain pen world. Since it’s disposable you won’t truly get a complete experience, but the price makes the pen more worth it.

In depth: The fountain pen has a cap, which can be placed on the back of the clear body. The body has ‘preppy (03)’ written on it [along with some Japanese which I cannot read].

The nib is an extra fine nib, although it doesn’t really write like one, it seems… The ink line is rather thick, and the black ink bleeds through the other side of my graph paper [albeit it’s Staples store-brand, so that might have presented problems]. The writing, however, due to this thick line, is rather smooth – as is the case with almost all broad-lined writing instruments. With broader lines, ink skipping also becomes a slightly less prominent problem.

My only qualm with the pen is that the pen’s clear body makes any ink leakage reflect badly on the look of the pen – when buying fountain pens, make sure not to buy one with a clear body, or at least make sure the nib’s region isn’t clear.

Overall: For $4, the Platinum Preppy writes rather well, and is a reliable pen which can serve well as person’s first fountain pen – although prospective fountain-pen users will definitely want to switch over to the true fountain pen [one not meant to be thrown away].  Don’t be thrown off by the thickness of the ‘extra fine nib.’

Picture 1

Picture 2

[ascriabin]

Pencil Review: Rotring 500

Rotring 500, Black, 0.5 Pencil Lead Diameter

The Rotring 500 is part of Rotring’s line of drafting pencils, and appears to be designed as a ‘younger sibling’ to the Rotring 600. Bear in mind that the Rotring 600 is widely considered the holy grail of mechanical pencils. The 500 has a tough reputation to follow.

Can be purchased for about $17.

In short: The Rotring 500 serves its purpose relatively well as a mechanical pencil with a comfortable weight distribution near the grip of the pencil However for the price at which it’s being sold, there are other competitive models which should first be considered.

In depth: From the top down, the Rotring 500 has a typical, tiny drafting pencil eraser, housed in a plastic cap. Just below is a lead indicator with a metal shell around it. The lead indicator doesn’t swing around, nor does it get stuck, so the lead indicator is a plus. It goes from 2H to 2B. There is a metal clip just below that, which appears to be movable, but it doesn’t seem easy to move. The word ‘Rotring’ is embossed within the clip.

The plastic body has the red words ‘Rotring 500, 0.5 mm’ on it – other than that, there don’t appear to be any particularly special features.

The grip is a standard knurled drafting pencil grip, and is made out of metal. It leads down to the 4 mm lead shaft, where the lead is dispensed. However, users should be wary with the entire Rotring line [minus the 800] – the structure of the pencil appears to give the tip a little more shaky structure. The lead does not actually move within the lead sleeve, but the lead sleeve isn’t supported well by the rest of the tip of the pencil, therefore one should be very careful not to drop this pencil.

Overall: I would say that the Rotring 500 is a reliable pencil, with no bells ‘n’ whistles minus the lead indicator.

In terms of other options, I would first consider the weight of the pencil. In drafting pencils, weight is the primary factor, so before you go ahead and buy the 500, make sure you know exactly what you want. A heavier pencil at the same price: Graphgear 1000 [also reviewed on this website]. Both pencils are great, but the Graphgear is slightly more comfortable to use, and is moderately heavier in comparison.

Picture 1

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[ascriabin]

Things that will be posted soon...

Just ignore the last post.

The review for the Rotring 500 (.5) will be uploaded tonight, as well as a review for the Preppy disposable fountain pen (.3)

The Syncro maybe reviewed in the future, but the Rilakkuma Kuru-Toga has been cancelled [in fact, I won't review the Kuru-Toga due to my lack of one, and the person with whom I originally intended on borrowing the Kuru-Toga from has more or less declined from allowing me to borrow until further notice.