Quickspot: quirktm

What: quirk_tm
Huh: A pencil that you can wrap around your finger.
Wait, what: You can mount a pencil to your hand to be an old school cyborg geek.
Seriously: Yup.

Everyone has had those experiences where you just really need a third hand to hold a pencil for jotting down notes while you're working on a project. This is a great solution for those times.

The quirk_tm is not meant for flat out writing or journaling, but instead is meant to be worn while working on something so that your pencil doesn't float around or you can skip the step of picking it up. From crafts to the laboratory, nearly everyone can think of a situation in their life where this would improve their efficiency.

I tried it out, and it really works. There is no sharpening either, just plug in a new point.

This is an offshoot of the ComfortStulus for the Nintendo DS, and I think it's a great idea. What do you guys think? Would you use it? I'm going to use it while sewing.

Review: Uniball Signo DX .28 Mandarin Orange and Lime Green

What: Uniball Signo DX .28
Huh: Dang good pen.
Where: http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/products_id/3133

I don't need to tell you how amazing the Signo DX line is from Uni-ball. The non-artists among us have long searched for a pen they can write with for hours at a time with, that would put down a fine line, and not muck up their paper. Pens for art are too fragile, and often the thin tips were not designed to be written with for longer than a few sentences. We thought our calls were answered with the Sliccis, but not perfectly for some. The amazing nib and look wasn't quite matched by the ergonomics. Thus, the world still searched for answers.


The Signo DX .28 will give you a steady, fine line while being able to move smoothly over your paper at natural writing angles. This was a pen crafted for the written word. The wonderful folks at JetPens sent me two of the new color line up to test out and spread the word.

There are 6 happy new shades to compliment the standard 10 colors. I picked out the Mandarin Orange and Lime Green to see some contrast in the line.


I was very impressed by each. The colors were a bright and fun take on the standard colors, while still maintaining legibility. These are not flourescent colors that are harsh on the eyes and impossible to read.

I loved both colors, and plan to pick up the rest of the set. If I had to pick between the two, which would be very hard, I would say that the mandarin orange is easier to read on a plain white page than the lime green.


Overall, great new colors to compliment an outstanding existing line-up.

Review: Quo Vadis Habana

Notebook: Habana (5 stars, your pens are going to waste if they aren't being used in this notebook)
Manufacturer: Quo Vadis
Where: The Daily Planner
WTF: A soft cover, yet hard backed, ruled journal with amazing paper.
The Habana Review Set on Flickr
A full list of features can be found on the Quo Vadis webpage

In short? If you own any fine tipped pen (.4 or less) the paper in this notebook will make them feel like whole new pens. Any disgruntlement you've had with the .18 Signos will be resolved.

I've been a fan of notebooks and fine tipped pens for a long time, but the two have never quite met eye to eye before. The fine tipped pens, particularly the .18 Signo Bits, bite into paper and make writing difficult. However, the paper in the Habana makes me want to buy the multi-pack of .18s. I wrote an entire page with a .18 pen and it was smooth the entire way. I honestly wouldn't feel a difference between the .18 and the .38 Signo Bits. I felt that I could really write for the first time with that pen.

The Frixion are also another Habana win. The Moleskine paper buckles and shreds under the Frixion eraser, but the Habana paper showed no sign of it.


The paper was also very resistant to bleed through, and worked like magic with my fountain pens. As seen here, I drew three slow strokes each on the Moleskine and Habana. (Click on the picture to see it bigger on Flickr). The thicker and smoother paper of the Habana didn't allow the ink to feather and there was absolutely NO bleed through like you can see here in my moleskine.

The cover material is soft, but reinforced. This combination produces a cover that avoids floppyness (a major negative of the giant softcover moleskine), yet still feels supple. The cover moves freely with the spine when opened, and the notebook easily stays open on its own. The pages feel smooth and solid. The ruling is up to debate, and is a matter of personal preference. Personally, I like the title area on the top and bottom, and I'm undecided about the wide ruling. The only thing missing is the ability to fold the cover backwards, but that feature is in no way a priority.

The Habana just feels better to use than any of my Moleskines. Using one is a very enjoyable tactile experience from cover to cover. You will love to use it, and you will find all of your pens will feel better to use. I've used Quo Vadis planners before, and this paper quality is something you can find in all their products. Check out their HUGE selection of planners here. I'm serious, no matter what niche type of planner you need, they have it. If they don't? Let them know at the Quo Vadis Blog.

You NEED this notebook if...

...you own pens that are .4 or below

Buy if...

...you enjoy the feel of fine paper
...you want a notebook that makes you feel good when you pull it out of your bag
...you need strong paper for erasing, or heavy inks

Don't buy if...

...you have a strange complex about title spaces
...you enjoy the cold feeling of Moleskine hard covers

The Habana is here!

Thanks to the amazing team over at the Quo Vadis Blog, I have my very own Habana notebook!

It's big, it's orange, and so far the paper is making me want to trash my Moleskines.

So, my lovely readers, what would you like to see me do to this notebook for your reading pleasure? The early tests are looking great, and I hope to have my review up in a day or two.

Give me some suggestions!