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.

Quickspot: Faber-Castell Art Grip color pencil

What: Faber-Castell Art Grip colored pencil-yellow

This pencil is advertised to have one of the best grips around. I was a little unsure because it just looks like paint on the barrel, but once I started messing with it, I was impressed. The dots provide traction to your fingers, and the overall spread offers a grip for any position.

The color was smooth and easily blended when I did a gradient, and it seemed like the Habana paper wanted to 'suck' the color right up. I had to write the review in a darker color because, well, the pencil is yellow.

Overall, I'm no artist but I loved testing out this pencil.

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 "My Weekends" notebook

What: The "My Weekends" notebook in the Memoriae line by Quo Vadis

The Quo Vadis Memoriae line of notebooks are perfect for keeping track of important events, fun times, places to go, and people. The Memoriae notebooks come in a 12 incarnations, and even sport their own website for sharing your entries with others.

The lovely folks at Quo Vadis sent me one of the "My Weekends" notebooks to sample, which was perfect! I'm in a long distance relationship, so my weekends are really important to me. After using it for the past few weeks, I can say that I will continue to use it until it is filled.


The main chunk of the notebook has blanks for writing about your weekend activities. I love that the blanks are open to interpretation. Since there are no labels, you can easily customize your own entry system. I'm still playing with my own system, but I'm enjoying the flexibility.


The back section offers a place to index important places, or locations. Again, the formatting is flexible so you can come up with whatever labeling system you wish. Here is an example of how I've done mine.


The last bit of the notebook is a place for you to write in lists of people, places, events, etc.

Pros:
Offers structured formatting that can be customized to fit whatever you can think of.
Great paper, no feathering with my fountain pen.
Great size. Just larger than a small size Moleskine, so it fits perfectly in my purse.
Lots of options as far as what notebook you get. With 12 different themed journals, you're sure to find something that fits well with your life.

Cons:
A little difficult to find right now. Check out this post to see find out how to get one.

Best mail day ever

I love getting the mail. Don't you? It's exciting to see treasures from the outside world. This perspective may be a little skewed because I'm living at home taking care of a family member, but I'm serious. Getting the mail is the highlight of my day.

This has got to be the best mail day ever! First, I get my September issue of the Pencil of the Month Club, and I also get an amazing new notebook sample from Exaclair (readas: Quo Vadis)!

I'm working on reviews of them all, in the meantime, check out my photostream on Flickr to see the newest pics.

Pen and Notebook world tour!

What are your favorite places to find pens and notebooks?

I'm sure that everyone here has been, if not shopped at, Jetpens or The Daily Planner. Shopping online is nice for for obvious reasons, but there is nothing like going into a shop and actually looking around.

Some of my favorite discoveries have been from just poking around places like Greer, Paper Source, and particularly Paper Boy.

I'm currently planning a trip to Pendemonium in the next few weeks, and it got me thinking. What would be the pen and notebook world tour look like?

What are your favorite places? Shoot me links, link me pics, and let's create a comprehensive list of the best pen and notebook stores around the country.

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