Notebook Review: Say Nice Things "Flipflop"

August 23, 2017

UK stationery company Say Nice Things has expanded their product line over the past year. Back in January, I reviewed their "Curtis" and "Cadence" notebooks and journals, and in the meantime they've released pencils and a smaller pocket-ish notebook, the FlipFlop.

The Flipflop, a new "reversible" A6 notebook, is so far my favorite. While some might characterize it as a "pocket notebook," the Flipflop's slightly larger size distinguishes it from your typical Field Notes or Write Notepads 3.5" x 5.5" book. For those unfamiliar with notebook size designations, A6 is the same size as the Hobonichi Planner, and I've been tucking one of these notebooks into the back of my Hobonichi cover as a way to add some extra blank paper.

I tested the paper with a medium nib fountain pen and Robert Oster ink, and experienced no bleedthrough or feathering. That makes the paper more than good enough for my daily use, at least as far as pocket notebooks are concerned.

The Flipflop features a sturdy kraft paper cover and fairly minimal design, which likely helps keep the pricing at attractive levels. Each notebook in the three-pack features a different color cover and matching stitched binding, along with cream-colored, 90gsm paper that has a pleasant tooth to it. The main selling point of this notebook, however, is the ability to "flip" it over - one-half of the book contains lined paper, and the other half reticle grid. You just rotate the notebook to change rulings. Ever wanted a two-subject or multi-section pocket notebook? Well, now you have an option!

The center of the book, with lined ruling on the left, and reticle grid on the right. You "flip" the notebook, depending on which type of paper you want to use. The Say Nice Things Logo should appear at the bottom of the page.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

There's a lot to like about the Flipflop: the paper holds up quite well to fountain pen ink, especially for a pocket notebook, and I can appreciate the versatility of having two kinds of rulings. I'm not sure how much I would use the "reversible" feature, but if you organize your notebooks by subject matter or use different rulings for different purposes, this would make it easier to keep a multi-subject or multi-section notebook. Note that due to the larger size A6 size, the Flipflop will not fit most "pocket notebook" size cases or covers, such as the Bellroy leather notebook covers or the Field Notes "Everyday Inspiration."

You can purchase the Flipflop notebooks directly from the Say Nice Things website, for £6.99 (or roughly $9 US) for a three-pack, or £2.99 for a single notebook (roughly $4 US). The three-pack is obviously the better value, though international shipping outside the UK is apparently calculated on a case-by-case basis and will almost certainly increase cost. I hope Say Nice Things finds a way to make these notebooks available through U.S. retail channels.

Disclaimer: Say Nice Things sent me these notebooks free of charge for review purposes, and also sponsors this website. Many thanks to Andy and the team for making this review possible. This post contains affiliate links.

New Product Alert: Introducing the Benu Pens Supreme Collection

August 21, 2017

Just in time for today's total solar eclipse (in Nashville, at least), Benu Pens is running an Indiegogo project to launch their new "Supreme" collection. One of the designs they sent me is the aptly named "Nebula" pen. I'll be inking this one up and using it at work today, assuming (1) I can actually get to work with all the eclipse-watchers on the road, and (2) the traffic doesn't kill me on the way in. While I've previously reviewed Benu's "Minima" and "Essence" collections, the new Supreme has a completely different feel. The Supreme has a clip, for one thing, and the tapered barrel should also allow you to post the cap, though it's a rather long pen to use posted.

The designs and colors on the Supreme Nebula pens (far left and far right) are gorgeous. Pictured center is the new Bird of Paradise pen from the Essence collection, available for purchase now on the Benu Pens website.

Check Out Benu Pens on Indiegogo

The Benu Supreme is currently available through crowdfunding site Indiegogo. Prices range from $98 for a solid color pen to $180 for the "Nebula" designs. The pricing is higher than Benu's regular collection, probably reflecting the increased cost of the "Nebula" material. The project closes on September 10, 2017. Per Indiegogo, it has a "flexible funding" goal, so if the project doesn't reach its $10,000 target, Benu will still receive all amounts raised.

Disclaimer: Benu sent me these pens free of charge for purposes of this post. Many thanks to Kate and the rest of the team!

Pen Review: ystudio Portable Fountain Pens

August 19, 2017

I won't lie - at times I've started to get a bit bored with the pen scene over the past year. While there certainly have been bursts of inspiration, occasionally I want to see something more than just the latest color Pelikan in the special edition M800 series, or another "minimalist" metal pen on Kickstarter that more or less looks the same as another one released the previous year. That's why Taiwanese manufacturer ystudio is a great addition to the market, and I'm glad to see more U.S. retailers like Vanness stocking their pens.

The ystudio Portable "Classic," left, and the "Brassing" in its wood carry case, right.

Design and Build

Ystudio combines contemporary Taiwanese design with traditional craftsmanship. The company has designed and manufactured these pens with a striking attention to detail. Like Kanilea Pen Co. (and Nakaya), each Ystudio portable pen arrives packed in an attractive wooden box that you can reuse for other purposes.

“Made by the local factories in Taiwan, each of the stationery from ystudio is manufactured by the scorching heat of one thousand degrees in furnace, and characterized by the masters’ hands with decades of experience. Although the stationery carried a little bit weight and some rust on it which reflects that the products are absolutely honest and durable just like the people who live in Taiwan.”

— "About yStudio"

The pens themselves are some of the best brass and copper fountain pens that I've used, from both a design and functionality perspective. While I enjoy my Kaweco Brass Sport and Supra, neither pen pushes the envelope on design or really seeks to do anything different other than offer an existing pen model in a new material and/or size. Here, I enjoy ystudio's unique hexagonal barrel, and have probably drawn a bit too much satisfaction from playing with the cap, which opens and closes with a loud snap, in meetings.

(Editor's Note: Per the comments below, I've made a correction. Upon further review, I don't believe the cap is actually magnetic, though it does pop on and off with a very firm snap/click. The tolerances are very tight.)

The ystudio Portable Fountain Pens fresh out of the box.  Note the lack of a patina on the copper pen in this photo. Stay tuned. — The ystudio Portable Fountain Pens fresh out of the box. Note the lack of a patina on the copper pen in this photo. Stay tuned.

The ystudio Portable Fountain Pen comes in two models: "Classic" copper and "Brassing." Both share the same hexagonal design, with a metal cap and a hole through which you can run a black or brown leather cord (both options included). Each pen also comes with a separate wooden "carry box," which is actually a wooden tube with a slit in the top through which you can fit the "tab" on the Portable's cap and secure with the leather cord, forming a more secure pen case for travel and rougher daily carry (especially if you worry that the cap will pop off).

Now look at that patina, approximately one month later!

As you may have read elsewhere, all ystudio "Brassing" pens arrives with a sheet of fine grit sandpaper that you can use to remove the black coating from your brass pen and create unique "wear patterns," per your preference. Though this is a major selling point of the "Brassing" design, I've decided not to sand off any of the coating because I like the look of the pen as-is, and would rather allow the lacquer to wear off naturally. It will probably take some time. While I've accumulated a few micro-scratches here and there, this black coating was thickly applied.

Branding is minimal, and limited to the small ystudio logo towards the back of each pen. I love how the brass just barely shows through the black lacquer on the edges of the "Brassing" pen.

Nib and Writing Experience

You can't post the ystudio Portable, so it ends up being a shorter fountain pen. In general, I like my metal pens to be a bit shorter than your traditional full-size fountain pen, since the shorter length offsets the heavier weight and creates better balance. These pens are a viable option for pocket carry and jotting down short notes in a pocket notebook when I'm out running around. Though I usually don't like to carry a fountain pen in my pocket, I've ventured outside my comfort zone a bit with the ystudios and have enjoyed the experience. So far, the cap has stayed put, with no pocket inksplosions.

Ystudio uses No. 5 stainless steel Schmidt nibs - smooth and reliable but somewhat unremarkable. Currently, only fine and medium nib sizes are available. Both pens featured here are mediums, and they write on the narrower side of that designation. Some have criticized ystudio for using "generic" Schmidt nibs on a pen at this price point, but I feel that faulting the company for this choice is a bit off-base. Pen makers have limited third-party sourcing options to begin with, and Schmidt nibs are as good as any. To expect a company to launch their first fountain pen with a house-made nib is not only unrealistic from a logistical perspective, but it would drive the price of the pen up to a point where an company with no previous track record would have a hard time gaining a foothold in the market, not to mention nightmarish quality control issues. Here, ystudio's focus has plainly been on creating a line of well-made, functional writing instruments with a unique aesthetic, for that purpose the Schmidt nib works fine.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I've enjoyed using the ystudio Portable fountain pens over the past month or so, and they've become a regular addition to my daily writing kit. I appreciate them both as pens and as design objects that have attracted quite a bit of attention on my desk at work, and I can see myself carrying these pens long after this review is complete.

That said, there needs to be some discussion of the price. At $160, these pens aren't inexpensive. My initial impression - probably colored by commentary I've read elsewhere - was that the price point is too high, but after thinking it through I'm not so sure. In light of the craftsmanship and what you're getting in the overall package (stained wood boxes, leather cords, brass beads, etc.), this pricing doesn't seem excessive and lines up with Kaweco's pricing on its brass pens. (The Kaweco Brass Sport sells for $100, the Kaweco Brass Special for $130, and the Kaweco Supra for $140.) Copper pens are generally more expensive than brass, and the process of applying the black lacquer to the "Brassing" model justifies a small premium as well.

You can purchase the ystudio Portable Fountain Pens from Vanness Pens, currently available in both the "Classic" copper and the black "Brassing" models. Vanness carries the full range of ystudio products, including not only the Portable Fountain Pens but also the ystudio "Classic" copper and black "Brassing" Desk Pens and ballpoints and mechanical pencils. Many thanks to Lisa and Mike at Vanness for making this review possible.

Disclaimer: Vanness Pens sent me these two ystudio Portable Fountain Pens free of charge for review purposes.

Notebook Review: The Weskin Notebook from Bookblock

August 16, 2017

Last year I received a customized Monsieur notebook for review from Bookblock, to promote their "Bookblock Original" line of custom notebooks. Several weeks ago, Bookblock reached out again to let me know that they will launch a line of "standard" stationery products this fall, starting with the new "Weskin" notebook. They were kind enough to send me two Weskins to review here.

The Weskin is a softcover, clothbound A5 notebook that features two ribbon bookmarks and 192 pages of 90gsm lined ivory paper. I love the look of these notebooks. Mine arrived in yellow and navy blue (there's also a gray option available), and I couldn't be happier with the colors. I enjoy bright yellows, and both the yellow and the navy complement the gilt-edged paper quite well. They seem sturdy and lay flat. Which brings me to the paper....

Each Weskin notebook has two ribbon bookmarks and gilt edging. The gilding makes that satisfying "cracking" sound when you open the notebook for the first time.

The paper isn't bad, and has a nice texture, but I was a bit disappointed to see that it bled through with fountain pens, my preferred writing tool. Fine and extra-fine nibs don't necessarily leave the the page unusable on the flip side, but I generally don't like to have to think about whether the writing instrument I'm using will "work" with my current notebook. With the Weskin, I'd probably have to limit myself to using pencils, ballpoints, and rollerballs. These two notebooks will likely go to my wife, who's a die-hard rollerball fan, loves gilt edges, and will make good use of them!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Congratulations to Bookblock for putting together what looks to be a quality notebook, with good paper that I wish was a touch more fountain pen friendly. At some point, I hope that Bookblock does for the Weskin what Baron Fig did for the Confidant and up the paper weight slightly to allow us fountain pen users more versatility. I know that some of Bookblock's custom notebooks offer the option of choosing slightly heavier paper, so perhaps that option will be available with the Weskin once it launches? I'd also love to see a dot grid or graph version.

You should be able to purchase these Weskin notebooks directly through Bookblock's online store sometime this fall, and I've also seen the Weskin advertised for pre-order on Amazon, and even at Barnes & Noble. It appears as though Bookblock is planning on making a broader marketing push with this notebook, rather than just selling through their own site and specialty stationery stores. It's always nice to see a notebook of this quality with wide distribution.

Disclaimer: Bookblock sent me these two notebooks free of charge for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links.

Pen Review: Taccia Spectrum

August 12, 2017

Many smaller pen brands perennially get lost in the noise and excitement surrounding new product announcements from well-established companies such as Sailor, Pilot, Aurora, etc. To me, Taccia is a perfect example. Taccia has released and hyped some odd pens in the past, that appeal to more of a niche customer than the wider market (the Taccia Savanna, anyone?). This year, that changed, when they announced the release of the Spectrum and the Pinnacle - two classic-looking pens that received mainstream attention. I had my first opportunity to handle the Spectrum at this year's Baltimore Pen Show, and while the pen impressed, I felt the price point was high. I also thought the pen was maybe a touch - boring? - but the main sticking point was value. In my mind, I kept comparing it to the Platinum 3776, which offered similar aesthetics and an exceptional gold nib at a similar, and sometimes lower, price.

The Taccia Spectrum compared against what I'd consider to be its closes "rival," the Platinum 3776 Century. The two pens have a similar shape, but different hardware.

The Spectrum gained some momentum through the year, and because I kept hearing so much about this pen I wanted to give it a more thorough review than my initial "pen show" impressions. As I mentioned above, Taccia started out selling these pens for $160, the high-end of the market for a rather basic pen with a stainless steel nib, and a price point that placed the Spectrum in direct competition with the Platinum 3776 and the Sailor 1911 Standard. Retailers have since lowered the price of the Spectrum to $127, which is a MUCH better deal, and brings this pen into a range at which I can comfortably recommend it.

Build and Writing Experience

The Spectrum is a classic, cigar-shaped pen that I could comfortably use posted or unposted. With the rounded ends, the shape reminds me, again, of the Platinum 3776 or even a Nakaya Portable writer. I did find myself wishing that the cap posted just a touch deeper, like the cap on the Platinum, but I probably value this sort of versatility more than most - I'm a hardcore "poster." There's also a bit of a step from the body to the grip section and metal threads. Neither bothered me, but be advised of the potential issue if sharper threads and steps on pens have a tendency to dig into your hand.

The Spectrum comes in three attractive shades of translucent acrylic: Merlot (which is a brighter red than the name would suggest), Ocean Blue, and Forest Green (reviewed here, which in person looks lighter and a bit more teal). These technically qualify as "demonstrator" pens, but the effect is more subtle here since the acrylic isn't completely transparent.

The one design choice I wish Taccia had done differently was the logo - this appears to be an applied logo - not etched - so I worry it may wear off over time.

Taccia and Sailor share a U.S. distributor (Itoya), and Taccia has leaned heavily on their relationship with Sailor when marketing this pen. Both the Spectrum and the Pinnacle feature Sailor stainless steel nibs. The Taccia representative in Baltimore indicated that a gold-nib option was available for a sizeable upcharge, but I've not seen this option available at retailers so far.

No complaints whatsoever about the Sailor stainless steel music nib - it was super smooth, with a ton of tipping material.

The stainless steel music nib on the Spectrum is more appropriately characterized as a stub - Sailor music nibs don't have three tines, as you would find on a classic music nib. My Spectrum wrote quite smoothly, with a surprisingly even ink flow more suitable to my writing style than the wetter 14k or 18k Sailor music nibs I've tried in the past. I didn't experience any skipping or hard starting.

The review ink here is Monteverde Caribbean Blue. This Sailor steel music nib gave me decent line variation, and wrote a slightly narrower line than its 18k and 14k equivalents.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

At the current price point, Taccia is competing not only against other high-quality steel-nibbed pens like the Diplomat Aero and the Pelikan M205, but also against the Platinum 3776 and the Sailor 1911 Standard, both of which feature very nice 14K nibs. Based on my brief experience with the Spectrum, it should hold its own, though this market segment can be difficult to thrive in given the extent of the competition. The nib is the key selling point here, and if you're a fan of Sailor nibs and like the aesthetics of the Spectrum you won't be disappointed.

Many thanks to the awesome team at Anderson Pens for loaning me this pen to review. Anderson Pens stocks both the Taccia Spectrum and the Taccia Pinnacle in a wide range of nib options, from extra fine to music. The Spectrum is currently priced at $127, and the Pinnacle at $119.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Check Out Benu Pens on Indiegogo

Design and Build

Nib and Writing Experience

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Build and Writing Experience

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Further Reading

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