Notebook Review: Darkstar Collection

November 8, 2017

I've followed UK-based Darkstar for the past couple years on Instagram, watching as they've experimented with different sizes, paper, and covers in order to refine their notebook design. They now seem to have settled on two main products: a Pocket Notebook that's 14.5cm x 10cm (slightly smaller than A6), and a larger "Adventure Notebook" that's 20cm x 14.5cm. Today I'll take a look at the Pocket Notebook in the "Shine Star Black" color scheme, which Darkstar recently sent over for review.

For an extra £0.99, you can add one of these neat elastic belly bands, which will come in handy if you carry multiple pocket notebooks around with you.

When I first saw these notebooks in person, "Field Notes Night Sky" and "Pitch Black" first jumped to mind, primarily because all these notebooks feature black covers with reticle grid paper. There are, however, two key differences between the Darkstar and Field Notes products: minimal branding and paper weight. I love that Darkstar limits their cover design to the single "Shine Star" logo, which lends the notebook a sophisticated and understated look - great for working professionals who may not be able to get away with carrying "Dime Novel" or notebooks with shiny holographic covers into meetings.

It doesn't show up as much in this photo, but the "Shine Star" logo is black foil-stamped.

The 100gsm paper that Darkstar uses is high quality, feels nice to write on, and as far as most pocket notebooks go, works fine with fountain pens. Darkstar states on their website that the paper "will stand up to a range of writing instruments from Blackwing Pencils to Broad Fountain Pens," and that's not inaccurate - the Shine Star notebook contains 54 pages of good paper that's very usable with most fountain pens while keeping to a very fair price point. That said, you all know I have an extremely high standard for labeling something "fountain pen friendly," which is "zero bleedthrough", and I did experience some pinpoint bleeding on the reverse side of a page. If you only write with very wet broad or stub nibs, and insist on using them in your pocket notebooks, you may have some trouble if you want to write on both sides of the page.

For this writing sample, I used a Montblanc 146 with a medium stub (Robert Oster Fire & Ice), a medium TWSBI 580 (Diamine Deep Dark Red), a Schmidt .6mm rollerball refill, and a Pelikan M800 with a fine cursive italic. All of these pens are relatively wet writers that I wouldn't typically use in a pocket notebook, but I wanted to push the paper to its limits. While I did experience some pinpoint bleedthrough with the stub and the TWSBI, the finer nibs and rollerballs didn't bleed or show through. Nothing feathered on the Darkstar paper, which is a big plus.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I can see these Darkstar notebooks getting some serious use in the future. Since I carry and use my notebooks at work, I tend to gravitate towards sturdy, more understated books (i.e., solid and/or subtle cover designs) over some of the more intricate offerings like those that Field Notes has released in recent quarters. I can appreciate those from a design perspective, but something along the lines of the Darkstar Collection notebooks better suits my day-to-day needs.

You can purchase Darkstar Collection notebooks directly from Darkstar's website. The pocket notebooks are priced at £6.99 for a three-pack (approximately $9.20 US), and the larger "Adventure Notebooks" are sold in packs of two for £7.99. In addition to the basic black, the notebooks come in orange, red, and yellow. Darkstar offers free global shipping on orders over £20, so it's worth your while to stock up.

Disclaimer: Darkstar sent me the notebooks featured in this review for review purposes, free of charge.

Kickstarter Alert: The Modern Fuel Mechanical Pencil 2.0

November 6, 2017

There's always a spot in my carry for a quality mechanical pencil, and I recently had the opportunity to sample the Modern Fuel Pencil, Version 2.0. I missed out on the first iteration, but Andrew Sanderson, the project founder, kindly sent me a 2.0 prototype in stainless steel. While I didn't have an extended period to "road test" this pencil, I could immediately tell from the outset that a LOT of time and effort went into development, from the seamless body design to the customized, interchangeable refill mechanisms that allow you to switch between .5mm, .7mm, and .9mm lead sizes. The 2.0 version of the Modern Fuel pencil also features a retractable tip, and an option to plug the eraser for an even sleeker look. Yes, the all-metal pencil is heavy, but it's also slim and well-balanced, and the weight didn't bother me even when I used it for some more extended writing sessions at work.

Version 2.0 added a retractable tip to the pencil. This prototype came loaded with the .9mm mechanism. If you back the project, you can add to your pledge for additional lead size options.

Where to Order

Kickstarter Rewards start at $80, and the pencil is available in stainless steel, copper, bronze, and titanium. There are 19 days left to back this project, so if you're interested, be sure to get in on it before it closes. Andrew also indicated that he would send me a final version of the pencil once production is finalized. If the finished product is anywhere near as good as this prototype, this could turn into a must-have EDC item.

Note: The Kickstarter is now closed, with the pencil available on the Modern Fuel website.

I love the look and design of the eraser and end cap, sort of a super high-quality homage to those classic Bic mechanical pencils I used as a kid (and still indulge in from time to time).

Disclaimer: Andrew of Modern Fuel loaned me the prototype pencil featured in this post for review purposes, free of charge.

Sheaffer-Star-Wars-Fountain-Pen-Rollerballs

Star Wars Stationery Extravaganza!

November 4, 2017

It's a good time to be both a Star Wars fan and a stationery enthusiast! With the impending release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi coming up on December 15, you've probably seen "Star Wars" swag of all sorts on sale anywhere from Target to Office Depot. Here, I'll take a quick look at two products that have received a lot of press: the Cross Townsend "Star Wars" Limited Edition in Stormtrooper white, and the Sheaffer Star Wars fountain and rollerball pens that you may have even seen at your local Office Depot.

Cross Townsend

The Cross Townsend Star Wars special edition pens received a lot of press at their initial release, in connection with Star Wars: The Force Awakens back in 2015. While most commentary directed at these pens focused on the (too high, IMHO) price point, I found the designs well-executed, especially the "Stormtrooper" and "R2D2" pens. Goldspot was kind enough to loan me a Stormtrooper to review, and while I didn't feel comfortable carrying a loaner pen of this value "out in the wild," I did write with it for a bit and have some initial impressions.

The only branding on this pen is the Imperial logo with a small, tastefully executed "Star Wars" imprint (with LFL trademark, as was probably required).

What I liked:

Design: The Star Wars theme is understated and not at all gaudy. As you can see from the pictures, a small Imperial logo appears on the back side of the cap, and I love how the limited edition run ends at "1977." The pen is a pleasant shape, and comfortable to use either posted or unposted, though when posted the cap wiggles and rattles a bit.
Nib: The medium two-tone 18kt gold nib on this pen is an outstanding writer - wet and smooth, though the pen writes more like a broad than a true medium. While Cross makes most of its nibs in-house (with nibs on certain models made by Sailor Japan), this nib both looks and feels like a Pelikan nib. Why? Because apparently Pelikan is also making nibs for Cross. Pelikan is not an inexpensive brand - in part because of the craftsmanship that goes into their excellent nibs, and I suspect that drives up the price on these pens. (More on that below in "What I did not like").

Look familiar? The nib on the Townsend looks remarkably similar to a Pelikan M400 nib, though it's 18kt instead of the standard Pelikan 14kt. (It's also an exceptional writer.)

What I Did Not Like:

Price. While it's a nice pen, the $575 price bumps you into Pelikan M800 territory. I'm aware that die-hard Star Wars fans who also love fountain pens have snapped these up, but I likely will take a pass because $575 is a LOT of money. Even once you factor in the Pelikan nib, the comparably-sized Pelikan M400 starts around $350.
Cap and Clip. Not the design, but the construction. The cap is friction-fit, and there's a bit too much wiggle, both when the pen is capped and posted. The clip isn't spring-loaded, and the folded metal construction looks like a minor upgrade from those used on much less expensive Cross pens. The fit and finish here doesn't rise to the level of a nearly $600 pen.

The clip design and construction on the Townsend didn't exactly blow me away.

Overall, the pens that I would consider comparable to the Cross Townsend would be the Aurora Ipsilon, the Parker Sonnet, and - with respect to the nib - the Pelikan M400. All of those pens are excellent, and the Parker and Pelikan are personal favorites, but they sit at a price point well below what Cross is asking for here.

Cross recently announced the release of three new limited edition Townsend pens in the following themes: Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Boba Fett.

The Sheaffer Star Wars Pens

Though I'm a semi-die hard Star Wars nut, I probably couldn't justify the purchase of the Townsend. Sheaffer, on the other hand, knocks it out of the park with their latest release, coming in at just over or just under $20, depending on whether you go with the rollerball or fountain pen version.

Why did both Cross and Sheaffer decide to jump in on the "Star Wars" pen game? For starters, they're the same company. Cross acquired Sheaffer from Bic in late 2014, so it's a fair assumption that these two pens are part of the same overall branding strategy/collaboration between Disney (which now owns the rights to Star Wars) and Cross.

I love that Sheaffer has now decided to include the white dot on all their pens, resurrecting an iconic trademark that used to appear only on high-end models.

Personally, I think the Sheaffer is the better pen of the two, all things considered. It's an inexpensive pen, yet at the same time feels well made. When I first saw pictures of these pens posted online, I expected cheap, thin plastic fountain pens with a cellophane/plastic wrap decoration applied to them that would flake and peel off over time. Not the case. The Star Wars detailing is either painted or a well-applied decal. Sure, it might wear away over time, but it's a $20 pen. Construction-wise, the plastic on these pens feels pleasantly thick and sturdy, and probably would withstand minor drops onto a hard surface.

The nib selection is excellent, as long as you like medium! Each design is also available as a rollerball pen, which accepts Sheaffer's "Gel Rolling Ball Refill." This refill may be proprietary - I've not found another refill among my collectio… — The nib selection is excellent, as long as you like medium! Each design is also available as a rollerball pen, which accepts Sheaffer's "Gel Rolling Ball Refill." This refill may be proprietary - I've not found another refill among my collection that fits but check out Ana's refill guide for possibilities.

The Sheaffers also offer a great writing experience, especially at the $20 price point. The round section is soft rubber, so it's grippy and very comfortable to use. These nibs won't win any awards for character, but for a workhorse stainless steel nib on a cheap fountain pen, the quality was consistent across both pens that I tried, with the Sheaffer writing a wet line without any skipping. The pens are a bit long posted but they're also very light so I could go either way. Well done, Sheaffer!

Writing Sample, in black gel and fountain pen ink. The Sheaffer fountain pen comes with one Sheaffer proprietary cartridge.

If you're interested in ordering online, Goldspot has the full range of Sheaffer Star Wars pens in stock, in both fountain and rollerball. Many thanks to Goldspot for making this review possible!

Further Shopping Options

Finally, if you're a fan of Bic products, or simply want to spend even less money to scratch your "Star Wars" itch, you'll want to check out the Star Wars-themed Bic ballpoint pen, Bic Multipen, and Bic Mechanical Pencils. Oddly, I've not seen these carried in any office supply stores - and I've looked pretty hard - so you may be limited to ordering online. (The other day, I could swear I saw a Star Wars-themed Bic cigarette lighter that said "Join the Dark Side," but now I can't find it anywhere. Must've ruffled a few feathers and been pulled.)

Disclaimer: The Cross Stormtrooper pen and the Darth Vader Sheaffer fountain pen were sent to me by Goldspot for review purposes (the Stormtrooper pen on loan). This post contains affiliate links.

The three pens on the left have sold via Instagram. Starting on the fourth from left, (1) new Parker Urban; (2) Cleo Skribent Classic Piston Filler; (3) Cleo Skribent Color; (4) Delta Rediscover Pompeii; (5) Delta Journal; (6) Montegrappa White/Ruth… — The three pens on the left have sold via Instagram. Starting on the fourth from left, (1) new Parker Urban; (2) Cleo Skribent Classic Piston Filler; (3) Cleo Skribent Color; (4) Delta Rediscover Pompeii; (5) Delta Journal; (6) Montegrappa White/Ruthenium. Check the "For Sale" page for pricing details.

The "For Sale" Page is Live Again!

November 2, 2017

I didn't make quite as much progress as I thought I would cleaning out my drawers and closets, but I have an initial batch posted for resale now (all fountain pens). Check the "For Sale" page over the next week or so, as I plan on adding some inks, pencils, paper, and potentially more pens.

Thanks for all your support!

Pencil Review: The (Palomino) Blackwing Pearl

November 1, 2017

The Blackwing Pearl is the third and - so far - final iteration of CalCedar’s Blackwing revival. Ironically, this was the Blackwing release that I was most excited about, yet it’s also the one that was the biggest letdown in terms of performance. On paper, the Pearl should be my favorite pencil. I love the pearlescent white lacquer, and white pencils are uncommon. Per Blackwing’s description, the Pearl also features “a balanced and smooth graphite core that is softer than the graphite found in the Blackwing 602, but firmer than the graphite found in the Blackwing.” In other words, a dark pencil like the original Blackwing with better point retention for writers. So what gives?

Multiple people have observed that the graphite core in the Pearl smears more than the core in the original Blackwing, despite being firmer. I’ve had the same experience, and for that reason alone I prefer the original Blackwing and/or the 602. I have a thing about being able to write on both sides of a piece of paper, and a pencil that smears and ghosts drives me crazy.

A writing sample of all three Blackwing pencils, plus a "one pass" smear test. Notice the Pearl at the bottom,

That’s not to say that the Pearl is a bad pencil - far from it - it’s much less smeary than a lot of other pencils, but if I’m shelling out $22 for a dozen Blackwings, and can get a darker line and less smearing and ghosting with the original and a perfectly adequate dark line with the 602, that leaves the Pearl as the odd-pencil-out. (I can actually tell very little difference between the point retention on the original Blackwing pencil and the Pearl, by the way, though the Pearl is slightly harder.)

The three Blackwing finishes, from top: (1) Blackwing original; (2) Blackwing 602; and (3) Blackwing Pearl

As with their other pencils, Blackwing recently revised the design of the Pearl, which now differs from the pencil pictured here. While the Pearl still features the white finish, Blackwing has changed the imprint from black to gold and swapped in a white eraser. I’ve not seen the “new Pearl” in person, so I can’t say for sure how I feel, but this seems like a mixed bag. The white eraser looks nice, but the gold imprint…? I think I might prefer the black.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Like the other pencils, Blackwing has featured the Pearl’s “smooth and balanced” graphite core in its series of limited edition “Blackwing Volumes” pencils, including the recently released Volume 1, a tribute to the singer-songwriter Guy Clark, and Volume 725, the initial limited edition Blackwing with a “sunburst” finish, based on Bob Dylan’s electric guitar at the Newport Music Festival. For some reason, the Pearl core has appeared in the music-themed editions. Intentional?....

As of 2024, The Gentleman Stationer is now an authorized retailer of Blackwing, so you can purchase directly from us and show your support!

The Pearl (top) compared against the Blackwing Volumes 1, which is a round pencil with a gray wash.

This review is the third installment of an anticipated multipart review of the various Blackwing pencils on the market today. If you liked this post, please check out Part I - my review of the original Palomino Blackwing with some background on the revival of the brand, Part II - my review of the Blackwing 602, as well as my earlier review of the Blackwing line of notebooks.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pencils featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. This post contains affiliate links.