The Fourth Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper
Welcome to the November 2009 edition of the Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper. Many thanks to Nifty at Notebook Stories for creating this Carnival as well as allowing us to host this month. Black Belt Productivity is a productivity blog, but both Michael and Jason are avid fountain pen users as well as paper fanatics! We are the first non-pen/paper blog to host the Carnival, and we are very honored to do so. Please enjoy the November edition of the Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper.
Editor's Choice
Our first Editor's Choice is for a brand new forum for pen, paper, ink and pencil fanatics. It is called StyloForum and is the brainchild of Bradley Haase at Miscellany and Cacophony. The site went live at the beginning of October and has grown to 48 members very quickly. There is a lot of great discussion there, so come by, sign up and join in the fun.
Stephanie at Rhodia Drive interviews the JetPens crew in a great behind the scenes look at the company that gets most of our money. They talk about how and why they started JetPens and why they chose to carry Rhodia Pads. It is a fascinating read for anyone who has purchased from them in the past.
Our next Editor Choice is for the twitter enabled among you. If you are using a client that can track searches (TweetDeck, Tweetie, Brizzly are the three twitter clients that Michael uses) then you really should follow the searches for #dailyarsenal. DIYSara is the first person that I saw use it regularly. It is the pens, paper, etc that you are carrying with you or plan on using that day. It is a great way to find new products that you might be interested in getting for yourself. To participate, just tweet what you are carrying/using and add the #dailyarsenal hashtag at the end of it.
New Product News
Cynthia unveils the first look at the Leuchtturms Master Book 18-Month Weekly Planner at Journaling Arts. A new player to the US market in Leuchtturms, and could definitely give Moleskine, Rhodia and Quo Vadis a run for their money.
Notebook Reviews
Michael presents Clairefontaine Notebook posted at Take Notes On This. A good comprehensive review of one of the stalwarts of the Clairefontaine line. "I love its simplicity and elegance, while still maintaining a sense of austerity. The colors are very soothing, and the wonderful covers and smooth paper make writing in this journal a pleasing experience."
Brad presents Quo Vadis Equology Textagenda Planner posted at Miscellany and Cacophony. Brad puts the new recycled Equology planner through its paces and comes out loving it. "All in all, I find the Textagenda to be a very well executed daily planner and it does a great job bridging the gap between a serious planner and a notebook for your daily tasks."
DianeB presents RevolveR Little Blue Journal posted at Pocket Blonde. Diane provides an amazing profile of the husband and wife team that created, manufacture, and market the unique Revolver line. "But now it's in among the journals in my bag, and I get a lot of questions and compliments every time I take it out. An extraordinary idea for a great journal!"
Nifty presents PSN & Flash Notebooks posted at Notebook Stories. Nifty looks at a new Dutch notebook and compares it to a the venerable Moleskines and Rhodia's new Webnotebooks. "One of the notebooks has a contrasting color elastic cord rather than the usual flat ribbon– I quite liked this little detail, though the flat elastic might be more practical."
DJ presents the Clairfontaine vs. Doane Paper RUMBLE at Inkthusiasm. In a match that Vince McMahon would approve of (if he were a paper geek, like most of us are), the standard is challenged by the upstart! True paper geeks know which is which, but if you don't, go read what DJ has to say. "I do a lot of my writing with gel pens and rollerballs. This may eventually change with the pens and inks I choose to use but as it stands, The REDACTED is my paper of choice." [I cannot give it all away!]
Pen Reviews
Julie (Okami) presents her Featured Pen - 1945 Parker Duofold posted at Whatever. Julie shows off a beautiful addition to her collection. "When I purchased this pen it was unrestored and after the restoration it was clear that this pen was a beauty."
Brad presents Nomadic Upright Pencil Case posted at The Pen Addict. I bought this case from a recommendation from Brad, and I absolutely love it! "I only have two of them so far, but Nomadic has quickly become my favorite pencil case maker."
Bruce guest posts about Why Your First Vintage Pen Oughtta Be an Esterbrook at Brassing Adds Character. What is there to be said about this article. My first vintage was an Estie J with double jewels that Ryan found for me. Ryan is hooking me up with my second one as well. "Though the name Esterbrook may not come to mind as quickly as the more recognizable names such as Parker, Sheaffer’s or Waterman’s, I feel there are numerous reasons why and areas where Esterbrook excels above all the others."
Mabeloos recommended Bleubug's Soggy Pasta Primevera that is posted at Bleubug. This is an excellent post for new FP folks (like me) who are not familiar with flex nibs and how they work. "If you’re active in using or collecting fountain pens eventually you will hear the term “flexible”. It’s often used with reverence as when someone gushes “the pen has a nib that is flexible!!"
Tom reviews the Online Vision Blue Fountain Pen at GoldSpot Pens. This is a newly released (Summer 2009) German pen that is a solid pen with a very nice price. "Released in Summer of 2009, the ONLINE Vision series is a sturdy, aluminum-based writing instrument that strikes a harmony between ergonomic utility and modern, elegant style."
Heather presents a very detailed review of the Uni-Ball Fusion at A Penchant for Paper. I have never seen the Uni-Ball Fusion here in Alabama, but Heather provides some great info that will make me pick some up when I come across them. "The Uni-ball Fusion has an eye-catching appearance, with its white colour and floral design on the barrel."
Margana presents Waterman Carene Stub Gets a Forever Home posted at An Inkophile's Blog. Margana talks about the new love of her life) in fountain pen form). "Anyway, I wanted to share my excitement over a terrific pen and nib. It isn’t right for everyone but it sure is right for me."
Pencil Reviews
Dave reviews the Rotring Tikky Mechanical Pencils at Dave's Mechanical Pencils. Rotring was the first name that I heard of as I entered the fountain pen world. I was unaware that they are a mech pencil player as well. "The Tikky is a class act and I’m tempted to think this latest incarnation is an actual improvement on it predecessors."
User Collections
Melinda presents DIY Organizer/Planner posted at School Supply Dance. Sometimes the best organizers are the one that you make yourself so that you can customize it to the way you want to be organized.
DIYSara makes her own Moleskine Cahier clone at Miscellaneous Ramblings of a Thirty Something DIYer. This highly talented artist is also a confirmed DIYer. This is her latest project that is near and dear to all of our hearts!
Clement wishes everyone a Happy Halloween at Rants of the Archer. This is a great combo (pen/ink/paper) review. Rhodias, J. Herbin and Esties, oh my!
Thanks for stopping by Black Belt Productivity for the 4th Carnival of Pen, Pencil and Paper. It was a BLAST reading all of the submissions and compiling them for you. I hope that you were able to find a new blog pen to buy, some new paper to play with or better yet, a new blog to follow. I have found at least two new blogs with each Carnival and this one did not disappoint either! Watch for the December Carnival at GoldSpot Pens Blog during the first week of the month.
