Don't Wait

I've had a hard time wanting to write about pens lately. Despite all of the new cool stuff that's floating around my messenger bag, I just can't bring myself to do it. I promise that I'll return to posting about the latest and greatest in the pen world, cool notebooks, and pen cases, but not today. Today I want to talk about us. Not just us as members of the pen community, but us as human beings, as brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and lovers.

I met my partner nearly two years ago. I used to hate the term "partner." It felt like a term that people used to be politically correct or safe. This was all before I knew what it meant to truly have a partner. It took 26 years to build up the courage to pursue someone of the same gender, but it got to the point where I could no longer continue to push the painful sense of settling back into the pit of my stomach. Just like with many of you, our relationship began online. From the first day that we started talking, I knew that I had to meet him. And so I did. It was such an awesome first date that I came out to my parents the very next day. I would say that it was one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do, but that would be a lie. It was a telephone call. It took a little while, but eventually my parents came to terms and accepted it, because they've always accepted me. It's never something that I've ever had to question about them. There were no laws threatening me with severe punishment or death. I didn't have to deal with religious bigotry that some in many countries, even the U.S., have to contend with. I work for an organization that is on the cutting edge of acceptance. My parents still supported me. I had it easy, yet it took me nearly three decades to take the step.

I underestimated what coming out actually meant. I assumed that it meant telling your parents, friends, and maybe a few coworkers and calling it a day. It's actually a set of choices that must be made everyday. It's how you respond when someone asks if you're married or have a girlfriend. It's whether or not you choose to hold your partner's hand in public, or even dare to walk too closely next to him. It's telling your neighbor that you're not actually brothers, even though that's how he continues to refer to you. It may even be as stupid as choosing to watch The Devil Wears Prada, while traveling alone on a plane as a 28 year old man, even though someone else might be able to see the screen. These are daily choices, and I have to admit that I've been pretty terrible at making the right ones.

I could feel my face flush when starting this post. As a naturally anxious person, even the thought of doing something that makes me stick out makes me cringe. It becomes incredibly easy to lie through omission or inaction. There's a fantastic video about the consequences of sneaking, of not being truly ourselves and hiding from those who might be critical or disapproving. I can't help but relate to the main character. Sneaking once or twice may not be such a big deal, but choosing to act in an attempt to solely please others is toxic to the psyche. More importantly, it's unfair. It's unfair to loved ones, but it's also unfair to ourselves. Instead of taking risks or being truly ourselves, we hide, we play it safe, and we lose more and more of what actually makes us worth knowing. I say "we" because I know that I'm not the only one, and it isn't just about sexuality. It happens in almost all walks of life, across gender, races, religions, and even nerdy hobbies.

And the worst part is that there are people out there who will ridicule, judge, or even kill you, for almost anything that makes your somewhat different than the norm. People even deal with harassment in the pen community. Trolls shout the loudest, so it's easy to think that they represent the majority. They don't. It's easy to let them shout you down into a place of deep despair. These people aren't worth your time. Find comfort in those who love you, but don't strive for the approval of those who will only love a certain version of you. And don't wait. Don't wait to pursue what you love or whom you love, and don't wait to be unapologetically yourself.

Times of great tragedy remind us of the incredible power of human compassion. More importantly, they remind us that, despite the trolls of the world, we are constantly surrounded by allies who are willing to step up in times of need. I have to remind myself of this at times, that these allies are always there. Sometimes it can be hard to do, especially at times when the world seems so ugly.

Nock Co. Sinclair Pen Case Review

School supply shopping was always my favorite part of returning to classes. I loved exploring the endless aisles of brightly lit pens, pencils and notebooks. Backpack purchasing decisions were made solely on the number of pen sleeves and pockets that the bag had. While picking pens and pencils was part of the fun, meticulously organizing them in a new backpack provided the real payoff.

Fast forward ten years, and I'm clawing for a cheap pharmaceutical-company Bic at the bottom of my bag, amidst a sea of coins, keys, and paperclips. In my college years, no pen lasted more than a month, which was fine, considering that most were free company swag. I'm happy to say that I'm now a reformed pen abuser, mostly because the quality of my writing tools has increased exponentially. There's no way that I'm throwing a fountain pen, like a Lamy 2000, into a bag full of keys.

Japan introduced me to the concept of a pen case. Sure, I had a plastic box for my pens in elementary school, but this pen-obsessed culture took cases to a new level. There were simple pen cases, which resembled an elementary school recorder case, and fancy leather pen wraps. The simple cases are nice enough, but I'm not a fan of pens rubbing together. The fancier leather wraps made it too difficult to remove a pen quickly, and I wasn't prepared to drop $100 on a pen case. I needed something that was affordable, easy to access, and durable. The Nock Co. Sinclair was the answer to my payers.

The Sinclair is a $35 nylon pen case that holds three pens and a pocket (Field Notes size) notebook. It zips from the top, so it's easy to quickly retrieve a pen and notebook. The case's zipper is very sturdy and has held up well with time, and its high quality stitching hasn't frayed a bit, even after months of use. The nylon case material is even coated with water repellent, to keep even the fanciest of pens safe and dry.

The pen slots are wider than a typical slot in a backpack or messenger bag, so most pens should fit with ease, as long as they aren't much longer than a typical pen. I keep a Nock Co. DotDash Pocket Notebook in the notebook slot, but there's also plenty of room for a stack of index cards as well (I use Nock Co. DotDash 3 x 5 Note Cards).

The Nock Co. Sinclair comes in several color variations. I chose the Mandarin/Blue Jay combo, since it was the only color in stock at the time, but I would love to own a version of this case in the Steel/Mango fabric combo, which doesn't currently exist.

The Sinclair is a fantastic case for the price, and I'm very happy to have it as my first pen case. It fits easily into an existing messenger bag or backpack, and provides extra protection while maintaining ease of access. The case's durable nylon and notebook slot also makes it feasable to carry the case by itself, loose in a purse, or even in a cargo pocket, for those EDC types. This case is a must buy.

Fisher Bullet Space Pen Review

It was an ordinary Sunday in the summer of 1969. Americans went about their day as usual, starting with church, followed by barbecues, and afternoon baseball. Despite its average beginning, July 20, 1969 would mark one of man's greatest triumphs, thanks to three men in a metal tube hundreds of thousands of miles away. Families sat in front of glowing black-and-white boxes, as man set foot on the moon for the first time. As Neil Armstrong took one giant leap for man kind, humanity was reminded that its potential was limitless, and for just a moment, anything was possible. For just one night, Americans dreamt of exploring the cosmos instead of buying a new car.

The Fisher Space Pen was adopted by NASA in the mid 1960's and accompanied the astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission that brought America to the moon. Writing with a Space Pen feels a bit like writing with a piece of history. Granted, designs and materials have changed, but the spirit of the original pen is still there. This spirit isn't bound by the limits of the imagination, but rather lives in the world of "what if." Space Pens remind their users to try a little harder, go a little farther, and shoot for the stars.

The Fisher Bullet Space Pen comes in a clear plastic display case, nested carefully in foam that's shaped to look like a moon rock. The pen looks as if its an artifact in a museum, and the careful detail in the pen's packaging foreshadows the pen's stellar performance. The Bullet Space Pen is shockingly small, in a way that intimidates someone, like me, who has large man hands. The pen has a nice weight and feel, due to its aluminum body and matte finish. I purchased the black matte version of the Bullet Pen, but there are several materials and finishes available. The matte finish provides substantial grip, making it easy to manipulate the pen in hand and reducing hand fatigue during intensive writing sessions. The pen is simply one of the best looking pens that I own, which is shocking considering that it's standard price falls below $20.

My Instagram feed is littered with images of everyday carry (EDC) load outs, but I hardly consider myself a rugged mountaineer in need of a pen that writes underwater. That said, the Fisher Bullet Space Pen is an EDC enthusiast's dream. The pen writes upside down, underwater, through almost any slimy substance that you can throw at it, and even in space. The pen's writing durability is due to a special pressurized cartridge and ink formulation. The pen ball is made from a super-hard tungsten carbide and is precision fit to the ink chamber, to prevent seepage as well as the clicking sound that cheaper ballpoint pens make. The cartridge is also designed to work in a wide range of temperatures, even those at which humans could not survive. In short, this pen will work in almost any situation imaginable and could even be used to make a journal entry while you're boiling alive.

Although the pen is tiny enough to slip into a pocket comfortably when capped, it is long enough to rest comfortably in the webbing between my thumb and index finger when posted. The pen posts with a friction fit, although the cap wobbles just a bit. It's possible to crank the cap down onto the end of the pen, but the wobble isn't noticeable enough to warrant damaging the pen barrel. The o-ring at the base of the pen's grip ensures that the pen seals when capped, protecting the tip of the pen from air or other nasty contaminants.

It's important to note that I use fountain pens almost exclusively and have never reviewed a rollerball pen on A Better Desk. I've been looking for a solid traveling pen that I can take on an airplane without having to worry about leakage or complicated storage solutions. It takes some work to move from a fountain pen back to a rollerball pen, so give yourself time to adjust before setting out on whatever journey lays ahead of you. Fountain pens work better when the nib is at a sharp angle to the paper, while rollerball pens work best when held as vertically to paper as possible. The rollerball tip feels much bigger and less precise than a typical fine-nibbed pen and requires additional pressure.

I've grown to love the Fisher Bullet Space Pen, after a few days of practice and regular use. The pen writes very smoothly and without the stickiness of a standard cheap ballpoint pen. The pen leaves a deep black line on the page, without having to excerpt so much pressure that writing becomes uncomfortable. Fisher claims that their Space Pen cartridges last longer than standard cartridges, due to their pressurized ink chambers, but I haven't had the pen long enough to verify.

The Fisher Bullet Space Pen can be purchased with an optional clip, although it does break the streamlined shape of the pen. Most reviews mention that the clip is unstable and doesn't secure firmly to the body, but I've found the opposite to be true. My clip holds so tightly to the pen body that I initially had a hard time removing it.

Fountain pens remain my favorite type of pen for now; however, I plan to carry the Fisher Bullet Space Pen whenever the situation calls for a versatile alternative to my beloved fountain pens. The Space Pen performs so well that it doesn't feel like a compromise, and its unique history makes it a reminder than anything is possible every time I pick it up.

Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same Ink Review

Although the winter weather has moved on, the skies are grey in the midwest this week. Grey skies always bring me back to blue and grey inks. Grey inks are my favorite shading inks, although I rarely have an opportunity to use them, and they're such an uncommon ink that they beg for a double-take when seen out in public. Although most grey inks shine in flex nibs, some of the darker inks can even be used in everyday writers, ensuring that their user has the coolest signature in the office. This week, I'm taking a look at Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same ink, an ink that captures all of the best parts of grey skies and misty days.

Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same is on the lighter side of the grey spectrum. Just like its namesake, Kiri-Same resembles the clouds that come along with a misty rain. The ink swatch itself resembles a cloud, lighter grey around the edges with deepening shades of grey towards the center.

Kiri-Same is dark enough to load into your favorite fine-nibbed pen, as long as the nib tends to leave a lot of ink on the page. Since the ink's shading properties are so high, dryer nibs leave a much lighter line than their juicier counterparts. Flex or calligraphy nibs are where this ink ink belongs, and it performs splendidly in either, leaving lines which show significant color variation.

Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same may come at a price premium, but its performance is well worth the price hike. Kiri-Same has a relatively fast dry time, and its shading properties make for a great sketching or calligraphy ink. With Kiri-Same, grey skies and rainy days come alive on the page.

Stats

• Dry Time: Less than 20s
• Wetness: Medium
• Shading: High
• Feathering: Low
• Saturation: High

Tools

• J. Herbin Glass Dip Pen
• Noodler's Ahab - Flex nib
• Pilot Parallel - 6mm nib
• Rhodia DotPad

Nock Co. DotDash 3x5 Note Card Review

The index card is one of the most under-appreciated office supplies. It was created as a tool for organizing data and eventually became the foundation of the revolutionary Dewey Decimal System. Yes, at one moment in time, a 3x5 piece of card stock was the most powerful tool for organizing data. As digital methods of organization took over, index cards took their place on the shelf next to White-Out and typewriter ribbon. Twelve years ago, Merlin Mann unleashed the Hipster PDA into the wild, a simple index card data capture system, and lifehackers and analog lovers alike rediscovered the power of this little stationary delight. Index cards are small, versatile, and easy to shuffle and rearrange. They function well as capture devices; however, the race to the bottom has resulted in penny index cards that are flimsy and perform horribly with fountain pens.

You may know Nock Co., the creation of Brad Dowdy and Jeffrey Bruckwicki, for its creative pen cases; however, the company also produces a fine line of paper products, including its DotDash 3x5 Note Cards. DotDash refers the Nock Co.'s trademark paper grid system, that provides the best aspects of both the grid and matrix paper patterns, common among stationary products.

Nock Co.'s DotDash cards feel thicker and sturdier than the average index card. While regular index cards start to curl and bend in the sleeve of my work bag, DotDash cards stay flat. The DotDash cards are also noticeably smoother to the touch than traditional index cards. The DotDash lines are laser-sharp, while the printed lines on the traditional index cards show ink bleed and inconsistent printing. Of course, there are many different brands of index cards, but I went with the traditional stock cards form Amazon, as most would probably do when purchasing in bulk.

Nock Co.'s websites claim that their DotDash Note Cards "can handle almost any pen and ink you throw at it," so I pulled out my flexiest pen and favorite high-feather ink to put this claim to the test. I also used my daily carry ink and pen combo, Lamy 2000 with Pilot Iroshizuku Tsukushi ink.

The Plain Jane index cards performed just as poorly as expected. The Diamine Pumpkin ink feathered almost as soon as it touch the paper, and even the better-behaved Tsukushi ink in my Lamy 2000 performed poorly. The card had an excellent dry time, compared to the DotDash card, but this was only because the ink feathered instantly. Nock Co.'s DotDash card performed like a champ, with minimal feathering with the 2000 and Tsukushi ink combination. Noodler's Ahab and Diamine Pumpkin ink did produce moderate feathering on the DotDash card, but it did perform significantly better than the Plain Jane card. Truth be told, I don't see myself using a flex nib on an index card, so this isn't a major concern. The TWSBI Diamond 580 is the most markedly different between the Plain Jane index cards, which perform horribly, and the DotDash cards, which shows only minimal feathering. The DotDash card performs surprisingly well, considering that Diamine Pumpkin feathers significantly on low-quality paper, and the TWSBI 580's nib leaves a very juicy line.

Nock Co. DotDash

Plain Jane

Nock Co DotDash

Plain Jane

Nock Co. DotDash Note Cards are exceptional performers, and I keep a stack in my work bag at all times. I reach for these durable cards to jot down quotes and arrange ideas for presentations, and they hold up well to any ink and pen combo that I throw at them. At $6 for 50 cards, Nock Co.'s DotDash Note Cards haven't completely eliminated my need for the penny-per-card competitors; however, these cards are a worthy addition to any pen case or go bag.