Lamy Al-Star Review

March 13, 2016 pocketbunny1 Comment

Introduction

As with many fountain pen enthusiasts, my first fountain pen was a Lamy. I received the Lamy Al-Star as a gift after expressing interest in writing with fountain pens. It doesn’t get used as often as my Platinum 3776 Century. Read on to find out why.

Specs

Dimensions: 140mm (length), 13mm (diameter)
Weight: 20g
Place of Manufacture: Germany
Price: $47 (retail), $37 (most retailers)

Some History

The Lamy Safari is one of the most common starting pens. Being inexpensive, coming a reputable (debatable) manufacturer, and being fairly durable, it lightens the learning curve. The Al-Star and the Vista are variants of this design, with the nib and feed remaining the same. The Vista is transparent while the Al-Star is made of anodized aluminum.

Fit and Finish

The Al-Star has somewhat better tolerances than the Safari. It suffers some of the regular issues such as a hit-or-miss feed and nib as well as some general quality issues with the body. For example, the plastic has a few ridges from the molding and the LAMY engraving (or perhaps pressing) on the body has irregularities in the corners.

Functionality

The pen comes in all normal Lamy Safari nib sizings. This fine nib is a European fine and puts down a line equivalent to a Japanese medium.

The pen does not have much flex.

The converter is a Z24 that can hold around 0.6 mL.

Conclusion

As a first fountain pen, the Lamy Al-Star has some merit. It has a solid construction and the pricing makes it almost acceptable to drop it nib-first on the ground when you’re still learning your way.

With European nib sizing, it can be a bit hard to get finer lines and the irregularities and inconsistencies with Lamy production can make one pen lovely to use and another pen a prop.

For beginner pens, I’d personally recommend the Sailor HighAce Neo. While quality of construction is about the same, the quality of the nib is a bit better and it comes in at a lower price.

Platinum Century 3776 EF Review

March 7, 2016March 8, 2016 pocketbunny2 Comments

Introduction

My Platinum Century 3776 is my daily driver for all my writing tasks. Whether I bring it to class, I clip it to my shirt when I’m all dressed up, it’s usually either in my bag or in my pocket. Sure the body has signs of wear due to all this carrying, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s some words on my trusty fountain pen.

Specs

Dimensions: 120mm (length), 13mm (diameter)
Weight: 20g
Place of Manufacture: Japan
Price: $220 (retail), $70-100 (eBay, direct from Japan)

Background

When I was picking out my next fountain pen,I had a Pilot Custom 74 in one hand and the Platinum in the other. These two pens are are very similar in many ways. They are of similar length, made of similar material, and both feature 14k nibs. However, there were a few small differences that made me choose the Platinum over the pilot.

Packaging

The pen comes in a plastic snap box, housed in a white cardboard sleeve. The case feels appropriate for a pen of this price. It is sturdy and cushioned for the pen. The ribbon holding the pen is taut and it can be a bit difficult to put the pen back if you wanted (as I did for the pictures).

Fit and Finish

The pen body is made out of resin which I assume is an alternative (fancier/more accurate) name of the type of plastic that is used. The light weight can be a tad off-putting and the texture that it has can feel a bit cheap.

The pen has gold trim from top to bottom. The cap features a gold pocket clip and there is a gold band with the name of the pen around the bottom of the cap. Additionally, there are two more smaller gold bands on the main body of the pen.

The nib is rather large in comparison with the Pilot (this was one of the reasons I chose the Platinum). The gold content, Platinum “P” and “#3776” are engraved on the nib.

The pen supposedly comes with a “Slip and Seal” technology mechanism that is to keep the ink from drying out for up to 24 months. The spring and additionally plastic sleeve used in this technology is easily seen through the plastic cap.

Functionality

I’m a student and this pen is exactly what I need it to be. I don’t need super flex or BB nibs. What I need is a pen that will work day in and day out. This is exactly that pen. The thin narrow line that it produces is not overly wet, though it starts every time.

The body is very prone to scratching. I don’t carry the pen in the same pocket as my keys, but scratches of all sizes have slowly appeared. The trim, however, does not seem to have chipped at all.

Conclusion

I have no regrets with this pen. Sure, it has an outdated appearance and can look a bit out of place. However, the way it performs and the feeling it has in my hand is… I can’t put it in words.

Opinel Sharpening Stone Review

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 pocketbunny5 Comments

Introduction

I’m a pretty big fan of Opinel. For over 100 years, they’ve been able to output decent knives for a decent price. So, it goes without question that when I was looking for a budget sharpening stone, I checked if Opinel made any. To my surprise, they did. Today, we’re reviewing the Opinel Sharpening Stone.

Specs

Dimensions: 4″ x 15/16 x 3/16
Weight: 1.3 oz
Place of Manufacture: Lombardi, Italy
Cost: $9.95 (pretty consistent among online retailers)

Packaging

When I was looking to buy this sharpening stone, Amazon was out of stock, so I bought it off of eBay. The seller was from France though shipping ended up being quite quick and cheap. The packaging, however, did not fair that well. The stone fits well and I still reuse the box to hold the stone when it is not in use.

Fit and Finish

The stone appears to have nice straight edges although this is not true. As seen from the pictures, the stone’s edges are a bit jagged and there is a taper. I believe this is due to the fact that this is a natural stone. While the dimensions of the stone are not perfect, the surfaces are all pretty flat (not a lot of lapping was needed) and there was nothing beyond cosmetic issues with it.

Functionality

As stated before, the stone came pretty flat. I lapped it on sandpaper for a bit to get a flatter edge though.

Through experimentation, the stone is best used wet. I usually use water although mineral oil worked all right as well. I’ve mostly used the stone to touch up blades. It does a pretty good job and a few strokes is all that’s needed to bring a knife back. I would estimate the stone to be equivalent to 800 grit.

Conclusion

I would say that this stone has a big advantage in portability, but that’s about it. I have no complaints for it nor do I have anything too spectacular to say for it. I’ll keep it in my drawer for when I need to touch up some knives or throw it in my backpack if I’m going somewhere and need to sharpen some knives (although I’m not sure if this is actually ever a possibility).

Topo Designs Rover Pack Review

February 27, 2016February 28, 2016 pocketbunny1 Comment

Introduction

Topo Designs is a outdoor gear company based in Colorado. All of their products are designed and constructed by themselves in Colorado. While their most famous bag is the Klettersack, when I was in the market for a backpack, I instantly fell in love with the Rover Pack. After a few months of use with my Red and Blue model, they produced a limited edition with the English company TSPTR, which I eventually purchased as well. It’s an amazing bag with a few flaws that don’t hinder its usefulness to me. However, this bag will falter when put to certain tests.

Specs

Dimensions: 18″h x 11″w x 5″d
Volume: 16.2 L
Price: $139 (basic editions), $159 (limited editions)

Packaging

The bag comes with a simple tag with the Topo Designs logo on one side and a short blurb on the company. Other than that, packaging was minimal.

Design

The bag features a main compartment with a laptop sleeve. On newer models, the laptop sleeve divider has a flat zippered compartment. There is a flap that covers over the opening of this compartment and is held down with two buckles. The flap has a small zippered compartment for small items. On each side of the main compartment, there are two bottle holders. On the front of the main compartment, there is another flat zippered compartment. There are D-rings on both shoulder straps that can be used to hold gear and other accessories. I often hook my watch to the left D-ring.

The TSPTR limited edition model has a snoopy theme. There are five patches spread about the bag. Overall, I would say that the color scheme of the bag, brown and tan, work as a good background for the patches. The red paracord act as a nice contracting detail.

Fit and Finish

The bag is handmade and, as such, the stitching is noticeably uneven at times. It is most apparent where the stitching ends. However, they are not visible from the outside of the bag and, honestly, the touch of imperfection adds a personal touch. I have no fear that the bag will fail at its stitches.

The bag itself is made of 1000d Cordura fabric (spec sheet). The material is tear resistant and quite resistant to fraying. While it is stated that the bag comes coated, from experience, the bag is not very water resistant. This is not a big issue as it does not claim that it is, although it would have been a useful feature. In email correspondence with Topo, they recommended using Nikwax Tent Spray to waterproof the bag.

The bag cinches closed using 550 Paracord. The ends are singed and knotted. I often hold the bag by the paracord and have not had any problems with the stitching around the paracord.

It would appear as though the should strap padding got thicker in later models of the backpack. My TSPTR Rover Pack has straps that are almost twice as thick as my original red and blue model.

Functionality

I use this backpack as a day pack. As a student, I regularly carry a laptop (I have an XPS 15 9550 and it fits quite snug), notebooks, pen roll and occasional textbook. Water bottles can be a tight squeeze depending on the shape of the bottle. This is because the water bottle pouch is flat with the side of the bag. As such, larger water bottles will diminish the interior space of the bag.

The flap with buckles is useful for holding a jacket by simply clipping the jacket in between the flap and the bag. This can be done even when the bag is full.

As previously stated, the strap padding got thicker with later models. The thicker padding makes a big difference when the backpack is heavy. I much prefer to use my TSPTR bag when I am carrying my laptop.

The bag is not a jack of all trades. While it is very portable and has much to offer for its size, its small size prohibits its use for carrying larger items. For example, it starts to struggle with more than two full size textbooks. I have used the bag for camping really had to pick and choose what items I was going to bring.

Conclusion

Topo Designs has created an great bag for everyday use, if you don’t have to carry a lot. I comfortably chuck my school supplies in and it holds itself quite well. I don’t have to baby it or worry about where I put it down. It looks and works as well after 1 year as it did on day 1. However, if you need to carry larger or heavier gear, I would recommend getting a different bag. For me, though, this bag is just what I need.

Toru Yamashita Whale Knife Review

February 26, 2016February 27, 2016 pocketbunny1 Comment

Introduction

I first saw the Toru Yamashita Whale Knife on the internet and thought it was a joke. It looked a bit “whimpy” (albeit “cool”). However, after holding the knife in person and reading about the specs, I was blown away. Today, let’s take a look at a whale knife.

Specs

Material: White Steel (core), Blue Steel (outside)
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Maker: Toru Yamashita

Packaging

The knife came slabbed between two pieces of cardboard. Threw it away pretty much when I got it.

Fit and Finish

The knife is blued along the edges. Though it does add some cosmetic value (if that’s your taste), it seems to do an all right job of preventing oxidation.

The steel is heat treated very well. It came with a hair splitting edge and I can touch it up easily with a leather strop or with my Opinel natural sharpening stone (review to come) if needed. Furthermore, the steel lamination is done very symmetrically and the bevels are also very nice.

The handle area is stamped on both sides “TOBA” with some waves. I have not yet found what “TOBA” means, but it is stamped on all of his knives.

Functionality

I would describe this knife as sharp. Very sharp. Although there is no information on the composition of the White Steel that is used in the core of the knife, most “white steels” are high carbon steels. Upon receiving the knife, I brushed my thumb against the edge and subsequently received a cut that would not stop for a good 10 minutes.

I bought the knife to sharpen pencils with and it does its job quite well. It’ll slide right through the wood and come out the other end. When freshly sharpened, the wood gives little resistance.

I have two issues with the knife:
1) With a convex grind, the edge bends and develops a burr when cutting objects harder than wood.
2) The steel is very prone to rusting. Although I keep the knife dry and give it a light coating of oil every time I put it away for a longer period, some rust marks have appeared (black circles). I have identified a scratch on the blade that I haven’t been able to identify. It would appear as though the scratch went through the lamination although I am not sure.

Conclusion

My random web browsing find turned into a physical purchase that I do not regret. The blade is quite useful as a utility tool and it gets much use (as apparent by the wear). It is, however, not pocket worthy. Beyond a basic office tool, this knife has little use. It is too fragile and requires too much care. For now, it’ll stay on my desk and remain an occasional pencil sharpening utensil.

Mitsubishi White Pencil Review

February 25, 2016February 25, 2016 pocketbunny5 Comments

Introduction

I initially saw this pencil online and thought nothing much of it. It’s so plain and simple and seems like one of those “souvenir” or “kids” pencils. However, after seeing guy in person, I knew I had to have it. It’s too bad I didn’t realize how amazing it is. It’s impossible to find them nowadays.*

*Do leave me a message if you know a source for them. You’ll be well rewarded. I promise.

Specs

Place of Manufacture: Japan (?)
Price: 30NTD (~$1)

Background

I bought this pencil at a store in Taiwan called Plain (no affiliation: they have better pictures than I do). They weren’t individually packaged, although they did come with transparent pencil caps. I am not sure whether or not these came from Mitsubishi or if the store owner put them on himself.

In correspondence with a fellow pencil enthusiasts, I learned that the pencil was also produced in grey. Another spoke of how they also purchased one in Japan. I believe that the pencil was an Asia limited edition in 2014.

Fit and Finish

The pencil has great fit and finish. I cannot find any issue with the paint (albeit it is only white). The logo at the end of the pencil appears to be either foil or metallic paint. On my particular example, it seems like the logo might be wearing off a bit.

The pencil came pre-sharpened at a larger angle. The plastic pencil cap that protects the tip has created dents in the hexagonal body. I don’t believe I had capped/uncapped the pencil enough times to cause the damage myself, so it believe it was caused when the pencil cap was initially pushed on. I have since left the pencil uncapped.

Functionality

The pencil is stated to be of hardness HB although my writing experience (as well as that of the owner of Plain) has found it to be closer to B. The tip does not wear quickly and, in many ways, it writes very similarly to the Hi-Uni.

I don’t write with it too often, but here’s a brief writing and erasing sample.

Conclusion

This pencil means a lot to me. It sparked a weird fetish of mine for white pencils and I continue to search for pencils of the sort. This is a pencil for the collection and it sits with my EF Blackwings in a nice padded box. Until I can find more, if possible, that’s where it’ll live.

Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 (Vintage) Review

February 22, 2016February 23, 2016 pocketbunny1 Comment

Introduction

I’ve been a fan of wooden pencils for a while, so when an opportunity fell into my lap to try out a legendary pencil at a fraction of the price for a brand new unsharpened one, I jumped at it. Here, we’ll be discussing the original Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602. A comparison between this pencil and its remake, the Palomino Blackwing 602, can be found here.

Specs

Date manufactured: 1950s-1970s (my guess is that this particular example was made in the 1960s)
Price: $50-60 (New), $20-30 (Used, depends on length)

Fit and Finish

Pencil has a beautiful charcoal colored lacquer with gold lettering spelling out the iconic “Half the Pressure, Twice the Speed”. Due to age, it appears as though the paint has started to crack down the middle. I would assume that it is cracking where the two halves of the barrel were connected together.

The eraser is held in place with the distinct ferrule. It is easy to replace the eraser if you so wish. Palomino sells many different colored replacement erasers or you can cut one out of your favorite eraser.

Functionality

The lead is super smooth. There’s a tad of feedback, although none that could be called scratchy. The lead wears done quickly when sharp, so line variation can vary mid-sentence unless you rotate the pencil. However, writing on a dull point seems to alleviate the problem.

The stock eraser test was done out of pure curiosity. Being a vintage pencil, the eraser has surely somewhat dried out so it’s effectiveness has probably been diminished.

Closeups of each section of the writing test are available below.

Conclusion

The pencil has a writing experience second to none. I regularly use Mitsubishi Hi-Uni’s and 9800’s, but they don’t feel as nice as the Blackwing. It’s hard to describe the combination of smoothness and feedback, but it makes it a joy to write with. Plus, the line it puts down is just a joy to look at. While the price of a new pencil may be a bit steep (and it can be a bit hard to start sharpening a brand new one), a used Blackwing 602 is much more affordable and is a great gateway to experience this legendary pencil.

Opinel No8 Stainless Steel Review

February 22, 2016February 22, 2016 pocketbunny1 Comment

Introduction

Opinel has been producing knives since 1890. Their basic design, a penny knife with a wooden handle and stamped blade, is iconic and is even part of the permanent collection at New York Museum of Modern Art. I bought for its history and have found it to be one of my most useful tools, whether it’s to sharpen pencils, cut meat, or start a fire. Today, we’ll be looking at a recent production version of their No 8 knife with a stainless steel blade.

Specs

Blade length: 3.75”
Overall length: 7.5”
Weight: 1.6 oz
Price: $10-15

Packaging

The knife came in a simple cardboard box. I have long since thrown out the box but will revise the post to include the packaging from other Opinel knives if I purchase any.

Fit and Finish

At this price range, there is not too much to be expected from the fit and finish. The blade is not centered and the contours of the wood are far from symmetrical. However, in the hand, it does not feel as though anything is wrong. Further, it is actually quite difficult to tell that the knife is not perfect by just glancing at it.

The blade is made of Sandvik 12c27 that has been modified by Opinel to have more carbon. Opinel knives originally came with high carbon (0.95%) steels. However, these would easily rust. The Sandvik steel that is used is pretty easily sharpened for a stainless steel. I frequently use my Opinel Sharpening Stone to touch up the blade when needed.

The locking ring is hit or miss. Of my two Opinel No8, one has a tight locking ring while the other is very stiff. I have adjusted them slightly with a pair of pliers (with tape on the tips of course) but still do not feel equal.

Functionality

Opinel sought to create a working man’s knife and they did. The knife is cheap and sharp. The main advantage it has over competitors is the fact that it locks. However, there are many disadvantages. For one, the wooden handle is susceptible to moisture which can cause the wood to swell. When this happens, the knife can become difficult to open.

As the knife is made of stamped steel, some edges are sharp. Most notably, the top edge of the knife is sharp enough to cause discomfort.

That being said, with some simple DIY skills, most of the issues can be solved. The moisture issue can be addressed by disassembling the knife (which will require tools) and coating the knife in linseed oil, polyurethane or something of the like. The handle is easily customized with some sand paper or, if you want a more distinct shape, a saw or knife. There are some custom Opinels with exquisitely filed blade spines (here’s a great example).

My carry version, seen above, has a few coatings of oil on the wood and the edges have been naturally rounded with time. The lock has become a bit loose although I could easily pinch the opening a bit to tighten it. I actually prefer the looser lock as I can lock and unlock it with one hand. This particular knife has been accidentally soaked in water, used to cut sheet metal, and been dropped many times. It still does its job very well and hasn’t given up.

One of the most common tasks I do with this knife is sharpen pencils. The convex edge can slide through the wood with ease. It does need to be stropped and honed in order to readily do that though. There are many other knives that can sharpen pencils better (including my Warther wood carving knives and Whale Knife, reviews coming soon), but the Opinel has the advantage of being a folding knife and easier to bring places.

Conclusion

The Opinel is a fine tool to have. Its cheap price and reliability make it a staple for anyone requiring a sharp knife that might be lost or damaged. It has a few shortcomings that can be addressed. This will go in my backpack, for now, but I will be checking other models that Opinel has including different blade lengths, handle materials, and steel types.

Mitsubishi 9800 Review

February 21, 2016February 21, 2016 pocketbunny4 Comments

Introduction

I’m just going to put it out there: the Mitsubishi 9800 is my favorite production everyday use pencil of all time. I’m not going to say it is better than a Hi-Uni or Swiss Wood or vintage Blackwing, but for the normal workday (or school day), this pencil excels.

Specs

Place of Manufacture: Japan
Price: $7-8 for a box of 12

Packaging

When purchased in a box of 12, you get a nice vintage looking box.

Fit and Finish

The pencils have relatively good fit and finish. The paint is consistent and the gold foil is crisp. The quality of the wood is not always the same. Some halves are darker than the others. While it makes no effect with the writing experience or sharpening, it can be a bit of an eyesore. The leads are well centered.

Around the ends, there are times when the edges have chipped paint. I would guess that it occurred either from cutting the wood or when the pencils were being packaged. Once again, it’s not much of a functional issue, but it does affect the aesthetics.

Design

The pencil features a no-nonsense design. There is gold lettering featuring the company name, model and lead hardness. There is no eraser.

Functionality

I love this pencil because of its workhorse abilities. The pencil is light and well balanced because of the lack of ferrule and eraser. One can sharpen it from both ends for long, uninterrupted writing sessions.

The pencil comes in many different lead hardness grades (is that a word?) including HB, B, 2B, F, H, and 2H. I personally like the HB and B grades. The B grade gives a much darker line than the HB grade while the 2B wears down super quickly. Furthermore, the 2B smears very easily. With decent pressure, the HB gives

Conclusion

I use this guy for everything. It’s not supposed to be a safe-queen and you shouldn’t treat it as one. I love it because it’s cheap and reliable. If I could have one pencil in the world, I’d choose a Mitsubishi 9800.

Rotring 600 0.5mm Review

January 28, 2016February 20, 2016 pocketbunny1 Comment

Introduction

When one talks about premium mechanical pencils, there are usually two ways the conversation can go: luxury or drafting. Here, we discuss one of the most common drafting pencils. The Rotring 600 has been around for a while (still researching its history) though its newest version began in the 1990s with Rotring having been bought out by Sanford. It has a very fragile tip that many new users have bent beyond repair and a price that is way above similar Pilot and Uni offerings. So, how does Rotring stand up to the lore it carries?

Specs

Lead size: 0.35mm (effectively 0.3mm), 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm
Country of Manufacture: Japan
Price: $50 (Retail), $20-25 (Amazon)

Packaging

The Rotring comes in a lackluster cardboard box. While the Midori Pen Case also came in a cardboard box, the Rotring’s feels noticeably cheaper. Inside, there is a cardboard divider forcing the pencil into a snug corner. The pencil is sheathed in a plastic bag which it can easily slip out of (which can give a scare to the one opening the packaging). On the other side of the divider, there is a small information pamphlet that provides some general use tips and warranty information.

Fit and Finish

Upon holding the pencil, the first reaction most people have is “this is so heavy” and it’s true. At around 20 grams (more accurate number to come), the pencil is much heavier than store bought Bic mechanical pencils.

Taking the pencil apart, one finds that there is a minimum of plastic components. I’ve done some research on the history of the pencil to find out that the internal mechanism used to be completely metal. However, the plastic in the pencil does not feel weak and I do not fear that it will fail to work anytime soon.

Functionality

Holding the pencil is a joy. The knurled grip provides a wonderful surface to hold. The Alvin Draft-Matic (a similar pencil based on the Rotring 500) has a sharper grip that can be painful to hold for long periods.

The mechanism seems to take any type of lead. I have fed HB, B, and 2B leads from different manufactures and no single brand seems to break more often. As a matter of fact, even though it has a thin tip, lead breakages are seldom and are mostly from user error.

The thin tip is an area of concern. Having seen many pictures of the result of fallen pencils (most should be marked “nsfw”), when I bought the pencil, I immediately dug up an old tin pencil case from my childhood to protect the pencil when I took it from my desk. It has since been replaced with a Midori Pen Case.

I have not used the eraser although I will note that it is about the same size as Pilot P20x series pencil erasers. It feels like it is on the dry side.

Conclusion

The Rotring 600 is a wonderful pencil. It is easy to write with it for long periods of time and it is very robust, sans the tip. This is one for the pocket.

Frozen Pocket

"a bit of everything"

Category: Reviews

Lamy Al-Star Review

Platinum Century 3776 EF Review

Opinel Sharpening Stone Review

Topo Designs Rover Pack Review

Toru Yamashita Whale Knife Review

Mitsubishi White Pencil Review

Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 (Vintage) Review

Opinel No8 Stainless Steel Review

Mitsubishi 9800 Review

Rotring 600 0.5mm Review