Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9896903

by mrkmcknz • 11 years ago

11 40 11 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Moleskine notebooks are a given.

But I'm struggling to find a good pen and pencil for every day use. Any suggestions?

wmrice• 11 years ago

Pilot G-2 0.38 (I like the thin line) + Pentel Twist-Erase 0.5 (I like unique combo of mechanical pencil and full-size eraser)

privong2• 11 years ago

For an everday pen, I use a Lamy Safari fountain pen[0] with an extra-fine nib. For a pencil I use a Pentel GraphGear 1000[1] in 0.5mm.

[0] http://www.lamy.com/eng/b2c/safari/017

[1] http://www.pentel.com/store/graphgear-1000

bch• 11 years ago

Hi.

Question regarding your Safari -- does it carry well ? For example, can you toss it in a courier bag and tote it around safely without it leaking ink, or having some other fountain-pen-specific problem happening ?

privong2• 11 years ago

To be honest, I haven't really tried that, so I can't say for sure. I usually carry mine clipped to my shirt or sportcoat pocket. The only time I had an ink leakage issue was when I dropped it from about stomach-height and the ink reservoir came slightly loose and there was some leaking a few days later. So now I just give it a quick check if I've dropped it, to be sure nothing came loose. I've dropped it more than once, and it's only had a problem that one time.

I have also flown with it numerous times. I have the ink convertor, and I squeeze out the air (or make sure it's full of ink) before I fly, and have had no problems. I have even written with it in-flight, without issues.

fundamental• 11 years ago

I use a Muji 0.38 black pen and a 0.7mm BIC mechanical pencil. For a notebook I prefer the dotted leuchtturm1917.

eterm• 11 years ago

Pentel p205. (sometimes 207)

I don't use pen.

edit: http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.co.uk/ is a good resource for reviews of mechanical pencils and erasers.

a3n• 11 years ago

Whatever gel pen my employer's supply closet contains.

A 5x8 tear-off notepad, ruled.

Postits.

A lab notebook for when it matters. It mostly doesn't.

farqueue• 11 years ago

I use my Fisher Space Pen almost exclusively. It hasn't let me down.

ksherlock• 11 years ago

pen: Skilcraft U.S. GOVERNMENT, black ink, fine point.

pencil: Zebra M-301, .5MM

eraser: Pentel clic eraser ZE22

paper: whatever is in front of me

gadders• 11 years ago

Parker fountain pen with an italic nib, and a notebook with squared paper pages.

paulrpotts2• 11 years ago

Just FYI... I know it is considered uncool to correct writing, and I'm often told that grammar is irrelevant these days. I don't mean to be that guy, but I also don't believe grammar is irrelevant. Personally, I always get briefly confused when I read the wrong word. ("Stationary _what_?" -- I thought briefly you might be talking about a stationary bicycle.)

http://grammarist.com/usage/stationary-stationery/

andrewstuart2• 11 years ago

Man, it kinda bums me out that we have to be so guarded these days when just trying to help someone by correcting an honest mistake.

The trolls ruin these things for the rest of us.

drallison• 11 years ago

Moleskin notebooks are OK, but I much prefer Leuchtturm1917 (https://www.leuchtturm1917.com) which are available blank, ruled, squared, and dots. I like the dots as I am neatness challenged when writing. I also like the Fabriano Misto Carta notebooks, particularly the gluebound A5 stars version which allows pages to be easily separated.

I use a variety of pens and pencils--my brief case usually has a substantial selection, enough to start a small writing instrument store. Lately I have been using Pentel CLICK 0.7 pencils available from Costco. They are nice for fine detail and have a substantial eraser. They have a very different feel from the iconic Blackwing 602 Palomino wooden pencils which I use for hand written drafts.

paulrpotts2• 11 years ago

I have kind of gone off Moleskines due to their price and low page count. For my software development work, I've recently taken to buying 9x12 sketchbooks (Canson artist series at the moment, but sometimes whatever is on sale at Michael's) and I use these for notes, and especially for state machine diagrams, flow charts, charts, etc. Occasionally the results are even pretty, but mostly they just become a mess. That's OK. My pens are "Paper Mate® Flair® Felt Tip Pens, Medium Point, Black" and I buy them in bulk since I am always using them up and occasionally losing them.

I have at times had various fetishes for mechanical pencils and fountain pens but that way can lie madness, so this is sort of the antidote to keep me grounded in a state of "just write it, dude, stop fussing with your tools."

scraft• 11 years ago

I found out, just yesterday, that it is stationery (with an ery) when talking about office supplies and stationary (with an ary) when talking about something that isn't moving. I'm not a grammar nazi and I don't care how people spell it at all, I was just interested that after years I had always been getting it wrong, so I am just sharing it here!

mrkmcknz2• 11 years ago

My bad. I don't typically check back over anything I type on HN. If I had $1 every time my grammar or spelling was incorrect, well you know the story.

allwein• 11 years ago

The mnemonic I remember being taught is this:

Stationery with an 'E' is for Envelopes and such

Stationary with an 'A' is when you Ain't moving much

Someone1234• 11 years ago

I've tried a lot of pens, from fountain, to regular ballpoint, Fisher to Parker, and I'm yet to find a better pen than the Pilot G2 Retractable.

It doesn't look "fancy" but it is effectively a ballpoint pen than glides across the page. It is retractable so no caps, and it doesn't have a stupid thick stalk like some so called "premium" pens (so they're easy to hold for long durations).

Yet as much as I love these pens, they're only $12 for a box of twelve. Hardly super expensive.

I discovered them in what Americans would call "High School" and used them all throughout University and haven't stopped since. They're now my pen of choice. I have a whole draw of more expensive pens, but the G2's are the workhorse that gets it done.

PS - Yes, fountain pens glide across the page too. But I got tired of the mess/hassle.

PPS - My Parker Stainless Steel Classic is likely my favorite LOOKING pen. It is the same as the Parker Stainless Steel they still sell, but has a touch of gold leaf on the clip and cap. As much as I like the look of both the Parker Stainless Steel AND the Stainless Steel Classic, the G2 is simply better for actual writing.

dpeck• 11 years ago

|Pilot G2 Retractable

Excellent choice, I get a dozen or two of black and blue each year and probably one of red. Feels great to write with, clean lines, really nice and very economical.

spaceisballer2• 11 years ago

Well working in gov't I have a wide array of Skillcraft products, some are ok. So if I don't have to pay for the pens I request the Precision 305, it's not bad. But I mostly use Uni-ball Signo 207 pens (http://www.amazon.com/uni-ball-Retractable-Translucent-12-Pa...). I could care less about how someone couldn't wash away the ink but I really like how they write.

As for paper products I just use whatever skillcraft steno pads are available.

jmiwhite2• 11 years ago

I use a different notebook, a Black n' Red wirebound hardcover, 8-1/4 x 5-7/8 Inches.

I usually use a Pilot Hi-Tec-C (0.3mm) pen and a Pentel Sharp (0.9mm) mechanical pencil with a polymer block eraser.

spaceisballer2• 11 years ago

I've seen thos Black n' Red notebooks in our stationery store, but in 8.5 x 11. Have you been using them for a while?

jmiwhite2• 11 years ago

Yep! I haven't found a nicer spiral-bound type notebook, the paper is heavy and smooth and the size is comfortably constrained.

partisan• 11 years ago

Notebook: Moleskine.

Pen: Uniball Retractable Jetstream 1.0 thickness. I give them to the people I care about. I have many packs at home. I mourn when the pen runs out.

fiveoak• 11 years ago

I like using mechanical pencils over pens for everyday notes, although I'm probably in the minority. My goto one is the Uni-ball KuruToga Mechanical Pencil http://amzn.com/B0026ICM1E

There's also a slightly more expensive metal version: http://amzn.com/B004OHNTVC

I have both, but oddly enough I prefer the lighter weight of the cheap plastic one. Just feels more comfortable to write with for me.

imron• 11 years ago

My favourite is the Papermate Pacer: http://www.inkman.com.au/items.asp?id=54523&gclid=CPyZm6GF4M...

Especially if you like spinning pens/pencils, the tapered tip makes it much less prone to accidental stabbing from a bad spin.

dmcginty• 11 years ago

My notepad of choice is the Rhodia dot pad. They're bound on the top of the page so they're good at laying flat, and I've never had an ink bleed through the paper. As far as pens I use a Pilot Metropolitan with Noodler's black ink. However, I'm really lazy with refilling it so I tend to default to the PaperMate InkJoy pens that my office gets.

FireBeyond2• 11 years ago

Second this. I use the Rhodia Grid, only recently, and love the paper.

lcmatt• 11 years ago

Pen: Uni Pin fine line. 0.1mm is my go to for general day to day use, anything over 0.5mm tends to be too thick for writing.

Pad: whitelines black oceans (Lined) is really nice to write in.

kendallpark2• 11 years ago

Paper: Modnotebook

Interesting product. It's a regular moleskin, but it comes with an envelope so you can mail it in and the notebook will be scanned and put into a cloud account for you in various formats. Then the notebook will be mailed back to you. I find this to be a great way to preserve ideas and drawings.

http://modnotebooks.com/

Pencils: I'm an artist as well as developer, so I'm extremely picky about my mechanical pencils. My number one requirement is the need for a replaceable twist-up eraser. I burn through erasers like no other, so having a long eraser that you can twist up as it's depleted is a necessity.

Paper Mate Clear Point 0.5mm http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Mechanical-Assorted-34666PP...

Pentel Twist-Erase III 0.5mm http://www.amazon.com/Pentel-Twist-Erase-Automatic-Assorted-...

There are pros and cons to each of these. The Twist-Erase III's are more durable and there is more friction that keeps the eraser put. The Clear Point can break if you step on it or simply wear down from use. You'll also find yourself twisting the eraser back out as it likes to twist back down over time. The main advantage of the Clear Point is that the nib retracts completely so you don't stab yourself when you put it in your pocket. I can't tell you how many times I've been stabbed by the Twist-Erase III. The quality of both of their erasers is good.

I'm very much 50/50 on these two. I will say that I won't use anything but these.

Pens: I do not use pens.

unknownzero• 11 years ago

I've always loved the idea of Modnotebook. The blocker for me was always the thought of my notebook being lost while shipping it back to them, before it's been digitized. Glad to see someone using it happily though.

kendallpark2• 11 years ago

I have that fear as well! But I live in the same city as the founders, so I'm sure I could track them down if necessary. I believe there is tracking on the postage.

mrkmcknz2• 11 years ago

Mod looks interesting. I'll have to try them out!

to3m• 11 years ago

By way of pen, I use a Parker Vector (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parker-Vector-Stainless-Medium-Fount...). The plastic ones tend to break - avoid! - but the stainless steel ones are excellent: durable, attractive and well priced. Good ink flow and a nice thick line from the nib. The Parker blue and black inks have a watery cast that I've always liked too.

I don't use pencils.

It's probably UK only, but for note pads, I use the Pukka Pad Jotta (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pukka-Pad-Notebook-Wirebound-Jotta/d... - reasonably priced, I think, but cheaper again at Costco if you're a member. Also available with squares rather than lines, albeit at higher cost). Inexpensive everyday notepad with good quality paper. Adequate construction quality. Spiral binding allows you to have it laid flat or folded back on itself.

(If you sit at a desk, and work somewhere where people won't mind if you have notepads that are purely functional, I rate these higher than Moleskines. They are cheap (but not crap), and cheap (but not crap) is good! You can't have too much notepaper.)

FireBeyond2• 11 years ago

Rhodia notebooks are awesome. Lovely quality paper. I can write in a fountain pen and not have any bleed - so much nicer to be able to use both sides of the paper. I alternate between orange and black for different projects. The grid has a unique layout I like - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DC5NW4?psc=1&redirect=t...

ljk• 11 years ago

Why do people like Moleskine so much? I like a nice pen to write with, but binder clips with a stack of scratch paper to take notes is plenty enough

DanBC• 11 years ago

They're nice paper (although you can find nicer); they're robust; and they're available everywhere.

panjaro• 11 years ago

Mouse, Monitor, Keyboard

shoo• 11 years ago

the tools matter less than what you do with them. you can write/draw with many things, on many things.

that said, i am fond of index cards and blu-tack. these go well with walls.

edit: for some reason this thread reminds me of the american psycho business card scene...

6d0debc071• 11 years ago

Depends what you want the pen for. I use a Staedtler triplus fineliner as far as daily use pens go and a uni kuru toga mechanical pencil.

Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

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