Several weeks ago I wrote about the Field Notes note book I carry with me all the time, and my search for a suitable writing instrument for same. I’ve tried a couple of alternatives, one a “flat” ballpoint pen – shown on the left in this picture, and the Fisher Stowaway, whose clip you can see (forgive me, Field Notes guys!) sticking through the cover of the memo book:
The flat ballpoint pen was ok, wrote ok, but I was always a bit worried that it’d spring a leak in my pocket. The Fisher Stowaway (see below) has a tight fitting cap, is a bit more elegant, writes reasonably well (upside down, in the cold, and uh, under “normal” conditions) and holds a seemingly ridiculous amount of ink for its tiny size…
NOTE: this pen is a full 5″ long when open with the cap in place on the end opposite the writing tip. The Stowaway sells for about $10 at various retailers, including Amazon. There’s a version without a clip for about $7 to $8, as well.
I stick this memo book in my back pocket every day, and it’s absolutely great for capturing ideas and notes. And every once in a while, when I manage to show up to a meeting with either a) a pen that suddenly dies, or b) no pen at all, I grab this little Stowaway and am good to go.
Have you discovered a favorite compact – or other – writing instrument? If yes, please comment – perhaps we can do a showdown/comparo in a future post.
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October 29th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Ditto on the Stowaway, I pick one up from time to time from REI. I say from time to time because I have the knack of losing them, they are so innocuous. They do write well, though, and at $7 very appealing.
BTW the cap works its way lose on most of my samples from knocking around in my jacket pocket against keys etc. It’s never leaked though.
Fisher has their own website with all their variations:
http://www.spacepen.com
My favorites are the classic Bullet pen, and the “flat end” version which, even with clip, is cheaper than the Bullet:
http://www.spacepen.com/bullet.aspx
http://www.spacepen.com/matteblackx-markpen-1.aspx
I used to carry a Mont Blanc “back in the day,” besides being an enduring classic like Wayfarer sunglasses, they write well. But I like the stubby size of the Bullet and X-Mark, they will clip into any pocket, even a shorter than average polo pocket, they write well, and they are never mistaken for pretentious.
I do wish Fisher would come out with an X-Mark or Bullet with the clip welded on, because the clips dislodge easily, generally with the clip falling on the ground and the Bullet falling to the bottom of your shirt pocket. One lost clip!
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October 29th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
I got a Bullet space pen, too, especially for traveling. Mine is the matte black version. I like it a lot. It is true that the clip comes undone rather easily. BUT if you push it down with force onto the cap, it will stay in place quite well. Perhaps this works better on the matte version than on the slippery chrome version.
Otherwise, I have a large number of pens and fountain pens but the ones I use most are a Lamy Quattro Accent series which has for me blue, black, highligher and pencil. You can configure it individually, though, with different colors or a styles for PDAs. And the other one is a simple Uniball Signo RT ink roller which I buy in a five or six pack and spread generously throughout my various bags and jackets. This way I “usually” have a pen at hand. I also carry a simple Lamy mini-refill ball pen in my wallet as a last resort.
Having nice pens for traveling is cool on one side because it makes you feel like you travel in style. But if you lose the Montblanc it really sucks!
Check out the Lamy Quattro series and also the Lamy Safari series which comes in very high tech versions among them Lexan (totally transparent), alu satinized and polished and even a titanium colored version.
Till
[Reply]
Till Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Forgot to say. I use a Moleskine lined reporters notebook. The vertical format and hard back make it easy to write while on the move or with the pad resting on my thigh. The back pocket on these gets regular use from me. The downside is that they have no pen loop. On Moleskineries I read about an easy hack that helps. Just attach a small paper clip (the ones with lever action) and remove the lever. Instant pen loop.
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Michael W. Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I have the Lamy clear Safari. Their ballpens, Parkers, and Mont Blanc write the best. Lamy is much less expensive than Mont Blanc.
My favorite Mont Blanc was one that was discontinued years ago, a simple skinny (but not as skinny as a Cross) black (Mont Blanc material) non-curving tube, with a satin finish stainless steel portion at the ballpoint end. Mont Blanc refill quality, compact package not much higher than the refill, would sit in a polo pocket perfectly. They do now make a shrunken version of their classic, but I liked the modern update. I bought it in 79 or 80 and lost it in the mid ’80s. It took me through most of law school. Sigh.
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