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Notes on Coal x DDC x USA Field Notes

by Andrew

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Back in January of 2014, Draplin Design Co. and Coal Headwear came together to produce a set of Field Notes in homage of Old Glory. This special edition, known as the Coal X DDC X USA Edition, was limited to 5,000 3-packs, which – of course – sold out quickly. Luckily, many 3-packs were held back for inclusion in a special “USA Kit” sold by the Coal and DDC websites, and much to my surprise, I found that this kit is still available for purchase. So, I happily ordered one, and it came in time for Independence Day this year.
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The kit includes a USA patch and trucker hat, along with the pack USA-themed Field Notes pocket notebooks. Each notebook cover features a solid blue background atop a red and white-striped lower third. The cover stock is a hefty 100#, heavier than the 80# stock used in the standard Kraft edition. The innards contain a gray-inked graph, printed on 50# white paper.

If you’re a fan of pocket notebooks, then it’s obviously a perfect choice for July. As usual with Field Notes, I love their look as the book slowly gets used and worn. The red ink on the inside cover does seem to rub off onto the outer layers of paper over time, but as far as complaints go, that’s pretty minor. 

Otherwise, it feels like a pretty typical Field Notes notebook. It’s worth the cost of the Kit only if you’re feeling extra patriotic. My only real concern is that I look pretty goofy in a trucker hat, USA-themed or otherwise.

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Additional Notes

  • Though the practical application list (printed in the back, inside cover) is very similar to that of the standard Kraft Field Notes, the Coal X DDX X USA edition varies somewhat. Among my favorite variants: “02. Color Predictions”; “08. Badge Schematics”; and “16. Couches To Crash On.”
  • According to Jinnie at Three Staples, the paper used in this edition is different from what Field Notes typically uses. And it’s worth noting, she feels this paper isn’t as smooth. Personally, I hadn’t noticed a difference.
  • As usual, the notebook’s specifications page names each color used in the printing. Apparently, the notebook uses “Wenatchee White,” “Ballard Blue,” and “Rainier Red” (with a little bit of “Yakima Yellow” text) for the cover. However, the official names of colors used on the United States flag are “White,” “Old Glory Red,” and “Old Glory Blue.”

Retro Talk: The Joey Feldman Edition

by Andrew

Earlier this year, before I was blown away by Retro 51’s Summer 2016 catalog (pdf), Vanness Pens cropped up with its very own Retro 51 exclusive that drew my eye: The Joey Feldman “Artist Series” Tornado.

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Primarily known for his colorful and “cartoon-ish” portraits of pop-culture icons like Peewee Herman, Eminem, and Donald Trump, Feldman also has a knack for drawing some pretty creepy monsters. So, when commissioned to design the wrap for this Tornado, it seems that he came up with something that’s both vibrant and (on close inspection) a little ghoulish. It’s definitely one of the most visually stunning pens I own, making it very nice to both use and display.

This Tornado was limited to 500 total pieces; 250 were made with a black clip and 250 were made with a red clip. Both versions are individually numbered (I have #149), but the red-clip version, besides costing $20 more, also comes with a signed print of Feldman’s design. Though, take it from me, it’s difficult to find a frame that will fit its 12.75″ x 5.75″ dimensions.

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Whenever artists or designers get involved in stationery, it usually makes for an interesting product. Even though it’s quite expensive for a Retro 51 pen, I’m happy to own this one. And though this is currently the only pen in Retro 51’s Artist Series, I sincerely hope its not the last.

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…and, as The Analog points out in their extremely detailed review, that eye inlaid at the top is pretty awesome.

Notes on Sweet Tooth Field Notes

by Andrew

When the time comes for Field Notes to produce their quarterly edition of limited notebooks, I always appreciate when they attempt something different, and they’ve definitely accomplished that with Sweet Tooth, the recent Spring 2016 release.

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While the 3-packs of Sweet Tooth notebooks come in the typical pocket-size, 3.5″ x 5.5″, there are many new features lurking inside these little books. Most obviously, each notebook has blank and colored paper. The three colors – “Blu Raspberry,” “Banana Split,” and “Tangy Orange” (which looks more red to me) – match the colors of their respective covers.

In addition, both the covers and the paper inside these books are much more hearty than usual, clocking in at 100# and 70#, respectively – that makes for a relatively thick Field Notes notebook. For comparison’s sake, a standard Field Notes notebook has a cover stock that is 80# and paper that is 50#.


Each notebook page also comes perforated, for easy tearing. Anyone who leaves a lot of notes would do well to slip a Sweet Tooth book into a desk drawer, plucking out a page now and then whenever a scrap piece of paper is needed. The colors also allow for a color-coded note system, if you are nerdy and dedicated enough to develop one. There’s even a couple extra aesthetic flares – all the text on the notebooks’ covers are stamped with a shiny foil, and, of course, there are the black staples.

Although I appreciate the novelty of these Sweet Tooth books, I’m sorry to say that they really aren’t for me. Unlike the typical Field Notes design, these don’t offer much utility for the type of person who carries a notebook in his or her back pocket. The extra heft of the paper and cover stock makes it noticeable and, at times, uncomfortable to carry around. And though I find the perforations occasionally handy, those who like to save everything written in their notebooks will find them mostly useless.

However, if you work at a desk, prefer blank paper, and tear out a lot of pages, then Sweet Tooth will be the perfect edition of Field Notes for you. And, frankly, it’s a terrific notebook for keeping track of your next dentist appointment. You just have to leave yourself a note, hidden amongst your candy stash.

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Additional Notes

  • Of the 30 “Practical Applications” listed in the notebooks’ inside-back cover, my favorites are the following: #07. “C6H8O7 vs. C12H22O11” (i.e. sour vs. sweet); #14. “Egg Hiding Spots”; and #18. “Easter Ham Recipes.”
  • Here’s a great review at The Well Appointed Desk, who loved it, and another at Three Staples, where you can find a ton of amazing photos.
  • In case you missed it: On March 1st, I jokingly predicted that the Spring 2016 Field Notes release would be “edible notebooks.” I think I came pretty darn close with Sweet Tooth!

 

Five Pens to Try – May 2016 Update

by Andrew

This week, Pens and Junk reaches two milestones: 100 posts and 25,000 page views. To many it may be a relatively minor accomplishment, but I thought it worth commemorating with a quick look back. After all, I wrote my original Top Five list after reviewing my first 25 pens back in October of last year, and things have changed a lot since then – keen observers will notice that only one pen has retained its spot on this list.

So, to cut the waffling short, here are the five pens that you should be checking out:

1. For Your Pen Cup: Pentel Energel Deluxe RTX

Pentel Energel Deluxe RTX

The Pentel Energel is relatively inexpensive, durable, comfortable, and it has an ink that’s both smooth and dark. This is really a great pen to have laying about in your work area, and it comes in a variety of colors and tip sizes. And if you really like this pen, you can get a stainless steel version for under $10.

2. Your “Nice” Pen: Retro 51 Tornado

Retro 1951 Tornado

It’s safe to assume that the Retro 51 Tornado is a mainstay in my collection. Since buying my first one in August of last year, I’ve gotten three more for myself and given a few more as gifts. Tons of different designs are available, and it’s a great option if you’re thinking about upgrading your writing experience. And while many nicer pens go for $100 or more, you can get a Tornado for as little as $20.

3. Your On-The-Move Pen: Fisher Cap-O-Matic Space Pen

Fisher Cap-O-Matic Space Pen

If you need a compact pen that can write in variety of situations, the Fisher Cap-O-Matic is the way to go. The pressurized Space Pen ink cartridge will write upside-down on wet paper, if you need it to. Though, I still really like my Tombow Airpress, the slim, metal body of the Cap-O-Matic makes it a bit more pocket friendly.

4. Your Everyday Writer: BIC Intensity

Bic Intensity

With its porous-point tip, the BIC Intensity produces crisp lines that will make anybody’s handwriting look better. I almost always have one of these pens at hand. If you can’t find the Intensity, the Sharpie Pen is a great alternative, though it’s slightly less durable.

5. A Pen to Fix Your Mistakes: Pilot Frixion

Pilot Frixion

Let’s face it, most erasable pens on the market are pure garbage. Pilot, on the other hand, has really broken the mould with the heat-activated ink inside the Frixion. The ink comes smooth and dark, and it erases like a dream. If you always wanted to do your math homework in pen, this is for you.

So that’s it. I hope you were able to find something interesting and something new. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at atb@pensandjunk.com or leave a comment below.

Notes on Chicago Edition Field Notes

by Andrew

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Field Notes is constantly creating new editions. Sometimes it’s done for their subscription service, sometimes it’s done for a conference, and sometimes it’s done just for fun. That’s basically the explanation given when they put out the Chicago Edition notebook this winter. According to their website, “it’s just a little something we whipped up to keep ourselves busy and warm as our temperature drops below zero.”

But the Chicago edition is essentially a clone of the standard Kraft Field Notes, and, really, there’s nothing negative I can say about that. It’s a pocket-sized notebook that uses the “packing brown” cover stock with 50# graph paper innards. There is, however, one main difference; the Chicago flag, in all its municipal glory, is printed on the cover.

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Unlike most of the other special edition Field Notes, this one hasn’t been called “limited,” so it’s currently still available on the Field Notes website. It’s a neat edition for anyone who has a personal connection to Chicago, especially if you’re already a Field Notes fan. It would probably make a pretty good gift too, just remember that bringing a pack of these notebooks north of the Wisconsin-Illinois border is probably not a good idea.

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Additional Notes:

  • The Field Notes Headquarters also resides in Chicago, hence this edition.
  • … But even the Field Notes website admits, the Washington D.C. flag is better.
  • Of the 30 “Practical Applications” listed in the notebooks’ inside-back cover, my favorites are the following: #03. “CAH Card Ideas”; #17. “Threadless Tee Ideas”; and #27. “Rat Proliferation Documentation.”