Review: Schneider Slider Medium Blue Ballpoint

Schneider Slider

I had never heard of or used a Schneider pen prior to receiving this one that Carmen sent to me from her travels across Europe.  Not a week later, I was sent another one by frequent Pen Addict commentor (and Zebra Sharbo X enabler) Der Bingle, so there must be something good going on with the Schneider Slider, right?

If comparisons to the Uni-Ball Jetstream and the Pilot Acroball don't tell you almost everything you need to know about this pen, then I will just come right out and say it - this is a very good ballpoint.  I'm not even sure the Jetstream can match how solid this line is.  No ballpoint (or hybrid) that I have used has performed like this.  My standard expectation of all ballpoints is to have a little white streaking in the line, but this pen writes as clean as a liquid ink pen, which is saying something.

Comfort wise, the barrel has a very nice feel in the hand.  It is long like the Pentel R.S.V.P., and has a solid rubber grip.  I could do without the slight taper in the grip area, but that is just picking nits at this point.  The only real issue with this pen is trying to round one up to buy.  You probably aren't going to find these for sale on store shelves in the U.S. (Schneider is a German company), so the internet will be your friend in trying to track these down.  If you are a ballpoint pen fan it may be worth your time and effort.

Sam from Future; Nostalgic has an excellent review of the similar Schneider Slider XB ballpoint.

Click here for the XL review.

Posted on October 15, 2009 .

Giveaway: Kokuyo Beetle Tip 3way Highlighter - 5 Color Set

Pentel Wow

I reviewed the Kokuyo Beetle Tip 3way Highlighter last week and liked it so much that I ordered up the 5 Color set from JetPens.com for a giveaway.  If you are a big highlighter fan and want to try out a very unique product, just follow the instructions below:

1. Leave one comment on this post anytime between now, and Thursday night at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.  You are limited to one entry.  Feel free to link this giveaway on your blog, or share it with anyone you feel is a true pen addict.  If you have a blog, I would love a link back, but it is certainly not required for entry into the contest.

2. For this contest, I will pick one winner at random from the comments section of this post.  The comments will be numbered in the order they are received, i.e. the first comment is #1, the second #2, and so on.  The Random Integer Generator at random.org will be used to pick the number of the winner.

3. The contest winner will be posted on Friday, October 16th.  The winner will have one week to email me at the address posted in the right sidebar.

4. I will ship internationally.  I know there are many international readers and fans of The Pen Addict, and I will gladly ship to you at my expense.

Thanks, and good luck!

Posted on October 13, 2009 .

Review: Maruman Mnemosyne Today's Act Note Pad

Maruman Mnemosyne

The idea of keeping a running to-do list is something I am always playing around with, but I am never satisfied with the format I come up with.  As digital of a life as I lead, online list sites like Remember The Milk haven't really grabbed me, and as easy as it is to keep a list in a standard pocket notbook, I just haven't done it.  Could the Maruman Mnemosyne Today's Act Note Pad be the answer I am looking for?

The best part about this notebook is that it is set up to do one task and one task only - keep lists.  It isn't a journal, it isn't a planner, and it isn't a sketchbook.  The page layout is designed specifically for your listmaking needs.  The top of the page has a section for a title or header, plus room for the date to the right of the page.  Below that, there are two small columns to the left to use for numbering or marking off, and the main lined writing section takes up the remaining width of the page.  It is a minimal layout and something that could easily be duplicated on your own, but I tend to take the presets for a lot of things, and this layout is just right for me.

I used my latest Zebra Sharbo X with Royal Blue and Carmine Red 0.4mm gel ink refills to put together a short list for some of the items I wanted to remember for a trip I took last week.  The A6 size suits me well, but if that isn't enough space for you, JetPens also carries a long version.  The sheets are perforated, which I like when I'm grabbing my list for a few errands and heading out the door, but the firm plastic cover makes this pad portable and packable.

Adding another item to go along with your already bulging planner or journal may not be necessary for some, but the Maruman Mnemosyne Today's Act Note Pad fills a need in my daily routine.

Maruman Mnemosyne

Posted on October 12, 2009 .