Ink Links

-- Notebooks and Pens from Paris  (Darice de Cuba)

-- Stationery Pr0n: Japanese Pens and More from JetPens.com  (Stepcase Lifehack)

-- Review: Clairefontaine Basic Notebook  (Miscellany & Cacophony)

-- Habana in my Cabana  (Bluebug)

-- Breaking the Pilot Precise V5  (Brokecracker)

-- Featured Pen - The Parker 51  (Whatever)

-- Prismacolor Premier and Pigma Micron  (Not a Book Nerd)

-- Recent JetPens Haul  (Spiritual Evolution of the Bean)

-- Cross ATX Mechanical Pencil Review  (Dave's Mechanical Pencils)

-- A closer look at the Lamy Safari  (Miscellany & Cacophony)

-- Quo Vadis Habana Notebook Review  (Everyday Correspondence)

-- Levenger Cocoa Fountain Pen Ink  (Office Supply Geek)

-- Blue Uni-ball Vision and Orange Zebra Sarasa  (Pocket Blonde)

-- Let’s Talk Pens  (Rhodia Drive)

-- Felissimo 500 Color Pencils – 2nd set  (Pencil Talk)

-- Tul Retractable Gels  (Inkthusiasm!)

-- Gripsharp Pencil Grip/Pencil sharpener combination review and performance tests  (Lung Sketching Scrolls)

Doane Paper Mini Idea Journal Winners

Thanks again to Chad Doane and Doane Paper for another successful giveaway.  The winners are listed below - here is what I need each of you to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. Email me your mailing address using my email address on the sidebar.

You each have one week to claim your prize.

51 Andy said...
This looks like something I would definitely like.
Reply November 10, 2009 at 09:28 AM

153 Jeff said...
I would love to try some Doane Paper!
Reply November 10, 2009 at 03:34 PM

199 L Davis said...
Pretty please with sugar on top???
Reply November 10, 2009 at 07:24 PM

Giveaways here at The Pen Addict are going to be hot and heavy over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled for more cool stuff very, very soon!

Review: Caran D'Ache Frosty Ballpoint

Have I mentioned how good Carmen was to me on her trip to Europe yet?  If I haven't, the multitude of pens that I have already reviewed should show you how much she hooked me up.  And the best part is that there are even more pens to review, like this Caran D'Ache Frosty ballpoint pen.

I have heard of the Caran D'Ache brand before, and I have had requests from emailers and commenters to review some of their offerings before, but this is the first one I have actually used.  I like the design of this pen a lot, especially the weight of it.  It's funny how I can like a featherweight pen like the Muji Gel I reviewed on Monday, and then still like a pen like this Caran D'Ache, which has substantial weight behind it.  It guess it all comes down to the feel and balance in my hand on whether the weight of the pen is a good or bad thing.

While the looks were nice, the performance didn't really meet my expectations.  I'm a little more strict on ballpoints in general, but this one was scratchier than most, which normally isn't a problem with ballpoints.  It is almost like the ball is set too far in the tip of the pen, causing the sides to scratch a little.  I have a very upright writing form, so it isn't the angle that I am writing at.  Chalk up another in the good, not great category.

Click here for the XL review.