There's An App For That ... And I Don't Want It

A couple of weeks ago as I was getting ready for my weekend grocery store run I mentioned on Twitter that I was rewriting my shopping list in order of the store layout. This is a normal thing for me in an effort to make my life easier.

I got a few immediate responses stating there were several grocery store apps that do just this thing. My first thought was "Fantastic!" but within about five minutes it hit me: If I use an app for this task that is one less opportunity to use the pens and paper that I love so much.

I love my iPhone and all of the apps that help me communicate, manage my day, or entertain me during my free time. But I love my pens and paper even more, and if I have the choice, they are going to win almost every time. There is no app that will give me the same satisfaction.

Ohto Dude Fountain Pen Review

There are a wide variety of fountain pens available in the entry-level price range of around $20. Some on the lower-end of that price scale are excellent (the Platinum Preppy and Sailor HighAce Neo for starters), as are ones on the higher end like the Lamy Safari. While there are many good choices, there are poor ones as well, and unfortunately the Ohto Dude falls into the latter category.

The Ohto brand has always appealed to me from a design perspective. Their barrel design ideas are interesting, and they generally pull them off very well (the Ohto Rook being the lone exception). Where they have been lacking - more times than not - is in the area of performance. Most importantly, where the nib meets paper.

I should have learned my lesson with the Ohto Fine. That nib gave me serious problems at the time, and the cost of repair would be greater than the original price. I was hoping the unfortunately named Dude would be better. It was, but only marginally.

What I have repeatedly experienced with Ohto fountain pens is the nib digging into the page. I don't mean that it is scratchy when I write - that is a different feeling - I mean that it is almost gouging the page. This made for a poor and inconsistent writing experience.

I have learned my lesson with this pen. Ohto ballpoints and rollerballs are good pens but I am going to swear off any future Ohto fountain pen purchases.

Sakura Pigma Sensei Drawing Pen 0.4 mm Review

There are not many pens that I like more than the Sakura Pigma Micron. It has been a long time favorite of mine, and along with the Pilot Hi-Tec-C it is a pen I keep handy everywhere I am, or might be. The Sakura Pigma Sensei Drawing Pen shares some of the same properties as its cousin the Micron but has many unique qualities of its own.

What intrigued me the most about the Sensei line was the range of tip types offered, especially the porous tip found in the 0.4 mm. The product line is made to be sold as a set, with the 0.3 mm made to look like the traditional Micron for fine lines, and the wider 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm designed like markers for wide, bold lines. Fortunately for me, JetPens sells the pens individually as well because I really wanted to try the 0.4 mm the most.

Porous tip pens are one of my favorite types of pens because of the sharp, clean lines they produce. The ink is generally darker as well, compared to other similar types of pens. The Sensei is a winner in both of those areas, but the tip is a little more fibrous than I prefer. I believe it is designed like that for a reason, allowing artists some variation in line width. For me, I'd prefer a firmer, solid tip for every day writing.

I was hoping the Sensei would take a spot in my arsenal right next to the Micron, but it is one notch below for me. It is excellent for sure, but for my needs the Micron suits me better.