Princeton Architectural Press Pocket Dept. Back Pocket Notebook Review

"Pocket Dept: A notebook for every pocket."

That is the tagline for a fresh line of notebooks designed and manufactured with recycled materials from Art House Co-op in Brooklyn. Being the fan of pocket notebooks that I am, I of course had to check them out when JetPens started stocking them.

As dedicated as I am to the standard 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" memo books I love trying out new notebooks, especially in non-standard sizes like the 4" x 4" Back Pocket Notebook. What looks like a stack of Post-its is actually a well put together, sturdy pocket notebook. In fact, I think it is too sturdy for back pocket carry. It doesn't have the flex of a 48-page Field Notes - it's more Costanza Wallet-feeling in my back pocket. Carry style aside, this is a nice notebook that I think works well in a backpack or purse.

The paper is standard all the way around, meaning it works well with most gel and ballpoint pens, while showing slight feathering and bleed with roller ball and fountain pen inks. Some work well, you just have to test them out to find the right fit. For example, my wider-nibbed fountain pens showed through to the back of the page. That is completely expected behavior.

One odd thing with the Pocket Dept notebook: It is made in China. There is nothing wrong with that inherently, but reading up on the product, looking at the design origination and the group involved in making it, it looks perfectly suited for a Made in the USA notebook. I assumed it was honestly. Not a big deal, but it made me say "hmmm".

If you are looking for something new to try and the 4" x 4" dimension fills a need, you will enjoy this notebook. For me, it isn't going to break into the regular rotation any time soon.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Ink Links

-- Blue Swan ink of old (Palimpsest)

-- The Tombow Pencil Company’s 100th Anniversary (and Pencil) (pencil talk)

-- Edison Huron Revisited: If You Like It, Put a Ring on It (Peaceable Writer)

-- A Look at Some Leather Field Notes covers (Nate's Blog)

-- Review: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Maica Gel Ink Pen - 0.3 mm - 6 Color Set (Life Imitates Doodles)

-- Wood & Silver: Montblanc l'Aubrac (these beautiful pens)

-- The Best Company In The Universe (PositivelyGlorious!)

-- Esterbrook #8440 Nib (Fountain Pen Quest)

-- Quick Review: Notebooks from JetPens (Notebook Stories)

-- Review: Gate City Pen - The Belmont Galápagos - Fine (Gourmet Pens)

-- Shopping for a New Notebook: Nerd Style (The Well-Appointed Desk)

-- Noodler’s Baystate Blue – Ink Review (Ed Jelley)

-- Review of Sonic Ratchetta Sharpener (Pencil Revolution)

-- Pilot Prera (Pens! Paper! Pencils!)

-- Faber-Castell e-Motion (Inktronics)

-- Why I started EDCing a pen (The New Artemis)

-- Lamy Vista Fountain Pen - F Nib (The Clicky Post)

Rohrer & Klingner Scabiosa Review

I don't ever think I have seen a picture of Rohrer & Klingner Scabiosa that accurately reflects what it looks like in person, the above picture included. That is why it took me so long to get on the bandwagon quite honestly. It never looked like a good fit. A sample vial from my friend Thomas changed all of that.

From the very first time I inked it up I was hooked. I talk a lot about products that get everything "just right" and Scabiosa is one of them. The color - a dusty purple with hints of brown and grey - is just right. The amount of shading is just right. The dry time is just right. The ease of cleaning, even for an iron gall ink, is just right.

I like blue black fountain pen inks because they look classic - even historic - on the page. Scabiosa gives that same look. It stands out from the crowd while remaining professional enough to use in any situation. I have been keeping my TWSBI Mini 1.5 mm stub nib inked with it recently as my letter writing pen (this is also the pen used for this review). What a wonderful combination!

I owe everyone a Top 5 fountain pen inks list, which I promise I will get to very soon. Look for Rohrer & Klingner Scabiosa to rank highly when it comes out.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)