Three Questions With Josh Ginter

When I first ran across Josh Ginter at his site The Newsprint, I knew he had “it”. There is no true definition of “it” other than you know it when you see it. His combination of style and content is not to be missed. My thanks to Josh for answering Three Questions.

1. What role do analog tools such as pens, pencils, and paper play in your day to day life?

While I often hunker down in the evenings and dedicate time to snapping photos and creating prose, by day I crunch numbers at the accounting office. Despite the drive to digital in accountancy, I can’t help but adore traditional analog tools at the office. I write my daily plan of attack in my new 2015 planner every morning and I’m often on the prowl for new pens to show off to my colleagues. I’ve also found that I retain information far better when I take the time to write things into a notebook instead of quickly typing in a text editor. Lastly, my daily journaling habit has its cornerstone in trusty Field Notes memo books. Be it thoughts or quick arithmetic when chatting with a client, Field Notes are my go-to tool. It’s a rare day that I don’t have a Field Notes jammed into a Stuff Sheath in my back pocket or in my messenger bag.

2. What are your favorite products you are currently using?

I’m a total sucker for a new pen or notebook, so you’ll constantly find me saying I have a new favourite. However, there’s no better memo book for me than a trusty Field Notes. My all-time favourite edition is Drink Local and I’m currently in the middle of the Pale Lager/Pilsner book. I carry around my field notes in a DDC Stuff Sheath or a Hellbrand Leatherworks Field Notes cover. I find I lose too many nicer pens when I carry them on the go, so I’ve slowly settled on the Uni-ball Signo Micro 207 gel ink pen for general note taking. 

Most recently, however, I’ve fallen for the Hobonichi Techo. Everyone raves about this planner, and for good reason. Tomoe River paper’s ability to absorb heavy fountain pen ink, all the while remaining thinner than any other paper I’ve tried, absolutely defies logic. This Hobonichi Planner is the coolest notebook I own, bar none.

3. What post are you the most proud of on your blog?

This is a seriously difficult question to answer. Sometimes your most popular posts are your least favourite work, while your best work is the least enjoyed across the web.

After pondering this question for a few days, I think I’ve settled on the Hobonichi Techo review as the single post I am most proud of. The post has the best product photos I’ve ever shot and I’m genuinely in love with the product itself. This review sets the bar for me personally and I strive to achieve that same photographic look with every review I create. Surpassing that review will be difficult for me, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Posted on February 21, 2015 and filed under Three Questions.

Cult Pens

Cult Pens has one of the largest selections of stationery on the planet. If you are looking for a specific product there is an excellent chance they have it in stock and ready to ship. Even better, they are offering readers of The Pen Addict 20% off until February 28th. Get shopping!

My thanks to Cult Pens for sponsoring The Pen Addict this week.

Posted on February 20, 2015 .

Sonic Ratchetta Capsule Pencil Sharpener Review

Sonic Rachetta Pencil Sharpener.jpg

Pencils are a thing, even for a pen addict, and now that I carry wooden pencils with me frequently I need a portable pencil sharpener to keep me company. The Sonic Ratchetta Capsule Pencil Sharpener fits the bill nicely.

I’m all set at home with the desktop Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener, but hauling that around in my backpack doesn’t exactly fly. I’ve also seen many open blade models where the pencil shavings go everywhere you don’t want them to be. I’m a bit of a neat freak - which was part of my pencil hangup in the first place - so having a compartment to hold the shavings until I am able to dump them out fits my needs perfectly.

The Rachetta handles that task well, but what really sets it apart is the way you sharpen the pencil itself. It’s like a socket wrench or ratchet screwdriver in that you don’t have to readjust your grip with each twist. The ratcheting mechanism lets you work your sharpening magic with ease. A little back and forth and a fresh new point is yours.

There are also two point settings on the sharpener: Fine point and broad point. The fine is what you think of with a traditional pencil, and the broad is useful for colored pencils or those who want wider, softer lines.

For someone who is not a traditional pencil person I’m impressed with the Sonic Rachetta. For only $5.50 and your choice of five colors it is a solid addition to your daily carry.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

Posted on February 20, 2015 and filed under Pencil Reviews, Pencil Sharpener.