Sharpie Cosmic Color Permanent Marker Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter.)

Sharpie is a household name--like when you ask for a Kleenex when you need a tissue. When you need a permanent marker, the odds are good you're asking for a sharpie. In the past, I've turned to them more for utility than for fun. I've labeled boxes, school supplies, children's clothing. But now, in this analog renaissance, Sharpie is still doing what it does best, but with a new fun twist.

Now you can get dozens of colors in a variety of tip sizes, and my favorites yet are these Ultra Fine Cosmic Colors. These markers have the ultra fine tips of my favorite fineliners, but with the magical formula that is Sharpie ink. It's quick-drying, permanent, fade-proof, water-resistant, and non toxic. The colors are bright and vivid. This set has Aqua, Boysenberry, Jupiter Read, Navy, and Venus Green. It's a great variety, and the 12-pack has bunches more of these bright, modern shades. Of course, Sharpie ink does have its downsides. It smells awful. Even these teeny tips emit headache-inducing fumes. And, the ink bleeds through most paper. The pigment soaks right through like a hot knife through butter. So these aren't great for any project where you want to use both sides of your paper.

The 5-pack is $6 and the 12-pack is $14 at JetPens, so it's great value you're getting, especially for the quality of these pens. The markers are very well built in the traditional Sharpie grey plastic, with the Sharpie brand logo in black. The caps and endcaps are in the color of the ink, so it's fairly easy to see what color you're reaching for. The caps snap closed and post securely. The one thing I don't like about Sharpie's build is the plastic clip. It's molded as part of the cap. There's no spring to it, just the bend of the plastic. They don't stay clipped to things very well at all, and the clips are prone to snapping off.

Still, they're the best permanent markers I've used, and now that I can get them in fun colors with truly fine points, I'll get more use out of them. There's nothing better than when the best tool for a job is also a fun one.

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

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Posted on January 24, 2019 by Sarah Read and filed under Sharpie, Pen Reviews.

Yamamoto Ro-Biki Reticle Notebook Review

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

The Yamamoto Ro-Biki notebook is a non-standard notebook in terms of size and materials, but it really pays off in the end. When I first saw the Ro-Biki, I was pessimistic about the weird size and assumed I would never be able to find a use for a notebook of that size. But, after looking at the months and months of notes I take for work, I realized that my notes naturally fit the tall and slender shape of the Ro-Biki even though the page was wider. So, I decided to purchase one of the Ro-Biki notebooks to see if the size would work for me.

At 3.6 x 8.3 inches, the notebook has a similar size to the Traveler's brand notebooks. Tall and skinny, it works great for jotting down quick notes but also still fits into most pockets as long as vertical space isn't an issue. Since the size is basically a Field Notes with three extra inches on top, it was really easy to become comfortable with the size.

The Ro-Biki only contains 30 sheets (60 pages), but that's still a few more than you find in a standard Field Notes book. Yamamoto explains that the paper is from recycled materials, but I honestly can't tell a difference from other papers of the same thickness. What I can tell you, though, is that the Ro-Biki recycled paper is a stellar performer with any pen and ink combo you throw at it. This paper is exceptional!

The paper feel is smooth with the slightest amount of texture that you can feel when writing. The version I chose has a 5mm reticle grid pattern that has really grown on me. They make a standard graph paper, but only in 2mm or 4.5mm sizes. Like dot-grid, the reticle pattern provides a lot of structure on the page if you need it, but it also easily melts away if you don't need the lines and intersections.

The cover is made of an interesting "wax-infused kraft paper" that is delightful to touch and handle. Even though it is wax infused, I don't get a sense of waxy fingers after I've touched it. This has happened to me with some waxed canvas goods I've used in the past, and I can't say I enjoyed that experience. I'm glad that the Ro-Biki notebook cover has the protection of wax without the waxy feel. Another positive of the wax is that it gives the cover a nice sheen, and it will also develop over time as it picks up oils, dirt, and other particles from your journey.

The notebook is held together with a great-looking stitch, and I've had no issues with the notebook staying open and also feeling well-constructed. This book will hold up to back pocket and bag use, and the additional strength that the wax gives the cover will ensure it stays intact until you finish filling the pages.

The Yamamoto Ro-Biki was a notebook I quickly overlooked when it was introduced on JetPens, but I'm glad I took the time to look again. This is a notebook format that I have quickly become a fan of, and the paper quality will keep me coming back for more.

If reticle grid isn't your thing, Yamamoto has several other options that range in paper style and cover art. The Ro-Biki notebooks cost $9 a piece, which is a bit pricy compared to other small pocket notebooks. But, given the extra sheets, the taller size, the materials, and the superb paper quality, I think this is a fantastic price for what you get. These have easily shot to the top of my favorite notebooks, and I can't recommend them enough!

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

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Yamamoto, Notebook Reviews.

Tuesday Toolset, Buffalo Edition

Not every Tuesday Toolset will be the same. Sometimes it will be pocket carry focused, sometimes it might be a new item or two I’m beginning to use, sometimes it will be guest toolsets, and sometimes, like this one, it will be a bag dump.

I took a road trip on Monday to work with Brian on the Spoke Pen launch, and this is what I carried:

The Brown Buffalo Conceal Backpack. If you make a product in Cordura Black Multicam, there is a high likelihood I will buy it. This bag is a prime example, because I wasn’t completely sure I would like it. Boxy, stand-up backpacks aren’t usually my jam, and it took months of using this one to really come around on it. It holds a crazy amount of stuff. This gear had it a bit over half capacity, which is the sweet spot.
Early-2015 13” MacBook Pro. Bought refurbished the minute the new Touch ID models were launched that same year, which also brought the new, not as good keyboards. Good move by me.
11” iPad Pro. I buy a new laptop every 5 years or so, and a new iPad every 2-3. I love this device for almost everything but editing and inserting pictures for the blog. It’s mostly an entertainment device and I didn’t need it yesterday at all. It fits so well in this bag it lives there when not in use.
One too many pen cases. The Nock Co. Brasstown is perfect for this bag. It fits vertically or horizontally, depending on what else is loaded. The Seed A5 case is where all my notes went for this meeting, and the Superior Labor case was hidden in an internal pocket and I didn’t even realize it was there. I wouldn’t normally carry both pen cases.
Accessories and snacks. I use my AirPods a ton, but just picked up these Bose QC 20 headphones for travel. I’ll report back once I get a few trips under my belt. One charging cable and two RXBARs round out the kit.

I promise I am going to get that submission form completed soon! I can’t wait to see what’s in your toolset.