The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 344 - French Rule Territory

Myke and I were joined this week by two very special guests to discuss what stationery goods they are currently writing with. We also drop anchor on Sailor’s latest ink pricing changes, beginner pen show tips, and I try to set Fire on Fire.

Show Notes & Download Links

This episode of The Pen Addict is sponsored by:

Maester Design: Stunning prints from a New York based design studio. Get 15% off with code ‘penaddict’.

Pen Chalet: Click the ‘podcast’ link at the top of the website and enter the password ‘penaddict’ for this week’s special offer, and to get your code for 10% off.

Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code PENADDICT at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

Tsubame Fools Cream B5 Notebook 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.)

Have you got something fancy to write, or something boring to write that needs a little spice? Definitely check out the Tsubame notebooks. These flew under my radar for a while, and now the oversight seems scandalous. These are great notebooks.

The cover is sturdy cardstock, and the single signature is secured with sewn binding. With a bit of training, it lays open flat. The spine is protected with a lovely, rustic bit of gauze tape that adds strength and texture.

Inside, there are 32 sheets of cream-colored, acid-free, 7mm lined, 83.5 gsm paper. This paper shouts "luxury" and "workhorse" at the same time--a rare but noteworthy feat. The paper is crisp with great tooth, but feels smooth. There is a subtle watermark to it that is most apparent when it is held up to the light. There are also grid dots along the bottom, to assist with any vertical alignment you might need with your text, if you're using it for notes or outlines.

This paper handles ink like a boss. I threw all kinds of things at it, and the only thing I could get to bleed at all was sharpie. Nothing, not even my dribbly flex nib, feathered. The back side of the page shows hardly any ghosting. It's a bit more absorbent than more heavily-coated papers, so it doesn't show quite as much sheen, but there is still some. And, due to that cushy paper, it dries more quickly, too.

Overall, I really like this notebook. The 32 sheets leave me wanting more, though, and I wish there were other sizes. It does come in graph and plain varieties as well, which is very nice. Each notebook is $8.50, a bit steep for something I could fill in one sitting. Because of that, I won't be collecting these, but I will be enjoying the one I have.

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

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January Sponsor Spotlight

Team Tangerine, or Team Fresca? (Image via Anderson Pens)

Sponsor support is very important to me here at The Pen Addict. My sidebar advertisers put their faith in me to deliver good value for them month in and month out, and I want to shine the light on the best of the best for you. If you are shopping for pens, paper, inks, and more, please check out these great companies and see what they have to offer. Some recent highlights:

Goldspot received new colors of the popular Opus 88 Demonstrator in Grey, Red, and Orange, and in nib sizes from Fine to 1.5 mm Stub.

Anderson Pens has the two new North American Exclusive Sailor King of Pen models in Fresca and Tangerine ready for order. What a pleasant surprise this was.

JetPens has the most fun pen I’ve seen in a while in the Zebra Sarasa Clip Marble Color Gel Pen. The ink colors swirl!

Pen Chalet opened up pre-orders for the Lamy Special Edition AL-Star Bronze Fountain Pen if you want to lock in this year’s limited edition.