The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 474 - Grippier Grips

Ink … Well?

Myke and I had a lot of catching up to do this week, including a discussion around the grippier grips we are making for Spoke Design. We also discussed the new Drillog Longboi, I as affectionately term their extension to the standard pen barrel, the latest from Schon DSGN at the D.C. Pen Show, and the most confusing ink well I have ever seen.

Show Notes & Download Links

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Sun-Star Delde Smand Pen Case 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. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

If you watch the Pen Addict Twitch stream, you've likely seen people shouting SMAND! at random intervals. The clever Sun-Star Delde Stand Pen Case has quickly become a fan favorite--almost an obsession. Can a pen case be a cult classic? Looking at it, I could not figure out why everyone was obsessed with it, so Brad sent me one to try. And it's fine. I mean, it's a good case, and a good design, but my favorite thing about it is the name. Smand!

It's made out of polyester canvas with a smooth lining. It has a plastic double-zip zipper, a unique wedge shape, and a magnetic front flap with a rubberized interior that folds down to act as a device stand. The dimensions of the stand and case are based around common smartphone sizes, with the implication being that your smartphone is now one of your school supplies. And that's certainly true, these days. The case was designed by middle and high schoolers, and their digital-analog hybrid life is definitely reflected in it. So it's not entirely surprising if it doesn't quite meet the needs of my ancient mummy self.

What I like about it: Great colors available. I like the structured construction that helps protect the contents. The stand feature works well for devices as long as the case is filled and weighted down (otherwise it tips). The wedge shape fits nicely in bags. I like the name SMAND.

What I don't care for: It doesn't hold very much--just a handful of pens, and even less if you also put a phone in there. If your phone also has a case on it, then maybe only very few pens. It's a bit tippy as a stand unless you keep the case part full. If they had made it just a few millimeters taller, it could fit some scissors or a pocket notebook, but as it is, it's too small.

Brad has cleverly been using his as a pen rest, as the rubberized stand platform is perfect for preventing pens from rolling away on the desk. I think that's a great way to use this case, and I would definitely do that if I didn't have small children and cats who would be too tempted by such treasures left out in the open. Since I have a middle-schooler, and we have just acquired his school supplies, I did a test run to see if this case would work for his needs, and it did not fit even a third of what he's expected to carry with him in his backpack. So I do think it makes a better desk stand than a transport case. It's called a Smand, after all, and not a Smace.

I think this would be a great tool for artists who need to prop up a reference picture, or knitters who want to keep their digital pattern visible and their notions handy. My Smand is likely destined for my knitting bag, and it won't be the only pen case in there. At $17 on JetPens, it's a great deal on a decent case. And decent as it is, I still don't get why everyone is so shouty about it (except that it's just fun to say....SMAND!).

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

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Van Dieman's Bass Strait Cobalt Blue Ink Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

As I'm finding with all the Van Dieman's inks I've been testing recently, each ink brings along its own delightful research journey into a landscape or feature of Australia that I'd previously never stumbled upon. With this latest ink, I discovered that there is a name for the body of water that separates Tasmania from the mainland Australia (of course there is), and that it's called Bass Strait. It's commonly used as a shorter path between the Tasman Sea and Great Australian Bight, as opposed to going all the way around the southern point of Tasmania. Apparently, these waters can become treacherous in the right conditions, which is why the marketing copy for this ink includes some stormy undertones. I relate very closely to how this color blue reminds you of a deep body of water. It's beautiful and peaceful, but also dark and mysterious. In certain light and conditions, it can be frightening because of the unknown. With Bass Strait Cobalt Blue, the line between beauty and danger hiding beneath the surface is perfectly balanced.

I've really been enjoying testing all these inks from Van Dieman's because they're so well-behaved and easy to easy. On top of that, they're really unique colors with interesting background stories to go with them. With Bass Strait, you get a rich cobalt blue that shades between medium and dark blue, and you can even spy some purple in some areas. This depth and variation is what gives the ink its personality, and what really connects it to the name. With these Van Dieman's inks, I've found that you just have to sit back and enjoy the colors and unique ink properties — no need to worry about skipping or starting issues, clotting, or clean-up problems.

Bass Strait flows smoothly and hasn't had any issues starting or skipping, and I also haven't noticed any feathering or bleeding while using it. While your experience will certainly vary depending on what nib and paper combo you're using, this ink is exceptional in terms of performance and reliability.

My favorite thing about this ink, like so many others, is the shading properties. It's always a dark, rich blue, but there's just enough variation in the strokes to make it incredibly interesting. It doesn't matter if you're using a wide nib like I am in this sample or if you're using a small nib — the shading comes through. And if you're lucky, you'll get a glimpse of that purple hiding in the depths of the ink waiting for the right conditions to surface.

If you're looking for an ink that dries fast, this one won't win any awards. It routinely took about 20-25 seconds to dry completely, but it's currently incredibly humid where I live, and I assume that adds a couple seconds to the dry time. Definitely keep this in mind if you're a left-handed writer or want to use this ink in a fast-paced setting (like jotting a note in a notebook and closing it immediately).

While there are so many cobalt and cerulean inks (and I own so many of them), this one still speaks to me as an individual and unique entry that deserves some attention. If you already have 50 cobalt inks, you probably don't need another. But if you're looking for a lovely blue with great qualities and an interesting inspiration, definitely give Bass Strait a look.

You can purchase Bass Strait in a 30ml bottle or a 4ml sample vial. At just $12.95 for a bottle, you aren't risking much for what is a guaranteed excellent ink experience.

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

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

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