(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
In our digital world, it can be easy to get stuck to screens while the world rushes by. For many, having an analog connection to the physical world is important. That could be notebooks and pens, or other objects that bring us joy or help us with productivity.
There's a very niche market in the notebook realm that targets odd or uncommon sizes for specific uses. While desk pads aren't as common as they used to be, you still have plenty of options today. But, with the advent of the computer, full-size desk pads don't work well for most desk spaces due to the computer peripherals that need prime space on your desk. Well, that's okay because there's a few options for desk pads and planners that lay in front of your keyboard for easy access. The most recent one I've had the pleasure of trying is the WMS & Co Keyboard Planner.
This small desk pad is 11.4 x 4 inches, and spans the width of a normal keyboard. It's actually the perfect size for a wrist rest, but it happens to function as a free form week planner.
There are 74 one-sided sheets in this pad. Each sheet has a space for Monday through Friday, while Saturday and Sunday share a column. You'll notice that there aren't any times or dates printed on the pages, and that's because this is intended to be an open style of planner. I've found it useful for jotting down a quick sketch of the week so I know where my open spaces are, and then I can jot down fleeting notes as they come up. Since this is more of a scratchpad, I don't feel any anxiety about ripping out the page and tossing it in the can at the end of the week. I've found it really useful for being a time scratchpad as opposed to a traditional planner. The size and open structure don't cater to detailed planning or diaries, and that's okay!
The binding on the notepad is sturdy. The spine is rigid, but it's still really easy to rip a single page out without tearing.
The notepad also features a colored edge that adds a nice flare of personality. You can choose between Yellow, Gold, or Rose for the edge color. In each variation, the spine is black.
In my testing, this paper holds up surprisingly well with all types of pen and ink. I used a variety of ballpoints, gel pens, rollerballs, fountain pens, and pencils and was satisfied with how they performed on this pad.
Not that it matters, but there's barely any show-through on the back of the page. Similarly, I haven't noticed any feathering or bleeding with the fountain pens I've tried. While this paper isn't one that you'll spend a lot of time writing on, it still performs exceptionally well.
You'll probably know at first glance if this keyboard pad can help you organize or visualize your days. If your first reaction is something along the lines of "I could never use that for planning my week! No times? What?!", then you might be right. That was my first reaction too, but once I sat down and gave it a fair shake, I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed having it right in front of me along with my keyboard. No more shuffling things around to take some quick notes!
I know the WMS & Co Keyboard Planner isn't for everyone, but it fits a specific niche size that I'm glad exists.
This planner is $14 in either Rose, Yellow, or Gold edges. These would make great gifts or great additions to your desk!
(This product was purchased from The Gentleman Stationer at regular retail price.)
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