The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 552 - Where's the Margarita Version?

Lego Blue Milk. (via Nintendo Life)

There was an inordinate amount of drink-related pen content to discuss this week. Sailor’s latest Cocktail series led the way, followed by a deep discussion of Juice Sweet Milk. Myke and I also share updates on our 2023 planers.

Show Notes & Download Links

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Uni Jetstream Edge 0.38 mm Ballpoint Pen 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!)

Sometimes I pick a pen based on looks (I'll admit it) and "odd" is definitely a look. The Uni Jetstream Edge looks odd. But I love Uni refills and I like Mint Green, so I had to try it. And it's a decent pen, though I think there are better houses for the exceptional Jetstream refill.

The metallic sheen on this pen deceives the eye, as the body is all plastic--only the grip section (and clip) are metal. The plastic is smooth and well made, but very light, so almost the entire weight of the pen is in the grip. This is apparently to give the pen a low center of gravity, which is intended for better control. I don't know all the science of the ergonomics behind that, but the imbalance it creates is something that takes a little getting used to. The pen also tapers so that the grip is the widest point, with a snorkel-like tube to protect the super-fine refill tip.

The body has a hexagonal shape, while the grip is round with some light etching along the length. I do find the grip a bit slick. I think the etching could have gone around the grip instead of along it, for better traction.

The clip has a wave pattern to it, and it looked like it might have a hinge, but it's a friction clip. It's fairly stiff, though the lip on it makes it easy to slide onto papers.

The top of the pen has a black plastic click mechanism to deploy the tip. It's a satisfying click, and the parts are all up in the top of the pen, so there are no flying springs or loose pieces when you change refills.

And the refill is where this pen shines. Because inside this slightly alien looking pen body is one of the best refills I've ever used, the Uni Jetstream .38 ballpoint.

This is the smoothest ballpoint ink I've ever used. It has the glide of a gel ink, but it is water-resistant, fade-resistant, and forgery-resistant, so it's perfect for taking your most important notes. Despite the absolute itty bittiness of the tip, there is no scratchiness or dragging feeling to this refill at all. It looks like you're writing with a sewing needle, but it writes like hot butter. I would use this refill every day.

But, I confess, I am not reaching for this pen every day--and when I am, it's because I need the refill, not because I want to write with the pen itself. It's not a bad pen at all, it's just odd, and that imbalance throws me off a bit. Beyond that, the $15 price feels a bit high, especially when you can get a 3-color Jetstream pen for $7.

I don't mind an odd pen (to be fair, I'm odd, myself), and I'd say that if you like the look of this pen, you're bound to be very happy with it. While I prefer other Uni pen models, my critiques of this pen are all very subjective, and you may find this one to be your personal favorite.

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

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Clairefontaine Neo Deco A5 Notebook Review

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

Pretty sure it has something to do with the on/off nature of this past winter, but I'm definitely ready for some warmer weather (or maybe just some consistency?). At any rate, a new notebook is always a good method to add some excitement to the dull weather. This week, I've been enjoying a new notebook from Clairefontaine that rocks an exquisite cover that has a lot of summer vibes.

The Neo Deco line of notebooks from Clairefontaine all feature a unique and bold art deco cover design that can fit any occasion. I couldn't pass up the Turquoise option because of the bright colors and contrast.

The specs of the notebook are very familiar if you've ever used Clairefontaine before. It features 48 pages of 90 gsm paper that provides an excellent writing experience with virtually all writing instruments. All of Clairefontaine’s paper is lined, so that normally turns a portion of people away who prefer other options. It's really a shame and something that I wish the company would change. I happen to enjoy lined paper on some occasions, and Clairefontaine is probably my favorite lined notebook maker. But, I'd buy a lot more of their products if they offered other options like blank, grid, and even dot.

Still, if you dislike lined paper, you still need to at least try Clairefontaine's excellent paper. It really is fantastic, and their notebooks are fairly accessible and affordable.

The Neo Deco line uses a soft cardboard material for the covers and a stitched binding that holds up well. At just 48 pages, the notebook easily stays open when writing, but the front cover will always stand up when the notebook is closed. That's easy to fix with an elastic band, though.

The 48 pages inside are all the same lined pages — no tables of contents or information pages in these notebooks. Branding is also small with this notebook. There are Clairefontaine logos on the front and back, and some information about the company and materials used on the inside of the back cover. Still, the branding is minimal.

Besides the silky paper, the real star of this show is the cover design. In the Turquoise option I picked, the main cover is a bright turquoise blue with gold leaf accents in the shape of tropical leaves. There's also light-blue tropical leaves on top of the blue cover that provide another layer to the design that gives it more dimension. The bright blue and reflective gold are a knockout combination that I love having on my desk.

Sticking with the art deco theme, there are several other cover options if the bright tropical cover isn't your thing. These A5 notebooks come in at $11, which is a great value for the fun covers and excellent paper. I always have at least one Clairefontaine notebook in my active rotation, and the paper quality and writing experience is the main reason. With this new notebook, it stays on top of the stack longer because the bright cover just makes me smile.

(This product was purchased from Goldspot at a discount.)

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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!