Traveler's Company Notebook Accessory 030 Brass Clip 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!)

When I ordered my pile of Traveler's Company accessories to build out my kit, there were definitely some accessories I didn't fully understand. The Brass Clip was one of them. Why add something heavy and bulky to a minimal design? I get it, now that I've had some time to put it to use.

The first great thing that the brass clip does is that it keeps things secure inside my notebook. It holds the folder shut, and it adds friction to the wallet insert so I know my cards and important papers are secure inside the pockets. I've never had anything slip out of the notebook, but having the clip there feels like extra security, which is especially welcome when I tuck notes and bits of paper inside, which is most of the time.

The clip also serves as a bit of a flag. It sticks up above the top edge of the notebook, making the notebook easier to find inside my bag, and the clip is strong enough that I can even pull the notebook out by the clip. This has been extra handy, since I'm currently using the notebook as my wallet. My necessary purse of the moment is a cavernous tote bag, so anything that helps me locate and grab ahold of my wallet/planner is hugely appreciated.

And of course, the clip's primary and most useful feature is that it holds the notebook open for you, so the whole thing can lie open flat while you work. It works so well in this regard that I've begun migrating it between all my notebooks--it's now a daily essential for all my stationery. It serves as a bookmark when the book is closed, and a holder when it's open, and it has quickly become my favorite Traveler's Company accessory.

The clip opens very wide, so it can easily fit the whole notebook in its maw. It has a simple but sturdy coil construction. It has a very strong jaw, but it doesn't hurt when you clip it on your finger. Yes, I tested this just for you, because I care. It does hurt if you clip it on your ear, though, so do exercise some caution.

All this usefulness! It makes it worth the weight that the brass adds to the notebook setup. The heaviness actually makes it work better. And it's even worth the price.

I felt a bit silly when I first bought it. $21 is a lot for a clip, even a snazzy brass one, and I wondered if I was just buying it for its looks. Because it does look good! It's a classy bit of bling to an otherwise austere lineup. But this is way more than just a pretty accessory--it's a multipurpose stationery game-changer. No regrets (except for the clipping it on my ear bit).

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

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Posted on April 13, 2023 by Sarah Read and filed under Traveler's Notebook, Accessories Review.

Opus 88 Minty Fountain Pen Review

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

Opus 88 have always kept me interested in what they're making ever since they made it on my radar several years ago. Each pen design they release is unique and always has at least one color combo that I can't resist. Not to mention, their pens hold a ton of ink.

The Minty fountain pen is a full-sized fountain pen with an ink-dropper reservoir for holding a big supply of your favorite ink. I picked this model up in the Light Blue color option, though I'm not sure that's the most accurate name for the color. If the teal model isn't your thing, there's also an orange model, though that one looks more pink to me than orange. Either way, they're both beautiful!

The materials in this pen are what set it apart from other Opus 88 pens I have in my collection. Instead of a solid and semi-translucent body and cap, this model uses a beautiful combination of different resin colors. I love the depth and color variation that these different chunks provide. In my model, the colors vary from light green, teal, and milky white, and the finials and grip section are a fantastic dark gray color that contrast perfectly. I love the thin red band of burgundy between the teal material and the dark gray finials. You have to look closely to see it, but it really is complementary to the other colors in a way that I wouldn't anticipate.

The clip and nib are both a shiny stainless steel material, and they go great with the other cool colors on the pen body. The clip is strong and does its job well, and the nib is fantastic — just as I'd expect. The only branding on the pen is a small Opus 88 lettered on the base of the cap under the clip.

The pen is manufactured and finished to high level of tolerance, which translates to a great feel in the hand — it feels solid and like it will last a long time. The cap threads are smooth and sure, and the stopper on the back of the pen is very tight. Since the pen is an eye dropper, there's also a small o-ring on the grip section to provide a leak-proof seal. And to provide ink flow, the back finial unscrews for long writing sessions, and then closes securely for storage and transport.

The nib is a stainless steel #6 with some minimal decoration. I went for the 1.5mm stub nib, and it is wonderful. It's really wide and flows well, but it manages to keep the line edges crisp. It's buttery smooth and produces some amazing line width variation. It's definitely a good nib for showing off beautiful inks!

Due to the eyedropper filling system, you can pack a whopping 3.5ml of ink into this pen. This is a great option if you need to carry a lot of ink in one pen! And due to the tight seal and shut off valve, you don't have to worry about it leaking.

The Opus 88 Minty is a fantastic pen that packs a lot of value! The $130 price tag is a good deal considering the quality of materials, build, and writing experience it provides. This is a price bracket with a lot of competition, and I think the Minty stands up well against the other options. If you like the look of it and want a pen with a massive ink capacity, you can't go wrong here.

The Minty is pictured here with the Light Blue color option and 1.5mm stub nib. You can also get this pen in Orange material and with an EF, F, M, or B nib. At this point, I'm really happy with my Opus 88 collection, but I'm also excited to see what else they release in the future!

(Goldspot provided this product at a discount 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 April 12, 2023 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Opus, Fountain Pens, Pen Reviews.

Taccia Sunao-Iro Sweet Color Ink Set Giveaway

With two pen shows still barely outside of my rear-view mirror, the giveaway coffers are loaded for awesomeness. For example, I couldn’t pass up this Taccia Sunao-Iro Sweet Color Ink Set that I picked up from Vanness Pens at the Atlanta Pen Show. This set contains three 20 ml bottles of ink-Daidai (Orange), Momo (Pink), and Murasaki (Purple). I’m giving away this set to one lucky winner, so read the rules below and enter away!

Posted on April 11, 2023 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Giveaways, Taccia.