The Pen Addict Podcast: Episode 664 - It's Like a Tree

Myke launched the new Cortex Brand Sidekick Notepad this week, and I got to quiz him about the process. I also unboxed my new Ajoto Pocket Pen, had fun with the Dominant Industry Ink Archiving Book, and fawned over a new-to-me uniball Kuru Toga.

Show Notes & Download Links

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Sun-Star Decot Overwriting Marker 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 Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

I don't know what sort of sorcery they're practicing over at Sun-Star, but the Sun-Star Decot Overwriting Markers are pure magic. I was entirely skeptical of these when I first saw them. I expected smudging, bleeding, muddy marker tips... all the things one usually sees when trying to layer marker over marker. Instead, I was genuinely shocked at how well these work.

The marker looks perfectly normal, with no hint of its arcane superpowers. It has a white plastic body with an oval profile. The flattened round shape stops it from rolling and is very comfortable to hold. The marker has two tips. One is a thicker chisel tip, and this end has a broader cap with a plastic clip on it. The other end is a fine point marker, and it has a smaller clear cap. The marker body is also marked with lines and colors to show the thickness and color of the different tips. It's a nice design and has a super 90s vibe that takes me back to my school days.

But this is no ordinary two-color marker. The inks are somehow formulated so that the narrow tip overwrites the thicker one. You can either use the thick tip to create a line and then write with the narrow tip over it, or you can write with the narrow tip and highlight over it with the chisel tip--either way, it works. The colors are vibrant and have bright contrast, so it's easy to see one against the other. The effect is very Lisa Frank. As a bonus, they didn't even bleed through the Hobonichi paper. Pure sorcery.

The markers are sold individually at JetPens and cost $2.95 each. That's less than most other two-ended markers, and those ones aren't even magic. And these are just good markers, even if you have no need of the overwriting feature. They're perfect for notes, planners, scrapbooks--or for astonishing your coworkers with office supply magic tricks.

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

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Robert Oster Jade Ink Review

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

Spring is finally making its way to the northern hemisphere, and I've found myself compulsively choosing green whenever it's available. There's something about the cheery green shade that really appeals to me at the moment, and I've decided to lean into it. This applies to all things in my sphere, not just stationery. For my 2025, whenever I buy something new (and assuming the option is there), I'm choosing green. That being said, fountain pen inks are a great place to dive in, because there are so many beautiful green inks out there.

This week, I'm looking at Robert Oster Jade — a lovely medium green with moderate shading and great performance. In terms of the namesake, I think it does a good job of matching the gemstone, though it makes me think of green leaves or blades of grass more often. To me, it seems like a great middle-of-the-range green hue, and the shading elevates from a basic green to something more.

The range of color that the ink exhibits isn't huge, but there's just enough differentiation that is easy to see when used with any nib. The range of greens in this ink is what makes it so life-like and dynamic on the page. Just like leaves, blades of grass, and mineral formations, there's a wide variation of color on the surface that can shift and change with the available light. The shading is what makes this ink so enjoyable to use. Jade is a simple ink that works exceptionally well.

Writing with the ink is on par with any other Robert Oster ink I've used. There's no bleeding or feathering, and the ink starts quickly and without any drama. The flow is good and it provides plenty of lubrication to the nib so that nibs feel smooth when they move across the page.

One thing that the ink doesn't do well is dry quickly. In most cases, the ink takes roughly 25-40 seconds to become fully smudge-proof. It's mostly dry after 20-30 seconds except for the areas where ink naturally pools where the nib changes direction and deposits a little extra ink. This isn't a terrible time for drying, but it won't suit anyone who needs a fast-drying ink.

When it comes to price, Jade is right in line with the rest of the standard Robert Oster lineup. A 50 ml bottle is $19, while a small 4 ml sample vial will set you back $3.75. For me, the bottle is a no-brainer because I know I'll use this ink a lot.

Within a few minutes of testing it out, I already knew that it was in my top tier of ink colors, and the great performance seals the deal. The world is a scary, dark place, and it helps to choose brightness where we can. For me, this ink helps transport me to a happier place when I need a little pick-me-up!

(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount 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!