A Year of change 2012

This year seems to have in it a lot of transitions for everyone.  I don't know of any of my friends or acquaintances who are not going through some sort of life change.  One of my changes came a month ago with the passing of my Father.  Since that time, I have done / continue reflecting on relationships with family and friends, as well as just with people in general.  As such, I have not posted on this Blog until now.  I am taking time to do some introspective work and to pay attention more to the signs and messages that come into my line of vision, but which may be subtle in nature. 

That said, I still love the writing implement, and will continue acquiring them, but with a more discerning eye.  I will return to this Blog, hopefully with a higher sense of what drives me and gets my creative juices going.  This is not farewell, simply time to reflect.

Thanks to all my readers,
peace & blessings,
Yochanan

Ohto Liberty Cigar - Shape Ceramic Rollerball CB-10GL Pen, Black

The Ohto Liberty Ceramic Rollerball Pen is quite the class act.  A classic designed cigar shaped rollerball, Liberty is also a great inking implement.  Employing a 0.5 mm cartridge, it lays down a fine, vibrant line on paper.  A lacquer painted aluminum barrel with gold trim, and a rubber grip section, easily make Liberty a go-to writing instrument.

 Liberty is well-balanced and weighted when holding, giving the writer a sense of control and ease of use when putting pen to paper. 

The ceramic cartridge tip combined with a water-based ink, produces a smooth, comfortable writing experience.  The Ohto Liberty Ceramic Rollerball is one pen I look forward to using on a regular basis.
As such, I recommend it highly.

Moleskine Click 0.5 mm Rollerball Pen

When I reviewed Moleskine's Classic Rollerball Black Fine Tip Pen last year, several readers commented that they loved the way it performed, but really would love to see a retractable version produced by Moleskine.  Well the wait is now over.  Did this version of Moleskine's extremely popular and well received rollerball pen live up to the hype?  Let's see.

A huge fan of the classic version, I had very high expectations of this click version.  And guess what, it didnot disappoint.  Both versions measure in at 14 cm capped, Classic much longer when posted of course.  When Click's knock mechanism is engaged, it appears much shorter however.  But that's just from my vantage point.  Outwardly, both pens are constructed of the same high quality polycarbonate material, the trade mark rubberized pocket clip standing out at its top end.  However, that would be where the similarities seem to end. 

Gaining entrance into Click's inner workings proved a bit tricky.  Pocket clip facing you, on its right side is a semi - circular opening.  When a straight stick type instrument is inserted into the opening, the knock mechanism pops up, thus revealing the entrance to the pen's inner housing.  Quite an unexpected procedure for changing out ink cartridges!  Classic on the other-hand, employs a simple screw type barrel piece which is quite predictable.  Once inside, the ink cartridge is the same vibrant inking 0.5 mm cartridge that is seen in the Classic version.  Writing with this pen is simply a fulfilling experience.  There will be detractors who will point to the potential hassle of changing out refills, and it could be a deal breaker for them.  That said, I see Click as a result of Moleskine listening to their fans, and obliging them with another winner of a writing instrument.  One which definitely has a place in my daily pen rotation.  As such, I highly recommend it. 

Hand Stylus

Here's another great Stylus for iPad.  It's a Kickstarter Project by Steve King, the Hand Stylus.  Take a look.

Depending on your pledge amount, you can opt for different packaged options.

Here's the link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hand/hand-stylus?_m=3n.002i.372.jh0ao00rgx.fyc

Lunatik Touch Pen

Well looks like I know where my next stylus pen for iPad will come from. Its the Lunatik Touch Pen. Check this out.

Here's the link for pre ordering: http://www.mnml.com/21277/341930/our-work/lunatik-touch-pen

New Trent Limir Touch Screen Stylus / Pen

I recently received an iPad 2 and found myself using it at times really wondering if, like my Palm T3 PDA, I wanted a stylus to do my typing, browsing, and basic touch screen use.  The answer after a few days of use was a resounding yes.  So the search began.  And as any iPad user knows, there are literally hundreds of styli out there for touch screen devices.  So I needed to narrow my search criteria.

I wanted a stylus which had very good tactile, screen sensitive capacity.  The reason being, I enclosed my iPad in a Griffin Technology Survivor Extreme Duty iPad 2 case.  This beast of a case is the ultimate iPad protection one can employ to keep their investment safe.  The case encloses the iPad in a protective polycarbonate front and back high impact resistant casing, and is then in turn surrounded by a thick rubber back cover.  Tested and approved for use by the U.S. Military, this case called for a compatible stylus which possessed a high degree of responsiveness when tapping through to the iPad 2. 
After much research, I narrowed my search down to five styli, all of which I will review at some point.  But my first choice was the New Trent Limir Touch Screen Stylus / Pen.  I wanted a stylus / pen for those times when a pen was needed close at hand to jot down impending notes while using iPad 2. 

But let's talk first about the stylus end of New Trent Limir.  Its tip is constructed with a micro knit fiber mesh material, which will not scratch the iPad 2 surface.  It is quite smooth when doing screen writing or games that require repeat motion.  It is also highly responsive when using with the Survivor Extreme Duty case. 

New Trent Limir is short at 10 cm, and rather slim when holding.  I would have preferred it at 5 to 5.5 inches in length.  But it is quite adequate when employing screen side.  I find the experience to be quite comfortable as I hold the stylus differently I find from that of a pen.

On to the pen end of New Trent Limir.  The good news is, New Trent Limir employs a D1 International type ink cartridge which I have long enjoyed using in quite a few of my pens. Simply twist the middle of the barrel and out pops the cartridge tip.   Having said that, due to New Trent Limir's short stature, writing for extended periods, such as this post for example, cause quite the writer's cramp.  There is simply not enough pen to hold on to.  My fingers were aching at this point in the Post writing.  Not a memorable experience.  Hopefully New Trent decides a longer version is in order for the larger hand users. 
Needless to say the pen use of this stylus pen combo will be limited to short sweet notes.  Thank goodness for the D1 cartridge. 

There you have it.  The New Trent Limir Touch Screen Stylus / Pen, a great stylus, and an average pen experience.  As such, I give it a limited recommendation. 

Schrade U.S. Army Tactical Pen

I have developed an interest in tactical defense pens since my review of Schrade's  Tactical Fountain / Ballpoint Pen.  I simply appreciate their multi - functional potential.  In addition to their sturdy build construction, engineering and aesthetic appeal. 
So when I saw Schrade's U.S. Army Tactical Pen, well I was intrigued to say the least. 

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the authentic looking camouflage paint job.  Should a U.S. Army Service Man choose to place this pen in their ACU blouse top, pocketclip in, the pen would appear virtually invisible.

Constructed of impact resistant MARPAT coated aluminum, this kubotan designed pen can obviously withstand devastating attacks.  At 145 mm posted, it has an equal length capped.  When capped, U.S. Army's business end narrows to a rounded point that obviously has kubotan potential.  On the other end, the ink cartridge, a Hauser variety, is just so, so as a performer.  I swapped it out for a Schmidt P900 M, which completely made this pen a well inking machine.

Because U.S. Army is so well balanced, its heft is simply complemented by the Schmidt P900 cartridge.  It glides on paper, inking consistently and smoothly.  An attractive no nonsense writing instrument, Schrade's U.S. Army Tactical Pen, while certainly not for everyone, has an appeal unrivaled by any others in its class.  As such, I highly recommend it.