Ask HN: What stationary are you using? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#11

Post by drallison » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:03 PM UTC

Moleskin notebooks are OK, but I much prefer Leuchtturm1917 (https://www.leuchtturm1917.com) which are available blank, ruled, squared, and dots. I like the dots as I am neatness challenged when writing. I also like the Fabriano Misto Carta notebooks, particularly the gluebound A5 stars version which allows pages to be easily separated.

I use a variety of pens and pencils--my brief case usually has a substantial selection, enough to start a small writing instrument store. Lately I have been using Pentel CLICK 0.7 pencils available from Costco. They are nice for fine detail and have a substantial eraser. They have a very different feel from the iconic Blackwing 602 Palomino wooden pencils which I use for hand written drafts.

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#12

Post by paulrpotts » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:17 PM UTC

I have kind of gone off Moleskines due to their price and low page count. For my software development work, I've recently taken to buying 9x12 sketchbooks (Canson artist series at the moment, but sometimes whatever is on sale at Michael's) and I use these for notes, and especially for state machine diagrams, flow charts, charts, etc. Occasionally the results are even pretty, but mostly they just become a mess. That's OK. My pens are "Paper Mate® Flair® Felt Tip Pens, Medium Point, Black" and I buy them in bulk since I am always using them up and occasionally losing them.

I have at times had various fetishes for mechanical pencils and fountain pens but that way can lie madness, so this is sort of the antidote to keep me grounded in a state of "just write it, dude, stop fussing with your tools."

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#13

Post by scraft » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:20 PM UTC

I found out, just yesterday, that it is stationery (with an ery) when talking about office supplies and stationary (with an ary) when talking about something that isn't moving. I'm not a grammar nazi and I don't care how people spell it at all, I was just interested that after years I had always been getting it wrong, so I am just sharing it here!

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#14

Post by Someone1234 » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:22 PM UTC

I've tried a lot of pens, from fountain, to regular ballpoint, Fisher to Parker, and I'm yet to find a better pen than the Pilot G2 Retractable.

It doesn't look "fancy" but it is effectively a ballpoint pen than glides across the page. It is retractable so no caps, and it doesn't have a stupid thick stalk like some so called "premium" pens (so they're easy to hold for long durations).

Yet as much as I love these pens, they're only $12 for a box of twelve. Hardly super expensive.

I discovered them in what Americans would call "High School" and used them all throughout University and haven't stopped since. They're now my pen of choice. I have a whole draw of more expensive pens, but the G2's are the workhorse that gets it done.

PS - Yes, fountain pens glide across the page too. But I got tired of the mess/hassle.

PPS - My Parker Stainless Steel Classic is likely my favorite LOOKING pen. It is the same as the Parker Stainless Steel they still sell, but has a touch of gold leaf on the clip and cap. As much as I like the look of both the Parker Stainless Steel AND the Stainless Steel Classic, the G2 is simply better for actual writing.

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#15

Post by dpeck » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:40 PM UTC

Someone1234 wrote: post #14

I've tried a lot of pens, from fountain, to regular ballpoint, Fisher to Parker, and I'm yet to find a better pen than the Pilot G2 Retractable. It doesn't look "fancy" but it is effectively a ballpoint pen than glides across the page. It is retractable so no caps, and it doesn't have a stupid thick stalk like some so called "premium" pens (so they're easy to hold for long durations). Yet as much as I love these pens…

|Pilot G2 Retractable

Excellent choice, I get a dozen or two of black and blue each year and probably one of red. Feels great to write with, clean lines, really nice and very economical.

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#16

Post by spaceisballer » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:55 PM UTC

Well working in gov't I have a wide array of Skillcraft products, some are ok. So if I don't have to pay for the pens I request the Precision 305, it's not bad. But I mostly use Uni-ball Signo 207 pens (http://www.amazon.com/uni-ball-Retractable-Translucent-12-Pa...). I could care less about how someone couldn't wash away the ink but I really like how they write.

As for paper products I just use whatever skillcraft steno pads are available.

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#17

Post by jmiwhite » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 2:57 PM UTC

I use a different notebook, a Black n' Red wirebound hardcover, 8-1/4 x 5-7/8 Inches.

I usually use a Pilot Hi-Tec-C (0.3mm) pen and a Pentel Sharp (0.9mm) mechanical pencil with a polymer block eraser.

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#18

Post by spaceisballer » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 3:00 PM UTC

jmiwhite wrote: post #17

I use a different notebook, a Black n' Red wirebound hardcover, 8-1/4 x 5-7/8 Inches. I usually use a Pilot Hi-Tec-C (0.3mm) pen and a Pentel Sharp (0.9mm) mechanical pencil with a polymer block eraser.

I've seen thos Black n' Red notebooks in our stationery store, but in 8.5 x 11. Have you been using them for a while?

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#19

Post by partisan » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 3:06 PM UTC

Notebook: Moleskine.

Pen: Uniball Retractable Jetstream 1.0 thickness. I give them to the people I care about. I have many packs at home. I mourn when the pen runs out.

Re: Ask HN: What stationary are you using?

#20

Post by fiveoak » Thu, Jul 16, 2015, 3:20 PM UTC

I like using mechanical pencils over pens for everyday notes, although I'm probably in the minority. My goto one is the Uni-ball KuruToga Mechanical Pencil http://amzn.com/B0026ICM1E

There's also a slightly more expensive metal version: http://amzn.com/B004OHNTVC

I have both, but oddly enough I prefer the lighter weight of the cheap plastic one. Just feels more comfortable to write with for me.