Review by Tina Koyama When the Tokyo Slider Twin Pencil Holder ($11.50) first came out, it caught my eye for several reasons. One is that conventional-size woodcased pencils are a little too slim for my comfort, and I experience less hand fatigue if I fatten the barrel with a holder. Another is that I have…
Showing all posts by Laura Cameron
Sharpener Review: Caran d’Ache Pencil Peeler
Review by Tina Koyama For most uses, I sharpen pencils in the most expeditious way possible: my trusty electric Bostitch Quiet Sharp 6 (or, on the street, a portable Kum). But for some pencils or specific drawing purposes, knife-sharpening is the best or sometimes the only way. I have a knife that does the job…
Ink Review: Diamine Espresso
Review by Laura Cameron I typically don’t use brown ink, so when I got the opportunity to review Diamine’s 150th Anniversary in Espresso (€7.85 via Appelboom), I welcomed the opportunity. Espresso is a dark, dark brown, the color of dark chocolate and espresso beans. Interestingly enough, I liked the ink more wet than dry. When…
Chicago Pen Show 2018 Recap
By Laura Cameron The Chicago Pen Show is only the second pen show I have attended, and I upped the ante for my second show by working in the Vanness Pen Shop booth for the weekend. This left me with very little time to shop and wander the show, but I got to meet and talk…
Ink Review: Monteverde Emotions, Kindness
At the LA Pen Show, Vanness Pens debuted the Monteverde Emotions ink line. I was particularly smitten with Kindness (30mL for $8.00) so I was delighted to get the chance to review it. Kindness is a lovely bright pink ink, with a green sheen in heavy applications. It is darker than bubblegum, but lighter than…
Notebook Review: Story Supply Co. Ithaca
Review by Laura Cameron Ana came home from the Atlanta Pen Show with lots of new things for me to try and among those were Story Supply Co.‘s new limited edition Ithaca. Ithaca is named for Homer’s Odyssey and debuts just in time for National Poetry Month. The notebook is a limited edition run so…
From the Archives: Maruman Mnemosyne N183A Inspiration Notebook A5
Review by Laura Cameron Several weeks ago Ana and I were discussing what products needed to be tested and reviewed and she handed me a Mnemosyne notebook. I laughed and told her I’d been using one for ages now and she asked me why I’d never reviewed it before. So today I’ll talk about my…