[gallery columns="4"] Lately I've been taking a lot of notes and doing more writing than I normally do. I've also gotten a number of great emails from readers about what their writing with and pens they might like. [Check out these posts to see previous coverage of writing equipment.] First of, I started using a Platinum Preppy fountain pen. I'm not a big fan of fountain pens, but I do like the throw-away variety and, coming in at $3, the Preppy definitely falls in that category. It's a lot of fun to use and it doesn't have any of the problems you might associate with older fountain pens, like ink pooling or putting out too much ink. I started using it partially because I have been writing on a Behance notebook with rather thick pages, which the pen is ideally suited for. The nib does seem to dry up for a few seconds if I leave the cap off for too long, but past that I really like it. I've also been using  Pilot G2 Limited. I'm a big fan of the G2 so when I saw the Limited I has to pick it up, despite a selling for about $10. It is basically your standard G2 with a more metal parts and a bit more heft. It's a little longer than most of the pens I use, but that doesn't bother me. While I like the extra weight over the comparatively flimsy G2 and I appreciate the nice colors (there is a white as well at the gunmetal gray) and upgraded grip, I don't think it's worth the extra money. It's a solid enough pen, there are others I like more at the $10 mark. It's a must-try for G2 and Pilot fans, but I'd be a lot more impressed with it at $6. Finally, I've been using the Sharpie pen, though not as much as I was. This is a pen that everyone loves because it's cheap and can write on anything. Plus it is a Sharpie that doesn't bleed through. Overall, it's a pen that everyone should own, and while I prefer a standard pen for day to day writing (the Sharpie is not particularly smooth thanks to the material of the tip) it's something that has earned a spot on my desk. I've been taking more notes in ink lately (probably just because it's quick and it let's me organize my thoughts very easy) so I'll try to do these posts more frequently.

It used to be that if you wanted a great pen or pencil, something with some heft to it but also something durable with a very clean design, but you did not want to spend a lot than the Rotring 600 was a great choice. If you were a bit more picky than you could opt for one of the original models (with the knurled grip). If you were a bit more picky than you could upgrade to the gold series. If you were a real Rotring connoisseur you got yourself a gold series with the the twist action. These twist (retractable) models have always been hard to find, but lately the prices have been insane. Check out this eBay auction- $219 for the pen! At retail this pen was probably no more than $50 (just a guess) but now they appear on eBay a few times a year and always go for over $175. The same goes for the less desirable pencil...

Pilot has released a new Hi-Tec-C Coleto pen body! I don't know if this is news or not, but I just found out about it a few days ago. The big differences? The old Coleto, one of my favorite pens, held two ink cartridges while the new one holds three. Also the new model comes in four colors- clear, like the original, light blue, grey, and pink. Pilot has more information (in Japanese).

 

Both pen bodies hold the same cartridges which come in a variety of colors and in either 0.3mm or 0.4mm. The move to three cartridges make the Coleto more of a multipen, though no pencil or stylus option is available- a pencil is very unlikely given the style of the body, but a stylus is definitely possible.

Looking more closely we can see that their are a few other differences between the two models. The new body is actually a good deal thicker and no longer has that slim Hi-Tec-C feel to it. Also the grip area is slightly rubberized on the four curvy strand that come up from the bottom. These help improve grip and comfort, but the thickness of the pen still gives it a slightly awkward feel relative the original Coleto.

 

The strength of the Coleto was that it held two ink cartidges but was as slim and comfortable as a pen that held one, (it is barely thicker than the original Hi-Tec-C). The new model is comfortable, especially for people who like thicker pens and multipens, but loses the original's weightless feel. The added benefit of a third cartidge is not nearly as useful as that of a second one, but it is very useful option to have. As for the color options, I have only seen the grey in person, but they all look great in pictures.

All told, I would say the new Hi-Tec-C Coleto is a winner, but I will be sticking with the old model. More images: . .

I was hanging today, feeling a bit saucy, so I made a purchase at my favorite pen store. I am not much of an impulse buyer so this was a bit out of the ordinary. I picked up a Pilot Hi-Tec-C Cavalier, the metal-bodied version of the famous Hi-Ted-C. It uses the same refill as the original but is all metal, has a perfectly fitted cap, and comes in some nice colors, like this electric blue. Jetpens.com currently is selling this pen for $17.50 (plus shipping), but I got it for a cool 16 bucks (plus tax). Great pickup... I got some others like a Pentel Rolly 0.7mm and a Uniball Laknock 1.4mm (both are great pens) as well as a Optex Clip highlighter which I have never seen before, but looks great.

OK, I'll admit it: I like pens. I do so much work on the computer than when I have a chance to write something down I guess I just appreciate it. This is not anything new, I used to like more expensive writing tools, but lately my interests have drifted to cheap stuff (the average price is under $3.00), especially Japanese pens. My interest in Japanese pens is what keeps bringing me back to JetPens.com. They seem to be the best resource, but I am going to be exploring Ebay some more as well as a few stores in NYC. So far I have made three orders from JetPens, but since I made the last one yesterday and it did not arrive yet, we won't concern ourselves with that one. Out of the about 15 pens I have purchases, two clear favorite have emerged.

 

1) Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto- This was a major surprise for me because I generally don't like multi pens. The Coleto is actually a empty body and that you add two ink cartridges to. There are a number of different color cartrdiges available in either 0.3mm or 0.4mm so you can customize the color combinations to your heart's content. Personally I went with a blue and a red in 0.4mm.

2) Uni-Ball Laknock- Another big surprise. I generally like to write with roller balls, but this pen is a broad (1.4mm) ball point. Sometimes the ink smudges (I'm left handed) but it really writes well and it is nice to have a solid ball point when you need to write on something slick, like a business card. At $2.25, it's a great pen.

Those two are my favorites, but I had a number of other nice pickups, like a bunch of the classic Pilot Hi-TEC-C pens (I like 0.5mm), a Uni-Ball Alpha Gel, and a Pilot drawing pen.

OK, I'll admit it: I like pens. I do so much work on the computer than when I have a chance to write something down I guess I just appreciate it. This is not anything new, I used to like more expensive writing tools, but lately my interests have drifted to cheap stuff (the average price is under $3.00), especially Japanese pens. My interest in Japanese pens is what keeps bringing me back to JetPens.com. They seem to be the best resource, but I am going to be exploring Ebay some more as well as a few stores in NYC. So far I have made three orders from JetPens, but since I made the last one yesterday and it did not arrive yet, we won't concern ourselves with that one. Out of the about 15 pens I have purchases, two clear favorite have emerged.

 

1) Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto- This was a major surprise for me because I generally don't like multi pens. The Coleto is actually a empty body and that you add two ink cartridges to. There are a number of different color cartrdiges available in either 0.3mm or 0.4mm so you can customize the color combinations to your heart's content. Personally I went with a blue and a red in 0.4mm.

2) Uni-Ball Laknock- Another big surprise. I generally like to write with roller balls, but this pen is a broad (1.4mm) ball point. Sometimes the ink smudges (I'm left handed) but it really writes well and it is nice to have a solid ball point when you need to write on something slick, like a business card. At $2.25, it's a great pen.

Those two are my favorites, but I had a number of other nice pickups, like a bunch of the classic Pilot Hi-TEC-C pens (I like 0.5mm), a Uni-Ball Alpha Gel, and a Pilot drawing pen.