Best Pencil/Notebook Combo?

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[@paull3466]

I bought a lovely William Hannah A6 notebook cover (black with the crimson interior) based on one of your videos a year or two ago. I love it so much that I asked for another (in the "tumbled" leather) for my birthday last year. Now I have one for writing projects ("fun work") and another for "work work" (ie, teaching-related shenanigans). I love them, but I also adore the paper in the WH refills. It's the best system; I don't think I'll ever need another notebook cover. (I keep mine with a Pilot Custom Heritage 92 pen in the loop, which is the perfect balance for me between nib quality, ink volume, and financial "worth".) I'm considering buying the WH A5 notebook cover, but on the other hand I favour the Rhodia A5 composition books for "on the go" and currently use a Galen Leather A5 cover for those - so buying the WH A5 system would be a bit redundant, I feel. As for pencils, I bought a metal-bodied Rotring, which is everything I need in a pencil. I'm very pleased with it. (I also have a Graphgear 1000, which feels much more flimsy, but I keep that one in my bag for work.) Wishing you a speedy recovery with your elbow! I have recurring tennis elbow in my left arm, so know how debilitating it can be when you're typing, etc.

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi Paul, thanks for that. I'm really glad you enjoyed the A6 notebook cover. I think they're wonderful. I do find that it's really ideal for me when I go away to have the A6 and A5 so that I can make notes on the go incorporate them into the A5, and use them when giving presentations. At the same time I use an Atoma in A4, which will also take the A5 and A6 paper, so I can work with large sheets and smaller, incorporating all of my notes and thoughts ready for when I have to give a presentation. I always keep a number of pens in my pockets, ready for action! I've just acquired a new set of pouches from Lochby, which I'm looking forward to testing. The venture pouch is ideal for storing all of my pens, pencils, paints and everything else. Thanks for the best wishes! This cubital tunnel release is going to take a while to recover from - but I'll get there!

[@trapsaltnburn]

You're delightful. Wishing you a speedy healing!

[@writerlywitterings]

That's really kind, thank you very much

[@g.970]

Love your sense of humor

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that - not a lot of people do!

[@jeffroberts532]

I pray you have a successful and speedy healing in your elbow. You’ve really been through the wringer these last few years and I can empathize with some of those ailments. WH is probably my favorite notebook company but I don’t have one of the Field Note size that you discussed. So, I will be placing an order soon. Thank you for another lovely video.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, Geoff. I hope you really enjoy the William Hannah miniature notebook too!

[@pamelahood]

Speedy recovery. 😮 Hope the surgery proves to be successful. WH makes lovely products. Paper is fabulous. Best to you from California Bay Area.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks, Pamela. Really appreciate the comment and wish I was in California Bay just now. It's raining here in Dartmoor as usual!

[@stefanstefan5269]

Try the Koh-I-Noor Versatie 5608 pencil, really great and a nice smallish size!

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely have a look!

[@MarkDaniels1517]

Feel better, Michael. God bless.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much, Mark - I appreciate the comment

[@TheDarivan]

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks

[@stashi3107]

As you introduced your pencil, I thought -you need a kuru-toga advance (punching grip?)! You may find the kuru-toga is still too fat. BUT... they have just introduced a new model called the KS, with a slimmer rotating mechanism. From what I understand, this new version also has less play in the lead when you write. The standard plastic KS model is available from AFTH but still has a relatively wide body. I plan to get the metal version when it becomes available. My all-time favourite pencil for writing is probably the Pentel Kerry Sharp but it doesn't have Uni's kuru-toga engine, which works really well. Enjoy your new pencil!

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that. I did have a Kuru Toga which I foolishly lent to my daughter and haven't seen since. I'm looking forward to the new slide version which I hope it's a little thinner. I would like the metal type but it's that bit more expensive! I am looking forward to the Kuru Toga mechanism again and it will be fun to see how it fits in my notebook loop!

[@stashi3107]

Hmm, I’ve just seen the kuru toga ks metal version for sale in the uk... for £57 ... I think, like you, I’ll pass on that!

[@writerlywitterings]

@@stashi3107 ouch, me too!

[@writerlywitterings]

@@stashi3107 I've just received my new Kuru Toga Slider, and I have to admit it's brilliant! Much smaller than my original version, slimmer in the hand, and a great deal better to use. Well worth the extra pound or so.

[@stashi3107]

@@writerlywitterings -good to know. I like my kuru-toga original but it is wider and has a rubber ring, making it difficult for pen loops. However, the lead sleeve does not retract... So I got the Advance (punching grip) model, which is great but I find the mechanism is a little more wobbly in the pencil. I may look more closely at the model you got... Maybe a review is coming?!

[@stevehuffman7453]

"Thanks" tomy severe case of lackabucks, I have to stick with my Zebra M701 pencil. Tho to be honest, I use fountain pens much more often. I MIGHT have use that pencil once in the five years I've had it, and the matching F701 ballpoint around 12 times when graphing my notebook to keep a log of days and times I get one of my meds.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to say, I like the Zebra pencils - this Kuru Toga is perfect for designers, technical drawing, and of course sketching, For me I'd still want to have an ordinary pencil, mechanical or otherwise, for writing, because I like like variation when I write. But a pencil is a lovely device to use generally ... although I still much prefer to use my pens, like you!

[@Richard_Barnes]

Hey Mike 😄 I find that pen loop annoying too. Very small elastic and like you, my gel pen has a rubber grip so there's no chance of getting it into a pen loop like that. Great notebook though all the same. Get well Sir and I hope your good lady and hounds are well 👍🏻

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi Richard, thanks for that. I've actually ordered a Kuru Toga with a smooth barrel, thinking that might fit a lot better. I'll let you know how I get on! Thanks for the best wishes, mate. Really appreciated.

[@markososic8258]

Take care Michael!

[@writerlywitterings]

Cheers, Marc

[@markcotter2931]

I have to say I’m more of a fan of the mechanical pencil rather than than the propelling variety. I always manage to jam propelling pencils. Current favourite mechanical varieties are from Kohl’s-I-Noor.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks Marc. I like mechanical and propelling versions. I even like clutch pencils of different types I do like the Koh-i-Noors. One of my favourite pencils is an ancient silver plated propelling pencil from about 1915 which I found while using a metal detector in my garden. I've often wondered who must've dropped it there!

[@yuki_arthouse]

​@@writerlywitteringsnow Koh-i-Noor mechanical pencils (except clutch pencils) still manufacturing by Penac (Kotobuki) under OEM + ODM licenses.

[@yuki_arthouse]

​@@writerlywitteringslike K-i-H Mephisto - is Penac UM503x

[@paulmchugh1430]

It sounds like something called tennis elbow. I do wish your surgery was a success. As for notebooks, my son gave me two with stone paper. For ballpoints, they are lovely; for rollerballs they work as well, depending on the ink; for fountain pen ink, not so much as the ink feathers, bleeds and is generally not well suited for fountain pens. These Hanna notebooks sound wonderful.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks, Paul. It's actually more similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. It just happens to be based in the elbow on the cubital tunnel for the ulna nerve. Yes so many notebooks are really designed for pencil or ballpoint; finding ones which are good for fountain pens is less easy, although I do find that fine nibs work with most papers. I can thoroughly recommend William Hannah notebooks. They are beautiful, feel lovely, and the paper is wonderful for all types of writing. I just feel guilty using it because it's so good and my writing isn't!