Progress Report - August 2024

In this video, I show you my ink journal entries and talk about how this months fountain pens and inks are writing! After the video, I discuss the book Antinet Zettelkasten by Scott Scheper (Special thank you to pen friend SB for this great book!) -- and I talk about bib (bibliography) cards AND TWSBI inks - sorting out the 6 inks that came in the 1791 set. I'll see you back here soon for the 4th Pen Fast Chat ... as I navigate toward the end of September (and a possible buying window in the fall/winter).
Here's a list of the pens and inks talked about in today's video:
1. Kaweco Sport Mellow Blue BB with J Herbin Kyanite du Nepal (pen from pen friend BBR).
2. Jinhao 82 Pink B Opus 88 nib with Colorverse Red Shift (ink from pen friend KS).
3. TWSBI Go Clear B with Diamine Amber.
4. Benu Briolette Luminous Amber B with Birmingham Smoke Stack (pen from anonymous viewer and ink sample from pen friend Cathie).
5. Jinhao X750 Pink B JoWo with Lamy Vibrant Pink.
6. TWSBI Eco Transparent Purple B with Pelikan 4001 Violet.
7. TWSBI Eco Transparent Green B with TWSBI Forest Green (?Ink may have been from pen friend CS)
8. TWSBI Eco Transparent Orange B with TWSBI Orange (pen from pen friend DB).
9. Jinhao X750 Ivory? B Goulet nib with Sailor 50 States Texas ink (pen friend MS sent me another bottle of this beautiful ink!)
10. Lamy Safari Violet Candy M/then B nib with Lamy Dark Lilac (pen was a gift from pen friend TB)
11. Benu Euphoria Pink Champagne (Goldspot Exclusive) B with Van Dieman's Marilyn shimmer ink.
Here is a link to the lady I mentioned who talks about Analog Zettelkasten on her channel. She is very relatable and she's a great teacher:
/ @kathleenspracklen
My Instagram: / snowball7470
My pen email: [e-mail]

[@lenorebreen3394]

Hi Chris: I have the same "white" Jinhao x750 and I agree it is more cream or ivory.

[@Heidejournal]

I loved your idea of the card system (or Zettelkasten, whatever you want to call it;) so much that I ordered a box and cards and indexes and will now start listing all my pens in it. That will take a while, but I love doing it, so it‘s not a chore. :) I‘m a sucker for lists, so I have my pens in various books and ring binders sorted by brands and by color of the ink that is currently in them. I also have all my inks swatched in a ring binder, but I think I will swatch them again on cards and put them in the same box with the pens. I am so excited for this project, it makes me giddy… 😂 Thank you for sharing as always, you‘re a real inspiration in so many ways !

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Heide -- these types of projects are so much fun right!!!! :) I'm still not sure about how to handle my inks ... but I can totally see filing them together with the pen card .... and later just moving into a larger 3x5 file box. Great idea!

[@honnony]

Greetings from Chicagoland, out here visiting our daughter. I dragged my wife on the subway down to Atlas Stationary for their very soggy Sidewalk Sale. I'm very proud to report no pens were purchased although they had a table of shiny Benus and I thought I saw your amber in the batch. I retrieved my wife from a nearby coffee shop to go in Atlas. I had a list of a dozen inks from watching all your videos and said I'll get three bottles to remember our trip. Next to my notebook are two huge bottles of Iroshizuku, teal and burgundy, and a bottle of J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir. All set for some FP adventures thanks to your great videos.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @honnony -- oh they had a rainy day for the side walk sale? Their sale seems like a fun thing to go to even in the rain!!!! :) Glad you stuck to your list!

[@Cardenio2012]

I'd love to see you talk about your analog card system! I love how you organize your ink collections, how they form an ink library in the background in your library. Absolutely love your Benu Euphoria Pink Champagne and how it looks with Van Dieman's Marilyn!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @Cardenio2012 thank you! I definitely will do a book report and hopefully by then I'll have my Zettelkasen started too ... I made some dividers and have cards ... and my first card will be the bibliography card for the book!

[@irmaq4072]

Hi Chris, I've been doing using this method. Scott Scheper has very detailed videos and I have started using the method for my reading and collect quotes or key phrases from the books I read. It's very uplifting to read them from time to time. And now, thanks to you I have an excuse to use my fountain pens and inks. What can be better!!!! 🖊🖋🖊

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @imaq4072 - oh cool I'm so happy to hear from another antinetter! I'm beginning to understand much better the farther I read in his book so I think I'll be better able to understand his detailed videos soon. Admittedly the numbering part is confusing to me but I'm starting to catch on! The best index cards I ever used were the Clairefontaine Exacompta grid ones ... wow those were amazing ... but pricey!

[@StaticCling99]

A thing I do to my too large rings is apply a layer of E600 jewelry glue to the inner band to "size" it and let it sit for a day, then wear. Usually, I get a couple months' wear before needing reapplication. Nothing builds up or gets caught in it, and since it cures to a sort of gummy, it can be pulled off as needed.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @StaticCling99 -- wow thank you I've never heard of this stuff but I'll look into it!!!!!

[@raybuck]

Thank you again Chris for the video. It was great to see your review of the pens and inks. I'll be interested to see the outcome of your investigation of the Diamine orange and the TWSBI Go. I would be interested in your review of the book that you are reading just for my interest. As far as an analogue card system goes, I find a spreadsheet or database to be more useful to me. I can quickly see comparisons of the data across the differed data sets either graphicly or numerically. The bigger the data set the easier it is to use a digital process rather than a card system, for me anyway. Thank you again.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @raybuck -- I definately believe that a digital spreadsheet should be easier and more efficient .... so I've worked at liking it for 7+ years but I still haven't enjoyed it. It could be because I'm just using the free Google Sheets. I've seen some other systems (Figboots) that really look amazing ... but I've not invested the time in anything but the Google Sheet which at least shows me some good details about the pens like the color names and model and who sent it if it was a gift/contribution. With my card system I'm hoping to see which pens I "check out" the most. :)

[@JRDiaz-tn5kb]

I like that 50 States Texas brown ink - I’ll have to obtain a sample or a bottle for myself. Thanks for the Report. 🙂

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @JRDiaz-tn5kb 50 States Texas is such a beautiful ink, honestly, I wish they'd make a bigger bottle!

[@annies8075]

Yes, I'd definitely be interested to hear about analog card systems 👍

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Oh cool ... thanks ... I've got enough yes votes ... when I finish the book I'll do a video book report!

[@cynthiarichter792]

I have so many of the same inks you do and have enjoyed this video to see how they would work in another pen. I have so many inks and have been trying to use those I have used before. So much fun! So far, my favorite pens are BENU. The inks are much harder to choose, aren't they? I am trying hard not to buy anything until the holidays, but .... Thanks for all the info you share.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cynthia! I'm now excited to start an ink card file so that I can see my ink usage (especially of my bottled inks!) I'm sure I "favor" certain inks! I'm almost the type to have a specific ink for specific pens!!! :) Thank you for being here!!!!

[@FranM6179]

I would like to hear more about the analog card system. Thanks for another great progress report.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @FranM6179 so much positive feedback for a book report = so I'll definitely make a video book report and I have started setting up my analog card/note box. :)

[@paulherman5822]

Some of the colors look like "vintage," as they are close matches with some from the past, or are actually from an older brand (the Pelikan ink. The 4001 inks I think haven't changed in decades.) A nice selection! Yeah, I'll bet your issue with the Amber ink is just that pen/ink combination. I've used several inks that only seem to work with certain pens. My selection is basically still the same. The gray Esterbrook J with Waterman Serenity Blue, a red Esterbrook SJ with 1950s Sheaffer's Skrip Permanent Red, gray Parker 21 with Waterman Mysterious Blue, the Sheaffer's 3 with KWZ Cappuccino, but now it's Noodler's Heart of Darkness in my black Esterbrook J with a 2668 firm medium, and i swapped out the 2442 stub from my green Esterbrook J, and have a 3968 "starburst" broad nib with the KWZ Pine Green ink. (I've used it for signing in at the doctor. 😁) I found a newer bottle of Sheaffer-Eaton era Sheaffer Skrip Red, which should be here this next week. Was the newest one I could find (really hope that they bring it back with the new owners of Sheaffer...) And I broke down and got a case for my pens I have in use. A Lihit Lab Smart Fit Actact slim. Perfect for all in use, a small pocket notebook and possibly loose change. Basically just 2 solid cloth pockets on one side and 2 mesh on the other side, and zipper close. Perfect for when I don't have a shirt pocket. Growing up with Depression era packrats, I definitely can use information about organizing. 😁

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Paul - your Lihit Lab case sounds great -- their products are so well made!!!! WOW cool I'm so glad you found the bottle of Sheaffer Skrip Red!!!! :)

[@kathycullenstern9652]

The pink Benu is gorgeous. I don’t know about you but I love my transparent Ecos so much more than the solid colors. I think I need 50 States Texas for my Neapolitan Ice Cream Benu. I have Hope Pink in it now but I think it needs a brown ink. Happy reading. I look forward to a full review.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Kathy! I also love my transparent Ecos! They look like candy! LOL Such happy colors! Cool ... I'm happy to see that so many are in favor of a book report!

[@barbarawhipple2016]

Book report-please! I’ve read several of the books you’ve reported on-it’s better than scrolling through Amazon!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Barbara! Definitely planning a book report. I'm currently at the 1/2 way point and this is a big book! LOL

[@ramonafirehorse]

I always love you book reviews.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Heide -- I'm going to work on cards for my inks too ... I'm not sure yet how it will work but if I do a card each month for each pen I ink up ... eventually I'll have them all filed or at least all the ones I'm using! I'm so glad you found some inspiration here - that's why I continue doing my channel on the hopes of contributing something positive!!!! :)

[@anneh3185]

Hello Chris, thank you for the video. With regard to the Diamine Amber issue , I like Diamine Fire Embers ( Inkvent blue) as an orange. Always readable and flows well, just a thought. Best wishes

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @anneh3185 - thank you for the ink referral! I don't think I have that ink but I have samples from 2021, 2022, and 2023 Inkvents. :)

[@SandyQueue]

This is such a cheerful color pallette! Love it! Somehow I ended up with 3 greens and 3 dark pink / maroons this month.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Sandy -- lol -- I've had those months where I end up with 4 purples lol!!!! Pinks and greens seem to go together so well too!!!!

[@lju5001]

The JinhaoX750 looked a little light yellowish on my screen…nice to have so many A+’s this month. I like anything analog so bring it on.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @lju5001 - yes ... it sure does look light yellow to me too!!!! I know Jinhao can make white pens because I have one in the Jinhao 159.

[@lagreenwitch]

I read your list and remember the firsts videos I watched on your channel thinking "why so many twsbi eco? I will never buy twice the same pen model" I was young and naive. I've now 2 eco's and 2 preppy's and no intention to sell one of these. 😅

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @lagreenwitch -- it's so funny because I've picked on myself over having so many TWSBI Ecos but they are my most used pens most of the time ... especially now that I've gotten better at taking them apart for service/greasing and I'm no longer freaked out about swapping nibs (I used to be afraid I'd crush the feed). Having the different colors is great! It took me a long time to decide which one to give to my friend who is getting into fountain pens ... that's when I realized that at least I'm fond of all those Ecos and use them lol. :)

[@donnapartl4448]

The TWSBI set of 6 bottles, Colors include: Pink, Orange, Prairie Green, Emerald Green, Sky Blue and Royal Purple

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you! LOL I had trouble remembering which 6 were in that original release! The TWSBI inks are so great in my opinion .... I do like their non-permanent ones best.

[@Nadia_collects]

I was so upset when you put your ring to the side. I imagined the future video where you say it is lost. Please tell me it is all sorted. Of the inks you showed, I was most eager to see Herbin 1679 Fuschia so I will now check your other recent videos to spot that one.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @Nadia_collects -- not to worry ... right nearby is a glass ring holder because I did misplace my ring once and it was traumatic so always within reach to me at my desk is that ring holder my motherinlaw gave me! The reason I misplaced it the first time was weight loss and it came off into a bag (unknown to me) that held my winter foundation ski layer lol ... it was lucky I ever found it!!!!!

[@cathiescott7382]

I’d like to hear the full report. I just checked and my library doesn’t have it in the catalog

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cathie! He used to publish it thru Amazon but the cost of the book was too high (like $48) so he got a private printer and now sells the book from his website ... near as I could tell it comes out to just under $20. In the past, there was a shorter workbook which I sure wish I could find but now, finding the You Tuber Kathleen Spracklen -- she has great videos simplifying so many aspects of keeping a Zettelkasen/Cardbox! I plan a full book report when I finish reading!!!!

[@rahulshah1408]

Greetings my friend. I’ve just started tracking my inked pens. 4 blacks. I need to change that up. :). Have you had any issues eyedroppering the Kaweco. I’m worried about the burping issues people talk about.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi @rahulshah1408 - so far I've had no issues with burping with the Kaweco ... the JHerbin Kyanite du Nepal ink flows really well but is thicker than say your average Pilot ink so I wonder if maybe issues might be more likely with a non shimmer ink even. I'll let you know how it goes over the long run ... it's great so far compared with those tiny Kaweco converters!!!!

[@rahulshah1408]

@@ChrisSaenz13 You have definitely changed my plans with this pen. I bought a converter…. Now I’ll go eyedropper.

[@sushanart]

😇🩷🙏🙌