Month: November 2009

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Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

From Kiki James we have the Tuscan Wrap Journal. It is a leather bound journal available in several colours, in three sizes, with lined or blank paper. The beautiful example shown here is the chocolate bridle finish, in medium with lined paper.

Kiki Jones is a relatively new online retailer based in London. Their domain name was registered in 2005, so that provides a hint at their longevity. They state that they do welcome customers at their headquarters. Kudos to them for providing walking and public transit directions!

The first thing one notices is the box. At a time when generic plastic shrink-wrap has almost become a retail standard, the journal’s presentation is outstanding. The journal itself arrived tissue-paper wrapped, resting on a tissue cushion on the box bottom.

Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

The journal itself has a wonderful smooth luxurious leather finish, and can be closed by double-wrapping a leather tie:

Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

The back reveals a discreet embossing. “Handmade in England” is another welcome departure from today’s norms.

Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

The journal is 21.6cm x 15.2cm, and the rules on the thick, creamy, paper are grey, approximately 6.5mm apart.

Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

The outside is as smooth and rich as it appears, while the inside is rough with the journal firmly inset.

Kiki James Tuscan Wrap Journal

Just one of a number of leather writing journals from Kiki James, I am very impressed with the offering. My thanks to Kiki James for providing the item for this review.

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Two more black dyed pencils

Black dyed pencils

Here are the plainest black dyed pencils we’ve yet seen.

From Kirin, a smaller Japanese manufacturer, is the Black Pal. It features a black ferrule and black eraser.

As well, a no-name pencil with no markings, with an unfinished cap.

Black dyed pencils

The Kirin has a much nicer lead, but the pencil’s appearance and handling are diminished by a prominent seam down the pencil’s side.

Black dyed pencils

Both are nice overall, and embrace the all-black appearance even further than the pencils we’ve previously looked at.

Black dyed pencils

See also:

Five Black Dyed Pencils

Kirin Black Pal product page

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Felissimo 500 Color Pencils – 2nd set

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

Here is the second set of pencils from Felissimo’s series of 500 colors.

Again, the packaging is impressive:

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

This month’s palette is hard to describe in a single word – the focus is on muted pinks, creams, pea greens, and mint greens. I was somehow expecting something like last month’s bright reds – perhaps another set of bright primaries, but also welcome this surprise.

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

I did try them out, and realized that the pencil pigments are much subtler than the lacquers on the pencil surfaces – matching 500 sets of pigments with 500 surface lacquers must be a significant part of the manufacturing challenge.

That ninth pencil, called Mrs. Parson, stands out in both surface lacquer and on paper.

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils

There were a few questions after last month’s post on the first set, and I recommend that those interested take a look at Felissimo’s “Frequently Asked Questions” page via the banner below. For example, on the issue of lightfastness, Felissimo state that a small sample of pencils have been tested, and all are 4/5 or 5/5 on the JIS lightfastness scale. JIS is the Japanese Industrial Standards section of the Japanese Standards Association. While probably insufficient data for professional artists, I think this speaks well about the pencils from the quality persective.

I can’t wait to see what the next 25 pencils look like!

See also:

Felissimo 500 Color Pencils – 1st set

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Ruling in style

Rulers

Rulers can be practical and attractive desk accessories.

Rulers

Here are a few that I’ve recently acquired and like. (Described in the order seen in the top photo, left to right.)

Rulers

From Folle, designed by Folmer Christiansen and made in Denmark, is the 2100. Danish design for the desk doesn’t disappoint! A stainless steel 30cm/12in ruler, it has large numerals at the 0, 10, 20, and 30 cm marks, and a shoehorn-like curve. It is the only ruler seen here that I would classify as expensive.

From Lexon is a black metal 30cm/12in ruler with a ‘foot’ on the imperial side which makes it stand up.

From Elmar Flötotto is a pure steel 30cm ruler designed by Jürgen Schebendach. It is very solid and heavy. The numbers cycle – 0, 1, …, 8, 9, 0, 1, … – so there are four 0s on the ruler. I love this – it might be whimsy, or a design choice, or it might reflect a perspective on the deeper structure of the integers. We don’t know, but we can enjoy.

Rulers

Also, a corner is bent – a solution to the problem of how to pick up the ruler. Thought provoking as well.

I am amazed that something so simple can be so nice.

Rulers

Troika (I’ve admired their pencil sharpeners, though have never bought one) have a 20cm ruler adorned with road lines and a racing car.

Rulers

The next two are no-name (as least to me) but also high quality.

Finally, from Emform, a miniature architect’s scale called the Moritz.

Rulers

Rulers

Mentioned rulers:

Folle – Stainless Steel No. 2100. Designer: Folmer Christiansen
Lexon – LD74N. Designer: René Adda
Elmar Flötotto – Pure Steel Ruler. Designer: Jürgen Schebendach
Troika – Speedy RUL27/MA
Emform – Presenti Moritz

Rulers

Rulers

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