Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Picked up my McIntosh MA352 integrated amplifier earlier 😍
3Skqcoj.jpg
Nice. A 29 kilos piece of art.
 
Another stationary haul :cool:

Indeed, today I visited the brick and mortar store of the Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery.
Finally got to test the famous Blackwing pencils, and they sure live up to their fame. Top notch quality, unlike any other pencil I've ever used. I'm looking very much forward to drawing with them !

IMG_2359.jpeg
 
Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noir headphones & Moon Audio Blue Dragon headphone cable.

IMG_1147.jpeg

Another stationary haul :cool:

Indeed, today I visited the brick and mortar store of the Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery.
Finally got to test the famous Blackwing pencils, and they sure live up to their fame. Top notch quality, unlike any other pencil I've ever used. I'm looking very much forward to drawing with them !

View attachment 2259009
My spouse loves those pencils!
 
Another stationary haul :cool:

Indeed, today I visited the brick and mortar store of the Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery.
Finally got to test the famous Blackwing pencils, and they sure live up to their fame. Top notch quality, unlike any other pencil I've ever used. I'm looking very much forward to drawing with them !

View attachment 2259009
Ah, fantastic.

I love stationary shops (good ones), and fountain pen shops, and can happily spend ages just browsing.

Mind you, I had never heard of Blackwing pencils; what makes them special, or why are they considered to be so good?

Enjoy your stationary and your pencils.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GerritV
Ah, fantastic.

I love stationary shops (good ones), and fountain pen shops, and can happily spend ages just browsing.

Mind you, I had never heard of Blackwing pencils; what makes them special, or why are they considered to be so good?

Enjoy your stationary and your pencils.
The Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery is housed in a beautiful historic building, and the shop owner did a great job on the interior as well. Stylish wooden shelves and cabinets, glass pen displays...
The shop started off with mainly Maki-e and Urushi products, but soon added other stationary products (mostly Japanese), and a number of high end fountain pens.

As for Blackwing... The pencils are made in Japan, from high quality cedar wood. The graphite is buttery smooth yet firm. The line is very dark and consistent, the writing/drawing is smooth and effortless.
As much as I love fountain pens, there are so many factors to pay attention to: nib size, grip shape, filling system, ink color, paper... With the Blackwings, I tend to find out if my writing/drawing experience equals the one with a fountain pen.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Scepticalscribe
The Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery is housed in a beautiful historic building, and the shop owner did a great job on the interior as well. Stylish wooden shelves and cabinets, glass pen displays...
The shop started off with mainly Maki-e and Urushi products, but soon added other stationary products (mostly Japanese), and a number of high end fountain pens.

As for Blackwing... The pencils are made in Japan, from high quality cedar wood. The graphite is buttery smooth yet firm. The line is very dark and consistent, the writing/drawing is smooth and effortless.
As much as I love fountain pens, there are so many factors to pay attention to: nib size, grip shape, filling system, ink color, paper... With the Blackwings, I tend to find out if my writing/drawing experience equals the one with a fountain pen.
That shop looks absolutely gorgeous, I could happily lose myself for hours there, and thank you for sharing the link.

What stationary do you use? My own preference is Leuchtturm1917 (I've also used Rhodia, and have found them to be very good, but prefer the Leuchtturm1917, which I find brilliant).

However, while I know that Japan produces excellent paper, I don't know enough to be able to recognise the good brands; what do you recommend?
 
  • Like
Reactions: GerritV
That shop looks absolutely gorgeous, I could happily lose myself for hours there, and thank you for sharing the link.

What stationary do you use? My own preference is Leuchtturm1917 (I've also used Rhodia, and have found them to be very good, but prefer the Leuchtturm1917, which I find brilliant).

However, while I know that Japan produces excellent paper, I don't know enough to be able to recognise the good brands; what do you recommend?

Both Leuchtturm1917 and Rhodia are indeed excellent choices IMHO. I have limited experience with the first, but never used the second (for no specific reason).

About 5 or 6 years ago, I decided on the Traveler's Company notebook. Over time, I customized both my standard and passport size to my needs and did my best to stay consistent and deal with their downsides (mostly the fact that the books don't lay flat open). The paper is good quality and takes fountain pen perfectly.

As for Japanese paper, Tomoe River is probably the most famous one. The factory stopped their production a while ago, but their machinery has been taken over by another company. I'm not sure if they make actual notebooks, but a number of brands are using this new Tomoe River (p.e. Galen Leather).
The paper is rather thin (originally 52gsm, recent production 68gsm), but very smooth and fountain pen friendly. However, you should count on some degree of ghosting.

My personal favorite Japanese paper brand, that I would recommend, is Midori.
I love the minimalistic style of their notebooks, the light blue grid, the binding. The paper is fountain pen friendly, of course also fit for pencil. And the books lay flat open.
I'm using a Midori A5 notebook for most of my project notes, where I prefer a larger paper format than the Traveler's one.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Scepticalscribe
Both Leuchtturm1917 and Rhodia are indeed excellent choices IMHO. I have limited experience with the first, but never used the second (for no specific reason).

About 5 or 6 years ago, I decided on the Traveler's Company notebook. Over time, I customized both my standard and passport size to my needs and did my best to stay consistent and deal with their downsides (mostly the fact that the books don't lay flat open). The paper is good quality and takes fountain pen perfectly.

As for Japanese paper, Tomoe River is probably the most famous one. The factory stopped their production a while ago, but their machinery has been taken over by another company. I'm not sure if they make actual notebooks, but a number of brands are using this new Tomoe River (p.e. Galen Leather).
The paper is rather thin (originally 52gsm, recent production 68gsm), but very smooth and fountain pen friendly. However, you should count on some degree of ghosting.

My personal favorite Japanese paper brand, that I would recommend, is Midori.
I love the minimalistic style of their notebooks, the light blue grid, the binding. The paper is fountain pen friendly, of course also fit for pencil. And the books lay flat open.
I'm using a Midori A5 notebook for most of my project notes, where I prefer a larger paper format than the Traveler's one.

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply (and accompanying links); very much appreciated.

Actually, my own preferred size is A5, also; all of my (many) Leuchtturm1917 notebooks come in that size; it is a nice compromise between something that is portable (by briefcase or hand), not too large to be uncomfortable when writing (especially if you cannot write on a table or desk, A5 is fine on knees), yet will still be capable of holding a lot of information as it contains 250 pages of excellent quality - brilliant when writing with a fountain pen - paper, as it holds the ink beautifully.

Now, while I had heard of Tamoe River (and hadn't known that they ceased production), I have never actually seen this paper, let alone been able to try writing on it.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GerritV
Wow. Long wait. I ordered my Q3 in September and it came in mid January.
Yup, ordered April 2022, delivered June 2023.

Ford changed my order 2 times - once for model year change and another when it derailed and destroyed in train wreck in Springfield, OH.

At least they honored the 2022 pricing which was $6500 less....
 
They are sitting on lots all over the country and they can't sell them so glad you got yours customized.
 
White Titanium Pro Max, 512 GB, T-Mobile. Delivers Friday.

View attachment 2267427
I also chose this color. That white color is so gorgeous, beautiful and stunning. It is outshining all the other colors on Pro line items including natural/grey one. I love bright shiny and stand out color. I finally declined choosing new color this year because any non white silver color makes me bored after 2-3 months and craving white one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mark.g4
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.