TiScribe HL (Brass Edition) - Machined Highlighter by Urban Survival Gear

There are times when someone is willing to do something perhaps a little bit crazy to attempt something new. I would say that Kelvin from Urban Survival Gear has broken the mold a bit and done just that...

Some history, Kelvin is the owner and proprietor of Urban Survival Gear, a relatively new name to the scene that released the TiScribe machined pens to the Kickstarter world in 2015 which were a hit. He has a strong and loyal following, his gear is well made, and he has a great sense of humor which shows in his videos. A guy doing what he enjoys which is fantastic.

Back to breaking the mold, Kelvin has been working the last several months on his newest project, the TiScribe HL which launched recently on Kickstarter (HL being for highlighter). If you're putting the puzzle pieces together, Kelvin created a machined highlighter! Let that sink in a bit.

He was kind enough to send me one of his brass sample prototypes of the TiScribe HL, which I'd like to offer a big "thanks" for sharing one to check out. 

As a sort of semantics thought, the name "TiScribe" on a brass pen/highlighter seems a bit of an interesting choice, but I wager BrassScribe doesn't quite have the same ring to it. Regardless, it doesn't take away from the experience and I'm just going down roads of branding philosophy questions.

The TiScribe HL capped comes in just shy of 14cm. A good size considering the weight is just about 1.4oz. The diameter of the pen is quite slim around 1cm which makes it quite comfortable in the hand. 

The cap does post via an o-ring nestled in a groove at the end of the pen, but oddly enough I found it a bit on the weighty side when put on there. The cap is small, but takes up a surprising 30% almost of the overall weight of the pen. Not uncommon with metal pens though it seems. The Lamy 2000 stainless model cap comes in at around the same ratio. Still, I find that posting it adds a hint to much weight to the end. Can I write (or, highlight rather) with it posted? Certainly. It isn't uncomfortable or unbearable, but not ideally balanced which I'm sure is a feat.

This particular cap came with the magnet option. It doesn't serve a purpose on posting the pen or securing the cap, but more to have a place to stick the cap (on something metal close by) as to not lose it. Or, could mount the whole pen somewhere I'd wager.

There are actually three o-rings on the HL (four if you include one used to snug the refill in). We spoke of the one near the tail end that holds the cap, another that fits inside the end cap (which holds in the refill, and the other by the section which acts as a seal for the cap.

The overall machining quality of the HL is quite nice. Edges are clean, chamfers are sharp, and the threads work well. The brass always help to create a smoother threading experience.

The texture of the cap machining is different than that of the barrel. It has a physical machined "groove" along the surface which you can see and feel. The barrel is super smooth which is a bit of a contrast. When parts are machined, the speed at which you cut and the tools used produce different results, so not sure if they are done to different specs or he completes the part with varying finishes. Whether intentional or not, the machined "groove" on the cap provides some grip.

All TiScribe models come with machined grooves in the section for design and added grip. They are soft to the touch with no sharp edges and provide some texture to hold onto. 

The refill used is for a Montblanc highlighter which, how to put it, is an expensive highlighter refill. Retailing around $10 a pop, if you highlight a lot of stuff you may have some higher than normal refill budget requirements when using the TiScribe HL. Granted, there aren't a ton of great highlighter refill options like this on the market, but just something that needed to be brought up.

I don't use highlighters in my day to day very often, but this refill works extremely well. It has a nice, sharp chisel tip which makes working in smaller word spaces easier.

In addition to the HL, when Kelvin reached out to me I asked him if I could also buy one of his TiScribe 1.5 titanium model pens which I've been enjoying as well. The pen could see its own review sometime in the future, but he has made these newer models available as part of the Kickstarter if backers wanted to add one to their pledge. I've been using the Schmidt Fineliner in mine, which was new to Kelvin!

If you love machined pens or are a fan of Kelvin's work (and use highlighters), this may be a perfect product for you. The pledge levels are actually quite inexpensive ranging from $46 - $54 (brass - titanium) which surprised me.

Thanks again to Kelvin for sending me a sample of the TiScribe HL and definitely check out his Kickstarter campaign if this is up your alley. The campaign is only up for about another week so make sure to take a look before it closes.      

ATELEIA Craft & Design - New Stainless Steel Model Available (sponsor)

There are a few companies that I really enjoy that have a philosophy of heirloom quality goods that are not only functional and stylish, but that will be something you will buy and keep forever. One of those companies is ATELEIA Craft & Design run by Chris Williams, the creator of and proprietor of the shop.

ATELEIA specializes in unique handmade leather goods as well as sleek and minimal machined pens in brass, aluminum, copper, and now the newest version made from stainless steel. 

I picked up one of the new stainless models from ATELEIA and I can say with full honesty that I am completely smitten by it. I love the design and weight of the brass version, but the "smell" of the metal isn't quite my preference. Enter stainless where you get the heft of the weightier metals, but a cleaner, non-tarnishing material that feels amazing.

If you're looking for a unique and modern gift, definitely visit the shop to peruse their wares.

Special thanks to ATELEIA Craft & Design for sponsoring The Clicky Post.

Trilogy Pens - Zero Fountain Pen Prototype Review

There seems to be quite the hustle and bustle of Kickstarter pen projects at the moment which has been fun to see. Always excited to see what new things small brands and makers are coming up with. 

I was recently contacted by the folks over at Trilogy Pens who asked if I might like an early look at a prototype of their new Zero fountain pen soon to hit the Kickstarter circuit, so special thanks for sending a sample over for review.

While this pen is an actual sample and prototype, I'll make note of anything that seems amiss or could use attention, but Trilogy communicated a few things to me directly which I'll try to point out that they will already be addressing in final production.

The overall experience of receiving the pen is very polished. The packaging is nicely presented with the pen arriving in a matte black card stock box with a glossy letterpress Trilogy Pens logo and name. Inside you'll find another matte black sleeve imprinted with "ZERO" wherein there is a walnut block with a routed channel to nest the pen. The branding scheme and feel of it all is calculated and well put together.

Being a woodworker as my alter-ego (via Dudek Modern Goods), the walnut block is very poorly finished with saw marks/burns, sharp or chipping edges, and the routed channel still having some rough wood surfacing that could be sanded down. The wood is also raw rather than finished.

I'm probably more sensitive to this than others might be, but there was an opportunity here to create a lovely display setting that could reasonably rest on your desk to cradle the pen when not in use. Not a deal breaker as it is just "the box", but the lack of attention here didn't quite fit the overall presentation. Being "prototype" packaging, I cut it some slack, but something that may want to be addressed or looked at.

The Zero is a minimalist fountain pen machined from aluminum and anodized in a matte silver or black finish. It has a pleasing shape; simple, clean lines, no fuss. The overall shape when capped is a symmetrical, cylindrical shape that widens at the center. Both ends of the pen are flat with a sharp, crisp edge. This flat end allows the pen to stand on end (although wouldn't recommend as a means of keeping it unused as it will tip).

I was sent the matte black version which looks sleek, sharp, and maybe even a bit on the edgy side...

The aluminum is bead blasted prior to the anodizing which is what provides the matte, uniform texture. With anything matte black, any oils or grimes you have on your hands will transfer a bit in smudges, but in using the pen I don't find it creates an unappealing experience. The finish is consistent and clean.

I'd consider the pen to be somewhat large, but not huge. Capped, the length comes in just shy of 15 centimeters while, in comparison, a pen like the Lamy 2000 at around 13.5cm. 1.5cm doesn't seem like a lot, but on a pen it can add quite a bit of substance.

The Zero is a clipless pen so is designed as either a pants pocket, sleeve, or desk user. I'm totally ok with this as I personally enjoy pens I can toss in my jeans pocket. I'd wager that although the finish is anodized, the matte black particularly will start to show considerable wear if left to jingle with whatever might be floating in our pockets. 

In addition to being clipless, the pen is also not designed to post. Technically the cap fits on the end of the barrel, but not very much and it will scratch the heck out of the finish in no time. So, my recommendation: don't post. Also, for kicks, posting the pen would put the overall length in hand at 19.5cm...

The cap unscrews easily in around 3-4 good turns as well as returns quickly without any binding or "searching" for the right threads or angle. The threads are anodized in the matte black as well and, after about two weeks of use has started to flake a bit in spots. The threads themselves are already pretty worn around the sharpest points. With how the anodizing is done, I'm not certain this is avoidable but the silver finish may hide this more.

Trilogy Pen has chosen to use a #6 Bock as the nib for the pen which is a great size and Bock does a fantastic job. Mine came in the black finish which gives the pen an overall "stealthy" look which is cool.

I loaded it up with Aurora Black (literally, the BEST black I think) to finish off the whole ensemble. They sent a fine nib (size) which writes great with a pretty glassy feel and no skipping or really hard starts to think of. A fantastic writer.

They will also be offering either a polished steel or gold colored nib during the campaign.

Even being a larger-ish pen, I found it extremely comfortable while writing. The nib, barrel, section, and inked converter only come in at around 1.1 oz which feels substantial with some heft, but not overly heavy at all. The weight to size ratio is pretty spot in.

When I said "calculated" before regarding the presentation, that doesn't come with a negative connotation, but more translates into that the pens don't really have any sort of "organic" flavor to them. Maybe even a bit on the cold, sterile side, but doesn't detract from being a solid pen. And, maybe that sort of "minimalist" approach to the brand is intentional.

I think the Zero is a slick pen. The more I've used it, the more I find I enjoy what the people at Trilogy have put together and I really, really like it. Not as much character as some of the other machined pens on the market, but super sleek and very polished. 

If the Zero is a pen that is pushing your minimalist buttons, head over to the Kickstarter campaign to check them out. And, thanks again to Trilogy Pens for sending the sample!

Would love to hear thoughts on this one so please comment below.