https://the-gadgeteer.com Gadget news and reviews since 1997! Sat, 22 Feb 2025 22:28:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://the-gadgeteer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cropped-cropped-wp-icon-gadgeteer-logo-32x32.jpg https://the-gadgeteer.com 32 32 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/01/23/with-colored-pencil-set-review-dozens-of-colored-pencils-in-a-tiny-pouch-that-goes-everywhere/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/01/23/with-colored-pencil-set-review-dozens-of-colored-pencils-in-a-tiny-pouch-that-goes-everywhere/#comments Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:05:59 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=458897 REVIEW – I’ve enjoyed doodling and drawing since I was a little kid. I still have a bunch of monster magazines and comics that I drew back then, and I even made several videos about converting one of my comics to digital format. While I enjoy making art with digital tools, drawing with pens and […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2025/01/23/with-colored-pencil-set-review-dozens-of-colored-pencils-in-a-tiny-pouch-that-goes-everywhere/feed/ 2 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/04/27/kuru-toga-advance-mechanical-pencil-review-a-revolution-in-sharp-writing/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/04/27/kuru-toga-advance-mechanical-pencil-review-a-revolution-in-sharp-writing/#respond Sat, 27 Apr 2024 14:00:57 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=429075 REVIEW – The mechanical pencil is a favorite of writers and technical draftspersons because no sharpening is required but, it can still develop a dull edge if the pencil is not periodically rotated while writing. The Kuru Toga Advance has a mechanism to rotate the lead a tiny bit each time the tip contacts the […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2024/04/27/kuru-toga-advance-mechanical-pencil-review-a-revolution-in-sharp-writing/feed/ 0 20240331 101705 nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2021/10/08/make-your-own-pencils-with-this-insanely-awesome-kit/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2021/10/08/make-your-own-pencils-with-this-insanely-awesome-kit/#comments Fri, 08 Oct 2021 15:45:18 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=336594 NEWS – I feel like I’m a pretty crafty person. I’ve made my own leather notebook covers, I like to draw, and I’m currently trying to learn to sew on a vintage Singer sewing machine. I’ve always been interested in getting into woodworking but have only dabbled in it with not good results (I tried […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2021/10/08/make-your-own-pencils-with-this-insanely-awesome-kit/feed/ 5 Pencils - The Gadgeteer nonadult https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/06/16/the-bic-4-color-multi-pen-from-your-childhood-just-got-an-update/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/06/16/the-bic-4-color-multi-pen-from-your-childhood-just-got-an-update/#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2020 17:56:39 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=299801 NEWS – Check this out pen and pencil fanatics! The wonderfully retro 4 Color multi-pen from BIC is celebrating its 50yr birthday and has been updated to now include a mechanical pencil.* You get red, blue, and black ink pens, along with a 0.7 mm retractable lead pencil that replaces the green pen that is […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/06/16/the-bic-4-color-multi-pen-from-your-childhood-just-got-an-update/feed/ 11 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/03/25/add-some-power-to-your-erasing/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/03/25/add-some-power-to-your-erasing/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:02:30 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=295330 NEWS – Artists who use pencils as their medium will be interested in learning more about battery powered erasers. Yeah, who knew? Not me! But apparently, battery powered erasers are a thing. Like the AFMAT battery powered eraser shown above, they are powered by batteries (big surprise!) and they give you finer control over your […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2020/03/25/add-some-power-to-your-erasing/feed/ 4 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2019/12/23/cure-your-journaling-addiction-with-this-writers-medic-bag/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2019/12/23/cure-your-journaling-addiction-with-this-writers-medic-bag/#respond Mon, 23 Dec 2019 17:00:37 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=289664 NEWS – The Writer’s Medic Bag will make a stationery, notebook, and journalling addict go running for their credit card when they see this gorgeous leather bag designed by the late founder of Galen Leather Company. Made to hold your favorite pens, pencils, notebooks, stencils, and other writing gear, this leather bag has been handmade […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2019/12/23/cure-your-journaling-addiction-with-this-writers-medic-bag/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2019/03/17/organize-your-favorite-pens-pencils-and-other-writing-gear-in-this-gorgeous-wooden-box/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2019/03/17/organize-your-favorite-pens-pencils-and-other-writing-gear-in-this-gorgeous-wooden-box/#comments Sun, 17 Mar 2019 16:00:03 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=266460 NEWS – The Writing Box from Galen Leather takes you back to an era where there were no smartphones, laptops, or email. Back when the main form of communication was done by putting pen to paper. Back when your EDC consisted of a wooden box to carry your favorite pens, paper, and other stationary items. […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2019/03/17/organize-your-favorite-pens-pencils-and-other-writing-gear-in-this-gorgeous-wooden-box/feed/ 3 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/09/06/make-back-to-school-time-a-little-more-fun-with-these-supplies/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/09/06/make-back-to-school-time-a-little-more-fun-with-these-supplies/#respond Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:00:41 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=250263 NEWS – As a kid, did you ever look forward to the new school year, just a little, because you would get new school supplies?  I did, and my love of school supplies has matured into a love of office supplies.  If you or your child also appreciates a nice pencil or notebook, look no […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/09/06/make-back-to-school-time-a-little-more-fun-with-these-supplies/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/07/25/blackwing-pencils-the-cadillac-of-writing-implements/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/07/25/blackwing-pencils-the-cadillac-of-writing-implements/#respond Wed, 25 Jul 2018 12:00:44 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=246112 NEWS – If you still like taking notes and writing journal entries the old way with paper and a pencil or pen, you need to check out Blackwing Pencils.  These pencils were first introduced by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company in the 1930s.  They immediately found a loyal following, including novelist John Steinbeck and Chuck Jones, who […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/07/25/blackwing-pencils-the-cadillac-of-writing-implements/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/06/21/bic-pen-with-3-colors-of-ink-pens-and-a-mechanical-pencil-built-in/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/06/21/bic-pen-with-3-colors-of-ink-pens-and-a-mechanical-pencil-built-in/#comments Thu, 21 Jun 2018 17:36:37 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=244404 I love writing with BIC pens – the ink flows smoothly and evenly, and their blue ink is my favorite.  There’s only one problem.  The normal, clear-body pens are too thin for me to hold comfortably.  When I discovered those thick barrel 4-color multi-pens from BIC, I was in love.  They were comfortable to hold, […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/06/21/bic-pen-with-3-colors-of-ink-pens-and-a-mechanical-pencil-built-in/feed/ 2 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/03/07/bellroy-introduces-pencil-cases-and-classic-pouches/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/03/07/bellroy-introduces-pencil-cases-and-classic-pouches/#respond Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:00:06 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=236716 Known primarily for their high-quality, thoughtfully-designed wallets (several of which have been reviewed here at The Gadgeteer), Bellroy has recently launched a line of cases pouches. Intended to store and organize your smallish items, the YKK-zippered pouches are made from either Leather Nubuck leather or Soft-woven Polyester, available in multiple colors and in three sizes: […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/03/07/bellroy-introduces-pencil-cases-and-classic-pouches/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/02/14/manhattan-portage-pen-cases-compact-protective-durable-affordable/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/02/14/manhattan-portage-pen-cases-compact-protective-durable-affordable/#respond Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:00:09 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=235515 Here at The Gadgeteer, we appreciate good gadget storage and transportation devices and pen/pencil cases are no exception.  If you are familiar with Manhattan Portage, you know that they offer high-quality, well-built and durable bags, backpacks, cases and other accessories at reasonable prices.  Recently I stumbled upon Manhattan Portage’s Pen Cases.  Built from 1000D CORDURA® Classic […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2018/02/14/manhattan-portage-pen-cases-compact-protective-durable-affordable/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2017/11/01/spoke-pencil-model-4-is-a-bespoke-update-to-its-predecessors/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2017/11/01/spoke-pencil-model-4-is-a-bespoke-update-to-its-predecessors/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2017 15:22:55 +0000 https://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=228558 Way back in 2012, we posted a news article about the Spoke Pencil, which at the time was the first foray into Kickstarter campaigns for inventor, designer and maker, Brian Conti. Brian has since launched several brands and Kickstarter campaigns which all sprang from the success of his original Spoke Pencil. Brian has recently released […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2017/11/01/spoke-pencil-model-4-is-a-bespoke-update-to-its-predecessors/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/05/23/sidekick-3d-printed-journal-pen-holder-review/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/05/23/sidekick-3d-printed-journal-pen-holder-review/#comments Fri, 23 May 2014 15:00:54 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com?p=157654&preview_id=157654 The Sidekick is a journal pen holder that is made in the USA eight at a time from starch based plastic using a homemade 3D printer. The Sidekick sticks on to most any hard covered notebook or journal from popular companies like Moleskine, Rhodia, Leuchturm and many more. It adds a convenient holder for your favorite writing instrument […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/05/23/sidekick-3d-printed-journal-pen-holder-review/feed/ 1 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/02/26/plant-your-pencil-stub-and-watch-it-grow/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/02/26/plant-your-pencil-stub-and-watch-it-grow/#respond Wed, 26 Feb 2014 17:00:20 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=153036 What do you do with a sad little pencil stub, other than throw it out?  You can plant it and watch herbs or flowers grow!  Plant the Sprout Pencil nubs, you’ll have edible herbs, marigold and calendula plants, or a wildflower bouquet.  Each kit comes with eight high-quality, sustainably-grown cedar pencils.  Each pencil has a seed […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/02/26/plant-your-pencil-stub-and-watch-it-grow/feed/ 0 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/02/10/go-to-gear-discussion-pens-pencils-and-styli/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/02/10/go-to-gear-discussion-pens-pencils-and-styli/#comments Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:04:30 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=151968 Next in the list of my go-to gear are writing implements.  I think I mentioned in a previous review, that I believe writing by hand has become a lost art form. That does not mean it will go away, but now days we are just as likely to see stylus-to-tablet as we are to see […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/02/10/go-to-gear-discussion-pens-pencils-and-styli/feed/ 6 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/08/06/the-spoke-pencil-not-just-for-bicyclists/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/08/06/the-spoke-pencil-not-just-for-bicyclists/#comments Mon, 06 Aug 2012 18:45:26 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=102099 There have been several successfully-funded pen projects over the past several months on Kickstarter, the popular crowd-scourcing site.  But the lack of pencil projects led mechanical deisgn engineer Brian Conti to take a slightly different tack with the Spoke Mechanical Pencil project, one of the first of its kind on Kickstarter.  Machined in the U.S.A. […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/08/06/the-spoke-pencil-not-just-for-bicyclists/feed/ 5 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/07/22/pencilbrush-is-the-love-child-of-the-mechanical-pencil-and-a-paint-brush/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/07/22/pencilbrush-is-the-love-child-of-the-mechanical-pencil-and-a-paint-brush/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:00:07 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=101292 The Pencilbrush is a unique drawing tool for the avid artist or doodler that allows you to do quick and easy shading effects. It’s made of light weight aluminum and can accommodate a row of individual graphite leads sizes such as 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 0.9mm and 1.3mm. A package of 0.9mm leads are included with the drawing […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/07/22/pencilbrush-is-the-love-child-of-the-mechanical-pencil-and-a-paint-brush/feed/ 2 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/11/14/new-quiver-pen-holder-products/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/11/14/new-quiver-pen-holder-products/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:10 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=80696 Quiver Pen Holders allow you to carry your favorite pens / pencils with the popular Moleskine notebooks / journals. They are one of my favorite geek accessories (see my review linked below in the related posts section). I’m happy to report that Quiver is offering several additions to their line of products that include new […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/11/14/new-quiver-pen-holder-products/feed/ 9 https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/10/23/leather-pencil-caps-stuff-you-dont-need-but-want-anyway/ https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/10/23/leather-pencil-caps-stuff-you-dont-need-but-want-anyway/#respond Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:00:29 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=78286 The Kanda Misako Leather Pencil Cap is a cool way to protect the tip of your favorite pencil (and maybe some pens). It’s available in a large selection of colors that include: Black, Navy, Turquoise, Orange, Camel, Pink, Blue, Yellow, Wine, Red, Chocolate, Purple and Green. You can see more images at Pencils.jp. Although they […]]]> https://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/10/23/leather-pencil-caps-stuff-you-dont-need-but-want-anyway/feed/ 0