The bureaucratic sky jockeys flying under Uncle Sam’s banner needed a pen—a real bastard of a tool. Cheap enough to lose, tough enough to survive, and packed with just enough firepower: black ink, red ink, and a mechanical pencil for good measure. Enter Skilcraft, the unsung hero of government-issue gear.

The trick? They source the guts from Japan, then assemble the whole operation stateside using skilled, blind labor. Yes, blind. Let that sink in.

Bottom line? These things are damn solid. If you want in, you can find ‘em on Amazon here.

The fountain pen racket has always fascinated me—a world of ink-stained fingers, whispered secrets about nib flex, and the kind of purist insanity that makes Leica fanatics seem well-adjusted. But not enough, mind you, to throw down my own hard-earned cash and wade into the murky depths of piston fillers and bottled ink rituals. No, sir. I had other obsessions to bankroll.

Then, out of nowhere, a Lamy Safari landed in my lap—a lean, utilitarian bastard of a pen, built like a German war machine but priced for the common man. No pomp, no arcane rituals—just a clean, smooth-writing instrument that takes ink cartridges like a junkie takes a fix.

I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, waiting for the inevitable disaster—the leaks, the blotches, the slow realization that I was in over my head. But nothing. Just an effortless glide across the page, like Hunter S. Thompson on a mescaline bender. No resistance, no hesitation, just pure, unfiltered motion.

If you’ve ever felt the pull of the fountain pen mystique but balked at the price of admission, the Safari is your ticket in. Grab one. Test it. See if you don’t start looking down your nose at ballpoints like the rest of these ink-stained lunatics.

Details here.

Plotter is a Japanese company that does what Japanese companies do best: build things like a goddamned brick shithouse. Their bread and butter is binders—sleek, modular little contraptions that range from journals to organizers. The one that’s got my attention is the “Mini 5,” their smallest offering. Think of it as a wallet on steroids, with just enough organizer functionality to make you feel like you’ve got your life together.

I’d pull the trigger on one, but here’s the rub: I know myself. Systems like this last about two weeks before my discipline crumbles into dust. Then I’m stuck lugging around a binder I don’t need, full of plans I’ll never follow. Still, it’s tempting. Damn tempting.

Details here.

I’ve always had a thing for paper, writing tools, and stationary—a borderline obsession, really. Always have. Especially if it’s made in Japan. The Japanese understand writing on a level that’s almost spiritual. They don’t just use the tools; they cherish them. The craftsmanship, the design, the subtle precision—it’s all there, humming with intent.

Now, let me be clear: I’ve got no ties to these people. They’re not sponsors, not some corporate overlords pulling strings. I’m just a customer with an unhealthy addiction. My go-to source for Japanese-made tools, notebooks, and other beautifully odd creations is Hightide. These folks get it. They nail the details, every damn time.

If you’re wired like I am, give them a look. Details here.

My kid got one of these contraptions for school, and damn it—I’m hooked. It’s a notebook that locks up with Lego, cover and all, even has a Lego pen that snaps right in. The whole thing’s absurdly tactile, satisfying in that click-and-snap kind of way that sinks its claws into your brain. Now I sort of want one for myself, just for the joy of fidgeting with the damn thing.

Details here.

This is a really interesting idea. Essentially, it’s a modern refillable fountain pen with interchangeable tips at each end. So, you can have a chisel tip on one end and a .1 fine tip on the other. The options are pretty endless and I love the idea of having a bottle of ink just casually sitting around.

Details.

Here’s a fountain pen that deserves to be funded. Mixing traditional with modern simplicity will always win…

Details here.

A tiny titanium and bolt action pen designed to be used on your keychain or even as a zipper pull. Pretty rad.

Details.