DIY Planner - Reviews - Comments

Available in UK

reepicheep — Thu, 5 Jan 2012 08:47:53 -0500

Last time someone mentioned this Staples' range it wasn't available in the UK. I asked their local operation an they said there was no intention of bringing it over here. Well it seems they have had a change of mind because their web site is now showing elements of the range as available. (I happened to be visiting a client earlier today whose offices are close to a Staples shop but there were no Arc items for sale.) Available in A4 and A5 size covers with paper.

As to the "cons" being punch your own paper is that really a con? Those of us with Rollabind punches do this all the time anyway. Buying pre-punched paper from Staples is a con.

I agree with your 6/10

hjfutch — Mon, 2 Jan 2012 12:00:12 -0500

I agree with your 6/10 rating on the overall quality of the notebook. However, I was lucky enough to get in on the clearance at Waldenbooks closing sale. I purchased 50 of the pocket sized notebooks in various configurations for $1.00 each. I think I'll probably have enough notebooks to last the few remaining years of my life. My only real "con" is that my Levenger cobalt ink tends to bleed slightly through the page .

Arc from Staples

dougnkat — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:52:55 -0500

I agree 100% with your comments about the Arc from Staples. It is easy to use, pricing will fit my pocket book, and Staples is everywhere especially the internet. I personall went with the Jr size in the leather. I am even able to use my left over Rolo paper in it. The pages are an 1/8th of an inch shorter both on the top and the bottom, however they fit nicely. I have transerfered just about all my personal daily and financals to it and will soon transfer my school notes to it. It fits in my purse and I can easily retreive my gas card from the front of the book without having to withdraw it from my purse. If there was a wallet accessory I would be able to leave my current wallet at home. Maybe I will work something up.

Incredibly affordable

JabberWokky — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:18:31 -0500

The ease of finding the Arc system versus the amount of discussion is simply because it is new. Staples has really set a new standard for price and quality with the Arc line, which appears to be true across all of their affordable but higher quality "M" branding. I have the Circa punch, which was (if I remember right) around $80. The Staples one is $35 and has a lever action making it superior in daily use, although the beefy steel of the Circa punch still has a "can survive the apocalypse" feel.

The letter size leather covers for Circa are $100, while I picked up a nice, wonderful smelling set at Staples for a mere $20. It was wonderful: I moved over everything from my plastic cover and replaced the discs for larger ones (which ran a couple dollars). I am now tracking my publication schedule for 2012 in a binder that appeals to the senses and costs less than the plastic one from Levenger.

I carry a Moleskine daily journal for quickly jotting thoughts in a chronological stream. My disc notebooks (I use two) are my compiled project notes and status. They compliment each other nicely.

Loose Elastic

jordanjm — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:04:37 -0500

I find that the elastic is still strong enough to hold the book together. I do find that it slips off the book more than I would like.

Elastic and extra contents

Katrina — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:22:11 -0500

Good review!

Is the elastic very loose? Would it be good for holding the journal shut if it had loose papers etc kept inside it?

nice review, thanks

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:48:57 -0400

You're spot on. I didn't write too much with the Varsity, so I can't comment on the fatigue, but its a fantastic pen. The fact that its an instant starter is really weird, especially for a cheap FP. FPs are notorious for slow starts usually, irrespective of price

It's certainly true that

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:36:02 -0500

It's certainly true that there's no direct correlation between price and writing quality (especially at the stupidly high end — more diamonds do not help it write better) and the best thing that you can do is get any pen overhauled by someone who knows what they're doing to prime the nib, get rid of any imperfections and so on. More expensive pens tend to be in a better condition out of the factory but it's not at all guaranteed. You may also find that the more expensive pens are tested before they're sent to do to detect definite duds.

At the extremely low end you generally find that cheap pens are hit and miss with scratchy nibs, leaky seals and so on. Personally I don't think that Lamy makes cheap pens.

Well, if you look at the top, it says...

ygor — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:53:45 -0500

Submitted by innowen on Thu, 2006-08-17 04:00

So it looks to be over 4 years old !
-----------------------------------
"I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." (Calvin and Hobbes/Bill Waterson) ***

Craft Memo

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:02:07 -0500

I don't know how old this link is www.craftmemo.com, but it takes me to a site that is called beaadcharm.com.au.

I would love to know more about the craft memo, but cannot find the website.! Help!

Eee pc

mikehussey — Thu, 6 Jan 2011 00:22:30 -0500

Nice pc from Eee i liked the look and easy to handle it

Just punch 2 times with a

isd — Tue, 2 Nov 2010 12:15:38 -0400

Just punch 2 times with a 1millimeter difference, you will have bigger holes (lol). Not deeper but at least it should do the trick ;)

Jinhao Fountain Pens

Helen350 — Thu, 7 Oct 2010 11:06:22 -0400

Three months ago I discovered the Jinhao Fountain Pens. In the past I used the Waterman and Parker Fountain Pens. However, I have been impressed with the Jinhao Pens I have ordered. I received my most recent one this past week. It has abalone inlays, and I cannot say enough about how smoothly this pen writes. For my Japanese Language class I went on Ebay, and was able to find 5 Chinese made fountain pens for under $20.00 (3 were Jinhao). I also purchased 3-other finer Jinhao pens, and I start each day deciding which one to carry with me. Apart from a Japanese made fine-nib pen the remaining future purchases, will be Jinhao. The pens are both attractive, eye-catching and write very smoothly. I currently use Parker Quink Ink, however, I am looking into purchasing Noodler Ink.

Your editor side...

BTR — Sat, 2 Oct 2010 23:05:57 -0400

Interesting post. But your editor side used "futile" when I'm
pretty sure you meant "fertile". A pretty significant change
in meaning. And, since I'm commenting, the usage "which advantages
they give you" is ungrammatical. "what advantages..." or even
"the advantages..." would be much prefered. I know, I know, not
useful to nit-pick on postings. But this writer twice comments
on their "editor side" having issues with the book they are
reviewing. Perhaps they should edit their own work first.

Also a pen turner...

PatrickT — Fri, 1 Oct 2010 15:32:51 -0400

and what a wonderful craft it is! I've been doing it a few years, and I strongly agree with the idea of making gifts that will actually get USED! Keep up the good work.

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