The good folks at Palomino released a new limited edition Blackwing pencil. Thus, it’s time for a new post at Pens ‘n’ Coffee for you awesome ones. Here is my video unboxing the Blackwing Volumes #205 March 2017 limited edition.
Palomino Blackwing 530 Unboxing
I, somehow, received the limited edition Palomino Blackwing #530 pencil without having heard anything about it.
I didn’t know it was called the 530. I didn’t know the color. I didn’t know the theme. Sooo, I had to open it. And share the opening with you.
#BoilerUp
Illegal Election Fraud Pencil
Pencil: Illegal!
Paper: Field Notes Byline
Coffee: As much as possible for the next 4 years!
It’s election day in the United States. What an unbelievable election cycle it’s been! In honor of the day, I’m working with my illegal election fraud pencil.
In 2014, I discovered a pencil in my voting booth encouraging me to vote for a certain candidate for sheriff. Since it is illegal to campaign within polling places, and not wanting to be complicit in election fraud, I removed the illegal pencil and added it to my collection.
Happy voting!
Analog Blog
Black and Orange!
Pencil: Black and Orange!
Paper: Field Notes Byline
Coffee: Starbucks Verona
Happy Halloween, Awesome Ones!
Here’s a selection of black and orange pencils to celebrate the day.
I hope one of your neighbors is the kind who gives out pencils instead of candy. If so, be sure to send them a thank you note!
Analog Blog
Chicago Cubs In My Pocket
Pen: Jinhao 159 Chicago Cubs Edition
Ink: Namiki Blue
Paper: Muji
Coffee: Cafe Bustelo Bialetti
I enjoy using pens and pencils that match a season or occasion. I’ve pulled out my orange pens and ink for fall. Around July 4th I always slip my Retro 51 Betsy in my pocket.
I’m celebrating the Chicago Cubs return to the NLCS by adding some Cubs themed tools to my October carry.
- Jinhao 159 Chicago Cubs Edition (requires buying a blue and a red 159) with Namiki blue ink.
- Chicago Cubs Souvenir Pencil
- Wrigley Building Bullet Pencil
I’ll be using these often until the cubs win their first World Series since 1908. Or until their season ends. Again.
GO CUBS!
-Pat
Analog Blog
Palomino Blackwing 1138 Unboxing
I finally opened the December 2015 Limited Edition Blackwing 1138.
I had a lot of fun with my last unboxing video, so I had to do another one. 🙂
Check out what’s in the box.
Palomino Blackwing 211 Unboxing Video
Received my Blackwing Volumes Subscription #2 today. Here’s an unboxing video.
Note: WOOHOO! I Love it!
Update: Thanks Blackwing for posting my video on your website and emailing it to the entire world. #ShareTheLove #FriendsAreFriendsForever
Abraham Lincoln’s EDC Pocket Carry: Why I Declare April 15 to be National Pocket Pencil Day
Today is the 150th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Death.
Lincoln was a great president – a great man – who lead our country through it’s most difficult days.
Last week my family spent several Spring Break days in Washington D.C. We visited the Petersen House, where Lincoln died on April 15, 1865. It was a sacred place for us, honoring the life and work of Abraham Lincoln and remembering our own call to work for justice.
In honor of the 150th Anniversary, the Petersen House displayed a special exhibit of artifacts from the Lincoln assassination. The display included the coat and hat Lincoln wore to Ford’s Theatre that night, the dress Mary Todd Lincoln was wearing, the gun Booth used to assassinate Lincoln, and an American Flag from the President’s Box at the theater, stained with Lincoln’s blood.
Of special interest to the readers of Pens ‘n’ Coffee, the exhibit contained the contents of Lincoln’s pockets when he was shot. These contents were displayed much like a modern EDC pocket dump, showcasing his tools for the day.

The contents of Abraham Lincoln’s pockets on the night he was assassinated. File photo from Library of Congress.
What did Abraham Lincoln have in his pockets on the night he was assassinated?
- Two pairs of glasses, one held together with string and one that folded.
- A glasses case.
- A pocket knife.
- A watch.
- A handkerchief.
- A watch fob.
- A sleeve button.
- A leather wallet, containing a Confederate five-dollar bill, newspaper clippings from his reelection campaign, and a small pencil.
Did you catch the last item? What writing utensil did Lincoln carry in his pocket that night? A small pencil.
In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, I declare that April 15 henceforth shall be National Pocket Pencil Day. I encourage you to carry a pencil in your pocket today, perhaps a small one, to honor the life and work of Abraham Lincoln and as a reminder to carry on his legacy in our own work.
Spread the Word – Click A Photo To Tweet It
St. Patrick’s Day Tools
St. Patrick’s Day is kind of a big deal around my place. So, here are my tools for the day. Since there’s way more here than I can use today, I’ll be pulling from these all week.
Pens
- Parker 21 clone with De Atramentis Pine Green ink
- Retro 1951 Tornado Umbra Orange hacked with green G2 refill
- Vintage Esterbrook SJ 1551 Nib with Organic Studios Walt Whitman Leaves of Grass ink
- Jinhao 599 Orange Demonstrator with Noodler’s Green ink
Pencils
- Staedtler Wopex HB 2
- Tombow 8900- HB with orange cap eraser
- Orange Ticonderoga HB 2
- Green Ticonderoga HB 2
- Vintage green Sunday School pencil
- Green Musgrave Cub 3030T
- Orange Home Depot Pencil
- Green Dixon No 2 HB
- Orange Palomino Golden Bear #2
Notebooks
- Rhodia A7 Pocket Notebook
- Field Notes green Unexposed
- Orange Scout Books Composition Pocket
- Field Notes Expedition
- Field Notes Ambition Ledger
Other
- Orange Nock Co Hightower
- Orange Contigo Coffee Tumbler
In My Pocket and Therefore Not In The Picture
- Green and brass Twist Bullet Pencil
Analog Blog
Twist Bullet Pencil on Kickstarter
Coffee: Homebrew Starbucks Verona
Paper: Scout Books Dot Grid
Pencil: Vintage Bullet Pencil with Staedtler Norica HB
Kickstarter has been the launching place for quite a few fabulous pens. Many of these pens have been awesome, and came with a price to show it. I’ve always passed on these pens.
I finally backed my first Kickstarter project. Not a pen, but the Twist Bullet Pencil.
Bullet pencils were very popular in the early to mid 1900s. They are a simple sleeve and cap that fits a pencil stub. Capped, you can safely carry a pencil in your pocket. Posted, a tiny pencil stub becomes long enough to write with comfortably.
Bullet pencils were once popular advertising giveaways, especially among the farming community. I imagine a day when bullet pencil giveaways were as popular as cheap advertising pen giveaways are today.
I’ve really enjoyed bullet pencils since discovering them. I’m writing today with a vintage bullet pencil from Renner Funeral Home and & Ambulance Service, Urbana, Ill.
When I pull a bullet pencil pout of my pocket to jot down a note, people often ask what I’m writing with. Upon inspection they ask where they can get one. I usually send them to eBay – until now.
The guys from Huckleberry Woodchuck and Metal Shop have teamed up to create the Twist Bullet Pencil, available now on Kickstarter.
The twist is a modern take on vintage bullet pencils, and wow does it look good. I’m excited to back this well designed and crafted homage to americana.
Definitely check this one out. Don’t delay – the Kickstarter funding ends October 31, 2014.