Just as bright, without the white
IdeaPaint, creators of the brilliant whiteboard-anywhere technology have now concocted a new iteration that looks even better: IdeaPaint CLEAR ($225+). Brace yourself, doodlers, because now you can turn any surface, of any color into a writing station. Specifically, CLEAR is a certified low-emission and LEED-compliant finish that goes over any interior paint (or wood) to [...]
Indulging your work addiction
Nobody wants to bring work home, unless of course, you’re one of the fortunate souls earning doubloons as model photographer, single malt critic, or Jennifer Aniston’s brassiere fitter. But when it just can’t be helped Crate & Barrel’s Reese Tobacco Compact Office ($480) offers a minimalist solution that trumps working on the kitchen table. Most [...]
Saturdays at the office never looked better
Had Mr. Anderson been working in an office setup like the Modernus Curved Frameless Glass Office System, he might never have left the Matrix. And we can’t blame him. Based in California, Modernus is best known for its line of Italian-made, high-end contemporary doors. To that success, they have ventured into the often-staid field of [...]
Shred all you want, but skip the jam session
Let’s not pretend…shredding paper is not something most of us anxiously anticipate. The only thing that can make such a menial task worse is when the office shredder (circa 1970’s and looking much like a poor-man’s R2D2) can only handle 2 sheets a minute and still jams up. The Fellowes 79Ci Paper Shredder eliminates such [...]
Measure twice, write once
Although we’re Web guys at heart, there’s something to be said for a quality pen. And when that pen is crafted from chromium plated brass and includes a caliper ruler, standard ruler, thread scale and tire tread gauge, all the better. The German-made Cleo Skribent Messograf Caliper Pen ($28) combines form and function for a [...]
Fake it 'til you make it
For those who have spent any amount of time under the tutelage of a b-school prof, you know that, in their eyes, dressing up your resume is tantamount to suicide. However, it’s 2012 and the job market isn’t exactly ushering people in the front door. In today’s dog-eat-dog world, you’ve got to stand out, which [...]
Penmanship at its deadliest
It’s easy to think that all pens are the same, until you come across Smith & Wesson’s Tactical Pen with Fire Striker ($40). This discreet weapon of “math” destruction uses common replaceable Parker or Houser ball point ink cartridges for civilized affairs. Should disaster strike, though, the 6.1″ 6061 hard anodize aluminum casing can serve [...]
Your grind, designed
James Brown accurately described hustle with his 1970s funk hit, “Get Up”. It was music, but it was also gospel for Brown, who holds the record for having the most charted Billboard Hot 100 singles, yet never reached number one. You’re probably wondering what that has to do with letterpress poster art. Well, we think [...]
Paperfection
Be it note pads, pocket notebooks, planners, etc., Rhodia not only produces some of the nicer writing materials you can get your hands on. Each one filled with heavyweight paper that’s a pleasure to write on, and more importantly provides the hated “bleed through”, a mortal sin in our fountain pen loving minds. And while [...]
Always Analog
The Pelle Leather Journal ($30) is another worthy addition to your analog record keeping repertoire. Inspired by the hard to find and broadly loved Midori Traveler’s Notebook, it features a sturdy leather cover with elastic retainer band and the ability to hold up to three different notebooks in one cover. The covers are made in the [...]
There's an artisan for that
We have a hefty amount of respect for good writing instruments here at Gear Patrol. The No. 2 pencil holds a place near and dear to our hearts (nod to the Dixon Ticonderoga) both for its functional excellence and standardized testing nostalgia — fact: there are now three sections to the SAT’s. So, when we [...]
Inspected By...
Business cards? Good. Letterpress? Better. Custom inspector stamps? Awesome. Put your 3/4″ mark on the world, or anywhere you can tromp your seal onto with a custom Cranky Pressman Inspector Stamp ($23). Small enough to tag along with your keys use the stamp to place your signature, artwork, or any other custom demarcation (we like: [...]
Distinctive task master
In the age of cloud syncing, location aware reminders, and über productivity apps, it’s easy to dismiss physical calendars as vestiges of the stone age. We embrace the convenience of a digital life as much as the next person, but that will never overshadow our fondness for finely crafted accessories like the Postalco Pressed Cotton [...]
A lamp for a lifetime
Any stylish LED desk lamp will dwarf their standard incandescent compadres in terms of energy efficiency. Jake Dyson’s CSYS LED task light (~$850) nearly triples the average life time of other LED bulbs though by reducing the wear and tear that normally comes from overheating. Using heat pipe technology originally developed for satellites and computing, [...]
Just don't call it a pencil
Though far and few in today’s writing supply, the Lead Holder used to be a widely used instrument with hundreds of variants. Each refillable tool was built with a variety of loading and holding mechanisms, sizes, and applications for everyone from the draftsman to the artist. One characteristic they all shared though was their intended [...]
