The thing I like best about my Space Pen is that it’s tiny in my pocket, but it doesn’t feel like I’m writing with one of those short golf pencils. Fisher achieved this by using an extra-long pen cap that goes 3/4 the length of the mini-pen when it covers the tip, but only 1/4 when placed on the butt-end of the mini-pen.

From what I can gather from their website (visual inspection and the vague copy “…a few twists…”) the Inka’s journey to full-size pen is somewhat more involved: a) Pull the mini-pen from the cap. b) Remove the silver part of the cap from the plastic bit that attaches to the keyring. c) Unscrew the butt of the mini-pen. d) Reassemble the mini-pen and the butt with the silver part in the middle.

I like the idea of having my pen attached to my keyring — one less thing in the “take everywhere” category — but if I have to choose between golf-pencil annoying and multi-step-assembly annoying every time I use it, I’ll stick with Fisher.

Does anyone own an Inka? Can you confirm?

Inka pen not required.

Supplies Required:

1. Fisher Space Pen Multi-Pen Refill (http://www.styluscentral.com/fisspacpenpr.html) or buy at your local Staples for 1.99.

2. Pentel MiniRSVP Pen (http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/PENBK91MNBP5M.html) or buy at your local Staples for 4.99 for a 5pack.

Unscrew the bottom of the pen, and replace the guts with the Fisher refill. Close it up, and attach your new RSVPSpacePen with the included keyring to your keychain.

I keep one of these attached to my work ID lanyard along with some post-its stuck to the back of my badge. Works like a charm for quick notes.

After reading about the clip problems with the Fisher Bullet Pen, I did some web searching and found out about the INKA. It looks perfect for a HPDA. I can attach the ring to my binder clip and always have my pen in my pocket.

The only drawback is that it seems to come only with medium point refills. I’d prefer fine or extra fine.

Has anyone used an INKA? How does it work IRL?

I wish I could find a wallet like the one in the photo with as many pockets (to replace my wallet) but with a horizontal slot for a note pad (gasp — I know I defame the 3x5 card meme)

I have something like that which works well that I found at an Office Depot, but it only has one lame business card pocket.

The nice thing is that is has an elastic loop to hold a space pen. Works fine. This looks like a nice version of what I have: http://www.liteleathers.com/LgePictPages/Note_Pad%20Wallet.html Hmm..migh do the trick…

Okay, must remember to Google before posting. There’s a ton of wallets out there. David Allen even sells one, which while nice looking, is a bit spendy. $99.

http://www.davidco.com/store/product.php?productid=16167

A bit off topic, but talking about great pens…

I know it has been a bit worn into the ground by people saying it, but the G2/Mont Blanc Pen Hack is fantastic. I have been using it for over a month and it only gets better.

Instructions here: http://www.instructables.com/id/EWAMSPFFCKEP2871N2/?ALLSTEPS

[…] The demand for the power sash is out there.  A little hard to see at first, and a little geeky, but out there. […]

The Inka looks interesting. I would like to add a mention of the Cross Ion pen. It’s a pocket pen that has no parts to come off, extends with a simple pull, and feels more substantial than any other mini pen I’ve used. It’s worth a look. I use it daily with my HPDA.

I use a Cross Ion pen attached to my keychain as it is one piece. Just pull to extend the point. If Cross would make a fine point gel refill, I’d be extra happy. Rotring makes a fantastic telescoping ball point.

As a pen addict, I’ve seen the Inka site but wasn’t much intruiged. My keychain used to have a neat modern design pencil on it, similar to the Inka, but the core lead/pencil section got lost and I was left with the lonely holder dangling next to my keys.

At my cheapest, I attach a keychain sized Pilot Hi-Tech C pen http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/cPath/21_82 to my notebooks. They’re available at the Kinokuniya Stationary Store in SF’s Japan Town (if you haven’t been here Merlin, guard your credit card). Actually, they have an entire line of mini-pens and pencils with little cell-phone charm loops (really, this is just an eyeglass holder tied to string for most). The cost $3.30 each and come in many colors. SF South Bay residents can get these pens at MaiDo (look it up on Yelp.com)

Pen Lust, oh yes. Levenger’s having a sale on their pens, too. Can we just call it sharing instead of enabling?

I found the mini Pilot Hi-Tech-C’s for sale online : http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/cPath/218272 Just another option for an inexpensive mini-pen. The picture doesn’t show the keychain tassle so some may want to ask before purchasing.

I just returned from Staples where I decided to try Rosangela’s suggestion. I am almost impressed, but the space pen refill’s nib doesn’t project completely out of the end of the RSVP mini. It sill works, but it’s tempting to try to find another solution. However, for the price I don’t think I will find it. Putting a Space Pen refill in a RSVP barrel feels kind of tacky, but hey it’s just a pen!

Thanks for the tip Rosangela.

Are the Hi-Tech-C’s all mini? The link posted by freecia returns an error for me.

Does anyone out there use a Pico (http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=Category=8-34-45|Level=2-3-4|pageid=5334|Link=Img)? I’m digging the look…

-d.

I carry a Cross Ion pen in my pocket all the time. Well designed for pocket use, since you pull the two ends to get the tip out and there’s just no way for that to happen on its own in your pocket. Caps can fall off, especially if they snag on something else in your pocket, and getting ink on your pants and your hands is just terrible.

Looks like maybe Cross is phasing out the $25 plastic Ion in favor of the $50 metal and leather Autocross; or maybe just not the inexpensive pens on their website anymore.

Ion: http://www.cross.com/catalog/pendetail.aspx?catname=Ion+Pens Autocross: http://www.cross.com/catalog/pendetail.aspx?catname=Autocross+Pens

While I haven’t used an Inka myself, I have read a review (http://www.dansdata.com/inka.htm) that echoes what some people here have already surmised. Turning the Inka into a full length pen is a multi step process, and the end cap is small and losable. I’ll take my space pen over that any day of the week, but that’s partly because I have a great place to keep mine. I carry a leatherman on my belt, and the leatherman holster has a small elastic pocket on each side that holds a bullet space pen perfectly. If I didn’t have that, I might consider an Inka, but I still think I’d choose my space pen.

I wasn’t too thrilled with the Inka. The design seemed like a good idea, but it’s kind of a pain to disassemble and reassemble into “full-length” mode and then disassemble and reassemble into “collapsed keychain” mode because you have to screw and unscrew part of it.

(When I say “it’s a pain”, I’m being relative, of course. Reassembling the pen only takes 10 seconds or so. But it’s enough of an annoyance that I never felt like whipping it out to record my thoughts, thus defeating the whole point of carrying it around.)

You can use the pen without putting it back together into full-length mode, but that’s about as enjoyable as writing with a golf-pencil… unless you have tiny hands, you probably won’t want to write more than a few words that way.

TimK,

You kind of have to shove. Try pressing the exposed end of the refill (before screwing in the back cap) firmly against a table. It should poke through better. ;) I wrapped some tape around the back end of the refill to anchor it more securely in the MiniRSVP back cap.

It is pretty ghetto, but that’s the whole point of all of this. Be productive with both your time AND your money.

I love the Space Pen, but had to give it up because of two issues:

1. The Fischer Space Pen works great for about 2-3 months, and then the writing tip of the pen starts dribbling and glopping ink. Doesn’t leak onto your clothes, but it does gets ink all over your fingers if you try to write with it. When this starts happening, no choice but to throw out the ink cartridge and spend $5 bucks on a new one. Doing this 6-7 times a year makes the pen’s “Total Cost of Ownership” a little too high for my taste.

2. The “thixotropic” (yes, that’s what Fischer calls it) ink never looks quite right — it tends to clump and smear on paper.

Bottom line: great pen if you need to write upside down, underwater, in space, etc. For day-to-day use, not so much.

time mgmt…

 week clocks43 things 43 folders 37 signals ……

Fisher fixed the glopping ink problem - I e-mailed their customer service to mention it, and got a really quick reply. The rep sent me new refills and asked that I return the bad one so they could check it out.

I got them in the mail right away. Great service, and the new ink is glop free so far.

Hmm - you might wanna see my thoughts on the Inka here. Actually, truth be told, I’m having trouble with it lateley, and have reverted to my Space Pen.

Though not in the same class, victorinox has a small army knife with a ball point pen and red LED light. The knife is small enough to attach to a key chain and is very convenient. Even has scissors, file and mini screwdriver. Way better for occasional use than either Inka pen or Space pen. Of course, the best writing pens for regular use are Uniball’s Grip Pen 0.7mm. Way better than G2’s. Ink is smoother and never skips. Lays down a great line.

My girlfriend gave me an Inka pen for our 1-year dating anniversary. I liked it quite a bit. Unfortunately, the rubber gasket that held the pen in the tube seems to have failed somewhere, dropping the pen part onto the street somewhere.

Putting the pen together never seemed like much of a hassle to me. While it is a step between pulling the pen out and starting to write, it is quick enough for me to not lose my train of thought.

At $25 it’s cheaper than the Space Pen, and possibly worth giving a shot to see what you think of it.

I just made a home-made inka.

1) cut a scrap of 1/2” PVC pipe to length of 5.5”.

2) drill a small hole at one end of the pvc.

3) put a key ring through small hole.

4) Jam a Pilot G2 07 into the pvc pipe.

5) attach to regular keyring.

The G2 fits just snugly enough to not fall out but not get jammed. The 5.5” length keeps it from writing on something while in your pocket or bag.

Other pens may also work. If they’re too large to fit inside the pvc, either get bigger pvc or clip it on the edge of the pvc like a pocket. If too small, add some elastic or something through the drilled hole to take up space and add friction.

If the PVC is too boring, remember it is possible to find colored pvc in some places (used for making furniture I think). Or wrap with an old scrap of leather, or braided leather or braided gimp. Braided color string?

Next year I may add this pvc pen-holder to my pocket calendar. I usually buy a cheap 3x5 weekly calendar to carry around with me and mod it by reinforcing the cover and covering with an old piece of leather.I could put the pvc next to the spine of the calendar and cover the whole thing with leather, then I’ll always have a pen with my cal. UInfortunately the G2 is a bit more than 5” long, so the pen holder will stick out a bit.

Or maybe just put them both on the same keychain. Yeh, keep it simple.

For the HPDA freaks, I have a bit of elastic along the spine of the calendar (loop goes under the leather) that I use to hold folded 3x5 index cards. The cards keep my place and the elastic keeps them from falling out.

I just got a great index card/wallet (index card holder) from Office Depot. Leather. $15 bucks! They have a really nifty biz card holder too. Franklin Covey makes it. I like the levenger and have had one for 15 years but this one closes and can be used as a wallet and is a Great price.

Just figured out the key to searching for a notepad, wallet type item that could hold index cards- the word “Jotter” Do a search for Jotter, or leather jotter, etc and you might find what you’re looking for! Also, found one just like GTD site sells for MUCH less!