+Turtlebug Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I don't know about the rest of you, but I never seem to have my pen handy when I find a cache. I put them in my waist pack, I stick them behind my ear, I put them in my pocket. I lost three today alone (found them all later) and had to walk back to my car to be able to sign a log! Ugh! So, I finally have figured out a solution. I'm attaching a photo. Sharpie now makes mini fine point markers (Office store) with a little triangular shaped loop on the cap. I've combined that with a "zinger" (fly fishing supplies). With less than $5.00 invested, the result is an impermeable, small writing instrument that will sign even the smallest nano-log and you don't have to rub the ball point on your shoe to get it to work! And you can't drop it! (Feeling pretty full of myself ) Turtlebug Quote Link to comment
+Snoogans Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Cool idea, but I hate it when people sign my logs with sharpies. They bleed through and ruin the logs on the other side. Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) Your solution still costs money...I steal pens from work by the box, so I don't feel bad when I leave them in caches by mistake... Jamie - NFA Edited September 29, 2006 by NFA Quote Link to comment
+hikergps Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) I would have a real nice pen cap minus pen hanging from my zinger. edit to add- Forgot to say: Cool idea! Edited September 29, 2006 by hikergps Quote Link to comment
Clan Riffster Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. Quote Link to comment
+atalon Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) Your solution still costs money...I steal pens from work by the box, so I don't feel bad when I leave them in caches by mistake... Jamie - NFA I have the opposite problem, I always have the pen in my hand when Im rehiding, then it dawns on me that this pen belongs in the cache, take the cache out, replace pen, rehide cache... aarrggghh Edited September 29, 2006 by atalon Quote Link to comment
+ADKcachers Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I bet I could lose that. Quote Link to comment
+Big Max Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 That's a kewl idea and I think you are onto something there, except I thnk I would go with one of the gel pens. My luck it would pop loose as I was getting into the pickup and then get bounced around and leave black marks everywhere. Quote Link to comment
+LSUMonica Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I bought one of these sharpies for the exact same reason -- losing pens -- but attached it to my key ring instead. You always have to have your car keys with you right!?! The only problem I have run into in the past 3 months or so that I have had this is the occasional time the pen had unsnapped from the cap. Seems it only happens in my car (I find the pen on the floor), so it may have something to do with the way I insert my keys. Like the idea of the gel pen though too! Quote Link to comment
Difficult Run Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I don't lose pens.... [geek] My pocket protector is completely full at all times! [/geek] Quote Link to comment
ImpalaBob Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Google Carabiner Pen and you will find lots of interesting options. ImpalaBob Quote Link to comment
+Turtlebug Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. I really like this idea. I may have to give that a shot. Are those pens easy to find? Quote Link to comment
+Turtlebug Posted September 29, 2006 Author Share Posted September 29, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. I really like this idea. I may have to give that a shot. Are those pens easy to find? Quote Link to comment
+Whittling Fisher Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. I really like this idea. I may have to give that a shot. Are those pens easy to find? I just bought a pack last night at Wal-Mart for a small cache that I am getting ready to place. I figured it would fit in the container easier and I could use the rest for logging caches I find. Quote Link to comment
+geos of the jungle Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. I love these pens! I have them everywhere (including two in my cache bag). I also leave them as cache swag on occasion. Quote Link to comment
dunderhead Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I would have a real nice pen cap minus pen hanging from my zinger. edit to add- Forgot to say: Cool idea! me too ! Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 My sig item is a small golf pencil - I always have something to write with. I carry on of those space pens too - never managed to lose it..................yet. Quote Link to comment
+Sparrowhawk Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 (edited) Hmmm... that plus a good, ballpoint pen, with a tiny hose clamp attached to the pen... (smallest clamp diameter is 7/32 inch, see this page) ...then attach the tiny hose clamp to the ring of that Zinger gizmo. Yeah, that can work. Edited September 29, 2006 by Sparrowhawk Quote Link to comment
+horlacher Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I just carry a backpack with my log book and pens and pencils, and water bottles, and sweat shirt, and cache items, and travelbugs, and snacks, and ..................... I think I probably have about 20 pens/pencils with me at all times. Then you pile the 2 yr old on my back while I'm carrying my walking stick, I look like I'm going on a 30 yr hike. I like the gel pens, but they too will bleed in the rain/water. I don't let my guys use those while working in the field. Standard ball point pens only. If it get too cold, put it in your pocket for a couple of minutes, carry about a dozen pens and you just switch off every couple of words. Quote Link to comment
+Prime Suspect Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 In order to keep from losing my write-on-anything Fisher Space Pen, I use this new invention called a pocket. An ingenious device, I've found that if you look around hard enough, you can find them built right into some shirts and pants. Here's how it works: When I need my pen, I reach into the pocket, retrieve the pen, and use it. When I'm done, I place the pen back in the pocket. I believe there's a PowerPoint presentation somewhere on the net that goes into more detail, for anyone who needs it. Quote Link to comment
gerboa Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Pens, pens...I've lost umpteen, AND a big denim jacket, a 30 Gbyte Ipod, 2 parangs, eyeprotectors, headbands, and broke a camera. Probably stuff I think I've still got as well. Quote Link to comment
+emurock Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I just carry a backpack with my log book and pens and pencils, and water bottles, and sweat shirt, and cache items, and travelbugs, and snacks, and ..................... I think I probably have about 20 pens/pencils with me at all times. That is exactly want I do. Quote Link to comment
gerboa Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I just carry a backpack with my log book and pens and pencils, and water bottles, and sweat shirt, and cache items, and travelbugs, and snacks, and ..................... I think I probably have about 20 pens/pencils with me at all times. That is exactly want I do. sheesh where'd i put that backpack? Quote Link to comment
+Hula Bum Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I prefer these, somehow the ones that have the hook to the cap seem to separate and I get there and the cap is dangling with no pen attached! Quote Link to comment
+Hula Bum Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 These are good too and I found this type at Walgreens for 1.50! Quote Link to comment
+badlands Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens.Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. After my last trip back to the car because I forgot a pen, I put one of these on my key ring right next to the car keys. Today I lost my car keys Quote Link to comment
+CheshireFrog Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Rookies. If you think a keyring, carabiner or zip line can keep me from losing a pen, you're sadly mistaken. I've had nearly 50 years experience at losing things. Like most people, I started out small, losing pens and pencils in school. As I got older I moved up to losing tools. Screwdivers, sockets, ratchets and hammers were never safe while I was around. I realized I had a problem when I started losing table saws and engine hoists. But it's not all doom and gloom. Since nothing I've lost has ever been seen again, I got a job with the department of energy. They give me small packages of nuclear waste, and I set them down, turn away for a couple of seconds, and when I turn back the package is gone. The process does away with that whole messy process of finding a place to store the waste for the next 10,000 years. I theorize that all the things I've lost are somehow transported to an alternate reality, a sort of parallel dimension. While the inhabitants of this dimension might have appreciated the things that began appear in their world at first, I'm sure that finding places to keep it all has long since become a problem, and the recent addition of toxic waste has probably got them downright pissed. I take no joy in knowing that if an inter-dimensional war is declared soon I am probably the reason. Quote Link to comment
+cachew nut Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. I have been using gel pens lately because they really leave a nice dark signature in the logs, as compared to regular ink. I have, however, run all of the ink out of a couple of gel pens simply by signing logs. I know that I have been finding a lot of caches lately, but I really think that gel ink must evaporate more quickly, or just doesn't last as long as regular ink. Has anyone else noticed this? Quote Link to comment
+H2OBob Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Kewl idea, but I think it could be improved upon. Lose the log killing Sharpie and buy a pack of Pentel Mini RSVP pens. Because they are gel pens, they'll write more places than a standard ball point, and won't ruin the logs. A while back, I got a 12-pack of mini-pens like these, except they were black, at Staples. They were about 5 bucks. I put some in caches as trade items, but I'm hoarding the rest. Only drawback is that when you put them in a pocket, you have to fish for 'em. Quote Link to comment
+Prime Suspect Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I have been using gel pens lately because they really leave a nice dark signature in the logs, as compared to regular ink. I have, however, run all of the ink out of a couple of gel pens simply by signing logs. I know that I have been finding a lot of caches lately, but I really think that gel ink must evaporate more quickly, or just doesn't last as long as regular ink. Has anyone else noticed this? Another advantage of the Fisher Space Pen. Since it has a sealed cartridge, rather then the open-end cartridge used in regular ink and gel pens. It's shelf-life is estimated at about 100 years. Quote Link to comment
+evelbug Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I like the gel pen idea. I may get some of those. All of my cache pens have recently moved from my car to my pocket to my nightstand. If I get on of those pens, I could put it on the keychain compass I have. Of course, a couple minutes before I find the cache and say "I wish I remembered my pen" I usually say "I wish I remember my compass" Quote Link to comment
+cachew nut Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I like the gel pen idea. I may get some of those. All of my cache pens have recently moved from my car to my pocket to my nightstand. If I get on of those pens, I could put it on the keychain compass I have. Of course, a couple minutes before I find the cache and say "I wish I remembered my pen" I usually say "I wish I remember my compass" Be careful about keeping the pen in your pocket, otherwise you may end up with ink spots on your pockets. Quote Link to comment
+VO2WW Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I most always carry a PaperMate POGO ballpoint, small enough (under 4") to carry in a pants/vest pocket, retractible so it don't make a mess, has a ring to which you can attach a lanyard if you want or clip it on a carbineer. Of course my back pack, swag bag and vest has a Space Pen and lots and lots of pencils. Oh yes, a slightly shorted refill from the POGO is carried in the battery compartment of my MAP60C, won't work in the pen but it can be used alone in am emergency. Quote Link to comment
+Bad_CRC Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 pack of 20 pens is 40 cents at wal*mart right now. same price as one of those fancy pens, you can have more pens than could be stolen in the time it took that pen to run out of ink, even if every visitor took two. Quote Link to comment
+KiwiHopeful Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 pack of 20 pens is 40 cents at wal*mart right now. same price as one of those fancy pens, you can have more pens than could be stolen in the time it took that pen to run out of ink, even if every visitor took two. Ahh ... the eternal question, "Buy a bunch of cheapies, or one really expensive one that I know I won't lose." I've tried both methods and found both wanting. So, to heck with buying ... just steal any pen that isn't nailed down, chained down, or attached to a fellow cacher by a 'biner, key chain, or thingamabob! Quote Link to comment
+knoffer Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 Fisher space pens are available in a couple different sizes. I have a micro Space pen and the beauty of it is that you can write on just about anything. Especially damp or wet logs. Not mention underwater or on oil soaked paper even. Yes I have written on both as well as birch bark when the log was missing and that was all I could find. You can find them on the net. Yes they are more expensive however you pay for what you get. As far as losing it, I haven't lost it yet and I have had it for 7 years. The one I have had no pocket clip so I took the pocket clip of off a pentel mechanical pencil and slipped it on. It hasn't moved or came off yet. Just my two cents. Happy caching Quote Link to comment
+palmetto Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 I place the pen back in the pocket. I believe there's a PowerPoint presentation somewhere on the net that goes into more detail, Prime, what's the URL for that presentation? I believe my husband could really benefit.... Quote Link to comment
+emurock Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 I just carry a backpack with my log book and pens and pencils, and water bottles, and sweat shirt, and cache items, and travelbugs, and snacks, and ..................... I think I probably have about 20 pens/pencils with me at all times. That is exactly want I do. sheesh where'd i put that backpack? Somewhere Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.