+Kabuthunk Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Just a random pondering as to what writing implemets others use for signing the logbook. The reason this came to mind was a few recent switches I made. I started out with some no-name pressurized pen. It wrote well in just about any conditions (wet, dry, etc), so it stuck with me for a while. However, winter this year has indicated it couldn't quite stand up to the Winnipeg winters up here. My last cache find was at -45 with the windchill, and the pen refused to cooperate with me. Given the pen was beginning to run low on in, I figured I might as well upgrade since there's still plenty of winter left. Thus, I got a Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge, and took it one step further to nerd it up a little bit in my own way: Made from a few different sizes of 18 gauge stainless steel rings, in what's known as an "inverted roundmail" weave. So.... anyone else have a specific writing instrument they use for geocaching? Quote Link to comment
+Buggheart Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I've stated before that I'm a minimalist so I have a really bad habit of getting to a cache and not having anything to trade or write with. I tend to get out of the car and take nothing but my keys and GPS. I'm sure it drives my mom (my caching partner) nuts because we get there and I've got nothing to write with or trade and she ends up spotting me. So I recently got a tiny Sharpie marker that hooks onto my keychain so I've always got something to write with. As long as I haven't left my keys in the car Quote Link to comment
+KoosKoos Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Very cool looking pen...I tend to go as cheap as possible with my caching gear (ie, I won't cry when I leave it at a cache site or drop it in a creek)...most of my writing utensils tend to be from the hotel of my last business trip. Quote Link to comment
+KJcachers Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 (edited) Zebra F-301 fine point in black for most caches (works great on those nano scripts) and an extra fine point sharpie for everything else. Edited January 18, 2009 by KJcachers Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I try to keep a mechanical pencil with 9b leads on hand, if the paper wont tear then you can write on it and graphite's marking capabilities are not altered by the temperature extremes I would expose them to. Unfortunately it doesn't matter what you write with if the log is frozen shut. Quote Link to comment
nonaeroterraqueous Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 My last cache find was at -45 with the windchill, and the pen refused to cooperate with me. Windchill doesn't have any significance to something that has no internal body heat or a significant heat capacity. You feel it, but the pen doesn't. Nice pen, by the way. This is what I sign log books with: Quote Link to comment
+mfamilee Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 A pen or pencil. Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Uniball Powertank Rt - I perfer the red ink. It rated as better than the fisher pens in a consumer reports test. Quote Link to comment
snatiep Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 +1 Uniball Power Tank RT!! I work outside and here in Minnesota last week the temps dropped to -27F! My Power Tank still wrote beautifully! Quote Link to comment
+Kabuthunk Posted January 18, 2009 Author Share Posted January 18, 2009 Windchill doesn't have any significance to something that has no internal body heat or a significant heat capacity. You feel it, but the pen doesn't. Good point... strange, wonder why that didn't come to me when posting. Oh well. It was still -35 without the wind, so obviously the pen's max capabilities were warmer than at least that Quote Link to comment
+deercreekth Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Since all of my caching has been in the winter so far, I always have my coat with me. I carry a small Cross Ion pen in my coat pocket, so I've been using that a lot. I'm not sure what I'll do once the weather gets warm. Quote Link to comment
+mousekakat Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 We use the official pen of the unofficial geocaching sponsor here in Sweden.... IKEA pencils taken in bulk while shopping ! You'll find that 80% of the caches here have them in them, too, lol! Naomi Quote Link to comment
+J-Way Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Inka write-anywhere pen. One is clipped to my truck key chain and one is clipped to a ring on my left backpack strap. Quote Link to comment
+Proud Soccer Mom Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I use a bic, a papermate, a foray or any other cheapo ballpoint pen that I happen to stick in my pocket (for byop) or find with the logbook. One of the things that I like about Geocaching is that I don't need to sink a whole bunch of money into it for things I don't need. Quote Link to comment
Skippermark Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Uniball Signo Gel Grip. Works great. Since it's gel, the ink flows without using much pressure, which works great for nanos and small logs. You can just lightly sign, so it shows up dark and logs don't tear, plus it will even "leak out" a signature on wet and frozen logs. Quote Link to comment
+Kryten Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Rite in the Rain pen, great for damp logbooks and frezing conditions. Quote Link to comment
+DiamondDaveG Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 i never really thought about getting a specific pen or pencil for logging. 99% of the time i have a black medium point pen (various brands) on my person. if i have to hike to a cache i will usually take a couple pens and the closest pencil (usually mechanical). if you ever come across a log i have signed in any color other than black, take note because something unique caused me not to sign in black. Quote Link to comment
Skippermark Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I always sign in blue. LOL. Quote Link to comment
GOF and Bacall Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Whatever marking tool my wife hasn't stolen from me. Quote Link to comment
+Ltljon Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Whatever marking tool my wife hasn't stolen from me. For me it's my 7 yr old! I can't keep a good pen long but do like the Pilot G-2 07. Quote Link to comment
+vwaldoguy Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I too think the Pilot G2s are my favorite pens. But, the ink tends to run a lot on wet paper. As a test, write something on ordinary paper with a G2, then place that piece of paper in water. Wow, runs a lot. Quote Link to comment
+DocDiTTo Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Uniball Powertank RT as other have said. Costs $3, writes upside down, under water, and doesn't freeze. Most bang for the buck. Getting hard to find though at least in my area. Quote Link to comment
+vwaldoguy Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 You can't find Powertank pens anywhere anymore. I've check all the local stores, including Office Max, Staples, Office Depot, Target, and Walmart. Wish I could try one. Quote Link to comment
+GRANPA ALEX Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I use a selection of colors in the pens made by Pilot, extra fine soi that they work for micro logs well . . . the "Precise V5" model. Works in cold, on wet logs and they are rugged and inexpensive. Quote Link to comment
+GRANPA ALEX Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I use a selection of colors in the pens made by Pilot, extra fine soi that they work for micro logs well . . . the "Precise V5" model. Works in cold, on wet logs and they are rugged and inexpensive. Quote Link to comment
Clan Riffster Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 You can't find Powertank pens anywhere anymore. Office Depot has them on their website. If'n it's that good, it might be worth paying a few more bucks for shipping. http://www.officedepot.com/catalog/txtSear...l+Powertank+RT+ I have a Fisher Space Pen Q-4, which, depending on how I hold it, produces a red pen, a black pen, a pencil or a stylus. The last comes in handy with my new Oregon. Quote Link to comment
+wkmccall Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Just a random pondering as to what writing implemets others use for signing the logbook. The reason this came to mind was a few recent switches I made. I started out with some no-name pressurized pen. It wrote well in just about any conditions (wet, dry, etc), so it stuck with me for a while. However, winter this year has indicated it couldn't quite stand up to the Winnipeg winters up here. My last cache find was at -45 with the windchill, and the pen refused to cooperate with me. Given the pen was beginning to run low on in, I figured I might as well upgrade since there's still plenty of winter left. Thus, I got a Fisher Space Pen ink cartridge, and took it one step further to nerd it up a little bit in my own way: Made from a few different sizes of 18 gauge stainless steel rings, in what's known as an "inverted roundmail" weave. So.... anyone else have a specific writing instrument they use for geocaching? Yep, .98c bic Quote Link to comment
Clan Riffster Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) Whilst playing around online, I found a "pen" that uses no ink. The tip is a metal alloy that reportedly marks on almost any paper. Edited January 21, 2009 by Clan Riffster Quote Link to comment
BuffaloTony Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Whilst playing around online, I found a "pen" that uses no ink. The tip is a metal alloy that reportedly marks on almost any paper. I have to say I'm very intrigued to try that thing out. I wonder how permanent it is. Anyone use this? Quote Link to comment
Clan Riffster Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Anyone use this? According to the attached articles, Leonardo da Vinci, Dürer and Rembrandt all used something similar. Quote Link to comment
CLV3 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I find a pencil or pen works really well though I am sure some people swear on crayons. Seriously. I came across some mini-pens and mini-pencils at Big Lots. The pens have chains so you could put it on your keychain. Thats what I did so I ALWAYS will have it with me. Quote Link to comment
Geo_Bird Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Zebra F-301 Compact I've gotten them at Wal-Mart. I made a lanyard with heavy kite line. Jim Quote Link to comment
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