New at Kickstarter: PHX-1 Design Tool Set

Did you miss out on the Pen Type-A Kickstarter project? If so, the recently released PHX-1 Design Tool Set might be right up your alley.

This is more than a pen - it is a complete design tool. The stainless steel body works with both Pilot Hi-Tec-C refills AND Uni-Ball Signo DX (UM-151) refills. It also contains an integrated hobby knife (works great with X-ACTO blades), and comes in a sustainable bamboo case topped by a custom designed seven measurement ruler.

There are a few early backer slots still open to get the PHX-1 for $40 including shipping. Once those are filled, the standard backer rate for one pen including shipping is $50. Be sure to check out all of the details and video on the PHX-1 Design Tool Set Kickstarter page.

Do You Remember Flipbooks?

I don’t know how you were in middle school and high school, but I was COMPLETELY FOCUSED all of the time. But in the rare instances I wasn’t, the corners of my notebooks made for great flipbook art. I remember making some wicked skateboard and BMX flipbooks in my day.

Ian Applegate has taken the flipbook to the next level, and launched the Flipbook Island! Kickstarter campaign. His girlfriend emailed me to give me the heads up, mainly because Ian uses Rhodia Pads and Sakura Pigma Micron Pens, both of which are some of my favorites.

The Kickstarter campaign has 14 days left and a ways to go to be funded. If you are interested, be sure to head over and check out the great flipbook videos he has posted, and consider donating. I did.

Baltz Fine Writing Instruments

Kickstarter has become a hotbed of interesting pen projects, and the latest campaign that has caught my eye is from Baltz Fine Writing Instruments.

I saw this campaign when it first hit Kickstarter last week, and the press and feedback on it have been outstanding. I exchanged emails with the founders this week, and find them to be genuinely likable guys, but then again, they are Southerners like myself, so that should be expected.

If you watch their videos and read the project details, you can tell they have put a lot of thought and detail into this offering. It isn’t cheap – $100 is the first pledge tier to come with a pen – but if you look at the craftsmanship and care that goes into each pen in the video below you will understand why.

They have already reached their initial $10,000 goal, but there is still plenty of time to get in on the action for one of these hand turned luxury pens. Well done Bart and Cass, and best of luck with the campaign.