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Analog Life

Here is a list of analog tools I enjoy. It is not a list to stimulate consumption! Don’t buy what you don’t need. Having said that, we all buy things that help us accomplish something, and make life enjoyable. This is a list of tools that allow me to do or experience things that I appreciate.

Paper

Field Notes - this is my only notebook, and it helps me to take notes of things I am learning, or write a to-do list, etc. It’s cheap, portable, and it’s all I need for my personal use.

G. Lalo Vergé de France (envelopes and paper) - this is a better quality paper and a bit more expensive than any scrap paper. The reason I have it is to send handwritten letters to people. It is a forgotten art, but every single time people are surprised and grateful for receiving personal letters. It is a simple way to show care and appreciation for friends and family.

Pens, Markers, and Pencils

Blackwing Pencil Matte - Blackwings are the best pencils I’ve experienced. They are more expensive than average pencils, but I appreciate what this company does with their product. I don’t own these pencils for personal use anymore, but sometimes I buy them to give as gifts for writers and artists. They are simple gifts and useful tools.

Fisher Space Pen - This is the only pen I own. It is a bit more expensive at the start, but I’ve had mine for some time, and then I just buy the refills. I use this pen all the time.

Noodler's Ahab Flex Fountain Pen - I have given this pen as a gift. It is a very affordable flex nib pen for people that enjoy it. I’ve used it quite a bit, and I would recommend it for people curious about flex nibs.

Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen - This is a very affordable and reliable fountain pen. I’ve given it as a gift and used it in the past. If you need one fountain pen, I would consider this one.

Zebra Mildliner Highlighter - I have one highlighter for reading papers. This is the brand I enjoyed the most because I found the colors choices less “aggressive.”

Miscellaneous

Straight razor - I use it mainly for three reasons: 1) I find it to be less aggressive to the skin; 2) it saves me a lot of money (not having to buy disposable blades); 3) it generates less waste (i.e. plastic waste). An alternative to that are safety razors, which I had in the past, and they are fine as well (you will also save a lot of money on blades over time).

Waterston's Scottish Mura Sealing Wax with Wick or Jewel Wick Sealing Wax - these are two (easy to use) affordable wax seals for sending letters. I find it highlights the experience of the person who receives the letter.

Wax Seal Stamp - I have one with my initial. Again, for the purpose of sending letters.

Watches

I appreciate the craftsmanship of mechanical watches and also the history of a horological devices. I'm aware one watch is enough, but if it's something you appreciate (life is also about enjoying a few things), there is no harm in having a few. You can always gift it to a friend (as I often do) and share good stories.

Here I share about a few affordable and historical watches, from U$ 10 dollars to U$ 150.

Casio F91W-1 or A168WA-1 - Classic digital watch. Pretty much everyone has seen these. It was my first watch (and the cheapest of the list). You can get one of these and you are set. Alternatively, if you prefer the G-Shock style, you can't go wrong with the original DW5600E-1V.

Casio AE1200WH-1A / AE-1200WHD-1AVEF or A500WGA-1 - If you travel a lot or you simply enjoy keeping time in different time zones, the Casio World Time is a "lot of watch" with amazing price. It has a more sturdy version and a dressier version. Both models are great and fun choices.

Seagull 1963 Chinese Air force Mechanical Chronograph - People try to sell it for almost U$ 350 dollars (don’t do that). There is always the used market and frequent promotional prices. I got mine for U$ 150. It is a historical military chronograph, with mechanical movement. If you wish for a chronograph, this is the one.

Orient Bambino - A simple and elegant mechanical watch. Classic 60s vibe. As an alternative, you could consider the Poljot De Luxe or the Timex Marlin.

Vostok Amphibian - A diver with an automatic movement. It was made for the russian military in 1967. You can find a new one for U$ 100. This model has been used for diving missions, as well as for space missions. It also has a wide variety of colors and decorative images.

Watches are always a personal preference, so you can check the style you like best.

I wouldn’t want to check the time on a phone in front of another person. I would rather wear a watch. It can be a fun accessory, a conversation starter, a very reliable device, and much cheaper than a phone.