💾 Archived View for gemini.circumlunar.space › users › laur%C3%AB › analog captured on 2023-04-26 at 13:56:10. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Analog Life

Here is a list of analog tools I enjoy. It is not a list to promote consumption! Don’t buy what you don’t need. Having said that, we all buy things that help us accomplish something, and/or that makes 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 notebook of choice, 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. Alternatively Muji notebooks work well for me too.

G. Lalo Vergé de France (envelopes and paper) - this is a better quality paper and 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 and useful gifts.

Fisher Space Pen - This is my pen of choice. It is an investment at the start, but I’ve had mine for many years, so I just buy the refills.

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 - All of us do a bit of grooming. I find these razors helpful for three reasons: 1) it seems 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 (plastic waste). An alternative to that are the safety razors (they are fine as well).

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 - Again, for the purpose of sending letters.

Watches

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

Below I mention a few of the more affordable historical watches.

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. This model has been used for diving missions, as well as for space missions (built like a tank). 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 reliable device, and much cheaper than a phone. Have fun exploring!