Hitlist And Wine

[duende]

CTF kindly sent me a sample of a HitList notebbook, and I am highly impressed.

 

 

If you were to reach into James Bond's pocket, you'd no doubt find a HitList notebook. The notebook strikes me as a 21st century object for discriminating gentlemen and suave rascals alike. Don't be distracted by its exterior elegance, this piece of engineering has the sturdy body of a secret agent who is ready for action.

 

 

I've been meaning to start a wine journal, and I knew right away that the HitList notebook would be fit for the task. The notebook arrived sandwiched between two white cardboard covers and wrapped tightly in plastic. This packaging scheme kept the notebook intact like a nicely pressed tuxedo. There was something almost ritualistic about unwrapping it. I can see exciting aesthetic possibilities for future covers.

 

 

First appearances are important and this notebook doesn't disappoint. Dressed in black with sleek white stripes and a white bow, HitList is dressed to kill. You can enter subject and date info on the white strip along its spine. Beneath its black jacket you find several white lines, and a short story describing the origins and reasoning behind the notebook. Then without further ado the first page begins.

 

 

I purchased a bottle of wine to test the notebook. I've never kept a wine journal before, and so I didn't know how to begin. I decided to start with a sketch of the winery symbol. I used a Palomino Blackwing to sketch the outline of a bird that appears on the label. Then I used the Twsbi 530 (EF) to fill in the details. Although, the pen has an extra fine nib, I laid down quite a bit of ink. There was no bleed-through on the back of the page and barely any see-through.

 

 

I wrote the title using a Namki Falcon (Desert) and a Lamy Accent (Hills). I used a Kaweco sport to describe the colour and the nose of the wine. Then I alternated between all three pens to complete the description of the wine. I checked the back of the page. No bleed-through. No see-through. HitList has some of the finest and sturdiest paper I've used with a fountain pen.

 

***WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED***

 

If there are any children in the room, this might be a good time to get them out.

 

Given that I will be using this notebook to keep my wine notes, I decided to conduct a 'spill' test. How would the notebook hold up to such abuse?

 

I wrote the words 'A bit of spilled wine' on the third page using four different pens and inks. I then dipped my finger in a glass of red wine and splashed it across one of the pages.

 

 

After ten minutes, I wrote the words Test four times on the area where the wine had been spilled. The notebook performed superbly. Not only that, but in some cases the text looked better in the stained areas. Perhaps future editions of the notebook can include pages dipped in red wine.

 

The HitList has a similar width as the Field Notes pocket notebook, but it is about half an inch taller. HitList also feels sturdier than Field Notes. The "CTF dock" on the front cover is a touch of brilliance, which I venture to guess was devised under the influence of a nice glass of red.

 

 

This book has classic good looks with a touch of modernity. Don't be surprised if you find yourself yearning for a future that never was.Article Type: Paper or Paraphernalia Review

 

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[dcpritch]

I shrieked when I saw good wine spilled purposefully on nice paper, but it turned out alright, Phew!

What a rigorous, but useful, test - thanks!