Pads, and pens/pencils

[bthodgson]

Anybody know where I could get a World War Two writing pad that would be correct for a war correspondent? Also where I can get a period correct fountain pen, or pencils?

I am trying to get my impression together so I can have the bear minimum for the January Battle.

Thanks in advance!

[davep]

Good place to start is ebay's collectible Pens & Writing Instruments - WWII


shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=wwii+pens&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=


I have recently been exploring WW2 era fountain pens. Allied Workshop features the Conklin Glider, but the price and colors were to my liking. So I did some exploring and found the Conklin Victory Pen, and pen made for soldiers during World War II






The Conklin Pen company was recently purchased by Yafa, so it is unclear whether they will still be making them. But you can still get the Fountain Pen and Rolling Pen set for $25.00

Here is a website that give other names of pens used during this time.
www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/wwii_design.htm

[Able 507th]

Any luck tracking down a pad? I'm looking for new WWII quality paper that a Servicemember would use to write home or family members would use to write to someone overseas (when not using V-Mail). I'd hate to buy vintage paper off of eBay and use it...that should be saved for a museum or a private display.

-Tom

[davep]

The paper I've seen by examining real letters is an off white color.

[SSgt. Burgess]

Yea I've been looking for a small pad with maybe a cover, something that could fit in a chest pocket, for keeping track of things, or just to put into my map case for use in radio designations, etc.

Or should I just go with something like at borders? or barnes and noble?

[victorc]

The thing about these fountain pens are that they are a bit tricky to use. Since it has no ball point at the tip, the slightest touch of ink on paper will leave ink. Which means if you buy the wrong kind of paper will blotch and bleed. So it is important that you get the right ones to use.

You may want to select the type of paper that resist blotching usually shinny enough for the ink to slide freely which is similar of parchment or vellum type quality in off white. They are usually available in office type stores like Staples or Office Max. Another source that you may consider is Michael's craft store, Joan Fabric & craft store and Art supply stores. Look in the aisle where they sell scrap-booking paper sections. They have all sorts of parched/vellum type of paper. They sell them in stacks or individual pieces.

But the kind to get is the type of journal that is similar to the ones used by War Correspondence, Officers, Field Clerks, Supply Sergeants, Chaplains and even Combat Engineers.

Its called "Moleskin plain pocket Journal". They come book bind in leather covers. Choose the unlined plain ones. Used for daily notes, diaries and even writing letters. www.moleskineus.com/plainpocket.html
www.amazon.com/dp/8883701038?tag=mikesheanet-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=8883701038&adid=0Z02SHGR4B6TWASPFEQ8

For those that want to brave and spend a little more cash, the "Small Leather Journal" in brown is the best.
www.renaissance-art.com/catg16/category.aspx

Hope this helps.
Victor C.

[victorc]

Just in case your wondering if its going to last in the field use buying these Leather Journals, check out the book bashing video as it undergoes serious tests LOL! ;D

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZhHfaE2UJs

P.S. Shows the differend sizes too.

[SSgt. Burgess]

Or go to Staples for the pad Brett. My mom got me a few leather pads for Xmas. Cool crap too.

[bthodgson]

Dec 27, 2010 18:35:10 GMT -5 SSgt. Burgess said:

Or go to Staples for the pad Brett. My mom got me a few leather pads for Xmas. Cool crap too.

Yeah, I have 3 moleskin writing pads now. I take them to events for a few different reasons.

1) I take notes at briefings in order to brief the squad on the day's happenings and what part we will play.
2) I do interviews usually after the days' actions in order to file After Action Reports and use these same notes for Recommendations later on.
3) I write letters to home while in the barracks and in the field in order to make everything seem more realistic. Something we tend to forget is that a lot of these guys wrote home every chance they could get, especially f they had a girl!

[SSgt. Burgess]

Right, right. They are useful for writing down radio call signs and such... or even just to keep notes for the battle.

[bthodgson]

Dec 28, 2010 2:03:52 GMT -5 SSgt. Burgess said:

Right, right. They are useful for writing down radio call signs and such... or even just to keep notes for the battle.

Another reason why I carry one

One of the battles, I actually had to pull it out to let someone know what the callsign was for the radio, which made it all the more fun that I had one of those pads.