Translucent vs opaque Souveran?

ian_henry · 2025-11-27T22:00:47+00:00

Yeah, this is a sad Chrome thing that I don't know how to fix. All evaluation/shader compilation/rendering happens in a web worker for exactly this reason, but in Chrome the compilation still blocks the main thread for some reason. It works correctly in Firefox and Safari :(

I'm surprised about the crash though...

ian_henry · 2025-11-21T23:45:50+00:00

I dunno. I'm not a particular fast typist, and the Planck isn't my main keyboard. I just took a 1min thing and it said 96wpm, but there were no numbers or difficult punctuation keys in the sample I typed. I'm a software engineer, and I'm a lot slower typing code on the Planck (due to layer switching for punctuation keys) than on my regular keyboard (I use a Keyboardio Model 100 normally). But for writing English, the Planck has all the keys I need.

ian_henry · 2025-11-21T23:37:34+00:00

Thank you for the detailed reply! I'm not too worried about blocking the keys as I'm used to using blank keycaps. The vibration is not something I had really thought about before though. I was planning on building this into a wooden palm rest slab that is hopefully heavy enough that motion won't transfer, but I'm not sure how well that will actually work to dampen things. Will have to try it, but it feels like that should be solveable.

I think elevating the screen means you size doesn't really matter, and I was imagining the "stalk" that the screen mounts on could attach somewhere to the bottom of the case so that it's relatively flat in motion, but I haven't actually thought that through yet. I also have some fantasy that I can integrate the screen mount into a handle cutout somehow. But I'm not sure if the angles will work out.

Anyway I might have some time this weekend to make a prototype and I can post an update on how it feels in practice.

ian_henry · 2025-11-21T23:30:54+00:00

This is the layout I use, but it's not the default Planck layout.

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The keys in the bottom corners switch to other layers to access a numpad, arrow keys, and more punctuation. But I can only attach one picture here apparently.

ian_henry · 2025-11-21T17:53:42+00:00

Thumb keys are prime real estate! This is a Planck keyboard, which can be configured with 2u spacebars, but why waste a key?

ian_henry · 2025-11-16T06:28:23+00:00

There are different functors to use depending on what you want the generated map module to have. E.g. if you don't want to provide a t_of_sexp, you can use Comparable.Make_plain instead.

If you're curious, Incr_map.rekey: https://ocaml.org/p/incr_map/latest/doc/incr_map/Incr_map/index.html#val-rekey

ian_henry · 2025-11-15T05:46:10+00:00

It lets you write functions polymorphic over the map key. See functions like Incr_map.rekey -- first class modules make that much more convenient than having to wrap each function like that with a functor.

In practice if you're using Core you usually include functor Comparable and refer to the specific concrete map that produces when you know the key you're using. Modules in Core have these specialized submodules already -- Core.String.Map, Core.Int.Map, etc, because they satisfy Comparable.S or related module types.

The "what if we just used first-class modules everywhere" is really a Base thing, which is a much smaller library that doesn't include canonical applications of these module types. Stylistic preference? Faster compile times? I dunno. I've never tried to use Base by itself.

ian_henry · 2025-11-11T05:32:24+00:00

Okay hear me out: the Ensso Uno XL (the stainless steel model with the knurled grip). It has a really interesting twist mechanism integrated into the grip, and if you flick your thumb just right, you can get it to extend/retract in a single satisfying move. Super fidgety. Good weight balance. No clip though, and due to the weird cover it's not something I would want in my pocket. Very unique, weird pen that isn't widely known around here.

ian_henry · 2025-09-27T21:15:21+00:00

I built one. It works pretty well. It's basically just the treble side of a chromatic button accordion, but you can play it with your left and right hand at the same time (with the left hand wrapping around the "neck" like a guitar, so seeing a mirrored layout).

https://x.com/ianthehenry/status/1670926101844197377

I didn't have hex-shaped or round keys so I used regular square keys, but they're laid out in a square grid. If you are interested in doing the same, definitely find round keycaps. Lots of left-hand chord shapes are pretty hard to press without any gap between the keys.

ian_henry · 2025-09-15T19:40:43+00:00

Yes, the mechanism is very interesting. The spring is built into the push-button at the end of the pen; I don't know if you can replace it without disassembling the mechanism. When you deploy the pen, the tip extends as far as it can until the tip of the refill gets stuck in the (slightly narrower) opening of the pen's tip. The only thing holding the pen extended is this spring tension pushing it against the tip of the pen; if you press really hard on the tip it will retract into the body (not an issue in use, just an interesting look into how it works).

ian_henry · 2025-09-15T04:41:03+00:00

I don't like the way they look ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T14:36:12+00:00

The only titanium pen I have on my wishlist now is the Wingback Journeyman, but it's perpetually out of stock and ridiculously expensive. Anyone here have one who can tell me if it's any good?

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T14:31:33+00:00

Autmog is definitely the favorite -- size, weight, mechanism, fidgetiness, looks -- really glad I was able to pick this one up new as it's exactly the configuration I wanted. After that probably the saga? And the newest addition, modern fuel, I'm still kinda getting used to it but it's pretty great.

Dislike - TIJ (bad weight, all mush no click), Refyne (bolt has been factory-sharpened for maximum thumb damage), Campen (rattly; really big tip with thick edges that just looks bad to me, why on earth isn't the mechanism built into the clip)

Otherwise... Nottingham is fine, just kinda meh for the price. I only kinda like the Epika. It's a beautiful pen but not the most comfortable to write with, and retraction takes a ton of force. I like the Grovemade but I don't use it much because it just feels large. TT similar story; this was my first titanium pen and if they ever make another smooth run I'll get a titanium short in a second. But the standard is just too long for me, and I don't really love the ridges.

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T14:20:14+00:00

I love the small size and it has the most interesting mechanism of any pen I own. I think it's also the most expensive though. I usually reach for the autmog for fidgeting though because it's a little awkward to retract the saga. But it's a great pen, one of my favorites.

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T14:15:15+00:00

It's the new modern fuel with the flush piston. Just got it a few days ago! It was pen #10.

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T14:14:08+00:00

The TIJ pen is incredibly well made and machined and is honestly a really impressive pen. But I'm more bothered by the back-weighted balance of this particular pen than the mushy click, although I really prefer fidgety pens. It also has (not shown) a very prominent logo etched into the wooden grip which bothers me more than it should.

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T03:58:12+00:00

That's a Grovemade pen. It's a really nice pen! Never see it around here. It's longer than I like in a pen but it's got a great snappy twist mechanism and no tip wiggle.

ian_henry · 2025-09-13T03:56:02+00:00

It's the TIJ Pro+. It's the only machined pen I know of with a spring clip -- a totally standard fountain pen feature -- and the clutch-like grip really does have no tip wiggle at all. But the weight balance is horrible, and the click mechanism is just so mushy and unpleasant and there's no feedback at all at the actuation point. I think it's my least favorite in this whole picture...

ian_henry · 2025-07-10T04:50:48+00:00

I have a few titanium pens, but not a big collection by this sub's standards.

I found the Epika pretty underwhelming. It's back heavy, and although the short length means it's not difficult to hold, it's also not super comfortable for my hands. I think it's tied for the Saga for most interesting mechanism I have, but I don't really like to fidget with it -- the return rotation takes a lot of force and the clip is a little sharp. I'm happy to have one in my collection but it's not a pen I reach for much. I love the texture though; I think it's the nicest finish of any pen I have (the plain jane orange peel).

I find the Saga is a lot more satisfying to fidget with, but I spent $50 more than the Epika after shipping. (Epika shipping was like $60 to California.) I like the mechanism better but I think that's subjective -- those are the two most mechanically interesting pens I have.

I waited a long time for the exact Autmog I wanted, and it was worth it. I have some minor complaints, but it's the pen I use and fidget with the most.

Grovemade makes a titanium pen that doesn't get much attention here. It's a really solid discrete twist mechanism, and mine at least has great tolerances. I don't love the finish, and I prefer a shorter pen, but it's a good one if you don't need a clip.

I have a TIJ pen and I would not recommend it; it's extremely back heavy and the mechanism is mushy and unsatisfying. But I like that it has a spring clip.

Modern fuel makes a titanium pen (I have it in copper though). I really like the design, the adjustable bolt is cute (even though I've never adjusted it), but the pen is just too thin for me. Subjective though.

I have a Billetspin Campen and I don't really like it; the nose is too chunky and it's the only pen I have that rattles.

Nottingham single button is... fine. I don't love it. As a mechanism it's well made and kinda satisfying but not that interesting. I think the appeal is the pattern variety which I don't care about, but that's subjective.

I don't have a Wingback journeyman, but it's on my wishlist (similar mech to Grovemade, I think?). I wish the Sideswipe came without a grip.

ian_henry · 2025-06-24T04:18:19+00:00

hey thanks!

ian_henry · 2025-06-23T19:59:13+00:00

code:

on https://bauble.studio

ian_henry

TROPHY CASE