Where should the pen / pencil be placed??

Flying Platypus · Post by **Flying Platypus** » 02 January 12 2:58 pm

Now here is a burning topic that we have been going to raise for some time.
When a pen is left in a cache should it be in or out of the plastic log book bag.
Experience shows that the sharp end frequently holes the bag making the log protection useless, yet in most caches this is where it is placed.
Clearly we advocate pen out.

Zalgariath · Post by **Zalgariath** » 02 January 12 3:51 pm

Agree! Pens and Pencils out!

blossom* · Post by blossom* » 02 January 12 4:24 pm

Bronnie_1990 · Post by **Bronnie_1990** » 02 January 12 4:47 pm

Marcus Vitruvius · Post by **Marcus Vitruvius** » 02 January 12 7:35 pm

I leave mine in generally...but it is completely based on the size of the bag. The reason pens and pencils puncture holes in the bag is because the bag is a) too small and the writing implement is pressed up against the bag, or b) the size of the cache is too small for the pen or pencil, and is squashed into the cache causing the bag to be punctured. If the bag is loose around the pen or pencil, and the cache size is adequately big enough, and if pens have their lid on them, there's no reason why they should put holes in it...and of course it keeps the pencil dry.

belken · Post by **belken** » 02 January 12 8:00 pm

We would advocate in. Doesn't matter about holes in the bag as it is not the primary or secondry seal against wetness. (In our caches)

Log book pencil and sharpener were all placed in a little baggy so you could find them with ease and not having to rummage around the vast space of a large ammo-can.

Yurt · Post by **Yurt** » 02 January 12 8:26 pm

Yeah out. Pen with a lid could go in but it's bound to go astray (the lid) so keep it out.

I also wish people would buy a stock of various ziplock bags that match the logbook size. Too often is there a sandwich size ziplock bag with a very small rolled up log in a mint tin or the like. The problem is that the ziplock, when folded over, comes slightly open, defeating the purpose. Look for the little bags in Officeworks if you can't get them in the supermarket.

And ALWAYS use a bag for the logbook. Even in ammo cans. That's my humble opinion anyway.

noikmeister · Post by **noikmeister** » 02 January 12 8:29 pm

Most pens that get left out of the bag don't work after a time.

Mr Router · Post by **Mr Router** » 02 January 12 8:55 pm

Gee I have an idea, take ya own pen and go caching

budgietas · Post by **budgietas** » 02 January 12 9:09 pm

Seen too many punctured bags.... Pens out and always bring a pen with you!

Captain Terror · Post by **Captain Terror** » 02 January 12 10:15 pm

Mr Router wrote:Gee I have an idea, take ya own pen and go caching

There's a stunner of an idea.
But if you feel the need to put a pen in, keep it the heck out of the baggy. Having said that, make sure the container is waterproof instead.

Echo · Post by **Echo** » 03 January 12 2:27 pm

Mr Router wrote:Gee I have an idea, take ya own pen and go caching

Agreed!

Freddo · Post by **Freddo** » 03 January 12 6:25 pm

Get rid of the bag. It is not really necessary. If a cache gets wet it might protect the logbook if it is intact. If the logbook gets wet in the bag then it will never dry out. Never ever. Remove the bag.

Papa Bear_Left · Post by **Papa Bear_Left** » 03 January 12 8:23 pm

A bag is a good place to put a sachet or two of desiccant, to help keep the logbook dry and the sharpener from rusting, in the event of the container getting damp. It might not work completely, but it's probably better than nothing.

Pencils should stay out of the bag because they don't need to be kept particularly dry and they do have sharper points than most retractable-nib pens.

Bundyrumandcoke · Post by **Bundyrumandcoke** » 04 January 12 1:53 am

Its a recurring subject.

Asked by me in April 07

http://forum.geocaching.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7901

and before that, asked by Rabbitto in November 05.

http://forum.geocaching.com.au/viewtopi ... ght=pencil

Geocaching Australia

Where should the pen / pencil be placed??

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