alt Hacker News> A4 5mm square pad (cheap but not the cheapest) and a really good (but not expensive) set of ballpoints in black/blue/red/green
It sounds like you have some stationery recommendations!
I'm always in the market for really-good-but-not-expensive pens.
I use the "uni-ball - Jetstream SXN-210" (in 1mm), they are superb, don't smear, write smooth every time and are cheap enough if I lend one to someone and don't get it back I don't regret it, ergonomically they are comfortable as well, not a lot else to say about them beyond that - just a really well designed pen.