Kakimori Pigmented Ink in Bottles — Kakimori’s famed “teardrop” bottles offer stability for filling, and each bottle ships with a stopper inside the cap to prevent any leakage.

Thursday Drops: Restocking the Shelves with Ink, Accessories, Pens, Paper & More!

January 15, 2026

Those of you who stopped by in the weeks after Christmas may have noticed that our shelves looked a little bare - that’s not a bad thing. We had an exceptionally good holiday season and appreciate all of your support! As of this morning, we’ve received shipments from Kakimori, Pilot, Toyo, Iroful, and more, so we’re almost back up to full capacity. We’re especially excited about the just-arrived Kakimori pigmented inks, which can be used in either fountain pens or dip pens and are both water and lightfast for those of you who desire permanence. We also have new arrivals from Toyo, with steel boxes in multiple new colors, and a fresh shipment of Braun desk/alarm clocks in new sizes and shapes.

Come see these and more in person at our Nashville location! We are open Thursday and Friday from 1pm-6pm, and on Saturday from 10am-6pm. Please note that we have introduced a new appointment system for shopping outside of normal shop hours, and you can also use it to reserve nib appointments for our upcoming in-store event with Vanness Pens and Matthew Chen on January 23 and January 24.

Kakimori Pigmented Fountain Pen Inks. We receive many requests for permanent (i.e. lightfast/waterproof) ink, and in the fountain pen world, pigmented inks are by far the best option. Kakimori makes 10 colors, ranging from standard blue, black, and blue-black to more subtle variations on teal and blue-grey.
Kakimori Frost Fountain and Rollerball Pens. Kakimori’s “Frost” series of fountain pens feature a longer section, and the rollerball features a tip similar to that found on other popular “inkball” pens that accept fountain pen ink using a cartridge or a converter.
Kakimori Dip Nibs and New Short Nib Holders. We have stock of the conical Kakimori metal dip nibs, including copper, brass and steel, as well as the new shorter dip nib holders in a range of colors.
Toyo Steel Boxes. These popular desktop storage options have been restocked in new colors, including AMEICO Orange and Glacier. These boxes can hold anything from small bottles of ink to paper clips to pens.
Anderillium Ichthyoformes Bottled Inks and Sample Sets. We have restocked all of the Anderillium “Fish” series, plus sample sets from the other Anderillium series. The most recent releases include favorites like Whale Shark Blue Grey, Moray Eel Green, and some of the best dark reds recently released. I did a swatch video of the entire line a while back.
Tono & Lims Fountain Pen Inks. Tono & Lims inks have received an enthusiastic reception, especially in-store, and we look forward to adding even more colors to our current curated selection from the Standard, Friendship, and Adult Night Collections.
Pilot Kakuno and Pilot Kakuno Madoromi (Drowsy) Fountain Pens. The Pilot Kakuno is one of our most-recommended fountain pens for new users, while also a great pen in and of itself. We have a small stock of the new Modoromi series, which feature gold-tone nibs.
Iroful Paper. Known for its ink-friendliness and feel similar to the now-discontinued Cosmo Air Light, Iroful paper comes in notebook, looseleaf, and 6-ring formats, making it a versatile paper option for those who value the ability to use pretty much any fountain pen ink.
“Inky Dreams” Washi Tape and Stickers. Ana over at the Well-Appointed Desk creates a line of ink-themed washi tape and stickers, and we’re fully restocked as of this week. These don’t usually stay in stock for long.
Col-o-Ring Swatch Cards. Looking to better organize your ink collection in 2026? These swatch cards feature thick ink-friendly paper, and the cards themselves hold up to storage on the included ring with two kraft paper covers.

TGS Rickshaw "Clouds" Designs — Oh, and we still have more of our T.G.S. Rickshaw special edition “Clouds” design, in three different colors and three different style.

On the Paper Trail Episode 1: Setting up Our 2026 Notebooks

Episode 1 of On The Paper Trail: Setting Up Our 2026 Notebooks, Is Live!

January 14, 2026

The first episode of our new podcast project, On the Paper Trail, is live! In our initial episode, Lisa and I introduce ourselves, and then dive into a thorough discussion of our 2026 notebooks and planners and how we plan to use each one. We also answer a common customer question on Lamy pens, and discuss where you can see us in person at upcoming pen shows and other stationery-related events. Many thanks to everyone who has helped us out with this project, as your feedback has been invaluable! We’ve added show notes, as well as a list of links to where you can currently watch or listen. We are in the process of populating additional listening services and podcast apps as they verify and approve the RSS feed.

⁠Show Notes and Links⁠

Joe's 2026 Notebook Setup Cover Image — Both Lisa and I will continue to record complementary content for our own respective channels, like this overhead walkthrough of my own notebooks that I released yesterday to T.G.S. YouTube. I also wrote a detailed blog post last week.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

As noted above, if you want to follow along and watch the video, On The Paper Trail has its own YouTube Channel. We have also uploaded the podcast to most popular podcast networks and apps, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Overcast. We have submitted to additional services such as iHeartRadio, Pocketcasts, Audible, and others, and you should see On The Paper Trail Appear as an option once their review process is complete.

Note that you may have to click on one of the direct links above to listen (or subscribe!) as it takes some time for new podcasts to make their way into the search function. If you enjoy what we’re doing, we would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a positive review and subscribe, as it helps increase visibility. We are really enjoying this project, though audio/video production is something relatively new for both of us, so expect our skills to “evolve” as we record more episodes!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can always come talk pens in person at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee, open from 1-6pm Thursdays and Fridays and from 10am-6pm Saturdays.

Toyo Steel Boxes Stacked on Shelves New Colors

New Arrivals: Toyo Steel Boxes in New Colors, Plus Kakimori Frost Fountain and Rollerball Pens!

January 13, 2026

Toyo steel storage boxes from Japan have become a popular stationery item for stationery enthusiasts, since they are stackable and can hold everything from pens to small bottles of ink to paper clips and other office supplies. We’re now pleased to offer these boxes in additional bright colors, including orange, yellow, and the more subdued “Glacier”. Note that these color options are made available to us by the distributor as they are imported and we do not know when additional colors will arrive. We currently have stock of the Toyo T-190, T-152, and T-150 models, which are the same sizes we previously have carried, just in new colors.

Toyo Steel Boxes Stacked Nicely — Toyo boxes of the same shape stack nicely!

We continue to add new writing instruments and accessories from Kakimori, the most recent of which include the Frost line of fountain pens and rollerballs. The Frost rollerball has received the most interest so far, since it uses the “ink ball” technology similar to the Traveler’s Company brass rollerball pen. You can refill this pen using fountain pen ink, either with a cartridge or a converter. The Frost is available in five different translucent “frosted” colors, and features a long section that’s designed to be comfortable for extended writing sessions.

Kakimori Frost Fountain Pens — Count me a fan of the colorful translucent frosted finish on the aptly named “Frost” fountain pens.

Our Nashville store hours are 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm Saturdays. While we do accept shopping by appointment, we require at least 24 hours notice and appointments are discretionary based on our schedule outside normal shop hours, especially during early January as we take inventory. Thanks for your understanding!

Kakimori Frost Fountain and InkBall Pens

Sunday Reading for January 11, 2026

January 11, 2026

How to Use Your Notebooks in 2026 To Improve Your Life (via Writing at Large). Another excellent post with great suggestions on how to put your journals and notebooks to use.
Writing on for 2026 (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Despite her protests at being disorganized, Kimberly is much more organized with her notebooks/hobbies/projects than I will ever be. My biggest takeaway from this post, however, is that I REALLY need a rotary cutter for perforating pages.
Talking About 2026 Plans for Pen Shows, Conventions and More (via dwrdnet). It’s that time again, when we plan our pen show schedule for the upcoming year. We will be posting the T.G.S. Pen Show attendance schedule in the coming days.
My Full 2026 Techo Kaigi (SO EMBARRASSING!) (via Well-Appointed Desk). Only five notebooks? Embarrassing? Please.
A Spoon?! Yes. And Paper and Inks from Vanness Pens. (via Inkdependence). I don’t know what Skipidi is either, but orange shimmer sounds fun.
Diplomat Viper (via Figboot on Pens). For me, the only problem with this pen is that it keeps selling out….
ReMarkable Wish List (via Stationery Pizza). As someone who has used a ReMarkable2 for years now, yes, there is a laundry list of features I wish it had, but sometimes I appreciate the fact that they keep it relatively simple.
10 Years of Pens (via Rachel’s Reflections). Congratulations on a decade in the hobby! Especially when people seem to jump between interests so frequently.
Fresh Thoughts on the Pilot Prera (via Pen Addict). The Prera fountain pen was a new discovery for me this year, with the release of four solid colors that held more appeal than the clear pens. You might pay a premium for some Pilot pens, but the experience is predictably rock-solid.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I discussed my 2026 Notebook Setup, which I’ll be discussing more with Lisa on the upcoming inaugural episode of the Paper Trails Podcast (production is in progress!). I have a relatively practical/boring setup this year, which builds on things I’ve used in the past and is more of a “greatest hits” than anything else. Go with what works for me, even if it’s not the prettiest or most efficient. I also answered a reader question that I found particularly timely for the first of the year, which focuses on choosing and buying a first fountain pen, and pairing it with a suitable ink and paper.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

Soooo much stuff arrived this week, with the 2026 “January restock” in full effect. The biggest new arrival that I was personally the most excited about was our collaboration with Rickshaw Bagworks and Nick Dominguez on a series of exclusive pen cases, which feature a “Clouds” design hand-drawn by Nick with multi-shading fountain pen inks. We’ve also added workhorse stationery brand Leuchtturm1917 to the shop, including their ubiquitous notebooks as well as the colorful Drehgriffel ballpoints and gel pens. Finally, we have a dwindling number of Kakimori notebooks and also the Kakimori Frost fountain pens and “ink-ball” rollerballs. Be sure to check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for the full list of new arrivals and restocks.

Tono & Lims

Leuchtturm1917

Kakimori

Musgrave

How to Support T.G.S. and Our Various Projects

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. The T.G.S. Patreon includes early access and discounts on exclusive shop releases, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly meetups. As of this morning, ALL Patreon supporters (including non-paying free members) have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail”.

Platinum Preppy Fountain Pens — Never underestimate the humble Platinum Preppy, which punches far above its price point.

Ask TGS: Buying My First Fountain Pen

January 10, 2026

Question: I’ve recently rediscovered an interest in writing by hand, and while I’ve always appreciated a good pen, I’ve never used a fountain pen and don’t know where to begin with all the different nib and filling system options. And what do I do about paper? Help!

I get this question all the time, and while I’ve probably answered it before in blog posts and/or videos, it tends to be timely right after the New Year when everyone has purchased their fresh planner or notebook and many consider whether they should pick up a fountain pen for the first time. But where to begin? Here’s my “two minute speech” that I typically give people in the shop or at a show:

Don’t Spend a Lot of Money

If you’ve never used a fountain pen before, don’t start at the $200 price point. In fact, you probably don’t even want to start at the $50 price point. There are plenty of excellent fountain pens that cost $25 or less, which will allow you to get a feel for writing with a fountain pen nib, cleaning the pen, changing the ink, etc. without a huge sunk cost. In my own store, I have plenty of people who come in having never written with a fountain pen at all, and I almost always direct them to the Platinum Preppy, the Pilot Kakuno, or the Pilot Explorer (the latter if they really insist on having the ability to use bottled ink immediately since the Explorer ships with a converter). The Preppy is a great option for those uncertain about nib sizes and how different fountain pen nibs will work with their handwriting, since Preppy’s are inexpensive without being “disposable”, and you can buy them in multiple sizes to experiment. Our “Best Pens” post highlights these options and several more.

Ink Cartridge Options in the T.G.S. Store — Start with a basic ink, but even cartridges come in a range of colors.

Start with a Basic Blue, Black, or Blue-Black Fountain pen Ink

While experimenting with inks is a huge part of the fountain pen hobby, get used to writing with fountain pens first. Standard blue, black, and blue-black inks usually flow well, dry relatively fast, and come in both bottles and cartridges. (I usually recommend cartridge pens for true beginners.) It’s especially important to pay attention to ink if you’re left-handed, since many lefties hold the pen in a way that causes their hand to smear the ink if it takes too long to dry. Making sure the pen and ink combo is compatible with your handwriting style is the formula for success.

Our B5 and A4 paper sorter, which we keep stocked with many different fountain pen friendly paper brands.

Be Sure You Have Some Decent Fountain Pen Friendly Paper

The same paper that you can use for ballpoints, gel pens, rollerballs, and pencils won’t necessarily work well with fountain pens. Most fountain pen ink is water-based, meaning that it may feather and bleed-through on particularly absorbent paper, especially recycled papers or office stock. Purchasing some slightly better paper with a heavier paper weight or coating will make for a more enjoyable writing experience. While Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Maruman, and Leuchtturm1917 are the usual go-to recommendations for solid paper that is easy to source, there are many smaller brands as well. For several years I’ve tracked paper brands and their relative “fountain pen friendliness” in this evergreen blog post that gets updated annually.

Give Yourself Some Time to Adjust to the Pen (and Writing with Fountain Pens in General) Before You Start Buying More

It’s easy to get carried away with online recommendations - everyone has their own opinion on “the best” fountain pen, often driven by their own personal preferences and experiences. That said, there’s only one way to figure out what your own preferences are, and that’s to gain as much experience as you possibly can by using pens for an extended period of time before moving on to something else. Obviously, if a pen truly doesn’t work for you (i.e., it doesn’t write, is falling apart, hurts your hand after more than a day or two), move on immediately, but try to avoid the “I-like-this-but-wonder-if-there-is-something-better” mentality that often leads to an acquisition mindset rather than the thoughtfulness or creativity many are seeking out in the first place.

A huge part of why I decided to open the physical T.G.S. shop in Nashville is to give people the opportunity to come in and experience fountain pens in person and to have conversations like this one before picking out a pen and deciding which one is right for you! We are open Thursdays and Fridays from 1-6pm and Saturdays from 10-6pm.