I’ve thought a lot recently about stationery items that should form the “core” of any stationery collection. If I had to liquidate everything and start from scratch, what pieces would I purchase again? I’ve bought and sold thousands of pens, pencils, notebooks, and desk accessories over the years, and have a good idea of what I like and don’t like, what I need and don’t need. While I could play the “top ten” game forever, and come up with hundreds of different combinations depending on my constantly evolving preferences, what follows is a “top ten” list for this particular season of my life and career. Of course, what works for me doesn’t necessarily work for you - it’s merely intended as food for thought. Enjoy!

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Lamy 2000 (via Goldspot Pens). The Lamy 2000 will always serve as my “Desert Island Pen,” given its supreme functionality, durability, and minimalist industrial aesthetic. Plus, I love how the hooded 14k nib writes. You can read my review of the Lamy 2000 here.
Fisher Space Pen (via Vanness Pens). I keep a Fisher Space Pen AG7 or “Shuttle Pen” on my desk at all times, and if you’ve ever received a note from me on your packing slips, chances are it was likely signed with one of my Space Pens. The Fisher Space Pen isn’t just a great ballpoint, it’s an iconic piece of American history. Read my review here.
Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). When I’m in the mood for some color, and want a pen with some personality that isn’t a rollerball (which as time goes on I dislike more and more), I reach for the iconic Caran d’Ache 849. With faceted sides that taper to a point like a woodcase pencil, I find the 849 supremely comfortable to write with, and the included refill is quite smooth. Check out my retail offerings for a selection of special and limited editions.
Rotring 600 or Rotring 800 Mechanical Pencils (via Goldspot Pens). My mechanical pencil of choice? Easily the Rotring 600 or 800, depending on whether you prefer a fixed or retractable pipe mechanical pencil. If you carry your pencil in a pocket, go with the 800. Read my write-up comparing these two here.
Caran d’Ache Fixpencil (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). Some people might not consider a 2mm leadholder a stationery “essential,” but if so, there’s no better option than the Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. A leadholder built for writing as well as drawing and drafting, the Fixpencil incorporates a sharpener inside the button cap so you can get the woodcase pencil experience with out having to worry about carrying a separate sharpener. Now available in color versions (pictured above) as well as the classic matte black.
Blackwing Natural Pencils (via Vanness Pens). Choosing just one brand of woodcase pencil would be difficult, but if I had to choose, it would probably be a Blackwing, and of their four standard versions, I would go for the “Natural” model with the extra-firm graphite. I’m a sucker for natural wood pencils, and the extra firm graphite lets you go a bit longer without sharpening.
M+R Brass Bullet Pencil Sharpener (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). If I was forced to pick one handheld pencil sharpener to pick, I’d probably choose this one, even over my more expensive long-points. Why? A combination of durability, quality, and overall value. Plus you can easily purchase replacement blades to keep your brass sharpener in action for the long haul.
Baron Fig Confidant Notebook (via Baron Fig). The Baron Fig Confidant is one of the best all-around notebooks I’ve used over the years, featuring a strong combination of design, size, and versatile paper. Baron Fig periodically releases special edition collaborations and designs that many people love to collect.
One Star Leather Goods Notebook Cover (via One Star/Etsy). Looking for a nice leather cover for your favorite notebook? Keegan at One Star leather can custom make a leather cover for your preferred brand. Check out my review here.
Pocket Notebooks or Spiral Notebooks (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). In addition to a “formal” notebook, I like to keep different paper formats on hand for sketching out my thoughts. Currently, I have in rotation a Write Notepads Spiral Dot Grid Notebook, as well as an endlessly rotating series of Pocket Notebooks from either Field Notes or Write Notepads. While the Write Notepads paper works great with fountain pens, it’s not something I tend to worry about with my pocket notebooks.

Instead of a traditional Deals & Drops setup this week, I wanted to give you all a glimpse behind the camera into my everyday “writing life,” including a product that I’ve had for a while but have never featured here: the Galen Leather Writing Box. I’ve kitted this out as my “journaling station,” which sits beside the armchair in my office and holds most of the stationery supplies I use frequently. Over the past several months, this setup has received a lot of use. I’ve long been a fan of antique writing boxes, and Galen Leather’s version apparently was inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s own design. As a bonus, at the bottom of this post I’ve included shots of my own antique writing box that I’ve owned for 20+ years. Enjoy!

Galen Leather Writing Box (via Vanness Pens). I finally picked one of these pieces up at last year’s D.C. Pen Show, and once the pandemic hit I outfitted it with everything I needed for my daily writing sessions. I might not use it in “briefcase mode” with the included leather straps, but it makes a great lap desk with interior storage and organization. I’ve had no issues with warping - I’ve owned the box for nearly a year and I can say that problem appears to have been fixed. They are out of stock on the main Galen website but Vanness has some available.
Nanami Paper Cafe Note (via Nanami Paper). For most of my journaling and personal writing, I use either the B6 Cafe Note or the Hobonichi Techo A6, the latter of which you will have to wait a couple of months to buy when the 2021 editions are released. (Honestly, buying anything “2020” right now just seems like it would be asking for bad karma.) Go ahead and get a Cafe Note in B6 or A6 instead.
Field Notes Pocket Notebooks (via TGS Curated Shop). I’ve gone back to Field Notes as my mobile repository for reading notes. I tend to take notes in the margins with pencil as I read (especially nonfiction), and Field Notes pocket notebooks work well because they are slim and tuck well inside a book. I’m falling back in love with these things as I use them more, and will end up stocking most of the line shortly.
TWSBI ECO Fountain Pens in Yellow and White/Rose Gold (via Pen Chalet). When I’m journaling, I tend not to want to be distracted by the pen I’m using at any given time. Rather, I want a simple pen that holds a lot of ink (typically something versatile and reliable). The TWSBI ECO fits the bill here.
Book Darts (via TGS Curated Shop). I always read with a tin of Book Darts nearby, especially if I’m reading nonfiction or a book that I plan on re-reading or perusing again in the future. Book Darts are archivally safe (meaning they won’t cause the page to deteriorate) and can be removed and reused, though they’re relatively inexpensive so I tend to leave them in place long-term.
Duncan Shotton Sticky Page Markers (via Duncan Shotton Design Studios/Etsy). Book Darts are great, but sometimes you just need a temporary sticky note-type page marker. I went with the “Mars” version, because if aliens is an option, I’m definitely going with aliens.
Washi Tape (via TGS Curated Shop). Washi tape is useful for sticking things into your journal, such as pictures or old sticky notes/scraps of paper you end up wanting to keep. You can also take a small piece and fold it over the edge of a page in a notebook, to make a permanent place marker or to mark off sections if you index your notebooks.
NJK Long Point Pencil Sharpener (via C.W. Pencils). NJK makes an exceptional long-point pencil sharpener for the money, especially if you want one that’s portable enough to carry around in your pocket.
Caran D’Ache Graphicolor Highlighter/Graphite Pencil (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). My pencil of choice for reading, so I keep several stashed in my writing box. I love highlighter pencils, and Caran D’Ache graphite is firm enough to let you annotate and take notes while reading without having to worry about sharpening excessively.
Pokka Pens Ballpoints (via TGS Curated Shop). Honestly, I never leave the house without these things. I have clear cap Pokkas in stock, even though they are now sold out on the main Pokka site.

The TGS Patreon Program, Deals & Drops and sales through The Curated Shop are how I fund The Gentleman Stationer. Your support is greatly appreciated! This post contains affiliate links. Please see our privacy and cookie policies for additional information.