TWSBI Diamond 580 and Midnight Blue Ink — A high-capacity TWSBI Diamond 580 and a solid, non-distracting blue-black ink might be the perfect addition to your NaNoWriMo writing arsenal.

Deals & Drops: Autumn Is Here! Fall Colors, NaNoWriMo Prep, and More

October 28, 2021

I love fall for two reasons. First, it gives me an excuse to write with red and orange inks all the time, and second, it means that NaNoWriMo is just around the corner. For those of you unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo, it’s short for National Novel Writing Month, where thousands of people each year accept the challenge of writing a novel during the month of November, committing to a daily word count. I participated once, back in 2015, and while I still swear that every year I’m going to do something with the book, just the fact that I made it all the way through is a point of pride. When I participated, I alternated between typing my novel and writing by hand, though I ultimately settled on handwriting since I think better on paper and hate doing the first draft of anything on a computer. If I had any advice for those considering giving NaNoWriMo a shot this year, it would be this: Find a single fountain pen or pencil that you like, a thick notebook or stack of legal-style writing pads, and just go for it. (Commit to not switching between pen/pencil/paper during the month because it’s distracting, though there’s a case for changing ink colors daily to help keep track of your word count.) This week’s Deals & Drops contains some suggestions for NaNoWriMo-appropriate writing gear that we stock in the shop.

Are you participating? Have any questions about my experience? Give me a shout!

This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links, and unless otherwise noted, all links are to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us directly, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Autumn Red Inks at Vanness (via Vanness Pens). One of the main reasons I love autumn (and the ensuing holiday season) so much is that it gives me a seasonal opportunity to use one of my favorite ink colors of all, RED! Vanness has all sorts of red inks available and conveniently set up for viewing on a single page.
Crayons de la Maison Caran d’Ache, Edition No. 9. Something about the fall also makes me want to write with pencils, especially these lightly scented special editions from Caran d’Ache designed in collaboration with Swiss parfumier Mizensir, which have a woodsy scent reminiscent of the outdoors.
Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Pencils. Sustainably made from Swiss beech and pine, the Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood pencil is long-lasting while still retaining a dark enough core to maximize legibility. Perfect for the longer writing sessions necessary to complete NaNoWriMo. You can read my review from a while back here.
Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. The original mechanical pencil. Faceted like a typical woodcase pencil, without having to sacrifice any trees. Uses 2mm leadholder refills.
TWSBI Fountain Pens and Ink. Rather than writing in pencil, perhaps you’d prefer a no-frills fountain pen that holds a lot of ink and will let you write for days without refilling? All of TWSBI’s fountain pens have large ink capacities, even the cartridge/converter TWSBI Swipe. Bottled ink and cartridges are available to refill, in a range of colors.
Midori MD Codex Day-to-a-Page Notebook. Though often advertised as a planner or journal, writers love the Midori MD Codex notebook because not only does it contain a whopping 360+ pages of high-quality Midori MD Paper, but the codex-style binding allows the notebook to lie completely flat on a desk or writing surface.
Stalogy 365-Day Notebook. A similar concept to the Midori MD Codex notebook, but with thinner paper that makes for a much more compact format for everyday portability. Half-year versions are also available. Read more about Stalogy paper here.
Rhodia Writing Pads. Need basic, no-frills writing paper that will handle fountain pens, pencils, and anything else you might want to throw at it? Rhodia is a standby for me whenever I want to do any sort of drafting, especially their A4 Dot Pads.
Midori MD Cotton Paper. Not only is Midori MD Cotton exceptionally good paper for fountain pens, but did you know that the paper from the MD Cotton writing paper is also excellent for typewriters?
Maruman Mnemosyne Notebooks. Mnemosyne paper might be one of the most budget-friendly fountain pen papers out there, sold in spiral notebooks that allow you to easily use both sides of the page.

Remember that fall is also planner season! Check out this post for a guide to all of the dated and undated planners and notebook systems that we have in stock. (Shown here are the Midori MD Diary Stickers, which allow you to turn any notebook into a planner.)

Caran d’Ache Fixpencils are a great no-frills writing instrument, especially if you enjoy the feel of a woodcase pencil, but don’t like the idea of consuming trees. (Shown here with M+R Brass Lead Pointer)

My Prussian Blue TWSBI Swipe nestled in my Traveler’s Notebook Pen Loop.

Deals & Drops: Planner Season Has Kicked Off! Shop Planners and the Best "Planner Pens"

October 14, 2021

It looks like we are FINALLY in for some cool weather this weekend, as opposed to the mid-to-high 80s we’ve been experiencing here in Tennessee. You know what the arrival of Fall means? It’s time to purchase your 2022 planner, or if you’re a bullet journaler or fan of undated notebooks, to start thinking about what your setup will look like. We stock a range of options in the T.G.S. Curated Shop.

A bouquet of Mark’style Needle-tip ballpoints in various colors and sizes.

Another topic I want to talk about briefly is planner pens. A frustration of mine, however minor, with respect to fountain pens is that most don’t fit a standard notebook or planner pen loop, which are typically sized to fit ballpoints and rollerballs. We’ve intentionally stocked pens that are compatible with most planner loops due to their slimmer diameter, and I discuss a few options below. Happy Shopping!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Traveler’s Notebook 2022 Planners and Diaries. Traveler’s Company recently released their 2022 Planner/Diary inserts in both Standard and Passport Size. Layouts include Monthly (single books), and Weekly (typically a two-book set). Undated planners are also available for those who enjoy maximum flexibility. Also, for those who want to go ahead and jump-start their planning during the last three months of the year, “July Start 2021 Planners” are on clearance at 50% off.
Midori MD 2022 Diary Stickers. Use these ink-friendly diary stickers to turn the notebook of your choice into a traditional planner. These are incredibly useful for those (like me) who use a hybrid-bullet journal method of planning and task tracking, yet still want SOME structure that allows them to see a monthly overview. Available in small and medium sizes.
Midori MD Codex 1 Day 1 Page. For those who love flexible planning with the option to have a single page per day of fountain pen friendly Midori MD paper, consider the Codex, which also comes with stickers to help you organize your notebook into sections. The Codex features a threaded binding that allows the notebook to lie completely flat. Codex covers are also available to protect your notebook for the full year.
Midori MD A5 Journal (Dot Grid and Blank with Frames). Midori makes a series of slimmer notebooks that are set up “journal-style” (with a subtle page header for the date), if you find the Codex potentially too bulky. These are compatible with the full range of A5 Midori Covers, including the natural undyed goat leather.
Stalogy 365-Day and Half-Year Notebooks. While many people use Stalogy notebooks for standard writing, they have subtle notations in the header and margins that allow you to use the notebook for full-year or half-year planning and scheduling.
Field Notes Undated 56-Week Planners. Looking for a flexible, durable alternative to a larger planner or bullet journal? Field Notes has you covered with their spiral-bound take on a pocket-sized planner.
Traveler’s Company Ballpoint Pen or Fountain Pen. My favorite “planner pen” of all time is probably the Traveler’s Company Ballpoint, with it’s needle-tip hybrid-gel refill. It’s a smooth writer that’s compact enough to fit in the Traveler’s Company pen loop (and most other planner pen loops). If you’re a die-hard fountain pen user, that’s an option as well.
TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen. TWSBI’s new Swipe fountain pen is a slimmer fountain pen that I’ve frequently used as in my planner. Also fits the Traveler’s Notebook pen loop.
Caran d’Ache 849 Fountain Pen. This slimmer-format fountain pen is perfect for those notebook pen loops sized to accommodate a typical ballpoint or rollerball. It’s also an excellent inexpensive fountain pen option that comes in a range of cool colors, which you can match with pens and pencils from the rest of the 849 lineup.
Mark’Style Needle-tip Ballpoint Pen. Finally, a personal favorite that I’m doing my best to actively promote. These woodcase ballpoints feel like a pencil but write with a needle-tip Ohto black ballpoint refill.

The Caran d’Ache 849 fountain pen shown in Traveler’s Notebook Pen Loop.

And let’s not forget the T.G.S. x Sunderland mk1 collaboration - still a few in stock! The mk1 makes an excellent planner pen due to its slim size and compatibility with finer-tip Pilot G2 and Pilot Juice refills.

Last but not least, the Caran d’Ache Infinite collection make for excellent planner pens. Available in a ballpoint and a mechanical pencil.

Caran-d'Ache-Fixpencil-M&R-Sharpener.jpeg

Deals & Drops: Return of Clairefontaine, Kokuyo Sketch Books, Sharpeners, Pins & More!

October 7, 2021

New stock is literally pouring into the shop right now in advance of the holiday shopping season, which is set to launch towards the end of the month. I’m getting stuff listed as fast as I can, including a huge swath of new goods featured here. In addition to a wide range of fountain pen friendly paper, we are fully stocked on Traveler’s Notebooks, refills, and accessories, Midori MD Notebooks and Covers, and Caran d’Ache pens and pencils. Keep checking back, thanks for “shopping small,” and enjoy the coming weekend!

Clairefontaine French-Ruled (Seyes-Ruled) Notebooks. This classic Clairefontaine notebook paper is back in stock! We currently have staplebound, clothbound, and spiral notebooks available.
Kokuyo PERPANEP “Zara Zara” A5 Notebooks. Textured, fountain pen-friendly paper with the funny name, available in five different rulings. (The name is an anagram of “pen” and “paper”.) For writing samples and more, check out my review.
Traveler’s Notebook “B Sides and Rarities” Refill Collection. We’re fully restocked on these popular refills, all of which feature new and unusual papers, ranging from super-lightweight paper, to waterproof “washable” paper, to notepads (“Letter Pads”) made from Midori MD Cotton Paper. Don’t forget to check out the rest of our Traveler’s Company offerings.
Kokuyo Hardcover Pocket Notebooks. We stock a full range of Kokuyo’s “Sketch Book” (grid ruling) and “Trip Book” (dot grid ruling) hardcover notebooks, including some recently arrived colors including white, black, and anise green!
Midori MD Journal Stickers. These Midori MD Journal Stickers allow you to add a dated planner/calendar to any journal. Stickers include a calendar running from December 2021 through January 2023, so you will be set for the coming 14 months.
M+R Brass Pencil Sharpeners. If there’s one thing every pencil enthusiast needs in their daily carry, it’s a high-quality German handheld sharpener. We stock the range of M+R products, including the Castor and Pollux long-point sharpeners, the iconic Brass Bullet, and the Brass Lead Pointer. Replacement blades are also available.
Caran d’Ache Pencils and Fixpencils. We fully intend to continue carrying a range of woodcase pencils, both individually and by the dozen, including the Caran d’Ache Swiss Woods that have developed such a devoted following over the years.
Caran d’Ache 849 Nespresso “Arpeggio” Special Edition Ballpoint. I recently received some additional pens from last year’s ballpoint collaboration with Caran d’Ache. The Fixpencil collaboration remains on backorder but stay tuned.
Field Notes “Trailhead” and “Fifty” Editions. Many consider the past two Field Notes releases to be two of the best in a while, with more minimal covers that get back to the basics of what made Field Notes so popular in the first place. We have both editions in stock.
New Washi Tapes from iLootPaperie. This company makes some of the most irreverent and fun washi tapes on the market, with a focus on snail mail themes since many people absolutely love using Washi Tape to adorn their written correspondence, in addition to typical everyday masking tape uses such as scrapbooking, planning, and merely adding character to your office!

Kokuyo’s new “PERPANEP” Notebooks handle ink super well, at least in the textured “Zara Zara” version.

Kokuyo Trip Book and Sketch Books: Possibly an all-time favorite?

And of course, we don’t go anywhere without Pokka Pens! (Big sellers in Baltimore 2020 btw….)

Deals & Drops: Virtual Pen Show Setup

September 23, 2021

Since I’m not going to Dallas this weekend, I thought I might do a “Virtual Pen Show” with some examples of what I had planned to bring with me, and what you might find at my table in Chicago. (Right now, I still plan on attending Chicago, though things are a bit up in the air due to work scheduling conflicts in these crazy times we are living in.) I also had planned to have some freebies with me, so through the close of the Dallas Pen Show on Saturday, all orders $50 and up will have some T.G.S. Swag included (i.e., stickers, buttons, bookmarks), and all orders $100 and up will receive a free tin of 50 T.G.S. Book Darts! There may also be some select price reductions among the items listed here as I try to clear some stuff out to make way for new arrivals. Happy shopping!

T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 Rollerball. I’m down to a handful of pens remaining, so if you’ve been on the fence, grab one before they go out of stock for a bit. I plan to do another run of T.G.S. Penwells before I reorder.
TWSBI Diamond 580 Fountain Pens. I now carry the full range of TWSBI Diamond 580 fountain pens, including the latest 580 ALRs in Navy Blue and Prussian Blue, as well as the Rose Gold version. Remember, the Diamond 580 uses interchangeable TWSBI Nib Units, so you don’t need to order multiple pens to be able to rotate between nib sizes.
TWSBI ECO and Swipe Fountain Pens. I also have a wide assortment of ECO Transparent Demonstrators and the latest Swipe cartridge/converter fountain pens. Both models offer tremendous value given their quality and performance.
Platinum Preppy Wa Limited Editions. Platinum’s latest Preppy release is a hot seller. I ordered a bunch of these and if supplies last, will bring them to the pen show. Choose from one of six different traditional Japanese designs.
Caran d’Ache 849 Pop Line Series and Claim Your Style Ballpoints. The workhorse Caran d’Ache 849 has been a mainstay of the T.G.S. Curated Shop since its inception. The 849 Black Code Edition is actually a signature pen for me. Also note that last season’s Claim Your Style pens are on sale, with only one or two remaining.
Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerballs. Caran d’Ache recently released a rollerball version of the classic 849, which is approximately 30% larger than the standard 849 ballpoint and accepts Parker-style refills, so it’s an incredibly versatile option. My favorite colors are the matte black and matte grey.
Traveler’s Notebooks and Accessories. The centerpiece of my table, when I do start doing shows again, will be the Traveler’s Notebook line, where you can pick the Starter Kit (notebook cover, etc.) of your choice, then accessorize with standard and specialty refills, planner inserts (some of which are marked down), and of course the brass accessories and pens and pencils.
Stálogy Notebooks. I recently reviewed Stálogy Notebooks, and have been working with a half-year version that I cut down to Traveler’s Size. As I noted in the review, Stálogy paper is more absorbent than Tomoe River, leading to quicker dry times on paper that’s essentially just as thin.
Midori MD and MD Cotton Notebooks and Writing Pads. Classic, high-quality Japanese writing paper that we have available in a wide range of sizes. We also stock Midori MD Notebook covers, and recently received a shipment of the undyed goat leather covers in A5, A6, and B6 Slim, as well as Dated 2022 Diary Stickers and A4 Notebooks, which many of you have been requesting.
Write Notepads Spiral Notebooks. Finally, I was planning on either packing some Write Notepads paper or having a shipment sent directly to the show, but I always bring some of these exceptionally fountain pen friendly spiral notebooks, and have testers at the table so you all can see how good this paper is.

Maruman Mnemosyne Notebooks recently hit the shop. If I have room, and if I still have any in stock, I’ll bring them to the show. Paper is heavy, though, so my stock could be limited.

There’s so much I wish I could bring, like these Kokuyo Trip Books. Hmm, maybe I should open a store?

This week’s highlighted products includes a variety of “workhorse” stationery that I use in my everyday life, including these bicolor pencils and, of course, my favorite Book Darts.

Deals & Drops: Hand-Picked Everyday Office Supplies

September 16, 2021

It’s not just about the high-end pens and paper around here. My shop offers, and I regularly use, items such as pencils, ballpoints, sticky notes, tape, and page markers. Be sure to check out our wide selection, and in addition I’m planning on bringing as much of it with me as possible when I visit the Dallas Pen Show next weekend (September 24-25) and the Chicago Pen Show the first weekend in October (1-3). These will be the first shows at which I’ve had my own table since Baltimore 2020, and I’m still in the planning process so if you plan to attend the shows and have any requests for what I bring with me, let me know!

M+R Brass Bullet Pencil Sharpener. A classic piece of stationery beloved by pencil enthusiasts for both its portability and durability, you can get a quality sharpening experience that will last a lifetime. Just replace the blades if they dull.
M+R Brass Two-Hole Sharpener. Need a sharpener capable of handling larger pencils? M+R also makes this brass two-hole wedge, which accepts the same refill blades as the Brass Bullet.
Caran d’Ache Graphicolor Red/Graphite Bicolor Pencil. Between this and the bicolor highlighter pencil included below, this simple editing tool is one of the most functional pieces of stationery in my arsenal. If I’m doing serious reading, it’s in my hand. Available individually or by the dozen.
Caran d’Ache Graphicolor Highlighter/Graphite Bicolor Pencil. Another great one, perfect for assisting me with my legal research as I highlight and markup caselaw. (You lawyers and anyone else doing serious research will understand.)
T.G.S. Signature Book Darts. Could these be considered my first product collaboration? Maybe! Book Darts was kind enough to add a custom label to one of the more useful - though slightly offbeat - desk and reading accessories. Use these to mark favorite passages from beloved books, or alternatively to add sections to a single-subject notebook or journal!
Tombow and Uni Mitsubishi Office Pencils. Sometimes all you need is a standard No. 2 pencil, with an excellent graphite core, that won’t break the bank. Both Tombow and Mitsubishi make awesome pencils perfectly suitable for stocking your office supply closet or desk.
Midori MD Pencils. Featuring a smooth, bold “B” core and a thick lacquer in Midori’s signature white, these Japanese pencils are one of the most popular items in the shop.
Uni Kuru-Toga Mechanical Pencil. What I consider to be one of the best mechanical pencils available, largely due to the proprietary mechanism that rotates the lead as you write, maintaining a sharp point.
Caran d’Ache Eco Ballpoints. Looking for the Caran d’Ache writing experience in a standard “office supply” pen? The Eco is a quality alternative, especially if you’ve been searching for a more sustainable option like the version made from extruded wood chips.
Writing Pads from Write Notepads and Rhodia. I’m often asked about my preferred “legal pad” - to be honest, 90% of my writing done on looseleaf or writing pads is done on either Write Notepads Memo Pads or Rhodia Dot Pads. Both are cost-effective options for fountain pen friendly paper, and handle nearly all pens and ink exceptionally well.