Thursday Drops: National Pencil Day (Continued) Plus Atlanta Pen Show Offer

Pen Show Season has a couple of different “rush” periods, where multiple shows take place quickly. March and April have the Baltimore, Arkansas, and Atlanta shows all within a month, and while I’ve done all three before, it’s been too hard this year. I will be in attendance at the Atlanta Pen Show this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, and while I won’t have a table, I’m happy to arrange show pickup for any orders you would like me to bring on either of those days, as long as we can arrange to meet before noon on Sunday. Use the code “615PICKUP” at check out to drop shipping charges, and I’ll reach out to arrange at time to meet.

Also, yesterday I launched via the Instagram Stories a National Pencil Day Promotion for 10% off all wood and mechanical pencils, using the coupon code “PENCILDAY22” at checkout. I’ll keep this coupon code live through close of business tomorrow (Friday, April 1) since things tend to get buried on the ‘gram.

Several new products hit the store this week. The new Midori MD 70th Anniversary Fountain Pen Sets have sold like crazy, to the point where I only have two left, one in blue and one in orange. (I’ll have to hunt a grey one this weekend in Atlanta to keep for myself.) We also received 22-pencil Hi-Uni Pencil Sets, containing pencils in 22 different grades of graphite so you can experience the full spectrum of what Mitsubishi has to offer in the Hi-Uni lineup.

1. Midori MD 70th Anniversary Fountain Pen and Ink Sets. Midori has released a clear version of its standard MD fountain pen, in a set complete with a cartridge, converter, and bottle of one of three inks that matches their orange-grey-blue color scheme (the same as found in their MD colored pencils).

2. Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Pencil Sets. Featuring 22 different grades of graphite from 10H to 10B, with F and HB in-between, this pencil set is perfect for artists or others looking to experience the full range of graphite grades that Mitsubishi has to offer.

3. Midori MD Pencil Drawing Set. A drawing set for those of us who like our graphite on the “Darker Side”. Includes Midori MD pencils in 6B, 4B, 2B, B, and HB grades, plus pencil caps and a sharpener.

4. Midori MD “Codex” Day-to-a-Page Notebooks. Freshly restocked in both dot grid and the blank versions, the “Codex” has enough Midori MD paper to allow you go to for an entire year on a page-per-day basis, and ships with stickers to help you set this notebook up for anything from journaling to multi-subject notetaking to planning. Consider adding on some Midori MD Sticky Notes or Undated Planner Stickers to customize your notebook even further.

5. Soumkine “Oh My 307” Universal Planner. I snapped up a bunch of these when I heard that Soumkine would be winding up their Atelier (hopefully only temporarily but I wasn’t taking any chances). We’re running low on the classic “Mustard” covers.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Midori and all other brands we stock. In addition to the fountain pens discussed here, we carry the full range of Midori MD notebooks, writing paper, pencils, and other desk accessories.

Thursday Drops: Old Favorites and Gently Used Updates

Our curated retail operation has expanded fairly quickly, but I want to be sure not to lose sight of the original brands that we continue to stock, though I haven’t exactly done the best job of promoting them recently amidst all the new arrivals. Among other things, we’ve recently restocked on Write Notepads, Book Darts, Clairefontaine, and more. I’ve also marked down some additional items that remain in the “Gently Used” section (including inks)! This last batch of Gently Used items has sold fairly quickly, and I’ll be working up another sale in a couple of months once I finish my ongoing office renovations. Happy Thursday! The weekend is almost here!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands shown here. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

1. “Open Box” Ink Sale (via T.G.S. “Gently Used”). About quarterly, I try to clear out my pens and inks that are getting less use than they should, and put them up for sale in the “Gently Used” section. T.G.S. Patreon subscribers always have first crack at any sales before items become available to the public, in addition to many other benefits.

2. Write Notepads Classic Hardcover Notebook. These casebound journals make an excellent choice for a commonplace book, personal journal, or any other situation where you want a long-lasting hardcover notebook that will look great on a shelf, in perpetuity. Now available in both dot grid and lined versions.

3. Write Notepads Weekly Planners (Undated). The undated planner is a severely under-sung piece of gear that I use every week in one form or another. The Write Notepads version is a versatile, full-sized landscape notebook that allows you to plan your week in detail, take notes organized by day, or simply brainstorm in a chronological fashion.

4. Midori MD 1 Day, 1 Page “Codex” Notebook. I’m always amazed at the ways in which people describe their use of the Midori MD Codex. It not only makes for an excellent personal journal or undated planner, but it’s also apparently popular in creative writing classes where people use it for a poem-a-day, morning pages, and the like.

5. Rhodia A5 Webnotebook. One of the best “basic A5 notebooks” on the market, the Rhodia Webbie is in stock in all three colors (black, orange, and silver), in both lined and dot grid varieties.

6. Clairefontane 1951 Clothbound A5 Notebook. What’s turned out to be our most popular Clairefontaine notebook is back in stock in all colors! These retro-style clothbound notebooks feature lined fountain-pen friendly Clairefontaine paper.

7. Clairefontaine French-Ruled Paper (Notebooks + Looseleaf). We remain stocked up on my favorite paper of all time, Clairefontaine’s Seyes-ruled, or “French-ruled”, paper, available in both notebook form and looseleaf. Looseleaf is an import order, so we’re down to just a few variants remaining.

8. Kokuyo Sketch Books, Trip Books, and Accessories. These cult favorite Japanese hardcover pocket notebooks are long-time shop favorites, and many people don’t know that they come in colors beyond green, and there are dot grid “Trip Book” versions available! We also recently added this cool bookmark template that allows you to mark your pages with shorthand symbols to track different things if you use this (or any other notebook) as a mini-journal.

9. Caran D’Ache Editing Pencils. While the red/graphite editing pencil is one of my most-used stationery items, the highlighter/graphite combo is also exceptionally good. We sell these individually and by the dozen, and judging by how many dozens we go through, there are dozens of us out there. Dozens!

10. Book Darts. Finally, we’re fully restocked on Book Darts, in all finishes and quantities, as well as the bookmark sleeves.

Thursday Drops: Travel Stationery

As much of the world begins to reopen following an easing of the pandemic, many of us have found ourselves traveling once again, whether for work or pleasure. This morning, I’m headed out on the road for an entire week for the first time since early 2020. I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it - I’ve grown used to the comforts of working from home, and don’t really miss the inconveniences and indignities of modern air travel (especially short-haul domestic), but there are so many friends and colleagues whom I haven’t seen in person for years. It also gives me the opportunity to break out my travel gear, especially the chance to put my “Traveler’s Stationery” to good use. This week’s Thursday Drops features several items that will be accompanying me this week, and you may even see some action shots on Instagram as I hit up the Baltimore Pen Show!

UPDATE: I’ve added some new items to the “Gently Used” page, which features several items I’m looking to clear out of my collection to make room for show acquisitions and more reviews. All are in near perfect condition, with most of the inks missing just 1-2 fills.

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From left, the SchonDSGN Pocket Six in Faceted Brass, SchonDSGN Classic Ballpoint in DLC Coated Stainless Steel, Traveler’s Company Brass Pencil, Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint, and Traveler’s Company Fountain Pen in Factory Green.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold. PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM TRAVELING FOR THE NEXT WEEK AND ITEMS WILL SHIP STARTING 3/18 UPON MY RETURN. As always, if you place an order during my pen show travels or when I’m otherwise out of town, I always include extras and freebies in your order as a special thanks. I appreciate your support and being patient with a small two-person business!

1. Traveler’s Notebook. By far my favorite “travel” stationery item is my Traveler’s Notebook. I placed “travel” in quotes because I actually use it as my work planner and everyday productivity notebook, and it “travels” with me pretty much wherever I go. For trips, this notebook is pretty much indispensable, as I can take full advantage of the various folders, zippered cases and other accessories.

2. Sunderland mk1 Rollerball - TGS Special Edition. An indestructible pen that’s an excellent option for travel, I was fortunate to be able to do a collaboration with Brad Sunderland on this exclusive edition mk1 rollerball with a T.G.S. matte black and matte burgundy color scheme. I have exactly one of these pens remaining in stock.

3. Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint Pen. My personal favorite of the “TRC Brass” writing instruments, the ballpoint features a needle-tip hybrid ballpoint-gel refill that is an exceptionally nice pen for working on airplanes or reading in bed (or on the beach). Also available in the “Factory Green” finish.

4. Traveler’s Company Brass Fountain Pen and “Fountain Pen Rollerball”. Traveler’s Company has taken the “bullet pencil” format and expanded it beyond ballpoints and woodcase pencils, to include a fountain pen and rollerball that both take standard international fountain pen ink cartridges. The nib on the fountain pen is excellent.

5. Traveler’s Company Brass Bullet Pencil. Arguably the most faithful modern interpretation of the classic bullet pencil, the Traveler’s Company version is both classy and durable. I love the round, dark pencil refills and the massive pink eraser.

6. SchonDSGN Classic Machined Pen (via SchonDSGN). If I have to throw a third-party link into my travel pen post, it’s going to go to Schon DSGN. Their classic ballpoint is, well, a classic.

7. Schon DSGN Pocket 6 Fountain Pen (via SchonDSGN). A pocket fountain pen with a full-size JoWo No. 6 nib? This pen is outstanding, and perhaps the best pocket fountain pen option on the market. You can read my review here.

8. Pokka Pens and Accessories. The absolute best inexpensive pocket ballpoint is back in stock, along with all of the clips, caps, and keychain accessories.

9. Penco D1 Bullet Pen. This under-sung pocket ballpoint option comes in three different finishes, chrome, brass, and black, and features an excellent D1 refill that nonetheless can be swapped out with your D1 refill of choice.

10. Refills for All Pens Sold. Of course, we sell refills for all of the pocket ballpoints we offer, ranging from ballpoint refills to pencils to fountain pen ink cartridges.

Thursday Drops: New Arrivals Throughout the Redesigned Curated Shop!

We recently redesigned our entire online shop in order to make it easier to navigate and to give ourselves room to grow by bringing even more exceptional stationery products on board. This past few weeks have seen a dramatic expansion of our selection of woodcase pencils and pencil accessories, as well as a new notebook and case system from Lochby. Be sure to check out these and more!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of WMS + Co. and other brands we stock. 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!

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Curated Pens & Pencils

• Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Pencils. Often regarded as one of the best woodcase pencils on the market, the Mitsubishi Hi-Uni is now available in 2B, B, F, and HB grades, both individually and by the dozen.

• Tombow MONO 100 Pencils. The similarly high-end Tombow MONO 100 is a favorite of writers and artists, also stocked in 2B, B, F, and HB grades and sold individually and by the dozen.

• Erasers! Those of us who know the frustration of having a crappy eraser stuck to our wood pencil can appreciate a quality stand-alone rubber eraser. We now stock Tombow erasers suitable for multiple scenarios, from the general purpose Tombow MONO to the MONO Light (suitable for delicate papers), to the Dust Catch, to the MONO Sand Eraser.

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In addition to the notebook systems discussed below, we’ve recently aded the Soumkine Universal Planner to the Shop!

Curated Paper & Notebook Systems

• Lochby Notebooks and Cases. Made from vegan-friendly waxed canvas, the Lochby series of notebooks and cases include the A5-sized “Field Journal”, the smaller “Pocket Journal”, as well as the Quattro four-pen case and Tool Roll (which of course can also hold pens and a wide variety of writing instruments). The Field Journal and Pocket Journal each ship with 68gsm Tomoe River refills, which are standard A5 and pocket sized and can be used in any other compatible notebook cover or system.

• Midori MD Notebooks and Paper. One of the most popular Japanese notebook systems on the market, and for good reason: Midori makes a versatile range of notebooks, notebook covers, writing pads, and accessories such as Diary Stickers and Sticky Memo Pads (recently added!). For those looking for something a bit more traditional and open-format than Traveler’s Notebook.

• Traveler’s Notebook. We have the full range of Traveler’s Notebook Covers, Refills, and Accessories in stock, including all of the Standard MD Paper Refills, Specialty Paper Refills (including Tomoe River “Lightweight Paper”), and the “B-Sides and Rarities” collection. If you’re interested in learning more about Traveler’s Notebooks, check out this post on how I’ve set mine up, as well as this post showing how to connect multiple refills and accessories inside the cover.

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Curated Desk & Reading Accessories

I’m a person of many interests, and many hobbies, and while pens and ink are first and foremost my main distraction in what little spare time I still have, reading is a close No. 2. For that reason, when we set out to form The Curated Shop, I knew that it would always stock a healthy selection of bookmarks, book stands, and related desk accessories such as desk trays and even hourglasses. If you spend any time at all in The Curated Shop, be sure to check out this section, which as always been my personal favorite.

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My personal enamel pin collection.

Curated Washi Tape and Enamel Pins

I’m currently working on expanding our selection of interesting washi tapes and enamel pins, and I absolutely love this product category because it offers a fun and inexpensive way to express yourself at the office and at home in your notebooks and journal.

Presidents' Day Pencil Promotion!

To celebrate Presidents’ Day, in addition to our recent launch of several new brands of pencils and pencil accessories, we’re offering a free gift with the purchase of any dozen pencils from the T.G.S. Curated Shop! No coupon code is necessary to take advantage of this promotion - for every dozen pencils purchased, you’ll receive a unique vintage American pencil, an uncommon limited edition, or a high-quality Japanese pencil from the T.G.S. Archives! Offer applies to both a “mixed dozen” (any dozen pencils purchased individually) as well as pencils sold by the box. Promotion ends today (2/21) at 11:59pm Central U.S. Time.

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The Tombow 2558 is a solid choice for a yellow office pencil, available in both HB and B grades.

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Tombow MONO Erasers!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop stocks a wide variety of woodcase and mechanical pencils, as well as quality sharpeners and erasers, in addition to a heavily curated selection of paper and notebooks, desk and reading accessories, and fun stuff like pins and washi tape. We appreciate your support!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we stock. 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!