Thursday Drops: Pens, Pens, and More Pens, Plus Undated Sumkin Planners!

Everyone’s been making a big deal ‘bout Hobonichi Day, but what if a more flexible, undated approach is your thing? We’ve got you covered! We recently received a shipment of the hardcover Sumkin (formerly Soumkine) “Oh My 307 Agendas” in Charcoal, though unfortunately the beloved mustard versions are no more. I also found a stash of Paris-themed blotter cards that shipped with one of my Sumkin/Soumkine orders, and purchases will receive a couple along with their shipment.

The Original Plus (right) has the makings of a sturdy workhorse, and it’s priced competitively.

Also, as noted on Tuesday, we welcomed a new brand to the shop, Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal)! We currently carry the Nahvalur Original Plus - an excellent vacuum-filler option that comes in four colors - as well as an ebonite version of the Nautilus in aubergine “Stylophora Berry” ebonite. I was going to make the initial promotion run through Monday, but let’s go ahead and make it month long: All Nahvalur purchases ship with a complimentary ink sample: We’re testing out several possible ink brand additions to the shop and are awash in inks. Purchase a Nahvalur pen and receive a “generous pour” of matching ink so you’re reading to write!

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My ink “experimentation station”. Serious about this, y’all.

What’s behind this push further into the world of fountain pens? We’ll see, but if the Nahvalur Original Plus and the Nautilus do well, we’re actively working to expand and possibly bring more of a pen presence to our local area. (For now, residents of the greater Nashville, Tennessee area can use the coupon code “615PICKUP” at checkout and e-mail me at joe (at) gentlemanstationer.com in order to arrange local pickup.)

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

1. Nahvalur (Formerly Narwhal Pens) Original Plus Demonstrator. Don’t be afraid of the vacuum filler! At the D.C. Pen Show last month, Nahvalur unveiled it’s successor to the “Original” series, which in addition to switching to a high-capacity vacuum-filling system, moved to a more subtle acrylic to create a nice-looking pen.

2. TWSBI Vac Mini Fountain Pen. For those looking for something a bit more pocketable, we have a couple of TWSBI Vac Mini’s in stock, which also use a high-capacity vacuum-filling system to create a true “pocket ink tank.” Read the review of this one here.

3. Nahvalur “Nautilus” Piston Filler Fountain Pen in “Stylophora Berry” Ebonite. Nahvalur gave me one of these pens to test out at the Atlanta Pen Show back in April, and I’ve had it inked ever since. When I saw the pairing of eggplant striated ebonite and rose gold plated trim at the D.C. Show, I knew we would want to bring these in house.

4. The Latest TWSBI Releases! There are too many to name all of them, but TWSBI has been on a tear over the past few months with the ECO Glow Green, ECO Transparent Yellow, and Diamond 580 “Iris”, among others.

5. Sumkin (Formerly Soumkine) “Oh My 307” Undated Agendas. Sumkin has reimagined their brand lately, and for now has indicated that they will discontinue production of these hardcover notebooks. I managed to get another order in before they ran out, and we currently have stock in both Charcoal and Rose. While intended to be used as a flexible undated “agenda” or planner, the fountain pen friendly paper works equally well as a standard hardcover notebook with a rare “narrow” format.

6. Platinum Plaisir “Aura” Limited Edition Fountain Pens. The humble Plaisir has been getting more attention from Platinum, and that’s a good thing. The pearlescent white finish on this release subtly reflects the green, blue, or pink shade of the grip section, depending on how you angle the pen in the light. It’s a unique finish that makes me smile.

7. Midori 70th Anniversary Fountain Pen and Ink Set. For their 70th Anniversary, Midori released a whole bunch of limited edition products, ranging from special notebooks to five-year journals to full fountain pen and ink sets. This set not only gets you a special clear demonstrator featuring Midori’s excellent nib, but a bottle of ink and a converter.

8. Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” Series 4. We haven’t forgotten about Caran d’Ache, one of our original brands to carry here in the Curated Shop. This year’s “Claim Your Style” Series features six new colors with a satin finish. I originally thought I preferred the blues but now can’t really pick a favorite. The yellow is a sleeper.

9. Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pens and Pocket Drafting Tools. Another old favorite is fully restocked, and the Penco Perfections (especially the “Light” pens) have been flying off the shelves.

10. Mazzuoli “Nobile ITALIA” Ballpoint/Mechanical Pencil. I haven’t made a plug for this exceptionally ergonomic ballpoint/mechanical pencil hybrid in a while, and that’s unfair. Designed to mimic the shape of its namesake airship, the Nobile ITALIA ships with three different Schmidt ballpoint refills, plus a .7mm mechanical pencil insert so you can change things up as your needs differ.

Thursday Drops: The Return of the Hightide/Penco Pocket Pens, Bookstands, Hourglasses, and More!

When I announced this summer that I was taking a pause to refocus the shop, the most requested line to bring back was the Hightide line of desk accessories, including the Folding Metal Bookstands and Hourglasses, as well as the Penco line of “Perfection” Bullet and Drafting Pocket Pens in all finishes, ranging from simple acrylic to chrome, brass, and matte black.

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The Penco Drafting Writer ballpoint is a pocket drafting pen that ships with what I believe is an Ohto needle-tip refill.

We have also received full restocks of Lochby (which means the Quattro four-pen case is back in stock!) as well as what might be the last shipment of Soumkine hardcover Agendas in the Charcoal cover.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

1. Penco “Perfection” Light Bullet/Pocket Pens. I have been carrying one of these inexpensive pocket pens clipped to my Plotter Mini-5 notebook for the better part of a week. Lightweight and versatile, they accept D1 refills and ship with something that feels like a hybrid gel/ballpoint refill (possibly a Jetstream). They come in multiple colors and the blue-grey/light blue is a stunner.

2. Penco “Perfection” Brass Bullet Pens. Perfect for those who like the format of the Fisher Space Pen “Bullet” but want something more substantial. These also take the same D1 refill as the Perfection “Light” bullet pens, and come in three different finishes of chrome, brass, and matte black.

3. Penco Drafting Pencil. Who wants a pocket-sized drafting pencil in .5mm lead size? (Raises hand.)

4. Penco Drafting Ballpoint Pen. While sold separately from the pencil, this similarly styled drafting pen ships with a needle-tip D1 refill (and is of course also compatible with other universal D1-sized refills).

5. Hightide Hourglasses/Sandglasses. The first “cult hit” that we stocked in the Curated Shop, these beautiful hourglasses (yes, they’re actually made from glass) come in 30, 15, 5, and 3-minute intervals. I use them for anything from pomodoro-style work intervals, to timing breaks, to meditation. Honestly, they’re relaxing simply to watch on your desk.

6. Hightide Folding Metal Bookstands. While conceived as a bookstand that allows you to hold a book upright while reading, cooking, etc., they fold up for easy transport and can pull double duty holding a notepad while you transcribe notes, or even a tablet. Nearly all colors are restocked.

7. Lochby Quattro Pen Cases. The Quattro sold out extremely quickly following an appearance at the 2022 D.C. Pen Show. It’s now back in stock, along with all of the other Lochby cases and refills.

8. Soumkine “Oh My 307’ Agendas. These undated hardcover planners (which are an open system, so they can also be used as a notebook) feature fountain-pen friendly paper in a “tall/narrow” hardcover format. Soumkine is reworking their product line, and I don’t believe this particular notebook will be brought back, at least for now, so I’m trying to get these while I can.

9. Caran d’Ache “Claim Your Style” Edition 4 Ballpoint Pens. This year’s Caran d’Ache CYS pens are available for purchase, and all of the colors are good. I don’t think I can pick a favorite. (Some of the Edition 3 remain and are on sale.)

10. Caran d’Ache 2022 Limited Edition 849 Ballpoint Pens. In addition to the Claim Your Style pens, Caran d’Ache has released two other special finishes, one in “Dark Violet” and another in “Pastel Yellow.” Both are in stock and like all Caran d’Ache pens, ship with the excellent “Goliath” ballpoint refill.

The Penco Perfection Light Bullet Pen comes in a range of different colorful options.

Thursday Drops: Only the Best (and Most Unique) Writing Paper!

Here on the retail side of T.G.S., we’re committed to selecting only what we consider to be the best paper products available for general purpose writing - whether that be for business or personal use. Unless it’s paper intended for a specific purpose and noted otherwise, you can assume that what we carry works with fountain pens. Read more about fountain pen friendly paper here.

Clockwise from top left: TWSBI ECO Glow Green (yes it does glow in the dark!); the Caran d’Ache Dark Violet Limited Edition; TWSBI Diamond 580 Iris; and Platinum Plaisir Aurora.

Also, we still have a handful of TWSBI ECO Glow Green fountain pens from the initial shipment, along with restocked nib sizes on most other TWSBI models, as well as the limited edition Platinum Plaisir Aurora (all of which look exceptionally good with the slightly color-tinged pearlescent white finish).

[UPDATE: As of midday Thursday, September 1, we are restocked on Penco Perfection Bullet Pens and Drafting Pens and Ballpoints, Hightide Folding Book Stands, and a VERY limited number of the large (30 minute and 15 minute) hourglasses.]

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands shown here.

1. Clairefontaine French-Ruled (Seyes) Paper. Probably my all-time favorite paper ruling, not only because the paper itself looks unique but because I love the versatility of the lines. We received a shipment of wire-bound and staple-bound French-ruled notebooks yesterday, and we still have the booklet-bound looseleaf sheets.

2. Clairefontaine Triomphe Writing Pads. A favorite for written correspondence and other general purpose writing, Clairefontaine’s “Triomphe” series comes in both letter and A5 size and features bright-white paper stock excellent for showcasing ink.

3. Quo Vadis Habana Fountain Pen Friendly Edition. I consider the Quo Vadis Habana to be among the best - if not the best - of the “A5 elastibound notebooks”. This particular model features the white dot grid Clairefontaine paper so it’s more fountain pen friendly than the ivory lined notebook.

4. Midori MD Cotton Paper Writing Pads. Another personal favorite, especially when I’m looking for an absorbent paper with quicker dry times. Midori writing pads - both the cotton and the standard MD - are bound both vertically and horizontally to prevent paper curling and to allow you to use the pad in portrait or landscape mode, such as beneath a keyboard. Standard Midori MD writing pads in grid and blank ruling are also available.

5. Midori MD Cotton Notebooks. Midori Cotton paper comes in notebook form too, in the F0, F2, and F3 sketchbook sizing. (Though they’re perfectly suitable for writing as well!) It can be difficult to keep these in stock so we bought a lot this time.

6. Midori MD Notebooks and Covers. While not a notebook system per se, Midori MD Notebooks come with a range of compatible accessories, including notebook covers in natural undyed goat leather, a very durable Japanese paper cover, and standard plastic PVC sleeves. The covers can hold not just the standard MD notebooks but also two of the slimmer MD Light notebooks.

7. Traveler’s Company Spiral Ring Notebooks (featuring MD Paper). In addition to the flagship Traveler’s Notebook, Traveler’s Company makes these excellent spiral ring notebooks in A5 slim, A6 slim, and a Landscape B6 layout that features blank white Midori MD paper for both writing and sketching.

8. Soumkine “Oh My 307” Agenda. We still have five of these to-be-discontinued Soumkine hardcover planners in rose, and I’m attempting to get some additional stock in other colors but I’m not sure of the availability. At some point, these undated, open-format planners will go away as Soumkine is changing their business model so if you enjoy them to use as either a planner or a notebook stock up!

9. Maruman Mnemosyne Notebooks and Notepads. Japanese stationers Maruman were in attendance at the San Francisco show, and while I didn’t have a chance to visit with them on-site, I was excited to see that they did bring the A5 Notepad Folio/Holders, which hold an A5 pad and also features five folders for organizing your notes.

10. Life “Noble Note” Paper. An undersung stationery brand that often doesn’t get the attention it deserves, Life paper is excellent and comes in both pad and notebook format. There are also some specialty pads such as Bank Paper and Typewriter Paper that I am looking to restock soon.

Thursday Drops: Pre-San Francisco Restock on Midori and Traveler's (Plus TWSBI Glow Green)

Pen show long weekends are always popular shopping weekends (regardless of whether you’re attending the show!) so I took the opportunity to restock on favorites in our core lines, including TWSBI, Midori MD, and Traveler’s Company. Most nib sizes in the Diamond 580 line are now in stock, in all finishes, and we have fresh stock of all Midori MD leather covers, as well as Midori MD Cotton Paper! Finally, there are a handful of TWSBI ECO Glow Green preorders still available, with at least one pen in all nib sizes.

Happy shopping! Please note that any orders placed today (8/25) through the weekend will begin shipping Monday, upon my return from the San Francisco Pen Show.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

1. TWSBI ECO “Glow Green” Preorders Are Live. My shipment of Glow Green ECOs - yes, they glow in the dark this time! - is due to arrive late tonight or early tomorrow, and orders will start shipping Monday. These have sold fast, though I do have at least one remaining in each nib size.

2. TWSBI Diamond 580 “Iris” Restock. In addition to the “Glow Green” ECO, we have a full stock of the Diamond 580 and Vac700R pens available in the Iris finish, along with additional stock of many popular nib sizes in other finishes.

3. Midori MD Cotton Writing Pads. Midori MD Cotton writing paper is among my favorite, since it’s incredibly ink friendly and relatively quick-drying due to its absorbency. The MD Cotton Paper has been a longtime shop favorite, so we really stocked up this time.

4. Midori MD Cotton Notebooks. Similar to the MD Cotton Writing Pads, we have a hard time keeping these notebooks in stock. All sizes currently available.

5. Midori MD Writing Pads (Graph and Blank). In addition to the MD Cotton, we have standard Midori MD Paper in both graph ruling and blank format.

6. Midori MD Leather Notebook Covers. There has been a strong demand to bring back the Midori MD undyed leather goatskin covers, which are not only durable and made to last for many years, but will develop their own patina as they age. We have these in sizes ranging from A6 all the way up to A4. These are intended to hold one MD Notebook in their respective size, or two MD light notebooks.

7. Midori MD A7 Sticky Memo Pads. These useful paper pads combine larger memo pads with sticky notes in several different formats of fountain pen friendly paper. We now have the full line in stock, including dot grid.

8. Traveler’s Notebook 2022 Limited Edition Sets. We currently have a few of the “Traveler’s Airline” sets available, which contain a special standard-size blue cover plus airline-themed accessories that you aren’t able to get outside of the limited set. When these are gone, that’s it for 2022. (We also have one Traveler’s Records set and one Traveler’s Train in passport size.)

9. Traveler’s Notebook Standard Size Starter Kits. Not interested in the limited sets? As of yesterday, we are fully restocked on standard colors and most accessories.

10. Clairefontaine Looseleaf French-Ruled Paper. As I was reorganizing the other day, I realized that I still have a handful of the “double booklets” of Clairefontaine French-ruled paper!

Thursday Drops: 2022 Caran d'Ache Limited Editions Are In!

I mentioned last month that I had begun the process of selling down some of my excess inventory so that I could refocus the shop around those brands I feel very strongly about, one of which is Caran d’Ache, the Swiss manufacturer of the famed 849 ballpoint. Each year, Caran d’Ache releases a series of limited edition releases, including the popular “Claim Your Style” six color release, as well as at least one limited edition inspired by a special theme. Both happened to arrive yesterday!

From left, Quartz Pink, Frozen Lemon, Garnet Red, Clay Green, Azure Blue, and Polar Blue.

This year’s 2022 Limited Edition is a two pen set (sold separately), featuring Dark Violet and Pastel Neon Yellow finishes, inspired by nocturnal and daytime light. The pens are designed to complement one another, with the Dark Violet featuring Pastel Yellow writing, and vice-versa. The 2022 Claim Your Style pens (Edition 4) feature satin finishes and metallic clips in six monochrome shades: Polar Blue, Azure Blue, Frozen Yellow, Garnet Red, Clay Green, and Quartz Pink. The Garnet Red is quite close to my ideal Caran d’Ache 849, and the Polar Blue is an ice blue/blue-grey and absolutely gorgeous. Check out these and other products recently restocked!

1. 2022 Caran d’Ache 849 Limited Edition Dark Violet and Pastel Neon Yellow Ballpoints. Dark Violet for the win, but why not just get both?

2. 2022 Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style Season 4”. All six of this year’s colors are exceptionally good, and I’m glad to see Caran d’Ache stuck with a monochrome finish. There’s just enough contrast to keep them interesting, yet the color schemes are coherent. (Note that I have a very small number of last year’s Season 3 pens on sale.)

3. Platinum Plaisir Aura 2022 Limited Edition. We are beginning to stock more Platinum fountain pens, and the first to arrive are the 2022 limited edition “Aura” finishes, which feature a pearlized white finish with one of three colors showing through, depending on how light hits the pen.

4. Caran d’Ache 849 Mechanical Pencil in Anthracite Grey. The 849 “Anthracite Grey” finish is by far my favorite from the standard lineup, with a tactile matte texture and a darker shade. The mechanical pencil has been on backorder and I’m happy to finally be able to add it.

5. TWSBI Diamond 580 Iris Fountain Pen. Unless you’ve been hiding from fountain pen news (intentionally or not), you’ll have heard that TWSBI recently released their Diamond 580 piston filler fountain pen in an “Iris” finish. It’s one of the fastest selling models I’ve seen.

6. TWSBI ECO Transparent Yellow. The latest TWSBI ECO Transparent Demonstrator hits a sweet spot for me, featuring one of my favorite colors for fountain pens. Those who visited my table in D.C. were able to see this one in person.

7. TWSBI Diamond 580 Rose Gold II in White. The “Smoke” RGII is one of our top sellers, but the White is stunning. I’ve had both in rotation.

8. Midori MD Pencil Drawing Set. I have a handful of these Midori MD pencil sets, which feature graphite writing/drawing pencils in various grades, along with metal caps to protect the points and a sharpener.

9. M+R Brass Lead Pointers. I wasn’t sure I was going to continue carrying these high-quality brass German sharpeners, but you all were up in arms requesting that I bring them back. A new shipment of Lead Pointers came in this week. You will want one of these if you’re considering a Caran d’Ache Fixpencil or other 2mm leadholder.

10. M+R Sharpener Refill Blades. Blades are back in stock, in both standard size and Castor/Pollux size.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands shown here.