Three Keeper Inks: Choosing Inks for 10 Fountain Pens

About a month ago, I undertook the “10 Fountain Pens” prompt challenge, in which I pulled 10 fountain pens from my collection that I would keep “if I could only keep 10.” Rather than just photograph them, I decided to ink or re-ink all 10 pens, since I hadn’t used several in quite some time. The inks I chose were a combination of new inks I picked up in my recent travels, potential new additions to the shop, and classic favorites that fit the “if I could only keep 10” theme. Today I’ll talk about 3 of the latter.

Note: This post is about the inks. If you’d like to learn more about the pens shown here, please see the original “10 Fountain Pens” post linked above.

View fullsize

Compare the dry Citrus Black shown here to the wet ink shown below.

Ink No. 1: Platinum Classic Citrus Black (Montblanc 146 with Medium Stub)

Sometimes a drier ink needs a wet-writing pen, and vice-versa. This Montblanc medium stub can be a challenge to use as an everyday writer given how wet the nib is, but with the Platinum Classic Series (which use iron gall), I can use this pen on all but the absolute flimsiest copy paper without significant bleedthrough or feathering. My favorite of the Platinum Classic inks is probably Citrus Black, which is a pale yellow when wet but dries to a dark green-gold. Iron gall inks are useful for taming ink flow in overly wet writing fountain pens, as they tend to be naturally dry. Don’t be fooled if they appear light or watery when first applied to paper - as the ink dries, the iron gall content bonds to the paper and not only darkens as it oxidizes but takes on a degree of permanence, so if your writing ever gets wet it won’t be entirely washed away.

View fullsize

Platinum Classic Citrus Black, when first applied to the page and still wet.

View fullsize

Note the small amount of “nib creep” (ink pooling on the end of the nib). This is a hallmark of some permanent inks, and does not affect how the pen writes. To learn more about permanent inks and how they might affect (or not affect) your pens, listed to On The Paper Trail Episode 13 where we have a fairly extensive discussion on ink permanence.

Ink No. 2: Maruzen Athena Blue (Pilot Custom 823 with Medium Blade Grind)

The Pilot Custom 823 is a favorite pen, but since it uses a vacuum-filling system it can be hard to clean thoroughly when changing ink colors. For that reason I rarely have this pen inked with anything other than a blue or blue-black ink, and it can be a challenge to find a variation that holds my interest. My current favorite is Maruzen’s in-house Athena Blue, which is a darker blue ink that flows extremely well, does not feather or bleed, and is permanent. How permanent? I ran a sheet of paper under the faucet for a full minute and the ink barely ran at all. The downside? You can only get this ink at the Maruzen shops in Tokyo, Japan, and they don’t sell the ink online.

View fullsize

The Maruzen Athena Blue doesn’t dry to as vibrant a shade of blue as the Taccia Ruri, discussed below, but on the other hand it flows well and is permanent.

View fullsize

Ink No. 3: Taccia Ukiyo-e Hiroshige Ruri (Pelikan M800 with Medium Perspective Grind)

Another blue ink? You bet. I’m a huge fan of the Taccia Ukiyo-e line, and while most of those inks tend to be on the muddier, subtler side, my personal favorite is Hiroshige Ruri, a vibrant blue. Taccia inks have a balanced flow works well in most pens, dry relatively quickly, and have some of the absolute best box artwork in the business. I tend to never save packaging, but I still have all my Taccia boxes.

View fullsize

While this particular ink can sheen red on certain coated papers, the sheen does not overwhelm the blue and importantly, the ink still dries relatively quickly with little smearing.

Are you interested in learning more about pairing pens and inks, including how to adjust the writing experience by switching up your ink? In the latest episode of our Podcast (On The Paper Trail, Epsiode 14), Lisa Vanness and I discuss how pairing the right ink with a “problem” pen can turn a pen you never use into an everyday workhorse. While changing ink and paper can’t fix all problems (sometimes you need a grind or a nib adjustment), you’d be surprised at how far it can take you. In any event, the never-ending quest to find the “perfect” ink for favorite pens is just plain fun.

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 also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

5 Considerations When Choosing a Notebook System (2026 Edition)

Next week is the D.C. Pen Show, and while I’ll be sharing table space with our friends at Vanness Pens, as we do every year, I’ll also be downstairs in the pen lounge hanging out and teaching, including my usual class on notebook systems. By “notebook system”, I’m referring to an organizational system that uses a cover to hold multiple notebooks, refills, and/or other accessories designed to work in combination. Brands that most people are familiar with include TRAVELER’S Company, Plotter, Roterfaden, Lochby, and others.

Typically when I teach this class I walk through the major types of systems and how each one works, along with some personal examples about how I’ve used different options over the years. Discussions can range from cover materials to bindings to refill sizes. I bring samples to pass around the room, and if you’ve been considering a specific brand, it’s a good way to get some hands-on experience before you make what can be an expensive purchase.

View fullsize

A few different brands that I may have on hand in D.C.

For those who can’t attend the class/seminar in person, please do check out the informational resources on Notebook Systems that we maintain on the site. As my own understanding of these systems evolves, and my own use changes, I also like to periodically offer my own thoughts and recommendations on how to get started. For 2026, here’s what I typically advise when people come to see me at a show or in the shop:

1. Practicality over aesthetics. Choose a system based on your actual needs, not what you think your needs should be (or what social media tells you your needs should be). For me, there are lots of systems out there that I think look really cool, but which don’t align with how I work and organize information. The best notebook system is the one you will use, and that you won’t struggle with incorporating into your everyday life.

2. Start slowly. Pick the one system you think will work best for you, and use it for a while to see if there are any holes in your workflow or organization. Add accessories as you need them, which helps to control costs. Try to avoid buying multiple new systems at once and testing them at the same time, as this prevents you from diving deep enough to understand how each system works.

3. That said, don’t be afraid to eventually use more than one system. I personally use a combination of different notebook systems, because I’ve found that each fits better in a different area of my life. The key is to be intentional about how you add things.

4. Universal sizing is almost always better than proprietary. Beware of companies that try to sell you an expensive cover where the only refill that fits is the notebook that company sells. If that company goes out of business, or you discover you don’t like the paper, you end up having to make your own refills or start over. Check measurements carefully and if at all possible choose standard A5 or B6 sizes or the slim equivalents of the same. Height is more important than width, especially with bound refills, because a notebook can usually be trimmed down to a narrower width, but cutting a notebook across the binding to make it shorter can cause it to fall apart.

5. It doesn’t have to “look pretty.” My notebooks are not Instagram or Tiktok-ready, which is why you don’t see me post pictures of them all that often. If you enjoy doodling or decorating the margins and headers, by all means do that, but don’t feel intimidated into not trying a specific system because “I could never make look like so-and-so.” (Take it from someone who has followed the stationery influencer world behind the scenes for a very long time - many of those notebooks you see displayed on social media accounts never actually get used beyond layouts for social media posts.)

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 also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

View fullsize

You aren’t going to find any stamps and stickers in my notebooks, which don’t make great content. :)

What's the Best Everyday Stationery Bag? My Own Considerations and 5 Options for Pen Show Season

We’re gearing up for pen show and trade show season, and I’ve been fielding regular questions about bag and case options in advance of Stationery Fest in NYC, the D.C. Pen Show the following week, and the San Francisco Pen Show later that month. In between, I may also be attending NY Now and Shoppe Object, two large to-the-trade stationery shows in New York City. So let’s just say that “stationery carry” is on my mind. Here I’m going to walk through a handful of considerations when choosing a show bag (or just a stationery bag in general), and then I’ll discuss a few of my go-to options. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but rather to offer some ideas based around models I use regularly.

View fullsize

I rarely overstuff a bag like this anymore, but with a well-designed option like the Rickshaw Banzai Bag, you certainly can!

Key Considerations for a Stationery Bag

1. Smaller Backpacks, Please. When you’re at a show, don’t be that person who carries the giant 40L backpack that slams into people, knocks over items on tables, and blocks peoples view. Just don’t. Some shows are actually imposing bag size limits. If you need a backpack, choose a smaller “day pack” size option that fits flat against your back. Even for everyday carry, you probably need a smaller bag than you think. When I have a bag that’s too big, stuff tends to shift and collect at the bottom and things get dinged up.

2. Choose a Bag Tailored to What You Actually Carry or Plan to Buy at a Show. If you’re going to a show mainly to buy a few pens or have pens ground, you can fit a LOT of pens into a very small bag, and you can even get away with carrying a small portfolio-style pen case or clutch. Tote bags are great if you’re shopping for lightweight items like washi tapes and other accessories. I’ve done pen shows with nothing but a Rickshaw Sinclair and it was super liberating to ditch the backpack or messenger bag. Buying paper or larger items requires more planning and extra capacity.

3. Comfort is Key. If you’re planning to carry heavy stuff (i.e., lots of paper), or if you’ll be out all day and need to carry snacks and a water bottle, choose a bag with a supportive strap. I cannot emphasize enough how heavy paper can get - try lugging it all over Tokyo in warm weather - and an ergonomic backpack was key to keeping the trip enjoyable.

4. Organization and Protection. I personally prefer bags with multiple compartments and pockets, to keep my notebooks separate from my water bottle, pen cases, and everything else. It also helps me stay organized since I carry so many different types of things with me at any given time. For shows, I would emphasize protection - if you’re buying pads of paper or soft notebooks, a bag with a laptop slot or a padded interior will keep them from getting dinged up in transit if you aren’t staying at the show venue and can’t run them up to your room or out to your car.

View fullsize

I’ve really reduced my carry over the years, and have largely moved on from an “I must take everything” approach.

My 5 Favorite Stationery Bags and Cases for Pen and Stationery Shows

1. Rickshaw Banzai Bag. Designed for pen people, this compact messenger/sling bag is unobtrusive and holds a surprising amount given its compact size. I like to carry this as part of a modular system with multiple Rickshaw cases including the Sinclair and Fillmore pen cases (discussed further below). For an even slimmer system that operates off this same concept, the Lochby Field Sling is designed to carry a notebook, a pen case, and maybe some extras.

2. Tom Bihn Synapse. I have the Synapse 25L but you can also opt for the smaller Synapse 19. I took the larger version to Japan, since it doubled as both a day bag and my primary carry-on. I love this bag because (1) it has at least 5 externally accessible zippered pockets and compartments, and (2) it doesn’t have a clamshell zipper, meaning that there’s no risk of the bag coming completely unzipped and all your stuff falling out. This bag can be cinched down to a compact size, but it can also hold a ton of stuff if you need it to.

3. Rickshaw Sinclair Model-R and/or Fillmore. These pen cases will hold 3-6 pens and a small notebook, and will fit inside the Banzai bag or any other bag or backpack. They are great for modular packing, but as mentioned above can also be carried on a stand-alone basis as a clutch. When I’m working from a coffee shop or going to pen club, more often than not I’m taking just a notebook or planner and my Fillmore. (The cloud design shown here is our own shop exclusive, which is hand-drawn by Nick Dominguez and available in multiple Rickshaw formats!)

4. Lochby Venture Pouch and/or Venture Pouch Mini. Similar to the Rickshaw cases, yet also completely different, the Lochby Venture Pouch is a double-sided pen pouch/bag that functions as a slotted pen case on one side and a standard stationery pouch on the reverse. (For a full demonstration of how this works, check out this YouTube video I did years ago.) The Lochby Field Sling also features a removable strap and can be carried clutch-style if you need slightly more capacity, or alternatively you can use a strap like that on the Field Sling and turn your Venture Pouch into a compact sling bag.

5. Any Tote Bag. As long as you don’t let them get too heavy, I LOVE tote bags for shows. I’ll typically stash a roll-up tote somewhere - either under the table or in my main bag - and break it out if I get carried away with my purchases. Tote bags are also great at stationery fests, where the emphasis is more on smaller, more lightweight items like stickers, washi tape, and less-precious pens and pencils. I will do a plug for the Rickshaw Musette, which features a longer strap and was designed for these events in that you can easily convert to a cross body bag for added security in crowded ballrooms.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by online purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

View fullsize

A top-down look at the Rickshaw Musette Tote, which is long enough to hold a full pad of paper. This can be worn over the shoulder, cross-body, or carried as a tote bag.

If I Could Only Keep Ten Fountain Pens....

“If you could only keep [___] fountain pens….” I try to avoid answering these questions because (1) the number ends up being somewhat arbitrary; and (2) I would never be able to limit myself. At the same time, as a thought experiment, it’s often helpful to engage in exercises like this one because it requires you to think about your likes and dislikes, what drives your collection/accumulation, and what you would want to use every day if you were forced to restrict yourself to a handful of pens. Here goes nothing, with a little history behind each selection.

View fullsize

Lamy 2000 (Medium Matthew Chen Kodachi Nib).

You knew that one pen on this list would be a Lamy 2000. But why just a standard black version and not one of the fancy limited edition releases? Because this particular pen features an excellent medium Kodachi nib by Matthew Chen that’s not only the best Kodachi I own but one of my first by Matthew. While this particular nib doesn’t offer a ton of line variation due to the narrower grind and relatively lack of tipping, it’s just enough to keep things interesting.

View fullsize

Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog (SFM Nib).

The Pilot Custom 74 is one of my core workhorse fountain pens, and I have several, including stock medium and extra-fine nibs. If I had to pick one to keep, however, it would be the recently released Lavender Fog for no other reason than the Soft Fine Medium nib, which adds a bit of bounce and line variation to the otherwise stiff 14k Custom 74 nib.

View fullsize

Pilot Custom 912 (Waverly Nib)

Yes, there are lots of Pilots on this list. Yes, most will be pens featuring Pilot specialty nibs. I have a full review of the Waverly in the works, and I’ll have more to say later, but this slightly upturned nib is designed to write smoothly at any angle and makes for an excellent all-day-every-day workhorse. Yes, the design of the Custom 912 is somewhat “understated,” but I also find it comfortable and well-balanced.

View fullsize

Pilot Custom 823 (Medium Mark Bacas Blade Nib).

This Pilot Custom 823 in Amber was the first really expensive fountain pen that I purchased, and has stayed in regular rotation for nearly 10 years due to the nib, which sports my first-ever blade/kodachi-style grind by Mark Bacas. If you notice the trend, yes, I enjoy grinding medium nibs for subtle line variation. And yes, this is indeed an Amber pen. It looks blue because it’s filled with dark blue ink.

View fullsize

Pilot Capless Decimo Nagasawa Kobe Gradation Harbor mint (Fine-Medium Nib).

These gradient-finish Pilot Decimos are made exclusively for Nagasawa Stationery, a Japanese retailer based in Kobe. This one features the rare fine-medium nib, which is - for me at least - the perfect nib width for everyday writing. I also love the color palette on this pen because it reminds me of the beach every time I write with it. (This specific model is the “Harbor Mint” release, now discontinued, but reach out to our friends at Vanness Pens who might have a few of this year’s Kobe Gradation release.)

View fullsize

Opus 88 Jazz (Medium Platinum 3776 Nib).

My not-really-an-Opus-88 pen, since it features a transplanted medium 14k Platinum 3776 nib that was swapped using a Flexible Nib Factory housing. This eyedropper pen is an absolute ink tank - It holds almost an entire 4ml sample! - and works great with shimmer inks since the nib is pretty wet.

View fullsize

Kasama Una PEEK/Titanium (Medium Mark Bacas Blade Nib).

I wanted to include at least one visually striking/unique pen from my collection, and after careful consideration I selected this piece by Kasama from the Philippines. The barrel features a combination of PEEK (an ultem-like medical-grade engineered plastic) and anodized titanium. Once again, you have a medium Mark Bacas Blade grind.

View fullsize

Pelikan M800 Souverain Stone Garden (Custom Nib Studio Perspective Nib)

This pen actually made me stop buying Pelikans, because the flecked tortoise-style barrel and dark blue acrylic has everything I was looking for visually in the brand. This M800 nib also features one of Gena’s “Perspective” grinds (Custom Nib Studio’s take on the blade/Kodachi style).

View fullsize

Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black Edition (Fine Nib).

A long-time favorite, and one of the few Sailor fountain pens that remains in my collection. This particular pen has sentimental value and would stay regardless, but it also has an excellent fine nib that’s stiff as a nail and exceptionally good for small writing and annotation. The original matte texture on this pen has worn shiny from so much use over the years.

View fullsize

Schon DSGN Faceted Titanium Shell (Fine Monoc Nib)

Finally, I would plan to keep what is easily the most unique pen in my entire collection in terms of both barrel design and nib. The Schon DSGN “Monoc” nib is designed and built completely in-house, featuring a unique ultem feed and a reversible tip that allows you to write fine or extra-fine. The hammered titanium barrel has a gentle texture which, when combined with a longer grip section, makes this pen surprisingly comfortable to use. I consider this a capstone piece to my personal collection and have bought relatively few expensive pens since acquiring this one.

A Final Note

When compiling this list, my core consideration was whether I could see myself writing with one of these chosen pens forever. As a result, the list draws heavily from (1) pens that house favorite nibs, and (2) pens I feel are exceptionally well balanced for everyday writing. I disregarded factors such as sentimentality and monetary value, even though I have countless pens that were gifted to me or made by friends, and will accordingly remain in my collection forever.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by online purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Happy 4th of July Weekend! Announcements, New Resources, and a Holiday Weekend Special!

There’s been a lot going on around here over the past six months, between upcoming in-person events, a new podcast, a trip to Japan, and ever-expanding brands in our shop! As we get caught up over the holiday weekend - and rest a bit - I wanted to take this opportunity for a few announcements on topics where we’ve received a lot of recent phone calls and e-mails:

• Store Hours: Unless otherwise posted, our regular shop hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 1pm-6pm, and from 10am-5pm on Saturdays. We are open normal hours this weekend!

• Upcoming Pen Show Events. We will be in attendance at the D.C. and San Francisco Pen Shows next month, primarily for in-person events and classes. You can come visit with us at the Vanness Pens Tables, but we will likely not have an independent T.G.S. setup given that we need to maintain inventory for both the online store and the Nashville shop.

• On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville (10/16-10/18). We continue to get questions about where/when to buy tickets to the October event Lisa and I are hosting for the podcast in Nashville, so I’m reposting the link. To clarify, weekend passes get you admission to the event plus a free bottle of our event ink, stickers, and some extra swag that is still in development! There will be both paid classes and free seminars, with sign-ups made available closer to the event date.

• Kaweco DIY Glow Event in October. While our current plan is to have the Kaweco DIY machine on-site at the On The Paper Trail Live event, we still have not received confirmation of the exact dates we will have the machine available and whether/when we can make these pens available in our standard shop.

TWSBI ECO “Horse Year” Fountain Pens are now available for pre-order.

Don’t Miss Our Fourth of July Weekend Ink Promotion!

All orders placed this weekend (from Thursday through 11:59pm CT Sunday) that qualify for free domestic shipping ($75+) will receive a complimentary bottle of ink with no coupon code necessary. View full details here.