A Closer Look: Best Notebooks for a Commonplace Book

One of the new habits I've been trying to adopt in 2021 is keeping a commonplace book, which, to me, is a notebook that serves as a repository of notes, quotes, and clippings from books and articles I've read. There are many different ways “to commonplace,” in terms of how you organize your notes and index the information. Personally, I'm still experimenting with different techniques and plan to write more on this in the future, as it's become a bigger part of my everyday life and writing setup.

View fullsize

One thing I have thought a lot about (unsurprisingly) is which notebook works best for my style of notetaking and commonplacing. There are a range of different factors to take into account, but for me the key considerations are (1) paper versatility, meaning that the paper works well with a wide range of writing instruments; (2) portability, meaning that the notebook can move with me, not only when I travel but also when I change work locations; and (3) archival options, meaning that the notebook will hold up to long term storage and can easily be organized for posterity - after all, one reason to organize reading notes in this manner is to be able to go back and look things up later. I don’t feel like this is mere “gear obsession.” Rather, by finding a system that works for me on the front end, I will have a consistent set of notes that will be easy to reference for years to come.

1. Write Notepads Hardcover Notebook. My current commonplace book lives in one of these lined A5 hardcover notebooks from Write Notepads. Lined paper typically isn't my preferred ruling, but ultimately (1) the paper quality and (2) the ability to store a durable hardcover notebook over the long-term won out. I can't emphasize how great these notebooks look on a shelf, and the sturdy binding will ensure they last a long time. While I’m happy with this notebook, the downside is size, as you end up having to carry an extra hardcover book with you - not a minor thing if you’re like me and prefer to read physical books as opposed to using e-readers.

2. Traveler's Notebook. Though I’ve enjoyed the Write Notepads Hardcover Notebook, I'm considering moving my commonplace book inside my Traveler's Notebook, likely to a 128-page, "Lightweight Paper" refill. The paper quality on this refill is excellent, and while it's not labeled as such, I assume it is Tomoe River paper. Why move to a Traveler's Notebook? Portability and the ease of having all of my various notes, planners, and journals under one cover, but separated into different refills. I also use one of the PVC zippered pouches to carry some Book Darts linemarkers, and if you use sticky notes, there's even an insert for that! The downside to Traveler's Notebook inserts would appear to be the ability to archive them, but the availability of refill binders, each of which holds five used Traveler’s Notebook inserts, may solve this issue.

3. Nanami Paper Seven Seas Writer or Crossfield. If you exclusively use fountain pens, and/or want a notebook with as many pages as you can cram into it, Nanami Paper’s Seven Seas series offers nearly 500 pages of Tomoe River Paper. This A5 notebook also fits many standard leather covers, including those sold directly by Nanami, and the stand-alone notebook is durable enough to withstand a long "shelf life" after it's filled. You'll want to keep up on your indexing as you go, however, as 500 pages will hold a LOT of notes.

4. Index Cards, or Alternatively, Pocket Notebooks. Ryan Holiday, who writes The Daily Stoic website and has published several books, is a big proponent of commonplacing, and he also uses an index card system that's incredibly versatile, especially if you plan to use your reading notes as research for a book or another larger writing project. (Obviously, index cards are much easier to organize by topic than notes in a notebook.) The downside to this system, at least for me, is storage, since it requires a large box (or boxes) to store and index the cards. I also see how one could utilize this system with pocket notebooks, if you don't fancy the idea of carrying loose cards with you on the go. Field Notes pocket notebooks are relatively inexpensive, and you can file them away by topic using the Archival Box with included dividers.

View fullsize

And finally, something different...

Day One Journaling App. I’ve actually started to use two tools for commonplacing: a physical notebook and the Day One app on my phone and computer. Basically, I use a notebook if I'm taking notes on a book or magazine article that I'm reading in physical form, and I use Day One to collect links, book recommendations, and quotations from articles that I'm reading on my phone, tablet, or computer. If you haven't used Day One, it was originally designed as a journaling app but can also serve as a flexible notetaking or commonplacing tool for organizing information using dates and tags. While I don’t necessarily encourage anyone to go entirely paperless because I believe there are concrete benefits to thinking “offline” and writing things out by hand, this app is very deep, with lots of functionality.

UPDATE: A Late Addition….

I don’t recall exactly where I picked this tip up, but sometime during 2020 I started sticking “library pockets” in the back of my books, that I would use to hold index cards for notetaking while I was traveling or reading. I’d later transcribe my notes from the notecards into my commonplace book. The habit has stuck (especially for books I can’t or don’t want to annotate or mark up), but I WAY over-purchased library pockets, and accidentally ordered more than a hundred of them. I don’t want to just throw them out, so I’m giving them away. If you order a notebook from the Curated Shop (hopefully for commonplacing but it’s not necessary), I’ll throw in a couple of these pockets, free of charge. The promotion will last until I’ve exhausted my excess supply. (Just to be clear, you’ll receive two pockets per person, per order, not two pockets per notebook.)

Disclaimer: This post does not contain affiliate links, though I have chosen to stock many of my favorite items in the T.G.S. Curated Shop so that I can sell them directly. Sales through the Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program are how I support the site.

Year-End Recap: Favorite Posts from 2020

Happy 2021 everybody, and it couldn’t come soon enough! Last week I published a recap that discussed my favorite pens reviewed over the past year in three different categories. Today I’ll close the books on 2020 with five additional favorites, focusing on non-review posts and editorial content. Stay safe, and enjoy this close to the holiday season!

1. Ten Most Influential Stationery Products of the Decade (Jan. 2020). Lost in the shuffle of all that happened in 2020 was the fact that they year closed out a decade. In January I started the year off by looking at ten of what I considered the most influential stationery products of the past ten years. I still stand by everything on this list.

2. Everyday Writers: Choosing the Best Pens and Pencils for Life (Feb. 2020). Back in the “before times,” I spent February preparing for the 2020 Baltimore Pen Show, where I not only set up as a vendor for the first time but taught a seminar on choosing the best pens, inks, and paper for everyday use.

3. The Sad, Strange Saga of Crane Stationery (June 2020). Readers asked me to look into what was going on with Crane, an old American stationery company that in recent years had been severely impacted by changing consumer habits. The pandemic apparently sounded the death knell.

4. When Is a Fountain Pen Too Big? Considerations on Oversized Pens (Aug. 2020). At the time I wrote this piece back in August, it struck me that makers were focusing on bringing “oversized” versions of their standard pens to market. Is this trend sustainable? Is there really demand out there for massive fountain pens? It sure seems like it.

5. Workflows: Resources and Recommendations for Working from Home (Oct. 2020). When the year began, my goal was to reduce my commute from five days a week to four. Never did I think I’d be working remotely full time, and while there’s a lot that I love about it, and wouldn’t necessarily trade the setup for full-time office life even when things “normalize,” circumstances required that I make significant changes to my home office setup and the way I work.

Year-End Recap: Favorite Pens from 2020

Every December or January I try to publish at least one post recapping the past year. Typically, this involves a lengthy discussion of not only my favorite pens reviewed over the last twelve months, but pen show experiences, travel, events, and more. (You can check out my 2019 recap for reference.) Since 2020 was well, “weird”, I’m going to take a different approach and divide the 2020 recap into two posts: today’s post discussing my favorite pens reviewed or otherwise experienced during 2020 in three different categories, and a post later this week containing my five favorite posts from 2020, which may or may not be product reviews. So sit back with a coffee or wine or whiskey - depending on the time of day you’re reading this - and join me as we celebrate the positive side of a difficult year!

This post contains sponsor/affiliate links and links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, discussed further below.

Fountain Pens Over $250

With pen shows and a normal in-person retail experience effectively shut down from March onward, makers had to get creative to compete in what has become a crowded market for high-end fountain pens. 2019 saw the launch of several new companies, particularly out of Italy, and Leonardo Officina Italiana and Scribo feature prominently on this list. But my favorites include more than new releases - I dove deep into Montblanc’s back catalogue and took advantage of a “can’t-miss” clearance sale to snag a Virginja Woolf Writer’s Edition pen, which has turned into a constant in my pen case.

1. Leonardo Momento Zero Grande. If you’ve been following my acquisitions over the past year, it should come as a surprise to no one that the creations of Salvatore at Leonardo Officina Italiana continue to top most of my “favorite pen” lists. Leonardo improved the design of the Momento Zero Grande by including an integrated piston filler, as opposed to a captured converter, and continued to release pens in unique materials such as the “Primary Manipulation” acrylics by Jonathon Brooks of Carolina Pen Company.

2. Montegrappa Miya 450 Celluloid. I spent some time sorting through my pen collection at year-end, and if I had to put a theme to it, it would be “rare and/or unique materials,” particularly celluloid. If a maker releases a celluloid pen in a design that’s as eye-pleasing and comfortable to write with as the Montegrappa Miya, I’m all-in.

3. Montblanc Virginia Woolf Writer’s Edition. Sometimes you have to venture outside the mainstream to find something great. In terms of Montblanc Writers Editions, most of the attention goes to the Hemingway and the Agatha Christie editions, but the Virginia Woolf shows that you can still find unique designs within this group of pens without spending thousands of dollars.

4. Matthew C. Martin OG1. My most significant pen show purchase of the year was also one of my favorites. A major reason that I can’t wait for pens shows to resume is so I can once again spend an hour or more browsing Matthew’s table. A usable machined fountain pen is a difficult thing to get right, but the OG1 strikes a perfect balance of beauty, craftsmanship, and usability.

5. Scribo Feel. After some reflection, I decided to add a pen that I haven’t reviewed, but have been enjoying beyond measure over the past month. Scribo is a new brand founded by former employees of OMAS, and the “Feel” offers the reliable writing experience I could never quite get in an OMAS pen. The 18k EF nib arrived tuned perfectly, and the fluted, hourglass shape and ruthenium trim paired with grey-blue acrylic might become one of my favorite design combinations.

View fullsize

From left: TWSBI ECO Yellow, Opus 88 Omar, Diplomat Aero Volute, TWSBI 580 Smoke + Rose Gold, Schon DSGN Pocket 6

Fountain Pens Under $250

I continue to believe that you can have an exceptional fountain pen writing experience for as little as $30, and the past year only reinforced how good manufacturers such as TWSBI have become at delivering quality without breaking your wallet. It felt especially important this year, as layoffs, furlows, and economic uncertainty forced many to revisit how much of our resources we could devote to our hobby.

1. Schon DSGN Pocket 6. Ian Schon has, in my opinion, perfected the pocket fountain pen. I picked up my first Pocket 6 in Philadelphia, and ordered more a few months later. The small form factor, combined with a full-size No. 6 nib, creates an unparalleled writing experience for so small a pen. Ian typically releases his designs in small batches that may or may not be limited, so if you see one you like, grab it while you can.

2. Opus 88 Omar Demonstrator. I waited a long time to review the Opus 88 Omar, mainly because I thought it was too big. Turns out it’s one of the most comfortable pens I’ve reviewed all year, rivaling the Montegrappa Miya at a much lower price point. That said, it is a big pen, and the Japanese-style eyedropper filling system might be a touch complex for some people.

3. TWSBI ECO Yellow. While I’m mainly known for my love for red and burgundy pens, I’ll also buy anything yellow, and when you can get a yellow pen that looks this good for around $30, I’m guaranteed to buy it. The TWSBI ECO continues to be a mainstay on my list of most-recommended pens, and I don’t see it moving anytime soon.

4. The Return of TWSBI Rose Gold. TWSBI brought back rose gold trim with a white and rose gold ECO as well as a “smoke” and rose gold TWSBI 580. While earlier iterations of TWSBI’s rose gold pens had issues with the trim wearing thin in places, TWSBI not only fixed the issue but improved the overall look. I find the current rose gold trim absolutely gorgeous, with tons of depth and a warm patina.

5. Diplomat Aero Flame and Volute. Another pen that I’ve previously reviewed, but not in these particular iterations. Diplomat has leaned hard on the Aero as it’s flagship offering, and for good reason - it features a unique design, a size that’s comfortable for most people to use, and now higher-end, special finishes to compliment the standard lineup. I’ll be inking both of these pens for review during the new year.

View fullsize

From left: Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA, Spoke Pen, Sunderland mk1, Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint, CW&T Pen Type-B

Non-Fountain Pens

In terms of non-fountain pens, I went out of my way to try for the first time pens that I hadn’t otherwise picked up despite receiving rave reviews elsewhere. By far, the ones that surprised me the most were the Sunderland MK1 and the CW&T Pen Type-B, which have both been around for years but never made their way into my pen case. Both look to be fixtures for some time to come.

Disclaimer: I carry a few of these pens in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. Since my goal for the shop over the past year has been to selectively stock pens (1) that I think are great and (2) don’t get enough retail exposure from larger vendors, I don’t believe my opinion has been affected by the fact that I sell them, as opposed to the opposite (i.e., the fact that I sell them in the first place is driven by my opinion). But I’m a fan of full disclosure up front.

1. Sunderland MK1. Not only is the Sunderland MK1 an incredibly well-designed and crafted machined pen, but it holds Montblanc rollerball and fineliner refills - two all-time favorites. It’s also incredibly rare to find a machined pen that posts as well as the MK and doesn’t require you to thread the cap on the back of the barrel.

2. Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint. As a fan of vintage-inspired design, I’ve long been drawn to the Traveler’s Company “Bullet Pencil,” which they have now redesigned and released in ballpoint, fountain pen, and rollerball versions. Not only does the ballpoint maintain the form factor of a classic bullet pencil, but the refill is a needle-tip gel/ballpoint hybrid that writes a true fine line. This one spent a week at the beach clipped to the front of a book I was reading, and served as the perfect annotation pen. (T.G.S. Curated Shop Selection)

3. Spoke Pen. The Signo DX is an ultra-fine gel refill that until now, lacked it’s own dedicated pen barrel/housing. The Spoke Pen comes from the same design family as the excellent Spoke Pencil and Baux Pen. While I first reviewed a prototype Spoke Pen in 2019, the pens fully launched and became more widely available to the public in 2020.

4. CW&T Pen Type-B. Speaking of fine-tip gel refills, Pilot’s Hi-Tec-C has long been a favorite, and a darling of penmakers looking to create custom machined housings for specific refills. The Pen Type-B is one of the oldest such pens, but until this year I had never added one to my personal collection. I went all-in on a black Cerakote-plated titanium version that sits on my desk by my keyboard full time. And the pneumatic sleeve is my No. 1 fidget-toy. (T.G.S. Curated Shop Selection).

5. Giuliano Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA. It took some convincing to get me to try this compact, ergonomic ballpoint/mechanical pencil hybrid, but from the moment I had this pen in my hand I loved it. It’s perfectly weighted and balanced, with a design inspired by “Italia” airship from the 1930s. Hint: Hold the pen with the clip facing down to see the inspiration. (T.G.S. Curated Shop Selection).

Many thanks for your support this year, and stay tuned this week as I continue to revisit 2020 and prepare for 2021!

The Allure of Enamel Lapel Pins

One thing I’ve never mentioned before is that I have a (very) large collection of enamel pins. Or maybe it’s better defined as an accumulation, because there’s no real theme to it. Whatever you want to call it, it’s intergenerational, since I inherited about half of my pins from my dad when he passed away a few years ago. Most commemorate some family trip or event, and when I was sorting through this box the other day it astonished me that I could remember exactly when some of these were purchased, 25-30 years ago. I think that’s the true allure of pins: they’re small, relatively inexpensive memory tokens that don’t occupy a lot of space.

View fullsize

Let’s just say that I rocked the one on the right yesterday. Certainly got some looks where I live.

I’ve recently started to take up this tradition again, buying not only pins that serve as a reminder of a trip or event but also seeking out those that represent something especially meaningful to me that I can wear on my lapel or bag. And ever since I first started my little shop, I knew that I’d eventually add pins as a category, regardless of whether they would ever turn into a core product or a big seller. Sometimes you just gotta go with what moves you.

View fullsize

What I’ll call my “Reading Collection.”

This morning I’m happy to introduce a new section of the T.G.S. Curated Shop, starting with six different high-quality enamel pins from Pasadena, California-based iLootPaperie, who make many of my favorite washi tapes. Currently, there are two main themes: Books and Science, with a pencil pin thrown in for good measure. These are larger pins, and “Stacks on Stacks” and “Make Your Mark” each feature two posts. I hope to add more soon; my only regret was that I couldn’t get these listed quicker, but I guess there’s still a possibility for holiday delivery if you get your orders in early today. Enjoy!

View fullsize

The Gentleman Stationer Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of iLootPaperie products. Sales through The Curated Shop, the TGS Patreon Program, and affiliations with other sites and retailers are how I fund The Gentleman Stationer. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Bring Back Jumbo Pencils as a Standard Stationery Item!

Or, at the very least, make good ones more available. Over the years, I’ve written several different posts about my love for jumbo and “mini-jumbo” pencils, ranging from humble school pencils such as the beloved Ticonderoga Laddie to the more exotic (and now discontinued) Caran d’Ache Black Wood. Why do I love these oversized pencils so much? It pretty much comes down to comfort.

View fullsize

A well-made round or hexagonal jumbo pencil offers one of the most comfortable writing experiences around. The problem seems to be (1) availability and (2) the fear of looking like a little kid writing with a giant pencil. IMHO, these two things go hand-in-hand. If the only jumbo pencils on the market are designed for, and marketed to, kindergartners, well, that’s going to affect perception and negatively impact demand. I’m doing my best to change that.

View fullsize

What sharpener put that point on the Black Wood? It’s the Classroom Friendly Jumbo Sharpener, which I’ve previously reviewed. While you may pay a premium for the smooth Caran d’Ache graphite, the pencils have excellent point retention, and my Black Woods have lasted me a long time.

Five years ago, Swiss Brand Caran d’Ache sold a hexagonal jumbo pencil called the Black Wood, which I mentioned above. The Black Wood packed an oversized core of high-quality, Caran d’Ache HB graphite into a sleek black pencil which, to me, became the ultimate pencil for journaling and drafting longer pieces of writing by hand. Even ardent pencil lovers appreciate how a standard hexagonal pencil can get uncomfortable if you’re writing for hours, and this larger format offered both bigger facets and softer edges to grip. I bought a half-dozen or so, and as luck would have it, when I went to procure a larger supply, they had been discontinued.

View fullsize

This is one of the better pictures I’ve been able to take, in terms of duplicating the Klein Blue pantone on a screen.

This fall, Caran d’Ache announced a collaboration with the estate of French artist Yves Klein, known for his signature shade of ultramarine, “Klein Blue.” Caran d’Ache reissued a number of products from their catalog in this color, including a jumbo pencil! Of course, to my chagrin, when I went to order the line for the store, the jumbo pencil was the one item that sold out immediately. A month or so later, Caran d’Ache apparently decided to release more, because I was recently received a few dozen of what they refer to as the Klein Blue “Maxi” HB Pencil, which appears to be a Black Wood reborn in a Klein Blue barrel, featuring the same smooth oversized HB core. (I might have put a few aside for myself this time. We do need “shop testers,” after all.)

A size comparison for jumbo pencils, from lower right: Caran d’Ache Klein Blue “Maxi” HB, Blackfeet Indian Pencil (a vintage classic from my childhood), Caran d’Ache Black Wood, Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood, and the Klein Blue Fixpencil, which is now sold out but standard versions are in stock.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

To summarize: I think jumbo pencils are great, but there’s a paucity of quality ones on the market. “School pencils” such as the Ticonderoga Laddie and “My First Ticonderoga” that you see at Target and Wal-mart are certainly available - and the Laddie is an excellent cheap pencil for everyday use - but the quality can vary wildly. A safer, more consistent choice for an inexpensive jumbo, in my opinion, is the Musgrave Cub.

When they’re available, Caran d’Ache offers the ultimate jumbo pencil experience. I have a decent stock of the Klein Blue “Maxi” pencils currently available for purchase in The Curated Shop, but my understanding is that this is a limited run and these pencils will not be available as part of the standard lineup. That’s a shame, because based on what I’ve seen to date in terms of demand, Caran d’Ache could sell a lot of these pencils and I would love to have these as an option for everyday writing. Maybe if we make enough noise they’ll bring back the Black Wood? One can dream.

The Gentleman Stationer Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Caran d’Ache products. Sales through The Curated Shop, the TGS Patreon Program, and affiliations with other sites and retailers are how I fund The Gentleman Stationer. Your support is greatly appreciated!