Top Five Pens for Planner Use

Since I’m getting ready to leave for the San Francisco Pen Show, and a large part of that show is devoted to planner/Japanese techo notebook systems, I’m loading up nearly all of my notebook covers with different papers, refills, and accessories to have available for both after-hours show-and-tell as well as several classes I’ll be taking. I’ve also been working on better organizing my various notebooks and planners to ensure that everything I’ve decided to keep following my “great summer purge” gets used for a specific purpose. When you’re playing with this many notebooks, it’s hard to avoid thinking about pens - namely, what’s the best “planner pen” or pen to keep alongside your primary everyday notebook system or system techo? Here, I talk about five select pens that are excellent for this type of use, with the selections driven primarily by size, versatility, and the ability to let me write small in compact spaces.

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The pens discussed here, clockwise from left: Lamy 2000 4-Color Ballpoint, TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen, Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint (standard version), Pilot Capless Decimo, Pilot Hi-Tec-C-Coleto Lumio, and the CW+T Pen Type-C (in front).

1. Fountain Pen Recommendation: Pilot Decimo. For “planner purposes,” and for most writing in general, I remain a fan of the Pilot Decimo over the larger standard Vanishing Point. Not only is the Decimo easier to slip into pen loops in notebooks and planners, but I find the slimmer body more comfortable to write with and easier to manage with one of Pilot’s excellent EF or F nibs. In addition to compact size, one other attribute I look for in a “planner” fountain pen is a high-capacity cartridge, so that I can carry a few with me when traveling and not have to worry about constantly refilling in a hotel, on an airplane, or even at the office. Of course, if you prefer a slightly larger pen, the standard Vanishing Point is excellent and uses the same Pilot proprietary cartridges, but it may be too wide to fit in certain pen loops.

2. Fountain Pen Recommendation: TWSBI Swipe. Since it’s release, the Swipe has continued to surprise me with how much I enjoy this pen. I keep my Prussian Blue Swipe with an EF nib tucked into one of my “go” notebooks at all time. While TWSBI made it’s name with piston fillers, the Swipe added cartridge/converter capability to the lineup, and TWSBI also offers a high-capacity ink cartridge though some might find the color selection basic. The Swipe is currently available in four distinct colors (all currently available in the T.G.S. Curated Shop), and I understand that more are on the way as the company continues to expand this segment.

3. Ballpoint/Gel Recommendation: Lamy 2000 4-Color Ballpoint/Multi-Pen. Personally, I feel strongly that every stationery enthusiast - and particularly those who use their pens and notebooks for work, research, school, and other “productivity-related” functions - have at least one mutifunction pen in their collection. I enjoy the Lamy 2000 version due to its refill versatility (it accepts D1 refills) and streamlined look. I recently revisited my original review of this pen, and as you can see, it’s received a lot of use over the years.

4. “Writing Small” Recommendation: Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto. Ok, many people don’t like to recommend the standard Hi-Tec-C gel pen since the full-size refill can be extremely temperamental if you get a bad one. That said, I’ve had good luck with the Coleto multi-pen refills (Pilot also offers a Coleto mechanical pencil insert), which are available in tip sizes ranging from .3mm to .5mm. The .4mm version is my personal preference as it strikes a good balance of smoothness and precision. If the ability to change colors on the fly isn’t important to you, CW+T makes a flat “bookmark” pen (the Pen Type-C) that accepts single Coleto refills.

5. General Form-Factor Recommendation: Traveler’s Company Brass Pens/Pencils. Since they’re designed to complement the Traveler’s Notebook lineup, it’s only natural that the compact and durable Traveler’s Brass pens (and pencil) would make their way onto this list. Borrowing from the vintage “bullet pencil” format, Traveler’s Company makes pencil, ballpoint, fountain pen, and rollerball versions, with the ballpoint being my personal favorite due to its excellent needle-tip refill and fast-drying ink. (Editor’s Note: If you’re at the San Francisco Pen Show this weekend, stop by the Traveler’s Company booth to customize your own limited edition Brass Ballpoint in two show-exclusive colors!)

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Assuming I don’t hit the bag weight limit (and/or can get my carry-on closed), all of these are coming to San Francisco with me this week.

Pen Recommendations Looking Forward

I’m considering revamping my “Best Pens” list to include new categories organized around different use cases. For years I’ve had the list organized by price point and/or product category, which tends to focus more on the process of acquisition rather than what one does with the pen once it’s purchased. Lately, most of the questions I get seek recommendations on a pen for a specific use case, not in a particular price bracket. Stay tuned as I work through a few more of these questions and perhaps look for a revised/expanded general resource in the future.

This post does not contain links to paid sponsors or affiliates, though a few of the pens on this list may be stocked in some form in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Market Watch: What's Up With All the Rainbow Pens? (NOT A COMPLAINT)

Unless you’ve been completely ignoring new releases over the past two years, you’ll have noticed that nearly every pen company, ranging from larger manufacturers down to small-batch makers, has begun to release pens in a “rainbow” finish. How this coating is described varies from company to company: TWSBI has dubbed their Diamond 580 and Vac700R models as the “Iris” finish, Conklin and Fisher Space Pen both use the “Rainbow” moniker, and Ben Walsh of Gravitas Pens has branded the finish “Skittles.” Even Leonardo has released a limited edition Momento Zero (the “Prisma”) in collaboration with Italian retailer Stilo e Stile.

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Gravitas pens offers a wide variety of “Skittles” finishes. The two shown here are Matte Paisley (center), as well as the darker TiSiNX finish (right), discussed further below.

So how exactly do companies achieve the “rainbow” effect? While most companies protect their exact processes - trade secrets and all - from what I read it appears to be achieved by applying a Titanium Nitride PVD coating, with different companies varying the formula to achieve unique looks. For example, Ben Walsh is releasing the Gravitas TiSiNX, which adds Silicon Nitride to the coating in order to achieve a darker blue/purple tone, and I was lucky enough to take home one of these pen from the D.C. Pen Show.

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Comparing the standard Gravitas “Skittles” finish to the TiSiNX finish (right).

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The coloring on the Conklin All-American is pretty intense, and also leans much more orange/yellow than the TWSBI Iris finish, which has a pink/purple/magenta tone. I think I prefer the more subtle options.

Because PVD coating is extremely durable, you shouldn’t have to worry about the finish wearing away. In my experience to date, the PVD coating has not affected writing performance, even where the nibs have been treated. And while the special finish typically comes with a small upcharge to the standard pen, it’s not much. The prices I’ve seen have remain reasonable, ranging from $80 for the TWSBIs to around $180 for the Leonardo.

Takeaways and Where to Find This Finish

I’m actually enjoying the “rainbow” trend far more than the “glitter pen” trend that preceded it, especially as companies such as Gravitas experiment with darker tones. Of course, any trend can suddenly seem overdone (looking at you, shimmer ink), and given how successful these pens have been, I think we can expect more pen manufacturers to release their own titanium nitride pens if they haven’t done so already. So far, most companies have exercised retraint, trying to differentiate themselves with unique design touches. For example, Leonardo paired the “Prisma” trim with a bead-blasted, matte acrylic. Kaweco has even released an “Iridescent Pearl” acrylic that achieves something of the same look, and it’s safe to assume that at some point, a rainbow AL Sport or Steel Sport will follow.

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The variations in tone between the various models is not necessarily apparent until you compare different pens from different companies side-by-side.

What are your thoughts? Do you find this trend played out, or do you want to see more? Personally, as long as companies keep experimenting, I’m interested to see what manufacturers can do. I generally love PVD coated pens for their durability, and it’s interesting to see colors other than black.

This post does not contain links to paid sponsors or affiliates, though the T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of TWSBI, which is featured here. T.G.S. is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

2022 D.C. Pen Show Recap: Is "The Big Show" Still "The Big Show"?

For many people, the D.C. Pen Show has been, and always will be, “The Big Show,” (or “The Fountain Pen Supershow”, as it’s long been dubbed). For years, it billed itself as the premier pen event in the world, and certainly in the United States. It’s true - the D.C. Pen Show is quite large, and if what you’re looking to do is shop, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to meet makers, vendors, and retailers.

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Shawn Newton had all kinds of custom pens available for in-person viewing (and purchase!) in D.C.

The issue I have is that I can’t stop myself from comparing recent D.C. Pen Shows - say 2018-present - with the shows from the mid-2010s, at the old location. I also can’t help comparing the D.C. Pen Show, in its current form, to the Baltimore and San Francisco Shows, all of which have maintained the “destination event” cachet that D.C. unfortunately seems to have lost. Certainly, some of this is beyond the control of the D.C. Pen Show and its organizers. The D.C. Pen Show gave up the rights to its old location after 2016, which I believe was the last show in Tyson’s Corner, after which the show moved to the Marriott Fairfield Park in Falls Church, Virginia. In the years since, there has been organizer turnover, with founder Bob Johnson passing away; the COVID pandemic, which forced cancellation of the 2020 show and continues to affect people’s willingness to travel; and this year, major construction at the hotel that closed the restaurant, deprived attendees of any real area to hang-out after-hours, and forced the show to operate on two different levels.

Aerial shot from the 2015 D.C. Pen Show.

Even after accounting for all of these logistical challenges, the D.C. Pen Show feels different than it used to, and the trend has been noticeable over the past several years. Fridays are much slower, with less visible foot traffic, even after they started opening the show to the public at noon. While Saturday this year was packed at points in the morning and mid-afternoon, there were times when it slowed down dramatically to levels I had not seen before on a Saturday in D.C. (While I had to leave the show on Sunday at noon, I don’t typically draw much of a conclusion from a show’s Sunday turnout, since last day traffic at any show is notoriously unreliable and always has been.) The majority of vendors I spoke with felt that both Friday and Saturday at the show were slower than usual and their numbers were down. This issue hasn’t been unique to D.C. - many people have expressed to me a general concern that attendance, as well as overall spend by attendees, has been declining at other shows as the year proceeds.

Schon DSGN brought the goods, as always!

How Much of The Change Is Driven by the Economy vs. Changes in the Pen Community and What We Expect from Pen Shows?

A big question I’ve been asking myself, over the weekend and in the days since, is whether the slowdown is the result of structural and economic factors, problems with how shows are run, or whether it represents a permanent shift in how people are attending and interacting at pen shows. Several people asked me for my opinion on “what the issue was” over the weekend, and I’m not sure I have a clear answer. I did spend some time thinking on possible factors contributing to lower traffic and sales, and this is what I came up with:

• “It’s the Economy, Stupid.” You can’t ignore the effect of inflation, gas prices, travel chaos, and the lingering possibility of contracting COVID. People still aren’t traveling as much as they were in 2019, and certainly aren’t shopping as much, because they simply can’t afford to and are cutting back on discretionary travel and purchases. As much as we hate to admit it, things like pens, inks, and paper are largely discretionary purchases, and it’s difficult for many to justify taking an entire weekend at a hotel to attend what amounts to a three-day binge on pens. That said, I think it’s a mistake to write off all of these changes as “just the economy” and assume that things will return to the prior status quo once things go back to normal (whatever that is).

• The Cost of this Hobby Is Rising. This is in part due to inflation, but also because in recent years manufacturers, retailers, and secondary market resellers have been pushing the boundaries of what people are willing to pay for pens. I’m not saying any particular cost is necessarily unjustified, but if the baseline price for a custom pen with a steel nib now pushes $250-300, if Sailor Pro Gears now cost $300+, if the new Esterbrook Camden “Polar Lights” is priced at $350 (I could go on), then people are understandably going to take their time in making a purchase, and will probably buy fewer pens overall, both at shows and online. What concerns me more is the secondary market and how the community interacts with it, raising the possibility that the pen community is in danger of becoming more like the watch community, where absurdly high secondary market prices on certain trendy pens and inks, as well as snobbery on the part of some of those who partake in the hobby, intimidate others from joining in the fun. (This is another post for another time.)

• Some Shows No Longer Feel Like a Destination Event. In light of the economic constraints most people are feeling in their everyday lives, when they DO attend a show, they expect a lot from it. Not just in terms of opportunities to shop, but they also look for unique seminars, organized after-hours gatherings, and a friendly, welcoming environment focused on building a community. In my opinion, this is why the Baltimore and the San Francisco Pen Shows have continued to thrive. If anything, this year in D.C. confirmed that a pen show without a central gathering point for attendees, such as a functional lobby bar or easily accessible restaurants, is not an event that I enjoy attending. Sure, people attempted to organize smaller events after hours, but in a few instances these were done in a way intended to create the perception of an “in-crowd,” or the events/gatherings were dropped to select people on an “invite only” basis to create an air of exclusivity. That’s not what this community has ever been about (at least for me).

• “Waves” of New Hobbyists/Enthusiasts Are Still Finding their Niche. A LOT of people discovered, or rediscovered, pens and inks during the Pandemic, when they were spending more time at home. Until relatively recently, their only interaction with the community was online. Many have shown up at their first pen shows, and have absolutely no idea what to do and where to go, how much things should cost, etc. It’s only natural to have some hesitation. We need to focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere at shows for new community members, and give them a reason to keep coming back to shows, as opposed to griping that the newbies “aren’t buying anything.” That will happen, as long as they stay in the hobby and want to keep coming back. Personally, it took me at least two shows to feel comfortable. In a way, I feel like we are “between waves” of new enthusiasts entering the hobby. Many of the “experienced” crowd that attends pen shows discovered pens in the mid-2010s, and are now scaling back on acquisitions because they are in a place where they (1) have nearly all of the “standard” pens in their collection they could ever want or reasonably use; and (2) are selective in terms of what they add to their collection. As I mentioned above, the new customers who would take their place are still finding their footing, and this will take time.

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This year’s haul from the D.C. Show, focusing on brands I’ve not yet experienced, including Troublemaker Inks and Gravitas Pens, who where attending from Ireland.

What’s Next for Pen Shows?

The San Francisco Pen Show takes place at the end of August, and last year’s show was one of the best I’ve attended, despite COVID and fires and other logistical challenges. While San Francisco offers an excellent opportunity to shop from a wide array of vendors, it also has free seminars and after-hours events in the hotel for weekend attendees. I have a reservation to attend, and barring any last minute work or family conflicts, I plan to be there. I’m looking at this year’s pen show calendar as a sort of experiment documenting what works, and what doesn’t work, in a “new normal” environment and a community that continues to evolve.

I’ll close by saying this - if there’s a show you enjoy, and that you want to continue, go to the show, buy a weekend pass if you can, and support the vendors who attend. That does not necessarily mean that you need to spend a ton of money, or even that you purchase something on-site. If you value pen shows, however, you should make an effort to buy from those retailers who do attend the shows (nearly everyone sells online these days), invest their own time and money in making it a great experience, and when you do, let them know that you met them at the show, saw their work or table, and that the show played a role in your decision to buy from them. I suspect a lot of people are questioning whether its worth it to continue to attend every show, or shows in general, and this sort of feedback is invaluable.

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I enjoyed actually just having samples on-site in D.C., relying on the website to actually conduct any sales, which freed me up to visit with attendees and other vendors. I enjoyed meeting many of you! The cases I had at my table were made by Lochby, one of the main lines we carry, and I have links to all products saved in my Instagram Story Highlights.

T.G.S. Will NOT Have a Table in San Francisco

Assuming I’m at the San Francisco Pen Show later this month, I will be attending in my personal capacity. For those of you who picked up a T.G.S. Pen Show Promo Code at the table in D.C., it will be valid through 11:59pm on Sunday, August 21. If we met at the show and you picked up a card and lost it, just contact me through social media or via the “Contact” link on the blog and I will send you the code. (Honor System - Don’t share, as I want to maintain something special for show attendees. I do plenty of general promos for everyone throughout the year.)

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

Thursday Drops: Back to School Season (Already?!?)

We start school in our house today, and the 2022 D.C. Pen Show hasn’t even happened yet! Well, at least it was an excuse to go stationery shopping, and we ended up buying our first Trapper Keeper. (Apparently they still exist.) I’ve been receiving requests for recommendations from readers looking to purchase fountain pens, pencils, and high-quality paper and supplies for college, for their school-age children, and even for back-to-work as offices continue to reopen and require in-person attendance, so today’s post will pull those together into a list. Enjoy!

Fountain Pens

1. TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen. I would consider the Swipe to be the perfect entry point for those looking at a work-friendly fountain pen, because it ships with two different converters and a cartridge included. TWSBI recently expanded the Swipe lineup to include two new colors, “Salmon” (Pink-Orange) and “Pear” (a light green).

2. TWSBI ECO Fountain Pen. If you’re not afraid of filling from a bottle (and you should’t be!), the TWSBI ECO represents tremendous value in the fountain pen world. The new “Transparent Yellow” demonstrator version just hit the shop yesterday and it’s a stunner.

3. TWSBI Diamond 580 and Diamond Mini Fountain Pens. The original TWSBI fountain pen remains my personal favorite, as does the mini version. The recently released Diamond 580 in the gorgeous “Iris” finish is now available for purchase in the shop.

4. TWSBI Vac Mini. The Vac Mini remains my go-to TWSBI pocket pen, as it makes for a perfect pocket “ink tank”. If you enjoy posting your fountain pens, TWSBI’s “mini” pens feature threading on the barrel-end, which allows you to secure the cap and turn the pocket pen into a full-size writing experience.

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Pencils, Ballpoints, and Rollerballs

1. Tombow 2558 Pencils. Good pencils top my list of requested recommendations this time of year, and each time I always go back to this Tombow pencil, which sports a beautiful golden orange lacquer, an excellent eraser, and a dark graphite core available in both HB and B.

2. Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball. The Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball is a slightly larger version of the classic 849 hexagonal form factor. While it ships with an excellent CdA rollerball refill, it will also take any Parker-style refills, including ballpoints.

3. Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint. The ballpoint that’s been around forever remains one of our top-selling products. We’re fully stocked on the classic version, and also have several of last year’s limited edition “Claim Your Style” pens available, marked down to make room for the new season arriving soon.

Notebook Systems and Cases

1. Traveler’s Notebooks. My personal favorite of all planner and notebook systems out there, this simple folded leather cover-and-cord system is infinitely customizable with a full range of accessories. Each notebook comes in a starter kit, with everything you need to get writing, and for a limited time you can still pick up their 2022 limited releases in one of four themes: Hotel, Airline, Train, and Records!

2. Midori MD Paper System. If you’re looking for something perhaps even more flexible, with more available paper sizes yet which incorporates the same fountain pen friendly paper as the Traveler’s Notebook system, try out Midori, which also features a wide array of accessories.

3. Lochby Notebook Covers and Cases. The newest addition to our lineup, Lochby, is known for is simple-yet-durable notebook covers and cases, ranging from the A5 Field Journal to the Quattro Four-Pen Case to the versatile Tool Roll. I will have the full line of Lochby samples present at my table in D.C., so stop by and check them out!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold, including those shown here. If you’re attending the D.C. Pen Show this weekend, please visit our table. We aren’t selling on-site, but we will have a special coupon that readers can use to access certain promotions. As always, U.S. orders over $75 ship free.

10 Things to Do at a Pen Show Other Than Buy More Pens

I’ve spent most of this week getting ready to attend the 2022 D.C. Pen Show, and while I’m super excited about the event, and especially about seeing friends who I only get to visit with once or twice a year, it’s always a struggle to avoid getting carried away. It’s easy to do! D.C. is the largest pen show in the world - definitely in the U.S. - and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen more pens, ink, paper, and related ephemera together in one place!

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One of several ink testing stations at a past D.C. Pen Show. I hope they’re back this year.

I regularly get e-mails from readers who want to attend the show, but are concerned because they’re not in a place where they can or want to spend more money on yet more pens. Will there be anything for them to do at the show? The answer to that question is yes, and I thought I’d kick off the extra-long D.C. Pen Show “weekend” with a list of things you can do at a pen show that (mostly) won’t kill your budget.

1. Take a Class or Seminar. While some classes (such as calligraphy) charge a nominal materials fee, there are currently ten free seminars available Friday through Sunday, covering topics ranging from pen history to vintage pen repair to modern “indie” pens.

2. Learn About History from Vintage Vendors. You don’t have to purchase vintage pens to learn more about them. Walking the show, talking to vintage vendors and private collectors, and taking pictures of those brands and models that interest you can be equally educational and satisfying. Just be sure to ask permission before picking up pens and/or photographing them.

3. Test Out Different Pens and Paper. Even if you don’t intend to buy a new pen or need any more paper, many of the show tables will have testers and product samples available for you to peruse. At my own table, even though I’m not selling on-site, I plan to have pens inked up and samples of all different sorts of fountain pen friendly paper on the table for people to test.

4. Visit the Ink Sampling Table. The D.C. Pen Show usually features an extensive ink testing station donated by retailers, where you can sample inks from various brands. Pro tip: I would highly recommend NOT filling your pen directly from public bottles of ink - you have no idea whether or not the ink has been contaminated or how old it is. Rather, use a dip pen or q-tip to swab a color sample into a notebook.

5. Meet the Makers. Do you enjoy meeting and talking with the people who made your pens and inks? Many of them will be at the show. Be sure to tell them how much you appreciate their work!

6. Write With Your Pens/Take Some Downtime. For some of us, any pen show weekend is a “mini vacation” that lets us get away from work and other obligations and do nothing but enjoy our hobby. So enjoy your hobby! Find a quiet corner, grab a coffee/beer/wine/water, and spend some time journaling or writing.

7. Have Nibs Tuned or Ground. Instead of purchasing ever-more pens, perhaps you want to tune or tweak a pen that you already own? Check out the list of exhibitors - there will be TEN (10) nib workers on site tuning and grinding nibs.

8. Trade Pens and Inks with Other Attendees. Every year, people come to the show looking to send under-loved pens and inks to new homes. After-hours events in the hotel bar always turn into a great venue for trading and/or selling your personal pens. Just follow the #penshowsafterdark hashtag.

9. Talk to Other Enthusiasts. While I’m admittedly on the introverted side (and most of us in this hobby are to some degree), I’ve met many close friends in this hobby, including at shows. Making the extra effort to socialize can be valuable!

10. Get Out of the Show and Visit the Area. You can only take so much pen show! In a larger show, in an area like D.C. or San Francisco, take an afternoon or evening to visit local shops, restaurants, and museums. If you’re there for the weekend, shows tend to get crowded on Saturday afternoon, which is always a good time to take a break.

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Come Visit the T.G.S. Table at the D.C. Pen Show

While I’m flying and will NOT have a retail setup (due to the last-minute logistics of attending), I will be bringing lots of pens and paper for people to see in person and test at the table. I will also be assisting with the D.C. Pen Show Scavenger Hunt, and generally available to talk and answer any questions you may have navigating the pen show!

Finally, today is the last call for D.C. pickup orders. If you want to place an order online for delivery at the show, please get them in tonight before 5:00pm US Central Time. Many thanks!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. This post does not contain links to paid sponsors or affiliates.