Adventures in Stationery Travel: What, No Fountain Pens?

I took a short trip this weekend for a family wedding, and while it’s been fun to catch up with everyone at night, several different factors combined to turn this into more of a working vacation for me. I knew this would be the case ahead of time, and planned accordingly, though with a bit of a different strategy: traveling light with only those tools that I knew I would use for the next three days. Posts about what products I personally use in my own life every day are among the most requested, so while I have a short break here before everybody else wakes up, I thought I would walk through my pen case, my notebooks, and other accessories with a few words on why I chose them and how I use them.

Five Writing Instruments: No Fountain Pens

On a trip where I know I’ll have little privacy and will therefore struggle to accomplish any enjoyable personal writing, I’ve given up on bringing multiple fountain pens. At most, I’ll take one, and here I’ve foregone a fountain pen altogether in favor of my two Tom’s Studio Lumos fineliners, which offer me the “fountain pen feel” and some colorful ink without having to worry about the pens leaking or burping ink on the plane. Otherwise, I tend to be a ballpoint-mechanical-pencil-multi-pen guy for work travel, and as I’ve become a more seasoned pen addict, have come to appreciate the simplicity of working with these tools when you just want to get stuff done. The Uni Jetstream 4+1 Multi Pen is a workhorse with its four different .5mm tips plus a mechanical pencil, though I’ve also been carrying this yellow and black Uni Kuru Toga Alpha Gel Switch nearly everywhere I go, simply because that grip is so dang comfortable.

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Pen Cases: One for Pens, One for Styluses

The Rickshaw Bagworks Sinclair Model-R remains a favorite for travel, because you can cram a lot into it. The model shown here is the Vanness Pens / Leigh Reyes collaboration, which makes an excellent travel companion because the inevitable ink and coffee stains simply blend in! As I hinted I might on Instagram, I grabbed one of the small Raymay Patalino cases to carry my Apple Pencil, reMarkable Marker, and the Lamy Safari “Twin Pen” Stylus/Ballpoint combo. I actually love having a dedicated stylus case for when I travel, as it eliminates the inconvenience of fumbling around in your bag for a stylus that refuses to stay magnetically attached to the tablet and ends up at the bottom underneath everything else you’ve packed.

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Introducing the Good Made Better Bibliofile! Though it might look a little complicated, the cords and fasteners are actually fairly easy to use. I’ve been carrying this device on an almost daily basis, and when used in combination with modular cases like the Sinclair Model R and Patalino, really cleans up the inside of your bag.

Notebooks and Paper: Planner, Binder, and E-ink Tablet

My “working duo” of an A5 Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter (with my Hobonichi Cousin and a Midori MD Cotton A5 notebook) and Plotter A5 binder traveled with me, along with my iPad Pro and reMarkable tablet. I plan to write a follow up post containing additional thoughts on tablets and e-ink devices soon - they have their place in my rotation, but they’ve never replaced certain parts of my paper-based workflow. What I really wanted to preview, however, is a new creation from Good Made Better, which I picked up in Chicago. Made from thick felt and elastic cords, the “Bibliofile” book carrier/protector holds your books and notebooks tightly together when they are in your bag - preventing those oh-so-annoying bent covers and pages while making packing a heck of a lot easier - and it can also serve as a portable bookshelf of sorts when you’re on the road. Like the pocket pen I teased, this is another “experimental” prototype product from Good Made Better that I hope takes off and goes mainstream, but for now you can buy it at pen shows.

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Takeaways

I’m trying to pare down what I carry in my bag when I travel. Letting things sit unused, especially after taking the time to pack and lug them through the airport, creates a sense of anxiety and frustration, and I’ve found that I’m happier and more productive when I’m realistic in choosing the best tools for a trip. I’m seriously considering the idea of having a set “stationery travel pouch” that is always packed and ready to go, even if it means purchasing duplicates of a few key items (like mechanical pencils and multi-pens). A few friends have adopted this strategy, and I’m interested whether others have a specific travel setup that they use by default, simply so you don’t have to think too much about packing. Drop a comment or send me a message!

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

Fountain Pen Basics: Don't Be Scared of Broad Nibs!

Last year I ran an Instagram poll in which I asked followers to vote on their preferred nib size. By a wide margin, fine and medium nibs won out, which corresponds to what I generally see going out the door in our shop. For today's post I thought I'd talk about my efforts over the past year to branch out beyond my default "medium" nib preference, and specifically my experiments with broad nibs for everyday writing.

Why Many People Avoid Broad Nibs (Including New Users)

If you find yourself in the “scared to try it” category, you’re not alone! Back when I first started using fountain pens, I could never envision myself using a broad nib for everyday writing and waited nearly three years before venturing beyond medium. Why? Here’s what my brain told me:

"Broad nibs are messy because there's too much ink."

"The ink will bleed through the page."

"My handwriting isn't that large."

While all of these statements have an element of truth, in the sense that broader nibs do put more ink on the page, I’ve found that the difference between a medium and a broad is not as pronounced as many believe, especially with standard stainless steel nibs. For sure, a GOLD broad nib can absolutely write very wet - especially when paired with an ebonite feed - but I've come to discover that broad JoWo and Bock stainless steel nibs might actually appeal more to me than the medium. How so?

• As you can see from the writing samples below, the line width on the stainless steel broad nib doesn't require me to increase the size of my handwriting, despite being ever-so-slightly broader.

• While the broad nib definitely writes an "inkier" line, the steel nibs aren't so wet that they cause performance issues - at least no more than a relatively wet medium. This added ink flow actually lends a smoother feel to the nib that I find pleasant for longer writing sessions, and allows me to see more of the ink's properties (shimmer, sheen, and/or shading).

• I go through more ink. I am still reluctant to flush a pen while it's partially filled with ink and prefer to write my pens dry. That said, I also like to rotate through my pen collection regularly. With broad nibs, you'll use more ink, which means more variety!

• Finally, broad nibs are ripe for customization! I’ve started ordering broad nibs with most of my custom pens, and it’s become my default size whenever I pick up a new TWSBI, because I know that if I ever get bored with the round broad nib I can always have it ground to an architect, stub, cursive italic, or Naginata-style/kodachi nib because there’s plenty of tipping available. You can even have a broad nib ground down to a fine or a needlepoint - for the most part, it’s easy for a nib grinder to take a nib down in size, but you obviously can’t go up! Also, where possible, consider experimenting with pens that have interchangeable nib units. In addition to having the nib ground, you can also just swap it out should you not like the experience.

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A writing sample comparing stainless steel medium and broad nibs from the same brands. From top: Broad and Medium Magna carta No. 8 nibs, followed by Broad and Medium JoWo No. 6 nibs. Inks used were from Tom’s Studio, and the paper is Midori MD Cotton.

Give a Broad Nib a Try!

For beginners, TWSBI and JoWo currently make my favorite stainless steel broad nibs and are good places to start. My first broad nib was a TWSBI Diamond 540 that I loved because it wrote just slightly broader than the TWSBI medium, and it was followed by a broad nib unit for my Pilot Vanishing Point (which essentially writes like a medium from many other brands). Pilot and other Japanese brands might actually be an exception to the general rule of thumb that broad gold nibs run wet, as Japanese nibs tend to write narrower than their designated nib size.

So in short, don't be like me and wait three years before you try a broad, especially if you're already using medium nibs. You might find that you’ve been missing out!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting us directly!

Closing It Out: The 2024 "Best" List Is Complete! Now With Woodcase Pencils

As part of my “10 Years” of TGS retrospective, I wanted to overhaul and fill out what I’ve called the “Best Pens” list, though by adding mechanical pencils and woodcase pencils to our comprehensive list of recommendations I probably should try to name it something else. (Another project for another day!) As of this morning, the list now features a series of woodcase pencil recommendations. These aren’t necessarily lists of “my favorite” pencils, but rather the pencils I’m comfortable recommending to those looking for an everyday user, or for those looking to try out quality pencils for the first time. You can check out the full list here, but the pencils that ended up in the pencil section include:

• The Tombow 2558, which I consider the best all-around “yellow/orange No. 2 office pencil,” with an outstanding eraser.

• The Caran d’Ache “Edelweiss” series, which comes in either HB or 3B hardnesses and costs less than $1.

• The Musgrave Tennessee Red or Tennessee Round, which is the only pencil I’m aware of currently made from Eastern Red Cedar, and certainly the most “aromatic” of the group.

• The Blackwing 602 or Blackwing Natural, which feature the “firm” and “extra firm” graphite formulations that probably work best for most people.

• The Uni Hi-Uni 2B, which I consider the premiere Japanese graphite pencil in terms of wood, graphite core, and lacquer finish. If you’re a fan of lacquer-capped (no eraser) pencils, it doesn’t get much better than this.

For an interesting comparison, see this “Top 5 Pencils for Everyday Writing” list I did back in 2016. There’s still some overlap, but a few of the pencils on this original list are either no longer widely available or have experienced a manufacturing change.

A note on Recommendation lists and how they relate to the T.G.S. Shop

For each entry on the list, I typically link to a review that I’ve done of the product, and then provide a link where the product can be purchased. For many of the pens and pencils that appear on the list, that link is now to our own store. I do want to clarify: This list predates the shop by many years (you can see link to prior versions at the bottom of each rendition), and has provided the blueprint for how we’ve built out our shop, not the other way around. Back in 2020, I set out to create a curated retail experience as an alternative to the referral link and ad-supported revenue model that was prevalent at the time. My goal has always been to sell directly only those things that I’d recommend myself, so some overlap is inevitable. For those items that we don’t sell, our primary retail partner is Vanness Pens, or I’ve linked directly to the specific maker.

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

"If I Could Only Keep One...." (My Version)

I love these writing prompts that are currently trending throughout the pen community. So far, we've had #21PenQuestions, #17InkQuestions, #5MorePenQuestions (which I tacked on), and now, "If I Could Only Keep One." The standard version of this latest challenge prompts you to go through your pen collection and pick one pen from each brand that you would keep, if you were ever forced to limit yourself. Because I run T.G.S. as a business, combined with the fact that I've been collecting/accumulating/reviewing/using pens for over a decade, this exercise wouldn't be particularly practical for me, much less enjoyable for you to read, since I have many different brands - vintage and modern - and the selections wouldn't necessarily be meaningful because it would still be a ton of pens. So let's pare it down even further!

How About, “If You Could Only Keep One from Each Product Category?”

For my take on "If I Could Only Keep One," I'm going to limit myself to (1) one fountain pen; (2) one ballpoint/gel/rollerball; (3) one mechanical pencil; (4) one woodcase pencil; (5) one fountain pen ink; (6) one mechanical pencil lead; (7) one notebook/notebook system; and (8) one pen case. So in essence, if I had to get rid of everything, but had a chance to "shop my own collection" for one item from each major product category beforehand, this is what I'd choose.

• Fountain Pen: Lamy 2000. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. The Lamy 2000 remains my favorite fountain pen of all time, and the extra-fine or fine nibs tend to be my favorite writers of the bunch. The pen is durable, holds a lot of ink, and fits my hand perfectly when posted. It took me all of 5 seconds to make this call. If I had to choose between the various models, I'd pick a Makrolon pen and would keep my Bauhaus Blue edition.

• Ballpoint/Gel/Rollerball: Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen. I was tempted to pick the Lamy 2000 multi pen here due to the ability to use D1 gel refills in addition to the Jetstream ballpoint, but instead went with the Uni Jetstream 4&1. I increasingly rely on low-viscosity ballpoints as my secondary writing instrument of choice, simply because they write on any kind of paper under any conditions, and the Jetstream inks have long been favorites. This particular pen gives you four color options plus a .5mm mechanical pencil, and all of the various colors write well. Green and red ballpoint inks tend to be on the dry side, but the Jetstream manages to avoid this issue. I need to do an extended review of this particular pen at some point in the future.

• Mechanical Pencil: Uni Kuru Toga Alpha Gel Switch. I don't draw, so my mechanical pencil pick won't necessarily be a drafting-style pencil. The Alpha Gel Switch combines a gel grip that's comfortable for writing with Uni's Kuru-Toga mechanism that rotates the lead as you write. To me, the Alpha Gel Switch is the ultimate mechanical pencil for actual writing.

• Woodcase Pencil: Blackwing Matte (Soft Graphite). For my woodcase pencil I chose the original "new" Blackwing: the "Matte" (or "Original," or "MMX", or whatever you want to call it). Even if I have to sharpen this pencil more frequently than one with harder graphite, I love the dark line that it leaves, with minimal smearing for graphite that approaches 4B hardness. Many market this as a "drawing" pencil, but I personally love it for writing.

• Fountain Pen Ink: Waterman Blue. Some may call it boring, but it's the first fountain pen ink I ever used and the last ink I'll get rid of. Safe in any pen (and fabulous in the Lamy 2000), Waterman Serenity Blue (formerly Florida Blue) is my go-to utility ink, even if I don't currently have a pure blue bottle of it in my collection. It turns out that this ink mixes quite well with Waterman Tender Purple/Violet to make a nice ultramarine "blurple" color.

• Mechanical Pencil Lead: Hi-Uni 2B. In general, mechanical pencil leads tend to run lighter than the graphite core on a woodcase pencil, and will resist breakage up until about the 2B grade. The Uni "Hi-Uni" pencil leads are of exceptional quality, and I use the 2B hardness in most of the mechanical pencils I use for everyday writing.

• Notebook Cover/System: Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter A5. At any given time, I'm using 5 or 6 notebooks, but if I had to reduce it to one notebook cover, I would pick a 3-clip Roterfaden in the A5 size. I'd choose this notebook mainly due to the combination of durability and versatility: The leather cover will last a very long time, while the A5 size is compatible with most of the notebooks I use on an everyday basis, including the Hobonichi Cousin, Midori MD Light and Soft Color notebooks, and A5 Tomoe River A5 notebooks. Roterfaden's clip system makes it easy to rotate individual notebooks/refills. You can seek how I have my Roterfaden set up in this YouTube video.

• Pen Case: Rickshaw Bagworks Sinclair Model R. The Sinclair pen case has long been my overall favorite, and it's perfect for my take on the "If I Could Only Keep One" challenge because the case has three slots to hold the Lamy 2000, Kuru Toga, and Jetstream Multipen, with room to carry other items I might need such as an eraser, pencil sharpener, pocket notebook, earbuds, etc. I actually have multiple Sinclairs and use them for all sorts of stuff that I tend to move between bags. (The Model R shown here is the Vanness Pens/Leigh Reyes collaboration.)

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Why is yellow such a theme these days? Maybe because it’s a happy color? I’m going with it.

Why do I enjoy these challenges so much?

It boils down to intentionality. I enjoy thinking about why I use the things I do and why I choose certain things over others. Additionally, it can be very stressful to surround yourself with too much stuff, and I find it important to periodically de-clutter and pass along those things I no longer use. Exercises like these give you an easy starting point: "OK, I'm definitely keeping THIS. Now what can I clear out?"

Note that this post should NOT be construed as a "best pens" or recommendation list, but rather reflects how I personally use stationery.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. I will be at the Chicago Pen Show this weekend, not at a table but roaming around, so if you see me, say hello! Look for the T.G.S. logo on my nametag.

2024 Update to the "Best Pen" List: Top 5 Mechanical Pencils

Or maybe I should now say “Best Pen/Pencil” list? Earlier this month I teased some impending updates in the form of Mechanical and Woodcase pencil categories, and the “Mechanical Pencil” category is now live. I was waiting on an initial shipment of this favorite shown below to arrive before I launched, but overall there shouldn’t be too many surprises on the list! Enjoy!

If you don’t need the automatic lead advancement mechanism of the Kuru Toga Dive, the Pentel Sharp Kerry gives you a capped mechanical pencil option at a more reasonable price point.