You may have already spotted these in my Iroshizuku post from earlier this week, but the pens on the left arrived in the mail earlier this week and are now “in the queue” for reviews.

Sunday Reading for April 18, 2021

April 18, 2021

Sailor 1911 Profit Junior, Profit Jr., and Lecoule (via Rants of the Archer). Sailor apparently is building out their entry-level fountain pen lineup. I have not yet seen some of these pens widely promoted in the U.S., but since the Profit Junior arrived as the Procolor I expect they are on the way?
The TWSBI Draco: I Had My Doubts (via From the Pen Cup). I enjoy seeing TWSBI experiment with smaller runs and different designs. That’s how innovation works - testing out small batches of new materials in new formats. Based on Mary’s pictures, the Draco looks great. More rose gold please!
TRU RED Mastery Journal Review (via The Poor Penman). For a widely available big-box supply brand, I’ve found TRU RED products to be of surprisingly high quality, though the paper varies depending on the specific item. (Some of the spiral notebooks had great fountain pen friendly paper; others behaved more like the notebook reviewed here.)
Sailor Black: Ink Review (via Scrively). It’s uncommon to find reviews of “standard” blue and black inks made by the major pen brands. Here, you not only have a review of a very good standard ink, Sailor Black, but from a lefty’s perspective.
Schon DSGN Ultem Pen, Colorverse Space Laika (via Penquisition). I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these. They’re currently in high demand and short supply, so it will likely be a pen show acquisition once shows resume, currently slated for the fall.
Let’s Take a Look at Paper Color (via Fountain Pen Love). Color variations in paper is one of those topics that doesn’t get written up very often, if at all, and it made me happy to see this article. I’m in the market for some light blue writing/typewriter paper, btw, in case anyone has any recommendations for me….
DIvine Design: The Visconti Divina Elegance (via Penquisition). I had no idea the Divina full size was such a large pen!
Caran d’Ache 849 Claim Your Style (via Bleistift). As a huge fan of the Caran d’Ache 849, I really need to look into getting one with my initials engraved. Also, I get a lot of questions about hacking gel refills for the 849. This article includes a brilliant video addressing that topic.
Caran d’Ache 849 Claim Your Style (via Well-Appointed Desk). Many thanks to Ana for reviewing the 2020 Claim Your Style release in “Veronese Green”. (Disclaimer: I sent it to “The Desk” for review.). I still have some of last year’s models, but once they’re gone, they’re gone so act quick if you like the 2020 colors. 2021 should be on the way in the next couple of months.
Penluxe Masterpiece Grande Koi Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). Taiwanese maker Penlux has been expanding rapidly over the past several years, releasing different variations of their “Masterpiece Grande” pen last year. It sounds like the quality is good, making this another reasonably priced brand to watch.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I started a new project: working my way back through Pilot’s Iroshizuku line of inks. This week I revisited Yama-Budo, Kon-Peki, and Shin-Ryoku, three of the most popular colors. It will take me a while to write through all of these, but please keep an eye on the blog throughout the year because I’m excited for this challenge! I also took an extended look at the Caran d’Ache 849 fountain pen, the first time I’ve given this particular pen a stand-alone post. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops spotlighted the new Lamy AL-Stars and the Faber-Castell Neo, both available from our friends at Vanness Pens.

This Week in the Curated Shop

Wow, those sold fast: I’m down to one Caran d’Ache Ecridor “Racing” .7mm mechanical pencil. I’ll try to get more, but the ballpoint is already on backorder. I hope they decide to make the black-chrome Ecridor a regular addition to the Caran d’Ache lineup. I also have a bunch of the Rhodia Composition Books in stock, as well as some new stamps and reading accessories from WMS & Co.

Rhodia

Clairefontaine

Caran d'Ache

WMS & Co.

Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!

You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve rolled out some new features in 2021 that will be exclusive to Patreon subscribers, including monthly online meetups, the next of which will take place this coming Friday, April 23 at 8:00pm Central Time and will feature a special announcement. The last few have featured some really fun discussions! I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live!

We’re now firmly into “outdoor office” season here in Tennessee.

Sunday Reading for April 11, 2021

April 11, 2021

Review: Lamy Safari Savannah & Terracotta Special Editions (2021). These might be the best special edition Safaris Lamy has made (and yes, I know it’s been done before).
Esterbrook MV Nib Adapter (via Rants of the Archer). Though I’ve never been a vintage Esterbrook enthusiast, the MV Nib Adapter was a brilliant way for “new Esterbrook” to merge the original company with the new. I also need to get some new vintage nibs once shows reopen.
Lamy Aion Dark Green (via FP Quest). Ray picked up one of the new Dark Green Lamy Aions, and while this isn’t my favorite model Lamy has made, I love a good dark green edition of anything.
Uni-Ball Signo Needle 0.38 Review (via Writing at Large). A Signo DX with a needle tip instead of a conical tip? Sign me up? The needle point is pretty much the only thing that keeps me coming back to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C, so if this one takes off and becomes easier to find….
Platinum Curidas Urban Green Retractable Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). I need to break my Curidas pens out for a revisit - it’s been a while since I’ve used them, and I hear that Platinum has made efforts to get the cracked feed issues under control.
Holbein x Rotring 600 3-in-1 120th Anniversary Pen (via Bleistift). A Rotring 600 multi pen? In white? Why can’t we have these things regularly instead of via boutique Japanese store-exclusives? Why?
Narwhal Schuylkill Porpita Navy (via Dapprman). Yet another Narwhal review, and the brand remains on my “to check out” list. These non-standard colors interest me more than their general acrylic pens. This is a very thorough review and addresses some quality control issues with the pen, that don’t necessarily get much press elsewhere.
My Way or the Cahier (via Pete Denison). Cahiers, or slim paper notebooks, have their roots in student exercise books that so many of us remember fondly (or not). They’re a classic piece of stationery and I’m glad to see Pete has a new post up!
Robert Oster Pen Chalet Exclusives (via Well-Appointed Desk). Pen Chalet now has four new Arizona-inspired Robert Oster inks! Ana has swatches up over at the Desk.
Pilot Custom 823 #15 FA Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens). Azizah has a review of the Pilot Custom 823 - a favorite ink tank - paired with Pilot’s modern “flex nib” (which actually does offer a fair amount of flex for a modern pen.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I revisited the Pilot G2, which has long served as one of my workhorse gel pens. Is it as good as I remember? For the most part, yes, and I’m still quite fond of the .38mm refill. I also reviewed the Retro 51 Tornado Pencil, which gets much less attention than the Retro 51 Tornado Rollerball but is a very interesting, unique piece of stationery in its own right.

This Week in the Curated Shop

As noted in this week’s Deals & Drops post, we now have a lot of mechanical pencils available, as well as a new line of Essential Office Supplies, such as high quality disposable ballpoints from Caran d’Ache. As many of us are vaccinated and prepare to head back into the office at some point over the next several months, we will find ourselves needing to restock our drawers and supply cabinets, and perhaps also refresh our workspaces with some new desk accessories and a fresh notebook! Check out the Curated Shop for these and more!

Hightide Sandglasses

Rhodia Webnotebooks

Clairefontaine 1951

Caran d'Ache Fountain Pens

Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!

You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve rolled out some new features in 2021 that will be exclusive to Patreon subscribers, including monthly online meetups. The last few have featured some really fun discussions! I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live!

Anyone interested in photos of the finished product?

Sunday Reading for April 4, 2021

April 4, 2021

Leonardo Tredici Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). Now they’re making a faceted pen? Thirteen facets? In Hawaii and Arlecchino acrylic, two of my favorite materials? My wallet hurts already.
Muryō Bullet Journal Indexing System (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Looking for an “add on” to create a bit more structure for you bullet journaling? You may want to consider this card-based system.
The Scale of Paper Absorption: Part 3 (via Left Hook Pens). I’ve gotten back into paper recently, and have been enjoying reading through all the various experiments people conduct on different notebooks and paper brands.
Narwhal Original Demonstrator (via Rants of the Archer). Yet another Narwhal review! I need to get my hands on one of these. While I occasionally here reports of a bad nib, on the whole performance seems to be consistently good.
National Pencil Day: Vintage Treasures in Old Stationery Stores (via Writing at Large). Wow, a haul of old Mongol No. 2 pencils in the wild!? Given the pencil craze going on here, you’d never find that in the U.S.
Pandemic Hobbies and the Great Depression (via CNN Wellness). What hobbies have you picked up over the past year that you plan to continue into the future? Reading and gardening for me.
Carriage House Papermaking Kit (Part 2 of 2) (via Pen Addict). Susan continues with her papermaking adventures!
Paper Review and Giveaway: Musubi Cosmo Air Light Notebook (via Well-Appointed Desk). Lots of people are reviewing the new Musubi Folio notebooks featuring Cosmo Air Light Paper, and there are several ongoing giveaways presenting an opportunity to win one of these. (See details below for our own review and giveaway).
Wingback Mechanical Pencil Kickstarter Review (via Ed Jelley). UK-based Wingback has followed up on their successful pen project with a high-capacity, ergonomic machined mechanical pencil.
The Case for Not Listening to Music When You Work Out (via Art of Manliness). Something I’ve been thinking about lately is the lack of quiet in my life (especially in a house where everyone’s been “at home at all times” for over a year).

In Case You Missed It….

This week I reviewed two products, one old and one new. For National Pencil Day, I reviewed the Ohto Sharp Mechanical Pencil, which I found to be an appropriate celebratory review since the Sharp literally bridges the gap between mechanical and woodcase pencils. I also reviewed the new Musubi Folio Notebook featuring Cosmo Air Light Paper, and I’m running a giveaway! Visit the post for full details. Finally, I looked at five of my favorite Traveler’s Notebook accessories, most if not all of which I use in my own setup.

New This Week in the Curated Shop

First of all, through 11:59pm this evening, we are running an Easter Sale in the Curated Shop! Through Sunday, take 10% off all Curated Shop orders using the coupon code “SPRINGTIME”. What to use your discount on? If you’re looking to celebrate Easter, Passover, or simply the arrival of spring, then check out the Caran d’Ache Infinite 888 ballpoints and mechanical pencils, which come in a wide array of bright colors and even a “Swiss Cross” version! I’ve also begun stocking more everyday office supplies, such as the high quality Caran d’Ache Eco click pens, including one made from wood chips generated by the Caran d’Ache pencil-making operation!

New Pencils!

Eco Ballpoints

Engineer Notebooks

TRC Brass

Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!

Sunday reading for March 14, 2021

March 14, 2021

A Lesson on Ink Hygiene (via Left Hook Pens).. I’ve generally had great luck in avoiding moldy ink and SITB (“Slime in the Bottle”) issues, though I typically do pay careful attention when flushing and cleaning pens to ensure inks from one bottle can’t cross-contaminate another. Some great advice here.
Vintage Writing Paper and the Consumption of Pen Stuff (via The Poor Penman). A generally great reminder to actually use your pens and stationery, to be sure and patronize small stationery businesses to ensure they can actually stay in business, and to go buy some of Ana’s typewriter paper before it goes away forever.
Parker 51 (2021 Edition) (via SBRE Brown). Stephen reviews the Parker 51 re-release, with the gold nib, and he received a very nice writer. A well-rounded review.
Doms Fusion Pencil (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). I love any rounded triangular pencil with a fairly dark core, and these look like they fit the bill.
PenBBS 224 Tolstoy (via Mountain of Ink). I have to admit, there aren’t many new inks that catch my eye these days - I think I’m just overwhelmed with the flood of new releases - but this shade of green from PenBBS really fits my aesthetic.
Pont Neuf Notebooks (via Pencilcase Blog). Pont Neuf is the companion brand to Kunisawa, a high-end Japanese stationery company with a luxury business aesthetic. I reviewed Kunisawa a couple of years ago and am glad to see that they have incorporated new, ultra-fountain pen friendly paper into their products.
Pilot G2 Limited Metallic Body (via Pen Addict). The G2 always gets trashed by stationery snobs, but there’s a reason it’s so popular. The “Limited” barrel available directly from Pilot is an excellent upgrade over the standard plastic, and I carry a G2 Limited in my briefcase at all times.
My Artsy Pens (via My Pen Needs Ink). I don’t use a lot of markers, nor do you see many marker reviews. Bob looks at a few options here, and talks about how he incorporates them into practical list-making.
How a Pelikan Found Her Song: Center Stage with the Rare and Exotic Music Nib (via Pelikan’s Perch). Wow, this was a find. There’s also some great bits of history on three-tine music nibs and how they originally were used.
Video Review: Pilot Custom 823 (via Scrively). I have a Smoke 823 on order from Appelboom, to match my Amber version. The Pilot Custom 823 is truly one of a handful that could be “desert island” pens for me.

In Case You Missed It…

I’m on vacation for this coming week! That means posting will likely be sporadic, but you know, sometimes I have to escape from my family for an hour or two and I may get something up. This past week, I posted one piece, which is the starting point for what I intend to be a comprehensive paper resource for the site. I’m looking for additional recommendations (especially for “Tier 1”), and I am in the process of placing orders for papers that I’d like to sample.

New This Week in the Curated Shop

This week I received a restock of Midori MD “B” pencils, as well as the gorgeous TRC Brass Rulers. I also now stock the Write Notepads special edition “Engineer Paper”, in both notebooks and memo pad format. Note that since I’m on vacation this week, shipments may be delayed until my return. Sometimes we do have help shipping out orders, but it’s sporadic.

TRC Brass

Penco

Midori

Write Notepads

Sponsorship Changes - Consider Joining T.G.S. Patreon!

You may have noticed that over the past several months, I’ve been allowing paid sponsorships to lapse and relying on direct support from readers and visitors, either in the form of Patreon pledges or Curated Shop Purchases. I plan to continue this trend in 2021, with the goal of T.G.S. being completely self-sustaining by the end of the year. While I will continue to collaborate and work with select partners, I do not wish to rely on paid advertising going forward, with the possible exception of smaller brands and makers who you may see on my sidebar from time to time.

You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. I will be rolling out some new content in 2021 that will be exclusive to Patreon subscribers, including monthly online meetups, and the eventual return of the “Digital Divide” newsletter (you can read back content here). I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access.

Sunday Reading for March 7, 2021

March 7, 2021

Four Years: A Reflection (via Inky Kat Writes). It’s amazing how quickly things escalate once you enter this hobby seriously! Congratulations on four years!
Esterbrook Estie Rocky Top Oversize (via Rants of the Archer). I bought a standard “Rocky Top” pen in late 2020, and it’s been in my rotation since. At some point I’ll need to add an Estie Oversize.
TWSBI ECO (via Dapprman). I’m not sure even TWSBI appreciated how much the ECO would take off when it launched several years ago, especially to the point where people now debate whether the ECO is in fact TWSBI’s flagship pen, displacing the 580.
Fun with Chromatography (via Left Hook Pens). Since I’m not THAT much of an ink enthusiast, I’ve never tried my hand at chromatography, but this is a great post showing how you can probably experiment using supplies you already have around your house.
Notebook Discontents and Regrets (via Notebook Stories). I have many notebook “regrets,” mainly stocking up on more notebooks than I could ever use out of an unfounded fear that a notebook I liked would be discontinued and I wouldn’t be able to find something comparable.
NovelPad Cloud-Based Writing Part 2 (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Good writing software is another weakness of mine, and Les continues her review of NovelPad. If you missed Part 1, check it out here.
Sailor 50 States (via Mountain of Ink). I’m not sure I grasp what Sailor is trying to do here with the “50 States” ink collection, but they have several of them out right now, which Kelli has reviewed.
Taccia Polar Lights Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). Taccia has been around for a long time, but has picked up momentum in recent years with their urushi, Raden, and Maki-e work.
The Proof Is in the Water (via Pen Addict). Congrats to Tony fo r publishing his first Pen Addict review, examining 17 different waterproof black inks and comparing how they fared on different papers.
Lamy Oblique Medium Gold Nib (via FPQuest). Lamy gold nibs are among my favorite, as I find that they have a lot of character (i.e., the EF’s can have an architect-like quality), and they also come in oblique grinds.
Hightide Metal Book Rest (via Well-Appointed Desk). Many thanks to Ana for reviewing one of the Curated Shop’s signature items, available in multiple colors.
Reviewing the Parker “51” Fountain Pen (via Pencil Revolution). I’m proud to say that I have been there for Johnny’s fountain pen journey “from the beginning,” including both is pen show appearances. And look, now he’s reviewing pens!

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog was more introspective, looking at the issue of organizing and inventorying a collection/accumulation of stationery to make sure everything gets used, and, for those items that don’t, to know what you have so you can pass it along. You can view my initial post here, and yesterday’s follow-up discussed various recommendations I received via e-mail, DMs, and comments.