Progress Over Perfection: The Venvstas Magna CC (via UK Fountain Pens). Apparently the proverbial heads have rolled over at Venvstas, and there is new management in charge. The results? A much better pen. Check out Anthony’s reviews for details.
Otto Hutt Design04 Wave White and Rose Gold (via Rants of the Archer). Otto Hutt is literally all over the place these days! I had not seen the Design04 compared against other pens, and it’s interesting to see that this particular model isn’t as small as I originally thought.
Inkuisition - Birmingham Pen Company (via The Poor Penman). Birmingham Pen Company apparently has released a couple of different ink formulations that reduce dry times and supposedly work better on inexpensive paper. This article tests out a couple of those claims.
Victoria’s Journals Smyth Fashion Flexy Dotted Bullet Journal (via Rants of the Archer). I only wish journals/notebooks like this were available in our local bookstore!
Pineider Arco Blue Bee (via Dapprman). I absolutely love the look of this material, regardless of whether it’s true “Arco” or not. I did not personally experience quality control issues with my loaner “Quill” nib, but apparently they are out there. This thorough review is worth reading if you are considering a Pineider.
Sailor Pro Gear Cocktail Kure Azur (via Pen Addict). Susan reviews this gorgeous transparent Pro Gear from Sailor’s “Cocktail” series - if only they could focus on keeping these exceptionally popular and well-designed colors in the main lineup.
TRU RED Starter Journal (via Mountain of Ink). Kelli also takes a look at the TRU RED Starter Journal, from Staples and Staples.com affiliated brand TRU RED. For my own look at this product, check out the links below.
Link Love: Cat(ch)-22 Edition (via Well-Appointed Desk). Ana’s discussion of Instagram here struck a chord with me, as I’ve been reconsidering my own commitment to the platform. I don't have a lot of time to devote to things like “Reels” and “Stories,” which makes it difficult to get any traction in the algorithm. Since my first love has always been writing and text-based interaction, I’ve tried to be more active on Twitter and now, Reddit, including r/fountainpens and the new r/gentlemanstationer. More on that below.
Kunisawa Executive Ring Notebook - Fountain Pen Friendly! (via Gourmet Pens). I reviewed Kunisawa notebooks a couple of years ago, but found the paper inconsistent. That issue has since been remedied.
Modern Fuel Adjustable Bolt Action Pen Prototype Preview (via Ed Jelley). Modern Fuel, makers of the Modern Fuel mechanical pencil, have been working on a bolt action pen that takes a wide range of refills. They’ve blown through their Kickstarter goals, apparently.
In Case You Missed It…
This week on the blog I published a post on some of my favorite ballpoint refills, and I already have a list of more pens to check out, based on your comments and submissions! I also reviewed the TRU RED Starter Journal, a product from Staples and Staples.com-affliated brand TRU RED. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops spotlighted a new collaboration between Vanness Pens and Shawn Newton, as well as some ideas for accessorizing your office as many of us prepare to go back to work.
New This Week in the Curated Shop
This week, I received new stock from Midori MD, including the blank/framed version of the MD Notebook Journal, as well as dot grid and blank MD Notebook Journal “Codex” versions! The latter features 368 pages of Midori MD paper - a page per day, if that’s how you choose to use it, and a lay flat binding. Note that this particular journal is not compatible with standard Midori MD Notebook covers.
Visit T.G.S. on Reddit, and Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!
As I noted above, I’ve been trying to expand into social media beyond Instagram, due to my dissatisfaction with the direction that platform is taking. Currently, you can also engage with me on Twitter, Facebook, and now on Reddit. (Honestly, I’m active on Twitter and Reddit moreso than Facebook, but I do read all the Facebook comments, eventually.) Mainly, I’m doing this because of Instagram’s algorithm-driven approach that buries content unless you’re endlessly posting to their various formats (“Reels,” Stories, posts, etc.) and actively monitoring your account to where you’re basically having to respond to comments and DMs in real time. This is impractical, because as Ana points out, you end up spending all your time on their platform and not actually writing or running your business, and then most of this content is temporary (24hrs) and you have to jump on the “hamster wheel” again. Many people just want an easy way to receive updates on when I post new content to the blog. Twitter and Reddit allow me to do that reliably. I plan to continue using Instagram, because it can be fun. I just don’t intend on doing more to just “play the game.”
For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve introduced monthly online meetups, which take place on Friday or Saturday and have been super enjoyable. We’ve discussed our thoughts on pen shows restarting, recent arrivals in our personal collections, and more. 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!
