D.C. Pen Show Bound this Week! Don't forget to come see me at the Vanness Table. I’ll have stickers (and a bit more)!

Sunday Reading for August 1, 2021

August 1, 2021

The Late Late London Spring Pen Show (via Dapprman). I’m getting geared up for the D.C. Pen Show this coming weekend, and it’s been fun reading reviews of other pen shows that are happening. (Honestly, I like the look of a truly “distanced” pen show rather than the somewhat claustrophobic situation that tends to prevail at U.S. shows.)
Pen Shows Are Back, and Better Than Ever (via UK Fountain Pens). Another great report from the London Pen Show, and again, I love the look of the new setup. I hope D.C. will be similar.
How to Pen Show (via Inkdependence). A timely video from Mike, who will be in attendance in D.C. as well! I can't tell you how much I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Saying Goodbye to The Pen Addict (via Pen Addict). Congratulations to Susan and best of luck in your new endeavor! I hope this isn't goodbye forever, and that Susan will still occasionally share her thoughts and excellent reviews!
Shibui Kibo Urushi Enamelled Copper Pen (via Dapprman). The finish on this pen looks gorgeous, and Ruth Bolton is an urushi artist to keep an eye on.
Taccia The Jeans Collection Classic Wash (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I’ve never really understood how Taccia develops their various ink lines. Sure, they make great inks, but the “Jeans” collection is kind of quirky.
Obligatory Mechanical Keyboard Post (via Penquisition). The mechanical keyboard hobby is something that interests me, but I’ve never jumped in wholesale, such as building my own keyboard like Evan does. I have two (one at home and one at the office) that I’ve been using for years, and I keep going back to Cherry MX Green as my switch of choice. (Stiff and Clicky!)
Dingbats Notebook Review (via Writing at Large). I’m glad to see that Dingbats is still making notebooks. Their paper is quite fountain pen friendly and the vegan covers quite durable.
Looking Back at Old Flames, with Ever Widening Eyes (via UK Fountain Pens). You may have noticed that I’m selling off a ton of inks and paper, and I haven't figured out how I’m going to reduce my pen count. I’m struggling with it to avoid later regrets.
Birmingham Pens Everlasting Inks (via Mountain of Ink). I love these colors, but permanent inks tend to feather and bleed a lot for me. I have a bottle of “Compost” in for review and will see how it works out.

In Case You Missed It…

This week I published the third installment of my “All the Inks” series, in which I swab my “mini collections” of ink in their entirety. Purple inks were up next, and it was interesting to see that I wasn’t as attached to many of the super-popular “cult” purples as I thought I would be. I let a lot of them go. I also wrote a short piece highlighting the new Caran d’Ache x Nespresso collaborations, which are available in the store. I love this annual release - I grab one of each installment for my personal collection. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops highlighted the new TWSBI Swipe and more!

Pre-D.C. Pen Show Inventory Updates - Sunderland, TWSBI, and the More Regular Launch of T.G.S. Gently Used/Vintage!

I will be bringing all remaining Sunderland x T.G.S. mk1 collaboration pens to the D.C. Pen Show with me, so if you are NOT attending the show, and want to get one in the near term, I would recommend purchasing this week. As I noted, I have the new TWSBI Swipe in stock, all of the TWSBI inks (including the smaller bottles of colored inks), and the full range of Caran d’Ache x Nespresso pencils. Finally, I’ve launched the T.G.S “Gently Used” page, where I will be selling some items from my personal collection, as well as some vintage items - namely vintage pencils - that I’ve stockpiled over the years.

Sunderland MK1

Caran d'Ache

TWSBI

Rhodia

Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and First Dibs on Gently Used Stationery, Exclusive Products and More!

For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. Patreon supporters receive special pricing and early access to product releases and collaborations such as the T.G.S. x Sunderland pen, in addition to other benefits. 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 and T.G.S. collaborations, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live and features the inks that I’m selling off as I thin out my personal accumulation.

New arrivals - I’m trying to decide whether the new Fixpencil or Swiss Woods are my favorite?

Sunday Reading for July 25, 2021

July 25, 2021

Montegrappa Miya 450 Limited Edition Yellow (via Rants of the Archer). So this is what I mean when I really have a hard time understanding why Montegrappa doesn’t make the Miya a permanent centerpiece of the company’s lineup. These vibrant celluloids are gorgeous and I was happy to get one in the “Zebra” celluloid.
What’s in the Bag; Back 2 the Office (via the Poor Penman). A great bag dump post, and a versatile set of everyday carry gear.
Schon DSGN Ultem Pen (via Figboot on Pens). David has a review of the new Schon DSGN Ultem pen, which is a different shape and size than Ian’s first fountain pen, the Pocket Six.
Worth a Look: The Worther Compact Fountain Pen (via Penquisition). A very interesting design from a brand that I don’t have experience with, though these smaller German brands tend to make very high quality pens.
Summer and I’m Not Dead Yet (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony checks in for the summer, and he’s the one person I know so far who’s purchased the new Lamy 2000 limited edition. I’m looking forward to a review!
Nespresso Notebook and Pen (via Bleistift). Nespresso’s capsule recycling program has moved beyond their partnership with Caran d’Ache into other product lines, and apparently they now are using not just the recycled aluminum but the coffee grounds as well. As this article points out, Nespresso customers can get some unique stationery goods thrown in with their orders, depending on where you are located. Also, see below for more details on the latest Nespresso x Caran d’Ache collaborations.
Fountain Pen Quest Trail Log (via FPQuest). Ray seems to be going through a similar reevaluation of his collection, only I’m focused on thinning inks and the notebook hoard right now instead of pens. I’m always fascinated to see how other people make their decisions on what to keep and what to sell.
Where I Write (via From the Pen Cup). I’m a fan of decluttering in general, but I also firmly believe that we all need a space that’s uniquely “ours” to personalize without feeling compelled to “Kondo-ize” it to meet someone else’s standards. My own home office space serves a similar purpose to Mary’s.
Super Weird Moonman (via Well-Appointed Desk). Agreed. Super weird, but I’m somehow glad this exists.
Montblanc Writer’s Edition Homage to Arthur Conan Doyle Scarlet Red Fountain Pen Ink (via Gourmet Pens). I’m repeating to myself - I’m NOT buying any more red inks…. Ok, maybe I’ll check it out in D.C.

In Case You Missed It….

I’ve spent the past two weeks doing a massive summer clean-out, as we’re preparing to have some work done on our house (including floors in my office area), and I’m trying to thin out as much clutter as I can so I don’t have to move and/or store things I wouldn’t keep long term. I came up with the idea to mercilessly attack my ink accumulation by swabbing all the inks I have by color family, so I can compare them side-by-side and see which ones I’m actually likely to use going forward. Eventually I may do the same with pens, but ink is the more urgent issue. So far, I’ve done two posts, one on red inks, which makes up the largest set of inks in my collection by far, and one on green inks, which is the second largest group.

New in the Shop: Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Collaborations Arrive!

Yesterday I received my allotment of the new Caran d’Ache x Nespresso collaborations, including a limited edition Fixpencil in matte orange, and a set of three special Swiss Wood pencils with aluminum finials on the end. This release marks the fourth successful collaboration between Nespresso and Caran d’Ache, and the first that does not involve a special edition 849 ballpoint. Finally, T.G.S. x Sunderland exclusive mk1 rollerballs are back in stock, as I picked up the second half of my first shipment yesterday. If these last, I will bring some to the D.C. Pen Show the first week of August, but there’s a chance they may sell out so if you’d like to reserve one for show pickup please send me a note and we can work out the specifics.

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Sunday Reading for July 18, 2021

July 18, 2021

The Noodler’s Cinematic Universe: Six Degrees of Baystate Blue (via Left Hook Pens). It’s been FAR too long since anyone’s talked about the great “Baystate Blue controversy.” This is a must-read for those who joined the pen and stationery community in recent years, with history of the ink and why people continue using this vibrant color despite its quirks.
Lamy 2000 Brown (via Bleistift). I’m not sure how I feel about this version of what might be my favorite fountain pen in existence. Part of me loves that Lamy isn't diverging from its understated color palette on its Lamy 2000 limited editions. The other part of me is angry at the price point.
Schon DSGN Ultem Fountain Pen (via Pensplaining). Lisa over at Pensplaining reviews the new Schon DSGN fountain pen made from ultem, a material that has rarely been used in pen making until recently. I can’t wait to see one of these in person, hopefully in D.C.
Drillog: Precision Drill Tipped Dip Pen (via Gourmet Pens). Ok, this product is intriguing to me, but the price point is a bit too high for me to experiment with, since I’m not necessarily a huge dip pen user. Extremely cool idea, though.
An Interview with Rachel, The Creator of the Profolio Oasis Summit Notebook (via Fountain Pen Love). I enjoy reading interviews with the creators of products we enjoy. This one makes me want to go out and try a Profolio. (I also love B6-sized notebooks.)
Tono & Lims No. 11: The Boundary Between Like and Dislike (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I reviewed at Tono & Lims ink for the first time myself this week, and I have to say, with literally hundreds of different colors, they really do have to start getting creative with the names.
Birmingham Pen Company Antique Sepia Fountain Pen Ink (via Pen Addict). I’m in the process of exploring Birmingham Inks’ various lines as well, and particularly enjoy their more muted color scheme, which makes them excellent choices for work inks, provided they behave well. Keep checking back for more reviews in the future.
Narwhal Key West (via Well-Appointed Desk). I’ve jumped into exploring Narwhal’s pen line recently, but this one didn’t hold as much interest for me. Laura seems a bit underwhelmed as well.

In Case You Missed It….

This was a busy week on the blog! I wrote a few articles that were a bit of a change of pace for me, including this piece on customizing notebooks to meet your exact needs, which for me meant cutting down a thicker Stálogy 1/2 year notebook to fit my Traveler’s Notebook. I also continued some ink review work with this follow-up piece on water-resistance of TWSBI Inks, and a review of a new red ink that recently passed through my hands: Tono & Lims “Superstar T.”

Exclusive Sunderland Pen Update, and New This Week in the Curated Shop

I have very few exclusive Sunderland mk1 pens remaining in stock, and hope to receive another shipment so I’ll have some pens available to take with me to the D.C. Pen Show early next month. In the meantime, we’re fully stocked on notebook systems, from Traveler’s Notebook, to Stálogy, to Midori MD, all of which are infinitely customizable and perfect for getting yourself ready for back-to-work/back-to-school season. (I can’t believe it’s right around the corner.) Check out the links below and this week’s Deals & Drops Highlights for more details.

Stálogy

Midori MD

Traveler's Company

TWSBI

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Sunday Reading for July 11, 2021

July 11, 2021

Updating My Top 3 Pens for 2021 (via UK Fountain Pens). In his installment of Appelboom’s popular video series, Anthony shows off his top three pens from 2021, including one major new addition to his collection.
England v. Italy (via Dapprman). Great choices for each side!
Scribo Arancio di Sicilia (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I have essentially the entire range of Scribo inks here in my office, ready for review, and after seeing the pictures of this orange it will definitely be one of the first I ink up.
Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen Black (via Rants of the Archer). In addition to some of their more wild designs, like the “Skittles” pens, Gravitas has an entry level model as well.
Profolio Oasis Summit Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Love). I’ve not used the Profolio notebook series before, but the paper looks quality and the ruling on this one interesting.
Monteverde Jungle Collection Part I and Part II (via Mountain of Ink). Monteverde is at it again, releasing yet another set of interesting ink colors. While I’ve not used their pens much, their inks are generally high-quality.
Sailor Pro Gear Slim Mini Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). I owned a couple of Pro Gear Minis, back before I sold off a large chunk of my Sailor collection. These are very nice pens, especially if you value a pen that can go from compact to nearly full-size when posted.
Fountain Pen Quest Trail Log (via FPQuest). Ray has written a lot lately about his dark green Lamy Aion, and I have to say, despite the Aion not being one of my favorite entries in Lamy’s lineup, this pen looks really nice.
Platinum Procyon Review (via Pen Addict). Brad reviews the Platinum Procyon. I know that many people find this pen “boring,” but I find the shape insanely comfortable - moreso than the Preppy or Plaisir.
Lennon Toolbar Egret Paper (via Well-Appointed Desk). Let the Tomoe River replacement wars continue!

In Case You Missed It….

The big news on the site this week was the launch of my most recent product collaboration, a store-exclusive Sunderland mk1 gel/rollerball pen in bead-blasted matte black and red! I followed up with a post yesterday on why I chose this particular pen and design. I also wrote a quick review on a “workhorse ink” I’ve been using recently, TWSBI Blue-Black.

This Week in the Curated Shop

In addition to launching the Sunderland pen, this week I added Stálogy notebooks/planners to the store! Available in two sizes, A5 1/2 year and 365 days, Stálogy notebooks are quite popular - the Instagram response surprised me! - probably because they can double as a traditional grid notebook or undated planner. On the pen side of things, TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR “Prussian Blue” fountain pens arrived, as well as TWSBI ECO “Lilac” fountain pens.

TWSBI

Traveler's Company

Quo Vadis

Rhodia

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Sunday Reading for June 27, 2021

June 27, 2021

When One Nib Is Not Enough (via Pen Addict). Stacked Nibs have received a lot of attention lately, and they’re on my list of “things I need to try out at pen shows” once I have the opportunity to travel again later this summer.
The TWSBI Eco 2 Years Later (via Left Hook Pens). The Eco is an especially durable fountain pen, which is somewhat astounding at the price point. I’m glad to see that it’s caught on (and that someone else out there appreciates the transparent orange version).
Ink Institute Cat at Noon (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). So I heard about the Ink Institute “Cat” series last night on our T.G.S. Patreon meetup, and now I’m looking to track some of these down. “Cat at Noon” is sold out nearly everywhere, and it’s one of those “double shading” inks with multiple colors and tones.
Stanford Wood Studios Impressionist Series (via Rants of the Archer). A new custom penmaker from South Africa? Count me as interested! These pens appear incredibly well-designed and well-finished.
Magna Carta Elements Water (via Dapprman). The material on this larger pen from India (with a house made nib!) is gorgeous. I just may have to pick one of these up.
Lamy 2000 Mechanical Pencil .7mm (via Scrively). The one member of the Lamy 2000 family that I have never tried! I love mechanical pencils, and I love the Lamy 2000, so I’m not sure what I’ve been waiting for.
Nuuna Flexcover Notebook (via Fountain Pen Love). Nuuna paper is extremely good quality, even for fountain pens, and they have some of the more unique designs out there as far as notebooks go. I believe Vanness Pens is the only U.S.-based retailer that stocks the brand.
Narwhal Yellow Tang Fountain Pen (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). I have the purple version of this fountain pen inked up for review, and so far I’m also liking this pen at around the $50 price point.
Pebble Stationery Cosmo Air Light x Liberty London (via Mountain of Ink). I’m really glad to see Cosmo Air Light circulating more widely in notebook form! I also love this cover collaboration by Pebble.
Musgrave Sampler Pack (via Pencil Revolution). Best stationery packaging ever. Fight me.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I looked at the new line of Esterbrook Inks, which should be hitting stores in the next couple of weeks. There are six standard colors plus three shimmer inks. I also wrote a piece that discussed stationery subscription services and their ongoing role, if any, in the current state of the stationery market.

New This Week In the Curated Shop

Check out this post for a detailed run-down of everything that’s newly arrived, but the highlights include the Field Notes “Fifty” edition, a restock on Field Notes Archival Wooden Boxes, and a new size of Life x Kleid notebooks. Many thanks for all of your support!

Caran d'Ache

TWSBI

Traveler's Company

Field Notes

Visit T.G.S. on Reddit, and Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!

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 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. If there’s one thing you can do to help support T.G.S., it’s sharing our content and spreading the word!

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!