One of my pen show prizes from this weekend - a 12-pen hardshell case from Galen Leather. It’s natural undid leather, so it will patina like my Gfeller Cover for my Nanami Paper Cafe Note.

Weekly Links for August 30, 2021 (Post San Francisco Pen Show Edition)

August 30, 2021

Platinum Curidas Gran Red (via Rants of the Archer). The Curidas - Platinum’s entry point into the world of retractable nib fountain pens - started with a lot of hype, a cracked-feed scandal, and then a fair bit of quiet. Are you all still using your Curidas pens? This review has me wanting to break mine out again.
Esterbrook JR Paradise with Scribe Architect Nib: The Feelgood Hit of the Summer? (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony reviews the latest Esterbrook JR release, as well as their latest specialty nib developed in collaboration with JJ Lax Pen Company. I’m torn between the yellow and the blue with the yellow finial.
Esterbrook JR Pocket Pen (Paradise Set, Tuxedo, and Vintage Esterbrook J) (via Macchiato Man). Yagan has an extraordinarily comprehensive review of the new Esterbrook JR “Paradise”, which includes a write up of the standard JR and the vintage Esterbrook J itself.
Pens in Daily Use August 2021 (via Dapprman). My fountain pen use has been fairly spotty this month, as I’ve been doing a bit of travel and I’m in the middle of rejiggering my work from home/office schedule. What pens I have been using have leaned very much towards the practical.
D-Initial Impressions (via Penquisition). Evan takes a look at the S.T. Dupont D-Initial, a new “entry level” model from the luxury French brand, which is one of the very few remaining pen brands that I have no personal experience with.
Lemome Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Love). John reviews what appears to be a very nice inexpensive notebook that handles fountain pen ink quite well.
How I Manage Meeting Agendas with a Notes App (via Bump). Streamlining meetings? I’m all for that.
Pennonia Inks Part 6 (via Mountain of Ink). Kelli reviews several inks from Romanian company Pennonia, including several of their red inks that have caught my eye.
Retro 51 Tornado Vintage Metalsmith Rollerball, Raw Brass Review (via Pen Addict). Sarah reviews a raw brass version of the classic Retro, and I’m interested to see how these patina.
Musgrave Heritage Collection Pencil Set (via Well-Appointed Desk). Ana reviews all the pencils contained in the new Musgrave pencil sampler. I will be contacting winners of our own giveaway when I return from the San Francisco pen show!

In Case You Missed It….

I’m a day late on my links post, but that’s because I’m currently getting ready to fly back from San Francisco this morning, where I’ve been attending the 2021 San Francisco Pen Show. I’ll be posting a full writeup and recap of this awesome experience later this week, but for now read my takeaways from Day One (Friday), and you can also follow my stories/reels/posts over on Instagram. Before I left, I posted an update on my own personal workflow and what I’ve been using since the office reopened, one of many topics I get a lot of questions about.

This Week in the Curated Shop

It’s been a week of restocking following a very busy summer! I now have TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pens in all colors and nib sizes, as well as Prussian Blue 580 fountain pens, and more of the Blue-Black and Midnight Blue inks. TWSBI pens remain as popular as ever, even at pen shows with large contingents of experienced users! Other restocks include Kokuyo Sketch hardcover pocket notebooks, Traveler’s Notebook Lightweight Paper (Tomoe River Paper) refills, and more.

Sunderland MK1 Exclusive

Traveler's Company

Caran d'Ache 849

TWSBI

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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.

This week’s pens, from left: The BigiDesign Ti Ultra, the Nakaya Long Piccolo, and my own Sunderland mk1.

Sunday Reading for August 22, 2021

August 22, 2021

Drillog Reinvents the Glass Dip Pen (via UK Fountain Pens). I finally backed the Drillog, especially now that they’ve added a longer aluminum body option to the rewards. I find dip pens really useful, but I would appreciate the increased durability of this machined tip.
TWSBI Swipe - Over-Engineered or Welcome Innovation? (via Pen Addict). Kimberly has a very thorough review of TWSBI’s new Swipe fountain pen, which I continue to believe is one of the best current values on the market.
Fountain Pens from My Collection: Kaweco AL Sport (via Fountain Pen Love). The AL Sport is a classic! John’s review reminds me that I need to break out my AL Sports and get them back into the rotation.
Notebook Review: Fabriano EcoQua (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I’ve used Fabriano notebooks in the past, and they are definitely an undersung fountain pen friendly option, especially given their lower price point.
On a Whim Woodworks Fountain Pen (via Rants of the Archer). After reading this review, definitely go and check out the On a Whim Etsy store! There are pens in stock in a range of gorgeous materials.
Kaweco Perkeo Demonstrator (via Dapprman). The clear Kaweco Perkeo demonstrator was a big hit at the D.C. Pen Show. I’d love to seek Kaweco do more with this particular line.
Yoobi x Marvel HB Pencils (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Inexpensive pencils at Target? I’m always looking for a good recommendation.
Ten Journals (via From the Pen Cup). That’s an accomplishment! Congratulations, Mary!
Sorry - Not with Those Swirls (via Pete Denison). I tend to agree with Pete that swirled acrylic falls pretty far down the list of my favorite materials. That’s not an absolute (as I have some in my collection, to be sure), but I tend to gravitate towards pens with a more understated look.
Ink Series Review - Visconti Van Gogh Inks (via Well-Appointed Desk). There are some really pretty Van Gogh-inspired colors in here, and the price point is a pleasant surprise! I do love the option to purchase the entire set.

In Case You Missed It….

This week I wrote about a pair of pens that have been on my “To Review” list for quite some time - the Ti Arto and Ti Ultra from BigiDesign. If you’re in the market for a versatile pen that accepts multiple refills, these should all be on your list. I also launched a giveaway of a couple dozen pencils courtesy of Musgrave, with a dozen Tennessee Reds and a dozen Harvest 320 woodcase pencils. (Yes, this week was a bit Tennessee-focused, as BigiDesign is from Chattanooga and Musgrave is from Shelbyville!) Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops post includes a breakdown of what’s new in the Caran d’Ache lineup, including some insight into my personal favorites, as well as an introduction to the now-permanent “T.G.S. Gently Used” section.

New in the Curated Shop

Since I’m focused primarily on Back-to-School/Back-to-Work right now, I’ve brought in a lot of ballpoints, mechanical pencils, and rollerballs, in addition to my fountain pen-focused notebooks and accessories. I’m drawn to versatility when choosing a non-fountain pen writing instrument, so be sure to check these different options out if you’re in the market.

Mazzuoli ITALIA

Sunderland mk1

Stálogy

Rhodia

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Sunday Reading for August 15, 2021

August 15, 2021

D.C. Pen Show 2021 Recap (via The Looped Square). I had a blast working with Joseph, Lisa, Davina, and Dan behind the Vanness table. Joseph has a great show recap.
2021 D.C. Pen Super Show - Quick Recap (via The Pen Addict). Kimberly, now writing for the Pen Addict, has another great recap of the D.C. Pen Show weekend, from behind the Franklin-Christoph table.
The D.C. Pen Show 2021 Experience (via Inkjournal). Tom has a very thorough write-up of the 2021 D.C. Pen Show, that captures all of the different exhibitors and visitors.
TWSBI Swipe Review - From a Fan (via The Poor Penman). As a huge fan of the TWSBI Swipe, I can’t help but highlight this review, which more or less calls out everything the Swipe has to offer in a $26.99 package.
Composition Book Round Up 2021: Part 1 Target (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). The annual round-up of composition books is back! Looks like Target has a couple of winners this year.
British Pen Makers (via Dapprman). A great resource for those interested in discovery pen makers based in the U.K.
Birmingham Pen Company Hydrangea (via Left Hook Pens). As someone with a VERY large number of hydrangea bushes in their yard, I may need to pick up a bottle!
Taccia Jeans Collection Black Wash (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I picked up a fill of this black ink at the D.C. Pen Show and have really been enjoying it! I agree that it’s a nice looking black ink that flows well and has some character.
How I Use My Notebooks: Three Good Things (via Writing at Large). This is an amazing idea, and best wishes for your recovery!
Atoms to Astronauts: UK-made, Fountain Pen Friendly Notebooks (via UK Fountain Pens). These STEM-themed covers are gorgeous. I’m always glad to see new high-end notebooks being made.
Ferris Wheel Press Sophie Charger Set (via Mountain of Ink). I've really enjoyed Ferris Wheel Press inks, and these more interesting muted colors like Goose Poupon are among my favorites.

In Case You Missed It….

The big news from the past week was the D.C. Pen Show - the first large-scale in-person pen event in more than 18 months! Check out my show recaps of Friday and Saturday/Sunday, from my perspective as both an attendee and vendor. I also published Part V of my “Mini-Collection” round-up, looking at all the blue inks in my collection, including blues, blue-blacks, teals, and turquoise. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops also highlighted some D.C. Pen Show favorites, including items from the T.G.S. Curated Shop as well as Vanness and other exhibitors.

This Week in the Curated Shop

If you enjoyed my “All the Blue Inks” post, you may have noticed that I’ve become a big fan of TWSBI Inks, to the point where I’m relying on them for a lot of my own “daily workhorse” writing. The T.G.S. Curated Shop now carries the entire line of TWSBI Inks, in addition to a selection of TWSBI Fountain Pens. We also carry notebooks systems from Traveler’s Company, Stálogy, and Midori, for all of your back-to-work/back-to-school needs. Please reach out if you have any questions about these products or my own personal setup, which combines a Traveler’s Notebook with a cut-down Stálogy A5 notebook for maximum versatility.

Stálogy

TWSBI

Caran d'Ache

T.G.S. x Sunderland

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The Schon DSGN display at this year’s 2021 D.C. Pen Show.

Deals & Drops: Greatest Hits from the 2021 D.C. Pen Show

August 12, 2021

We’re living in strange times, and not everyone will have the opportunity to safely attend pen shows for the foreseeable future. As long as I’m able, I plan to continue to attend shows and publish my recaps here, with a focus on highlighting new releases and other unique discoveries that don’t necessarily get as much attention as they should. If you missed my show recaps, you can read my Friday post as well as my Saturday/Sunday write-up here.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Schon DSGN Faceted Brass Pocket 6 Fountain Pen (via Schon DSGN). One of my first show acquisitions this year, I’ve been coveting a Pocket 6 in the “Faceted Brass” finish for a couple of years now. These (and the rest of the Pocket 6 range) were insanely popular at this year’s show.
Schon DSGN Ultem Fountain Pen (via Schon DSGN). Back in stock and ready to purchase, without a pre-order! At the show, Ian had both the amber and black ultem fountain pens for sale. Ultem is an ultra lightweight and durable acrylic used in medical devices, which also won’t stain. These pens could be considered the “ultimate eyedropper.”
TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen (via TGS Curated Shop). It seems as though everyone was looking to test or get their hands on the new TWSBI Swipe fountain pen. At $26.99, the fact that TWSBI’s first cartridge-converter pen includes two different converters with the pen makes it a potential game-changer for the price segment.
TWSBI ECO Demonstrator Fountain Pens (via TGS Curated Shop). The second most-purchased TWSBI pens were the jewel-like ECO demonstrators, which come in a wide range of colors, from Transparent Blue to Lilac to the ever-popular Rose Gold series.
Vinta Inks (via Vanness Pens). Vanness is renowned for their massive ink selection, and one recent addition has been Vinta, a line of inks from the Philippines famous for both shading and sheen. These inks sold like crazy through the weekend.
Conway Stewart Fountain Pens (via Vanness Pens). The original Conway Stewart fountain pens were famous for their unique acrylics, and the current British-made rendition of the brand continues that tradition. The Churchill model is a larger fountain pen that showcases the Conway Stewart material and craftsmanship without too much weight.
Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Fixpencil in “Ochre” (via TGS Curated Shop). Ok, so it’s more of a “burnt orange” than Ochre, but its gorgeous, and it says something that I sold a half-dozen of these pencils at what is usually a fountain-pen show. Special edition Swiss Wood pencils are also available.
Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” Season 3 (via TGS Curated Shop). While I didn’t bring these with me to D.C., people kept asking about them, especially how the “Night Blue” pen compares to other colors. I’ve posted an additional photo below. “Season 2” of Claim Your Style is also on sale, while supplies last.
Yamamoto Paper (via Vanness Pens). While the “Tomoe River Replacement” craze has largely moved on - we didn’t have many people come by the table asking for a substitute - we sold a ton of Yamamoto paper, a Japanese brand with a wide range of different fountain pen friendly paper styles.
Midori MD “Codex” 365-day Notebooks and Midori MD Cotton Paper (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). Another brand that we didn’t necessarily have in large quantities but always sells well, Midori MD paper is exceptionally fountain pen friendly and comes in a wide range of sizes. The Codex Notebooks and MD Cotton Paper are two of my best-sellers in general.

The two-tone “Night Blue” pen is a deep navy/blue-black.

My first D.C. Pen Show purchase, a Schon DSGN Pocket 6 in faceted brass.

Weekly Links for August 10, 2021

August 10, 2021

Leonardo Officina Italiana Momento Magico Millefiori (via Rants of the Archer). Whenever you visit a pen show and see all of the different brands out there, you’re struck by just how good Leonardo pens really are, especially in terms of the uniqueness of their materials. Leonardo has now added a piston filler with an ink window.
A Nib Journey with the Leonardo Momento Zero Mango (via From the Pen Cup). This ruthenium + mango combination is stunning, and Leonardo does have exceptional customer service should you ever run into a problem with your pen.
Flex for the Masses? The Good Blue R615 Fountain Pen (via UK Fountain Pens). A decent modern flex-nib fountain pen that replicates “vintage flex” has been a white whale of the fountain pen community for years. Anthony looks at one of the most recent attempts to do so at a reasonable price point.
Schon DSGN Pocket Six Faceted Brass Fountain Pen (via Pen Addict). I had to laugh when I saw this post by Brad, because I purchased this exact same pen this weekend at the D.C. Pen Show (well, not exactly the same, because I opted for the longer section).
Dip Pen Review: Victorian Trading Company Dip Pens (via Well-Appointed Desk). I’m not a serious dip pen user, but the “Crimson Tidings” dip pen set has me seriously tempted.
The Pen Post (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Les takes a look at Johnny’s latest publication from Pencil Revolution, a pen-focused zine/newsletter that Johnny was kind enough to send me in the mail and which I’m eagerly awaiting time to read, after I finish unpacking from the show).
Ink Overview (Esterbrook Ink). Ana takes a look at the new range of Esterbrook Inks that were recently released, which include some shimmer inks as well as the standard colors you would expect from a pen company’s house line.
Gravitas Entry Fountain Pen (via SBRE Brown). The Gravitas “Entry” is, well, Gravitas’s entry-level fountain pen, sporting a lightweight, streamlined design that I need to get my hands on for review soon.
CultPencil (via Bleistift). I love it when stores select good promotional products, and I really like the look of what appears to be a Staedtler store pencils from UK Retailer Cult Pens.
Birmingham Pens Rich Inks (via Mountain of Ink). Birmingham Pens has released several new lines of fountain pen inks, which they now make in house. I have a bottle of “Angelfish” in for review, which comes from the “Rich” lineup.

In Case You Missed It….

Last week on the blog, I previewed a couple of releases from Caran d’Ache and TWSBI, all of which are available in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. The TWSBI Swipe fountain pen and new Caran d’Ache Nespresso collabs were quite popular at the 2021 D.C. Pen Show. I also recapped Friday at the D.C. Pen show, but stay tuned for more D.C. recaps coming later this week as I get caught up, and for those of you who placed orders late last week, I am in the process of shipping those and should have orders in the mail and coming your way by tomorrow. Many thanks for your support!

TWSBI Swipe

Caran d'Ache Claim Your Style 3