What Are the Qualities of a Good Reviewer (via SBRE Brown). Few pen reviewers have been at this longer than Stephen, and it was quite interesting to hear his thoughts on what makes a good pen reviewer.
Last of the Summer Blues: Inkebara Petrol Dark & Sea Green (via a fleeting ripple). I’ve not yet had the chance to use any Inkebara inks, though I’m always happy to see new ink brands coming to market, especially small independent ones.
BigIDesign Pens Overview (via Writing at Large). BigIDesign is sort of local to me (Chattanooga) so I always keep an eye on what they’re up to. They make excellent refill-versatile pens, in a variety of formats.
Otto Hutt Design 07 Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). The Design 07 is the flagship of the Otto Hutt line, and I’m very happy to see the brand gain increasing exposure in a measured, sustainable way.
The Nafety for Safety: Three New No-Nonsense Pens & Inks for My Currently Inked (via mnmlscholar). A big shout-out to the Iroshizuku inks, which used to be the “next big thing” but have since become part of mainstream pendom. They are nearly always an excellent choice for any form of writing, and make outstanding everyday workhorses.
Customizing, Personalizing, and Outright Hacking: A mnml Digest (via mnmlscholar). Once you overcome the fear of screwing up and start hacking/customizing your own stationery, the possibilities are endless, especially once you start swapping accessories between brands….
Don’t Call It a Comeback: Rickshaw Sinclair Model R Review (via The Poor Penman). Another great look at the Nock-Rickshaw Sinclair Model R. I’m interested to hear what people think as the new Sinclairs hit the market.
Rhorer & Klingner Sketchink Lilly (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). The R&K “sketch” series is another one of those undersung ink series that has major fans, including members of my local pen group. I need to get over my instinctive hesitation at using permanent inks in fountain pens and try them out.
Leonardo Momento Magico 2022: New and Improved (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I have yet to get my hands on a Momento Magico, but since I’ve made the decision to largely move on from the Momento Zero Grande - it really is just a touch too large for my preference - I may need to give it a try.
Ferris Wheel Press FerriTales (via Well-Appointed Desk). Jesi sold a ton of these inks in San Francisco, and for good reason - Ferris Wheel Press continues to impress with their lineup, especially their multichromatic and shading inks.
In Case You Missed It…
This week on the blog, I published two pieces of planner-themed content. One is a broad overview of pens that are compatible with the Plotter system pen holders, and the other is the first installment of an anticipated multipart series on Notebook Systems. I start out by discussing the various categories of systems, ranging from ring binders to Traveler’s-style folios.
New This Week in the Curated Shop
The big news this week was a launch of a new brand: Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal)! The Nahvalur Original Plus is a revamped version of the Narwhal Original, which I first saw at the Philadelphia Pen Show a few years ago. I like the more subtle design, and we’ve also added the Nahvalur Nautilus in gorgeous Stylophora Berry ebonite. Note that we are running a promotion through the end of the month to welcome Nahvalur, in which all Nahvalur pens ship with a 4ml ink sample hand-picked to match your pen! Be sure to check out this week’s Thursday Drops post for further details on this offer and other new arrivals, including a restock of Sumkin (Soumkine) undated hardcover planners.
Many Thanks for Your Shop Support, and Please Consider T.G.S. Patreon!
We’ve been surprised at the level of enthusiasm and support for our curated retail strategy over the past couple of months, and after careful consideration are beginning to build out our inventory with more brands and product categories. I love managing this aspect of T.G.S., as it offers me the opportunity to directly put great stationery - including brands I feel are underappreciated and underemphasized - into your hands. For those who want to support T.G.S. without necessarily adding to their accumulation, the Patreon Program offers two options for tiers of support: $3 and $5, and plan on making monthly meetups, pen show events, and periodic exclusive content the primary benefits. Of course, Patreon members will continue to get first access to periodic sample sales, with right of first refusal on gently used pens.
