Sunday Reading for April 9, 2023 (PLUS a Weekend Shop Promotion!)

April 9, 2023

2023 Atlanta Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Atlanta is always a great regional/local pen show, and if I hadn’t just spent a month traveling basically nonstop, I definitely would have gone for the entire weekend. Kimberly’s recaps are spot-on and thorough.
In Defence of Writing by Hand (via KraftyKats). Despite our best efforts here, the world continues to digitize. Personally, I think the key is to do so thoughtfully, and to maintain an analog space in your life where it makes the biggest difference for you.
Using the Hoard (via From the Pen Cup). What better way to preserve the art of writing by hand than using your notebook hoard!
Il Papiro J2 Notebook Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). I love marbled paper. Enough said.
Early Thoughts on the Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler Fountain Pen (via Fountain Pen Blog). I’m not a huge fan of modern Conklin pens, but at the same time I’m glad this particular model continues to exist.
The Kaweco Student (via Left Hook Pens). Kaweco’s student pen has developed its own following, and I’ve enjoyed the weight and shape of the section in the past.
Ink of the Week - Kaweco Smokey Grey (via Fountain Pen Love). I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Kaweco inks are extremely underrated.
Ellington Pens Review (via SBRE Brown). Ellington Pens get the SBRE Brown treatment.
How To Distinguish the Upcycled from the Wood-Cased Noris (via Bleistift). I haven’t written much about Staedtler’s decision to move to an “upcycled” - read, Wopexified - version of the Noris. This makes me sad, but I guess on a certain level it’s inevitable.
Notebook Review: Cortex Sidekick Notepad (via Well-Appointed Desk). I’ve been wanting to check out the Sidekick for some time now, but at $40 each, the price has served as a bit of a barrier. I’m not above spending on expensive notepads and notebooks, but at this price, the page count for the dollar amount has me a bit concerned, especially since that’s before taxes and shipping to many areas. That said, Cortex Brand products are well-designed and of excellent quality.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog - and on the until-now-semi-dormant Youtube channel - I spent the week getting caught up post-pen show. I wrote a short piece on five things that you can do to help introduce new users to nice pens, and I also took a look at the Kaweco Sketch Up Clutch Pencil, one of the many new Kaweco products we’ve recently added to the shop. To kick the week off, I filmed a short video titled “Currently Inked”, which was a quick look at two pens that I inked up for this week: the Pilot Custom 74 and a vintage Parker 51. I’ve decided to start working on some more video content since there are certain things that can be difficult to show/explain in writing. These will be posted both to Youtube and to Instagram Reels/Stories, though I’m not sure about frequency yet.

WEEKEND PROMOTION: Spend $50 in the T.G.S. Curated Shop and get a free Anterique Ballpoint Pen in one of the five colors above. Spend an additional $50 and get a pen in a different color. These pens are excellent, and I plan to make them a fixture going forward. Valid through Sunday. **[For those who missed the promotion, the Anterique pens are now live in the shop!]**

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

There’s been a seemingly never-ending wave of shop arrivals, mainly due to orders placed back in January and February when I was taking several buying trips and thinking that these would all be staggered somewhat. Turns out that all the new products arrived at once and I still have more to go! This week saw a huge TWSBI restock, including some additions of “last call” items like the Diamond 580 ALR “Punch Pink” and AL “Rose”, plus a restock on the ECO Saffron and newly arrived ECO Persian Green. The biggest news dropped Thursday, with Kaweco arriving in the shop, including Sport fountain pens, Sketch Up Clutch Pencils, and Inks! Stay tuned for more big news on our expansion this week.

Kaweco

Pilot Pens

Iroshizuku Inks

TWSBI

Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!

T.G.S. Patreon is currently the only non-shop means of support for the site, and features not only access to meetups and early gently used sales, but more exclusive content. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support! Our next meetup will be at our typical time, which is the third Saturday of every month at 8:30pm U.S. Central Time. Details are circulated through the Patreon feed, so Patreon members should be sure to sign up to get updates/alerts.

Sunday Reading for March 12, 2023 (Pen Show Season Edition)

March 12, 2023

London Spring Pen Show, 2023: My Haul (via Fountain Pen Blog). It’s pen show season, and I’m going to enjoy reading about everyone’s pen show hauls! It’s still a goal of mine to get over for the London Pen Show at some point.
2023 London Spring Pen Show (via Dapprman). Another great London Pen Show recap, with pictures.
Gravitas Pens Universe (via Rachel’s Reflections). The latest of Ben Walsh’s finishes will raise the bar a notch for those who love space-themed releases.
February in Three Parts: California Pen Show and Other Adventures (via The Poor Penman). I heard good reports about the recent California Pen Show’s first event, and I’m looking forward to seeing this “New L.A. Show” grow into a more user-friendly experience than the original.
Montblanc Writer’s Edition Brothers Grimm Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). This is one of my favorite Montblanc Writers Edition releases from the past few years, the other being the Conan Doyle.
Ink of the Week: Sailor Ink Studio 123 (via Fountain Pen Love). One of my favorite multi-shaders from the Sailor Ink Studio lineup.
Omoi Zakka Shop Visit - Philadelphia, PA (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). A great recap of Kimberly’s field trip during the Philadelphia Pen Show in January.
Small But Mighty Pick-Me-Ups (via From the Pen Cup). Another great piece from Mary on letter writing and its benefits.
Schon DSGN x Inkdependence “Cheerio Waterpen” (via Well-Appointed Desk). I missed out on the pen, but love the color concept (and my bottle of Cheerio Waterbus ink).
Aurora DuoCart (via Blake’s Broadcast). I wasn’t aware the DuoCart was still popular or available, though I love vintage Aurora styling.

More Table Shots TGS Baltimore 2023 — I really enjoyed setting up my table (and I’ll bring more Washi tape next time!)

In Case You Missed It….

Since it was a pen show week, most of it was spent getting ready to travel. I emptied out my Rickshaw Bagworks “Banzai Bag” to get ready to hit the Baltimore Pen Show, and on Saturday posted a recap of Friday at a Baltimore Pen Show that might not have been especially busy (compared to past years), but it certainly was fun.

This Week in the Curated Shop

Though some items are marked as “out of stock” online because they went with me to the Baltimore table, most goods are still available, and right before I left we received a restock of Midori MD Paper and Travelers Company notebooks. For those of you here in Baltimore, you have one day left (10-4 today!) to visit us in person and pick yourself up a Lochby Field Journal, Case, or build your Traveler’s Notebook! Also, through Wednesday (when I return) take 10% off your order using the coupon code PENSHOW10 at checkout.

Washi Tape

Midori MD

Laban Inks

Lochby

Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!

I shared some exciting news about projects I’m working on for an expanded T.G.S. on last night’s Patreon meetup. T.G.S. Patreon is the only non-shop means of support for the site, and features not only access to meetups and early gently used sales, but more exclusive content, including the potential return of Digital Divide, which I’ve been working on and hope to relaunch in the coming months. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support!

Some of these things are not like the others.

Sunday Reading for February 19, 2023 (Presidents' Day Weekend Edition)

February 19, 2023

2023 California Pen Show Recap & Report Card (via Pen Addict). It’s not often that new pen shows get launched, so of course I’m going to lead with the “new” LA Pen Show (the “California Pen Show”) which seems like it was a rousing success!
California Pen Show Recap (via Well-Appointed Desk). Another positive recap of the first California Pen Show! Perhaps I’ll see you all there next year….
Elbwood PocketMaster (via KraftyKats). These pocket pens are starting to show up more, with interesting design and beautiful ebonite construction.
Kaweco 2022 Limited Edition Sports (via Dapprman). While I’m on a Saffron/Orange/Yellow kick, that “Orangina”….
Sailor Realo 1911 Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Sailor’s piston-filler versions of its 1911 and Pro Gear models aren’t as popular or widely available as one might expect. On the consumer side, this is due to the price point.
A Lucky Find: SchonDSGN’s Pocket Six “Shop Shuffle” (via From the Pen Cup). I’ve not seen this before from SchonDSGN, but it’s a great idea! I imagine these go fast when they do come up.
Roma Aeterna: Montblanc Homage to Hadrian Rosso Antico (via A Fleeting Ripple). Even if they do sometimes duplicate colors, Montblanc has some excellent shades, especially in red. And let’s face it - many times you are buying into a theme that means something to you.
The Sailor Pro Gear Slim That I Feared Was Lost & The Aurora I Bought to Replace It (via Chicana Writes). Two excellent everyday writers are spotlighted here, and the “Christmas Pudding” Pro Gear Slim caught my own eye during the holidays….
18111 Night Snow (via Rachel’s Reflections). I still have not purchased a pen from Mr. Nakama, and that needs to change soon. This one is gorgeous in a design I’ve never seen.
Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Zone Erasable Gel Ink Pen Review (via Pen Addict). Are people into the FriXion in the U.S. as much as in the Japanese market? Is this something I should be looking into?

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog took a bit of a personal turn in terms of items I’ve been looking for (and now using) for some time: I finally found some standard blue writing paper that I enjoy and which is readily available at reasonable cost, and I also wrote the latest installment in the “Workhorse Pens” series on low-viscosity ballpoints such as the extra-fine and needle-tip pens I have started to use on an almost everyday basis and now stock in the shop.

This Week in the Curated Shop + Presidents’ Day Weekend PromotioN!

The past several weeks have seen a rather large expansion of our shop, which now includes several new ink lines ranging from the classic J. Herbin inks to more recent releases such as the historically-inspired Laban “Greek Mythology” series. For a full recap of all the new arrivals, check out each week’s “Thursday Drops” post, which this week includes the arrival and shipment of TWSBI ECO-T Saffron fountain pens, restocks on Kleid x Life Notebooks, and more!

Grab a free mini-bottle of Anderillium for Presidents’ Day!

Also, for today and tomorrow only, all shop orders over $20 will receive a complimentary 10ml sample of Anderillium Ink! Anderillium was kind enough to send me a box of these ink samples for giveaways with orders. I have more than I thought so I’m expanding/extending our prior fountain pen promotion through 11:59pm CT tomorrow (Monday, February 20). No coupon code is necessary. (TWSBI is necessarily excluded from any promotion, per brand rules, but all other purchases qualify.)

Mark'style "Days" Ballpoints

Midori Paper

TWSBI

Herbin Ink

Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!

This year, I’m trying to be more visible and intentional with T.G.S. Patreon and how the support/membership program will expand in 2023 to include not only access to meetups and early gently used sales, but more exclusive content, including the potential return of Digital Divide. So far, I’ve been trying for at least two Patreon posts per month. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support!

Sunday Reading for February 12, 2023

February 12, 2023

Endgame: Aurora 88 Big (via A Fleeting Ripple). The Aurora 88 is one of my favorite pens from a design perspective, and I definitely have a couple in my collection. I’ve long coveted one of the large standard black ones with the fluted silver cap….
I Swear It’s Not a Junk Drawer! (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I don’t even want to show you my “junk” drawer. This one is insanely well-organized.
The Search for My Next Pocket Pen (via Dapprman). I’m also constantly looking for a great pocket pen to fit my everyday carry small notebook, but substitute “Plotter Mini 5” for Passport Traveler’s Notebook in my case.
No-Buy Follow-Up (via From the Pen Cup). There must always be the Pen Show exception!
Montegrappa Ortocera (via Figboot on Pens). I love Montegrappa’s zebra celluloid, and now this pen might be the last available pen from this material?
Analogue Keeper Logue Book Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). There’s been an increasing number of notebooks using Swedish Munken paper, which on the whole tends to be pretty good with fountain pens.
Ink Review #754: Ferris Wheel Press Buttered Popcorn (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I’ve written recently about discovery legible yellow inks that are versatile for both highlighting and writing. This one looks like perhaps it’s another candidate? I don’t necessarily find this shade of yellow difficult to read, but perhaps it’s the photos.
Ghosts of Planners Past: Daily Planners (via Writing at Large). I’ve personally gone back and forth between daily and weekly planner systems, depending on how busy I’ve been. Currently, I’m using more flexible systems that allow me to switch between the different types of refills and page layouts as I need them.
Kokuyo Campus High Grade (MIO) Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Love). So when I was in NYC last week, I went looking for this version of Kokuyo Campus paper and couldn’t find it. I did, however, pick up some standard Campus looseleaf and was surprised at how well the standard Campus paper held up. I really want to try this version.
Planner Review: Trigg Life Mapper (via Well-Appointed Desk). I was somewhat surprised to see that these were still around. I reviewed on a few years ago and found it a bit complex for my needs but overall a nice well-though-out product.

In Case You Missed It…

I was in NYC attending Shoppe Object and NY Now, two of the largest stationery trade shows! You can read more about my adventures at the shows here, and you can read a bit about my travel packing “strategy” here. Overall, it was a great week to get travel moving again in 2023, and I’m looking forward to visiting some pen shows starting next month, when I’ll be in both Baltimore and Little Rock! Finally, I reviewed the much-anticipated Schon DSGN Mono Nib yesterday, as well as offered my thoughts on the Schon DSGN Full-Sized Fountain Pen.

TWSBI Saffron Yellow ECO-T Pre-Order — TWSBI Saffron ECO-T Pre-orders are open! The pens should arrive Monday or Tuesday, Fedex depending.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Pen Show Weekend Fountain Pen Promotion!

As noted in this week’s Thursday Drops post, our friends at Anderillium were kind enough to provide us with a huge box of ink samples that they requested we use to run a promotion. Through tomorrow, all purchases of Nahvalur and Opus 88 fountain pens will receive a free 10ml sample bottle of Anderillium ink, and any purchase over $120 will receive two samples. So basically you get some free ink to get your new pen writing immediately! No coupon is necessary and the ink will be added when we pack your order. Speaking of ink, to make the shop more navigable, we’ve introduced an “inks and refills” page, which now includes all bottled fountain pen inks, ink cartridges, and other pen and mechanical pencil refills.

We also received a massive restock of Write Notepads paper products, including two-packs of their excellent writing paper, as well as a fresh shipment of Hightide Sandglasses!

Clairefontaine

Hightide

Lochby

Letter Supplies

Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!

Many thanks to the team at Yoseka Stationery for making my visit so enjoyable (and warm, since it was so darn cold out)!

Sunday Reading for February 5, 2023 (NYC Travel Edition)

February 5, 2023

Year One: First Anniversary! (via A Fleeting Ripple). Congrats! Often the first year of blogging is the hardest, just in terms of maintaining a steady stream of posts and a reliable presence. A huge accomplishment, especially when the content is so high-quality.
InCoWriMo, AKA International Correspondence Writing Month (via Pen Addict). It’s February, so you know that it’s InCoWriMo time! Brad provides a nice overview of what InCoWriMo is all about. More on InCoWriMo below, and how we’re set up to help you with all your letter-writing needs.
Sailor Yurameku Inks, Round 2 (via Well-Appointed Desk). During my visit to Yoseka Stationery, I almost picked up a few of these, but then realized that I already had probably exceeded what I was capable of carrying home, and I’m already looking at having to purchase a second suitcase.
Platinum Curidas Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). While it certainly doesn’t get as much attention as Pilot’s Vanishing Point/Capless series, the Curidas is still a legitimate option for those looking for a retractable fountain pen at a lower price point.
Further Thoughts on the Jinhao X159 Fountain Pen (via Fountain Pen Blog). I dove in and purchased one of these as well, and I can confirm that the nib I received was very, very good. Now swapping parts between different colors? That’s something I didn’t think of. More details soon.
PhoenixPenStands 12 Pen Holder (via KraftyKats). This does seem to be the year of the 3D-printed pen stand, and since this one’s in red and black, I automatically like it!
Ink Review #752: TWSBI Blue-Black (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I’m probably biased, but I love TWSBI Blue-Black as a standard blue-black ink. It’s got a nice vintage-style tone, some shading, as well as some water-resistance.
Jacques Herbin Gris de Houle (via Fountain Pen Love). I’ve been wondering lately what’s the difference between the “Jacques Herbin”-branded inks and the “J. Herbin”. This is a nice grey, though possibly a bit light for my own use.
My Seven-Notebook Writing System (via Pen Addict - Sarah). As I’ve said before, I always love looking at how others organize their writing projects. If you work in multiple notebooks, you may find something like the Lochby Field Journal helpful!
A No-Buy Year. Really. (via From the Pen Cup). Congrats to Mary on her progress so far. (Finishing a bottle of ink! In our world, that’s like running a marathon!)

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog, I reviewed a pen that’s been in my collection for some time without a write-up: the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Macassar fountain pen. I also posted the various pens and carry items I took with me to NYC as I travel to the National Stationery Show for a few days. Keep an eye on Instagram for more on my travels!

Airplane carry: I don’t just write about this stuff or sell it for kicks: I DO use it myself!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Expansion and Exciting announcements coming!

It’s no secret that I’ve been rapidly expanding the T.G.S. Curated Shop and working on a couple of semi-secret projects, which necessitated me traveling to NYC this week to meet with vendors, etc. New items are rapidly arriving, which I’ll be posting as they land. You can check out this week’s shop announcements here, which includes not only the arrival of Nahvalur’s Limited Edition “Year of the Rabbit” pens, but also full restock’s of Clairefontaine, Rhodia, and Write Notepads, as well as fun new desk accessories from WMS & Co., like these customizable stamps.

Also, if you’re participating in InCoWriMo, please check out our special letter-writing section, set up especially for this month! (If it’s popular, we may make it a permanent fixture.) Also, if you’re into stickers, stamps, and washi tape to use with your written correspondence or otherwise, we maintain a large and growing selection!

Nahvalur

Composition Books

"Philosophical" Stamps

G. Lalo Paper

Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!

This year, I’m trying to be more visible and intentional with T.G.S. Patreon and how the support/membership program will expand in 2023 to include not only access to meetups and early gently used sales, but more exclusive content, including the potential return of Digital Divide. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support!