Sunday Reading for November 12, 2023

November 12, 2023

How Pens Leave and Enter the Gathering (via A Gathering of Curiosities). How do you manage the number of pens in your collection, if at all? Do you adopt a “one-in, one-out?” philosophy? How do you choose which pens stay and which pens go?
Fountain Pen Day 2023: An Interview with Mr. FPD (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I’ve been in the hobby long enough to recall when Fountain Pen Day first started. I enjoyed reading this interview with my friend Cary Yeager, who started the whole thing!
Fountain Pen Day Project: Starting My Ink Swatch Library (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). Another Fountain Pen Day has come and gone. Did you have any special pen-related projects that you tackled last week?
Tokyo Pen Show Haul (via Inky Rocks). Ok, so I’ve been watching TIPS videos for the past week and have now decided that I’m going to do anything and everything in my power to get there next year.
Pen Upgrade: Pilot 912 with Custom Nib Studio Spencerian Nib (and Flexible Nib Factory Feed) (via Well-Appointed Desk). If you are looking for a soft flexible nib and are willing to invest in customization, I cannot recommend Gena enough for this grind.
This Is All of It (via Line Variation). I really do need to photograph my own collection, even if just for informational/inventory purposes.
Summoning All of the Grinds. Well, Five of Them (via mnmlscholar). There are many ways to choose a “currently inked rotation.” Some people go by color, others by size and shape, and as here, a nice selection of different nib grinds.
Monteverde Jungle Chameleon (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). Whoa, this very dark purple really jumped out at me!
Flushing New Fountain Pens (via Dapprman). This post points out an important thing to remember with any new pen - if you have flow or skipping issues with a new arrival, be sure to rinse it out and re-ink first because the problem could simply be manufacturing residue or dried ink from quality control testing.
Ink of the Week: Scribo Grigio (via Fountain Pen Love). Or, as I like to describe it, “Best Ink of All Time?” Seriously, it may come to that, as I have three pens inked with it right now.
Pelikan M200 Pastel Blue (via Mountain of Ink). A nice review with photos of the latest Pelikan M200 release, which is a pastel blue color paired with ivory. I tend to prefer Pelikan’s transparent demonstrators in this line but variety is good!

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I reviewed a pen that I picked up at this year’s Dallas Pen Show: a Nagasawa Stationery exclusive 1911L dubbed the Kobe Affection Kyomachi Legend Blue! I also wrote a piece outlining my plans for the remainder of 2023 and 2024 in terms of my notebook and planner setup, as well as some additional insight into how I manage my workflow using analog tools.

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on the T.G.S. YouTube Channel! Yesterday I hit publish on a companion video to my recent review of the Santini Italia Libra fountain pen, and I have another such video in the works on the Sailor 1911L Kyomachi Legend Blue. Video content on these two pens offer me the ability to provide some additional context when discussing size, writing samples, etc. You can expect more of this type of content when I review stuff going forward.

Anterique Brass Ballpoints arrayed on leather book, with all of the colors — We are now fully restocked on the Anterique Brass Ballpoints, including two new colors! (Keep in mind that the top portions are interchangeable with the standard Anterique Pens, allowing you to mix and match to create pretty much any brass + color combination you like.)

Curated Shop Arrivals: New Lamys, Caran d’Ache Special Editions, and Anterique Brass!

The past few days have been huge for the Curated Shop, as we’re listing new arrivals prior to the holidays. The rest of the Caran d’Ache Keith Haring special editions arrived, including the Keith Haring 849 Ballpoints in two different designs, along with Anterique Brass Ballpoints in two new colors.

On the heels of our Kaweco expansion, we’ve also decided to offer additional pens from Lamy, including one of my favorite sub-$200 14k nib options: the Lamy Studio. Be sure to check out all of the new shop arrivals for the remainder of the month as we have more on the way.

Anterique

Lamy

Caran d'Ache

Roterfaden

How to Support TGS!

If you enjoy our content (whether on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), there are several ways that you can support us. We do our best to remain 100% self-supported without having to rely on third-party advertisers or affiliates. Of course, the number one way to help is to visit our curated retail shop, especially during the upcoming holiday season! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which also includes early access to quarterly gently used sales. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

A6 Roterfaden alongside A6 Hobonichi Notebook — I still can’t decide on the best A6 Roterfaden for my A6 Hobonichi next year….

Sunday Reading for November 5, 2023

November 5, 2023

Ink Thoughts: Montblanc Dragon Red (via A Gathering of Curiosities). This is a lovely shade of red. One inevitable consequence of the ongoing “limited edition ink craze” - combined with the fact that many companies are now expanding their standard ink lineups to include hundreds of colors - is the duplication or near-duplication of colors (even if it’s unintentional and not part of a cynical cash grab).
Platinum Chou Kuro Black Ink Review (via Pen Addict). None more black: the review.
Hobonichi A5 Notebook (via Stationery Pizza). I’ve recently picked up both Hobonichi Planners and the Notebooks in A5 and A6, and look forward to working my way through them. It’s been a while since I’ve revisited the Hobonichi lineup.
Professional (Hand)writing Tool (via Pen Picture). What qualifies as a “professional” writing instrument? Honestly, I’ve gotten by using pretty much anything I want in the office over the years, but what type of pen or pencil best suits your needs will be specific to your particular situation.
A Quick Survey on How We Experience Wet Inks and Dry Inks (via mnmlscholar). The survey linked to in this article only takes a few minutes to fill out, and I’m interested to see the results. I love how this hobby leads people in so many different directions.
Time for a Change (via Rachel’s Reflections). Fountain Pen Day always gets me thinking about how I optimize my own rotation. I plan to do a big clean-out this evening.
Pen Show Pick-Ups: An Over-Due Overview (via The Poor Penman). I don’t think I’ve done a personal overview of everything I picked up this year, much less published a grand look back. Maybe in connection with the year-end review pieces…
Bright Night Designs Bright (via Dapprman). Yet another reason to eventually make it to the UK, with this proliferation of independent makers hopefully helping to further grow the pen show scene.
M600 Art Collection - Glauco Cambon Special Edition (via Pelikan’s Perch). I had the opportunity to see one of these in person this weekend - it’s a gorgeous pen, though there are less-pronounced red tones in person than appear in the picture.
Trick or Treat: Sailor North America Decreasing Prices on Select Collections (via Well-Appointed Desk). My guess is that this is a result of the North American pricing being out of whack with the rest of the world, driving customers to overseas retailers and the grey market, combined with a seemingly endless stream of “limited” editions that hang around for years and that retailers apparently have trouble selling due to oversupply.

The Tile 2-Pen Box from NFP Design shown with two recent TWSBI Releases: the ECO-T “Rosso” and the TWSBI Kai.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed the “Tile” 2-pen box from a new company I had the opportunity to visit with at this year’s D.C. Pen Show: NFP Design. And since it was Fountain Pen Day week, I published a short piece on why I think this event, entering its 12th year, is important, going beyond the annual sales promotions.

Celebrate Fountain Pen Day with us and get yourself some TGS and Fountain Pen Day Swag in your order!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop (It’s Fountain Pen Day! Or Fountain Pen Week! Or Fountain Pen Weekend….) PLUS New Gently Used Items!

Today is the last day of our own Fountain Pen Day promotion and sale. You can take 10% off most orders (excluding brands such as Roterfaden and TWSBI) using the code “FPDAY23” at checkout, and there are also tiered “add-ons” at certain order thresholds. You can read the full details here. Also, be sure to enter our Fountain Pen Day giveaway, with full details on yesterday’s blog post and Instagram. While Roterfaden and TWSBI can’t be discounted, purchases of these items will count towards your tier bonuses.

Finally, the Gently Used Page has been updated to include those items that remain after Patreon members took the first pass! These specific items are not eligible for further discounting, as they’ve been priced to move.

TWSBI

Roterfaden

Kaweco

Diamine

Patreon Update - Support T.G.S. via Sample Sales, Early Access, and Meetups!

If you’re interested in further supporting T.G.S., consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which features not only access to meetups and the early gently used sales (one of which is pending now), 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 pledge!

Sunday Reading for October 29, 2023

October 29, 2023

The YosekaLab Planner, Part 2: Vertical Quadrant (Divided) (via A Gathering of Curiosities). The YosekaLab Planner continues to be something that is piquing my interest. I’ve come to enjoy quadrant-style layouts as well.
To What Level Should You “Restore”? (via KraftyKats). The restoration process presents many interesting questions and considerations for vintage pen collectors and enthusiasts. I generally take Chloe’s approach here.
Meet Your Maker: Ben Stewart, Mayfair Pens (via Pen Addict - Caroline). I have a Mayfair pen currently in the queue to review, and I can’t wait to break it out after reading this profile.
Musubi Pocket Folio Notebook (via Well-Appointed Desk). I love the feel of Spica Bond paper, and was thrilled to see these notebooks released at the San Francisco Pen Show.
Nibs and Feeds with Kokuyo’s THIN Paper in Mind (via mnmlscholar). While Kokuyo’s thinner planner paper can work well for planning on the go (the absorbent paper dries fairly quickly), you do need to carefully consider pen and ink combinations that will work best.
Stationery Micro Kit (via Pen Picture). What is your “minimal” stationery carry, when weight and space are the most important factor?
Rollerballs Revisited and Gels as Well (via Line Variation). It’s hard to beat the Pilot Precise V5, which was one of my go-to pens for years. I think I still have a bunch lying around somewhere.
Journaling Series: Journaling When There Are No Words (via Writing at Large). Sometimes the words just won’t come, but you can still journal.
MIG Brass Fountain Pen with Mini Kit (via Macchiato Man). Looking to support your local makers? Here’s a new Australian-made pen!
Monteverde Color Changing Ink Set (via Well-Appointed Desk). I’m not exactly sure what I would do with these, but it’s an interesting idea.

Santini Libra Swirled Ebonite and Cap Band Close-up

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog, I reviewed a pen that’s been in my pen case, on loan from a friend since last month: The Santini Libra. I also reviewed two Anderillium Inks from the Lepidopteran Series: Viceroy Butterfly Orange and Atlas Moth Brown, and wrote a short piece on my favorite Traveler’s Notebook Accessories for actual travel!

Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters Stacked up: A5 and A4 — Can you ever really have too many Roterfaden covers? I just need to choose an A6 to complete the entire stack!

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

We had several large restocks and new arrivals this past week. First, we received a large shipment from Kaweco that included the Kaweco Collection Sport fountain pens as well as Kaweco Sport accessories such as clips and converters, and more Sketch-Up refills. Second, we received a major restock of Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Organizers that includes covers in additional sizes and materials, including a wider range of A4 and A6 Taschenbegleiters. Finally, we have both the New TWSBI Eco-T “Rosso” (finally, a red!) as well as additional TWSBI Kai fountain pens avaiable for pre-order! These should start shipping Tuesday.

TWSBI

Roterfaden

Kaweco

Diamine

Patreon Update - Support T.G.S. via Sample Sales, Early Access, and Meetups!

Vintage Nib on Kaweco Sport Fountain Pen — This picture more or less describes my interest in pens recently!

Sunday Reading for October 22, 2023

October 22, 2023

Planner Rant (via Stationery Pizza). How would you customize your planner if you had the ability to build out your ideal system? Intersperse months, weeks, and days? Or leave them all separate?
Yamamoto Paper’s Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection, Vol 7 Part 2 (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Kimberly continues her walkthrough of the most recent Yamamoto Paper Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Sampler Pack.
The Colorado Pen Show 2023 (via Well-Appointed Desk). One of the few pen shows I’ve never attended, I was actually hoping to make Colorado this year but since I was on vacation, it unfortunately couldn’t happen. Maybe 2024?
Calligraphy and Handwriting (via Goodwriter’s Pens). I’ve often wondered myself how my handwriting evolved into what it is today - a somewhat unique combination of cursive and italic that I still want to spend time improving. I can still write the form of cursive I was taught, but my everyday script is more of a hybrid.
Platinum #3776 Karakusa Blue Celluloid Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). One of the more beautiful #3776 models that I don’t write with enough.
My Parker 61 Flighter Fountain Pen: A Cautionary Tale (via Fountain Pen Blog). Ah, the perils of vintage restoration and learning on the job!
Private Reserve Infinity Violet Ink (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). The Private Reserve “Infinity” ink series is specially formulated to not dry out, which can be very helpful if you tend to leave fountain pens uncapped for long-ish periods of time.
Death by a Thousand Nibs - Fatigue Points in the Pen Hobby (via Ink Journal). In any hobby, it’s important to keep a close eye on why you’re involved in it and to refocus your attention on the specific aspects that bring you joy.
Troublemaker Tablea Fountain Pen Ink Review (via Pen Addict - Jeff). I adore Troublemaker’s browns and greens, especially where they combine the two color palettes!
Dominant Industry: Dominant Blue (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). Dominant Industry’s Dominant Blue and it’s shimmer equivalent (Milky Way Blue) are two of my favorites from that lineup.

Stack of Fountain Pen Friendly Legal Pads on a Table

In Case You Missed It…

This past week on the blog, I got back down to business after being out of town for a week! I published a new installment in the “Best Paper for Everyday Writing” Series, focusing on Legal Pads, and also chronicled my recent adventures in vintage pen collecting and restoration, something that I’ve long dabbled in but have allowed to fall by the wayside.

Kaweco Sketch-up with Highlighter Leads — We just received a massive restock of Kaweco Sketch-up Highlighter leads, plus some new colors!

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

It may not feel like it outside, but the holiday season is rapidly approaching, as evidenced by the appearance of the Diamine Inkvent Calendars on my doorstep this week! We still have a handful left, so if you’d like to follow along as I open up my own calendar this December, be sure to pick one up! Check out the rest of the recent arrivals in this week’s Thursday Drops, which includes the 2024 Traveler’s Notebook dated refills, new Clairefontaine Writing Pads, desk accessories and more!

Kaweco

Diamine

Clairefontaine

TGS Branded!

Patreon Update - Support T.G.S. via Sample Sales, Early Access, and Meetups!

If you’re interested in further supporting T.G.S., consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which features not only access to meetups and the 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 pledge!

Welcome Home: I receive four stacked boxes on a dolly — Welcome home! I had these waiting for me upon my arrival. Keep checking the Clairefontaine listings!

Sunday Reading for October 15, 2023

October 15, 2023

Method and Mayhem: The YosekaLab Planner (via A Gathering of Curiosities). A deep dive into a few of the different options available in the YosekaLab “experimental” planner. I love the idea behind this product.
Hooray for Workhorse Fountain Pens (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). There are many different interpretations of the term “workhorse pen”, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a pen that you can carry with you everywhere and use every day.
Spicing Up Old M and B Nibs (via mnmlscholar). Given that I have so many “standard” JoWo and Bock nibs, whenever I order a pen featuring one of these interchangeable nib units I typically order a Medium or a Broad for this same purpose - to maintain a healthy stock of nibs for grinding.
Bullet Journaling: Dot Pads (via Stationery Pizza). There are top-ring-bound Rhodia Dot Pads? I need to find these.
Pros and Cons of the Ultrasonic Cleaner (via Goodwriterspens Blog). I don’t use my ultrasonic cleaner as much as I used to, but I do find it quite helpful for certain pens where the section and feed have lots of nooks and crannies where ink can get stuck, or for pens that aren’t easy to disassemble.
The London Autumn Pen Show, 2023: My Haul (via Fountain Pen Blog). A Parker 61 capillary filler? Maybe a new goal for the upcoming Ohio Pen Show?
2023 Autumn London Pen Show (via Rachel’s Reflections). The London Pen Show seems like an outstanding, well-run event. The idea of a one-day show intrigues me.
October London Pen Show Selling Experience (via Dapprman). Taking a table at a pen show to sell part of your own collection is an excellent way to (mostly) pay for the cost of attending, and you also get the benefit of meeting all the people who come by to visit your table!
Yamamoto Paper’s Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection, Volume 7 Review (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). These Yamamoto Paper samplers are an excellent way to experience rarer Japanese papers before splurging on a large-quantity purchase.
Pen Review: Pilot FriXion Ball3 Slim 3-Color Multi-Pen (via Well-Appointed Desk). Don’t sleep on the Frixion! (Sorry Pilot, the “FriXion”.) As Ana points out, it can be extremely convenient to be able to erase gel ink, especially in a professional context.

Vacation Photography: Sailboats on the Horizon — Sometimes it’s ok to just dock the boat for a week.

In Case You Missed It…

I was on vacation this week! I actually managed to take some real time off, so new posts were kept to a minimum, though I did finish and post this longer discussion of what pens and notebooks I took with me on my travels and why I decided to leave these specific pens inked up. I also recapped this year’s pen travels and talk a bit more about remaining pen shows in 2023.

Stack of Journals I took with me on vacation, sitting atop a desk.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - More Clairefontaine!

The big news from this week was the arrival of Clairefontaine clothbound notebooks. I purchased a HUGE amount of these, since they have been a popular seller and inexplicably became a bit difficult to source this year. Our selection of this workhorse paper, as well as other papers and planners like Laconic, will continue to expand, so stay tuned! We’re also working on a larger Roterfaden restock, though we have at least one in each size available to ship immediately. Once again, we truly appreciate all of you who placed orders while we were away, since it’s scary to walk away from your shop even for a week without the (admittedly irrational) fear that the business will disappear overnight without constant attention. Your orders have started to ship and my goal is to get them all out the door by tomorrow.