Sunday Reading for April 21, 2024

1. 2024 Atlanta Pen Show Highlights (via Olive Octopus). Sounds like Lisa had a great Atlanta Pen Show! I was sorry to miss this show, especially given all the different makers who were there.

2. What Am I Talking About When I Talk About Paper? (via The Poor Penman). For fountain pen and paper newbies, some of the terms thrown around can be baffling. Posts like this one are incredibly helpful!

3. Best Kaweco Ever? The Kaweco Art Sport (via Figboot on Pens). While there are seemingly endless versions of the Kaweco Sport out there, this year’s Art Sport might be my favorite, at least aesthetically. Kaweco crushed it with the four resins chosen for this year’s release.

4. The Sadness of Finishing a Notebook (via A Gathering of Curiosities). A great essay on completing projects and appreciating your experience with things for what they are, which also goes for products with a finite lifespan like notebooks.

5. Pursuing Perfect Planners (via Line Variation). Yet another vote in favor of multi pens for planner purposes!

6. Paper System Changes (via Rachel’s Reflections). Do you use a notebook-based or binder-based paper system? I’m also moving more and more towards binder-based, but it can be challenging if you don’t have a clear strategy for organizing and archiving.

7. Budget Watercolor Sets for Art Journaling and Urban Sketching (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). Many people use their notebooks and journaling for art, including watercolors, and often ask for recommendations on inexpensive or starter watercolor sets. Here’s a great resource!

8. Journalize Mirror of the Sky (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Ok, just when you thought the ink companies couldn’t get more creative with their packaging or ink properties….

9. You Can Only Keep One: The Pen Edition (via Well-Appointed Desk). I havent’ decided whether I’m going to “play” this hashtag or not….

10. M1000 Renaissance Brown Special Edition (via Pelikan’s Perch). There are a few Pelikans that I regret not picking up over the years, including the M800 in the “Renaissance Brown” finish. I don’t have a M1000 - is this the year I finally take one home?

I came away from my review of the Lamy AL-Star rollerball pleasantly surprised!

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed some of the new releases that hit the shop this past month, including the Lamy AL-Star pens (and pencil) in the 2024 “Fiery” and “Aquatic” finishes, and the one I’m most excited about, yesterday’s first impressions of the Kaweco Sport Piston Filler. Don’t forget to keep checking the YouTube Channel as I plan to introduce more video-content in the coming weeks.

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

The big news this week was the arrival of a fresh shipment of Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters in A4 and A5 sizes. The A4 size has been a surprise hit, as so many people love a larger-format notebook yet it tends to be neglected by mainstream manufacturers. Fortunately, Roterfaden steps in and makes a wide array of these hybrid notebook covers/portfolios that form a core part of my personal rotation.

We’re also very excited to introduce some limited versions of the Jetstream 4&1 Multi Pen, which is an all-time favorite everyday utility writer. These pens ship with four different refills (black, blue, red, and green) plus a .5mm mechanical pencil! We’re also working on adding some higher-end gel pen offerings, with the Uniball One currently in the shop, again in some special finishes that include muted pastels and “Earth texture”.

Roterfaden

Uni Mitsubishi

Kaweco

Tom's Studio

Support us on patreon and get access to our monthly meetup and extra content!

If you enjoy our content (whether here 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! 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. Patreon supporters also get access to any pen show-exclusive specials and promotions.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

Sunday Reading for April 14, 2024

1. Atlanta Pen Show Recap (via Figboot on Pens). A great video recap of the recent Atlanta Pen Show, which I unfortunately was sad to miss!

2. Method and Mayhem: Digging Myself Out with Plotter Lists (via A Gathering of Curiosities). The Plotter system, with it’s specialized refills, lends itself well to list-based project management and triage when you feel overwhelmed.

3. Leonardo Momento Zero #8 La Fenice Nib Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). If you’re going to make larger pens, use the larger No. 8 nibs! While the Momento Zero Grande is a bit large for me, I’m a huge fan of No. 8 nibs where the pen works for me.

4. Rediscovering the Parker 45 Fountain Pen (via Fountain Pen Blog). I purchased a couple of Parker 45s at pen shows earlier this year. While I haven’t inked them up yet, I’m looking forward to exploring the vintage side of this hobby, especially now that pen show season has calmed down and I have a break from travel.

5. You Can Only Keep One (via Rachel’s Reflections). One pen from each brand? That’s a challenge. :)

6. Faber-Castell Ambition Fountain Pen Review (via The Poor Penman). The Faber-Castell Ambition is a long-time favorite of many, due to Faber-Castell’s excellent steel nibs.

7. Where to Buy Nolty Planners (via Notebook Stories). I hear a lot about Nolty Planners but have never used one myself. Is this something I should check out?

8. Stationery Travel Diary, Librarian Edition (via Pen Addict - Sarah). I’m always up for a fun travelogue, especially in a city where I’ve never done any book/stationery shopping!

9. Since I’ll Be 120 For the Next One…. (via From the Pen Cup). Did anyone else journal about their eclipse experience?

10. My Ink 100: Part 1 - Admitting I Have a Problem (via Well-Appointed Desk). I tried this at one point. I failed. I still have a problem.

The Tom’s Studio Lumos Pro Duo!

In Case You Missed It…

This week was a fun week of content on the blog, not least because T.G.S. turns 10 years old this month! Yep, 10 years of writing about pens, inks, paper, desk accessories, and all that fun stuff that goes along with it! We had a particularly fun review that published Wednesday, which contained my first impressions of the Tom’s Studio Lumos series of refillable fineliners. These have been really well-received, and I’m glad that I made the decision to bring them into the shop because everyone I’ve talked to who has used these long term seems to enjoy them. Yesterday, I updated the “Best Pens” list for 2024, and there were some moderate revisions to this year’s categories. Please keep in mind that any content on this website, including any decision to including or omit something from “Best Pens”, reflects my own opinion and should not be taken as a judgment on any pen not mentioned.

Our current stock of Kaweco Piston Fillers consists of the boxed set with a vintage-style bottle of Kaweco Royal Blue ink.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: The Kaweco Piston Filler is Here!

In addition to the arrival of the Tom’s Studio Lumos fineliners and the Tom’s Studio fountain pens (and specialty nibs), the big news was the arrival of the long-awaited Kaweco Sport Piston Filler fountain pen! We have a small number of these pens available, as they’ve sold fairly quickly. If you’d like to see a hands-on demonstration of the pen and how it compares to one of its vintage predecessors, you can check out this YouTube video! For a full list of new arrivals and restocks, visit this week’s Thursday Drops post.

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Lamy

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Tom's Studio

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Lamy AL-Stars

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Pencils

Support us on patreon and get access to our monthly meetup and extra content!

If you enjoy our content (whether here 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! 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. Patreon supporters also get access to any pen show-exclusive specials and promotions.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

Sunday Reading for April 7, 2024

1. Vanness Pens - Ink Heaven and More! (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I love my trips to Vanness Pens! It was fun to hang out after-hours during my trip to the Arkansas Pen Show.

2. Ink Swatching Tools (via Olive Octopus). Lisa walks us through the tools that she regularly uses to make a LOT of ink samples.

3. Best Architect Grind? Tom’s Studio - Studio Fountain Pen (via Figboot on Pens). Tom’s Studio has been new to me as well, and I agree that the Architect’s nib is excellent. I’m testing this brand in the shop and will have some of their fountain pens and other products listed in the coming days. More on that below.

4. Time Tetris: Hobonichi Techo Planner Review (via A Fleeting Ripple). I’ve been using the Hobonichi Techo Cousin in a similar manner and can relate to the flexibility the Hobonichi offers, especially where you want to alternate between time-block style planning and journaling.

5. On Minimal Drawing Kits and Square Sketchbooks (via Urban Adventure League). You all know how I love a good gear post.

6. Dropped Pens Series (via Stationery Pizza). After reading this post and a few conversations with people at pen shows, I want to talk more about dropping pens and how to fix them. It happens to us all and is nothing to be embarrassed about!

7. Nebulous Raven Esterbrook Estie Fountain Pen Review (via Weirdoforest Pens). I picked up a couple of Esterbrooks at the Arkansas Show and have been rediscovering the brand. The two featured in this review are great looking!

8. S.T. Dupont Graphite Gul Black D Line Guilloché (via Dapprman). S.T. Dupont is one of those brands that I’ve actually never used, believe it or not. The MSRP is crazy high but the secondary market seems more on target with what the value proposition is.

9. Inside My Collection: Vintage Metal Pencils (via Fountain Pen Love). Vintage pencils (and pencils in general) get less love from the stationery community than I think they deserve.

10. Alsterhaus in Hamburg (via Bleistift). I so wish that we had department stores like this one.

11. Notebook Review: Dominant Industry Ink Archiving Book (via Well-Appointed Desk). Now this is a cool idea!

In Case You Missed It….

I reviewed two pens this week! The Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen - which is quickly becoming one of my favorite entry level pens - and the Lamy Vista (otherwise known as the Safari demonstrator. While part of me of course wished that I was at the Atlanta Pen Show this weekend (and you should go on Sunday if you have the chance), I really needed to get caught up on reviews and a bunch of new shop arrivals. More on that below…

Are refillable fineliners finally a thing that works! I think they might be….

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

Continuing our core focus on overlooked and underappreciated quality stationery, we added the excellent Tombow L105 ballpoint to our lineup of workhorse pens on offer! New releases that will be arriving and shipping tomorrow include the Lamy AL-Star in “Fiery” and “Aquatic” finishes, as well as a restock of the Pink Cliff and Violet Blackberry Safari pens. Last but not least, you’ll be seeing a trick of pens and accessories from UK-based Tom’s Studio, including refillable fineliners and fountain pens with specialty nibs.

Tom's Studio

Lamy

Kaweco

Pencils!

Support us on patreon and get access to our monthly meetup and extra content!

If you enjoy our content (whether here 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! 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. Patreon supporters also get access to any pen show-exclusive specials and promotions.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

Sunday Reading for March 31, 2024 (How Is It Already April?)

1. 2024 Arkansas Pen Show - Recap and Report Card (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). What’s the week after a pen show without Kimberly’s epic recap post?

2. An Automatic Inky Pen?? (via Figboot on Pens). Sure, it may not look like the absolute best pen in the world, but I really do appreciate this kind of ingenuity. Especially at the $25 price point.

3. A Drafting Pencil Round-Up (via Urban Adventure League). If you’re a fan of drafting-style mechanical pencils, this is a cool overview of several workhorse models, some of which I’ve never used myself.

4. On Reading Difficult Books (via Writing at Large). Something I’ve been trying to do more and more…. This post has some excellent advice!

5. Link Love: Life Changes (via Well-Appointed Desk). Congratulations, Ana!

6. Aurora Optima Italic Nib Fountain Pen (via Blake’s Broadcast). The Aurora stock italic nib is different from the stub - the one I’ve used in the past can be quite sharp.

7. Clone Wars: Majohn A2 Fountain Pen Review (via A Fleeting Ripple). For those who wish Pilot would bring back the vintage faceted Vanishing Point, and who don’t want to pay the premium for the secondary market, the Majohn A2 is an “option.” I agree that the nibs are inconsistent, but they do fit standard Pilot VP nibs….

8. Embracing the Wider Side of Life (via mnmlscholar). I’ve also been branching out a bit, trying to incorporate more broad nibs into my writing rotation. It certainly helps run down the ink supply.

9. Quick Look: Ranga Pens (via The Poor Penman). Ranga Pens are underrate performers, especially if you pair them with a custom nib grind from Peyton Street Pens!

10. My Everyday Carry Notebooks (via Notebook Stories). I love the simplicity of the plain black leather notebooks here! (And the Plotter refills in the Filofax!)

11. “End of Trip” (via From the Pen Cup). Honestly, this is a major reason why I journal.

I enjoyed bringing the shop on the road to the Arkansas Pen Show this year!

In Case You Missed It….

I got back into the swing of things content-wise this week, recapping my trip to the Arkansas Pen Show and discussing why it’s quite enjoyable to take in a smaller pen show like last week’s adventure and the upcoming Atlanta Pen Show. I also wrote about a couple of different pens and pencils I’m using during this year’s tax season, including both a vintage extra-fine option as well as a cool leadholder from Penco.

Kaweco matched both the packaging and the included ink cartridge (Sunset Orange!) in this year’s Kaweco Collection release.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - The Kaweco Apricot Pearl and an easter weekend promo

The big news in terms of new arrivals is this year’s “Kaweco Collection” release. Yes, I know everyone is waiting for the arrival of the Sport Piston Filler - it should be here in the next couple of weeks - but this translucent, pearlescent orange fountain pen is well worth a look! We also have a new color of the Uni Kuru Toga “Roulette” fountain pen, more pencil accessories, and the last of the print blanket Roterfadens. (There will be a restock on Roterfaden in the next couple of weeks but I’ll be bringing in some different colors.)

Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of our Spring/Easter promotion using the code “SPRING” at checkout for 10% off certain brands. You can view the details in this week’s Thursday Drops post, including any exclusions.

Kaweco

Lamy

Blackwing

Viarco

Support us on patreon and get access to our monthly meetup and extra content!

If you enjoy our content (whether here 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! 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. Patreon supporters also get access to any pen show-exclusive specials and promotions.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

Sunday Reading for March 24, 2024 (Arkansas Pen Show Edition)

1. Its Own Pen: Pilot Decimo Fountain Pen Review (via A Fleeting Ripple). Is the Decimo its own pen, or simply a smaller size option of the Vanishing Point? However you come out, many love this more slender retractable fountain pen.

2. London 2024 Spring Pen Show (via Dapprman). I’ve yet to make it over to a London Pen Show, despite my best efforts!

3. Blackwing 2X Firm Graphite Core Review (via Pen Addict). Brad reviews the latest release from Blackwing - their new Volumes edition features much harder graphite than they’ve used in the past. I have my own thoughts on harder grades of graphite, and prefer the softer cores, but if you absolutely need point retention Blackwing is meeting a new need here.

4. Ikkaku Pan-Long (via Figboot on Pens). Ikkaku is the luxury line being introduced by Nahvalur, featuring maki-e art and other traditional Japanese techniques.

5. Journalize Whimsical and Starry Night Inks (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). I had not seen the Journalize inks until this weekend, when Vanness had them at the shop and the show.

6. Sailor Ink Studio #123 Fountain Pen Ink Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). The Sailor Ink Studio line features dozens of inks with unique color properties, including double-shaders. #123 is one of the more popular inks from this particular line.

7. A Well Rested Four Pens Return to the Rotation (via mnmlscholar). There’s always something to be said for shopping your own collection for some novelty!

8. Swatching Inks from Vanness - Stream Recording (via The Poor Penman). I very rarely go on Twitch, but I always like to promote when someone else does something new.

9. Setting Up a New Journal (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). I’ve been fascinated with others’ journaling setups lately. Maybe because my own are feeling a little stale?

10. Private Reserve Ink, Infinity Blue (via Well-Appointed Desk). Private Reserve continues to experiment with special-property inks, including these new “extended cap off” inks.

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In Case You Missed It…

Between having to care for some under-the-weather family members and prepping to travel to the Arkansas Pen Show, I didn’t get as much writing done as I would’ve liked. That said, I wrote up a brief summary of five fun finds from my travels so far this year. I’m coming up on a period of several months where I won’t be on the road for an extended time, and I’m really looking forward to getting caught up!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Pen Show weekend promotion and new arrivals

Adding to this week’s mad rush was my attempt to get the last of the slew of new arrivals listed before I had to leave for Little Rock. Recent arrivals include the E+M Clutch Pencils, as well as the rest of my initial Blackwing Order that includes the “Illegal Pads”! Check out the Weekly Drops post for full details! We still have remaining stock from our initial shipment of Lamy Safari Special Editions, as well as many new AL-Star arrivals. Don’t forget that through tonight at 11:59pm CT, most orders placed this weekend are eligible for a 10% “Pen Show Weekend” discount using the coupon code PENSHOW10 at checkout. Some brands are excluded due to distributor policies.

Uni Pencils

Lamy

E+M Clutch Pencils

Blackwing Paper

Support us on patreon and get access to our monthly meetup and extra content!

If you enjoy our content (whether here 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! 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. Patreon supporters also get access to any pen show-exclusive specials and promotions, such as that offered to course attendees this weekend.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!