Sunday Reading for September 8, 2024

1. Adjustable Section? The Sailor Tuzu (via Figboot on Pens). Pens with adjustable sections that rotate to fit your grip style have come and gone over the years. This Sailor model is less expensive and targeted towards a different market segment than most.

2. Sneaky Big (via Line Variation). I love reading about unique journaling techniques, and this one about journaling in extremely small notebooks and notepads is no exception.

3. Japanese Fashion Professionals’ Planners (via Notebook Stories). It’s always enjoyable to see how others use their notebooks and planners.

4. Back from Holiday: Galen Leather Writer’s Bank Bag Pen Pouch Review (via A Fleeting Ripple). I love these Galen pouches as well. Personally, I’d love to have one in A4.

5. Worst Nib Ever? The Simplpens Ventura (via Figboot on Pens). I’m not sure how a nib like that ever gets mailed out. I’m also not sure how David finds some of these pens. :)

6. Plotter Sizes (via Stationery Pizza). Plotter sizes generally correspond to common ringed-binder sizes used by brands like Filofax. While there is an A5 size, the others typically fall outside of the universal “A” and “B” system.

7. Choosing Keeping Pocket Notebook (via Blake’s Broadcast). I’ll be visiting Choosing Keeping in London in October, and I’ve begun the process of looking for stationery recommendations!

8. Visconti Opera Master Golden Dust (via Dapprman). I remember when these Visconti Opera Masters first became quite popular. They hold a LOT of ink.

9. A Fresh Start (via From the Pen Cup). Congratulations to Mary!

10. Ink Review: Kobe #12 Okamoto Pink (via Well-Appointed Desk). Whether or not I like pink inks typically depends on whether they lean red or peach, or another offbeat color entirely. This one definitely leans red.

View fullsize

In Case You Missed It….

This week I wrote a piece on the “Bulkfiller” filling system (which I describe as a plunger or syringe-filler mechanism), and which has received a ton of attention in recent years. I offered my observations on a few different pens that use this filling mechanism, but I’ve not yet reviewed any of them in depth. Since I took a long weekend for a few days off, Saturday’s post is a recap of favorite travel-themed posts from the past few years that people have told me they find especially helpful.

View fullsize

Our exclusive model of the Sunderland mk1 features a bead-blasted matte black and red finish with a DLC-coated matte clip.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine works pens have arrived!

The big news from this week is the arrival of the T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 machined pens! When we first released this exclusive collaboration several years ago, it sold out quickly. Based on reader feedback, we decided to do another run, and they are now available for purchase. Pens ship with a .7mm Pilot G2 gel refill, but are also compatible with other sizes/colors of the G2, Juice, Juice-up, Montblanc rollerball and fineliner refills, and with an extender, the Pentel Energel, Uni-ball One, and Zebra Sarasa JF.

The new TWSBI ECO in Irish Green and Onyx will also begin shipping upon my return! I’m really excited to see these pens in person, as dark green is always one of those colors that tends to be underutilized by manufacturers. For a full list of recent arrivals, please check out this week’s Thursday Drops post.

TGS x Sunderland

TWSBI

Lamy

Washi

Check Out T.G.S. Patreon for Breaking news and first access/Special pricing on exclusives (Including the Sunderland Mk1)

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. 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 either online (or in person, if you’re in the Nashville area)! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, the T.G.S. Patreon includes these as well as access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. This month’s Patreon “special” is an extra bit off the TGS Sunderland Pen.

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

Thursday Drops: TGS x Sunderland mk1 Pens in Stock, TWSBI ECO Irish Green Onyx Pre-orders, and More

They’re here! I picked up a shipment of the T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 special edition machined pens yesterday, and shipped the first third of them out the door immediately. A huge thank you to everyone who’s has supported this project and helped convince me to bring these popular pens back (hopefully permanently).

It will be interesting to see how dark the green is. I'm excited for this one!

We also have opened pre-orders for the TWSBI ECO Irish Green Onyx edition, which was a bit of a sleeper as it came out in the middle of pen show season but may be one of the more unique releases in a fairly crowded calendar. Finally, as noted on Tuesday, we have a wide range of new arrivals from iLootPaperie, including favorite designs that have been out of stock for a while.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges from the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Note that our physical location will be closed this weekend, as we are traveling for a couple of days. Online orders will not be affected and will ship within the typical timeframe. Many thanks!

1. T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 Special Editions. Dare I say that this batch looks even better than the last? The pens are now in stock, with the first wave of orders out the door yesterday. You can read more on this pen here.

2. TWSBI ECO Irish Green with Onyx Trim Fountain Pen. The first TWSBI fountain pen with black-plated trim, at least as far as I’m aware. This particular release is going to be a “must have” for me.

3. TWSBI ECO-T Eggplant Purple Fountain Pen. We still have some limited remaining stock of this translucent purple ECO-T, a summer-y edition with the softly molded triangular grip and cap.

4. Lamy Studio Piano Red Fountain Pens. Lamy recently updated one of the best sub-$200 fountain pens with a 14k nib. The Piano Red Lamy Studio features a deep red lacquer and the signature “propeller clip”.

5. Lamy Studio Royal Red Matte Fountain Pens. My new replacement for the old Wild Rubin special edition, this dark matte red fountain pen is absolutely gorgeous. One of the more underrated fountain pens on the market.

6. Tom’s Studio Lumos Refillable Fineliners. Currently our best-selling pen of any kind! The Lumos series of refillable fineliners use interchangeable tips and fountain pen ink, making for an extremely versatile and travel-friendly pen. You can read more about how these work here.

7. Hightide Co. Sandglasses. We’ve recently received a restock of most colors in the 30 minute, 15 minute, and 15 minute slim models! Analog timers have definitely improved my focus at work, as it’s nice to not have your phone in front of you all the time. Read more about how I use analog timers here.

8. New Washi Tapes from iLootPaperie. Pasadena, California-based iLootPaperie makes some of our favorite washi tapes, featuring all sorts of fun original designs. (Warning, some of these are only for grown-ups.)

9. Laconic Tokyo Notebook and Planner Inserts. We are restocked on most formats of Laconic’s diverse array of undated planners and structured notebooks. These slim A5 notebooks allow you to customize your own planners, whether using one of Laconic’s own 2-refill covers or a higher-capacity cover like the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter or the Lochby Field Journal.

10. Lochby A5 Notebooks. We recently purchased as many of the 68gsm Tomoe River dot grid notebooks as we could get our hands on. While I don’t think the 68gsm paper is going away anytime soon, it’s insanely popular and we sell through it quickly.

View fullsize

Sunday Reading for September 1, 2024 (The How-Is-It-Labor-Day-Already Edition)

1. 2024 San Francisco Pen Show - Still the Funnest Pen Show (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Kimberly posted an epic recap of the 2024 SF Pen Show, which makes me even sadder for having to miss it!

2. A Year of Curiosities (via A Gathering of Curiosities). Happy one-year bloggiversary! I’ve enjoyed reading R.B.’s blog since it launched.

3. Top 10 Pens You Can’t Buy (And One You Can) (via Figboot on Pens). Like David, most of my “regrets” involve not picking up a pen I really liked when I had the chance because I thought it was “overpriced” by $50 or so, only to have it shoot up on the secondary market. I could also do a post on top 10 pens I regret selling.

4. On Flying (via Urban Adventure League). Posting this here because I’ve had many of the same thoughts about flying, which I enjoy increasingly less. And because I love extended train travel, though we have no real Amtrak option.

5. Visit to Lamy x Ink House in Hong Kong (via Inkredible Colours). While I don’t love flying, it does make trips like these possible.

6. Three Ring Circus (via Philofaxy). I was fortunate enough to have a friend procure me a three-ring Plotter at this year’s San Francisco Pen Show, since I couldn’t make it. I really enjoy their three-hole “card” format for quick notes.

7. Ryman Medium Soft Cover Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Blog). I’m taking notes on UK-specific stationery brands to check out during my trip to London in October (where I’ll just be missing the London Pen Show, by a day).

8. Filofax Fountain-Pen Frustration (via Nifty Notebook). I’ve had good luck with recent releases of Filofax paper, especially in the spiral-bound notebooks, but it could have changed yet again as it’s been a couple years and Plotter paper is reliable for the ringed binders.

9. September Planner/Journal Setup: Academia (via Well-Appointed Desk). Monthly planner themes? That’s an interesting idea, and seems like a great way to use up stamps and washi.

10. Wearingeul H.P. Lovecraft Literature Ink “Call of the Cthulhu” Giveaway (via Pen Addict). The first Wearingeul that’s tempted me in quite some time!

View fullsize

The Lamy Econ in Indigo and Black. I love the grippy texture.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed a not-fancy-but-rock-solid ballpoint, the Lamy Econ. I generally use ballpoints as my primary secondary writing instruments simply due to their versatility, and Lamy’s improvement of the M16 ballpoint refill over the years has boosted their ballpoint lineup into my regular rotation.

Return of the T.G.S. x Sunderland mk1 Pens and Labor Day Weekend Shop Hours And Discount COdE!

The big news from this week is the return of the T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 machined pen! Our first pen collaboration is also one of my favorites, and I’m happy to announce that we were able to do another run and that I hope to make this pen a regular presence in the shop provided supply keeps up with demand. The pens are currently set to arrive this week, and are available for pre-order if you’d like to reserve one and be one of the first to ship, though I did order a lot and expect that anyone who order reasonably quickly will be able to get one. You can read more on the Sunderland mk1 in the original review.

And don’t forget: Use the code “LABORDAY” at checkout to claim a 10% discount off desk and reading accessories this weekend. All orders over $100 will receive a complimentary 3” TGS Vinyl holographic sticker, for your water bottle, laptop or even you’re car (if you’re a true fan :)

View fullsize

We’re also continuing the “soft open” at the new T.G.S. location. We are located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee. (You can find a video showing exactly where we are located on our Instagram.) Hours today will be 1pm-5pm on Sunday September 1. We have a bunch of new stuff to see both in-store and online, including new washi tapes and stickers from iLootPaperie, new Studio fountain pens from Lamy, the Lamy Note+ Apple Stylus, and plenty of Tom’s Studio pens, including offbeat gems like the One-Dip Metal Nibs and the Lumos fineliners.

iLootPaperie

Tom's Studio

Lamy

Platinum

Check Out T.G.S. Patreon for Breaking news and first access/Special pricing on exclusives!

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. 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 either online (or in person, if you’re in the Nashville area)! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, the T.G.S. Patreon includes these as well as access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. 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!

Sunday Reading for August 25, 2024

1. Hobonichi 2025 (via Inky.Rocks). Hobonichi has revealed their 2025 designs, including some unique designs in the Weeks series and covers.

2. Notebook System for 2025 (via Stationery Pizza). Is it that time of year already? I’m personally deciding whether I want to stick with a dated system (like my Hobonichi setup) or move back to undated notebooks for the flexibility.

3. Atlas Stationers’ Sidewalk Sale (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I’ve been feeling a little burned out on the travel-intensive pen show scene lately, and have loved seeing these regional events focused on local vendors and makers, with national brands providing support by traveling to the event.

4. Leonardo MZG 2.0 The Art of Guilloche (via Figboot on Pens). Leonardo has had a lot of success with their guilloche patterns on pens. Now if they could only release more in the standard Momento Zero!

5. New Blackwing Colors (Review of “Sand” Eraser) (via Fueled by Clouds and Coffee). Blackwing announced a revision to their Blackwing Colors line of colored pencils, and they’ve added an integrated sand eraser that appears to work pretty well!

6. Pen Show Nibs Overviews (via Rachel’s Reflections). I’ve been thinking about whether I should be recording all of the nib work I’ve had done at pen shows. This is a great idea, as I have many modified nibs, and I know I’ve forgotten the details about many.

7. How I Use My Notebooks: Gym Journal (via Writing at Large). I actually see lots of people carrying notebooks at the gym. A great idea from this series.

8. Notebooks from Chile (via Notebook Stories). Part of the fun of traveling is, indeed, buying stationery you can’t get back home!

9. Lamy Safari Ballpoint Piña Colada Review (via Pen Addict - Jeff). The Piña Colada Safari edition isn’t getting near enough love. Light blue + yellow is an awesome color combination, and I think I’m going to keep one of each of this one.

10. Other Uses for Pen Cases, Part I and Part II (via Well-Appointed Desk). How do you use your pen cases? They’re infinitely useful, which is why you can’t have too many of them.

View fullsize

In Case You Missed It…

This weekend I didn’t get to go to the San Francisco Pen Show due to some unforeseen family events that arose. While disappointing, I needed to be at home and I’m sorry to have missed seeing everyone there! I did publish two new reviews this week: a review of the Platinum Preppy Wa “Modern Maki-e” Fountain Pens, Second Edition, and a review of the Tactile Turn “Vice” Limited Edition pens in both the “Night” and “Day” finishes. (Yes, I bought both of the Tactile Turns and kept one of each Preppy Wa.)

View fullsize

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Lamy Studios and A Soft Shop Open!

The new 2024 Lamy Studios are here! I can finally redeem myself for selling my formerly limited Lamy Studio Wild Rubin edition, because this year’s Lamy Studio Royal Red Matte looks quite similar (though perhaps a touch darker, which is great). We also have stock of the Lamy Studio Piano Red, which features the excellent Lamy 14k nib that I consider one of the best sub-$200 gold nibs out there. For those who use the Kindle Scribe, reMarkable tablet or other e-ink device, we’ve restocked the Lamy Safari Twin Pen and Lamy AL-Star pen with the tip suitable for writing on matte-screen devices. (I like these because there is a .38mm tip size option on the Twin Pen, which allows for finer writing than a standard Wacom stylus.) For a full list of new arrivals, check out this week’s Thursday Drops post, which includes some new Roterfaden accessories!

Lamy

TWSBI

Anterique

Tom's Studio

I opened up the shop Friday afternoon and Saturday to local pen club members, Patreon supporters, and those who follow on Instagram in the Nashville area, and it was so much fun talking with everyone who stopped by, as well as validating to see that there is, indeed, demand for one more dedicated pen shop in Nashville! Starting the second week of September or so, we will have regular posted open hours (probably Friday afternoons and Saturdays), and until then keep an eye on the site, the Middle Tennessee Fountain Pen Club Facebook Group, and Instagram for “pop-up” hours. If you’re traveling to the area and would like to stop by, I will of course do visits and sales by appointment so just reach out through the site/e-mail/social media.

View fullsize

It doesn’t look quite as messy anymore - you’ll be seeing some updated photos this week! Check out a current video tour on YouTube.

Check Out T.G.S. Patreon for Breaking news and first access/Special pricing on exclusives!

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. 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 either online (or in person, if you’re in the Nashville area)! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, the T.G.S. Patreon includes these as well as access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. 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!

Sunday Reading for August 18, 2024

1. D.C. Show Recap (via Figboot on Pens). David made a great video recap of the D.C. Show, including a shot of that line to the parking lot on Saturday morning!

2. 2024 D.C. Pen Show (via Rachel’s Reflections). Another epic D.C. Pen Show recap and quite a nice nib haul!

3. May-August 2024 in Stationery (via A Gathering of Curiosities). I always love reading about this highly curated personal collection and watching it evolve.

4. YOSEKALAB Two-Month Weekly Planner Review (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I love open-format planners, and Yoseka’s version experiments with several different layouts.

5. Tactile Turn Vice (via Figboot on Pens). Yeah, I just ordered both of these. Can’t escape my Florida heritage. I know it’s right before San Francisco but I would be so mad at myself if I missed these.

6. Anterique “Mach Ball” Brass Edition Ballpoint Pen (via Well-Appointed Desk). Many thanks to Ana for reviewing this pen, and from a lefty’s perspective!

7. Platinum 3776 Music Nib Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Platinum’s music nib has a bit of a cult following, as there are relatively few three-tined music nibs still offered, mainly by Japanese companies.

8. Paris 2024 Olympics Moleskine Notebooks (via Writing at Large). I didn’t get too into the Olympics this year, with everything going on at the shop, but I would’ve loved to have gotten my hands on these!

9. Retro 51 Rollerball Conversion Kit (via Well-Appointed Desk). A very cool idea from Retro 51, which allows you to convert your Retro 51 fountain pen into a rollerball that uses fountain pen ink.

10. Mark’s Tokyo Edge Days Metal Gel Pen Review (via Pen Addict - Sarah). Mark’s Tokyo is known for their unique designs, including the “Days” theme which spans multiple product lines. We carry several of their items in our shop here in the States if you can’t make it to London Graphic Center like Brad!

View fullsize

There's always a use case for more sticky notes!

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog, I posted a new entry in the “Ask TGS” series, in which I updated my prior thoughts on “planner pens” - meaning those that fit easily into pen slots in planners and notebook systems. I also reviewed the Midori MD “Memo Block” Notepad and the Midori MD A7 Sticky Note Notepads, both of which have been popular items in our shop but which I’d never tested extensively myself until recently.

View fullsize

Slowly, but surely, our retail area is taking shape!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: More Store Progress!

This week in the shop, we launched an expansion of the Anterique ballpoint lineup, including mini versions of the standard Anterique ballpoint pens in both the brass edition and the regular acrylic versions. The TWSBI Kyanite Blue Vac700R also arrived, along with a full restock of the TWSBI Swipe fountain pens in most nib sizes. You can check out these new arrivals and more in this week’s Thursday Drop’s post! Also, I did a short video walkthrough of the new location on Instagram. I’ll post more shop content, directions, hours, etc. as we get closer to an official opening - we’re mostly likely still on track for early September.

Midori MD

TWSBI

Anterique

Tom's Studio

Check Out T.G.S. Patreon for Breaking news and first access/Special pricing on exclusives!

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. 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, the T.G.S. Patreon includes these as well as access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. 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!