Sunday Reading January 26, 2025

January 26, 2025

Do I Really Need to Get Into Pantone Brown (A Gathering of Curiosities). Also not sure I’m all-in on this one.
24 Memorable Inks in 2024 (via Olive Octopus Ink). Seriously, hide your wallet.
2025 Philadelphia Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I missed the Philly Show this year, so it was great to catch up.
14k Flex! The Magna Carta Mag 650 (via Figboot on Pens). Magna Carta has experimented more than most with larger nibs and flex nibs, and here’s an attempt at a vintage-style 14k flex. Honestly this looks good.
Fountain Pen Cleaning? (via Stationery Pizza). I’ve fallen waaaay off the wagon on my fountain pen cleaning lately. I need to do a reset soon.
Dressco Cloth Notebook (via Blake’s Broadcast). I’ve seen Dressco notebooks available and have been curious, but I’ve never tried one. Same for “Conqueror” paper.
How Do Your Various Interests Complement Each Other? (via SBRE Brown). Do you find that all of your interests complement each other or compete for your attentions?
What Makes a Good Ink Bottle? (via Rachel’s Reflections). Another take on what makes a good ink bottle. Emphasis on stability.
Journaling the Backyard (via From the Pen Cup). What a cool journaling idea. Another great post from Mary.
Shachihata Daily Log Stamp - Weather and Days of the Week (via Well-Appointed Desk). These daily stamps let you add dates, weather and more to your planner and journals. I’m exploring stamps more lately.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I reviewed my latest “Workhorse Pen,” the Pilot S20 Ballpoint with the Dr. Grip “Cocoon” hybrid refill. I also wrote a new installment on my 2025 writing/notetaking system, in which I look at pocket notebooks and index cards, and how the two might work together.

Three Musgrave Bugle Finishes — The Musgrave Bugle is a classic capless wood pencil that comes in three different finishes!

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

We had a big week of new arrivals in the shop, including not only a fresh shipment of Pilot and Uni ballpoints, but new notebooks from Anecdote Goods, the latest Lochby Release (Field Journal Mini), a giant shipment of wood pencils from local-to-us manufacturer Musgrave, and the latest Volumes release from Blackwing with a full restock of sharpeners and more! The January hold has lifted on most distributors and new goods are arriving every day. Be sure to check out Thursday Drops for a full list of new arrivals.

Our brick-and-mortar shop will be open again this coming week. Come by and see us!

Musgrave

Notsu

Anecdote Goods

Field Notes

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

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 (one of which just dropped yesterday), 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 January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

Top 10 Sections (via Figboot on Pens). Now this is an interesting idea for a video! I agree with many of the choices highlighted here.
What Makes a Good Ink Bottle? (via UK Fountain Pens). Of the various factors discussed here, stability (i.e., it won’t tip over) and filling convenience (specifically, the mouth of the bottle is wide enough to fill most pens) are the two that I most value.
Diamine x Sugar Turtle Studio, Slowpoke Series 1 (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Lovers of sheen shouldn’t miss these inks. I love that they come in a set of three.
Big Idea Design Base Line Bolt Action Review (via Writing at Large). The universal refill pen folks are at it again, with another versatile design. Bolt-action mechanisms have never been my favorite, but many appreciate them as fidget toys.
Marvy LePen Flex Pens (via Well-Appointed Desk). Flexible brush-tip pens have been a new discovery for me this year. The classic “LePen” series of fineliners and brush pens features some great uncommon colors.
2024: Some of My Fountain Pen Highlights (via Fountain Pen Blog). I love the mix of acquisitions here!
Nahvalur Original Plus Lavender Tetra Fountain Pen Review (via A Fleeting Ripple). It happens that sometimes you get a bad nib. I always advise people to try to send it back to exchange the pen if it won’t write properly out of the box.
OMAS Arco Bronze Paragon Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). A throwback from 1990 - the original Arco celluloid from the original OMAS!
Index Cards Again? (via Stationery Pizza). I too am finding myself reconsidering how index cards might work for me everyday, especially since I’ve found some good ones.
Waterman Charleston Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). I have a rather large Waterman collection, but have yet to add a Charleston.

In Case You Missed It…

This week I looked at two of my current ink favorites: Taccia Sabimidori and Teranishi Gentle Green. I decided to write about these inks together because I find the colors complementary - similar yet distinct. I also published a new “Ask TGS” post on journaling, which discusses how I journal and a bit about the role it plays in my life.

Kaweco Perkeo Fountain Pen Cap — The Kaweco Perkeo has been a surprise hit. Read our recent review of this pen here.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: Don’t Miss a Planner Sale!

It’s definitely not too late to start your journaling resolution for the year! Use the coupon code “25PLANNER” at checkout to take an extra 10% off all planners (including planner system refills). We’re also fully restocked on the popular Caran d’Ache 888 Infinite ballpoint pens, and recently received a shipment of new Pilot Vanishing points that included both the black and blue “Carbonesque” finishes. Finally, we had some new arrivals from Japan, including additional Pilot S20 ballpoints, Pilot Birdie Ballpoints, and more Uni Jetstream 4+1 Multi Pens in the Bamboo and Karimoku finishes.

Our brick-and-mortar shop will be open again this coming week during normal hours. Come by and see us!

Pilot

Uni

Kaweco

TWSBI

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

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

Sunday Reading for January 12, 2025

January 12, 2025

2025 New Year New Notebooks (via A Fleeting Ripple). How are you using your new notebooks in the New Year?
Looking Back to Go Forward (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Using stationery to set personal goals, and then revisit them at the end of the year while you plan for the next.
The New Year Diary, 2025 (via Fountain Pen Blog). A very nice diary/planner, from a local stationer.
Pen Resolutions Tag 2025 (via Rachel’s Reflections). I have not even begun to formulate my own pen and stationery resolutions for 2025. Better late than never, right?
2025 Theme: Let Them/Let Me (via From the Pen Cup). I always enjoy reading Mary’s posts, and this one is thoughtful as always. Looking forward to more in 2025!
Planner Set Up: Use It Up! (via Well-Appointed Desk). “Use it up” might be one of my own stationery themes for 2025, now that I’m thinking about it.
Montegrappa 007 Goldfinger (via Figboot on Pens). Yes, I know it’s ridiculous, but for some reason I love these Bond pens.
William Hannah (via Philofaxy). Many of you inquire about William Hannah disc-bound planners from time to time, and I’ve really enjoyed them, though I use mine more as a standard notebook. This post compiles a bunch of different resources on the brand for those who are curious.
State of the Collection (via Weirdoforest Pens). It’s that time of year when everyone begins to take stock of what they have, what they are using, and what they might want to move on from.
Visit to Yotsuba in Shizuoka, Japan (via Inkredible Colours). All of these stationery stores apparently have their own custom inks; these are made by Sailor!
Pilot Custom 823 (Amber) (via Scrively). The Custom 823 is one of my favorite pens on the market, and if I had to choose one to keep, it would be the Amber.

In Case You Missed It…

This week I did my final post on Inkvent/Colorvent, including my thoughts on who “won” this year’s calendar competition. (Spoiler: I personally think it was Colorverse.) I also reviewed an “old” pen for the first time: the Kaweco Perkeo in the “All Black” finish, and came away impressed.

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

Despite distributor shipments being somewhat slow at the beginning of January, as people count inventory and prepare for the upcoming trade shows. We did receive the Pilot Iro-Utsushi Dip Pens, and also have restocked Midori and Caran d’Ache, including the favorite Fixpencils! Finally, don’t miss new arrivals such as our line of Fisher Space Pens and Rite in the Rain paper.

Our brick-and-mortar shop was closed this past weekend due to inclement weather, but we will be open again this coming week during normal hours (unless we get another snowpocalypse, which at least for now looks unlikely).

Kaweco

Pilot

Book Darts

Fisher Space Pen

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

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 January 5, 2025

January 5, 2025

2025 Stationery Intentions (via A Gathering of Curiosities). Another thoughtful post from R.B. I’m still working through my own personal stationery intentions (as opposed to business goals).
A Stationery Year in Review: 2024 (via Urban Adventure League). Year-in-review season continues! Consolidation and enjoying the current collection is a common theme.
2025: Let’s Do This! (via Well-Appointed Desk). What planners are you using? Ana has some fun ones lined up.
Pen Plans for 2025 (via Pen Addict - Sarah). How do you choose which pens to keep when weeding out a collection? Many, if not most, of the ones I choose to hang on to have sentimental value.
Three Habits Worth Keeping (via Writing at Large). I loved this post. These are three habits I’m trying very hard to stick to in 2025.
The Vintage-Inspired Mythic Pens V53 (via Figboot on Pens). I’ve not added a Mythic Pens pen to my collection, and I love vintage-inspired designs….
Holiday Recap // Weirdoforest Penflections (via Weirdoforest Pens). Another great recap focused on intentionality.
My Notebooks for 2025 (via Inkredible Colours). Three notebooks is a good, manageable number for most people. It’s what I’ve settled on for daily/weekly use.
End of 2024 and a Happy New Year (via Dapprman). Two very interesting pens of the year!
Pen Review: Pilot Custom 74 (via UK Fountain Pens). A new voice over at UK Fountain Pens, reviewing one of my favorites.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I finished up 2024 recap content with a post about the top 10 products from our new shop and brick-and-mortar store! I also posted my 2025 planner/notebook system setup, which is going to drastically simplify things in the hope that I end up using more stationery and can better enjoy the writing process without worrying about keeping up with a strict system. (Since I’m not using Hobonichi this year, I can’t personally comment on any paper issues, though I’ve received a lot of inquiries.) Happy 2025, everyone!

Gentleman Stationer Brick and Mortar store — We’re restocked and ready to go for 2025!

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

I spent most of this week counting inventory in the shop, and immediately after I finished listing a huge Midori restock, which is now available for purchase just in time for New Year’s notebook season. We also have Roterfadens, Traveler’s Notebooks (including 2025 refills), and a continuing end-of-year clearance with a 15% automatic discount at checkout, no coupon code necessary. Just before the holidays, we also added Fisher Space Pen and Rite in the Rain All-Weather Pens to our selection of go-anywhere EDC options, so be sure to check these out!

Be sure to check our brick-and-mortar hours if you’re looking to visit us in person. We’ve gone back to regular, non-holiday public hours but you can always place an order online for pickup or make an appointment!

Midori 5-Year Diaries

Rite in the Rain Paper

TWSBI

Teranishi

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

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. For example, Patreon supporters had their own special Fountain Pen Day promo “mystery box” opportunity and now have a chance at Inkvent samples before the colors are released.

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

Sunday Reading for December 29, 2024 (New Year's Edition)

December 29, 2024

Best of 2024: Figboot’s Favorite Things (via Figboot on Pens). It’s wrap-up season! Here are David’s. And congrats on 800 videos!
Diamine Inkvent 2024 Summary (via Writing at Large). I wholeheartedly agree with the assessment here, especially on the “Extreme Sheen”. More from me to come as I’m still working through my personal thoughts.
Meet Your Maker: Jim Hinze and Rachel Neal, Hinze Pen Company (via Pen Addict - Caroline). I’ve enjoyed working with the folks at Hinze over the past few years, and can’t wait to catch up at the next pen show.
How to Approach 2025: Strategies for Goal Setting (via Well-Appointed Desk). While I don’t personally set many concrete goals, limiting myself to two or three in favor of more general intentions, there’s a lot to think about here.
TIPS Antarctic Ocean Blue (via Inkredible Colours). This year’s TIPS (Tokyo International Pen Show) special edition ink release, by Sailor.
Brunnen Pocket Looseleaf (via Notebook Stories). Uh-oh, now I’m thinking about Plotter’s “Mini” size.
Intentional Rust and Imitation Dust (via Writing Ball). Really?

In Case You Missed It…

This week I worked on a longer-form blog post, in which I chronicled the second half of 2024 and offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it took to launch a physical in-person stationery store! Each year around the same time, I focus on year-in-review and recap content. So far, in addition to the longer reflection post, I’ve compiled a list of my five favorite product discoveries from the past year, as well as a post on my top 5 most-used pens.

The Rite-in-the-Rain All Weather Pokka Pen — Available in four colors, including “Blaze Orange”.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: Clearance + Automatic Extra Discount

The new arrivals didn’t stop just because it was Christmas week! We received long-awaited shipment from Fisher Space Pen and Rite-in-the Rain, including some Cerakote-finished Bullet Space Pens and the Rite-in-the-Rain All-Weather Pokka Pens! We’re also running a Clearance sale to reduce certain inventory ahead of the New Year. A 15% discount will automatically be applied at checkout to all clearance items. Patreon members also have some special clearance opportunities in the Patreon store - check the Patreon page for details.

Fisher Space Pen

Kaweco

Book Darts

Taccia

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

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. For example, Patreon supporters had their own special Fountain Pen Day promo “mystery box” opportunity and now have a chance at Inkvent samples before the colors are released.

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