Saturday Updates and Scenes from the Arkansas Pen Show, Day 1

It’s going to be relatively quiet this weekend on the blog as we’re attending the Arkansas Pen Show in Little Rock. I thought it might be fun to post some “Day One” pics from Friday, which was surprisingly busy for a Friday afternoon at a smaller pen show and definitely bodes well for Saturday! While I spent most of my time behind the table, I did get to visit Matthew Chen of Matthew’s Nibworks (@pactagon on the socials) to get a Kodachi grind on my Lamy 2000 in Stainless Steel. I also spent some time perusing the Newton Pens table. While I haven’t picked anything up YET, there are definitely some muted multicolor ebonites that caught my eye….

Note that our Nashville brick and mortar location is closed this weekend while we are in Arkansas but the online store remains open. If you’re in driving distance of Little Rock, please come see us at the show! We will return to normal operating hours next week.

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Matthew hard at work on my Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel.

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Even if you don’t get a nib ground, Matthew has tester pens out on his table with all of the different nib grinds that you can try them all out to see what might appeal to you.

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Anyone venture a guess as to which one appealed to me?

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The Newton Prospector is one of my favorite small-maker fountain pens. (Don’t be fooled by the imitators out there - Shawn is the original creator of this particular design.) He’s working a lot with ebonites lately and there are some gorgeous pieces out there.

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I posted this yesterday to show the difference between a new Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter LTD_022 and my 7-year old version on the right. These covers age beautifully, with the leather becoming more supple over time. If you’re attending the show, I have a handful of Roterfadens left behind the table. Note that what’s shown in the online inventory is available for online purchase only, as I have not brought those specific items with me to the show.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for the First Pen Show of the Year

It’s time for the Arkansas Pen Show, which will be the first pen show that I attend in 2025. Since we’ve opened our own brick-and-mortar shop, I’ve been operating on a reduced travel schedule, but I’m still planning on taking T.G.S. to at least a couple of shows this year. Despite it being a smaller, regional show, Arkansas has a lot to offer that the bigger shows do not. More on that later.

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One year I brought the Hightide Sandglasses to Arkansas and they were a big hit. One reason I enjoy this show is because it’s within driving distance, and I can be a bit more creative with what I pack.

How I Pack For a Pen Show As a Vendor

Whenever I pack and prepare for shows, I carefully consider exactly what I’m going to bring. My tables are usually organized around notebook systems such as Roterfaden, Lochby, and Traveler’s Notebooks, since those are all items many people enjoy seeing in person before purchasing, particularly if they are having a difficult time selecting a specific color or refill. I also make a conscious effort to bring pens, pencils, and other writing instruments that I know other vendors probably won’t have at the show, as opposed to more common brands like TWSBI and Lamy that nearly everyone carries. Past show favorites have included the entire Anterique line and all the Uni Jetstream variants that we import from Japan. Despite most U.S. pen shows being focused on fountain pens, recent years have seen more general stationery enthusiasts attend shows, and they tend to appreciate the additional options. This year in Arkansas I will have two tables (up from one last year), so you can expect a bigger selection and more room to browse.

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Pens such as the Newton Prospector (bottom row) are typically made in very small batches, so if you see one you like in a special material, you’ll want to pick that pen up earlier than standard releases from larger companies, where there might be more available.

How to Prepare for a Pen Show as an Attendee

A smaller pen show like Arkansas or Atlanta is easier to prep for as an attendee than a larger show like San Francisco or the D.C. Pen Show. You don’t need to worry about “missing” anything, as there are fewer vendors. You can easily visit every table in a single day, and certainly over an entire weekend. Vendors usually have more time to spend with each customer, since the tables aren’t always slammed, and I’ve personally always enjoyed the ability to have more engaged conversations with customers who come to see me at the smaller shows. Last year I actually wrote a piece after the 2024 Arkansas Show discussing the benefits of smaller shows.

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You really won’t believe some of the things you see in the bar after-hours.

But regardless of the show you are attending, there are three main things I always advise people to prepare for, at a minimum:

• Nib Grinds and Repair Work. Regardless of how big a show is, nib grinders and vintage pen repair appointments can fill up fast. If you have work that you absolutely need to get done, identify who you want to work on your pens and make their table your first stop. If there’s an “early access” pass available, buy it to ensure you’re near the front of any wait list.

• Visit Smaller Makers Early. Especially if you are looking for a less-common model or special material, because one-offs and less common items can sell out quickly. Bespoke penmakers sometimes only have one rod of a given resin or other material.

• Take Breaks. Even smaller shows can be overwhelming, especially for those who haven’t been to a pen show before. Don’t spend all your money in the first hour (unless of course, you only have an hour to spend). And most of all, be sure to make an effort to hang out for just a little while after the show closes! You’d be shocked at the knowledge you pick up around the table in the hotel bar, especially if you’re interested in more esoteric nib grinds and vintage pens.

I’ve been to many pen shows over the years, and the site has nearly a decade of show recaps that you can read through in the blog post archive. I’ve also written a “Pen Show Primer” Series of Articles, including Volume 1: Why Visit a Pen Show; Volume 2: Getting Ready for a Pen Show; and Volume 3: Tips for Surviving the Pen Show. Some of these articles have some age on them, but I stand by pretty much all of the advice!

Please note that our brick-and-mortar shop will be closed Thursday through Sunday of this week since we will be in Arkansas. We will reopen with regular hours next week. Online orders will continue to be processed in our typical 2-3 business day time frame. Many thanks for all your support, and I hope to see as many of you as possible in Arkansas!

2024 D.C. Pen Show Recap and Class Resources

Many thanks to everyone who came out and stopped by our table at this year’s D.C. Pen Show! It’s always enjoyable to meet readers in person and to put faces to names, and it never ceases to amaze me just how many people share this passion of ours. The 2024 D.C. Pen Show was easily the largest pen show I’ve been to in terms of number of vendors, and I suspect that once the attendee numbers come in, they’ll confirm that the show is still growing and has recovered from the “Pandemic lull” in attendee traffic.

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A shot of the third ballroom on Sunday afternoon, as everyone was starting to pack up.

Three Full Ballrooms of Pens, Inks, and Paper

I’ll be honest with you up front: The show was so busy that I saw very little of it - other than what I could see from my table - until Sunday afternoon. When you’re a full-time vendor trying to make a go of it as an actual business, it’s a very different show experience. I didn’t buy a single pen all weekend, which is the first time that’s ever happened. That said, if I had actually had the time to explore, it likely would have ended up as a financial disaster. This year there were three full ballrooms full of exhibitors: the main ballroom with major brands and retailers, a smaller “second” ballroom that mostly housed independent makers, and a third ballroom down the hall that featured most of the international attendees, including show favorite Galen Leather! Additional vendors were packed into the main entrance and hallways.

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Table neighbor Matthew Chen was grinding away at nibs all weekend!

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Fantastic Pens was attending their first pen show! They definitely raised the bar on the sign game.

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I picked up one of the Good Made Better ebonite pocket pens at the Chicago Pen Show. Dan has continued to perfect the design, all of which feature a faceted cap with a matte-finished ebonite.

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I almost snagged that yellow ebonite pen, but I was good.

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The latest from Schon DSGN! I think this pen was a new release for the show.

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I shared table space with Vanness Pens, and Ana Reinert from the Well-Appointed Desk was swatching inks from Octopus Fluids, Van Diemans, and Laban all weekend!

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Hinze Pens brought these new plated nib designs!

I delved into this a bit more in my Patreon writeup, but several people commented that this year’s show may have been a bit too big. As you can see from the lead photo in this recap post, the aisles periodically clogged during giveaways, influencer meet-and-greets, etc., making it difficult for people to navigate the show and frustrating vendors who couldn’t get customers to their tables. A solution is beyond the scope of this post, but limiting the number of vendors and/or moving to a larger event space might be options for future D.C. Pen Shows. As for the current hotel, it’s fine as far as pen show venues go, but in my opinion there isn’t enough restaurant and bar space for attendees to gather after-hours, and the location is not particularly convenient for other shopping and dining alternatives.

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Later in the afternoon, my friend Dan (@dandon375) hosted a meet-and-greet where we got to play around with his collection of folded nibs, ruling pens, and modified Pilot Parallel calligraphy pens. This is the Franklin-Christoph DC Pen Show Special Edition Ink (an olive green) on 68gsm Tomoe River Paper.

Classes in the Pen Lounge: What Did You Think?

This year I worked with Vanness Pens on the Vanness Pen Lounge, which was a ballroom below the main show area that offered a quiet respite from the chaos that is the D.C. Pen Show. Throughout the weekend, the Pen Lounge hosted a running list of classes that included Fountain Pens 101 for beginners, a class on inks taught by Ana from the Well-Appointed Desk, and my own class on notebook systems. Basically, my class was a 30-60 minute overview of a handful of popular notebook and organizer systems that included the Traveler’s Notebook, the Lochby Field Journal, the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter, and Plotter. For those who attended the class, I referenced some written resources that exist on the site: a general overview post on how to get started, and a multi-post series on specific notebook systems including those we discussed during the class. If you’d like to read further, see Part I (Background Information); Part II (Plotter/Ring Binders); Part III (Traveler’s Company/Modular); and Part IV (Single Notebooks). I also recently published an “Ask TGS” FAQ Page that contains certain of the information we discussed, as well as general resources for new users.

Overall, the Pen Lounge concept seemed well-received, especially at a show that drew a lot of first-time pen show attendees and ended up being very crowded. It was nice to have a quiet, well air-conditioned and ventilated space downstairs to rest for a moment, and I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet everyone away from the table.

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Did You Miss Out on the Fun? Product Links, Resources, and Details on More August Pen Show Opportunities!

As with most pen shows I attend, I needed to take a day to recover on Monday, but yesterday I was back in the shop and re-entered all products from the show into the online inventory. My personal show strategy when I have a table is not to bring all of the product lines that we carry, but rather to select unique products that won’t otherwise be represented at the show. This year I chose a handful of brands: Roterfaden and Lochby for the main table display, accented with some interesting pens from Anterique, Uni, and Pilot.

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Pens from the T.G.S. Table: Uni Jetstream 4+1 Multi Pens, Anterique Brass Ballpoints, and Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto Gel Multi Pens. Again, it’s fun to surprise people with items you don’t typically see at shows!

I had never seen the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter organizers represented at a pen show, and since I was teaching a class on notebook systems, I figured that this past weekend would be as good a time as any to test it out. There’s a reason the Taschenbegleiter remains popular after all these years, even at a relatively high price point: It’s an intuitive, well-made organizer system, and the quality shines when you’re able to try it in person. It turns out that the Taschenbegleiter that drew the most attention was my 5+ year-old classic leather black model (new versions of which I carry in the shop but of course forgot to bring with me). Several people requested that I post the link to the specific model, which is the Taschenbegleiter LTD_022. All Lochby products that remain in stock are also back in inventory and listed on the site.

Because I need to finish moving into our physical shop space here in Nashville, I will not be attending Stationery Fest this week in New York City as originally planned. (If anyone was unable to get a three day pass and would like one, please reach out.) My next pen show will be the San Francisco Pen Show at the end of the month. I will not have a table but will rather be doing this show as an attendee, though if you’d like to place an order for show pickup I can probably make that work.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Stay tuned for details on our upcoming brick and mortar location, including visiting hours.

2024 D.C. Pen Show: Friday Report! (Plus Directions to Our Table)

Greetings from the 2024 Washington D.C. Fountain Pen Supershow! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this year’s show, mainly because I’ve been tied up with the move to our new shop and all that entails, but also because the past few post-Pandemic D.C. Pen Shows have felt “off” in terms of traffic. Fridays have been somewhat slow, with fewer weekend pass-holders making a full weekend of the experience and the main rush deferred until Saturday. Yesterday, however, was easily the busiest I have seen the D.C. Pen Show since 2019. The hotel is completely booked with a packed restaurant and bar, so apparently many out-of-towners decided to fly or drive in to attend the show.

It’s 4:00pm, so that means a raffle drawing at the Pilot Pens table. This is a scene I haven’t seen in years.

The 2024 show spans three hotel ballrooms, building on last year’s expansion in terms of the number of vendors and amount of sheer space the show is occupying in the hotel. Because there are three major pen shows taking place in the U.S. this August (the D.C. Pen Show, Stationery Fest in New York City, and the San Francisco Pen Show), many international vendors have decided to make a full month of it and are staying over to hit all three. If you can make it to any of these shows, there’s a deep roster of Japanese and European vendors present, including Opus 88 from Taiwan, who I don’t believe I’ve ever seen at a show before! There are also 8 different nib grinders.

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Don’t miss out on the fun in the Vanness Pens Lounge, where there’s a rotating cast of characters holding classes on everything from ink swatching to folded nibs to my own presentation on notebook systems! Yesterday I hung out for a while at the tail end of the show

If I’ve heard one complaint from attendees, it’s that the show has become more difficult to navigate as it’s grown. This year, the organizers posted a QR Code with a link to an interactive map, though even that hasn’t seemed to help much. Part of the fun of a pen show is wandering for three days and discovering new things, but if you’re an attendee with limited time, you do need to an easier way to find specific tables. One thing I’ll be contemplating in my post-show recap is whether the D.C. Pen Show has, in fact, grown too big. At a minimum, it seems to have outgrown it’s current location.

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Come Visit Our Table: Where We’re Located!

We are sharing table space with our friends at Vanness Pens this year, so you can find us next to Matthew’s Nib Works (Matthew Chen) in the front hallway. Whenever I attend a pen show, I try to bring brands that won’t also be found at a dozen different tables at the show. This year, I chose to bring Lochby cases (which are always a favorite at pen shows - lots of attendees end up needing additional storage to take pens home!), and Roterfaden, which I’ve never brought to a show before and has received a lot of interest. Taschenbegleiter systems are a bit of an investment, and it’s often helpful to be able to view and handle them in person before making a final decision on whether it will work for you. We also have Anterique Brass Ballpoints and Multi Pens from Uni and Pilot, which lots of attendees have been surprised to discover since it’s not something you typically see at any U.S. pen show. While Friday was busy, we brought plenty of stock so track us down!

If you can’t visit us at the show, you can still join in the pen show fun by using the coupon code “PENSHOW10” at checkout for 10% off most shop orders, good through Sunday evening!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Pen Show Adventures: 2024 Chicago Pen Show Friday Recap!

As one of the older pen shows on the circuit, the Chicago Pen Show has a rich history. Over the years it’s been considered one of the “big” shows at times, but for now I would place Chicago in the category of mid-size shows that draw an extremely diverse group of vendors. And as a show that’s very easy for me to attend logistically, it’s not uncommon for me to jump on a cheap flight and go last-minute, which is what happened this weekend!

The Chicago Pen Show is actually located in Hoffman Estates, a suburb. The hotel is fairly large and part of the show takes place in this well-lit atrium.

The trend at pen shows has been to make Friday a hybrid weekend trader/public day, meaning that weekend pass purchasers get a few hours in the morning to shop the show exclusively before it opens to the public on Friday at around noon. This is the best of both worlds, in my opinion: The weekend pass is still worth the money for attendees because they get early access, but vendors also get the benefit of additional public foot traffic in the afternoon (especially around 2-3pm when people skip out of work early to hit the show). I made sure to pick up most of the pens I was looking for in the morning, before the show got crowded.

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Clockwise from the top: Waterman Exception Night and Day, Skogsy Low-Volume Eyedropper, Good Made Better Ebonite Pocket Pen, Edison Jameson Scheherazade, Newton Prospector in Arkansas Abalone, and Edison Collier in Dragon’s Night.

This particular pen show trip ended up being a mix of business and personal, meaning that I didn’t take a table and set up as a vendor, but I did meet with a couple of different makers and manufacturers on T.G.S.-related projects. Once those were taken care of, I was free to roam a bit, visit with friends, and pick up six pretty significant pens, including two customs I had been looking to add to my collection, two new releases to evaluate, and two pens (one semi-vintage) that I’ve long coveted but had never found “the right opportunity.” Sometimes those opportunities hit you all at once. :) Here we go:

• Custom Pen No. 1: Newton Prospector in “Arkansas Abalone”, which I couldn’t pass up. I’ve been looking to add a second Newton Prospector (Shawn Newton’s triangular pen) in a fun material, and this turned out to be the one. Featuring shades of iridescent pink, silver, mother of pearl, and some dark green, it’s a stunner. The resin is by D Squared, also from Arkansas. I believe Shawn has a few more pens in this material.

• Custom Pen No. 2: Skogsy Low Volume Eyedropper in Beige Sand Acrylic. Designed to moderate the ink flow by limiting both the amount of ink in the barrel and the volume that can travel through the ebonite feed at any given time, Skogsy’s “Low Volume” eyedropper aims to avoid flooding the feed with ink, which leads to ink leaking into the cap and sometimes onto the page as you write. Did I mention this one has a No. 8 Magna Carta nib and ebonite feed? Expect to see more of this pen.

• New Release No. 1: Good Made Better Ebonite Pocket Pen. Dan had been teasing these pens all week on Instagram, and I already had planned to take one of these home with me. I chose this mottled black, beige, pink, and orange ebonite pen with a matte finish. As always, Good Made Better’s workmanship is excellent. I understand that these pens are show-only for the time being, so if you’d like to pick one up, get one at the Chicago Show or else you’ll need to wait for the official launch.

• New Release No. 2: Edison Jameson 2024 Chicago Pen Show Limited Edition. My pen is No. 7 of a (very) limited run of 15, made from older Bexley Scheherazade resin, which is a black translucent acrylic resin featuring streaks of silver foil. And, yes, it has a No. 8 nib. (You’re noticing a trend here.)

• Personal Acquisition No. 1: Edison Collier in Brooks “Dragon’s Night” Resin. Does anyone else remember when the Edison Collier was first released and everyone thought the pen was oversized? I never added one to my collection, which I’ve come to regret, and I couldn’t leave this one on the table. Translucent black acrylic with dark blue/teal shimmer. I considered the Collier Grande but found it slightly too oversized, despite the No. 8 nib which was tempting.

• Personal Acquisition No. 2: Waterman Exception “Night and Day”. I’ve been looking to add one of the oversized Waterman Exceptions to my collection, preferably in the black with silver trim and matte pinstripes on the side. Guess what? I ran into someone looking to unload one in excellent condition! Instant buy, and I’m thrilled to come closer to completing my “vintage” Waterman collection of most models spanning the late 1980s through early 2000s.

For Saturday, while I may pick up some smaller items and shop samples, and get a couple of nibs looked at, major shopping is over for this weekend. I expect the show to be much more crowded today. See below for some bonus pics of the new Good Made Better pens, as well as some vintage after-hours finds. (Yes, those are miniature keychain whiskey bottles that turn into fountain pens!)

If you enjoy our content, you can support us directly by visiting our own T.G.S. Curated Shop, as well as the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Many thanks to all of our readers and supporters!

A close-up of the Good Made Better Pocket Pen I picked up.

In addition to a pocket ebonite fountain pen, Good Made Better also has these full-sized models.