Take Five: Favorite Traveler's Notebook Accessories

The Traveler’s Notebook is, in my opinion, one of the most versatile notebook systems on the market. In addition to being able to easily hold three different notebook inserts, you can choose from a wide range of available accessories in order to build out the notebook or planner that works best for you. Today I’ll briefly take you through five of my personal favorites that I use every day. (If you don’t yet have a Traveler’s Notebook, and are interested in using the system, begin here with a Starter Kit.)

Disclaimer: The TGS Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Traveler’s Company products.

1. Traveler’s Company Sticky Note Insert. The accessory that gets the most use in my rotation (other than perhaps the pouch) is the sticky note insert. The paper on these particular sticky notes works well with most pens, including fountain pens, and are stored inside a plastic cover so the insert can be stored safely alongside your other Traveler’s Notebook refills. Each booklet ships with 8 notepads in five different sizes and formats.

2. Traveler’s Company Notebook Repair Kit. Sure, it’s ostensibly intended to help you replace parts of your Traveler’s Notebook as they wear out, but what this one really does is offer eight different options for swapping out the elastic cord with a different color. Currently my blue Traveler’s notebook is rocking a bright orange band.

3. Traveler’s Notebook Zippered Cases. I use the zippered PVC pouch to carry stamps, paper clips, and a handful of Book Darts so that I always have some on hand to mark pages of my notebook or the book I’m currently reading.

4. Traveler’s Notebook Pen Holder. This matching pen loop - available in four different options to match your leather cover - will hold pens up to 12mm in diameter, including the range of Traveler’s Company Brass Pens and Pencils.

5. Traveler’s Company Brass Clip. I’ll admit, before I started carrying Traveler’s Company products in the shop, I wasn’t familiar with their clips and how they are intended to be used. In addition to securing papers, etc. to the front cover of your notebook, you can use the weight of the clip to hold the notebook open as you write, offering more of a lie-flat writing experience.

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I hope you found this short post helpful! If you’re interested in further exploring the endless possibilities of the Traveler’s Notebook, check out my previous posts in which I discuss my personal Traveler’s Notebook setup, as well as a short tutorial on how to attach multiple refills and inserts to a single cover.

In the Curated Shop: Caran d'Ache 849 Premium Collection

Over the past year, as I’ve had the opportunity to handle the various iterations of the Caran d’Ache 849, it’s become one of my favorite everyday writers. I’m focusing on ballpoints more in my everyday writing, and the hexagonal barrel of the 849 lend it a pencil-like feel in the hand that is not only comfortable but tactile and satisfying to use. It doesn’t hurt that the “Goliath” refill lasts forever!

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In addition to the standard Caran d’Ache 849 - a well-priced entry point to the Caran d’Ache lineup that comes in a solid range of colors - and the various special and limited editions released throughout the year, Caran d’Ache also makes what I refer to as their “Premium” collection (unofficial term). This includes the matte black “Black Code” edition - which is so blacked-out it even ships with a black refill rather than the signature Caran d’Ache blue; the matte gold “Gold Bar” edition; the matte rose gold “Brut Rosé” edition; and the industrial-chic “Original”. All of these pens ship in a matching clamshell case, perfect for storage or presentation.

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Note: the Black Code and Brut Rosé pens tend to sell out quickly. If they are unavailable, I will stock more as soon as I can. As of now they are standard editions and not limited or restricted in quantity.

You can check out these and many more quality Caran d’Ache products in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Caran d’Ache and all other brands sold.

Accessorizing Your Notebooks with the Traveler's Company Brass Lineup

Most people who are familiar with the Traveler’s Company family of products recognize the Traveler’s Notebook and related refills and accessories. Less familiar, perhaps is the “TRC Brass” lineup, which includes vintage-inspired brass accessories such as pocket pens and pencils, clips, a ruler, bookmarks, and perhaps my favorite of all, an old-school brass pen case. All of the TRC brass products will last a long time and develop a patina as they age, allowing you to create your own stationery heirlooms.

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Check out these and other Traveler’s Company products in the T.G.S. Curated Shop! Remember that all domestic U.S. orders over $75, and international orders over $250 ship free.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all products sold in the T.G.S. Curated Shop.

Introducing the Write Notepads "Engineer" Collection

Adding to their considerable repertoire of high-quality spiral notebooks and memo pads, Baltimore-based Write Notepads has launched a new series of classic “Engineer” Spiral Notebooks and Memo Pads. Both products feature a unique smooth, uncoated 70# graph paper with a non-repro 1/4” blue square grid. The layout is intended for engineers, designers, and those who simply enjoy versatile graph paper. Personally, I’ve been using this notebook as my landscape/garden planner for 2021, and am looking forward to being able to carry this durable oilboard cover into the backyard without jeopardizing its ability to last for an entire season.

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If there was ever a perfect notebook to pair with the CW&T Pen Type-A, this is it.

The notebook is currently labeled a “limited edition,” so I’m not sure how long these will be around. I have both in stock in the Curated Shop. “Together We Build” Engineer Notebooks are priced at $16 and a set of two Engineer Memo Pads at $18. Looking for the perfect pen to pair with engineer paper? Check out the CW&T Pen Type-A or Pen Type-B, or the new pocket-size Penco drafting ballpoint pens and pencils!

A note on the paper: Write Notepads did not design this notebook with the fountain pen enthusiast in mind, and they expressly state as much in their promotional materials. That said, I’ve found descriptions of this paper as “not fountain pen friendly” to be a bit overblown. I’ve been able to use extra-fine and fine fountain pens without issue, and even medium nibs showed only slight feathering, with barely any bleed-through.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all Write Notepads products sold in the T.G.S. Curated Shop.

Perfection, Modified: Penco "Perfection Light" Bullet Pens

I’m a pocket pen addict, and at any given time I have a dozen or so scattered around the house, in my car, in coat pockets, pants pockets, on dressers, you get the picture. I don’t even worry about losing them anymore, because I know they’ll turn up eventually, and I can always count on one being somewhere when I need it. Which is why I was especially excited to see Penco expand their lineup and release this series of inexpensive, multicolor “Perfection” pocket pens. Back in October, I started stocking the metal version of the Penco “Perfection,” and it’s sold quite well - I now offer this model in Chrome, Brass, and Black Anodized finishes.

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As of today, you can pick up a Perfection “Light” from the T.G.S. Curated Shop in one of ten different colors, priced competitively at $10. While the stock refill is quite good and reminiscent of a black Uniball Jetstream, the Penco Perfection accepts any universal D1 refill so you can modify as you wish! Visit the Curated Shop to check out these and a wide variety of other pocket pens.

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The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we sell.