Thursday Drops: TWSBI ECO-T Mint, Nakabayashi Paper, Lamy Restock and More!

May 18, 2023

Between the TWSBI ECO and the TWSBI ECO-T, I might fall firmly in the ECO-T camp. I love the triangular cap, and sculpted grips on both the ECO-T as well as Lamy’s Safari/AL-Star don’t bother me. This week we added the ECO-T in Mint (more of a “minty blue” than a “minty green”) to the shop, which complements the recently released ECO-T Saffron and Jade/Rose Gold. You can read more about the ECO-T and other triangular grip pens in this recent post. As noted below, we also have more of the Nakabayashi Logical Prime notebooks, and more Lamy pens and replacement nibs. Happy Shopping!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

TWSBI ECO-T in Mint. Sure, this one’s been around for a while, but I keep forgetting how good it looks. As noted above, we now stock two models of the TWSBI ECO-T, in the Mint and the Saffron.
TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape. TWSBI’s latest release, is well, VERY purple. If you’re a fan of purple pens, you certainly don’t want to miss this one. Likewise, if you’re a fan of the TWSBI Diamond Mini, you don’t want to miss this one, as TWSBI doesn’t often release special editions of this model.
Nakabayashi Logical Prime Paper Notebooks. Since their introduction last week, these slim wirebound and threadbound notebooks have sold quite well. The lined paper in particular is available in both 6mm and 7mm rulings, with a French-ruled style layout. Read more here.
Laconic Tokyo “Style” Notebook System. I’m drawn to modular notebook and planner systems, particularly refill systems that work in more than one different cover. With Laconic, you can choose from multiple planner and notebook layouts Read more on how the various components of the Laconic Style system fit together here.
Penco Prime Timber 2.0 and Passer’s Mate Mechanical Pencils. Pens and pencils from Japanese manufacturer Penco have been a quiet success here in the store, and these recent arrivals are super cool. The Prime Timber is a mechanical pencil-style leadholder that clicks to advance and ships with a sharpener, and the Passer’s Mate is, well, retro.
Lochby Venture Pouch. You all cleaned us out of Lochby Venture Pouches at recent pen shows. We’re now restocked in all three colors. The hallmark of the Venture Pouch is that it’s reversible, with a traditional pen pouch on one side and a zippered pen case on the other. Read more here!
Lochby Field Journal. If you’re looking for a durable, secure way to house A5 refills such as the the Laconic inserts discussed above, or Midori MD Light paper, Lochby has you covered. Lochby’s own refills are also excellent, and feature 68 gsm Tomoe River Paper.
Lamy 2000 4-Color Ballpoint (Multi pen). Our top seller from the Lamy 2000 line, believe it or not. This classic multi pen accepts the versatile D1 refill format, so you can use Lamy’s own ballpoint refill or the gel/ballpoint/low-viscosity refill of your choice.
Lamy Cursive Nib. Given how popular these hybrid architect/Kodachi/blade/Naginata nibs are, we bought a bunch. We’ll even install them on a compatible Lamy Safari/AL-Star/Vista with purchase if you send us a request.
Lamy Vista Pens and Pencils. Lamy makes a much underloved demonstrator version of the Safari, which I personally enjoy because it’s just different. I say “underloved” because it just doesn’t get as much attention as other items in their lineup, but it should!

Nakabayashi Logical Prime Paper Layout — I love the layout on the Nakabayashi Logical Prime Paper, from the rulings to the header.

New Arrivals: The TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape. This Thing is PURPLE!

May 16, 2023

I’ve been more excited than most about the arrival of the TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape, for two reasons: (1) the TWSBI Diamond Mini is one of the more underrated pens in TWSBI’s lineup, as a piston filler that posts to a full-size pen despite being a “mini”, and (2) the anodized aluminum plating on this particular model is an almost-psychedelic purple. If you’re a fan of purple pens, this is one you don’t want to pass up. Priced at $60 ($65 for the stub).

TWSBI Diamond AL Grape Section — I’m serious. It’s so purple it almost glows.

TWSBI is due a shout-out for its release calendar so far in 2023. In addition to the Diamond Mini AL Grape, they’ve released new ECO and ECO-T fountain pens, including the ECO-T Saffron and the ECO Persian Green. We currently stock a wide range of TWSBI pens, including all of the recent limited releases and the standard Diamond Mini if purple isn’t your thing!

TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape Posted — The cap on the TWSBI Diamond Mini is threaded, so it posts securely.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all products sold, including TWSBI.

Thursday Drops: TWSBI Diamond AL Mini Grape, Laconic Style Stationery, and More Penco!

May 11, 2023

For those of your clamoring for a special release of the TWSBI Diamond Mini, well, we have great news for you: the Diamond Mini AL Grape has arrived! This vibrant purple miniature piston filler is in-stock and available for purchase as of this morning. Over the past week, we’ve also added new arrivals from Laconic Tokyo, which you can read about in last week’s blog post, as well as two new lines of mechanical pencils from Penco.

I’ve mentioned on Instagram and the blog that because I’m traveling this week, we are running a promotion where all orders placed between Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 14 will receive an extra pen, pencil, pocket notebook, or other special item. No coupon code is necessary! Orders placed starting today will ship within our normal 2-3 business day time frame, as I get “back to work” this weekend. Finally, for those of you looking for a sort-of-last-minure Mother’s Day gift, we do offer digital gift certificates (which will arrive in the form of an electronic code). See details here. Many thanks for your continued support!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all products sold.

TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape. The latest release from TWSBI has arrived, and it’s a stunning purple version of the Diamond AL Mini, TWSBI’s pocket-sized piston filler! TWSBI fans have been clamoring for a special Mini release, and TWSBI has answered. For those who would prefer the standard pen, we also have the clear version available.
Laconic Style A5 Notebook System. This past week we introduced the “Laconic Style” Notebook System, featuring 10 different refills to help you customize your notebook or planner to your specific needs. I’m especially excited about the Laconic Bookmarkers, which work together with or separately from the Laconic Style notebook system.
Laconic Tokyo Mesh Pen Cases. These lightweight mesh pen cases come in two colors and three different sizes, with the largest capable of fitting a Laconic (or similarly sized) A5 Notebook, refills, and at least a few accessories.
Paul Smith x Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint Pen. The latest collaboration between designer Paul Smith and Caran d’Ache features six beautiful two-toned barrels in signature Paul Smith colors.
Penco Prime Timber 2.0 Leadholders. We recently received a shipment of these Penco wooden leadholders that click-to-advance like a mechanical pencil, and also ship with a sharpener. Available in four finishes. Read more here.
Penco “Passer’s Mate” Mechanical Pencils. Looking for a retro throwback to middle school? (Elementary school, maybe?) These colorful mechanical pencils from Penco feature a retractable tip and an eraser that removes to allow you to refill the pencil.
Lamy AL-Star Petrol and Lilac Special Editions. We have more of Lamy’s latest AL-Star releases, in fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint form. The Petrol finish especially stands out!
Lamy Cursive Fountain Pen Nib. This specialty fountain pen nib is sold separately, but we are happy to install it for you with the purchase of a compatible Lamy pen such as the Safari, AL-Star, Studio, and Vista. Just send us a message via the “Contact” link above after placing your order.
Lochby Venture Pouches. We are restocked on the Lochby Venture Pouch, the hybrid stationery pouch/pen case combo that sold extremely week at the Spring pen shows we attended. Available in three colors: brown, navy, and charcoal.
Lochby Field Journal A5 Refills. We are also restocked on Lochby Field Journal refills, featuring 68gsm Tomoe River Paper that is fountain pen friendly and compatible with any number of A5 notebook covers, including the Lochby Field Journal.

Penco Passer's Mate .5mm Mechanical Pencil

New Arrivals: Retro-inspired Pencils from Penco!

May 9, 2023

One of the many reasons I love Japanese brand Penco/Hightide is their retro designs and vintage-inspired stationery products. In addition to the mini-drafting pens and pencils, as well as the series of “Perfection” Bullet Pens, we can now offer the “Prime Timber 2.0” leadholder mechanical pencil, and the “Passer’s Mate” .5mm mechanical pencil that is sure to take you back to middle school!

Four different finishes of the Penco Prime Timber 2.0 (Grey, Navy, White, and Red), shown packaged with a lead pointer.

The Passer’s Mate comes in 12 different colors, and is refreshingly affordable at $3.50. The Prime Timber is a sturdy, well-balanced leadholder that clicks to advance the lead - as opposed to the usual gravity-driven clutch mechanism. It also ships with a lead pointer complete with receptacle to catch graphite shavings. Prime Timber 2.0 is available in four different finishes at $16. Available now!

We’re traveling this week, so any orders placed in the shop will have a 3-5 business day processing time instead of the typical 2-3, and will ship upon my return. As always when I travel, orders placed during “away time” will include extras like pens, pencils, or ink samples to accommodate for any short delay.

Notebook Systems: Introducing Laconic Tokyo

May 6, 2023

If I had to describe the Laconic Style notebook system, I would best characterize it as a modular, full-size A5 version of the Kokuyo Jibun Techo. (For those unfamiliar, the Jibun Techo is a dated planner/journal system that combines elements of the Hobonichi Techo with the “tall/slim” format of the Traveler’s Notebook.) The beauty of this particular notebook system is it’s customizability. You can choose from ten different 60-page A5 notebook refills, including four different planner formats (daily, weekly, monthly, or “100 days” with two days on each page), four “productivity” formats (To Do, Meeting, Spreadsheet, and Gantt Chart), and two "Lifestyle/Creativity” formats (Thinking and “My Life,” which some may recognize as similar to the “Life Book” component of the Jibun Techo).

Laconic Notebook Covers A5 — The full range of colorful Laconic covers!

While Laconic makes their own plastic notebook cover, capable of holding two refills, the beauty of this system is that the standard A5 size allows you to expand far beyond that using a system cover/organizer like the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter or the Lochby Field Journal (which holds up to six of these softcover A5 refills). For example, you could select a Monthly Calendar, Weekly Calendar, and Daily Journal for your “Planner” section, and combine that with Meeting, To Do, and a “Thinking” refill for brainstorming sessions. All of the planner refills are undated, and therefore flexible for those who might skip a day/week/month every now and then.

Laconic Style Multiple Notebooks Cover — You can fit up to two of the A5 Notebooks into the Laconic Style plastic covers.

So how’s the paper? I’ve been testing a Monthly refill since I first spotted these at NY Now back in February, and I would compare the paper to standard Rhodia or Kokuyo Campus. It will work fine with most fountain pens in fine or medium nibs, though extremely wet inks and wider nibs (and particularly a combination of the two) will see some bleed-through. That said, I’m not sure it will be an issue for those drawn to this particular planner, because it’s plainly intended for those who write small. (To that end, a Lamy 2000 EF nib with Pilot Iroshizuku Shin Kai gave me no issues.)

Bonus: Laconic Style Bookmarkers

Honestly, even moreso than the notebook system, what really caught my eye were these Laconic “Bookmarkers,” a set of eight different bookmarks in various formats that allow you to take notes while you read or write in your journal.

The Bookmarkers are sold in packs of 24, and fold over the page to prevent slippage. It’s also occurred to me that the “Planner” and “To Do” bookmarks could be taped or pasted into a bullet journal or other notebooks to add functionality. Personally, the “Reading Memo” layouts appeal to me the most, but I’ve kept a set of each for myself and since I churn through bookmarks fairly regularly I’m sure they’ll get plenty of use.

Laconic Style Multiple Notebooks Bookmarks — As with most notebook systems, all of the Laconic products are designed to work together.

Takeaways and Further Reading: Where Does Laconic Fit in the overall universe of notebook systems?

In the grand scheme of things, Laconic probably fits somewhere in between a single notebook system (each of these refills can be carried individually) and a modular notebook system, because you can combine them in a multi-refill cover to create a planner/organizer/journaling system tailored to your own needs. Laconic Style covers, notebooks, and bookmarkers are available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and they’re actually quite inexpensive, starting at $5 for a pack of 24 bookmarks, and individual notebooks priced at $6.

Laconic Style Zippered Cases — The largest Laconic Zippered case is large enough to accommodate an A5 notebook or two.

I’ve previously written several pieces on “System Techo” and the different types of notebook systems available. If you’d like to read more, see below:

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We are an authorized retailer of all brands sold, including Laconic. Please note that due to scheduled travel, orders placed after noon, U.S. Central Time on Saturday May 6, 2023 will have a 3-5 business day processing time. As always, we appreciate your support and slightly delayed orders will include extras!