California Pen Show Workshop Recap: Paper for Everyday Writing

Many thanks to everyone who came out to see me at the 2024 California Pen Show! We had a great turnout at the “Stationery for Everyday Writing” Workshops on Friday and Saturday, and since I’ve had a couple requests for the names of the paper samples we discussed, I thought I would post them. Just a reminder that the promotional code distributed to workshop attendees (and Patreon members) is valid through February 29, 2024 (end of the month). If you attended the seminar and lost the code or need the details of the promotional offer, please contact me and I will send them to you.

Four of My Favorite Papers for Everyday Writing

• Write Notepads Paper. Relatively inexpensive, absorbent, and available in a wide variety of formats and rulings, Write Notepads paper is among my favorite for everyday writing and notetaking.

• Midori MD Paper. Another excellent Japanese paper that’s cost-effective enough to be used everyday. I especially enjoy their writing pads, which can be used vertically and horizontally (“landscape mode”). MD Paper is used in standard Traveler’s Company refills, and if you’re looking for something slightly more absorbent, you should try the MD Cotton version.

• Clairefontaine French-Ruled Looseleaf Paper. The multi-lined paper handed out at the workshop was Clairefontaine French-ruled (or “Seyes-ruled”) looseleaf paper in the A4 format. Clairefontaine is often most people’s first experience with fountain-pen friendly paper, and while it’s slower to dry than the other options listed here, it’s also less expensive and more widely available.

• Tomoe River 68gsm Paper. While the long-term availability of this paper is subject to debate, given recent manufacturing changes, it continues to be available from some sources (including the Lochby refills that we sell). 68gsm Tomoe River Paper is still quite thin, though a bit thicker and slightly more absorbent than the lighter-weight 52gsm version so it dries quicker.

For additional fountain pen friendly paper recommendations, check out our post titled “Hierarchies of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper,” which will walk you through these options and more.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized reseller of the brands we sell, and is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Thursday Drops: Presidents' Day Weekend Edition (Oh, and the California Pen Show, too!)

I can’t believe we’re already at President’s Day Weekend! I’m on the road to the 2024 California Pen Show, where I’ll be teaching a class and holding meetups throughout the weekend, as well as hanging out behind the Hinze Pens table. If you’re at the show, please come by and say hello!

Since it’s a pen show weekend + a holiday, we always like to do some sort of promotion. Through Monday at 11:59pm CT, take 10% off all desk and reading accessories in the T.G.S. Curated Shop using the coupon code “PRESIDENTIAL” at checkout. In addition, for those attending our class/meetup this weekend at the California Pen Show, we will be running a special promotion, so if you’re at the show please be sure to attend!

New pencil offerings include the Uni Kuru-Toga Alpha Gel Switch, plus additional Kuru Toga models. Note that in our refills section, we’ve added Hi-Uni Lead Refills as well as standard Uni Smudge-proof leads.

Finally, as a special bonus for loyal Thursday Drops readers, enjoy some early access to a new project that we’ve had in-progress: a stand-alone Pencil Section of the shop. Currently, this page contains some new products that have recently arrived, and are on their own page while we organize a transition of our existing pencil/pencil accessory stock over to this page. This will allow us to build out our selection of all sorts of pencils (woodcase and mechanical), sharpeners, erasers, and more, into what I hope to make a nearly stand-alone pencil destination shop. For the next week or so, pencils will be split between this new page and the existing pencil section of the main writing instrument page. I hope you enjoy!

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

1. Lamy Studio “Glacier” Fountain and Rollerball Pens. The aptly named ice blue “Glacier” finish might be my favorite of the Lamy Studio line. Read more on why we consider the Studio an underrated workhorse, including the ability to alternate nibs including Lamy’s calligraphy nib to a 14k gold option.

2. Nahvalur Original Plus Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz Fountain Pens. These recently released vacuum-fillers from Nahvalur/Narwhal feature chatoyant black and white materials, respectively.

3. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter A6 Notebooks - Last Call on What We Have in Stock. Roterfaden recently announced that they are significantly downsizing their A6 (“Small”) lineup, which I understand to mean that all of the notebooks we currently have in stock are going out of production. If you’re interested in one of the vegan leather, print blanket, or colorful colors in the A6 size, don’t wait.

4. Nakabayashi Logical Prime Wirebound Notebooks in A6 and A7 Formats. In addition to having most of the Nakabayashi line back in stock, we’ve added A6 and A7 size notebooks. The A7 notebooks are especially intriguing, as they feature a top spiral binding that makes these essentially fountain pen friendly reporters’ notebooks.

5. Nakabayashi Yu-Sari Notebooks and Looseleaf Paper. Developed specifically for fountain pens, Yu-Sari paper handles ink well, and comes in B5 and A5 formats, including notebooks and looseleaf sheets. Which brings us to….

6. InCoWriMo Supplies! Those of you participating in InCoWriMo (International Writing Correspondence Month) should visit our dedicated InCoWriMo page, which is set up to feature paper specifically intended for written correspondence, including some with matching envelopes, etc.

7. Washi Tape, Stickers, and Pins. Many snail mail enthusiasts enjoy sealing their letters with washi tape and stickers, and we have many different styles and designs currently in stock, including a range of hand-selected MT Tapes with vintage-inspired themes.

8. Craighill Caro Pen. In yesterday’s post, I talked about “contingency pens” - an easy-to-use, accessible everyday writer that you keep on or near your person at all times. While the Caro Pen has sold very well, we do have some left in stainless steel!

9. Craighill Kepler Pen. The Kepler Pen is a retractable pen that accepts D1 refills in its modified knock, including the recently added Uni Jetstream SXR refills that come in two different tip sizes and multiple colors!

10. Tombow Airpress Pressurized Ballpoint Pen. Looking for an inexpensive “write anywhere” ballpoint that will even write upside down? The Tombow Airpress is one of those pens that has been around forever, but which I’ve unfortunately neglected until now.

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Lots of deliveries are arriving daily!

New Arrivals: Additional Sizes of Nakabayashi Logical Prime Paper; Plus Certain Roterfaden A6 Covers Discontinued So Last Call!

I’ve enjoyed exploring Nakabayashi’s paper offerings over the past year, especially their “Logical Prime” line. Logical Prime paper is relatively lightweight, yet still fountain pen friendly, and is available in a range of formats that include thread and wire-bound notebooks in multiple rulings. As of this week, we have added threadbound Logical Prime notebooks in the B5 size, as well as wirebound Logical Prime books in A4, A5, A6 and A7, the latter of which have a convenient top-bound, reporter-style format. Logical Air Super-Light Notebooks and Yu-Sari Notebooks are both back in stock as well!

Certain Roterfaden A6 (“Small”) Size Taschenbegleiters To Be DiscontINUED

[Updated with Clarification from Roterfaden] This month we received word that Roterfaden is discontinuing certain colors of the Small (A6) Taschenbegleiter covers. We have a handful of A6 Taschenbegleiters still in stock, but I’m not sure what will be available going forward as they intend to downsize this range. Apparently Roterfaden will continue making some version of the small notebook, as well as the refills, but if you’ve had your eye on one of them I wouldn’t wait because I understand the selection will be smaller. Most people buy this cover because it’s compatible with any number of standard-sized notebooks from other brands. (There’s no shortage of A6 options, such as the Itoya Profolio Oasis or the Midori MD notebooks in either standard or MD Light.)

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate your support!

Thursday Drops: Tombow Airpress, New Nahvalur Rose Gold Original Plus Pens, and More!

February marks the end of “recovery from the Holidays” season and the beginning of “New Release/Prep-for-Pen-Shows” season. I spent the past few days at trade shows. in NYC, and there is so much good stuff coming in addition to what is arriving every day. This week saw the release of the Nahvalur Original Plus Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz, new versions of the rose gold-trimmed Original Plus limited editions from last year. We also have the Ruby Koi Nautilus, Uni Jetstream Edge ballpoints fresh from Japan, and our first “write-anywhere” pen, the Tombow Airpress!

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This material was incredibly difficult to photograph accurately (especially the black) but I was able to highlight some of the sparkles here. For additional detail, check out this YouTube Short I just posted - video is easier.

Finally, we know that it’s InCoWriMo - we didn’t forget! - so be sure to check out the InCoWriMo section of the Curated Shop if you need to stock up on letter writing supplies. InCoWriMo is also a great time to use up Washi Tape, stickers, and other supplies!

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

1. Nahvalur Original Plus Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz. Nahvalur has released a new version of the highly successful Lovina/Matira Original Plus pens, featuring two new resins with slightly different hues and added chatoyance.

2. Nahvalur Original Plus Lovina Black and Matira White (Limited Edition Version). We still have remaining stock of last year’s Original Plus “Lovina Black” and “Matira White,” if the newer resins aren’t your thing! Only two or three pens remain, I believe.

3. Nahvalur Nautilus “Ruby Koi” Limited Edition. The latest limited edition Nautilus release features black and red striated German ebonite, paired with red anodized trim. Both plated stainless steel and 14k gold nib options are available.

4. Tombow Airpress Pressurized Ballpoint Pen. Tombow’s write-anywhere “Airpress” pressurized ballpoint features and easily deployable knock, a .7mm refill, and the ability to write in difficult conditions (wet, dusty, even upside-down).

5. Uni Jetstream Edge Ballpoint (.28mm and .38mm Options). The Jetstream Edge offers Uni’s finest tip to date, with its .28mm option. The .38mm is a more traditional Japanese ultra-fine tip but the .28mm is a remarkably smooth writer.

6. Uni Jetstream Prime Twist Ballpoints. We’ve been looking to bring in higher-end options for Uni’s flagship low-viscosity ballpoint pen, and the Jetstream Prime is an excellent everyday writer with a comfortable shape and tried-and-true refill/mechanism.

7. Roterfaden Notebooks and Sheet Protectors. At your request, we brought in additional versions of the Roterfaden-branded notebooks, as well as the sheet protectors in both A5 and A4 sizing.

8. Uni Jetstream Ballpoint Refills. Jetstream refills can be added to the pen of your choice! Both Parker-style and D1 versions are available.

9. Hi-Uni and Uni Smear-Resistant Graphite Mechanical Pencil Refills. As we build out our selection of pencils, both woodcase and mechanical, we’ve added some higher-quality mechanical pencil refills, including the Hi-Uni leads and the standard Uni smear-resistant graphite, which are perfect for everyday use. Grades F through 2B are currently available.

10. InCoWriMo Writing Store! February is International Correspondence Writing Month (InCoWriMo), and while I haven’t done a very good job of publicizing this fact this year, we maintain an InCoWriMo category in our paper section year-round so that you can easily identify paper suitable for letter-writing!

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[Updated] New Arrivals: Nahvalur Nautilus Ruby Koi Fountain Pen, and New Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz Original Plus Pens!

I’m not sure that we’ve ever had limited run fountain pens sell out quicker than the two Nahvalur “Pen of the Year” models, inspired by the Year of the Rabbit and Year of the Dragon, respectively. Fortunately, Nahvalur appears to be staying at it this year, releasing yet another gorgeous limited run pen in striated red and black German ebonite with red anodized trim that they’ve dubbed “Ruby Koi.” Given my love for anything red and black, but I’m not sure I could pick out a Nautilus color combination that speaks to me personally more than this one, and I hope it sticks around for at least a little while (though probably not since it’s a numbered edition).

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Vintage-style striated German ebonite paired with either a 14k (left) or gold plated (right) nib makes for a gorgeous combination.

As with the Pen of the Year, the Nautilus Ruby Koi is available with both gold-plated stainless steel and 14k gold nib options. These pens are priced at $188 for the steel option and $308 for the gold. As a piston filler, the Nautilus Ruby Koi accepts bottled ink only, and we recently restocked on Nahvalur ink as well.

This material is a gorgeous true red-black ebonite!

Updated: As of 11am Central Time, New Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz Fountain Pens Are Available!

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This morning, Nahvalur announced the release of two new colors in the “Original Plus” series - Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz. These are new takes on last year’s limited edition “Lovina Black” and “Matira White” pens - they still have the rose gold trim but the Black and White resins add chatoyance (i.e. some sparkle/shimmer) to the material! It’s a very nice look with lots of depth. These have arrived and are available to ship immediately, priced at $55 each.

Note - for those of you looking for a Lovina Black and Matira White pen (without the chatoyance), we still have a couple left, mostly broad and stub nib sizes.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Nahvalur Pens.