Are Stationery Subscription Services Worth It? (Or, Why Do I Need All These Blackwings?)

June 29, 2019

Subscription services of all kinds are having their moment. Whether it be books, vinyl records, food, clothes, quirky pop culture swag, or, yes, stationery, the rise of vocal communities of internet enthusiasts has revitalized the market for the old concept of the “book of the month” or “record of the month” club. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember (fondly or not) those promotions where you could get nine different books/records/CDs/tapes up front in exchange for subscribing to the monthly club, and agreeing to buy at least four of whatever over the next year. Some of these clubs were legit, and occasionally you could get some good books or albums, but what you usually ended up with was a monthly shipment of whatever item the record company or publisher had in overstock (translation: that they couldn’t sell at retail). I don’t recall any of my friends becoming longstanding members or subscribers - most of us just bought our three CDs and cancelled. (And, of course, subscribed again under your dog’s name to get another nine free CDs.)

Today’s riff on the mail order subscription service is less about freebies and discounts than about offering your customers willing to pay extra some combination of first access to new products, exclusive “members only” releases, or a curated experience in which the member gets a box of stuff specially selected for them. For stationery, the two most popular options are the Blackwing Volumes pencil subscription service and the Field Notes pocket notebook subscription service (formerly Field Notes “Colors”). I’ve subscribed to both, along with the now-discontinued Write Notepads subscription. Currently, Blackwing Volumes is my only active subscription. I’m asked a lot about whether I think these subscriptions services are a good idea. Here are my thoughts.

So what do I like about being able to subscribe?

You don’t miss any limited edition releases. I prefer brand-specific subscription services. If there’s a brand that I enjoy, such as Blackwing, I can subscribe to the Blackwing Volumes program and ensure that I’m among the first to receive a dozen of each new limited edition pencil without having to remember to place an order. I did the same with Write Notepads before that service was discontinued. (BRING IT BACK, CHRIS!!!)
You support a brand you really enjoy. For me, this is probably the most compelling reason to subscribe. If you like a brand, and want to make sure they keep releasing special editions (or stick around in general), paying for a year’s worth of their limited releases in advance gives the company a predictable revenue stream that allows them to plan for the future.
You get a slight break on price. Blackwing recently raised their prices on the Volumes editions, so by subscribing you get $2-3 off retail.
Subscriber extras in the box. Brand-specific swag isn’t a particularly big draw for me, but some people collect this stuff. Of more interest are special promotional codes with discounts on “subscriber days,” and sometimes “members-only” sales where you can purchase limited-run products.

While I was writing this review, I made a point of sharpening one of each Volumes edition, just to make a point to myself that I’m going to use all of them.

Downsides to Subscription Services

For me there’s really only major downside: Hoarding and paying for things you don’t need or won’t use. It’s why I discontinued my Field Notes subscription. I like Field Notes fine, but I realized I was subscribing simply to collect the latest design of the notebooks, whereas from a practicality/usability perspective there were other brands whose paper I enjoyed more. I still use Field Notes occasionally, but not enough to justify having nearly three dozen pocket notebooks shipped to me every year, which only adds to the never ending S.A.B.L.E. stash. For Pete’s sake, use this stuff, don’t hoard it! A major issue I have with the “limited edition” culture pervading stationery - and pretty much everything else these days - is that it encourages a mentality where all the things are meant to be kept sealed, unused, and pristine in a box and later sold on eBay for $150 for a dozen pencils or a three-pack of pocket notebooks. I don’t get it.

So that begs the question: What am I going to do with all these pencils? Fortunately, I have a daughter entering Kindergarten this year, so these pencils will get used one way or another. (She’s already started raiding my stationery cabinet for drawing supplies.) I’m also starting to use more pencils at work, and have become more proactive in giving them away when people come up to me at work and express interest.

Conclusions and Final Thoughts

Are subscription services “worth it?” Honestly, it just depends on your personal reasons for subscribing. If you find yourself enjoying everything that a brand has released over the past year, go for it. Personally, I’ve enjoyed all of the past four Blackwing Volumes editions, including the vinyl-themed Blackwing 33 1/3 edition that nobody else seemed to appreciate. I have no regrets about re-upping my subscription, and in fact I wish I had subscribed a year earlier. On the other hand, if you find yourself not using or not appreciating all of the various releases, or if you’re simply looking to save money, I’d discourage you from subscribing because the few dollars you might save off the retail pricing are more than offset by the 1-2 quarterly releases you won’t be crazy about and wouldn’t buy other than through the subscription program.

You’ll notice that my personal experience extends only to brand-specific/limited release subscription services, not any of the “curated” stationery boxes that are available. Those include the CW Pencils Pencil Box Quarterly Subscription, which offers a curated selection of pencil-related goodness four times a year for $30 per box, the Rad and Hungry kits that bring you stationery from different travel destinations around the world, Art Snacks (focused on art supplies), and even fountain pen ink sample subscriptions such as Ink Flight, where you can get a set of five new inks sent to you monthly. If you’re interested in trying out new products that you might not otherwise pick up yourself, you might enjoy a curated box!

Disclaimer: I purchased each of the products featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. I was not compensated for this review.

Ink Review: J. Herbin 1798 Kyanite du Nepal

June 26, 2019

It’s that time of year again! Herbin has recently released their latest entry in the 1798 lineup, Kyanite du Nepal: a bright blue, not quite turquoise, with silver shimmer. Iroshizuku Kon-Peki and Robert Oster Blue Moon Shimmer might be comparable, though the Kyanite du Nepal runs slightly darker.

Herbin’s description states that Kyanite is “one of the two minerals on the planet that neither accumulates nor retains negative energy” and “is believed to promote positive communication and encourage self-expression,” (if you’re into that whole healing-crystal thing). I will say that this is a very bright and happy color, and one that I’d actually consider using regularly. It also dries relatively quickly, and I didn’t experience any smearing after the ink had dried, something that had caused trouble with other Herbin shimmer inks, particularly the 1670 lineup.

Side note: Did I mention how much I love these little glass Herbin sample bottles? They hold about 10ml of ink, and you can actually purchase their standard ink line in this size. Perfect for testing colors! I have a handful that I’ve picked up from Vanness over the last couple of years.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Though they may not make their way into my regular rotation, I’ve always had a soft spot for Herbin’s shimmer inks. Kyanite du Nepal, in my opinion, is one of the best-looking to come out in recent years, and I find inks with silver shimmer, as opposed to gold, easier to use on an everyday basis since the effect is more subtle. Navigating these inks can be somewhat confusing - the 1670 inks are the original shimmer inks released by Herbin, and have gold shimmer; the 1798 inks are a more recent addition and have the silver shimmer pictured here.

As with the other Herbin 1670 and 1798 inks, you should be able to purchase Kyanite du Nepal from most mainstream pen retailers, though if the ink gets popular I have no idea how much Herbin plans to ship and how regularly the distributors will be able to replenish stock. Pen Chalet and Vanness Pens both currently have this ink available for pre-order. Although there have been availability issues with Herbin inks in the past, the introduction of new lines of shimmer inks from Robert Oster, Diamine, and others will likely cut down on the ink hoarding, so if you want a bottle, I’d be surprised if you couldn’t get one at the time of release.

If the look of this ink interests you, check out my past reviews of other inks in the 1798 and 1670 series, including 1670 Emerald of Chivor, 1670 Caroube de Chypre, 1798 Amethyse de L’Oural, and 1798 Cornaline d’Egypte.

Disclaimer: Exaclair, Herbin’s U.S. distributor, sent me a sample of this ink free of charge, for review purposes. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. This post contains affiliate links.

Kickstarter Alert: Tomoe River A5 Cahier by Pebble Stationery Co.

June 25, 2019

Many readers of this blog backed the first Pebble Stationery Kickstarter, for their Pocket Tomoe River notebooks. Now Pebble Stationery Co. is back with a new project: larger A5 notebooks that pack 120 pages of ultra-thin, fountain pen friendly Tomoe River paper into a slim, understated notebook that Pebble describes as “designed for busy professionals who would like a lot of pages, but don’t want to drag around a large notebook, particularly commuters and mobile office/hot desk type set ups.” I particularly like the idea of this notebook as a potential insert for portfolios like the Galen Leather A5 Zipfolio or the Bellroy Workfolio. With the Tomoe River paper, you will get a larger page count than if you used a standard softcover, slim A5, and I appreciate the understated branding and demure linen-weave finish on the grey cover. The paper is dot grid - a personal favorite!

Visit the Pebble Stationery Co. Kickstarter page to check out this project, and if you’re interested in purchasing the original pocket notebooks, they are available for sale on the Pebble Stationery website. This particular Kickstarter has a tight two-week time frame, so if you’re interested, you’ll have to back relatively quickly (unless you don’t mind waiting for these to hit stores). Many thanks to Lois at Pebble Stationery for supplying the production sample pictured here!

Disclaimer: Pebble Stationery Co. sent me the notebook pictured here free of charge. I have not otherwise been compensated for this post.

Updating the EDC: Galen Leather A5 Zipfolio

June 22, 2019

Some people have bag problems, some people have pen problems, some people have pencil problems. I have all of the above, but my main weakness is portfolios. I’ve tried a huge swath of them, from the super-inexpensive Lihit Labs “Bag in a Bag” to the pricier Bellroy A5 Zipfolio. The thing I love about portfolios is that you can own several of them and use them all, because they each come in various sizes and therefore have different use cases: a larger one that holds a legal or A4 pad to take to a meeting; an A5 portfolio that’s a bit more portable for journaling in a coffee shop or toting around your planner; or even smaller “pocket-sized” portfolios like the Nock Co. Hightower designed to hold a pocket notebook and a few pens. Portfolios slide easily into a bag, or if they have a zipper, you can carry them alone as your bag if you just want to grab something small and head out the door. Options truly are endless!

An overview of the A5 Zipfolio on my desk at work, complete with three pens and a Jibun Techo Planner System.

So what have I been using lately? Zeynep at Galen Leather was kind enough to send me one of their A5 Zipfolios in “Crazy Horse” brown leather, which is a rough-looking (in a good way) material that I’ve been lusting after for a long time. Though I love the pocket-sized Traveler’s-style notebook covers she sent me a couple years ago, Galen Leather has flown under my radar since and I’ve not taken the opportunity to explore their expanded product line. The company has absolutely exploded in popularity over the past few years. They’ve even begun to offer a range of wood products in collaboration with Walden Woodworkers’ Co., including a Writing Box and a Covered Pen Tray and other desk accessories.

The Zipfolio also comes with a removable keychain. Since the keys I carry are pretty bulky, I’m not sure how much use this particular feature will get, but it’s nice to have. The position of the keychain is such that they shouldn’t rub up against yo… — The Zipfolio also comes with a removable keychain. Since the keys I carry are pretty bulky, I’m not sure how much use this particular feature will get, but it’s nice to have. The position of the keychain is such that they shouldn’t rub up against your pens as long as you keep them in the removable pen insert.

Another loadout from this week, where I threw in a highlighter, Airpods, and glasses cleaning cloth.

So let’s take a closer look at the Zipfolio, and what distinguishes it from other available options. For starters, a key attraction for me is the size. A5 notebooks are my personal sweet-spot, which I use for most writing both at work and at home. Other sizes will fit, however, including the Jibun Techo 3-in-1, which is my current primary journal/planner/notebook that I’ve been using since January. A few other attributes that make the Zipfolio a no-brainer recommendation for me include:

Sturdy Construction. Galen Leather’s take on the Zipfolio provides thick-yet-supple leather and a sturdy zipper for a relatively inexpensive $119. It may not be as polished or “corporate” looking as something from Bellroy, but that’s the aesthetic, and in any event you will get a ton of mileage out of this portfolio. If you tend to be rough on your leather products, go with Galen, and consider Crazy Horse leather, because it hides scratches well. Scuffs and dings are part of the look!
Practical Modular Layout. This portfolio strike a balance between customizability and capacity, on the one hand, and practicality on the other. It holds just enough stuff to allow you to use it as a true grab ‘n go daily carry without getting silly, like other modular systems I’ve seen where you can pack so much stuff into them that the portfolio not only becomes too fat but risks damage to your pens and other items because it’s so crammed full of stuff that rubs together. Here, you have seven elastic loops that are well spaced: four of them are attached to a removable panel and plainly intended for pens or mechanical pencils, with the other three larger and more versatile. As you can see from the pictures, I’ve used them to carry anything from highlighters to headphones/Airpods to a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Extra Space for Added Notebook Versatility. One drawback to the Bellroy A5 Workfolio was the relatively tight fit if you wanted to use a standard hardcover A5 notebook such as a Leuchtturm or a Midori. Since I don’t regularly use the slim softcover notebooks, the Galen Leather Zipfolio works better for me. (Galen Leather designs most of their products specifically to fit Leuchtturm, Baron Fig Confidant, Hobonichi Cousin A5, etc.) Even though it’s not A5, this Zipfolio fits my Jibun Techo well.
Versatile Left-Side Pocket. The Zipfolio is marketed as an “A5 Notebook and iPad Mini Folio”, with a lined pocket on the left-hand side that will protect small tablets such as a Kindle Fire 7 or an iPad Mini. While I might slide in a tablet for a trip, I think this would bulk up the Zipfolio too much in an everyday carry situation. Fortunately, the left-hand slot can also easily hold a pocket notebook, folded sheets of writing paper, or even a soft-cover notebook like the recently released Studio Neat Totebook!
A Brand with a Great Story. While I may not write about the people behind the products as much as the products themselves, Galen Leather has a compelling story. I won’t spoil it for you but please do make the time to read it. (Link here to their site.)

Zipfolio with the Jibun Techo open to the week-on-two-pages layout. This has been my go-to carry for work over the past few weeks.

The pen-holder insert is removable, if you don’t want to carry pens in your Zipfolio or just want to carry one or two pens in the larger loops.

Notebooks are easy to switch out. The back of the Zipfolio contains a soft leather flap, under which you insert the back cover of your notebook.

Galen Leather A5 Zipfolio, loaded up and ready to go!

Takeaways and Where to Buy

All Galen Leather products I have owned over the years have thoroughly impressed me, from Traveler’s-style notebook covers, to a 40-pen zippered album-style case, to this Zipfolio. What I really like about Galen’s overall product line is their rugged durability. Compared to the Bellroy Workfolio, the Galen Leather Zipfolio just feels more durable and a bit less fussy, even though Bellroy products are also designed to last and age better than most smooth leather. If you’re someone who obsesses over gouges and scratches on your smooth leather products, however (like yours truly), the Crazy Horse leather option is excellent.

To view their full range of goods, visit the Galen Leather website. They are a family-owned business located in Instanbul, Turkey, and many of their products are made to order, so shipping will not be immediate, but my Zipfolio did arrive fairly quickly. For those who would rather go a more familiar route, Galen Leather also maintains an Amazon store, and the A5 Zipfolio is one of the products featured there.

Disclaimer: I received the product featured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links. Many thanks to Galen Leather for providing this product for review, and making this post possible!

Closing the Circle: The Lamy 2000 Rollerball Joins the Family

June 19, 2019

There are fewer pen designs that I love more than the Lamy 2000. I promised myself that I wouldn’t write yet another piece harping on the Bauhaus-inspired, truly minimalist brushed Makrolon construction (but if you want that, go ahead and read my other reviews of the pens from this line, links at the bottom). Notwithstanding my love for the fountain, ballpoint, and multi pens, it’s taken me quite some time to add the Lamy 2000 rollerball to my arsenal. I finally did so earlier this year, as I was in the midst of rediscovering my love for the smooth writing experience that quality rollerballs have to offer.

The rollerball version of the Lamy 2K features the same brushed stainless steel on the section, and even the same little metal “wings” on the pen that secure the cap.

Fans of the Lamy 2000 fountain pen won’t notice much difference between the fountain pen and the rollerball pen bodies. The first thing you will notice is that it appears to be the exact same body, including the piston knob, which on the rollerball unscrews to allow you to change the refill. Sure, the section is different, but given that the fountain pen features a hooded nib, the overall appearance of the pen doesn’t vary that much between the fountain pen and rollerball versions. The cap and clip remain the same, as does the brushed stainless steel grip section. The balance of the two pens is also quite similar, though the rollerball weighs a bit more, curiously, despite the absence of the fountain pen piston mechanism.

Swapping out the rollerball cartridge is pretty simple: just unscrew the back end of the pen and drop in the refill.

Which brings me to the refill. The standard Lamy rollerball refill is a Schmidt-sourced standard .7mm rollerball cartridge, dubbed the M63, which is certainly smooth but a touch broad for my personal taste. to get a finer tip size, you can either purchase a Schmidt fine-tip rollerball refill, or “upgrade” to my personal favorite, the Montblanc rollerball refill, which writes one of the finer rollerball lines out there and can be made to fit the Lamy 2000 by adding a small spacer - I used a folded up piece of Post-it Note - to the inside of the end cap. Otherwise the refill is too short.

I noticed no discernible difference between the Lamy 2000 rollerball and fountain pen in-hand. It feels like the same pen to me, which is a good thing.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Lamy 2000 Rollerball doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but rather builds on an already great design platform to offer what many people will consider a much more accessible and practical writing instrument. The ability to use high-quality Schmidt or Montblanc rollerball refills is an added bonus. To me, the Lamy 2000 in all its various forms represents the pinnacle of understated, functional design and durability. You simply can’t go wrong with any of them no matter what type of pen you are looking for, be it a fountain pen, ballpoint, multi pen, or rollerball. Now all I need to do is try out the mechanical pencil….

2023 Update: Over the years, I became frustrated that not many retailers were carrying the Lamy 2000 ballpoints and rollerballs and focusing on the non-fountain pen portion of Lamy’s excellent lineup, so I became a retailer! You can now purchase the Lamy 2000 line of pens, including the rollerball, directly from T.G.S. in the Curated Shop.

A Lamy 2000 Family Portrait: From left, the fountain pen, rollerball, 4 Color Ballpoint/multi pen, and standard ballpoint. The ultimate daily carry?

If you’re interested in reading further on my other reviews of pens in the Lamy 2000 family, check out my reviews of the Lamy 2000 fountain pen, the 4 Color Ballpoint (multi pen), and the standard ballpoint. I highly recommend all of them.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for my own collection.