Sunday Reading for February 28, 2021

February 28, 2021

Two Weeks with the New Parker 51 (via Penquisition). Evan takes a practical look at the recently released “new” Parker 51, and came away with thoughts similar to my own. Especially on the need for a converter to be included in the box.
TWSBI Vac 700R Iris (via Dapprman). The TWSBI Vac 700R in the special edition “Iris” finish is one that I have yet to get my hands on, though I do have a pen on order. I need to re-approach the Vac 700 series in general, as I’ve not owned one of these pens in years.
Gioia Pen Partenope Madreperla (via Rants of the Archer). Gioia Pen is another emerging pen brand out of Naples, Italy that warrants keeping an eye on. This particular pen may not be my style, but they’ve generally received positive reviews.
Analogue Planning and Task Management in Covid Times (via Writing at Large). I enjoy reading about different people’s custom planning and organizational strategies, using the specific tools that work for them.
Snippets: Schon, John Garnham, Pebble, GLP, Cross (via UK Fountain Pens). Here’s to another shout out for the Cross Peerless!
Savannah Green and Terra Red (via Bleistift). I’ve scaled way back on my acquisitions this year, so one of the things I’m really missing about pen shows is the ability to check out the latest Lamy Safari releases in person before I decided whether or not to go for them.
Handwriting vs. Calligraphy (via The Postman’s Knock). Some food for thought, especially the idea that good handwriting does not necessarily equate to an advantage in calligraphy, and vice-versa.
Colorverse Apollo 11 Set (via Mountain of Ink). I missed out on this one, since it’s around the time that I gave up trying to keep track of all the different Colorverse inks.
Both Sides (via FPQuest). Always both sides. Always.
Forsaking All Others (via From the Pen Cup). What pen and ink combinations are a perfect match for you?

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog, I wrote about the concept of “mini-collections” within your main pen collection, in my case with a focus on under-appreciated pens like the Parker Sonnet that I absolutely love as everyday writers. I also published a Traveler’s Notebook Tutorial discussing how to connect multiple refills to your Traveler’s Notebook. Finally, I published a piece about the different pens and pencils I’ve chosen to stock in the Curated Shop, with some additional detail about each selection.

Curated Shop Updates

New stuff is being listed every week, with the latest additions being custom rubber stamps from WMS & Co, to complement their line of reading accessories that I’ve stocked in the shop since the beginning. I also received a (small) shipment of Caran d’Ache Fixpencils, which have been on backorder, and refill blades for the M&R Sharpeners.

WMS & Co

Traveler's Notebooks

Rhodia

Quo Vadis Habana

Caran d'Ache

Sponsorship Changes - Consider Joining T.G.S. Patreon!

You may have noticed that over the past several months, I’ve been allowing paid sponsorships to lapse and relying on direct support from readers and visitors, either in the form of Patreon pledges or Curated Shop Purchases. I plan to continue this trend in 2021, with the goal of T.G.S. being completely self-sustaining by the end of the year. While I will continue to collaborate and work with select partners, I do not wish to rely on paid advertising going forward, with the possible exception of smaller brands and makers who you may see on my sidebar from time to time.

You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. I will be rolling out some new content in 2021 that will be exclusive to Patreon subscribers, including monthly online meetups, and the eventual return of the “Digital Divide” newsletter (you can read back content here). I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live!

Traveler's-Notebooks-Multiple-Refills.jpeg

Traveler's Notebook Tutorial: How to Connect Multiple Refills and Accessories

February 27, 2021

I’ve used the Traveler’s Notebook for years, and regard it as one of the best options for carrying multiple notebook refills inside a single cover. Want to carry a planner, notebook, and sketchbook together, with different papers? You can do that! While connecting multiple refills can seem tricky at first, it’s easy and intuitive once you get the hang of it. The general rule of thumb to remember: A primary refill secured to the notebook cover using the center elastic cord serves as an “anchor” for the entire system, allowing you to add additional refills and accessories using connecting rubber bands.

Changing out a single Traveler’s Notebook Refill is easy - just open the refill to the “staple page” and slip it under the center elastic cord. But most people will want to maximize this notebook system’s versatility. Read on to learn how to add mor… — Changing out a single Traveler’s Notebook Refill is easy - just open the refill to the “staple page” and slip it under the center elastic cord. But most people will want to maximize this notebook system’s versatility. Read on to learn how to add more!

Collect Your Traveler’s Notebook and Supplies

In order to assemble a Traveler’s Notebook containing up to three refills, you will need three things: a Traveler’s Notebook, your three refills of choice, and a package of connecting rubber bands. For this demonstration, I’m using a Passport size Traveler’s Notebook in “Camel” leather, but the process is the same for the Standard size. Here, I will walk through three different setups: a Traveler’s Notebook with two refills, a Traveler’s Notebook with three refills, and a Traveler’s Notebook with three refills plus accessories.

Clockwise from top left: Traveler’s Notebook Connecting Rubber Bands, Traveler’s Notebook Passport in Camel, Blank MD Refill (included in the Traveler’s Notebook Starter Kit), MD Paper Grid Refill, and Tomoe River (“Lightweight” Blank Refill).

Connecting Two Refills

To set up a Traveler’s Notebook with two inserts, attach the first to the notebook cover using the elastic cord, the same as if you were going to set your notebook up with a single insert. Take your second refill and place it next to the first, clos… — To set up a Traveler’s Notebook with two inserts, attach the first to the notebook cover using the elastic cord, the same as if you were going to set your notebook up with a single insert. Take your second refill and place it next to the first, closed spine-to-spine.

Next, open both notebooks to their respective centers. Holding the two covers together, as shown here, loop a connecting rubber band over both notebooks. In your original refill, the rubber band should sit alongside the elastic cord. That’s it!

A two-refill notebook is perfect for a planner + notebook setup.

Connecting Three Refills

To assemble a Traveler’s Notebook with three inserts, start by picking your three books and decide the order in which you want them to appear in the notebook. Place the first and third inserts back to back, and set the second one aside for the momen… — To assemble a Traveler’s Notebook with three inserts, start by picking your three books and decide the order in which you want them to appear in the notebook. Place the first and third inserts back to back, and set the second one aside for the moment.

Open the first and third refills to their centers, and using a connecting rubber band, attach them as shown above, similar to how you connected the inserts in a two-refill notebook.

Close the two refills, and set them face-down on the inside of the Traveler’s Notebook Cover, spine-to-spine and connected by the rubber band.

Gently pull the two notebooks apart, and pull the elastic cord up between the two refills. The connecting rubber band should be just loose enough to allow you to do this easily.

Slip your middle refill underneath the center elastic cord. There! You’ve now secured three refills inside.a Traveler’s Notebook!

Adding Accessories

Your Traveler’s Notebook is only limited by how thick you want it to be. In addition to three refills, connected as demonstrated above, I’ve included a PVC Zippered Pouch and a set of TRC Sticky Notes on my Standard Size Traveler’s Notebook.

Attaching the PVC Pouch is pretty easy. I simply slid the pouch underneath the refills through the main elastic cord.

I then attached the Sticky Notes to the PVC Pouch using another connecting rubber band.

The Sticky Notes insert is actually a slim folio, with a think PVC cover to protect your unused stickies. Open the folio and slip the connecting rubber band over the cover and the PVC pouch, much the same as you would connect two notebook inserts.

Traveler's-Notebook-Stickies-Accessories.jpeg

My current Standard Traveler’s Notebook is set up with three paper inserts and two accessories - in other words a total of FIVE refills + accessories. This obviously increases the thickness and weight of the notebook, but it also transforms it into … — My current Standard Traveler’s Notebook is set up with three paper inserts and two accessories - in other words a total of FIVE refills + accessories. This obviously increases the thickness and weight of the notebook, but it also transforms it into a powerful all-in-one tool.

Traveler’s Notebooks and Accessories in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

All of the Traveler’s Notebooks, refills, and accessories pictured here are available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. As an authorized Traveler’s Company retailer, we carry Notebook Starter Kits, MD Paper Refills, Planner Refills, Specialty Paper Refills, and Accessories, in addition to TRC Brass products such as pen cases, rulers, and clips. Please feel free to reach out through the site if you have any specific questions about Traveler’s Notebook products and how to use them. If you’re interested in reading further on my own Traveler’s Notebook setup, check out this recent post in which I walk through the standard setup pictured here.

Which Pens and Pencils We Carry and Why

February 25, 2021

I haven’t spoken much lately on the “mission statement” behind my shop, and how I select the various lines and products that I carry. When I set out to create T.G.S. Curated last year, six years after founding The Gentleman Stationer, I did so with one goal: to bring together a set of products that I not only enjoy myself, but which represent the combination of quality, utility, and joy essential to remaining relevant in an increasingly digital world where most people are highly selective about the analog tools they use.

For pens and pencils, that means you will find a curated selection with a focus on quality craftsmanship and ergonomics. You won’t find anything here that I don’t use or wouldn’t use myself, and many of these products are, in my opinion, under-promoted by existing retail channels and the pen community at large. They cover a wide range of formats and price points. If you haven’t had the opportunity to explore the following, I’d encourage you to do so. As always, many thanks for your support!

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

Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint. One of my favorite ballpoint pens, and an all-time stationery classic, the Caran d’Ache 849 features a hexagonal barrel that tapers towards the point, lending it the feel of a woodcase pencil. Available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
Caran d’Ache Léman Fountain Pen. Currently available in a limited “Klein Blue” Ultramarine finish that I can’t stop looking at, the Léman is Caran d’Ache’s flagship fountain pen. I’ve been using one as a daily writer for the past month. Additional details here.
Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA Ballpoint/Mechanical Pencil. Combining the ability to swap out Schmidt ballpoint and .7mm mechanical pencil inserts into a compact, ergonomic form factor, the Nobile ITALIA also gave me a history lesson. Read more on the origins of this unique pen here.
CW&T Pen Type-A and Pen Type-B. If I’m going to have a gel pen offering, I’m going to go all the way. The Pen Type-A and Pen Type-B are both sublimely over-engineered and basically indestructible, featuring a pneumatic sleeve that keeps the barrel protected (and doubles as an addictive fidget toy). Additional details here, with a short video demonstration of how the sleeve works.
Pokka Pens Pocket Ballpoints. I don’t use - or stock - exclusively high-end pens. Sometimes the best tool for the job is the one that you can take anywhere with you, and I always have a pack of Pokka Pens in my bag and my car. Pokka now makes an aluminum “Jakket” that you can add on for a more durable EDC experience, with the option to use the “Dokk” accessory to clip the pen to your bag or keychain.
Penco “Perfection” Pocket Pens. If you’d prefer a refillable pocket pen that accepts universal D1 refills, the Penco “Perfection” is approximately the size of a tube of lipstick or lip balm when capped, but still hefty enough to use comfortably (and to let you know when you have it with you). Read more here, and it’s now available in a matte black finish, in addition to polished brass and chrome.
Traveler’s Company Brass “Bullet” Pens and Pencils. As a fan of the vintage “bullet pencil” format, there was never any question whether I would stock TRC Brass pens in my shop. While the standard brass ballpoint is probably my favorite (it actually uses a hybrid gel refill), I carry all four versions, in both brass and “Factory Green” finishes. Additional details here.
Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. The first modern mechanical pencil, designed during wartime to mimic the feel of a woodcase pencil when resources were in short supply. I carry both the original matte black with colored buttons, as well as the “Fixpencil 884” that comes in red, green, and blue with a textured grip section on the barrel.
Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Pencils. The ultimate woodcase pencil writing experience. Fans of woodcase pencils (and Caran d’Ache products in general) owe it to themselves to try a Swiss Wood at least once. Stocked in beech and pine versions, as well as three-pencil gift sets. Additional details here.
Tombow and Uni-Mitsubishi Woodcase Pencils. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get an excellent writing experience, and quality woodcase pencils are a great place to start. These No. 2 office pencils from Japanese companies Tombow and Uni-Mitsubishi hit the sweet spot in terms of quality and price point.

Mini-Collections and Under-appreciated Pens: The Parker Sonnet

February 24, 2021

I’m making more of an effort to sort and organize my pen collection these days. After a decade in the hobby, I’ve accumulated a lot, with varying degrees of intention. While I’m far from a single-purpose collector - for example, I don’t have a specific pen or brand that I collect exclusively - I do have several major themes around which I’ve build an eclectic group of pens. I’ve written about a few of these before: I have a soft spot for “near-vintage” Waterman, as well as celluloid pens in general. Neither is a particularly surprising focus for someone seriously into fountain pens, and wouldn’t appear out of place at a pen show or meetup. What is surprising, however, even to me, is the extent to which I’ve built up “mini collections” of under-appreciated pens that don’t attract much attention as everyday writers, much less the focus of collections. One such pen is the Parker Sonnet.

I currently only have three Sonnets in my personal collection, though I’ve owned many more. Why do I like this pen so much? For one thing, I consider the Parker Sonnet to be a modern classic. It’s been around for decades now, and the shape recalls the vintage Parker Vacumatic Majors from the 1930s. Vintage Vacumatics are among the most comfortable pens to write with - they fit the hand well when posted, as does the modern Sonnet. While Parker (rightfully) has taken flack over the years for allowing quality control to slide, a properly tuned Sonnet nib makes for an exceptional everyday writer, and the most recent Sonnets I’ve acquired have written perfectly out of the box. (I will note that these have been the gold-nib versions. I cannot speak to the steel.)

Sometimes a brand’s heritage isn’t immediately obvious. Parker has never “reissued” the Vacumatic - at least not to my knowledge - but a similar writing experience lives on in the Sonnet.

Building on the piece I wrote last week, which offered my first impressions of Parker’s recently released “Next Generation” Parker 51, I do believe that the level of vitriol directed at the modern Parker Pen Company is unwarranted and unfair. Sure, much of it can be written off as your typical internet snark, but even setting that aside, people really seem to relish hating Parker, and hold it to a much higher standard than other companies. For example, I’ve not found Parker nibs to be less reliable than those released by Visconti, which often charges twice as much money. A Parker Sonnet with a gold nib will run you anywhere from $250-400, with the higher end of that price range covering the chiseled sterling silver models. Even if you factor in $20-25 for a nib tuning, I have a hard time viewing the Sonnet as a bad value, especially given that you can often find them on sale or the secondary market. Hunting Sonnets at pen shows can be especially rewarding, as many people pass them up in favor of trendier pens and vendors are often willing to unload them at a discount. (Side Note: A few years ago, I criticized Parker for trying to push up the retail price of the Sonnet to its current level. Given the degree to which pen prices have risen industry-wide over the past five years, this was hasty and probably unfair. A gold nib Sonnet is less expensive than many steel-nib pens these days.)

Currently, the Parker Sonnets in my collection include two pens from the now-discontinued “Great Expectations” special edition series: the “Subtle Big Red,” which I previously reviewed, and another matte black version which I believe was called “Secret Shell Black.” Just recently I also added the “SE18 Journey Blue” pen to my collection, which was the last one in stock at Appelboom and seems like it will make a nice companion to my Traveler’s Notebook. The extra fine 18k nib is sublime.

If I must say so, the blue “Journey” looks good on the blue Traveler’s Notebook!

I’m interested in hearing more about this concept of “mini-collections.” Do you all have any side interests apart from your primary focus (if you collect at all)? In addition to the Sonnets, I have managed to get my hands on all of the special Lamy 2000 releases (with the exception of the red one that cost like $18,000), most of the Lamy Studio special releases, and a handful of Leonardo Momento Zero Grandes. The fascinating part about this for me, personally, is that it was largely unintentional, and as I focus on paring down my pens going forward, I may see what happens if I do spend some time focusing more on the “collecting” aspect of the hobby and building out some of these interests. (While still using my pens, of course!)

The SE18 “Journey” edition spoke to me because I have a degree in international relations/foreign service, so while the etching might be considered superfluous or even “too busy” to some, I like it.

Now that the snow is finally melting, I’m caught up on shipping Curated Shop orders! Things are back to normal this week!

Sunday Reading for February 21, 2021

February 21, 2021

Inside Stationery (Pt. 03): Robert Oster - RO Signature Ink (via Scrively). This is a great series if you’re interested in learning more about the people behind the brands we all love. This edition features Robert Oster of RO Signature Ink, in Australia.
The Results Are In: The Great Fountain Pen Survey, Part I (via UK Fountain Pens). If you’re curious about where the online pen enthusiast hobby is headed in terms of growth and new participants, you owe it to yourself to check out this survey. It’s an incredibly thoughtful and in-depth piece of research. (Apparently I also need to join r/fountainpens.)
Quick Look: Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Pura Fountain Pen (via Pencilcase Blog). Dries takes an initial look at the new Momento Zero Grande recently announced by Leonardo, with quite a different (transparent) look.
Franklin-Christoph Model 25 Eclipse (via Left Hook Pens). The Model 25, or the “Eclipse”, is one of the more unique Franklin-Christoph designs, in that the clip sits on the body of the pen rather than the cap. It’s rare to see this one reviewed!
What’s in My Bag (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). Bag dump post! I enjoy seeking what everyone else carries around, especially these days. My own carry has become a disorganized mess, probably because I don’t frequently leave the house.
John Twiss Thuya Burl Revisited (via Dapprman). This is a beautiful pen, with beautiful material. Twiss Pens from the UK have been on my list of pens to review for quite some time.
Pocketable Practicality: The 3D Printed Pocket Pen from Practical Pens (via Penquisition). 3D printing technology hasn’t yet broken into the mainstream of penmaking, but this looks really interesting.
What the Sport Should Have Been: The Kaweco Supra Fireblue (via UK Fountain Pens). I’ve long been a fan of the Kaweco Supra. I actually have a stainless steel version in for review that I need to get up on the blog soon.
Review: NovelPad Cloud-Based Writing Tool Part 1 (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). One of my (many) side interests involves accumulating dedicated writing apps that I don’t use nearly enough. This is a new one for me, reviewed by someone who does a lot more writing.
The Use and Abuse of Electric Pencil Sharpeners (via Pencil Revolution). I wholeheartedly agree that the best tool is the one that you use, all the time, and which will just get the pencil sharp.
Venvstas Carbon-T Fountain Pen (via Well-Appointed Desk). Venvstas is still at it! I have to admit I’m intrigued by the design, but the reports of dry nibs is concerning.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog, I introduced an old favorite notebook on both the blog and the shop: the Quo Vadis Habana Journal. I also offered my first impressions of the new Parker 51 “Next Generation” fountain pen, in burgundy with the steel nib, and so far have had a fairly positive experience.

New in the Curated Shop

This week in the Curated Shop, we have a fresh stock of new paper from Rhodia, Quo Vadis, and Clairefontaine, in addition to a new M+R brass pencil sharpener that can accommodate jumbo pencils. I highlighted several of these items, as well as some “last calls,” in this week’s Deals & Drops.