Happy Easter Weekend! Take 10% Off All Shop Orders Through Sunday!

Time to celebrate the beginning of Spring! (Even though it somehow still got down to the 20s here in Nashville last night). Through Sunday night at 11:59pm, take 10% off all T.G.S. Curated Shop orders using the coupon code “SPRINGTIME”! This includes all the new Caran d’Ache items that recently hit the store, including the Caran d’Ache 888 “Infinite” collection, 849 mechanical pencils, Edelweiss woodcase pencils, and more!

Many thanks, and enjoy the long weekend!

Ok, while I love the grey, the Swiss Cross set might be my favorite.

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.

Mechanical Pencil Review: Ohto Sharp APS-280E

In belated celebration of National Pencil Day (which was yesterday), I decided to dig back through my “stationery drawer of shame” and pull out a product that I’ve owned for years but never formally reviewed. (To be honest, there are multiple “drawers of shame.” And cabinets. And storage bins. But we won’t go there.) Close at hand I found a quirky mechanical pencil that struck me as the perfect way to celebrate our appreciation for pencils both woodcase and mechanical: the Ohto Sharp .5mm mechanical pencil.

[Note: Since I didn’t post a review on National Pencil Day, I’m extending the National Pencil Day promotional code until 11:59pm ET tonight. Take 10% off your order of pencils and/or pencil sharpeners in the Curated Shop using the code “PENCILDAY” at checkout!]

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Established in 1929, Ohto is a long-standing Japanese stationery brand that is best known for their mechanical pencils, ballpoints, and rollerballs. (Reviews of Ohto fountain pens are best described as, ahem, “mixed.”) While Ohto makes a wide range of different writing instruments, the one that’s repeatedly caught my eye is the Ohto Sharp .5mm pencil, in which the company has hollowed out a traditional woodcase pencil body and inserted a .5mm mechanical pencil mechanism. The knock, (or “clicker”) is inserted into the ferrule and includes a traditional pink eraser. While it does rattle a bit as you write, overall, I was impressed at how well this contraption actually works.

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The eraser pops out of the Ohto Sharp, exposing the tube that holds the pencil leads. (You can also purchase replacement erasers.)

So why does this product exist at all? Apart from just being a neat design idea, the Ohto Sharp caters to those who enjoy the feel of a woodcase pencil, but either (1) write very small and don’t enjoy constantly sharpening a pencil to maintain a needle point; and/or (2) prefer their woodcase pencils at a specific length, namely when they’ve been sharpened a handful of times. I fall into both categories, and marveled at how much fun it was to use this pencil to make tiny notes and annotations in a way that you can only really do with a mechanical pencil, yet with the comfort and balance of a hexagonal woodcase pencil at what I consider a great length.

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I love woodcase pencils when they are just about this length - probably sharpened 3-5 times, depending on the pencil.

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Shown next to a Blackwing Volume 3, which I would estimate has been sharpened approximately 4-5 times.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve enjoyed the Ohto Sharp, and will probably keep one in my regular pencil rotation, especially when I’m traveling and don’t have a convenient opportunity to use a sharpener. (I was going to say that I plan to pick up another, but while I was writing this review, further digging in the “drawer of shame” revealed another Sharp, still sealed in its packaging, this time in a natural finish!) While I’m set for the .5mm version, there’s also apparently a 2mm leadholder version, which I have not used.

I should mention that the Ohto Sharp is, effectively, a disposable mechanical pencil. While I’ve owned this particular pencil for several years without incident, others have had issues with the Ohto Sharp jamming, and if so, you likely will not be able to disassemble the pencil in order to repair it. This doesn’t bother me too much - priced around $5, it’s not too expensive to replace, and as I mentioned, I’ve used one of my Sharp pencils on and off for about three years without experiencing any problems.

I acquired the pencil featured in this review at Kinokuniya Bookstore in New York, with my own funds, for my own personal use. I was not compensated for this review and this post does not include affiliate links. Ohto products are available online from a variety of retailers, and this is one that I may look to add to the Curated Shop in the future.

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.

Pen Review: Otto Hutt design07

Otto Hutt, the once obscure and under-appreciated German pen company, has finally begun to receive overdue attention in today’s market, years after I first reviewed a favorite model of mine, the Otto Hutt design06. Mostly the delay was due to fits and starts with Otto Hutt’s U.S. distribution, which now rests with experienced distributor Kenro Industries. As a result, certain Otto Hutt models have started to make regular appearances at U.S. pen retailers. Today, I look at the “design07,” a sterling silver pen that pays tribute to the company’s roots in Pforzheim, Germany, a city known for its jewelry and watchmaking industries.

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Appearance and Build Quality

Otto Hutt unquestionably markets the design 07 as its “flagship” pen, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail make it a worthy representative of the brand. The barrel and cap are made from 36g of polished sterling silver, clearly the key selling point. One might think that with this much metal, the design07 runs the risk of appearing “blingy”, but somehow Otto Hutt pulls it off without the pen appearing ostentatious. I think this is partly due to the company not going overboard with etchings or other adornment. The barrel and cap feature an engraved thread guilloche pattern, and the resulting design strikes a nice balance between vintage inspiration and clean, modern lines.

Like Graf von Faber-Castell, Otto Hutt uses spring-loaded clips, which make it easy to clip their pens to the inside of a pen case or shirt pocket. Given the weight of the design07, however, most people won’t bother with the shirt pocket for this particular pen. Here, I should mention that certain parts of the trim, namely the clip, cap band, and section, are platinum plated as opposed to pure sterling silver. As the silver parts of the pen (i.e., the cap and barrel) develop a patina, there will also be a bit of a mismatch in tone unless you keep the pen polished, which is a matter of personal preference. A platinum-plated brass version is also available, which has a darker look and should not tarnish like the sterling silver.

I love the flat clip on this pen. The spring is sturdy, and the clip itself is not too narrow - it’s substantial enough to match the heft of the cap.

Like others, if I had one critique about the Otto Hutt design07, it would be the laser-engravings, which don’t look particularly “clean.” While not a deal-breaker for me, it’s a puzzling choice to see at this price point, especially on sterling silver, and I perhaps expected a bit more.

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A Writing Experience on Par with the Otto Hutt design06

What has repeatedly brought me back to the Otto Hutt design06 over the years is the overall quality of the writing experience. I’m a fan of understated German pen design, particularly when you pair industrial aesthetics with good ergonomics and a quality nib. As I expected, the design07 turns out to be a highly usable workhorse pen.

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This pen features a lot of silver, and as a result weighs a good 2.3oz/64g capped and 1.3oz/32g uncapped. (That’s right, the cap is as heavy as the barrel.) Suffice to say, the design07 is not a pen most people can use posted, myself included. I find the design07 most comfortable unposted, with a length and balance similar to a Pelikan M800 or the Montegrappa Extra 1930. I particularly like that this pen features an 18k two-toned JoWo nib. While perhaps not exciting, you can’t dispute that JoWo nibs are reliable writers - especially the 18k variants - and the two-tone gold nicely complements the sterling silver. (Again, the Montegrappa Extra 1930, which has a sterling silver section, uses a two-tone gold nib to similar effect.)

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Takeaways and Where to Buy

Who should consider this pen? I can see the Otto Hutt design07 - and the brand as a whole - gaining traction in a couple of different market segments: First, fans of German pen companies such as Montblanc, Pelikan, and Graf von Faber-Castell looking to add something different to their rotation, and second, the “workhorse pen” crowd. I proudly count myself a member of both groups, and I’ve long sung the praises of Otto Hutt pens as well-built daily writers that might cost a bit of a premium, but will hold up to heavy use and not disappoint in either comfort or build quality.

Currently, you can purchase Otto Hutt pens from my friends at Vanness, who will soon have the design07 available as well. Sterling silver pens aren’t inexpensive, so this one comes in priced at $995 retail, with a street price at around $796. What can I say? It’s obviously a luxury item, but fortunately Otto Hutt makes pens across a range of price points, and every one I have used has been high-quality. If you enjoy this style, you shouldn’t come away disappointed.

Many thanks to Cary and the team at Kenro for providing this pen to me for review purposes!