Caran d'Ache 849 Overview: Go Back To School or Work with a Classic

August 19, 2021

Over the years, one of my favorite everyday ballpoints, for both desk and “on the go” writing, has been the Caran d’Ache 849. Not only does it feature a smooth ballpoint refill that lasts pretty much forever (they don’t call it “Goliath” for nothing), but the hexagonal sides of the pen remind me of gripping a woodcase pencil. I’ll always have a soft spot for the 849, as it was one of the first products I decided to carry myself, and I keep the pens in stock in multiple finishes, ranging from the standard $20 849 all the way up to special and limited edition finishes such as the Claim Your Style pens and Nespresso collaborations. Best of all, if you prefer a .7mm mechanical pencil, a clutch pencil, a fountain pen, or (coming soon) a rollerball, you have an option in the same classic 849 format!

Caran d’Ache 849 “Black Code” Ballpoint. If I had to pick a signature pen for the shop (well, apart from my own signature pen that I did with Sunderland), it would be this masterpiece in matte black. Whenever anyone recommends a subtle write-anywhere “work pen,” or just a writing instrument that’s more understated, it’s this one.
Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style 2021 (Edition 3). In the past, the Claim Your Style pens have been kind of loud, with their multicolor mixing and matching in offbeat shades. This year’s releases takes it down a notch, maybe targeting a different group of enthusiasts? The “Night Blue” and “Moss Green” versions are subtle designs on par with the Black Code.
Caran d’Ache 849 Original, Brut Rosé, and Gold Bar. From the same 849 “Pop Line” series as the Black Code, these finishes are a bit more fun, yet still sophisticated. Brut Rosé has a hard time staying in stock, and the Original adds an industrial feel. “Gold Bar” is one of the sleeper hits of the lineup, IMHO.
Caran d’Ache 849 “Totally Swiss” Edition. If you want the full Caran d’Ache experience, you need at least one writing instrument in the company’s signature “Swiss Cross” finish. In addition to the 849 ballpoint, you can choose the mechanical pencil, or a less expensive 888 Infinite pen/pencil set!
Caran d’Ache 849 Fountain Pen. The latest entry into the 849 lineup is the Caran d’Ache cartridge-converter fountain pen, a convenient cartridge-converter, snap-cap pen that comes in a wide array of different finishes. Of course, you can pair this pen with all of the colors of Caran d’Ache Chromatics inks.

Shown here - the Caran d’Ache x Nespresso collaborations, including the recently released Fixpencil (far right) and the Swiss Wood pencils (far left).

Don’t Stop There - We Carry More from Caran d’Ache In the Curated Shop!

Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. The iconic Fixpencil has been described as the first truly modern mechanical pencil. While it’s technically a clutch pencil, it was developed for writing, not necessarily sketching, due to wartime materials shortages. This year, for the first time Caran d’Ache released their annual Nespresso collaboration in the Fixpencil format!
Caran d’Ache Ecridor Racing. While it shares the format of the 849, the Ecridor is Caran d’Ache’s luxury ballpoint/mechanical pencil, and this past year they released it in a matte black finish with a red racing stripe. I have one mechanical pencil left, which comes as part of a set with a Caran d’Ache leather sleeve.
Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Pencils. To me, the Swiss Wood represents the pinnacle of the woodcase pencil writing experience. Made from Swiss beech or pine, they now come in a Nespresso collaboration edition.
Crayons de La Maison de Caran d’Ache Luxury Pencil Set. I just realized that I still have a handful of sets of the most recent release, Edition No. 9, made in conjunction with Geneva perfume-maker Mizensir. These gorgeous pencils are lightly scented with the “Spirit of the Alps”. (I can confirm it’s quite pleasant and not overwhelming at all!)
Caran d’Ache Eco Ballpoints. These high-end office supplies have been the sleeper hit of the summer, as people stock up to go back to work.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry, including Caran d’Ache. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Quick Look Review: The Ti Ultra Fountain Pen + Rollerball + Ballpoint

August 18, 2021

For today’s post, I thought I’d keep things local, and review a pen designed just down the road from me (well, 2 hours or so down the interstate) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. BigiDesign has made a name for themselves in the machined titanium pen market, especially with their “Ti Ultra” and “Ti Arto” designs that are engineered to accept hundreds of different refills. Today, I’ll look at the Ti Ultra, which not only has an extremely versatile refill system (compatible with 750-plus?!?) but also features a 3-in-1 design that allows you to use the Ti Ultra body as a cartridge/converter fountain pen, in addition to the rollerball/gel or ballpoint refill of your choice.

I backed the Ti Ultra on Kickstarter, so in the box I received the “Stonewashed” pen made from grade 5 titanium, with both rollerball/ballpoint and fountain pen nib sections. The fountain pen function is self-explanatory - you simply screw the nib section into the pen body, and fill/use like any other cartridge/converter fountain pen. BigiDesign uses No. 6 Bock titanium nibs, which typically are decent writers, though they sometimes need to be tuned out of the box. I’ve not written with this one, as the fountain pen functionality is not what drew me to the Ti Ultra and it’s slimmer sibling, the Ti Arto. Rather, for me the true value lies in the pen’s ability to use nearly any conceivable rollerball, gel, or ballpoint refill when coupled with BigiDesign’s patent-pending clutch-style refill system.

Unscrewing the front portion of the section opens the clutch system. You insert the refill of your choice, and tighten the front, like you would with the bit on a handheld drill.

The system closes securely around the tip of the refill, and I’ve not had any issues with a refill coming loose while writing. Shown here is a Uni Signo 207 installed in the Ti Ultra.

I don’t have a large number of machined pens designed to accept specific refills, so the ability to rotate hundreds of different options through a single pen body is quite useful to me. As such, I’ve had both the Ti Arto and Ti Ultra pens in my arsenal for a couple years now, and they get regular use. Of the two, I would probably say that I prefer the slimmer Ti Arto, but that’s mainly due to the placement of the threads on the grip. Given how I hold the pen, the threads on the Ti Ultra - which are near the tip - sometimes rub my fingers as I write, leading to an uncomfortable writing experience over longer sessions. The threads on the Ti Arto are higher up, which eliminates the issue.

Grip sections compared on the Ti Ultra, left, and the Ti Arto, right.

While the BigiDesign pens have received a good deal of attention from the “pen press” over the years, the niche nature of the product and the higher price point has held back this particular model. The Ti Ultra pen runs $240 on the BigiDesign website, though discount codes are available. You do get a lot for your money, especially if you value the fountain pen option, but it’s a higher price than many are willing to pay for an edc-style machined pen. The Ti Arto is priced more in the sweet spot of this segment, at $85 for a still-versatile titanium pen that accepts “only” 200+ refills. If you have very specific needs in terms of preferred refills, BigiDesign has a list of compatible refills under the listings for both the Ti Arto and the Ti Ultra, which I would encourage you to read before making a purchasing decision.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pens pictured in this review with my own funds, for my own personal collection. This post does not contain affiliate links. Going forward, T.G.S is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Sunday Reading for August 15, 2021

August 15, 2021

D.C. Pen Show 2021 Recap (via The Looped Square). I had a blast working with Joseph, Lisa, Davina, and Dan behind the Vanness table. Joseph has a great show recap.
2021 D.C. Pen Super Show - Quick Recap (via The Pen Addict). Kimberly, now writing for the Pen Addict, has another great recap of the D.C. Pen Show weekend, from behind the Franklin-Christoph table.
The D.C. Pen Show 2021 Experience (via Inkjournal). Tom has a very thorough write-up of the 2021 D.C. Pen Show, that captures all of the different exhibitors and visitors.
TWSBI Swipe Review - From a Fan (via The Poor Penman). As a huge fan of the TWSBI Swipe, I can’t help but highlight this review, which more or less calls out everything the Swipe has to offer in a $26.99 package.
Composition Book Round Up 2021: Part 1 Target (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). The annual round-up of composition books is back! Looks like Target has a couple of winners this year.
British Pen Makers (via Dapprman). A great resource for those interested in discovery pen makers based in the U.K.
Birmingham Pen Company Hydrangea (via Left Hook Pens). As someone with a VERY large number of hydrangea bushes in their yard, I may need to pick up a bottle!
Taccia Jeans Collection Black Wash (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I picked up a fill of this black ink at the D.C. Pen Show and have really been enjoying it! I agree that it’s a nice looking black ink that flows well and has some character.
How I Use My Notebooks: Three Good Things (via Writing at Large). This is an amazing idea, and best wishes for your recovery!
Atoms to Astronauts: UK-made, Fountain Pen Friendly Notebooks (via UK Fountain Pens). These STEM-themed covers are gorgeous. I’m always glad to see new high-end notebooks being made.
Ferris Wheel Press Sophie Charger Set (via Mountain of Ink). I've really enjoyed Ferris Wheel Press inks, and these more interesting muted colors like Goose Poupon are among my favorites.

In Case You Missed It….

The big news from the past week was the D.C. Pen Show - the first large-scale in-person pen event in more than 18 months! Check out my show recaps of Friday and Saturday/Sunday, from my perspective as both an attendee and vendor. I also published Part V of my “Mini-Collection” round-up, looking at all the blue inks in my collection, including blues, blue-blacks, teals, and turquoise. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops also highlighted some D.C. Pen Show favorites, including items from the T.G.S. Curated Shop as well as Vanness and other exhibitors.

This Week in the Curated Shop

If you enjoyed my “All the Blue Inks” post, you may have noticed that I’ve become a big fan of TWSBI Inks, to the point where I’m relying on them for a lot of my own “daily workhorse” writing. The T.G.S. Curated Shop now carries the entire line of TWSBI Inks, in addition to a selection of TWSBI Fountain Pens. We also carry notebooks systems from Traveler’s Company, Stálogy, and Midori, for all of your back-to-work/back-to-school needs. Please reach out if you have any questions about these products or my own personal setup, which combines a Traveler’s Notebook with a cut-down Stálogy A5 notebook for maximum versatility.

Stálogy

TWSBI

Caran d'Ache

T.G.S. x Sunderland

Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and First Dibs on Gently Used Stationery, Exclusive Products and More!

For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. Patreon supporters receive special pricing and early access to product releases and collaborations such as the T.G.S. x Sunderland pen, in addition to other benefits. You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve introduced monthly online meetups, which take place on Friday or Saturday and have been super enjoyable. We’ve discussed our thoughts on pen shows restarting, recent arrivals in our personal collections, and more. I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items and T.G.S. collaborations, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live and features the inks that I’m selling off as I thin out my personal accumulation.

Mini Collections, Part V: All The Blue Inks (Including Blues, Blue-Blacks, Teals, and Turquoise)

August 14, 2021

I have way too many blue inks, and need to do some serious housecleaning. Part of this, of course, is by default. Over the years I’ve purchased many pens that ship with a bottle of ink, and nine times out of ten, it’s a bottle of “house brand” blue or black. But at the same time, I’ve fallen into the habit of constantly searching for that perfect shade of blue, even though we all know that’s impossible. I’ve accumulated dozens of blues, many in nearly identical shades, without realizing it.

It goes without saying that I’m going to be selling off a lot of the duplicative bottles very quickly, as those are no-brainer choices to let go. Some of the rest, however, are more difficult. Here are my takeaways from this latest round of swabbing inks:

A General Note:

I found the blue inks more difficult than the other color ranges to photograph correctly, especially where you have shades of standard blue, turquoise, and blue-blacks together, and where certain supposedly “blue” inks tend to lean heavily green or teal. The blue-blacks are represented fairly accurately here. Otherwise, these photos tend to slightly overstate the vibrancy of the standard blues and understate the vibrancy of the teals and turquoises.

Blue-Inks, Volume 1.jpeg — From Top: Vintage Montblanc Blue-Black; Montblanc JFK Navy Blue; Vintage Pelikan Blue-Black; Sailor Bungubox 4B; Platinum Blue-Black; Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-Kai; Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite; Lamy Blue-Black; Waterman Blue-Black; Waterman Black-Inspired Blue Mix; Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo; TWSBI Blue-Black; TWSBI Midnight-Blue; Aurora Blue-Black; Diamine Cult Pens Deep-Dark Blue.

With Respect to Blue-Black Inks:

I’m much more of a “midnight/navy blue” person than a steel blue, iron gall fan. I intend to move on from inks that essentially dry grey. Farewell, vintage Pelikan Blue-Black, Lamy Blue-Black, Iroshizuku Shin-Kai, and others that have very little actual blue in them.
I’ll probably keep at least one or two bottles of iron gall ink in the collection because it works so well on cheap paper and I sometimes like to use them for work. I don’t need six bottles though, and TWSBI Blue-Black is an inexpensive favorite.

From Top: Noodler’s Air Corps Blue-Black; Papier Plume Midnight Blue; Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-Gao; Pilot Iroshizuku Ajisai; Caran d’Ache “Klein Blue” limited edition; Caran d’Ache Chromatics Idyllic Blue; Graf von Faber-Castell Royal Blue; Graf von Faber-Castell Cobalt Blue; Noodler’s Blue; Sailor Kobe Nagasawa No. 37; Aurora Blue; Robert Oster Fire & Ice; Platinum Mix-Free Aurora Blue; Platinum Mix Free Aqua Blue.

With Respect to “Standard” Blue Inks:

Standard Pelikan, Lamy, and Pilot blue inks are far too washed out to warrant taking up space in the collection. If you’re a serious vintage pen collector, which I’m not, you may prefer one or more of these “safe inks” for use in your more delicate pens prone to staining, but it’s not an issue I face, and in any event I prefer Waterman Florida (“Serenity Now”) Blue.
Aurora Blue remains a favorite inexpensive blue ink. Noodler’s Blue is also very good, and I’ve found it to be better behaved than other Noodler’s colors. It also dries fairly quickly and doesn’t smear. (At least, the bottle I have doesn’t. As with most Noodler’s ink, there are batch variations so YMMV.)
The Pilot Iroshizuku line has the best blue inks across the board of any ink line on the market. I could happily live in this ink lineup forever. Asa-Gao, Ajisai, and Kon-Peki are exceptionally vibrant blue inks that have become staples in my rotation.
I don’t like Sailor blues as much as I used to. I don’t find them as vibrant as the Pilot inks, and even Bungubox Sapphire (which I used to think was the best blue ever) can’t hold a candle to Asa-Gao, IMHO. The ridiculous price point of the Sailor Bungubox inks make this an even easier call.

From Top: Bungubox Sapphire; Leonardo Blue; Pelikan Edelstein Sapphire; Pilot Blue; Omas Turquoise; Montblanc UNICEF Blue; Sailor Ink Studio 140; Sheaffer Turquoise; Franklin-Christoph Spanish Blue; Lamy Blue; Pelikan 4001 Turquoise; Montblanc Elixir “Azure”; Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki; Pelikan Blue; TWSBI Sapphire Blue.

With Respect to Teal and Turquoise:

The big winner from this round of swatching is once again an Iroshizuku ink. Ama-Iro, which I’ve never used before, is absolutely gorgeous. A close second is the standard Pelikan 4001 Turquoise, which also shocked me with its vibrancy.
Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku over Sailor Yama-Dori. Again, Pilot also wins in the category of “dark teal inks with shading.”
Many turquoise inks are too watery for my taste. The one lighter ink I may make an exception for is Sailor Ink Studio 140, since it’s a relatively rare example of a “double shader” that is legible enough for everyday writing.

From Top: Pilot Iroshizuku Ama-Iro; Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku; Sailor Jentle Yama Dori; Sailor Jentle Naoi-Sumire; Birmingham Pen Company Angelfish; Scribo Blue Cosmico; TWSBI Sky Blue.

As always, watch the “Gently Used” Page in the coming weeks. I plan to aggressively unload some of these inks, cycling them through the Patreon first and then move them over to the public sale page after a week. Some greens and pinks still remain from my prior ink testing marathons, along with vintage pencils and office supplies that I’m clearing out.

Disclaimer: This post does not contain paid affiliate links. Going forward, T.G.S is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

The Schon DSGN display at this year’s 2021 D.C. Pen Show.

Deals & Drops: Greatest Hits from the 2021 D.C. Pen Show

August 12, 2021

We’re living in strange times, and not everyone will have the opportunity to safely attend pen shows for the foreseeable future. As long as I’m able, I plan to continue to attend shows and publish my recaps here, with a focus on highlighting new releases and other unique discoveries that don’t necessarily get as much attention as they should. If you missed my show recaps, you can read my Friday post as well as my Saturday/Sunday write-up here.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Schon DSGN Faceted Brass Pocket 6 Fountain Pen (via Schon DSGN). One of my first show acquisitions this year, I’ve been coveting a Pocket 6 in the “Faceted Brass” finish for a couple of years now. These (and the rest of the Pocket 6 range) were insanely popular at this year’s show.
Schon DSGN Ultem Fountain Pen (via Schon DSGN). Back in stock and ready to purchase, without a pre-order! At the show, Ian had both the amber and black ultem fountain pens for sale. Ultem is an ultra lightweight and durable acrylic used in medical devices, which also won’t stain. These pens could be considered the “ultimate eyedropper.”
TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen (via TGS Curated Shop). It seems as though everyone was looking to test or get their hands on the new TWSBI Swipe fountain pen. At $26.99, the fact that TWSBI’s first cartridge-converter pen includes two different converters with the pen makes it a potential game-changer for the price segment.
TWSBI ECO Demonstrator Fountain Pens (via TGS Curated Shop). The second most-purchased TWSBI pens were the jewel-like ECO demonstrators, which come in a wide range of colors, from Transparent Blue to Lilac to the ever-popular Rose Gold series.
Vinta Inks (via Vanness Pens). Vanness is renowned for their massive ink selection, and one recent addition has been Vinta, a line of inks from the Philippines famous for both shading and sheen. These inks sold like crazy through the weekend.
Conway Stewart Fountain Pens (via Vanness Pens). The original Conway Stewart fountain pens were famous for their unique acrylics, and the current British-made rendition of the brand continues that tradition. The Churchill model is a larger fountain pen that showcases the Conway Stewart material and craftsmanship without too much weight.
Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Fixpencil in “Ochre” (via TGS Curated Shop). Ok, so it’s more of a “burnt orange” than Ochre, but its gorgeous, and it says something that I sold a half-dozen of these pencils at what is usually a fountain-pen show. Special edition Swiss Wood pencils are also available.
Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” Season 3 (via TGS Curated Shop). While I didn’t bring these with me to D.C., people kept asking about them, especially how the “Night Blue” pen compares to other colors. I’ve posted an additional photo below. “Season 2” of Claim Your Style is also on sale, while supplies last.
Yamamoto Paper (via Vanness Pens). While the “Tomoe River Replacement” craze has largely moved on - we didn’t have many people come by the table asking for a substitute - we sold a ton of Yamamoto paper, a Japanese brand with a wide range of different fountain pen friendly paper styles.
Midori MD “Codex” 365-day Notebooks and Midori MD Cotton Paper (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). Another brand that we didn’t necessarily have in large quantities but always sells well, Midori MD paper is exceptionally fountain pen friendly and comes in a wide range of sizes. The Codex Notebooks and MD Cotton Paper are two of my best-sellers in general.