Write Notepads paper handles ink swabs beautifully, with no feathering or bleedthrough whatsoever!

Deals & Drops: Writing Pads, Rollerballs, and Planner Markdowns!

September 9, 2021

In addition to my updated personal planner systems, I’m using a TON of looseleaf paper, mostly torn from memo pads, as I’m in the middle of a busy season at the day job and I’m taking lots of longhand notes. Ergo, I’m relying heavily on Write Notepads with some Rhodia paper mixed in. I keep a selection of my favorites in stock in the shop, so be sure to check these out.

A note on the T.G.S. x Sunderland mk1 collaboration: I’m getting towards the end of this initial run, with two pen shows (Dallas and Chicago) tentatively on the calendar, so these may go out of stock for a while once they sell out. While I fully intend to do another run and bring them back, I will likely do another batch of signature Penwells first. If you’ve had your eye on the rollerball, the next couple of weeks would be a good time to jump!

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!

Midori MD Cotton Writing Pads. Looking for a luxurious writing experience that handles pretty much any fountain pen ink (and can also double as a mean typewriter paper)? Midori’s MD Cotton stock is one of the best options I’ve found, and I actually prefer the texture of this particular paper over smoother options such as Tomoe River.
Write Notepads Memo Pads. My personal daily driver for most of my writing and notetaking, as well as an excellent choice for ink swabs and writing samples, since the bright white paper shows off ink color quite well and doesn’t feather or bleed at all. Available in three rulings: dot grid, lined, and meeting.
Rhodia Classic Notepads. The old standby, Rhodia offers a cost-effective fountain-pen friendly writing experience that won’t break the bank. Their dot pads in both A5 and A4 have been a staple in my home and office for over a decade, and I’m now pleased to offer them for purchase in the Curated Shop.
Write Notepads Engineer Memo Pad. This memo pad features the same unique paper is the same as found in the limited edition “Together We Build” Engineer Notebook. Note that this is different paper than found in the standard Write Memo Pads, and intended more for technical notes and drawings. While it handles ink fairly well, very wet fountain pens may feather some.
Sunderland mk1 x T.G.S. Special Edition Rollerball Pen. As I noted above, we’re on the home stretch for batch one, so don’t sleep on this. If you’re unfamiliar with the mk1, check out my write-up on the pen here.
Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball Pen. Love the aesthetics of the Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoint, but wish it were slightly larger to offer a better grip? You’re in luck, as Caran d’Ache now offers the 849 in a rollerball format that accepts Parker-style refills. Video demonstration here.
CW&T Pen Type-A and Pen Type-B. These now-iconic industrial gel/rollerballs, designed to accept Pilot’s needle-tip Hi-Tec-C refill, straddle the line between desk pens and pocket pens. Durable enough to travel in your pocket anywhere you go, the designs are also faceted so they’ll rest easy next to your keyboard or on your drafting table. Read my writeup here for more details.
Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style Season 3. This season’s Claim Your Style releases from Caran d’Ache are easily my favorite, and it’s getting hard for me to pick a color, so I still haven’t decided. Last year I opted for the “Bluish Pale,” but this year I’m feeling something darker?
Platinum Preppy Wa Limited Edition Fountain Pens. We still have Preppy Wa fountain pens, which pairs Platinum’s classic with traditional Japanese designs in six unique patterns. Once these are gone, they’re gone.
Traveler’s Notebook Second-Half Start Dated Planners in Standard and Passport (ON SALE). I have a handful of Traveler’s Notebook “July Start” dated planners still available, now marked down! September still gives you four full months of use at the beginning of the one of the busiest times of the year!

Vintage Pen Primer, Part V: What About Just Opting for a Vintage Nib?

September 8, 2021

Many pen enthusiasts love the styling of vintage pens, enjoy tinkering with their unique (and sometimes temperamental) filling systems, and look forward to the routine maintenance and occasional repair as part of a vintage pen’s charm. Others focus on the nibs, preferring the performance and feel of vintage 14k and 18k nibs that often write (much) better than their modern equivalents, sometimes at a lower price point. If, like me, you fall into the latter group, there’s an option that doesn’t get as much attention as it should: using vintage nibs in a modern pen body, which allows you to avoid certain inconveniences of vintage while enjoying the unique writing experience.

There are a couple of different ways you can go about using vintage fountain pen nibs in a modern pen. A few years back, my friend Leigh Reyes, who regularly scouts pen shows for loose vintage nibs, wrote an excellent article on fitting vintage nibs into modern pens such as Kaweco Sports and Franklin-Christoph Model 45s. This approach takes some leg work, as you have to pay close attention to things like stress and wear on the nib over time if the modern housing, feed, and/or section aren’t a perfect fit for the nib. (Please read the article and do as much research as you can before you try this - as Leigh points out, it’s possible to damage both your pen and your nib if you’re not careful.)

Peyton Street Pens Custom

PSP Custom with 18k Cartier Nib

The other option is having a brand new pen or section custom made to fit a specific vintage nib (or, like my friend Thomas, having one pen made with multiple different sections sized to fit different nibs). While you will have to discuss with your penmaker of choice whether this is even a possibility, Shawn Newton (Newton Pens) has done this sort of work in the past, as has Jonathon Brooks of Carolina Pen Company. Teri Morris of Peyton Street Pens also regularly makes pen bodies to house vintage nibs from companies such as Sheaffer, Cartier, and Eversharp.

Peyton Street Pens Custom Ebonite

PSP Custom with 14k Eversharp

When I was in San Francisco, I had the opportunity to visit the Peyton Street Pens table and picked up two new additions to my collection that feature excellent vintage gold nibs: an 18k Cartier nib ground to a smooth cursive italic, and a 14k Eversharp stub that’s slightly springy in a way you only really see in vintage nibs. Both are on original feeds, so I’ve experienced zero issues with ink flow. Peyton Street Pens currently has some similar offerings for sale in the “Peyton Street Exclusives” section of their store.

Many vintage nibs are set to write much wetter than what modern pen users are accustomed to, especially if you’ve been using standard stainless steel nibs from JoWo and Bock. For the best experience, be sure to use fountain pen friendly paper. Writi… — Many vintage nibs are set to write much wetter than what modern pen users are accustomed to, especially if you’ve been using standard stainless steel nibs from JoWo and Bock. For the best experience, be sure to use fountain pen friendly paper. Writing sample shown here is on a Write Notepads Spiral Notebook

As is always the case with vintage anything, your mileage may vary based on the specific pen and/or nib at issue. I highly recommend visiting a pen show, if circumstances allow, so that you can inspect and/or write with the nib you’re considering. Of course, this may be impossible when you’re buying a loose nib that’s not currently installed in a pen, or when you’re asking someone to build a custom pen for you. Often, however, penmakers at shows will have examples of their work at their tables, and will work with you if you have problems with your pen. Sometimes it takes a few tweaks and adjustments to get things writing perfectly.

Labor Day Promotion: Finish Up Your Summer Reading with a Free Gift on Us!

September 6, 2021

We don’t just love writing around here, we enjoy reading as well. (Personally, I have a lot of catching up to do after what’s been a more-busy-than-relaxing-summer.) So for today only, help finish up your summer reading on us with a free reading-themed gift included in every Curated Shop order placed today only! Each order will receive a bookmark, a library pocket, stickers, or even some Book Dart samples to try out. While every order will receive at least one free gift, orders over $100 will receive special surprises, which could include anything from a reading-themed enamel pin to a full tin of book darts and more! No promotional code is necessary, as the promotion will be applied automatically. Many thanks for your support, and happy Labor Day!

[UPDATE}: Promotion continues until 11:59pm ET on Tuesday, September 7, while supplies last.

Sunday Reading for September 5, 2021

September 5, 2021

San Francisco Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict). Kimberly, writing her first official show recap for the Pen Addict, has an epic post on what makes the SF Pen Show deserve its moniker, “The Fun Pen Show”. Read this one!
Accounting for the ensso PIUMA Pocket Fountain Pen in Brass (via Penquisition). Julian reviews ensso’s latest entry in the PIUMA fountain pen series, a pocket fountain pen with an interesting design that keeps most of the shape of the larger PIUMA pen.
Ferris Wheel Press Twilight Garden Ink Collection (via Macchiato Man). Ferris Wheel Press has received a lot of attention for their shimmer and paler-colored shading inks that still remain legible. I have these three in my queue for review.
Multi Pen Review: Multi Madness, Part I (via Well-Appointed Desk). Tina has a review of three different multi-pens, including an Acroball with a highlighter component!? I need to get my hands on one of those.
Pineider Metropolis (via Dapprman). Ouch! Pineider’s latest attempt at a “less expensive” pen perhaps falls a bit short?
Tactile Turn Nautilus Quick Review (via Writing at Large). I keep eyeing the Nautilus, and I’m pretty sure I’ll cave, but I guess I still have until September 8 to order one?
Snippets: Newcastle, Onion-skin, Machined Pens, and Pen Meets (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony has a lot of interesting things going on these days! I need to get my hands on one of those onionskin journals, though I worry I won’t be able to ignore the ghosting for everyday writing.
Scribo Blu Cosmico (via Mountain of Ink). I love Scribo inks, including this very dark blue-black/midnight blue.
Tales of a Vandal Pen Collector: Wrestling with a Writer’s Dozen (via Peaceable Writer). This post does an exceptional job of summarizing exactly why I love to write by hand, and why I love fountain pens.
Classic Pens LB5 Kouseki with Sailor King Eagle Nib (via Gourmet Pens). Azizah has a review of a rare one. Serious nibbage, indeed!

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog, I first of all recapped my trip to San Francisco for the 2021 San Francisco Pen Show. Al things considered, it was a great show, and look forward to attending next year when hopefully the international vendors can return. I also finished Part VI of my “Mini-Collections” series, in which I swabbed all of the inks in my stash, completing the blacks, greys, browns, and oranges. Finally, I announced the release of the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball, and even posted a short video clip over on my Instagram “Reels” - yes, look at me getting all trendy - to demonstrate the size difference between the Rollerball and the ballpoint.

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This Week in the Curated Shop

As noted in this week’s Deals & Drops, there are a bunch of new arrivals in the Shop, including the limited edition Platinum Preppy Wa, which comes in six unique patterns inspired by traditional Japanese designs. The new Field Notes “Trailhead” edition also has arrived, along with the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball, new Kokuyo hardcover notebooks in the “Trip Book” and “Offset Book” formats, and a full restock on the TWSBI Swipe fountain pen.

CdA 849 Rollerball

Field Notes Trailhead

Preppy Wa

Kokuyo

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 VI: The Rest of the Inks - Blacks, Greys, Browns, Oranges, and Golds

September 4, 2021

For the last round of ink swabs, I grouped together the five color families of which I have the fewest colors: blacks, greys, browns, oranges, and golds. Of these five, I have the most black inks, followed by browns, then oranges, with greys and golds bringing up back end. What was interesting is that after swatching all of these various inks, the colors I like the most are the greys and the golds - inks I’ve discovered recently and plan to work into my primary rotation.

Key Takeaways and Conclusions

Black Inks. I always have appreciated, and continue to appreciate, a good black ink. But not a solid black, which I find boring. Most black ink enthusiasts know that black inks come in a variety of shades - some have blue, purple, or red undertones, and others dry to a matte finish. the closest ink to a “pure black” in my collection is classic Aurora Black, and while the color is a touch boring to me, it still gets a fair bit of use since it’s such a well-behaved, safe ink, especially for vintage pens. Other favorites include Waterman Black (red undertones), Lamy Black (purple undertones), and Roher & Klingner Leipzeiger Schwartz (blue-green undertones). Some people love Noodler’s Black and Sailor Kiwa-Guro for their waterproof qualities, but in my experience these black inks tend to smear since they are pigmented. I will likely keep the Kiwa-Guro for specific use cases since it smears the least.
Grey Inks. This is where things got interesting. For years, I found all of the grey inks I tried too thin and watery, with the writing barely legible on the page. Recently, however, I’ve discovered several that I enjoy quite a bit. Scribo Grigio is a dark grey with strong steel blue undertones. Vinta Armada is another multi-shader with a blue, green, and even red undertones, depending on the light, and Ferris Wheel Press Madam Mulberry is probably the best purple/grey I’ve ever used. (This latter ink could easily have been included in the purples as well, but since I only recently acquired it I had to group it here.) I don’t currently plan to get rid of any of my grey inks at this time. I’d also appreciate any suggestions for new greys to try!

Brown Inks. I strongly prefer dark brown inks, and pass on the lighter browns or reddish brown shades. Of this batch, I plan to keep the Montblanc Sand of the Desert (from the St. Exupéry collection), Scribo Classico Seppia, and Montblanc Toffee Brown. All of the others will go into the ink sale. I’ve really tried to get into brown inks but the color family, on the whole, just doesn’t appeal to me.
Orange Inks. Pelikan Edelstein Mandarin surprised me the most, with not only its color but its ability to shade. It’s a keeper, as are the legendary Sailor Jentle Apricot and Scribo Arancio di Sicilia. Diamine Deep Dark Orange is the perfect “blood orange” shade, and will stay in the collection for that reason. I’m still thinking on the others, but I doubt they will get enough use to justify keeping them even though they are great inks that survived prior orange ink purges.
Gold Inks. I only have two at the moment, and don’t know whether this category will continue to grow. The two inks I have I really enjoy: Vinta La Paz and Ferris Wheel Press Goose Poupon, both of which are gold inks that lean bronze (La Paz) and green (Goose Poupon). I typically go for darker golds, since they tend to be more legible. The number of colors in this particular range are somewhat limited, so I’m not sure there’s enough variety here that would justify accumulating more.

Ink Clearance Update and Further Reading

I plan to clear out excess inks that I don’t plan to keep in the same way I’ve been doing it. Watch the “Gently Used” Page in the coming days, as I cycle inks through the Patreon first and then move them over to the public page after a week. Some bottles still remain from my prior ink testing marathons, along with vintage pencils and office supplies that I’m clearing out. If you missed the earlier installments in this series, you can check them out below. My attention now turns to figuring out how to archive these posts for future reference, and how to update them.

For all of these ink samples, I’ve used standard q-tips to swab the inks, plus this glass dip pen to do the writing samples. The paper shown here is Write Notepads Dot Grid Memo Pad Paper, which as you can tell is exceptionally ink friendly and relatively inexpensive.