2021 Year-End Review, Part IV: Series and Editorials

December 22, 2021

One of my goals for 2021 was to expand the T.G.S. repertoire to include more “editorial-style” writing to complement the traditional pen, ink, and paper reviews. It’s something I’ve always done to some degree, but given reader response and feedback from members of the T.G.S. Patreon Program, I decided to increase the volume of this type of content and I’ve actually enjoyed it. Sometimes constantly cycling through new pens/inks/paper can start to feel like a grind, and stepping back and taking a higher-level perspective can keep things fresh for me (and hopefully interesting, from a reader’s perspective).

T.G.S. Pen Review Archive

Perhaps the project I’m most proud of is the creation of a legit “review archive” of past T.G.S. fountain pen reviews. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a repository of nearly eight years’ worth of content, navigable by brand. While the archive is currently limited to fountain pens only, I hope to expand it to non-fountain pens and inks in 2022.

Mini Collections

A key personal theme for me in 2021 was “consolidation,” meaning that I started the year with a goal of reducing the overall volume of pens and inks, and succeeded, for the most part. Before I sold off more than half of my ink collection, I embarked on this project of swabbing all of the bottles and samples so I could preserve them for future comparison.

2021 Pen Show Recaps and Travel Posts

The big news from the second half of 2021 was the resumption of pen shows, which came in fits and starts. While D.C. remained “the big show,” and saw traffic reminiscent of years past, the San Francisco and Chicago shows were a bit slower. I will continue to attend and cover shows in 2022, conditions permitting, and I’m interested to see how specific shows resume and recover.

Stationery “Lifestyle” Posts

This year I tried to be more responsive to reader questions, and turned the most frequent inquiries into full-feature blog posts. For example, I get a LOT of questions about fountain pen friendly paper for specific use cases, how different paper sizes compare to one another, how to swap nibs, and more. These posts were insanely popular and I intend to continue them, possibly even keeping them as a core focus of the site.

Industry Trends

I spent less time writing about stationery industry trends this year, probably because I found that a lot of what companies were releasing didn’t interest me, and the overall direction of the industry boring and uninspiring at times. For example, I have zero interest in tracking multiple “seasons” of ink from a single company over the course of a year, much less hundreds (if not thousands) of inks from a half-dozen companies adopting this same growth strategy. The same goes for the endless waves of limited/special/regional/store editions that manufacturers seem to be cranking out monthly, in quantities that are neither limited nor special. While T.G.S. will still comment and post on important “stationery news,” I don’t plan to resume regular weekly updates on the latest brand-specific releases.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this series of year-end recaps. If you missed the first installments, you can check them out here: 2021 Favorite Products Reviewed; 2021 Top Sellers from the T.G.S. Curated Shop; and 2021 Favorite Acquisitions. I will be taking some time off to breathe and recharge here at year-end, so posting may be a bit sporadic, so hopefully this content is enough to tide you over until 2022!

This post does not contain affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases made through the T.G.S. Curated Shop and reader contributions. By shopping with us directly, 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!

New Arrivals: Caran d'Ache 849 Classic Ballpoint in Anthracite Grey

December 21, 2021

There are many things to love about the recently released Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerballs, but one of my favorites was the new matte grey finish, which Caran d’Ache has dubbed “Anthracite Grey”. Apparently it’s been so successful that they have decided to release the 849 Classic Ballpoint in this same finish. Available now in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, priced at $20 (the same as the rest of the 849 ballpoints, so no premium for the new finish)!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all products sold in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. By shopping with us directly, 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!

Caran d'Ache 849 Classic Ballpoint in Anthracite Grey

2021 Year-End Review, Part III: Favorite New Acquisitions

December 18, 2021

In my previous two 2021 retrospectives, I’ve looked at my favorite product reviews, the top ten best sellers from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and now, my favorite personal acquisitions. Honestly, I didn’t add that much to my personal collection this past year - my focus was on thinning the herd and reducing my accumulation of unused stationery. But especially once pen shows started, I couldn’t resist adding a few new things to the rotation, and I’m very happy with those things I did purchase, even if I haven’t reviewed all of them yet. Stay tuned, because this post offers a bit of a preview to what might be coming down the pipe in the next month or two. I do plan to go quiet for a week or so, starting around this coming Wednesday, as I spend some time with family over the holidays and get myself organized for 2022, so if you don’t hear from me before Christmas, enjoy the remaining Holiday season!

Schon DSGN Ultem, Black Ultem, and Peek Fountain Pens. This one shouldn’t come as a surprise, since I’ve been posting pictures of these pens regularly ever since I picked up the Ultem pens at the San Francisco Pen Show. I recently added a “Peek” version (review forthcoming), and it’s not really even a close call: This trio takes top billing for 2021.
Ferris Wheel Press and Vinta Inks. Bright colors, super-sheeners, and shimmer inks have had their day - now it’s time for more muted, vintage-inspired colors to get a turn. Both Ferris Wheel Press and Vinta took off in 2021, with faded (yet legible) greens, blues, and greys that turned into some of my favorite inks for everyday writing. Look for some comprehensive reviews of these lines after the first of the year.
Superior Leather Pen Roll. I’ve spent the past few years looking for the “perfect” pen roll that fits in with the rest of my daily carry, and in 2021 I finally found it in this olive khaki green leather pen roll from Baumkuchen (that’s once again on pre-order for those who are interested). Superior Labor makes some of the softest leather out there, without sacrificing durability. It’s one of those items that will last a long time.
2B Camel Pencils. Speaking of lifetime supplies, I previously wrote about how I stocked my “archive” with a box of these 2B Japanese pencils from Camel, during the C.W. Pencils closeout sale. This particular graphite core is perfect for my personal writing preferences, and I love the streamlined look of the integrated eraser that sits flush with the barrel.
Chicago Pen Company “Sheba” Fountain Pen. It’s not often that a new fountain pen design catches my eye, but at the Chicago Pen Show I picked up one of the “Sheba” models from small-batch maker The Chicago Pen Company. I love the contoured cap on this pen, which is the sort of subtle innovation I look for these days when deciding whether or not something warrants an addition to my pen case.
CW+T Pen Type-C Bookmark Pen. I held off on trying out the Pen Type-C for a year or so, but immediately regretted it. As someone who’s a bit of a notetaking and marginalia junkie (not to mention a huge fan of the Hi-Tec-C Coleto refill that comes in so many colors), this flat titanium gel pen clips flush to the inside of a notebook cover, and can also double as a bookmark.
TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen. The last entry on this list is what I consider TWSBI’s best release from the past couple of years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the TWSBI Swipe, which at $26 not only comes with the same great nib as on the ECO but two converters packaged with the pen! I’ve had one inked up constantly, and it’s fast becoming my TWSBI of choice.

Hightide Sandglasses Best Sellers (Amber 30 and 15 Minutes)

2021 Year-End Review, Part II: Top Sellers from the T.G.S. Curated Shop

December 17, 2021

While I launched the T.G.S. Curated Shop in 2020 to replace sponsorships, paid advertisements, and other forms of outside support, 2021 marked the first year where we had a fully stocked shop from day one, and were able to start to bring in the kind of unique products that we had originally envisioned. For today’s year-end recap, I’ve pulled together a list of the ten best-selling products, in order of number of units sold. Many thanks to everyone who has supported T.G.S. over the past year, and if you haven’t had a chance to try out one of these customer favorites, please give them a shot! I’ve even pulled them together into a “Best Sellers” category in the store, for ease of reference!

All links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, unless otherwise noted. By shopping with us directly, 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!

Hightide Folding Metal Book Stand. One of the most practical desk accessories I sell, this inexpensive metal book stand can be used to hold more than books - it pulls double duty as a tablet stand, notepad or document holder for transcribing handwritten notes or annotations, and more! Available in nearly a dozen colors.
Book Darts, T.G.S. Edition. The simple-yet-outstandingly-practical Book Dart is, no exaggeration, one of my favorite consumer products of all time. I have these scattered in multiple rooms around my house, in my briefcase, and on my desk at work, using them for anything from a standard bookmark to dividers that break a notebook into sections.
Midori MD Notebooks. On the paper side, Midori rules them all. While A5 is easily the most popular size, in both the standard MD A5 notebook and the larger “Codex” day-to-a-page version, we also sell a ton of B6 slim, A6, and even the large A4.
Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Pencils. I remember first seeing this pencil five or six years ago and thinking, “who would use this?” Then I actually picked one up. Sure, it’s expensive for a pencil, but these seemingly last forever. Available in both classic Swiss beech and pine finishes, the Swiss Wood is far and away our best-selling pencil (though the full range of Caran d’Ache pencils are difficult to keep in stock).
Washi Tapes. Nothing is more fun than picking out Washi tapes to stock a stationery store. Nothing. If you haven’t checked out or selection of humorous, quirky, and sometimes cheeky washi tapes from brands such as iLootPaperie and Love My Tapes, you have a window of a day or so to get some in time to stuff the Christmas stockings.
Pokka Pens Pocket Ballpoints. One of our original product lines, the Pokka pen is still going strong. Like the Book Dart, the Pokka is an inexpensive, yet infinitely useful, piece of stationery that I keep in multiple places around the house, in my cars, etc. Now, you can even add a keychain dock and/or an aluminum cap to create the ultimate pocket EDC ballpoint.
Rhodia Writing Pads, Webbies, and Composition Books. Classics never go out of style. Rhodia writing pads have long been a staple of my office supply closet, and their Webnotebooks, or “Webbies” make a great upgrade for anyone who loves the “A5-ish leatherbound notebook” aesthetic but wants better paper than most big-box brands can offer. Finally, the smash hit of the year has been Rhodia’s classic composition book (which is nearly sold out, btw.)
Penco Perfection Pocket Ballpoint. Another pocket pen made the list, in the form of this chunky Penco bullet pen that comes not only in the heftier brass model, but a lightweight plastic version as well (though it’s currently almost completely sold out).
Sunderland x T.G.S. mk1 Rollerball. I’m always happy to see my own custom products make a “best of” list, and my store-exclusive mk1 Rollerball landed just inside the top 10. I had a lot of fun working with Brad at Sunderland Machine Works to develop this matte black rollerball/fineliner with a matte burgundy section and a DLC-coated clip. If you’re looking for a “buy it once” EDC pen, please give this one your consideration and help support more exclusive projects from T.G.S. in the future! (You can read more on what went into designing this pen here.)
Hightide Sandglasses. Rounding out the top 10 is a classic. These hourglasses make excellent analog timers, whether for Pomodoro-style work sessions, cooking, mediation, or however else you might choose to use them. Available in four different intervals (3, 5, 15, and 30 minutes), and multiple colors. I would say the 15-minute sandglass in amber or green is the most popular option.

2021 Year-End Review, Part I: Favorite Products Reviewed

December 15, 2021

Every year I do a series of recaps in which I discuss my favorite posts from the past twelve months, broken down into various categories. Well, since we’re about two weeks out from 2022 (!?!?!) I figure it’s time to get things rolling. First up is my list of five favorite products reviewed from 2021, in no particular order. I’ve looked at a lot of great pens this year, but these five stand out in my mind as particularly memorable. Enjoy!

The Ultem-ate EDC? Reviewing the Schon DSGN Ultem Pens in Black and Amber. My Schon DSGN Ultem pens have been inked up ever since the San Francisco Pen show (eyedroppered, with custom nibs, of course), and stand out as my favorite acquisitions of 2021. The Black and Amber Ultem pens have now been joined by the “Peek” version.
Workhorse Pens: Opus 88 Fountain Pens Offer Maximum Versatility. Similar to the Schon DSGN Ultem pens, I’ve rarely not had an Opus 88 pen inked this year. Once I got over my fear of modifying nib units, they’ve become a pen case staple.
First Impressions: The TWSBI Swipe Is a Steal. TWSBI’s latest fountain pen model might be my favorite. From the design to the price point, the TWSBI Swipe is an all-around great buy for a low-cost workhorse. (Not to mention that the U.S. market receives two converters in the box, where many manufacturers don’t even include one.)
What Makes a Great Anniversary Edition: Kanilea Pen Company Honokalani Maile Lei. Kanilea Pen Company celebrated their fifth anniversary this year - a huge milestone even if they didn’t get to celebrate it at a pen show, as we all hoped! I love the addition of the “Maile Lei” sterling silver band, which is now being offered as an option on other pens.
First Impressions: Hands on with the New Parker 51 Fountain Pen. I couldn’t resist putting this one on the list, not necessarily because I think the new Parker 51 is one of the best fountain pens released this year (it’s not), but simply because this post offered me endless hours of entertainment from reading the comments. The level of vitriol this pen inspired is legendary, and serves as a reminder that regardless of how much we have emotionally invested in this hobby, “IT’S JUST A PEN, PEOPLE!”

Opus 88 Nibs from Platinum, Franklin-Christoph — Opus 88 fountain pens get really interesting, really fast once you figure out how to do things like swap in specialty nibs (including non-Jowo nibs from other brands).

Stay tuned for more recaps as I wind down the year! While the pen show season remains “in flux,” given the state of the world, I’m always hopeful of a return to relative normalcy, whatever that may look like. Regardless, I plan to be here reviewing pens, pencils, paper, and other fun stuff for the foreseeable future!