Stock Update: Clairefontaine French-Ruled Paper Went Fast

Just a short note here for those of you hoping to land some of the Clairefontaine French-ruled looseleaf paper: I’ve sold through a huge chunk of my shipment over the last three days! The reaction to this particular product has been bigger than anything I’ve ever tried to do before in the shop, and I’m going to order more of it immediately. The problem is, since it’s an import product, it will likely take a while. As of now, we are completely sold out of the A4 single sheets, and very low on both A5 single sheets and the 100-packs of A4 booklets. If you were looking to get your hands on some, don’t sleep on it.

You can check out our entire offerings of Clairefontaine products here. Note that we’ve also recently added lined wirebound notebooks in the A5 size.

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!

Sunday Reading for January 16, 2022

1. My Writing Style (via Dapprman). We all have different writing styles and preferences, which affect anything from what types of pens and nibs we enjoy to how we hold the pen to how much pressure we use.

2. Thoughts on Handwriting (via UK Fountain Pens). I also generally prioritize the act of writing over the art of writing, though I’ve recently been exploring more art and calligraphy as a less work-focused hobby.

3. Stickers, Washi Tapes, & More (via InkSharks). I’m just as guilty with my consumables, especially things like Washi tape, sticky notes, and stickers. I likewise have made a conscious decision to use more of these things however I can.

4. Laban Skeleton: Perfect if Bling Is Your Thing (via UK Fountain Pens). I’ve never been drawn to “skeleton-style” pens, but I know many who enjoy Laban’s version. There is a gunmetal/ruthenium finish that looks great.

5. State of the Art: Talking Myself Out of Things (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). A skill I have yet to master.

6. Wearingeul Jekyll to Hyde Ink Set (via Mountain of Ink). These color-changing inks from Korean company Wearingeul continues their literature-inspired theme. I have not yet tried any Wearingeul inks, which I believe are available only on Amazon.

7. Sailor x Tinterias: A Deliciously Inky Combination (via Pen Addict). I picked up one of Tinterias food-themed inks (“Homemade Tortillas”) back in October at the Chicago Pen Show. Kimberly reviews both colors.

8. Analog Coping Mechanisms (via From the Pen Cup). More from Mary on why these things we love are important.

9. Never Too Late to Start Planning (via Well-Appointed Desk). Indeed, I’m still tweaking/perfecting my own setup, especially on the journaling front.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I wrote a piece about natural (undyed) leather, which has become a personal favorite of mine over the years as I’ve learned to love items with a more worn/used look. I also introduced a new product with a bit of a story behind it to The Curated Shop: French-ruled looseleaf sheets and booklets from Clairefontaine! Read on to hear a bit more about why I love this unique paper, and how I discovered it.

This Week in The Curated Shop

Apart from the main Clairefontaine paper dump, we continue to add new woodcase pencils, including the Edelweiss 3B from Caran d’Ache, which sold out immediately the first time we stocked them. There are plenty now! This week’s Deals & Drops post has additional details! Also, note that the Caran d’Ache Infinite ballpoint and mechanical pencil are apparently being discontinued. we were able to stock another round of the ballpoints but I’m down to about two pencils, so if you’re interested now’s the time.

Clairefontaine

Caran D'Ache Fixpencil

Caran d'Ache 888 Infinite

TWSBI

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. The Patreon membership also has “first dibs” on my regular gently used stationery sales. Check out the current sale, as there is at least one custom fountain pen remaining!

The Paper Product That Started It All! French-Ruled Looseleaf Sheets and Booklets Are Finally Here

Yes, as you might have guessed, it’s Clairefontaine French-Ruled (Seyes-ruled) paper, but not in notebook form. I finally managed to source looseleaf sheets of this paper in both A4 and A5 size, taking me back to when I could travel freely and schlepped suitcases full of this paper back from France because I couldn’t find a reliable source that stocked it in the U.S. You can read more about my love affair with French-ruled paper here, including how I first discovered it and why I like using it so much.

As part of my initial order - which had to be imported as part of a special order through Exaclair, Clairefontaine’s U.S. distributor - I managed to get my hands on single sheets in both A5 and A4 size, as well as the coveted Clairefontaine booklet-style A4 double sheets, which combine four pages of writing into a versatile format that I love to use to make flowcharts, outline oral arguments for my legal practice, draft longer documents, and more. I’ve been down to my last pack and have been using them only sparingly. (If nobody buys any, at least I’ll have a personal lifetime supply! For a stationery addict, there is nothing more satisfying that looking at a warehouse full of hundreds of packs of high-end paper. but I digress.)

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Availability and Pricing Information

Ok, so I bought a LOT of this paper. Feel free to stock up. When I’ve had it readily available, this has served as my default looseleaf paper for most of my writing, and I used to burn through packs of it regularly. I personally can’t wait to get this back in my rotation, and I’m working on a large work project right now that’s going to be the perfect use-case for these double booklets. If this sells well, there are other formats and options I can stock, including colors such as pink and blue, but I started relatively small since an import order requires me to purchase large quantities, and this is still very much an experiment.

As of this morning, looseleaf French-ruled paper is live and available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. One of the reasons I love Clairefontaine paper is that it’s relatively inexpensive for how good it is. The single sheets are priced at $6.50 for a pack of 100 A5 sheets, and $9.50 for 100 A4 sheets. The double sheets (or booklets), are priced at $6.50 for 50 sheets, and $10 for 100. Finally, a note on shipping - I know it’s expensive relative to the price of a single pack, but paper is heavy and nearly always needs to go USPS Priority or UPS. From a value perspective, it’s probably best to purchase 2-3 packs of this to make up for the shipping charge, or to do a couple of major stock-up purchases per year and hit the free shipping threshold, currently set at $75.

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!

Deals & Drops: We Have Pencils!

Before the New Year, I placed a restock order on pencils, to ensure that pencil enthusiasts still have an easy option for purchasing the high-end graphite that they love, particularly from Caran d’Ache. Included in the restock were the Caran d’Ache Edelweiss 3B, which sold out nearly immediately the last time I had them. I have plenty this time around. I also received more Swiss Woods, Midori MD pencils in both graphite and color, and the Caran d’Ache Bicolor pencils that I love so much for annotation. Happy shopping!

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!

1. Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Gift Set. Looking to try out the Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood, or to give a gift to someone who you think might enjoy it? This gift set has three pencils, a sharpener, and an eraser. Swiss Woods are also available individually and in packs of ten.

2. Crayons de la Maison Caran d’Ache. We have one or two luxury Caran d’Ache gift sets in stock, featuring four high-quality CdA pencils in exotic wood finishes.

3. Caran d’Ache Edelweiss 3B Pencils. The last time I had these pencils in stock, they sold out almost immediately. I recently received a ton of them, and have them available both individually and by the dozen.

4. Tombow 2558 Pencils. Probably my personal favorite for a standard yellow No. 2 pencil (though it has almost an orange hue), the Tombow 2558 also features an impeccable eraser.

5. Mitsubishi 9850 Office Pencil. With their dark burgundy finish and white eraser, this is simply one of the best-looking standard No. 2 pencils that I’ve seen, with a smooth and relatively dark core.

6. Midori MD Pencils. Do you enjoy the Midori MD aesthetic? We do! Checkout this set of matching eraserless pencils in dark “B” grade graphite, featuring the signature cream Midori MD finish.

7. Midori MD Color Pencils. Do you like to journal or take notes in color? Midori also makes a set of color pencils in light blue, grey, and orange.

8. M+R Brass Sharpeners. In my opinion, German manufacturer M+R makes the best handheld brass sharpener on the market, and the best part is that you can purchase replacement blades for all of them, including the more expensive long-point Castor and Pollux.

9. Caran d’Ache Bicolor Highlighter/Graphite Pencils. These dual highlighter/graphite pencils from Caran d’Ache form a core part of my workflow, whether I’m reading for work purposes or my own enjoyment.

10. Caran d’Ache Bicolor Red/Graphite Pencils. Similarly, I always have a couple of these red/graphite pencils sharpened up for annotation purposes. We sell both these and the Highlighter version individually or by the dozen.

Why I Love Natural (Undyed) Leather and Why You Shouldn't Worry If It Gets Dirty

Up until a couple of years ago, I used to be fastidious about keeping my gear clean and free from marks, tears, scuffs, etc. For example, if a pristine leather notebook cover, briefcase, or pen somehow got a ding or scratch on it, I literally couldn’t carry it anymore because all I could do was “see the damage.” This hang-up obviously hampered my enjoyment of the hobby, especially since I’m a “user” as opposed to a collector. What pen or bag, or notebook - if it’s actually used for its intended purpose - isn’t going to receive the inevitable battle scars?

Note the difference between my relatively new Galen Leather 12 slot Hard Pen Case and this years-old Nanami Paper Cafe Note Gfeller leather cover.

So how did I get over this issue? I started collecting and using natural undyed leather. How did this help? Because the scratches, stains, dirt, and signs of wear are features, not defects, given that it’s literally impossible to keep this leather clean, and that’s the whole point. If you want to use the product at all, you have to get over it getting dirty, really fast.

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Once upon a time these black ink spots and the grey halo around the edges of the notebook cover would have driven me crazy.

Natural leather changes color over the years and months you use it. Even the oil on your hands will cause it to change color and develop the signature grey-bronze patina, and if you’re lucky you’ll also accumulate a few ink blotches and splashes along the way. While it may be hard at first to watch that pristine surface gradually disappear, I found that my hesitancy to truly “use” my other products vanished along with it. Case in point: check out these pics of this old Baron Fig wallet (which used to be “grey”).

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These days, I’ve largely moved on from black and dark brown, and actually appreciate leathers in lighter finishes such as tan, natural undyed, and even grey and yellow, specifically for the patina they accumulate over time. Fortunately, natural leather notebook covers, portfolios, and pen cases are fairly easy to come by. In addition to the Galen Leather product line, Nanami Paper carries undyed Gfeller leather covers for their “Seven Seas” and “Cafe Note” series, and of course there’s the classic Midori MD natural goat leather covers that we sell in our own shop. To me, nothing is more satisfying than showcasing a well-made, well-worn, yet still-perfectly-functional piece of gear that bears your own signature finish, made unique by your own years of use!

Other than the Galen Leather Hard Pen Case, which I received from my friends at Vanness Pens, I purchased all products featured in this post with my own funds. This post does not contain third-party affiliate links. T.G.S. is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop. 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!