Reunion Season Throwback: Things I Wish I Had In School

June 3, 2022

So in addition to it being graduation season, it’s reunion season, and I’m currently in attendance at my 20th. (High School or College, I refuse to say.) But being here brought back a lot of memories, and since my own school experience abroad is a big reason why I got into this hobby and have remained engaged in the community over the years, I’ve spent some time thinking about the products that I would have found the most useful when I was a student. Sure, some of these almost certainly existed somewhere in the world at that time, but they weren’t easily accessible to me.

Extra-fine Fountain Pen Nibs for Annotation. Sure, I used fountain pens starting early on in college, but for whatever reason, all I could find were medium nibs, and that’s what I used exclusively until about ten years ago. Interchangeable nib fountain pens such as the TWSBI Diamond 580 would have been extremely useful tools, paired with a nib like the Mark Bacas Predator Hybrid or one of the Japanese extra-fine needlepoints I’ve reviewed in recent weeks.
“Slim” Style Notebooks. I’ve always been a note-taker and list-maker, but seemingly found myself limited to legal pads, larger letter-size or A4 notebooks, and DayTimers (remember those?) when what I really love are sizes like A5 Slim (“Traveler’s Style”) and B6 Slim (like the Nanami Paper Cafe Note and the Midori MD equivalent). If something like the Traveler’s Notebook system had been around, I certainly would have used it.
Quality Sticky Notes. I used to buy sticky notes by the case, but hated the fact that they all bled through with literally any pen except ballpoints.
Book Darts. I still have some books from high school and college, flagged with the aforementioned multicolored sticky notes and plastic document flags. Aged brass or bronze Book Darts probably would have looked a lot nicer.
Highlighter Pencils. Now this is a product that was almost certainly around, I just didn’t know anything about it and for whatever reason highlighter pencils never made it onto my radar until I started my legal practice and found one lying around the law library at my first job. The fact that you can use them over ink without causing the ink to bleed is infinitely useful.
Quality Woodcase Pencils for Writing. I’ve always been a pencil enthusiast as well as a pen lover, but towards the end of my school days the quality of U.S. pencils dipped tremendously as manufacturers outsourced and cut corners on materials. Pencils such as the Tombow 2558 and the Caran d’Ache School pencil remind me of what was available during my elementary school days, but had largely disappeared by college.
Quality Pencil Sharpeners, Especially Long-Points. If only I had known that I could have avoided years of feeding perfectly good pencils into the crappy electric sharpeners…

Later today I plan to make a run by the school bookstore, and while I’m not overly hopeful at what I’ll find, I’ll probably still add to my ever-growing stockpile, if only for the sake of nostalgia!

This post does not contain any paid third-party affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases through the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges through the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Franklin-Christoph Nagahara Needlepoint Cover

Exploring Stock Custom Nibs, Part II: Nagahara Needlepoints from Franklin-Christoph

June 1, 2022

Several weeks ago, I reviewed the Esterbrook Needlepoint nib by Kirk Speer, available for purchase as an add-on with Esterbrook Estie fountain pens. Today I plan to look at a product that’s similar, yet at the same time very different: Pre-ground needlepoint nibs by Japanese nib grinder Yukio Nagahara, available as an add-on purchase with pens from Franklin-Christoph.

Needlepoint Nib Comparison Photos — Comparing the Franklin-Christoph Nagahara No. 6 (bottom) to the Nagahara No. 5 (middle) to the Kirk Speer Esterbrook No. 6 (top).

I’ll start with this: These nibs are true “needlepoint” nibs, leaving a line that measures approximately .25mm. The Nagahara nibs work best for very small handwriting - typically printing - and I use them primarily for document annotation, not journaling or correspondence. If you prefer to write in smaller cursive, or any handwriting style that involves lots of horizontal strokes, you may prefer a standard extra-fine or the Kirk Speer Needlepoint. While these latter nibs won’t write as fine a line as the Nagahara, they’re not so fine as to catch the edges of fibers in textured or less expensive paper. The Nagahara nibs perform best on smoother Japanese papers such as Midori MD or Tomoe River.

Needlepoint Nib Writing Sample Comparisons — I have two Franklin-Christoph Nagahara Needlepoints, in both No. 5 and No. 6 nib sizes. There is actually a fair bit of variation between the two, even though they’re ground by the same nib grinder. In comparison, the No. 6 is “smoother” than the No. 5, in that it has less tooth, but it also writes a slightly thicker line. Both Franklin-Christoph nibs write a finer line than the Esterbrook.

The Nagahara nibs definitely have more tooth, yet at the same time they are truly “needlepoint extra-fine” and as a bonus, offer some Naginata-style line variation as you change the angle of your writing.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Whether you prefer one nib grinder’s style over another’s is simply a matter of personal preference, and this is a perfect example of how “the same grind” can vary from nib grinder to nib grinder. For everyday writing, the Kirk Speer Needlepoint offers a “smoother” writing experience that many people will prefer, but if you’re truly looking to write very small, consider the Nagahara grinds. Like the Esterbrook Needlepoint, the Franklin-Christoph nibs are standard JoWo stainless steel nibs with the interchangeable housings, so you can swap them into any other JoWo compatible pens in your collection, from Franklin-Christoph or otherwise. It makes for quite a versatile purchase.

Franklin-Christoph Model 45, Model 02, Esterbrook Estie Comparison

You can purchase these Nagahara-ground Needlepoint nibs as a $25 add-on to the purchase of any Franklin-Christoph pen, such as the Model 02 Intrinsic in Antique Glass and Acrylic shown here, and the Model 45 in full “Cathedral” acrylic. (As you can see, I have a thing for vintage-style flecked acrylic pens.) I purchased these pens at this year’s Baltimore Pen Show, where the team at Franklin-Christoph checked and tuned the nibs to my preference, but both of the Franklin-Christoph pens shown here are currently available for purchase on the site.

I purchased the Franklin-Christoph pens featured in this review with my own funds. This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

June is Almost Here! Father's Day and Graduation Gift Ideas

May 31, 2022

Believe it or not, June is upon us, and many of us find ourselves in the market for a graduation or Father’s Day gift. Whether you’re looking for a gift for someone else or responding to requests for “gift ideas”, our shop carries many different options for the analog-minded, from pens and notebooks to reading accessories. As we all settle in following the long weekend, I thought it might be helpful to point out a few of our favorites.

Traveler’s Company Brass Pens and Pencils. A highly functional piece of stationery with a dash of history and Americana thrown in, the Traveler’s Company brass pens and pencils are inspired by the vintage “bullet pencils” of the early-to-mid 20th Century. The classic Brass Ballpoint is one of my favorite travel tools, and can frequently be found clipped to the front of whatever book I’m reading on the beach in the summer. Pair with a leather Traveler’s Notebook for an excellent gift set.
CW+T Pen-Types A through C. Love the idea of the Traveler’s Company Brass Pens, but want to up the game a bit with something that will stand out and probably last forever? Consider one of these three releases from CW+T. Pen Type A combines a stainless steel ruler and straightedge with a pneumatic-fit pen that accepts Pilot’s Hi-Tec-C refill. Pen Type-B offers the same pneumatic fit technology in a more portable form and additional finishes, while Pen Type-C is a fabulous bookmark-style pen that you can take anywhere with you!
Write Notepads Classic Hardcover Notebook. For the journaler, commonplace booker, or someone who would enjoy a fine hardbound notebook with excellent paper, consider this hardcover book from Write Notepads, featuring their fountain pen friendly lined or dot grid paper. Of course, the rest of the Write Notepads lineup features many other highly giftable, classically styled stationery options.
Lochby Tool Roll. While I use it as a pen case, the versatile Lochby Tool Roll is capable of much more. Stash anything from bike repair tools to wrenches to, yes, fountain pens or mechanical pencils and still have room for odds and ends in its various pockets and pouches. The durable waxed-canvas construction makes for a true go-anywhere piece of EDC kit.
Fine Bookmarks and Reading Accessories. A classic graduation or Father’s Day gift for a reader is a sterling silver or brass bookmark, and I speak from personal experience because I have nearly a dozen myself, accumulated over the years, treasuring every one! We carry anything from sterling “Page Points” and “Page Markers” to a pack of smaller. .1mm-thin bookmarks perfect for sticking inside a card.

From left, CW+T Pen Type-C, The Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint, and the Traveler’s Company Brass Fountain Pen in the “Factory Green” finish.

The Write Notepads Classic Hardcover Notebook with the CW+T Pen-Type C clipped in.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we stock, including those featured here. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by shop purchases and pledges through the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Freshly Inked Fountain Pens (Plus Rollerball and Ballpoint)

Sunday Reading for May 29, 2022 (Memorial Day Weekend Edition)

May 29, 2022

Solace in Pens (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). With each day seemingly bringing worse news, what can you do to cope? This excellent article discusses incorporating pens into a self-care routine.
I Am Bitter: Lamy Aion (via a fleeting ripple). This pretty much sums up my feelings about the Aion as well. While the color of this green version is gorgeous, there’s a lot about the design I simply don’t enjoy as I find it uncomfortable to use.
Wearingeul Stonecutter’s Song (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). This sepia/brown/grey color is one of the more intriguing inks I’ve seen from Wearingeul. I have yet to place an order.
Aderillium Inks (via Well-Appointed Desk). I now have three Anderillium inks, including the Chicago Pen Show special release, all of which I’ve found to be well-behaved and enjoyable to use. Look for a review soon.
ScriBo Grigio (via Dapprman). So far, this is my favorite of the ScriBo Inks, though I’m in the process of working my way through other colors. I absolutely love the grey-blue tint.
On Fountain Pen Nib Sizes, #5, #6, #7, #8 (via S.B.R.E. Brown). Fountain pen nib sizing can be confusing. This video walks through the differences and the numbering system.
Robert Oster Cities of America: Chicago Ink Review (via Pen Addict - Jeff). While I’m a little tired of the “cities and states of America” theme that seemingly every ink company has been trying to run with these days, I should’ve picked up a bottle of this ink in Chicago.
Hey, Where’d You Go? (via EdJelley). For those who have been missing Ed’s reviews, he’s still writing, just not at his own site. Check out this post to see where you can follow his work.

In Case You MIssed It…

This week I took things back to basics, writing this piece on Fountain Pen Maintenance: How I Clean My Pens. I also wrote a piece on one of my latest custom nib grinds that I received from Mark Bacas, a Predator Hybrid featuring an ultra extra-fine point on the “normal” end and a wider, brush-like point on the reverse.

New This Week in the Curated Shop, Plus a Memorial Day Weekend Special!

We’ve had a lot of new stuff hit the store over the past two weeks, including pens from Platinum, a boatload of new washi tapes and snail mail accessories from iLootPaperie, and more. This week, we’re also running a Memorial Day Weekend special, where all orders placed in the Shop through Monday (5/30) will receive a free “extra,” which could be a pencil, pen, ink sample, stickers, accessories, or even something like a bottle of ink! While there are no official “tiers” to this promotion, bigger orders will receive a bigger add-on. I have a ton of cool stuff to give away as I clean out my workspace and storage, so be sure to take advantage.

Caran d'Ache

Midori MD

Platinum

Washi Tapes

AND Don’t Miss Our Memorial Day Weekend Giveaway!

We’re running yet another giveaway, with more to come! See the post for details, but this week’s giveaway features products courtesy of The Well-Appointed Desk Shop and Skylab Letterpress, including some cool notepads and Col-o-ring notebooks! The giveaway closes end of day Monday, Central U.S. Time. (After which it will be replaced by another!)

Exploring Custom Nibs: Predator Hybrid by Mark Bacas

May 28, 2022

Late last year I embarked on what I expect to be a year-long experiment of comparing custom nibs available from the different nib grinders currently working, focusing on those grinds from each that can be considered a specialty or “signature”. Mark Bacas is one of the most experienced nib grinders out there, and whether you’re looking for a simple tuning or a more complex grind like the “Predator Hybrid” I’m discussing today, Mark will work with you to ensure the nib is ground to your personal preferences, and that you’re happy with the result.

So What the Heck is a “Predator Hybrid” Nib?

I can only assume that the “Predator” name draws its inspiration from the shape - pictured at the top - which resembles a bird’s beak. The “Predator Hybrid” nib is ground to an ultra-fine point on the normal side, with the reverse a wider, slightly brush-like medium. To compare, a “Predator Extreme” nib has the same ultra-fine point on the normal side, with the reverse ground to a full architect. You can read Mark’s own descriptions on these and other nib grinds he offers directly on his site. I would say that on this “Hybrid” version, the reverse is slightly softer than a full architect, while still offering a bit of the line variation you would expect from that grind.

Mark Bacas Predator Hybrid Nib Writing Sample — A writing sample showing the “normal” (i.e., nib down) width, compared against the reverse (i.e., nib upside down) width.

So in practice, how do I use this nib? If you’ve read my past pen reviews, you’ll know that I value pens I can use for annotation during my reading and research. This particular nib falls squarely into that category. The ultra-fine point accommodates my tiny handwriting and allows me to make even the smallest margin notes, while the reverse side is perfect for underlining, highlighting, and even standard writing. Frankly, I’ve never had a reversible nib write well to the point where I could use the reverse side for much more than a line or two. This one is smooth enough for standard writing.

TWSBI Diamond 580 Interchangeable Nibs — The TWSBI Diamond 580 Fountain Pen is one of many that features interchangeable nib units, so you can have multiple custom nibs ground to switch among your various TWSBI Pens.

Why I Love Interchangeable Nib Units for Custom Nib Work

For this grind, I chose to have Mark modify a TWSBI 580 medium nib unit, so that I can swap the nib between my various TWSBI Diamond 580 pens. Lately, wherever possible I’ve been having nib grinders modify interchangeable nib units from JoWo, Bock, and TWSBI so that their work isn’t tied to any particular pen. It’s quite helpful to be able to move the nibs around at times - some grinds are more suitable to different pens, depending on weight, balance, etc., and these threaded nib housings make swapping nibs a cinch.

Cost of Nib Modification - Cheaper Than Buying a New Pen

The grind featured here cost $50, and since I did not pay a rush fee, it took several weeks for Mark to turn around. (Mark is fast - some nib grinders take months, or even up to a year.) In response to posts like these, I often get the question: “Why pay extra money to ‘fix’ a pen that should write perfectly out of the box?” Here I think we need to break down the question a bit: Are you paying to fix a manufacturer’s flaw with the nib, in which case I absolutely agree with you that the cost of any repair should be born by the company that made the pen, or are you looking to personalize the pen for how you write? It should be fairly obvious that if you write extremely small, a standard stainless steel extra-fine nib may not be narrow enough for you, and you should consider a needlepoint or a nib like the Predator.

Mark Bacas Predator Hybrid Comparison — The “normal” point of the Predator nibs writes a ***very*** fine line, even finer than a needlepoint nib like the one ground by Kirk Speer (Pen Realm) for Esterbrook.

Even with standard nib widths, it’s impossible for a manufacturer to anticipate things like the amount of pressure you use and how you hold the pen. I have pens in my collection that, out of the box, wrote within “the range of reasonableness” and wouldn’t be considered defective, but still didn’t work for me until I had them tuned. I would estimate that 80-85% of the pens in my collection have been modified or tuned from “factory standard,” either by a nib grinder or yours truly. At the end of the day, if you love the look of a pen, and it’s not writing perfectly, consider paying a little extra to make it yours. If you keep it for years, you’ll get more enjoyment from the writing experience than the $20-50 modification fee, and in many cases it’s cheaper than buying a new pen.