In the Shop: How I Use My Hourglass (And Tell Us How You Use Yours!)

September 20, 2022

Over the past few years, one of the most popular items in our shop has been the Hightide Hourglass. I often have people remark that they would love to add one of these beautiful pieces to their desk setup, but they don’t know how they would use it. I thought it might be helpful to offer a few examples of how I either personally use this analog timer, or how other people have indicated that they use them day-to-day.

Timing Work Sessions. As someone with a fairly sedentary day job that requires relatively long hours researching, writing, and drafting, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of taking regular breaks to stand, walk around, and stretch. Setting the hourglass next to my laptop is a calm, non-jarring reminder to stop working every so often and get up!
Mindfulness or Breathing Exercises. I’ve had several people tell me that they love to use the hourglass as a focal point while they meditate or practice mindfulness exercises.
Journaling or Morning Pages. I’ve used my 30-minute Hourglass to get myself back into the habit of journaling or writing morning pages when I don’t feel like it. Pick up a pen and a notebook or pad of paper, turn the glass, and write whatever comes to mind until the sand runs out. Most of the time I don’t stop at 30 minutes.
Cooking Timers. While I’ve never personally done this, I’ve had people tell me that they use the three and five-minute hourglasses as timers for cooking eggs and steeping tea, among other things.
As a Simple Reminder of Time Passing and the Need to Appreciate the Moment. Whether as a formal Memento Mori or simply a reminder that time is fleeting and you need to do whatever it is that you really want to do with your life, even a small hourglass can serve as a subtle prompt to keep you on track.

Hightide Hourglass Size Comparison — From left, the 30, 15, 5, and 3-minute interval hourglasses!

Personally, I can’t stand using my phone as an alarm. While of course it’s sometimes necessary (for example, when you need to be somewhere important and you can get into the zone and just not notice the hourglass), I find any sort of alarm or alert jarring and disruptive to flow and concentration. An analog timer like an hourglass is a much gentler, more serene method of timing that I I actually enjoy and look forward to using. So tell us, if you’ve purchased one (from us or elsewhere), how do you use yours? I honestly love to hear how these products are put to work in the real world!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop currently has hourglasses (or “sandglasses”) available in four different intervals (30, 15, 5, and 3 minutes), and multiple colors. Of all the colors, I would have to say the Amber is my favorite, followed by the Green or Turquoise, though of course it’s a matter of personal preference!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all products shown, including Hightide Hourglasses and other accessories.

Sunday Reading for September 18, 2022

September 18, 2022

What Are the Qualities of a Good Reviewer (via SBRE Brown). Few pen reviewers have been at this longer than Stephen, and it was quite interesting to hear his thoughts on what makes a good pen reviewer.
Last of the Summer Blues: Inkebara Petrol Dark & Sea Green (via a fleeting ripple). I’ve not yet had the chance to use any Inkebara inks, though I’m always happy to see new ink brands coming to market, especially small independent ones.
BigIDesign Pens Overview (via Writing at Large). BigIDesign is sort of local to me (Chattanooga) so I always keep an eye on what they’re up to. They make excellent refill-versatile pens, in a variety of formats.
Otto Hutt Design 07 Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). The Design 07 is the flagship of the Otto Hutt line, and I’m very happy to see the brand gain increasing exposure in a measured, sustainable way.
The Nafety for Safety: Three New No-Nonsense Pens & Inks for My Currently Inked (via mnmlscholar). A big shout-out to the Iroshizuku inks, which used to be the “next big thing” but have since become part of mainstream pendom. They are nearly always an excellent choice for any form of writing, and make outstanding everyday workhorses.
Customizing, Personalizing, and Outright Hacking: A mnml Digest (via mnmlscholar). Once you overcome the fear of screwing up and start hacking/customizing your own stationery, the possibilities are endless, especially once you start swapping accessories between brands….
Don’t Call It a Comeback: Rickshaw Sinclair Model R Review (via The Poor Penman). Another great look at the Nock-Rickshaw Sinclair Model R. I’m interested to hear what people think as the new Sinclairs hit the market.
Rhorer & Klingner Sketchink Lilly (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). The R&K “sketch” series is another one of those undersung ink series that has major fans, including members of my local pen group. I need to get over my instinctive hesitation at using permanent inks in fountain pens and try them out.
Leonardo Momento Magico 2022: New and Improved (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I have yet to get my hands on a Momento Magico, but since I’ve made the decision to largely move on from the Momento Zero Grande - it really is just a touch too large for my preference - I may need to give it a try.
Ferris Wheel Press FerriTales (via Well-Appointed Desk). Jesi sold a ton of these inks in San Francisco, and for good reason - Ferris Wheel Press continues to impress with their lineup, especially their multichromatic and shading inks.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog, I published two pieces of planner-themed content. One is a broad overview of pens that are compatible with the Plotter system pen holders, and the other is the first installment of an anticipated multipart series on Notebook Systems. I start out by discussing the various categories of systems, ranging from ring binders to Traveler’s-style folios.

New This Week in the Curated Shop

The big news this week was a launch of a new brand: Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal)! The Nahvalur Original Plus is a revamped version of the Narwhal Original, which I first saw at the Philadelphia Pen Show a few years ago. I like the more subtle design, and we’ve also added the Nahvalur Nautilus in gorgeous Stylophora Berry ebonite. Note that we are running a promotion through the end of the month to welcome Nahvalur, in which all Nahvalur pens ship with a 4ml ink sample hand-picked to match your pen! Be sure to check out this week’s Thursday Drops post for further details on this offer and other new arrivals, including a restock of Sumkin (Soumkine) undated hardcover planners.

Sumkin (Soumkine)

Traveler's Company

Lochby

Caran d'Ache

Many Thanks for Your Shop Support, and Please Consider T.G.S. Patreon!

We’ve been surprised at the level of enthusiasm and support for our curated retail strategy over the past couple of months, and after careful consideration are beginning to build out our inventory with more brands and product categories. I love managing this aspect of T.G.S., as it offers me the opportunity to directly put great stationery - including brands I feel are underappreciated and underemphasized - into your hands. For those who want to support T.G.S. without necessarily adding to their accumulation, the Patreon Program offers two options for tiers of support: $3 and $5, and plan on making monthly meetups, pen show events, and periodic exclusive content the primary benefits. Of course, Patreon members will continue to get first access to periodic sample sales, with right of first refusal on gently used pens.

Guide to Notebook Systems, Part I: What Is a Notebook System / System Techo?

September 17, 2022

The stationery community has many different sub-communities organized around specific interests, ranging from fountain pens to pencils to inks to paper. One common theme running through all the various groups, however, is an interest in notebooks, and more specifically Notebook Systems. Everyone seemingly has their own preference, but it’s easy to get lost in the different options available, especially with new brands and “systems” hitting the market every year. I hope my latest project, a multi-installment look at different Notebook Systems and how they can be used, will prove helpful.

Three Plotter leather binders, in different sizes. Plotter is a Japanese system recently introduced in the United States.

This first installment is definitional. As in, what are people referring to when they talk about “Notebook Systems” or “System Techo”? As far as I know, there’s no true “definition” of either term. Personally, I use “Notebook System” to broadly describe any line of notebook covers and compatible refills and accessories, typically (but not always) sold by a single company and designed to work in combination. “System Techo” is a term used mainly to refer to Japanese-style organizer systems, such as Plotter or Knox, which feature removable pages in a ring binder, or Hobonichi or Jibun Techo, which are bound dated diaries in a traditional book format. In this series of posts, I don’t intend to be overly rigid with how I characterize different brands and products. My goal is to more to familiarize you with the different systems and brands, group them together by what I consider to be common features, and give you some examples of how they can be used and how I personally use them.

Binder Systems

Included in this category is really any notebook system that allows you to move individual pages around a notebook or binder, typically using either rings or discs with punched paper. While many people will recognize these as the “personal organizers” and calendar systems that were extremely prevalent here in the U.S. in the 1990s and early 2000s before the advent of smartphones, they remain extremely popular in Japan and are making a resurgence worldwide. The modern systems are much more versatile than a traditional planner. For professional reasons I won’t get into here, I don’t keep a paper calendar. Instead, I use my Plotters (the current preferred system) as more traditional notebooks that allow me to move around individual sheets and organize ideas I’m working on.

Examples of ring/disc-binder notebook systems include:

Plotter, which you’ll be reading more about in the future. Other brands include Filofax, perhaps the most popular brand of personal organizer in the world, Knox, and Rayman Davinci. (The latter two are Japan-only and as of the time of writing, do not have U.S. based retail options as-of the time of writing.)
Disc-bound Notebooks such as Levenger Circa, Staples Arc, and William Hannah.

Hobonichi Techo A6 Diary — Hobonichi Techo in A6, English version.

“Single Use” Bound Books

I place in this category the annual “diaries” such as the Hobonichi Techo series and those offered by other brands like Kokuyo and Midori. Originally intended to serve as dated planners, they’ve developed a devoted following around the world, and many people use them for journaling, habit-tracking or logging, or simply as dated notebooks. I’ve used the standard A6 Hobonichi Techo as a personal journal on-and-off over the years. I’ve also placed Stalogy and Midori MD in this category, since both have “day-to-a-page” or dated versions, as well as a range of accessories that allow users to set up undated notebooks as planners or otherwise customize them for specific needs.

Examples of these types of systems include:

My two Traveler’s Notebooks. The one on the left is years-old and well-used. The one on the right is one of this year’s 2022 Limited Editions.

Cover + Refill Systems

If systems such as Plotter and Filofax offer flexibility by allowing you to move around individual sheets of paper, others are built around smaller individual bound notebooks that can be swapped in and out of a specific cover or binder using cords and/or clips. I tend to use these types of systems for journaling (both personal and professional) and some drawing, and have long favored Traveler’s Notebooks due to their tall/narrow paper format. The Lochby Field Journal uses a similar cord-based binding for standard A5 refills, while Roterfaden relies on metal clips and comes in a variety of different sizes. Of the three systems discussed here, Traveler’s Notebook has the most active community, given that it’s the longest-tenured option with a robust line of accessories that includes folders, penholders, pouches, etc.

Examples of these types of systems include:

Myths About Notebook Systems / System Techo

I use at least one example from each of the aforementioned categories on a near-daily basis. Part of why I wanted to do this series is to talk about how these notebooks aren’t just “collectibles” for me - I really do use them to manage my everyday work and personal life, and certain of them have proven invaluable as I find different systems appropriate for different types of writing. That said, I regularly get questions about “whether I actually use all these notebooks,” or other comments referencing one of many misconceptions about notebook systems and stationery in general. I’ll briefly address a few of them below.

Myth No. 1: Notebook Systems Are Extremely Expensive and Not Worth the Money.

First, anything is “expensive” if you pay money for it and never use it. Similarly, whether something is “worth the money” depends entirely on the value you personally derive from it. While there is an up-front investment required in some of the more intricate systems such as Plotter, Filofax, or Traveler’s Notebook, I use them so much on a daily basis that the $50-$250 I spent years/months ago to set up the system eventually fades into the background. That said, I would caution that it’s very easy to get carried away purchasing add-on accessories that you will never use. A solid strategy is to start with the standard binder and a few refills, and add to it as your needs evolve.

Myth No. 2: Notebook Systems Lock You into Proprietary Products.

Several years ago, that may have been the case. Today, however, nearly all of these systems offer a wide array of compatible refills in multiple papers and layouts. With respect to the ring and disc-based systems, purchasing a compatible hole-punch that allows you to use your own paper that you already have on hand can save you a lot of money over time while also increasing the flexibility of the system. I’ll plan to discuss this more when I talk about how I use Plotter and some of my Filofax notebooks. It’s also important to remember that if you’re willing to experiment, you can absolutely use accessories from one system with another. For example, I’ve cut down Stalogy notebooks to fit inside a Traveler’s Notebook cover, and regularly use the Midori MD system of tabs and sticky notes across brands.

Honestly, I use my various notebook systems for everything from day-job work to creative writing to managing my hobbies like ink-collecting :)

Myth No. 3: Notebook Systems Stifle Creativity.

This one I don’t really understand, but I think it’s derived from the belief that you shouldn’t buy nice/complex notebook systems because you start caring more about the system itself than the work that goes into it, paying more attention to the tool than putting words/art/work on paper. Honestly, I don’t feel like this is a valid reason not to buy notebook because that logic can be applied to anything: pens, computers, phones, or any other object. If you buy it as a tool, use it as such. Don’t worry about getting it dirty or maintaining it in pristine condition or setting up the “perfect” workflow - through regular use the object itself eventually disappears and just becomes part of your everyday.

Myth No. 4: In the Age of Phones, “Planners” Are Obsolete.

In certain occupations where managing deadlines and seamlessly coordinating multiple schedules is essential, it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to use a paper planner as your primary calendar. That said, while setting alerts and electronic notifications on your phone is an excellent failsafe, I’ve found that it helps me to track, manage, and prioritize tasks if I maintain a handwritten list that I revisit daily. And, as I’ll discuss further in this series, nearly all of these “systems” are much more than calendars or planners, and it’s unwise to simply write them off as such.

What to Expect from This Series Going Forward

I don’t have a clear idea how many different installments this particular series of articles will entail. At a minimum, I want to discuss each of the three rough categories of Notebook Systems discussed above, what I like/dislike about each one, and how I use them. That said, I can envision those articles getting very long, so I might break a couple of them into multiple articles where I discuss specific brands individually. Stay tuned!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. The Gentleman Stationer does sell certain of the products discussed in this article, though this post does not contain any paid third-party sponsorships or affiliate links.

Thursday Drops: Pens, Pens, and More Pens, Plus Undated Sumkin Planners!

September 15, 2022

Everyone’s been making a big deal ‘bout Hobonichi Day, but what if a more flexible, undated approach is your thing? We’ve got you covered! We recently received a shipment of the hardcover Sumkin (formerly Soumkine) “Oh My 307 Agendas” in Charcoal, though unfortunately the beloved mustard versions are no more. I also found a stash of Paris-themed blotter cards that shipped with one of my Sumkin/Soumkine orders, and purchases will receive a couple along with their shipment.

The Original Plus (right) has the makings of a sturdy workhorse, and it’s priced competitively.

Also, as noted on Tuesday, we welcomed a new brand to the shop, Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal)! We currently carry the Nahvalur Original Plus - an excellent vacuum-filler option that comes in four colors - as well as an ebonite version of the Nautilus in aubergine “Stylophora Berry” ebonite. I was going to make the initial promotion run through Monday, but let’s go ahead and make it month long: All Nahvalur purchases ship with a complimentary ink sample: We’re testing out several possible ink brand additions to the shop and are awash in inks. Purchase a Nahvalur pen and receive a “generous pour” of matching ink so you’re reading to write!

My ink “experimentation station”. Serious about this, y’all.

What’s behind this push further into the world of fountain pens? We’ll see, but if the Nahvalur Original Plus and the Nautilus do well, we’re actively working to expand and possibly bring more of a pen presence to our local area. (For now, residents of the greater Nashville, Tennessee area can use the coupon code “615PICKUP” at checkout and e-mail me at joe (at) gentlemanstationer.com in order to arrange local pickup.)

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

Nahvalur (Formerly Narwhal Pens) Original Plus Demonstrator. Don’t be afraid of the vacuum filler! At the D.C. Pen Show last month, Nahvalur unveiled it’s successor to the “Original” series, which in addition to switching to a high-capacity vacuum-filling system, moved to a more subtle acrylic to create a nice-looking pen.
TWSBI Vac Mini Fountain Pen. For those looking for something a bit more pocketable, we have a couple of TWSBI Vac Mini’s in stock, which also use a high-capacity vacuum-filling system to create a true “pocket ink tank.” Read the review of this one here.
Nahvalur “Nautilus” Piston Filler Fountain Pen in “Stylophora Berry” Ebonite. Nahvalur gave me one of these pens to test out at the Atlanta Pen Show back in April, and I’ve had it inked ever since. When I saw the pairing of eggplant striated ebonite and rose gold plated trim at the D.C. Show, I knew we would want to bring these in house.
The Latest TWSBI Releases! There are too many to name all of them, but TWSBI has been on a tear over the past few months with the ECO Glow Green, ECO Transparent Yellow, and Diamond 580 “Iris”, among others.
Sumkin (Formerly Soumkine) “Oh My 307” Undated Agendas. Sumkin has reimagined their brand lately, and for now has indicated that they will discontinue production of these hardcover notebooks. I managed to get another order in before they ran out, and we currently have stock in both Charcoal and Rose. While intended to be used as a flexible undated “agenda” or planner, the fountain pen friendly paper works equally well as a standard hardcover notebook with a rare “narrow” format.
Platinum Plaisir “Aura” Limited Edition Fountain Pens. The humble Plaisir has been getting more attention from Platinum, and that’s a good thing. The pearlescent white finish on this release subtly reflects the green, blue, or pink shade of the grip section, depending on how you angle the pen in the light. It’s a unique finish that makes me smile.
Midori 70th Anniversary Fountain Pen and Ink Set. For their 70th Anniversary, Midori released a whole bunch of limited edition products, ranging from special notebooks to five-year journals to full fountain pen and ink sets. This set not only gets you a special clear demonstrator featuring Midori’s excellent nib, but a bottle of ink and a converter.
Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” Series 4. We haven’t forgotten about Caran d’Ache, one of our original brands to carry here in the Curated Shop. This year’s “Claim Your Style” Series features six new colors with a satin finish. I originally thought I preferred the blues but now can’t really pick a favorite. The yellow is a sleeper.
Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pens and Pocket Drafting Tools. Another old favorite is fully restocked, and the Penco Perfections (especially the “Light” pens) have been flying off the shelves.
Mazzuoli “Nobile ITALIA” Ballpoint/Mechanical Pencil. I haven’t made a plug for this exceptionally ergonomic ballpoint/mechanical pencil hybrid in a while, and that’s unfair. Designed to mimic the shape of its namesake airship, the Nobile ITALIA ships with three different Schmidt ballpoint refills, plus a .7mm mechanical pencil insert so you can change things up as your needs differ.

Planner Pens: Picking a Pen for the Plotter

September 14, 2022

Brace yourselves, because as I hinted in my San Francisco Pen Show recap, a lot of notebook/system-Techo-related content is headed your way in the coming weeks. I thought I’d kick things off with a quick photographic response to the burning question that many of you have been asking via e-mail, DM, and in the blog comments: What pens fit the various Plotter leather pen loops?

Plotter A5 (bottom), Plotter Narrow (Middle), and Plotter Mini 5 (Top). If Plotter is reading, all I need now is a Bible Size and a Mini to complete the set (well, that and the “Square”). I promise I’ll figure out a way to use them all. (Maybe.)

Before we get started with pen comparisons, I need to do an overview of how Plotter works from a setup perspective. One of the key features of the Plotter system (which is either a benefit or a drawback, depending on how you like to purchase your planners), is that Plotter is completely customizable, meaning that you purchase the cover, refills, and all desired accessories separately to create the notebook that works for you. While the Plotter system does not ship with a pen loop, you can add one by purchasing the “Leather Penholder with Lifter” accessory refill specific to your size leather binder.

Pens that Fit Plotter A5, Narrow, Bible Size, and Mini Pen Holders

The product listing for the Plotter A5 penholder states that it will fit pens up to 13mm in diameter. The listings for the Bible Size, Narrow, and Mini penholder accessories indicate that they are supposed to be the same size as the A5, and since I personally own both A5 and Narrow-size Plotters, I can confirm that they are roughly identical. That said, these penholders are leather, so in real world testing, there is definitely variation in how tightly individual penholders are sewn, and the leather may stretch over time depending on the size of the pens that you keep in the loop. For example, both the Platinum Plaisir and the Nahvalur (f/k/a Narwhal) Original Plus fountain pens fit the pen loop on my Plotter Narrow, while neither came close to fitting the tighter pen loop on my Plotter A5. Here are several examples of how different pens fit, with pictures. (Narrow is on the left, and A5 on the right, with the exception of the Nahvalur that wouldn’t come close to fitting the A5.) If something fits both my A5 and Narrow “easily,” I can only assume it will work with most Plotters, except the Mini 5 discussed separately below.

Pilot Decimo (Fits both A5 and Narrow Easily)

Gravitas Ultematum/Polycarbonate Twist (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Easily)

Schon DSGN Full Size and Engineered Plastics Fountain Pens (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Fairly Easily)

Waterman Carène (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Easily)

Platinum Plaisir (Fits Narrow, But Not A5)

Nahvalur Original Plus (Fits Narrow, But Not A5)

Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint and Rollerball (Fits Both Narrow and A5 Easily)

Pens that Fit the Plotter Mini 5 Pen Loop

By far, I’ve received the most questions about my Plotter Mini 5, the smallest of the Plotters and the one I’ve been carrying as a combination wallet/pocket notebook. According to Plotter USA, the Mini 5 pen loop holds pens up to 9mm. As you might imagine, finding a suitable pen to fit this tiny notebook has been more challenging, and for the most part I’ve simply clipped a variety of pocket pens to the outside of the loop. (This technique also makes for quicker deployment - something I find advantageous for most forms of pocket writing.) To be honest, the only pen I’ve tried that actually fits inside the pen holder is the Kaweco Liliput, though it’s not pictured here because I don’t own one and borrowed one at pen club to test. Here are a few that I’ve actually been carrying in the Mini 5, all clipped to the outside:

Penco Perfection “Light”

Pokka Pen with Add-on Clip

Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint

Pens such as the Lamy Pico, Schon DSGN Pocket 6, and Kaweco Sport are too wide to fit inside the loop. I suspect the Fisher Space Bullet Pen might work, but don’t have one on hand to test.

Fisher Space Pen Shuttle Pen — Given that the Fisher Space Pen “Shuttle Pen” fits (even though it’s too long for actual carry in my pocket), I suspect the bullet pen will fit as well.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

This post isn’t intended to be comprehensive, but rather to provide examples of what pens fit the Plotter pen loops. As you can see, the A5/Bible/Narrow/Mini pen loop is fairly versatile, while the Mini 5 somewhat more restrictive. My experimentation, of course, is limited to those pens that I have on hand in either my personal collection or the shop. Your mileage may also vary depending on your particular leather pen loop and how aggressively you try to stretch it.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using my Plotters over the past few weeks, and it’s prompted me to undertake a relatively deep reconsideration of how I use my notebook systems and the role of notetaking in general. As I mentioned, you’ll be seeing more Plotter-related content soon! For more information on Plotter and to purchase if you’re interested, visit the Plotter USA website, which is currently the sole retail source.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the TGS Curated Shop and pledges made via the TGS Patreon Program. While certain of the links contained in this post are links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, this post does not contain third-party affiliate or sponsor links.