Some of these pens already have sold at the time of publication, but if you’d like first dibs on future sales, consider joining T.G.S. Patreon.

Thursday Drops: Parting with Some Gently Used Favorites, Lochby Restock and More!

September 22, 2022

As we expand the shop and (as always) look for more items to review and write about, I periodically need to clear out pens and other items that I’ve acquired over the years, either for review purposes or personal use. Those pens sometimes make an appearance on the T.G.S. “Gently Used” page, where they are not technically part of the official Curated Shop, but can nonetheless be combined with orders of new products for shipping and checkout. This week I listed a bunch of pens, including some rare limited editions, and a few remain available. All of these will automatically qualify for free shipping.

The Nahvalur “Original Plus” in Gold Ocellatus

In addition to the Gently Used update, we have restocked on most of our Lochby cases after the August/September pen show rush, including the Quattro four-pen cases and the Lochby Venture pouches in all colors. Also, remember that for the month of September, to welcome Nahvalur to the shop, all purchases of Nahvalur fountain pens include a complimentary ink sample chosen to match the color of your pen! We’ve had a lot of fun selecting and shipping these out already!

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

Leonardo Officina Italiana Momento Zero Grande Primary Manipulation Series 1 (Gently Used). After much consideration, I’ve decided to let go of most of my Momento Zero Grande collection, and will be selling them off in the coming months. That particular model, while excellent and comfortable to use, doesn’t receive as much regular use as my standard Momento Zero fountain pens. I currently have the “Vesuvio” from the original run remaining for sale.
Cross Peerless 125 (featuring an 18k Sailor Nib) (Gently Used). Love Sailor nibs but wish the pens had a touch more heft and a higher-capacity converter? Consider the Cross Peerless 125, which I don’t believe is made anymore.
Visconti Van Gogh “Vincent’s Chair” Fountain Pen (Gently Used). The Visconti Van Gogh is perhaps my personal favorite of all the Visconti fountain pen options, and this one in particular was a bit hard to let go. It features a stainless steel fine nib tuned by Mark Bacas.
Nahvalur Nautilus in “Stylophora Berry” Ebonite. I’ve long admired ebonite pens, and wished that manufacturers would do more with this material in their standard lines. Nahvalur (formerly “Narwhal Pens”) has steadily released new versions of the Nautilus in different ebonites, including this gorgeous striated aubergine material that I’m happy to offer in the shop.
Nahvalur “Original Plus” Vacuum Filler. Nahvalur re-released the Narwhal “Original” with a catch - in addition to reworking the signature swirled acrylic, they switched the filling mechanism from a piston to a vacuum-filler. What has really surprised me about this pen, however, is how smooth the nibs are.
TWSBI Diamond 580 Iris Fountain Pen. TWSBI’s latest entry in the Diamond 580 series is arguably my favorite to date, pairing the iridescent “Iris” finish with the classic design and reliable, high-capacity piston.
Platinum Plaisir Aura Fountain Pen 2022 Special Edition. I’m glad to see these start to catch on, as the Plaisir is a spectacular everyday fountain pen with one of the best low-cost nibs on the market. The pearlescent finish on this special edition contains a slight hint of color to match the different sections.
Lochby Quattro Four-Pen Case. One of my favorite finds of the past year, the Lochby Quattro holds four pens in offset slots, so that they pens and clips don’t make contact when the case is zippered shut. Built from durable waxed canvas, the Quattro should protect your pens for years to come.
Lochby Venture Pouch. A combination pouch and zippered pen case, the Venture Pouch can be used as both a carry all for ballpoint/gel pens, document flags, clips, etc. in the top “pouch” compartment, while also offering several individual slots in a second, zippered compartment that can be used for larger pens or cables.
Hightide Hourglasses. The other day I wrote a short piece about the advantages of using an analog timer where you might otherwise use a cell phone. We have a stock of these Hightide Hourglasses in 30, 15, 5, and 3-minute intervals.

Review Revisited: The Waterman Carène "L'Essence du Bleu" Edition

September 21, 2022

As Waterman has revamped and updated its lineup of fountain pens over the past several years, the company has focused on five core models: the high-end Exception and Carène, the mid-tier Expert and Hémisphère, and the more entry-level Emblème. The yacht-inspired Carène, to me, remains an all-time classic, and it’s encouraging, in terms of the future of both Waterman as a brand and this particular model, to see the Carène receiving the special edition treatment. The pen shown here is the Carène “L’Essence du Bleu” special edition fountain pen, featuring an engraved palladium cap atop a dark navy blue lacquered barrel.

Waterman Carène Fountain Pens — The “L’Essence du Bleu” special edition Carène, right, pictured next to the standard “Black Sea” finish with silver trim. The latter pen remains in my collection five years later.

I first reviewed the Waterman Carène in the standard “Black Sea” finish a bit less than five years ago. I’ve owned multiple Carènes over the years, and I can’t recall a time when I haven’t had at least one in my collection. (I’m a huge fan of Waterman pens in general: check out my review of other models by visiting the T.G.S. Fountain Pen Review Archive.) The reasons why I enjoy the Carène are, in many ways, identical to why I enjoy the Lamy 2000: the comfortable, streamlined shape; a subtle integrated nib that’s not overly ostentatious if you want to use it at work, and a consistent writing experience, especially if paired with one of Waterman’s excellent fountain pen inks.

Waterman Carène L'Essence du Bleu engraved cap — I love the engraving on this cap - it definitely complement’s the Carène’s nautical theme.

This specific pen represents something you don’t see very often: a Waterman special edition. While Waterman has released other models, like the Expert, in the “L’Essence du Bleu” series, the Carène seems particularly well-suited to this design scheme, given the pen’s maritime inspiration. The metal cap features an engraved “wave” pattern, which looks great paired with the dark navy lacquer on the barrel.

While you can certainly use the Carène unposted, I prefer the balance and overall feel of the pen posted.

I’ve always found Carène nibs slightly wet and stubbish, and this 18k medium nib is no exception. This particular Carène lays down a consistent line of ink, even using thicker, non-Waterman inks like the Scribo Blue Cosmico shown here. Waterman quality remains on display in the Carène lineup, and this pen certainly isn’t going anywhere in terms of my own personal collection.

Waterman Carène Medium Nib Writing Sample — Writing sample showing a stubbish medium Carène nib on Midori MD Cotton Paper. (Lined Plotter version is an experimental release not yet generally available for purchase.)

Waterman Carène L'Essence du Bleu Plotter — The Carène is slim enough to fit most planner loops, such as the A5 Plotter shown here.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Waterman Carène is a beautiful fountain pen that manages to remain eminently practical. With a comfortable shape that’s neither too wide nor too narrow (allowing it to fit many planner and notebook pen loops), an excellent nib, and a subtle design that doesn’t scream “look at my flashy fountain pen,” the Carène has always been a highly recommended daily workhorse here at T.G.S. As I noted above, the particular model pictured here is the “L’Essence du Bleu” special edition, which retails for around $290. This price point is excellent for a special edition with an 18k gold nib, and the “Black Sea” version with silver trim can be found priced as low as $215, with oblique broad and stub nib options available. That’s serious value in today’s market. Many thanks to our friends at Pen Heaven in the UK for providing this particular pen for review! They are full-service Waterman retailers who carry the full line of Waterman fountain pens and ink, in addition to many other brands.

Disclaimer: The Waterman Carène pictured here was provided by Pen Heaven for review purposes, free of charge. I was not otherwise compensated for this review, and this post does not contain affiliate links.

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.