It's Back! The T.G.S. x Penwell "Aged Red" Exclusive (Available for Preorder)

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with some of my favorite makers on exclusive products, and one of the creations I’m most proud of is the first one: the T.G.S. exclusive Penwell pen holder in a unique “Aged Red” finish that draws its inspiration from the T.G.S. blog colors, burgundy and black. While these Penwells are powder-coated aluminum, as opposed to Urushi, I wanted to pick a finish that complements the look and depth of the dark red finish on my Nakaya Decapod. The subtle black and red grain on the Aged Red came out absolutely gorgeous during the last run, and given the number of requests for more I wanted to do another batch.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Penwell, it’s one of my favorite fountain pen accessories that allows you to turn any pen into a desk pen. I have one (or maybe two) on my desk at all times, and you can read my full write-up here.

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Packaging may vary with the new run.

These special edition Penwells are available for preorder in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, priced at $75, which is the same price as the prior run and qualifies for free shipping. T.G.S. Patreon Supporters receive a special pricing + free shipping, so if you are a Patreon member, please check your messages. The Penwells should arrive in a week or so, and I will ship upon receipt. Please feel free to combine your Penwell pre-order with other items to save on shipping charges, though combined orders will ship together with the Penwell. Many thanks for your support, and I can’t wait to get them in your hands!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold. Also, a reminder that today is the last day to use your discount code as I’m returning from vacation. Use “VACAY10” at checkout to receive 10% off all paper orders.

Thursday Drops: How to Spend Your Vacation Discount!

I’m going to keep reminding people that if you’re placing large paper orders this week, please use the “VACAY10” coupon code at checkout to get your 10% off paper! Orders will start shipping Saturday and Sunday, and all will include something extra to accommodate any delays. (I should be getting another round of T.G.S. stickers and buttons in stock any day now!)

If you’re looking for ideas on how to spend your discount, be sure check out the following eligible items:

1. Traveler’s Notebooks, Refills and Accessories. Looking to break into the Traveler’s Notebook System? Now is a great time to pick up a Starter Kit as well as the refills you need to set your notebook up for exactly how you’ll use it.

2. Soumkine Undated Planners. I suspect that these hardcover planners, which have a long-narrow format that many people love, will not be around for much longer. Currently we have the Charcoal and Rose covers in stock.

3. Lochby Tomoe River Refill Notebooks. Speaking of paper that may not be long for this world, the Lochby Notebook inserts feature 68gsm Tomoe River paper. While these notebooks are designed to fit the Lochby Field Journal, they are standard A5-sized.

4. WMS & Co. Undated Planner Desk Pads and Oversized Notepads. These large pads of paper are fountain pen-friendly and come in a range of colors. Be aware that YMMV with the “ColorPads” (those that contain colored writing paper) if you want to use fountain pen ink, though I’ve had success with the grey version.

5. Write Notepads Spiral and Hardcover Notebooks. Write Notepads makes some of the best overall writing paper out there, especially in the spiral notebook format. We currently have standard spirals in dot grid, lined, landscape, meeting, and “Weekly Planner” format, as well as the Classic Hardcover Notebooks.

As always we continue to stock standbys and favorites such as Rhodia, Clairefontaine, Life, Midori, and Maruman Mnemosyne. You can visit our full range of paper here, and our offerings of pens, inks, desk accessories, and washi tapes by visiting the main store page. Many thanks for your support!

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

Wrapping Up Pen Show Season: This Weekend and Travels So Far

I’m on family vacation this week, so I won’t be attending, but those of you in the area(s) should remember that both the Colorado Pen Show and the New York Metropolitan Pen Show (formerly the Long Island Pen Show) are both this weekend! It’s always worth the effort to attend. If you’d like to read more about what you can expect at a pen show and what things there are to do, check out my recaps from my 2022 Pen Show Travel:

• 2022 Baltimore Pen Show

• 2022 Atlanta Pen Show

• 2022 Chicago Pen Show

• 2022 Washington D.C. Pen Show

• 2022 San Francisco Pen Show

Personally, my pen show travel is likely over for the year, so I’ll live vicariously through all of you attending the remaining 2022 shows. And for those of you who can’t visit a pen show this weekend, it’s 10% off all paper this week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, through Saturday at 11:59pm CT, using the coupon code “VACAY10” at checkout. Many thanks for your support!

In the Shop: Platinum Preppy Wa Fountain Pens, Second Edition

One of the sleeper hits from last year was the Platinum Preppy Wa, which refreshingly expanded the limited edition fountain pen craze to a lower price point. Well, this year Platinum has done it again, with six new traditional patterns that are now available for purchase in the Curated Shop. I think my personal favorites are the Urokomon (yellow) and Seigaiha (blue wave) patterns, though they all look really cool. The Platinum Preppy is a versatile fountain pen that uses Platinum cartridges - one is included with purchase - and can also be eyedroppered using an o-ring or silicon grease. These pens are priced at $7.80, so you can even grab the entire series for less than $50!

Since I’m traveling this week, orders will ship on Saturday or Sunday upon my return. In the meantime, we’re also running a paper sale, where you can grab 10% off all paper orders using the coupon code VACAY10 at checkout. Sale ends Saturday!

Ichimatsu

Seigaiha

Hanabishi Kikko

Urokomon

Sakura Tatewaku

Yagasuri

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

Sunday Reading for October 9, 2020 (Vacation Edition)

1. Montegrappa Extra Otto Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). The Montegrappa Extra series, which includes the Extra 1930 and Extra Otto fountain pens, features some of my favorite vintage-style celluloids out there, plus a giant No. 8 nib.

2. Where Is the Line Between Iteration and Imitation? (via mnmlscholar). Whatever the line is, Moonman has a tendency to disregard it altogether with some of their designs. Nonetheless, there are some interesting points here in terms of how Pilot has refused to bring a clipless VP to market despite strong demand.

3. (Don’t) Eat Your Greens: Lamy Studio (via A Fleeting Ripple). I love the Lamy Studio, and the “Olive Green” version is a favorite of mine, even over the Racing Green version that followed. As this review points out, however, those who are sensitive to heavier or metal pens might want to try before you buy.

4. Platinum Izumo Kurikara-Ken (via Rachel’s Reflections). The Platinum Izumo (and it’s nib sibling, the President, which I believe is discontinued) are models which I’ve never tried. I’ll need to remedy that based on these photos!

5. The Pilot Lucina (via Left Hook Pens). Now there’s a pen I haven’t seen in years! Once ubiquitous on the ‘Bay, the Lucina may have been phased out by Pilot? I always wanted a yellow one.

6. Kaweco Original Black Chrome Fountain Pens 060 and 250 (via Dapprman). Color me intrigued (especially if they eventually release this pen in more colors)! It’s also interesting that there are both No. 4 and No. 6 nib versions.

7. Venvstas Hits 2.0 with the Carbon Fiber Magna Piston (via UK Fountain Pens). I guess Anthony can’t stay away, and he’s back with a review of the “new” Venvstas Magna with a piston filler that they’ve attempted to revise to address earlier critiques.

8. Robert Oster Oklahoma City (via Mountain of Ink). The latest entry in Robert Oster’s “Cities” series is a sharp-looking green ink.

9. Wearingeul The Mind Fountain Pen Ink (via Pen Addict-Jeff). I’ve been incredibly impressed with the Wearingeul inks I’ve tried recently, so much that I brought along an entire case of Opus 88 pens filled with nothing but Wearingeul options on my vacation!

10. Ferris Wheel Press Fall Collection (via Well-Appointed Desk). And yet another Ferris Wheel Press release, in more excellent Fall-inspired colors! They really do their best work in autumn.

11. Sailor x TinterÍas Agave and Blue Corn: More Inky Deliciousness (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). The Sailor “Deliciosa” series keeps growing, and I’m in the process of placing my order for both of these!

In Case You Missed It

Since I’m on vacation, just one new review this week - my writeup of the Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal) “Nautilus” ebonite fountain pen in Stylophora Berry. I also recapped my ongoing Guide to Notebook Systems multipart series, which I’m actively working on.

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Six new Platinum Preppy Wa colors are in stock!

This Week in the Shop - Vacation Discount!

Since I’m on vacation this week, I wanted to offer something special to make up for any brief shipping delays. Take 10% off all paper orders with the coupon code “VACAY10” at checkout! Also, as per the usual, any orders placed while I’m away will receive some small extras in the package.

In terms of new arrivals, we recently received a Caran d’Ache restock, including most colors of the 849 ballpoint, Black Code mechanical pencils (which you can use to match your Black Code ballpoint), and most of the Caran d’Ache woodcase pencil options. We also have the Mark’style Tous Les Jours Needle-tip Ballpoint, along with an allotment of the Platinum Preppy Wa Second Series fountain pens, featuring six new patterns on the heels of last year’s runaway success! I hope Platinum continues these releases in the future - they tend to sell out quickly.

Platinum

Nahvalur Pens

Anderillium Ink

Penco

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. (Reminder that those pens which made it through Patreon are now available to the general readership!)