Travel Kit: National Stationery Show Edition

February 4, 2023

So I’m kicking off an extended period of pen-related travel with a trip to New York City to attend NYNow and Shoppe Object, two of the largest stationery trade shows in the country. Hopefully I’ll come back not just with lots of fun stories but new finds for the T.G.S. Curated Shop, which I have plans to expand. (See yesterday’s post for the latest arrivals, and I’ll be spending some of my “down time” this weekend updating inventory and listing a few stragglers that arrived yesterday.) Shoppe Object is where I first discovered my friends at WMS & Co. back in 2020, and while I don’t know that they’re attending this year, the ability to meet with these brands in a somewhat more laid-back setting where there’s no immediate pressure to buy (unlike at a direct-to-consumer pen show) is invaluable in finding new additions that might be a good fit for our business.

From left: Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize; Schon DSGN Full Size; Pilot Custom 823; Traveler’s Company Fountain Pen; TWSBI Precision Mechanical Pencil (.5mm Retractable); and Montblanc Classique Fineliner.

Enough Shop Talk, What’s the Travel Kit?

While it could be just a by-product of working primarily from home for the past few years and getting out of a “travel mentality”, the act of prepping for a trip has started to cause me a greater degree of stress than it used to. I decided to keep it simple this time, sticking my journals and an A5 Tomoe River notebook into my Lochby Field Journal, and pulling together some airplane-friendly pens into my Lochby Tool Roll. My Plotter A5 is coming with me as the notebook I plan to carry around the city and to the shows. I just realized I forgot my headphones, but hey, at least I have my stationery!

This is a pretty compact carry for three notebooks and seven pens.

Send Me NYC Stationery Store Recommendations!

It’s been three years since I’ve been to New York City, so my stationery store list is hopelessly out of date. I’ve shockingly never visited Yoseka Stationery, so that’s on my list as a “go visit right away” trip as soon as I hit the ground. CW Pencil Enterprise has sadly closed, and Fountain Pen Hospital is not open on the weekends. I have some time to kill, so give me a hand here!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Thursday Drops: 2023 Shop Expansion, National Stationery Show, and More!

February 2, 2023

You may have noticed a flurry of activity around the T.G.S. Curated Shop. That’s because after a brief pause in mid-2022 to evaluate our chosen product lines and tweak our focus, we decided to move forward with expanding several of the brands we carry and bringing additional lines on board. This coming weekend, we’ll be attending the National Stationery Show in New York City, one of the largest stationery trade shows in the world! I’ll keep you updated on anything fun we fine, so keep an eye on Instagram!

This Week’s New Arrivals

Many of you have been asking when favorite core brands such as Write Notepads, Clairefontaine, and Rhodia would restock, and I’m happy to announce that nearly everything is currently in-stock and ready to go! As usual, I’ll hit the highlights below as I do every Thursday morning, but be sure to check out the New Arrivals for both Pens/Pencils and Paper, as well as our constantly updated InCoWriMo-themed page, with letter writing supplies selected for International Correspondence Writing Month!

Nahvalur Pen of the Year Year of the Rabbit — The Nahvalur Pen of the Year is a collaboration with Starry Night Resins, who created the material for my Hinze Pens “Five O’Clock Somewhere” fountain pen.

New Pens, Pencils, and Inks!

Nahvalur “Year of the Rabbit” Limited Edition Nautilus Fountain Pen. Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal) recently released a 14k gold nib, and it’s featured in their latest limited edition “Year of the Rabbit” release which pairs the Nautilus shape with a white pearlescent acrylic from Starry Night Resins. These are extremely limited and we only have a couple in stock as the initial batch is going fast.
Nahvalur Nautilus Corydoras Bronze and Cephalopod Black. The original Nahvalur Nautilus designs are still some of the sharpest, pairing black ebonite with antiqued bronze or black trim.
Nahvalur Explorer Fountain Pen Inks. Nahvalur has chosen four initial ink colors to match their “Original Plus” Vacuum-Filler fountain pen (also back in stock in all colors).
Anderillium Inks (including 8-Bottle Sample Sets). The most popular colors of Anderillium Inks are now available, including “Colossal Squid Dark,” “Green Kingfisher Green,” and “American Goldfinch Yellow”. We’ve also brought back the 8 bottle sample sets, where you can get eight .5ml bottles containing each color from both the Avian and Cephalopod series.

Newly Arrived Paper and Notebooks, Including Lalo, Midori, and Clairefontaine Letter Writing Paper!

G. Lalo Correspondence Pads and Envelopes. This high-quality French-made laid paper comes in three different colors: light blue, white, and ivory. Both writing pads (A5) and matching envelopes are available.
Rhodia Composition Books. A core shop favorite from the early days is back in stock after being distributor-backordered for quite some time. These durable composition books feature a classic cloth binding and Rhodia paper.
Clairefontaine 1951 Clothbound Notebook. Similar to a composition book, these A5 notebooks are slightly smaller than the classic size but feature a vintage-style cover and Clairefontaine’s exceptionally fountain pen friendly paper.
Quo Vadis Habana Notebook Journal. In my opinion, Quo Vadis makes one of the best “faux leather cover + elastic” notebooks out there. These feature white dot-grid Clairefontaine paper, perfect for fountain pens. These are hard to keep in stock because they’re relatively difficult to find and I have a core set of customers who snap them up as soon as they arrive.
Write Notepads Memo Pads. Probably my favorite paper for everyday writing, these letter-sized memo pads are sold in sets of two, and feature either dot grid, lined, or meeting-style layouts.
Write Notepads “Chesapeake” Pocket Notebooks. They’re back! These PUR-bound pocket notebooks are another personal obsession, and we’re glad to have them back in the shop for at least one more round!

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

Pen Review: Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Macassar Fountain Pen

February 1, 2023

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned during my near decade in the pen world, it’s that sometimes you enjoy things that you shouldn’t enjoy. What do I mean by that? Well, as a general rule, I tend not to like slimmer pens that don’t post. While there are exceptions, I typically find slim, non-posting pens unbalanced (posting the cap can give an otherwise too-skinny pen a necessary bit of heft), and in any event it can be a hassle to keep track of the loose cap while writing. Did I mention there are exceptions…?

I’ve previously reviewed the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic fountain pen, and enjoyed that pen when I had it on loan, but ended up returning the review sample due to concerns about the dimensions and how well those would work for me as an everyday writer. Since posting that review (back in 2018), I’ve acquired two Graf von Faber-Castell fountain pens, and after a longer test period, held on to both of them in my permanent collection. Of the two (a Guilloche and the pen featured here, the Classic Macassar), the larger Classic Macassar is my favorite.

Graf von Faber-Castell makes fountain pens in a range of sizes. The Classic series, which features most of their wood barrels, is larger than the Guilloche series, shown on the right.

I have a fair number of black-trimmed pens in my collection, ranging from Sailor’s Pro Gear Imperial Black and Black Luster to the Montblanc 149 Ultra Black release from a few years ago, so if I was every going to invest in one of Graf von Faber-Castell’s flagship pens, it would be this one. Featuring an 18k ruthenium-plated nib and PVD-coated titanium trim, the Classic Macassar is stunning to look at. The darker trim perfectly complements the darker Macassar Ebony wood, and like pretty much every other pen I’ve ever tried from Graf von Faber-Castell, the nib writes perfectly. The Company states that each of these nibs is “run-in by hand,” which I take to mean that it’s hand-tested and tuned before it leaves the factory.

The PVD coating on the metal section gives it a nice grip, and the elongated concave shape is exceptionally comfortable.

As I mentioned, design-wise, I shouldn’t love this pen as much as I do. The cap is extremely impractical, but I love the oversized, top-heavy look, and the spring-loaded clip works wonderfully. That said, this pen absolutely does not post. While the Graf von Faber-Castell website shows a photograph of the Classic Macassar posting relatively deeply, my pen barely posts at all, to the point where I don’t even want to post the pen for photography purposes because I don’t want to risk damaging the threads or internal cap. If posting is an absolute necessity for how you use pens, I’d consider the Graf von Faber-Castell Guilloche series, a slightly smaller, slimmer fountain pen that posts more securely.

Graf von Faber-Castell Guilloche Posted — For comparison purposes, I’ll show a photograph of my Graf von Faber-Castell Guilloche fountain pen, which is a slimmer pen that posts, even if the end result is a touch long for my taste.

Personally, I find that the Classic Macassar is just heavy enough for me to comfortably use unposted, and while the inability to post the cap will likely leave this particular fountain pen outside the “daily Workhorse” category, I’ve had a hard time putting it away. Even though I’ve told myself I should sell it, because it’s not an everyday user for me, I can’t. Do you have pens in your collection that you have some sort of inexplicable draw to, that you enjoy using even though it’s a pen that your experience tells you that you absolutely shouldn’t like, but you do anyway? Well, this is one of those for me.

Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Macassar Posted — The Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Macassar in-hand.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Though an exceptional fountain pen with a unique look, like most GvFC products, the Classic Macassar retails at an extremely high price point. As of the time of writing, MSRP on this pen is $685 as shown on the Graf von Faber Castell US website, with most retailers having it priced around $550. That’s expensive, but then again, on par for a ruthenium-plated nib pen with blacked out titanium parts. (Compare with the Sailor Pro Gear Imperial Black, which now lists for $472, or the Montblanc 146 Ultra Black, which apparently has a secondary market value north of $1200?) Whether the pen is "worth it” to you goes far beyond practicality - for me, the combination of black trim and dark wood, as well as the wonderful writing experience offered by the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic pens in general, keeps this one in my collection.

For this review, I chose to ink this Graf pen with Ferris Wheel Press Roaring Patina Black, and the review paper is the excellent Life Noble Note.

I acquired this pen years ago, and can’t remember exactly where (though it was probably either Appelboom or the now-closed La Couronne du Compte). This post does not contain third-party affiliate links or advertising. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Spotlight on Nahvalur Fountain Pens: Introducing the Year of the Rabbit Limited Edition

January 31, 2023

Last year we brought Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal Pens) into the shop, driven by two specific models: the “Original Plus” vacuum-filler fountain pen and the “Nautilus” piston filler, featuring Nahvalur’s signature “porthole” ink windows. This week, we’ve not only restocked on the Original Plus but have added two new Nautilus fountain pens and will soon add Nahvalur’s new “Explorer” ink line.

Nahvalur 2023 “Pen of the Year” is Now Available

The big announcement this week is the release of Nahvalur’s 2023 Pen of the Year, the “Year of the Rabbit” limited edition Nautilus. Featuring a pearlescent white resin and a 14k gold nib, this release is limited to 223 pieces worldwide and we were lucky enough to get a handful. Available in either fine or medium.

The white resin used in the Year of the Rabbit pen comes from Starry Night Resins.

As I mentioned above, we’ve also added the classic black Nautilus ebonite piston filler featuring either an antiqued bronze (“Bronze Corydoras”) or black (“Cephalopod Black”) trim, and we once again have all colors of the “Original Plus” fountain pens in stock, including the popular Ocellatus Gold which sold out quickly.

It’s Restock and New Arrival Season, So Keep Checking Back

We have new products arriving daily, so keep checking back to view the new arrivals in pens, inks, and pencils as well as paper and notebook systems!

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

My Schon DSGN Monoc nib set in my “Rainbow Sprinkles” full-size pen! This pen and nib combo was everything I expected and more!

Sunday Reading for January 29, 2023

January 29, 2023

Monoc Monoc: Schon DSGN Monoc Nib Review (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I just received my Monoc this week and couldn’t be happier with the experience. Kimberly does a great job of discussing the concept behind this nib and what to expect if you order one. I’m looking forward to seeing more of what Ian has in store for us!
An Avalanche of Mini Nib Grinds (via mnmlscholar). I’ve also ventured into the world of smaller, precise nib grinds, and it’s interesting to see which different grinds others have come up with.
Particulars: Blackwing Natural Pencil (via A Fleeting Ripple). The Blackwing Natural finish pencil is probably my favorite of their standard lineup, between the natural barrel and the extra-firm core with exceptional point retention.
It’s 2023, What Are We Using (via The Poor Penman). Lots of oldies as well as new goodies in this 2023 loadout from Paul. It’s great to see the Plotter Mini 5 getting more love, and I likewise don’t know what’s going on with Soumkine/Sumkin. The brand put out a blast e-mail over the summer and announced they were closing, but now they seem to be back… or maybe they’re liquidating old stock?
Kokuyo Campus High Grade (CYO-BO) Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Love). I’ve wanted to try the Campus notebooks for some time, but haven’t properly understood Kokuyo’s paper quality system. I’m going to check out one of these.
Nine-Bespoke Pens Rosetta (via Dapprman). That material is gorgeous! Things you only discover in person at a pen show….
Currently Inked: Things Are Getting Out of Hand (via Writing at Large). I understand, believe me.
Hefty, Hefty, Hefty: The Rite in the Rain Mechanical Clicker Pencil (via From the Pen Cup). Mary and I apparently share a love for mechanical pencils with these big chunky 1.3mm leads. I’ve not seen this Rite in the Rain pencil before, and the leads come in 2B?
Meet Your Maker: Adolphus Smith, Darailpenz (via Pen Addict - Caroline). I had the pleasure of chatting at the Darailpenz table at last year’s Chicago Pen Show, and they have some stunning offerings, especially the stone pens.
Kamio Japan Paco-Tray Pen Case - Peanuts in Navy (via Well-Appointed Desk). Super cool idea to have a pen case that unfolds into a tray!

In Case You Missed It….

So this week I went entirely off-script from my “content plan” that I spent hours developing at the beginning of January, in favor of talking about nibs. Namely, I grew curious about people’s nib preferences in terms of fine, medium, broad, etc.; and then I received my Jinhao X159 in the mail with their new No. 8 nib and I had to write about that and all bets were off. Hope you enjoy!

This week’s “Thursday Drops” post highlighted some quirky stationery favorites!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - New Products and Restocks Are Rolling In!

It’s market season, meaning it’s that time of the year when retailers are bringing in new product lines and placing orders for all of the new releases that have been announced. Here’s what’s in so far:

Yesterday we received a fresh shipment from WMS & Co, makers of shop favorites like our undated calendar desk pads. We also have the 175+ sheet notepads in additional colors, along with a new line of to-do list pads in the same paper as the undated calendars.
More Clairefontaine and Rhodia products - including the Rhodia Composition Books! - will be arriving tomorrow to ship, and are currently listed and available for purchase.
All colors of Anderillium inks are back in stock, including the 8-bottle sample sets in both the Avian and Cephalopod series.
UPDATE: Monday marks the arrival of a bunch of new releases from Nahvalur, including their “Year of the Rabbit” limited edition featuring their new 14k nib! We have these in extremely limited quantities. We’ve also restocked on the Original Plus Vacuum-filler in all colors, and have added new versions of the Nautilus and the Nahvalur “Explorer” Inks!

Stay tuned as we have lots of great items on the way!

Anderillium Ink

Mr. Boddington

Lochby

Rhodia

Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!

This year, I’m trying to be more visible and intentional with T.G.S. Patreon and how the support/membership program will expand in 2023 to include not only access to meetups and early gently used sales, but more exclusive content, including the potential return of Digital Divide. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support!