Allex Scissors Slim 100 vs. Desk Scissors Size Comparison — Allex Slim 100 Mini next to the Allex fluorine-coated desk scissors (right).

New Arrivals: Cool Stuff from Japan, Including Allex Scissors and Camel Pencils!

November 21, 2023

Finally, after nearly a year of working on this, I’m happy to announce that two of my all-time favorite stationery brands have arrived in the shop. As of this morning, we have a selection of Allex stainless steel desk scissors in three different sizes: the 7” Desk Scissors, the slightly smaller S-165 and S-165F (fluorine-coated) general-purpose office scissors, and the Allex Slim 100 portable scissors that are designed to fit inside a pen case, Traveler’s-notebook pouch, or similar stationery pouch.

Allex Slim 100 Miniature Scissors — Sharp, portable miniature (under 4”)? These are an excellent tool to keep in your bag.

Allex S-165F Fluorine-Coated Scissors in Three Colors — Allex S-165F Office Scissors

Renowned for their sharpness and precision, Allex scissors are cut from a single sheet of stainless steel. The black fluorine-coated versions cut through tape and adhesive with ease. (I purchased a pair of the fluorine-coated desk scissors years ago from C.W. Pencil Enterprise and they remain my go-to cutting tool.)

Camel Pencils have long had a place in my graphite rotation. Featuring their signature integrated eraser that sits flush with the barrel (and does an effective job erasing to boot!), Camels are sleek, modern Japanese cedar pencils that leave a dark line and sharpen to a nice point with a long-point sharpener. Currently we have two natural-finished HB versions: the white eraser with a honey-gold tone, and the grey eraser with a lighter wood. In addition to selling these individually, we offer them in a pack of six, with three of each version.

Six Pack of Camel Pencils in Various Tones

Be sure to check out our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide! The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

Write Notepads Memo Pads Stocked for the Holidays, on the shelf!

Sunday Reading for November 19, 2023: Holiday Ramp-Up Edition

November 19, 2023

Pen Frustration, Pen Magic (via a Gathering of Curiosities). Do you particularities about your pens ever prevent you from simply enjoying them? R.B. reflects on a post from r/fountainpens asking this question.
Revisiting Diamine Inkvent 2022 (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). I had grand plans to find a copy of the 2022 Inkvent and take a practice run before starting 2023, but I may have waited too long and might just pick a couple of my favorites from this post.
Recap of TIPS 2023 (via Inkredible Colours). Will I get there in 2024? I hope so.
It’s a Conference Not a Show - 2023 Chicago Planner Conference (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I think we need more conferences in the community, distinct from commercially-oriented shows.
Mike’s Pen Fun Fountain Pen Review (via Pen Addict). I love reading a review about a pen from a new independent maker!
Making Filofax Personal Size Your Everyday Organizer (via Philofaxy). Is the personal size the equivalent of Plotter Bible Size?
Ink of the Week: Sailor Amamoyoi (via Fountain Pen Love). To date I’ve not spent much time at all with the Sailor multi-shaders or multichromatic inks. That needs to change as I’ve seen so many of these at pen club and shows, and they’re generally becoming so popular, that I need to familiarize myself with at least a few.
Robert Oster 7th Anniversary Inks (via Mountain of Ink). Has it really been 7 years of Robert Oster Inks? I’ve not seen these colors before (but then again it’s hard to keep up).
Early Thoughts on the Tibaldi Infrangible Black Gold Fountain Pen (via Fountain Pen Blog). Ebonite feed on a reasonably priced pen. Enough said.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed the TWSBI Kai limited edition fountain pen, which is a special TWSBI piston filler model that they only release periodically, every few years. Yesterday, we also released the 2023 TGS Holiday Gift Guide, which has been updated to reflect some new arrivals this year and to reflect some new gift ideas for this year’s holiday season.

The T.G.S. YouTube Channel has also been more active! In addition to releasing a new “Currently Inked” video, which I’ll try to do more often, I’ve published video review supplements on both the Santini Italia Libra and Sailor 1911L Kyomachi Legend Blue fountain pens.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

While the 2023 Holiday Gift Guide will highlight many recent shop arrivals (which were selected with the holidays in mind), you can read about our Anterique restock/expansion here, which is the big news from this week - the “High-lighters” are really cool and interesting looking. We also have T.G.S. Book Darts once again in stock and ready to ship, as well as a full shipment of Write Notepads Memo Pads and Classic Hardcover Notebooks!

TWSBI

Lamy

Anterique

Highlighters

How to Support TGS!

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), there are several ways that you can support us. We do our best to remain 100% self-supported without having to rely on third-party advertisers or affiliates. Of course, the number one way to help is to visit our curated retail shop, especially during the upcoming holiday season! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which also includes early access to quarterly gently used sales. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

Kaweco Christmas Ornament in Hand — Eventually, this will be an option.

The 2023 T.G.S. Holiday Gift Guide is Live!

November 18, 2023

Sure, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but since I’ve been getting “Black Friday Sale” alerts since the Fourth of July, why not? ;) You can find the 2023 version of the Gift Guide here, and since new arrivals tend to trickle in from distributors through November and early December, I will likely update it periodically.

Each year, I don’t revise the Gift Guide from scratch, since the different categories of recommendations don’t change much. Since the store has grown exponentially in the past year, however, you’ll find new items in each category, most of which are targeted gift ideas for those who you think might appreciate stationery but may not necessarily be as “enthusiastic” about it as many T.G.S. readers.

A Note on Shipping

This looks to be a busy holiday season, so the earlier you get your orders in the better. The holidays always suffer from shipping delays - we have no control over USPS, UPS, or Fedex - so please give yourself time by ordering well in advance of when you will need your package to arrive. Finally, please review our shipping polices, particularly as they pertain to international shipments as those are more delay-prone due to customs issues.

As always, many thanks for your support! The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases through the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Thursday Drops: T.G.S. Gift Guide Preview, Including Book Darts, Anterique, and More!

November 16, 2023

The Holiday Season is almost upon us! While the full 2024 T.G.S. Holiday Gift Guide will drop this weekend, this week’s Thursday Drops post features a preview of our standard gift recommendations as well as some new arrivals. (Thank goodness Book Darts made it back in time!) The past couple of weeks have seen the arrival of new items from Anterique Stationers, Lamy, Kaweco, and Caran d’Ache, among others, all ready to ship immediately.

This past year we’ve also worked to expand our shop selection beyond your typical pen and stationery store to include a range of high quality desk and reading accessories that make excellent gifts, including for the pen and paper enthusiasts in your life who might be particular about their pen and ink preferences and “challenging” to shop for. :) Finally, for those who can’t decide, we do have a digital gift card option!

Caran d'Ache Keith Haring 849 (White) — Anyone recognize artwork similar to a classic 1990s Christmas Album?

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

T.G.S. Signature Book Darts. One of our first shop items is back in stock! Book Darts are one of my favorite all-time desk accessories, useful for anything from marking passages in favorite books to dividing notebooks into multiple sections.
Anterique Brass Ballpoint Pens. Looking for a pen-related gift for someone who enjoys a quality pen but may not be as “particular” as you? Anterique takes an instantly recognizable classic format and upgrades it with a brass barrel and high-quality refill.
Caran d’Ache Keith Haring Limited Edition Sets and Rylsee Limited Edition Fixpencil. The rest of the 2023 Caran d’Ache Limited Editions are here, with two new 849 Ballpoints featuring the work of pop artist Keith Haring, along with a signature colored pencil set and a limited edition Fixpencil set designed in collaboration with Swiss lettering artist Rylsee.
Diamine Inkvent Calendars. We still have a few of these hanging around! I’m planning my “Inkvent” sampling strategy because I plan to start playing along as of December 1!
TWSBI Kai Fountain Pens. Yesterday I reviewed TWSBI’s latest (third) release in their acrylic limited edition series, the Kai. As I mentioned in the review, I wish TWSBI would make this particular shape part of the regular lineup.
TWSBI ECO-T “Rosso” Fountain Pens. As a fan of red pens, I’m thrilled to see a red TWSBI ECO! I’m still trying to match an ink to this particular color.
Kaweco Collection Fountain Pens. We brought in additional colors of Kaweco Sport fountain pens from the “Kaweco Collection” series! There are some fun offbeat colors in this line, including some muted blues, blue-greys, and light greens.
Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Organizers. Looking for an upgraded leather (or vegan leather) cover to house your notebooks or planner(s) for 2024? TGS is now an authorized retailer of Roterfaden, and we have both A5 and A6 sized covers in stock and ready to ship.
Traveler’s Notebooks and 2024 Refills. The Traveler’s Notebook is one of the more versatile, customizable notebook systems on the market, with its wide range of accessories and refills.
Lochby Notebooks and Cases. Whether you’re looking for a pen case, a travel carry-all, or a versatile notebook cover that handles most A5 sizes, Lochby makes durable waxed canvas goods that pair well together.

HMM Project Multi-Purpose Eraser Balls, arranged on a desk — Don’t rule out fun desk accessories such as these combination eraser balls, pencil holders, and picture stands (?!?) from HMM Project!

TWSBI Kai Fountain Pen Resting Atop William Hannah A5 Notebook

Pen Review: TWSBI Kai Limited Edition Fountain Pen

November 15, 2023

TWSBI rarely adds new pens to their lineup, with the last completely new shape being the TWSBI Swipe. While some might view the recently released TWSBI Kai as a “new addition”, that’s not entirely true: TWSBI previously released limited runs of similar acrylic piston fillers, spaced approximately 2-3 years apart. The first, the TWSBI “Aurora”, was a green pen in short supply, while the second, the TWSBI “Draco”, received a broader release and more people were able to get their hands on them. The Kai seems to be more widely available, though TWSBI continues to describe it as a limited release. That’s not unusual - most TWSBI editions such as the special edition ECO and Diamond 580 fountain pens are made for a period of time and then retired, but the standard (i.e., clear acrylic, black/white, rose gold) versions remain available. What is unusual is the absence of this otherwise unnamed acrylic piston filler from the regular lineup. It’s solely a limited edition pen.

TWSBI Kai Cap Resting Atop the Barrel Showcasing the Finial — The TWSBI logo is subtly engraved on the finial, as opposed to the inlaid red plastic logo.

I Would Love to See More Regular Higher-End TWSBI Fountain Pens

I’ve really enjoyed working with the TWSBI Kai for the past couple of weeks. Having missed out on the Draco, I made sure to reserve a Kai for myself as part of my larger order for the shop. The pen has not disappointed - the Kai both looks great and serves as a comfortable workhorse with a shape somewhat reminiscent of the Aurora Optima. The Kai shares the same streamlined flat-top profile - an all-time favorite - though the Kai does not post as deeply as the Optima. Fortunately, like most TWSBI piston fillers, it’s also lightweight and well-balanced even unposted.

No surprises here. The Kai uses the same nib as the Diamond 580, which offers the same reliable writing experience I’ve come to expect.

There’s nothing particularly remarkable or unexpected about the writing experience itself - the Kai is classic TWSBI, and uses the same reliable nib as found in the Diamond 580 series. (The Kai doesn’t use the interchangeable nib units, however, as the nib is friction-fit.) What does make this pen stand out, however, are the visuals. I’ve always admired this series of TWSBI releases, and remain puzzled by their irregularity. The Kai is a beautiful pen, featuring a deep indigo blue-flecked acrylic trimmed in rose gold, which TWSBI always does extremely well. The material has a lot of depth, and I’d venture that the pen looks more expensive than its price point would suggest.

TWSBI Kai EF Writing Sample with Diamine Earl Grey Ink — As a more general matter, I’ve noticed that TWSBI’s nib consistency has improved in recent years, and that there is more delineation between the sizes. This EF nib actually writes an extra-fine line. Not a fine (or even a medium like some I’ve used in the past), but a true extra-fine.

A few design touches distinguish the Kai from other TWSBIs. First, there’s no red anywhere on the pen. Most TWSBI models feature the signature red TWSBI finial on the cap, yet the logo on the Kai is engraved. I go back and forth on whether I would prefer the Kai with a pop of red, but at the end of the day feel that TWSBI made the right choice by not adding additional plastic to a higher-end offering.

Second, the barrel and inner cap feature metal rose-gold threads, which work smoothly without any grating noise or excess friction. The pen uncaps in two turns, allowing for quick deployment, and the threads sit high enough on the barrel (behind the ink window) that they don’t interfere with my grip. If I had one critique of the design, it would be the posting issue I mentioned above. Flat-top pens such as this one - including favorites like the Aurora Optima and Sailor Pro Gear - seem especially suited for posting. Could TWSBI have slimmed down the barrel just a bit more? Perhaps, but apart from the Diamond Mini and Vac Mini, TWSBI has never designed pens that post well, and the fact that the Kai is no exception doesn’t surprise me. (Note: As shown above, like most TWSBIs, the Kai does technically post, just not deeply, and I find it uncomfortably long and awkward to use this way.)

TWSBI Kai Ink Window and Rose Gold Threads — The metal threads just work here. I find the pop of rose gold on the barrel visually interesting.

So Where Exactly Does the Kai Fit into TWSBI’s Lineup?

I would organize the current TWSBI fountain pen lineup as follows:

Entry Level Pens: TWSBI Go ($18.99); Swipe ($26.99); and TWSBI ECO and ECO-T “Standard” ($32.99)
Mid-Range: TWSBI ECO and ECO-T “Special Trim” editions ($49.99 - $70), TWSBI Diamond 580 and Diamond Mini “Standard” ($50-$65); Vac Mini ($60); Vac700R ($65)
Upper Mid-Range: TWSBI Diamond 580 Rose Gold Editions ($80-$85); Vac700R Iris ($80); Precision ($80)
“High End”: TWSBI Kai, Aurora, and Draco Special Editions ($130 - the Draco and Aurora were actually priced higher at $150(?))

As you can see, that’s a pretty compressed range in terms of price point, with even the “high-end” TWSBI pens not breaking the bank. TWSBI is known for never having targeted the gold-nib market or the “luxury” price point, hence their fairly dominant market position in the sub-$100 fountain pen segment. I would like to see the Kai, or some version thereof, become a permanent offering. Even if there’s no standard version, having one special or limited pen always available would round out TWSBI’s lineup and expand their appeal beyond those who enjoy the demonstrators.

TWSBI Collection Group Photo. Can you Spot the TWSBI Kai? — One of these things is not like the others.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’m enjoying the TWSBI Kai, and I’m glad I picked one up to compensate for missing out on the Draco (though I’d love to see them bring back that burgundy and black combination). While the Kai is a bit more expensive than other TWSBI piston-fillers, the price is consistent with higher-end pens from brands like Opus 88 and Nahvalur, and maybe even a little lower. It would be great to be able to recommend the Kai as a workhorse fountain pen to those seeking a slightly more traditional design than the Diamond 580 or Vac700R. There’s certainly demand - the Kai has sold well, and I’ve seen Dracos selling on the secondary market for hundreds of dollars!

TWSBI Kai Fountain Pen Next to William Hannah — The Kai is a classy pen that wouldn’t look out of place next to pens twice the price.

As TWSBI retailers, we carry the TWSBI Kai in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and have a selection of these pens currently in stock. It’s unclear when the next run will be made available after these sell out, though I seem to recall that the Draco stuck around for six months or so. The Kai is priced at $130.00, which is the top of the TWSBI range, though in line with the price point of many other similarly-styled resin piston fillers.