[Updated] New Arrivals: Nahvalur Nautilus Ruby Koi Fountain Pen, and New Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz Original Plus Pens!

I’m not sure that we’ve ever had limited run fountain pens sell out quicker than the two Nahvalur “Pen of the Year” models, inspired by the Year of the Rabbit and Year of the Dragon, respectively. Fortunately, Nahvalur appears to be staying at it this year, releasing yet another gorgeous limited run pen in striated red and black German ebonite with red anodized trim that they’ve dubbed “Ruby Koi.” Given my love for anything red and black, but I’m not sure I could pick out a Nautilus color combination that speaks to me personally more than this one, and I hope it sticks around for at least a little while (though probably not since it’s a numbered edition).

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Vintage-style striated German ebonite paired with either a 14k (left) or gold plated (right) nib makes for a gorgeous combination.

As with the Pen of the Year, the Nautilus Ruby Koi is available with both gold-plated stainless steel and 14k gold nib options. These pens are priced at $188 for the steel option and $308 for the gold. As a piston filler, the Nautilus Ruby Koi accepts bottled ink only, and we recently restocked on Nahvalur ink as well.

This material is a gorgeous true red-black ebonite!

Updated: As of 11am Central Time, New Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz Fountain Pens Are Available!

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This morning, Nahvalur announced the release of two new colors in the “Original Plus” series - Lovina Graphite and Matira Quartz. These are new takes on last year’s limited edition “Lovina Black” and “Matira White” pens - they still have the rose gold trim but the Black and White resins add chatoyance (i.e. some sparkle/shimmer) to the material! It’s a very nice look with lots of depth. These have arrived and are available to ship immediately, priced at $55 each.

Note - for those of you looking for a Lovina Black and Matira White pen (without the chatoyance), we still have a couple left, mostly broad and stub nib sizes.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Nahvalur Pens.

Sunday Reading for February 4, 2024 (NY Now Edition!)

1. Reconnecting with my Scribo Feel A Riveder le Stelle (via A Gathering of Curiosities). Some pens connect with us emotionally, others do not. How do you react when a pen you value emotionally doesn’t perform up to expectations?

2. A Spectrum of Rainbow Forest Fountain Pens (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). Rainbow/multicolor anodization has become increasingly popular over the past couple of years. My personal favorites aren’t necessarily the all-metal versions, but rather where this trim accents frosted acrylic.

3. Radius + Figboot Blue Flame (via Figboot on Pens). Speaking of pens with frosted acrylic, Figboot is releasing this beautiful blue Radius that launches on February 10.

4. Hobonichi 2024 Setup (via Stationery Pizza). I’m rocking the 3-Hobonichi setup and really enjoying it! My own setup is slightly different than the one discussed here but multiple journals has been enjoyable.

5. The Decline of the Vintage Pen Hobby (via Goodwriters Pens). It’s regrettable that the decline of the vintage pen hobby is often attributed primarily (or sometimes solely) to a perceived lack of interest on the part of “new” enthusiasts. I can’t speak for collecting communities outside of the U.S., but at the American pen shows the vintage community could have done much more to welcome in the next generation and share knowledge when there was an influx a few years ago. Things are getting better now but the volume of vintage pen trading at shows is still less than it once was.

6. Scribo Feel Flex Nib Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Scribo makes one of the best modern flex nibs on the market, and probably comes closest to approximating true vintage-style flex similar to the Omas Extra-Flessible nibs.

7. Quick Look - Pilot Vanishing Point and Decimo (via The Poor Penman). Don’t overlook or sleep on the Pilot Vanishing Point and Decimo capless fountain pens. They’ve been around for a while for good reason.

8. Cheap French Supermarket Pocket Pen (via Dapprman). I love that the writing culture in certain countries allows for a product like this to exist.

9. Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffle Nr. 2 Mechanical Pencil Review (via Writing at Large). The Drehgrillfe is a great format and I wish this pen/pencil received more attention than it does. I’m all for expanding the hexagonal woodcase pencil form into other types of writing instruments.

10. Chasing Away the Darkness (via From the Pen Cup). Early morning writing sessions are among the greatest pleasures in life. IMHO.

11. Who Wore It Better? Pilot Custom Heritage 92 Clear vs TWSBI 580 ALR Black (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). It didn’t occur to me to compare these two pens, but then again I haven’t handled a Custom Heritage in quite a while.

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In Case You Missed It…

I published the latest installment of “Ask TGS” this week, in which I respond to reader questions regarding things such as how to fix skipping and hard-starting fountain pens, and how to avoid staining prized pens. Saturday was a travel day, as I’m currently spending a couple days at the NY Now and Shoppe Object trade shows in NYC. Be sure to follow along on Instagram today and tomorrow as I work my way through these two shows and also follow along as I visit some of my favorite NYC stationery haunts!

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This past week we’ve added Uni Jetstream ballpoints in both the “Prime” format, as well as the “Jetstream Edge” which is available in as fine a line as .28mm! And it still writes smoothly!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Plus a February Flash Sale on Certain Categories of Items!

Our shop has seen exponential growth over the past year, and I’m thankful to everyone who’s helped. We’ve had a LOT of new products arrive in the past two weeks, and since I’m going to be ordering more shortly (as in, in the next 48 hours), let’s do what we can to clear out what remains from 2023 in some specific categories. Take 10% off paper today and tomorrow, including planners and journals and notebook systems, using the coupon code “FLASH24” at checkout! I’ve gone ahead and marked down Traveler’s Company 2024 Diaries by 20% - some versions are close to or completely sold out, but there’s still monthly refills and maybe some weekly formats, so this will be in addition to the coupon code. (Roterfaden and Kakimori are excluded.)

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Also, be sure to check out new arrivals, including the latest release from Nahvalur, the Nautilus Ruby Koi, as well as products from Kakimori, Uni Mitsubish (including high-end (nondisposable) Jetstream ballpoints), a wide range of Jetstream refills, and of course Roterfaden. I just recently listed the sheet protectors, which allow you to carry papers and other loose items.

Uni Jetstream

Kakimori

Roterfaden

Uni Refills

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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.

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Travel Update: Upcoming T.G.S. Show Dates and More!

This weekend I’m once again on the road to NY NOW and Shoppe Object, two of the larger stationery trade shows in the U.S. While not as large as Paper World (probably the biggest international stationery trade show that’s held every year in Frankfurt), NY Now is the place to go if you’re a retailer and want to a preview of the year’s new releases from brands like Kaweco, Lamy, and Blackwing, while Shoppe Object tends to showcase smaller boutique manufacturers and distributors. Both shows are a great venue to discover new brands - in fact, this is where I met representatives from Anterique, Nakabayashi, Laconic, HMM, and Craighill. I don’t believe I ever would have brought some of the more unusual brands into the shop or discovered their wares at all had I not taken a flier and visited these two shows, both of which are outside the typical “fountain pen show circuit”.

I’ll be periodically posting from the weekend (as I’m allowed, since some announcements on new products, etc. may be subject to blackouts). I’ve attended these shows twice before, so if you’re curious about exactly how they work be sure to check out last year’s recap.

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2024 Pen Show Updates - Where We’ll Be This Spring

Also, T.G.S. will be attending the 2024 California Pen Show in the Los Angeles area from February 16-18. And guess what? I’m teaching a seminar and semi-responsible (with Vanness Pens) for hosting the Pen Shows after Dark event! After that, we will have a table at the Arkansas Pen Show in Little Rock. I hope to see you at one of these events!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate all your support!

Thursday Drops: The GOAT Workhorse Pen, Kakimori, Roterfaden Accessories, and More!

I’m in the process of preparing my notes for a seminar I’m leading at the California Pen Show this month, which will focus on stationery for everyday use, techniques I use to incorporate these tools into my daily life, and how I think they’re helpful. Today’s Thursday Drops post offers a bit of insight into the type of products I will be discussing! I strongly encourage anyone who plans on attending the California Pen Show to check out the slate of classes on offer, because strong attendance will encourage more of this type of content in the future.

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In addition to the big ticket items, there’s always going to be room in our shop for the practical, such as these Roterfaden Sheet Protectors that let you better organize your Taschenbegleiter.

The pens, paper, and ink that I use everyday might surprise people. Though expensive limited edition fountain pens and inks with crazy properties like wild shimmer and sheen garner much of the attention in the stationery blogosphere, most of what I write with on an everyday basis is far more straightforward and, well, kind of boring, but in a good way. When I’m working - which more often than not boils down to getting words/concepts/thoughts on a page - I want a reliable pen/ink/paper combination that I don’t have to think about at all because it just works. This week's slate of new arrivals mostly fall directly into that bucket!

1. Uni Jetstream Prime Ballpoint Pens. I’d venture that the Uniball Jetstream can easily be dubbed the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) workhorse pen. The Jetstream Prime is Uni’s “upscale” housing for the Parker-style SXR-600 refill, with a tried-and-true twist ballpoint design and excellent balance in the hand. Choose between matte and pearlescent finishes.

2. Uni Jetstream SXR-600 Parker-style Ballpoint Refills. We’re thrilled to be able to offer the Jetstream Parker-style refill (which can be used in an absolutely massive variety of pens) in .38mm, .5mm, and .7mm tip sizes. They last forever and are the first upgrade I typically make to any Parker-style ballpoint or rollerball.

3. Uni Jetstream SXR-200 D1 Refills. Similarly, all of my D1 multi pens typically feature the SXR-200 D1 Jetstream refill. Available in red, blue, and black, and .5mm and .7mm tip sizes. A exceptional upgrade for the Lamy 2000 multi pen/4-color Ballpoint.

4. Nahvalur Nautilus “Ruby Koi” Limited Edition Fountain Pen. Nahvalur has done it again, with its second gorgeous limited edition release of 2024. The “Year of the Dragon”-inspired pen sold out in less than a week, and hopefully these will follow. “Ruby Koi” features red and black German ebonite paired with either a gold-toned stainless steel or 14k gold nib.

5. Pilot Fountain Pens. Additional Pilot fountain pens arrived yesterday, including new additional Explorer colors (grey, white, and clear!). Core workhorses such as the Vanishing Point, Custom 74, and Custom 823 are also fully restocked.

6. Kakimori A5 Hardbound Notebooks. Kakimori is one of the boutique Japanese brands that has been on the shop “short list” for some time, and last week we received our initial shipment that included a selection of hardbound A5 notebooks in traditional Japanese fabrics. Featuring OK Fools paper with a light grey grid layout.

7. Kakimori Metal Nibs and Holders. Kakimori nibs have become the go-to solution for those who want a dip nib that’s more durable than a glass pen but which doesn’t need to be replaced after a month or so of use. The brass nibs will patina over time and take on a beautiful burnished look.

8. Roterfaden Notebooks in All Sizes. We carry the full range of refills for the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter organizer system, from A6 to A4, as well as specialty layouts such as the “Project Planner” and undated monthly calendar.

9. Roterfaden Sheet Protectors in A4 and A5. One of the more commonly requested Roterfaden accessories are the plastic sheet protectors, which allow you to carry loose papers, receipts, business cards, and other items inside your Taschenbegleiter. I personally carry multiple sheet protectors in a single set of clips. Sold in packs of three.

10. Traveler’s Company 2024 Calendar Refills. All of our dated 2024 Traveler’s Company dated diaries are now 20% off. It’s not too late to pick one up to outfit your Traveler’s Notebook for the upcoming year, though some specific layouts are sold out and won’t be restocked.

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A red and black ebonite Nautilus? Too bad I couldn’t snag this one as a signature release….

Ask TGS: Common Questions on Fountain Pens, including Hard Starting Pens and Staining Inks

Welcome back to another installment of “Ask TGS”! I get a LOT of mail, whether it’s e-mail, snail mail, or social media DMs, and unfortunately there’s no way I can respond to it all. I’m therefore trying to devote at least one post per month to answering the more frequently asked questions, and eventually plan to compile these posts into a FAQ resource. This week’s selection of questions focuses on fountain pens and common performance issues, including skipping/hard-starting and - gasp - the possibility of ink staining the pen.

Question 1: I recently purchased my first fountain pen and inked it up out of the box. The pen tends to skip and hard start. Is this normal for a new Pen?

I get this question in the mailbag a few times each year. While it’s never “normal” for a fountain pen to skip and/or hard start, it’s not uncommon, especially in brand new pens. The usual culprit is residual oil or other miscellaneous residue in the nib left over from the manufacturing process. For this reason, I hardly ever ink a pen right out of the box - typically I’ll use a bulb syringe to flush the pen with a mixture of water and a drop of diluted dish soap, and then flush the pen again with water before inking it up for the first time.

If problems persist, I usually suggest that you write with the pen for a day or two and see whether the issue resolves itself. For whatever reason, some fountain pen nibs need a “break in” period to adjust themselves to your hand, but this should never take longer than a couple of days of writing. If you are still having issues at that point, I would contact the seller or manufacturer and follow their instructions.

A note on terminology: “Skipping” occurs when the ink stops flowing while you are writing. A “hard start” occurs when you can’t get ink to flow after you cap the pen or stop writing for a bit.

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Don’t automatically assume that gold nibs are “better” than steel nibs just because they’re more expensive. It all comes down to feel and personal writing preference.

Question 2: What is the difference between a gold nib and a steel nib on a fountain pen? Does the gold nib cost more because it performs better?

The gold nib costs more because it is made of gold and sometimes has a more involved manufacturing/finishing process. While you will often see gold nibs referred to as “higher quality” and an “upgrade,” that’s not necessarily the case in terms of performance. Many fountain pen users - especially those who prefer a firmer nib that writes a drier line - favor steel nibs, and I’ve even used softer steel nibs that I’ve found indistinguishable from gold. Generally speaking, gold nibs tend to write “softer” and “wetter” than steel nibs, and a wet pen nearly always feels “smoother” on the page, leading to the common misconception that gold nibs are always smoother writers than steel. It really comes down to personal preference: If you’ve never used a fountain pen with a gold nib, I strongly encourage new users to either visit a pen show or pen club and test one out in person before making the investment. If you don’t have access to in-person meetups and events, pens like the Pilot Custom 74 and certain models of the Lamy Studio still feature a gold nib option for around the same price point as a more expensive steel nib pens (sub-$200), allowing you to experiment without breaking the bank.

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I love my crazy Inkvent inks but probably would not use them in my prized celluloid pens.

Will ___ Ink Stain My Pen? Is it “Safe” to Use?

There’s really no way to make a categorical statement about what inks are “safe” and what inks are capable of staining or ruining a pen, because so many different variables are in play. My response to this question is always the same: If you have a specific pen that you are concerned about staining, then you should only use blue or black ink made by a company that manufactures fountain pens (preferably the company that made your pen). Even this doesn’t guarantee that your pen will remain pristine. It will, however, keep the pen under warranty. Many pen companies reserve the right to refuse to honor warranties for things like staining and discoloration if you use inks manufactured by another company.

That said, the only materials I really worry about staining are celluloids and clear, white or cream colored resins. Outside of these materials, I’ve found that most acrylics and resins used in modern fountain pens typically clean fairly easily. In terms of colors, purple and red inks tend to stain the most, and highly saturated inks (including with heavy sheen) should be used with caution in pens susceptible to staining.

I hope you find this post helpful. If you have questions that you’d like answered, please send an e-mail through the “Contact” link with “Ask TGS” in the subject line. I maintain a list of questions to be answered and will hopefully be able to respond in some form or fashion. You can view earlier installments here and here.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely through The T.G.S. Curated Shop and the TGS Patreon Program. We truly appreciate all of our readers and customers!