A Huge Thank You for a Wonderful 10 Years: The 10th Anniversary T.G.S. Best Pens Update Is Live!

I did some more extensive revisions for this year’s “Best Pens” update, revising some of the list to reflect price changes, new additions, pens that have fallen out of production, and older companies that have become a bit stagnant. I won’t be overly long summarizing the update: you can read the list for yourself here! There is plenty more 10th Anniversary content on the way, including a pending “Best Pencils” list (both mechanical and woodcase), as well as a Multi-Pens category for the main Best Pens list. I wasn’t in a position to finalize all of those today, as I’m still considering whether to break pencils into a separate list. I hope you enjoy! I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this community for the past 10 years, and hope for at least 10 more!

Updated 4/14/24: I receive a lot of comments and messages whenever I update my “Best Pens” list. I can’t respond to all of them, but as a general matter I want to clarify a few things.

• It goes without saying that any TGS review/ curated list reflects my opinion, based on my own decade-plus experience of buying, using, collecting, and selling fountain pens. The fact that a pen is not featured on the list should NOT be considered a judgment on a pen that you otherwise personally enjoy.

• I cannot review everything. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different pens available on the market and to keep things manageable I reduce each category to five entries. If there is a pen that I have not reviewed on the site or featured in the list, that you think I should consider, please send me a message through the “Contact” link and I promise I will look into it.

• Because the overwhelming majority of my readership is in the United States, I generally limit “recommendations” - especially for beginners - to pens that are readily available in the U.S., from U.S. based retailers, so that it’s unnecessary to mail a pen overseas for warranty service. Of course I still import pens and review them and enjoy them, but this list is written with a different set of considerations in mind.

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Thursday Drops: Christmas in April from Kaweco, Lamy, Tom's Studio, and More!

I joked last week in my Patreon newsletter that April can feel like the holiday season for stationery nerds, with a seemingly endless stream of limited and special edition releases hitting the market every week. As of today, we have the new Kaweco Sport Piston Filler in stock, as well as the new Lamy AL-Star pens, a restock of the new Lamy Safari pens, and the Kaweco Collection Apricot Sport. We are also fully reloaded on the Lamy 2000, and now offer the “Blackwood” and “Taxus” ballpoints in two beautiful woodgrain finishes.

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Tom’s Studio “Studio Pocket” fountain pens!

The second wave of big news isn’t necessarily a limited or special release, but rather a new brand that we have been exploring over the past couple of weeks. UK-based Tom’s Studio makes a wide range of fountain pens, calligraphy supplies, and refillable fineliners that have captivated our attention. We currently have a small selection of their fountain pens, fineliners, and specialty nibs in stock, and will consider expanding in the future.

1. Kaweco Sport Piston Filler Fountain Pen. The wait is over. After YEARS of demand from Kaweco fans, Kaweco has released the Sport pocket fountain pen with a piston. The initial release comes in black aluminum, and given the demand, we only received a handful of these. Sold in a set with a bottle of Kaweco Royal Blue ink and a commemorative tin.

2. Lamy AL-Star 2024 “Fiery” and “Aquatic” Special Edition Fountain Pens. The latest Lamy AL-Star releases hit the shop Tuesday, including not just the fountain pen but a rollerball, ballpoint, and an Aquatic mechanical pencil. We also have past AL-Star special edition pens in stock, while supplies last, as well as a restock of the popular Lamy Cursive nibs.

3. Kaweco Collection “Apricot Pearl” Sport Fountain Pen. In addition to the Piston Sport fountain pens, we still have stock of the recently released “Apricot Pearl” Sport fountain pens, which is a beautiful translucent orange.

4. Tom’s Studio “Lumos” Refillable Fineliner Pens. A discussed in yesterday’s review, we recently brought in the “Lumos” series of refillable fineliner pens from UK-based Tom’s Studio, which feature as many as 11 different fineliner and other fibre-tipped fineliner-style points to choose from.

5. Tom’s Studio “The Studio” Fountain Pen. Tom’s Studio also makes a well-regarded series of fountain pens in bright anodized colors. The “Studio” is Tom’s Studio’s traditional full-size fountain pen, designed to be used for either calligraphy or everyday writing.

6. Tom’s Studio “The Studio Pocket” Fountain Pen. Not simply a pocket-sized version of the Studio, the “Studio Pocket” features an octagonal cap design and a pen body that posts to full-size. The anodized aluminum finish features textured ridges that provide a nice feel to the barrel, and prevents slippage.

7. Tom’s Studio Specialty Fountain Pen Nibs. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the Tom’s Studio line is the availability of their specialty fountain pen nibs, including two different flex options, a cursive italic, and one of the best stock architects I have used. Nib units are purchased separately and compatible with Tom’s Studio fountain pens.

8. Lamy 2000 Ballpoints in “Blackwood” and “Taxus” Woodgrain Finishes. Chalk up another one for the “underrated and overlooked” category! Those who wish the Lamy 2000 would come in a regular finish other than Makrolon or Stainless Steel need to look at these woodgrain versions, as they are gorgeous. While they’ve been around for a while, I’ve actually never seen one in person before! (All other Lamy 2000 models are also restocked as of this morning.)

9. TWSBI Indigo Blue and Bronze ECO Fountain Pens. After being out of stock, this hit release from last season is back in stock. The dark blue and bronze combination has been a runaway favorite.

10. TWSBI Creme and Rose Gold ECO Fountain Pens. Another popular addition to the TWSBI lineup is the Creme and Rose gold, also back in stock after a hiatus!

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 thank you for your support!

The Lamy 2000 also comes in two different woodgrain finishes: the gorgeous Taxus (left) and Blackwood (right).

First Impressions: Is the Tom's Studio "Lumos" Series the Refillable Fineliner I've Been Waiting For?

So far, the answer is a resounding "Yes". Though most of my everyday non-fountain pen writing is done with a ballpoint or a pencil, fineliners are a long-time favorite, especially in terms of how they feel putting ink on the page. Fineliners and other fibre-tipped pens require less pressure and allow you to get line variation that’s typically only achievable with a fountain pen. The downside? Generally speaking, fibre tips don't last very long (especially if you write with a heavier hand), are not replaceable, and you can't change the ink color. Enter the Tom's Studio "Lumos" Series, which I first saw in person at the Arkansas Pen Show when one of my friends had them on hand....

Note: For purposes of this post, I use the term "fineliner" loosely. There are differences between true "fineliners" intended primarily for writing (such as the Pilot Razor Point, Razor Point II, and Schmidt and Montblanc fineliner refills) and others intended more for the art market that feature softer tips (such as the Sakura Pigma Micron and felt-tipped art pens). I tend to use "fineliner" as a catch-all term for any pens that feature a fibre or porous plastic tip. Tom's Studio describes the Lumos as a "Multi-Tip Pen", and distinguishes between Micron-style, writing, and brush-like tips when describing the different types of tips available for purchase.

The tip set that’s included with the Lumos Pro Duo.

Put simply, the Lumos is a refillable pen capable of using a variety of fineliner-style tips, which range from .1mm Micron-style to firmer .3mm and .5mm traditional “writing” fineliners to marker-style brushes and chisels. The pen fills using a wick-like ink reservoir and capillary action - essentially the same as your standard disposable fineliner pen, only here you have easy access to the components so that you can refill the pen with the ink of your choice and replace the tip. Here's how it works:

Refilling the Pen

Refilling the pen is pretty straightforward: Unscrew the tip cover (which protects the fibre tipping), then unscrew the entire "nib" portion of the pen to remove the wick/reservoir. Designed to take liquid ink (either pigmented/permanent or standard water-based fountain pen ink), you fill all Lumos pens by dipping the end of the reservoir into the the ink bottle and watching the ink saturate the wicking material all the way up to the nib. (I posted a YouTube Short showing how this works.)

The Lumos “Write” completely disassembled. The wick/reservoir and tip are both replaceable. One reason I think the Lumos works so well is because Tom’s Studio attempted to duplicate how a traditional disposable fineliner supplies ink to the tip, using a similar “filling” mechanism. Other attempts at a refillable fineliner have tried to transpose a fountain pen-style cartridge converter system, which in my opinion doesn’t work as well.

The wicks come in two different styles: a shorter version designed to fit the Lumos "Duo" and pocket sizes, and a longer high-capacity reservoir designed to fit the Lumos "Write" (shown above). The wicks/reservoirs friction-fit into the "section” of the pen. Tom's Studio recommends that you insert them all the way, then pull them out slightly (1-2mm) to allow for better ink flow. I'm still working my way through my first fill on these pens, so I don't know exactly how long the ink lasts, but I imagine it's going to be a while before I have to refill them. Tom's Studio says that the reservoirs are easily rinsable and reusable if you want to change colors, but given how inexpensive the refills are, I would probably recommend sticking to a single color of ink per refill. It's easier to flush out and clean the fibre tips, so you can always keep multiple inked reservoirs and change them out as necessary. Per Tom's Studio, they can be stored in an airtight container (such as a plastic bag or ink sample vial) while inked.

The shorter wick on the Lumos Pro Duo (because you need to be able to fit two of them in the barrel). To fill you dip the end in the ink. The cotton core material is encased in plastic/vinyl, with only the end exposed, to minimize any mess inside the pen and on your hands.

Changing Fibre Tips

The second feature of the Lumos series is the interchangeable fibre tips. While swapping multiple tips "on the go" probably won't be practical, a pen like the Lumos "Pro Duo" allows you to have two different tip sizes and/or styles installed in a single pen which you can alternate easily. The first tip is covered by the cap (sealed with an o-ring), while the second tip is stored inside the barrel (also sealed with an o-ring). To write with the first tip, simply uncap the pen. To use the second tip, unscrew the back half of the barrel and invert it, as shown in the pictures below. It's quite a nifty design!

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Here I have .3mm and .8mm Micron-style tips installed in my Pro Duo (shown here in the Sage finish). The “Pro Duo” is actually two mini pens that fit together.

When you do want to install a different tip in your Lumos pen, the process is again straightforward: simply unscrew the tip cover, gently pull the tip from the holder with your fingers, and replace with the tip of your choice. Each unit has a fibre "feed" that will extend into the cotton wicking material inside the reservoir and pull ink up through the tip.

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Takeaways and How to Buy

So far, the two pens that I have in rotation work exactly as advertised and I'm thoroughly enjoying both the Lumos "Write" in matte black and the Lumos "Pro Duo" in Sage. (For what it's worth, all of the various anodized colors look great in person.) Who would I say this pen is for? If you only occasionally use fineliners, or you have a single style/tip size of Sakura Pigma Micron that you prefer, the Lumos pen might be overkill. BUT, if you're like me, and would prefer to have a fineliner be your secondary writing instrument of choice but have been frustrated by having to throw out half-full disposable pens and/or replace very expensive dried out proprietary refills after only a couple of weeks, then the Lumos series should be on your radar. To be clear, this is a pen for tinkerers and those who enjoy playing around with fun stationery. Changing fibre tips and cotton wick-style reservoirs will probably get your fingers inky! That said, setting up and using these pens is both easy and intuitive, and Tom’s Studio supplies a tutorial and other information on their website.

I’ve filled my pens with fountain pen ink so far. I look forward to experimenting with pigmented and permanent inks, which is what many people like about fineliners.

We currently have a small shipment of the Tom's Studio Lumos "Write" and Lumos "Pro Duo" pens available for purchase in the shop. The single-tip "Write" pens ($69.50) ship with a .3mm firm “writing” tip and a small bottle of black ink, while the "Pro Duo" pens ($120) include the double-tipped pen, a set of eleven different tips, and the ink bottle. You can separately purchase a set of extra tips. We should have additional Tom's Studio products available in the future, including the fountain pens and nibs as well as more Lumos pens and replacement components.

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

New Arrivals: Lamy AL-Star "Fiery" and "Aquatic" Special Edition Pens Are Here!

While this year’s Lamy Safari special editions landed last month, members of Team AL-Star were waiting on this next release. Well, the wait is over and the pens are in stock and available to ship immediately! This year’s AL-Star pens come in two different finishes: “Fiery” (a cool metallic red) and “Aquatic” (a cool metallic blue). Lamy has paired each metal finish with a matching translucent grip section - red for the Fiery and blue for the Aquatic - as well as matching cap finials.

The Aquatic finish comes in a .5mm mechanical pencil version, which is what caught my fancy from this batch. I’m keeping one!

Since these pens feature black trim, the fountain pens pair perfectly with the Lamy Cursive nibs, which are now back in stock. Rollerball and ballpoint options are available in both the Fiery and Aquatic finishes, and Lamy has released a .5mm Aquatic mechanical pencil. As noted above, all of these pens, as well as the restocked 2024 Safari releases, are available to ship immediately!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Lamy pens, and carries a selection of many different models. T.G.S. is supported entirely by purchases from The T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Sunday Reading for April 7, 2024

1. Vanness Pens - Ink Heaven and More! (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I love my trips to Vanness Pens! It was fun to hang out after-hours during my trip to the Arkansas Pen Show.

2. Ink Swatching Tools (via Olive Octopus). Lisa walks us through the tools that she regularly uses to make a LOT of ink samples.

3. Best Architect Grind? Tom’s Studio - Studio Fountain Pen (via Figboot on Pens). Tom’s Studio has been new to me as well, and I agree that the Architect’s nib is excellent. I’m testing this brand in the shop and will have some of their fountain pens and other products listed in the coming days. More on that below.

4. Time Tetris: Hobonichi Techo Planner Review (via A Fleeting Ripple). I’ve been using the Hobonichi Techo Cousin in a similar manner and can relate to the flexibility the Hobonichi offers, especially where you want to alternate between time-block style planning and journaling.

5. On Minimal Drawing Kits and Square Sketchbooks (via Urban Adventure League). You all know how I love a good gear post.

6. Dropped Pens Series (via Stationery Pizza). After reading this post and a few conversations with people at pen shows, I want to talk more about dropping pens and how to fix them. It happens to us all and is nothing to be embarrassed about!

7. Nebulous Raven Esterbrook Estie Fountain Pen Review (via Weirdoforest Pens). I picked up a couple of Esterbrooks at the Arkansas Show and have been rediscovering the brand. The two featured in this review are great looking!

8. S.T. Dupont Graphite Gul Black D Line Guilloché (via Dapprman). S.T. Dupont is one of those brands that I’ve actually never used, believe it or not. The MSRP is crazy high but the secondary market seems more on target with what the value proposition is.

9. Inside My Collection: Vintage Metal Pencils (via Fountain Pen Love). Vintage pencils (and pencils in general) get less love from the stationery community than I think they deserve.

10. Alsterhaus in Hamburg (via Bleistift). I so wish that we had department stores like this one.

11. Notebook Review: Dominant Industry Ink Archiving Book (via Well-Appointed Desk). Now this is a cool idea!

In Case You Missed It….

I reviewed two pens this week! The Pilot Explorer Fountain Pen - which is quickly becoming one of my favorite entry level pens - and the Lamy Vista (otherwise known as the Safari demonstrator. While part of me of course wished that I was at the Atlanta Pen Show this weekend (and you should go on Sunday if you have the chance), I really needed to get caught up on reviews and a bunch of new shop arrivals. More on that below…

Are refillable fineliners finally a thing that works! I think they might be….

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

Continuing our core focus on overlooked and underappreciated quality stationery, we added the excellent Tombow L105 ballpoint to our lineup of workhorse pens on offer! New releases that will be arriving and shipping tomorrow include the Lamy AL-Star in “Fiery” and “Aquatic” finishes, as well as a restock of the Pink Cliff and Violet Blackberry Safari pens. Last but not least, you’ll be seeing a trick of pens and accessories from UK-based Tom’s Studio, including refillable fineliners and fountain pens with specialty nibs.

Tom's Studio

Lamy

Kaweco

Pencils!

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