Sunday Reading for July 21, 2024

1. Meet Your Maker: Zach Skogsberg, Skogsy Pens (via Pen Addict - Caroline). If you’re interested in learning more about the people behind your favorite custom pens, you should be reading this series over at the Pen Addict. Skogsy Pens are among my new favorites!

2. David Oscarson Art Nouveau (via Figboot on Pens). You don’t see many online reviews at Oscarson pens, but they are known for their intricate artwork (and corresponding price point).

3. Checking in with That Fanciest of Hobonichi Planners (via mnmlscholar). I need to do my own mid-year July check-in. Given all that’s going on, my Hobonichi use has been somewhat sporadic for non-everyday planning as of late.

4. Wearingeul Iaros Orna Eperanto (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). Now that’s a bright blue ink!

5. Venvstas Magna Piston 2.0 (via Dapprman). The Venvstas project goes on, with a new release. This pen is an ambitious design that’s gone through several design iterations without ever making it into the mainstream.

6. Journaling Series: Journaling in Response to Media (via Writing at Large). If you’ve missed out on early entries in this series on journaling techniques, it’s well worth your time to check out.

7. Doodling with Fountain Pens: Random Doodles (via Fountain Pen Love). Another multi-post series that I’ve enjoyed following, especially since I’ve been looking for ways to enjoy different nib/ink/paper combinations.

8. Metamorphosis of a Book (via Pen Addict - Sarah). Ever want to know how someone writes a published book from start to finish, by hand? Congrats to Sarah on the latest release!

9. Tale of a Vandal Pen User: State of the Hoard 2024 (via Peaceable Writer). I love reading these periodic updates from a blogger I’ve followed for years!

10. Pen Show Recap: Pacific Northwest Pen Show 2024 (via Well-Appointed Desk). The Pacific Northwest (Portland) Pen Show is a new entrant on the pen show circuit, now in its second year. Ana made her way there so you can read about how this show evolves.

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In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I reviewed a few products that have been around for some time, but which have never made their way into my review queue before now. I started with a new “Ask TGS” post about permanent inks, focusing on Platinum Carbon Black and other pigmented inks. Yesterday I reviewed the Platinum Prefounte, which is a relatively recent addition to Platinum’s already substantial lineup of pens at the sub-$20 price point.

I’ve also been a bit more active over on the T.G.S. YouTube Channel, though I really expect this to take off once I have expanded studio/office space at the new location. This week I have a short demonstration video of just how waterproof the Platinum pigment inks really are, and I’ve also recently compiled an extra long video of desktop pencil sharpener demonstrations. (Nerdy, yes, but hopefully useful!)

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The Koi Climbing Waterfall might be my favorite of this year’s Preppy Wa releases.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Move Week!

We’re moving this week and are set to take possession of our new physical space tomorrow! I’m excited to finally get into the space and see what I have to work with. In the meantime, I don’t expect shipping to be significantly disrupted as I have a plan to get things moved over logistically fairly soon.

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This year’s Claim Your Style Fifth Edition Pens feature four matte gradient finishes - beautiful!

In the meantime, new arrivals haven’t stopped! You can view the full list in this week’s Thursday Drops, but the big highlights are the arrival of the Platinum Preppy Wa “Modern Maki-e” second series, a wide array of standard line Platinum pens, and the Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style Fifth Edition 849 Ballpoints. Also, don’t sleep on the return of the Platinum Desk Pen. This thing features a sweet, bouncy extra-fine steel nib that I absolutely love.

Platinum

Endless

Caran d'Ache Pencils

Pilot

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Pen Review: Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen

Platinum rules the sub-$20 fountain pen space, at least among the larger, more mainstream pen brands. While Pilot and TWSBI have their own inexpensive “entry level” releases in the Kakuno and the Go, respectively, no company has as many different options at this price point as Platinum. Most fountain pen users are familiar with the Platinum Preppy and the Platinum Plaisir, but there’s yet another option that’s gaining some steam since its release a couple years ago: The Platinum Prefounte.

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Priced to sit in-between the all-plastic Preppy fountain pen and the more upscale Plaisir, the Prefounte features a transparent plastic barrel in a new set of colors and with a more durable metal clip. While the Prefounte uses the same nib/feed/section as the Preppy (they are interchangeable), the barrel itself feels slightly more substantial than on the Preppy, and I enjoy not having to worry about the clip snapping off if I overextend it. All of Platinum’s pens are capable of taking both a cartridge and a converter (though they are proprietary and can only be used on Platinum pens), and I see nothing that would prevent you from eyedroppering the Prefounte by adding silicone grease and/or an o-ring to eyedropper the pen the same way you would modify a Preppy.

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Who is this pen targeting? I would say those looking for an inexpensive everyday pen for the office or travel, as well as those experimenting with fountain pens for the first time but who don’t want something that looks as “disposable” as the standard $4 Preppy. At $11, the Prefounte also falls into what I think of as the zero-risk gift zone: a pen that you can easily gift to friends and family who you think might like fountain pens, without worrying about spending a lot of money on something they may or may not end up using.

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For the last minute trip I had to take this weekend (yes, two days before a shop move), I grabbed some travel-ready pens, including one of the new Platinum Preppy Wa limited editions, this Vermillion Orange Prefounte, and my yellow/green Plaisir with the desk pen nib installed. All of Platinum’s lower-priced pens use a version of the slip-and-seal cap system, which prevents the pen from drying out. Though I’ve never tested the “one-year” claim, it works very well.

I’ve personally been thinking a lot about entry-level fountain pens lately. As I build out inventory in advance of a physical shop opening, I want to have as broad a range of options to offer as possible, especially for those people curious about fountain pens who inevitably will want to come in and see them in person before committing. Being able to show someone a nice looking pen with a reliable nib, functional clip, multiple color options, and the ability to use cartridges or bottled ink, all for $11, makes the hobby much less intimidating for new users.

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We currently have the Platinum Prefounte available in all five colors: Night Sea, Dark Emerald, Crimson Red, Graphite Blue, and Vermillion Orange. The colors are all on the darker side and look quite nice, especially the blues and the orange, which I picked out for my tester. Nib options are fine (03) and medium (05), and each pen ships with a Platinum Blue-Black Cartridge. Converters and other cartridge options are sold separately.

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

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Platinum’s stainless steel nibs aren’t fancy, but they are consistently decent writers that lay down a standard fine or medium line.

Thursday Drops: Platinum Preppy Wa Modern Maki-e, Plaisirs and Prefountes, and Restocks Galore!

It’s the home stretch! I will have pictures to share of the new T.G.S. space once we are able to gain access Monday morning. In the meantime, new stock is pouring in a bit early, and I’m trying to get it listed in order to minimize everything I need to do next week (which will be a lot). This week’s arrivals include the new Platinum Preppy Wa “Modern Maki-e” collection, featuring six new traditional Japanese patterns and designs made using a modern silk-screened maki-e technique. We also have two new lines of Platinum fountain pens available for purchase, including the Platinum Prefounte and Platinum Plaisir, along with ink cartridges and converters, and the Platinum Desk Pens with optional stands.

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Finally, a major Hightide restock arrived this week, which included most colors of the shop-favorite Sandglasses in the longer 30 and 15-minute intervals, as well as additional Penco Drafting Ballpoint Pens. Happy Shopping!

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

1. Platinum Preppy Wa “Modern Maki-e” Edition, Second Edition. Over the past few years, the Preppy Wa has successfully brought the fun of limited and special edition fountain pen releases to an accessible price point. Building on the success of last-year’s “Modern Maki-e” release, this second edition introduces six new designs. (We have a small handful of back releases as well.)

2. Platinum Plaisir Fountain Pen. The Platinum Plaisir is one of the classic “beginner” recommendations for those looking for a barrel upgrade over the clear plastic of the Preppy and Procyon, but truth be told it’s an excellent pen all around. Platinum rules the under $20 market.

3. Platinum Prefounte Fountain Pen. Think of the Prefounte as a Preppy with a more durable metal clip and a somewhat classier transparent colored barrel. I love the demonstrator colors.

4. Platinum Desk Pen. Don’t sleep on the steel nib that’s included in the Platinum Desk Pen. It’s an EF (finer than the .3/fine in the standard steel Platinum line), and I’ve had good luck swapping it onto the Plaisir. A bouncy writer that many people love for drawing. An optional pen stand is also available.

5. Endless Recorder Notebooks. The Endless Recorder has become one of the more popular ink-friendly notebook options, featuring Endless’s proprietary “Regalia” paper that was designed in-house to showcase shimmer and sheen. We currently have most cover/ruling combinations available.

6. Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style 849, Edition No. 5. This year’s 849 “Claim Your Style” release features four different gradient barrels in a matte finish. Honestly, this is easily my favorite from the CYS series so far. Read more on this here.

7. Caran d’Ache + Nespresso 849, 6th Edition. This midnight blue matte ballpoint is inspired by the “Kazaar” capsule from Nespresso, with the metal used to make the pen comprised of partially recycled Nespresso capsules.

8. Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style Bicolor Pencil Set. To complement the CYS pen release, Caran d’Ache created a bicolor pencil set consisting of 12 different colors (two in each pencil) that includes organic, fluorescent, and metallic shades.

9. Hightide Sandglasses. One of the first high-end desk accessories that we carried in the shop, and one of our most popular! I can’t wait to display these in our physical store. You can read more about how I use them here.

10. Hightide Folding Metal Book Stands. All colors are back in stock! This versatile desk accessory holds books, notebooks, pads, tablets, etc., and folds flat so that you can take it with you when you travel.

11. TWSBI ECO-T Eggplant Purple and Diamond 580 AL-Iceberg. We still have a handful of the Eggplant TWSBIs available, as well as the gorgeous ice blue “Iceberg” 580s. I’m planning a nice shop display, complete with a case, for all of the various colors so that people will be able to compare them.

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Ask TGS: Permanent Inks for Artists and Attorneys

Whenever I get asked about permanent inks, it's typically a question from an artist or an attorney. Many artists enjoy inks that allow them to draw a dark line and then wash over it with ink or watercolors (or both), whereas the attorneys are typically concerned about permanence of a signature on a legal document and preservation of work product.

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This writing sample shown above was soaked for approximately 20 minutes in a sink full of water. This is the result. The paper wrinkled and started to fall apart more than the ink bled.

So what are my recommendations? While I'm not an artist, nearly all of my artist friends recommend Platinum Carbon Black as a drawing and sketching ink of choice. Carbon Black is a pigment ink, similar to other inks such as Sailor Kiwa-Guro "Nano Black", Noodler's Bulletproof Black, Tom's Studio Pigment Black, among others. These inks are formulated differently than most fountain pen inks, in that they rely on pigments that dry quickly and bond to the paper rather than water-based dye, and therefore have very fine particles that can potentially clog your pen if left to dry out. That's not to say they are "unsafe" - these inks are very much intended for use in fountain pens, but they do require periodic maintenance in the form of a thorough cleaning, especially when changing ink colors. The upside? I can say that these inks are absolutely "waterproof," not just water-resistant. (In addition to the photograph shown here, I posted a short video to YouTube demonstrating how I soaked this piece of paper in standing water and how the ink barely moved at all.) And if the ink does end up drying out and clogging your pen, a simple flush with water should fix the issue.

Water-resistant, but not waterproof: Caran d’Ache Magnetic Blue, a blue-black that was also soaked in the sink for the same amount of time.

For attorneys - and speaking as one myself - I would say that you have a bit more leeway. If you need absolute permanence (i.e., for a signature on a contract), you can of course use a pigmented ink or a ballpoint. But if what you're concerned about is preserving handwritten notes or marked-up documents, or simply avoiding losing work product due to spilled water or coffee, there are other suitable options to serve that more limited purpose. For example, certain blue-black inks such as Pilot Blue-Black, TWSBI Blue-Black, Pelikan Blue-Black, Caran d'Ache Magnetic Blue, etc., are highly water-resistant to the point that most writing will survive a simple spill, especially one that is cleaned up quickly. Similarly, any ink that contains iron-gall will have high water-resistance, including the line of Platinum "Classic" inks. (As with pigmented inks, you should clean your pen thoroughly to avoid mixing iron gall inks with standard fountain pen inks, which could result in clogs.)

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Though pigmented black inks and blue-black inks with iron-gall content get the most attention (probably because they have been around the longest), companies do make other colors of permanent inks. Shown here are Platinum Pigment Blue cartridges (which we carry in our shop), and other options include the Kakimori pigment inks, Noodler’s “Bulletproof” inks, and Sailor Storia line, which come in a wide array of colors.

I personally don't worry much about permanence with fountain pen inks. In nearly 20 years of using fountain pens, I can count on one hand the number of times I've completely lost a piece of writing due to a spill, none of which ended up being of any importance. That said, I will regularly use low-viscosity ballpoints such as the Uni Jetstream whenever permanence could be at issue. You can even use pencil, which is both water and fade-resistant, though documents that must be permanent for legal reasons generally require ink.

Do you have a favorite permanent or water-resistant ink? Drop a comment!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting us directly!

New Arrivals: Caran d'Ache Claim-Your-Style, Edition 5 Plus the Endless Recorder Notebooks and Hightide/Penco!

So even though we don’t move into our new space until next week, some recent orders we’ve placed have started to arrive! The most surprising arrival was this year’s Caran d’Ache 849 Claim Your Style Release (the 5th Edition), which features four new Caran d’Ache 849 ballpoints in a matte-gradient finish. I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed by the Claim Your Style Pens in the last couple of years, but these are simply stunning. I think I like the dark blue tones the best. This year, Caran d’Ache also released a special bicolor pencil set to complement the annual Claim Your Style 849, which are sure to be popular as they feature a combination of a dozen different organic, fluorescent, and metallic colors.

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Which one is your favorite? The top two are the ones that speak to me in particular.

We’ve also received our first shipment of the Endless Recorder Notebooks, featuring Endless Regalia Paper. This latest addition to our stock of fountain pen friendly paper has been in the works for some time, and these popular hardbound notebooks come in a wide array of colors and the full range of rulings (blank, lined, grid, and dot). Finally, we’ve restocked on many Hightide/Penco items, including the Sandglasses, Folding Metal Bookstands, and the Drafting Ballpoint Pens.

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

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We now have Endless Recorder A5 Notebooks in all five colors! Most rulings are available with more on the way as some color/ruling combinations are backordered.