Thursday Drops: Dip Nibs, Clipboards, Field Notes, and a Lot of Random Fun!

We have a somewhat random mix of new arrivals this week! First up are the Tom’s Studio “One Dip” Dip Nibs that I posted about on Tuesday, which combine a conical metal dip nib with a thumbscrew-style mechanism like that found on lettering or ruling pens. We also have stock of a couple new accessories from Roterfaden. One is an A4 clipboard that can be used as a stand-alone writing surface (always useful), or as a backing board for the long back pocket in the A4 Taschenbegleiter. The other is a new refill: a “To Do” list-style notebook that’s a slimmer version of the classic Roterfaden A5 refill, and features perforated list-style pages that can be detached.

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Last week we received the new TWSBI Vac700R Kyanite Blue, a full restock of the TWSBI Swipe in popular nib sizes, and TWSBI bottled ink in the large 70ml bottles. We also completely restocked on Field Notes notebooks (in addition to purchasing a formal display for the shop, which I’m thrilled about)!

Finally, an update: I will not be attending the San Francisco Pen Show, as we had to say goodbye to one of our longtime family dogs this week. Given the timing, the show wouldn’t be much fun, and since I didn’t have a table it was an easy decision to make. Orders will not be delayed due to pen show travel, and for those in town, I plan to hold shop hours on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Many thanks for your understanding!

1. Tom’s Studio One-Dip Nibs in Brass and Stainless Steel. Conical metal dip nibs have emerged as a popular category among artists and calligraphers, and fountain pen enthusiasts also enjoy these for ink sampling and testing. Adjust the dial/thumbscrew to modify the ink flow and line width.

2. TWSBI Vac700R Kyanite Blue Fountain Pen. TWSBI has become increasingly adventurous with their anodization, and the Kyanite Blue Vac700R features a gorgeous matte-blue clip and two-toned nib.

3. TWSBI Diamond 580 ALR “Iceberg Blue” Fountain Pen. If you favor cooler, “glacier” blues, check out this TWSBI or Lamy’s “Glacier” Studio release.

4. Platinum Preppy Wa “Modern Maki-e” Limited Edition Fountain Pens. The second series of Platinum’s “Modern Maki-e” Preppy Wa features six new designs inspired by Japanese tradition and folklore. I wrote a piece yesterday on why I like this series and my favorite pens from the most recent release.

5. Kaweco Collection Sport Fountain Pens, Including Pearl and 2024 Apricot Pearl. Kaweco has discontinued the “Pearl” Sport from their standard lineup and we still have a few left. We also still have stock from several other Kaweco Collection releases, including this year’s Apricot Pearl.

6. Roterfaden A4 Clipboard. We’ve carried clipboards in the shop on and off over the years, and the most recent version we’re testing is an inexpensive recycled chipboard/cardboard version from Roterfaden, which is sized A4 and designed to fit in the back slot of the A4 Taschenbegleiter, in addition to serving as a stand-alone writing surface.

7. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Covers and Refills. We still have stock of many popular Roterfaden formats, including A5 and a couple remaining smaller A6 versions. If there is a specific size/color you are looking for that is sold out, please send us a message and we are happy to work out a pre-order for our next shipment. (This also helps guide our purchasing decisions as it gives us insight into what models people like.)

8. Field Notes “Index” Edition Plus a General Restock. The Field Notes “Index” Edition features two different options: a “Pack A” that includes two log books for tracking whatever you desire, and a “Pack B” with a ledger and date book. We also have additional stock of most other standard editions, including favorites like the Front Page Reporter Notebooks and the Heavy Duty edition.

9. Midori MD Pads and Notebooks. Midori MD paper is one of our top sellers and top recommendations for fountain pen friendly paper, and their selection goes beyond standard writing pads and bound notebooks to include their excellent Memo Block desk pads and convenient sticky notes.

10. Nakabayashi Paper. We have all sizes of Nakabayashi Paper available in the shop, including Logical Prime, Logical Air, and the softer Yu-Sari that they’ve designed specifically to offer an excellent feel when writing with fountain pens. (All of them handle ink extremely well.)

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Pen Review: Platinum Preppy Wa Modern Maki-e, Season 2

I’ve been working my way back through the lower-priced tiers of Platinum fountain pens in recent weeks, from the newer Prefounte to the old standbys like the Platinum Plaisir and the Platinum Preppy. I have to say - Platinum absolutely rules the $5-20 price point, with very few pen companies offering the same level of choice and consistent quality. As I’ll discuss more today, Platinum has even opened up the entry-level price segment to the limited edition game, allowing new and price-conscious enthusiasts to explore special releases and things like Japanese Maki-e style finishes that otherwise would be cost-prohibitive to many.

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My two favorite patterns from this year's Preppy Wa release: Koi no Taki-Nobori (Carp Climbing a Waterfall), left, and Yanagi ni Kournori (Bats and Willow), right. Both pens feature silver and gold screened artwork, respectively, over a dark blue-black/blue-green base.

I decided to review Platinum’s Preppy Wa, Modern Maki-e Series 2, because this weekend is the San Francisco Pen Show and, well, that show can be a very expensive proposition. It’s known for hosting a large number of vendors focused on high-end Japanese pens, both modern and vintage, including pens with specialized urushi lacquerwork and Maki-e designs. I’ve never delved deeply into that area, mainly because I don’t feel that I know enough about it to fully appreciate the art, making it difficult to justify laying out $1,000 or more for a high-end finished piece. I do, however, genuinely enjoy the intricate designs and overall look of this style of artwork, which is one reason I’ve become such an enthusiastic supporter of what Platinum has done with the Preppy Wa.

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At first, I scratched my head when I saw that Platinum had decided to introduce a “modern Maki-e” special edition to the Preppy lineup. A limited edition version of a $5 pen? With Maki-e? After seeing the first series, however, I knew that Platinum probably had a hit on their hands and that going forward, we’d all be awaiting each year’s release. How did they do this and keep the price point so low? Well, “modern Maki-e” uses a different technique from traditional Maki-e, which allows it to be produced in larger quantities. According to Platinum:

“Unlike conventional Maki-e, it is applied with silk screen printing instead of urushi lacquer on the underlayer, which is then sprinkled with colored powders such as gold and silver and hand-finished one by one by Maki-e artisans. It gives more thickness compared to normal printing, while the reflections and shades of the powders create a three-dimensional feel.”

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The gold and silver powders used in the "maki-e style" artwork really does sparkle, and the texture feels nice in the hand. Shown here with the matte black Platinum Plaisir.

This process results in an extremely nice pen for the price point. While it is a Preppy, and therefore won’t last forever, the designs on the pens in my own collection have proven durable without any real discernible wear. Each modern Maki-e collection features six “traditional and elegant Japanese patterns,” and Platinum has provided a short description of the meaning behind each. For example, the two pens shown here are:

• Koi no Taki-Nobori (“Carp climbing up a waterfall”): “Carp with strong vitality is considered the chief river fish. And it is also said to be an auspicious pattern that symbolizes success in life, based on an ancient Chinese story that says ‘A carp that climbs a rushing waterfall ascends to the sky and becomes a dragon.’”

• Yanagi ni Kournouri (“Bats and Willow): “In China, the kanji for bat has the same sound as ‘turning into good fortune,’ so it is considered an auspicious pattern that symbolizes good fortune and longevity. Japan was also influenced by this and was seen as a symbol of happiness during the Heian period.”

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So a history lesson with your pens? Always fun! Plus, I’m a big believer in usable, functional artwork. You shouldn’t hesitate to use a pen like a Platinum Preppy in your everyday life, especially where even the limited edition costs only $13, and Platinum’s excellent stainless steel nibs and slip-and-seal cap system have long been regarded as low-cost workhorses that write reliably whenever you need them. These pens are versatile - many people add an o-ring or silicone grease to the threads and fill them as eyedroppers - but I prefer to use my Preppy fountain pens as cartridge pens for simplicity and because I tend to use them when I travel. Just keep in mind that Platinum uses proprietary cartridges and converters.

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The Platinum Preppy, Prefounte, and Plaisir fountain pens all use the same steel nib. In my experience, Preppys tend to hold up well but eventually you might see cracks form on the plastic clip and around the lip of the cap. The caps on the Preppy Wa pens are clear, meaning they can be replaced if you want to keep your special barrel.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Platinum Preppy remains a go-to recommendation for beginners and enthusiasts alike, and the Preppy Wa series is a fun upgrade to the standard Preppy. Personally, I’ve enjoyed both “Modern Maki-e” series more than the original Preppy Wa, and of the six screen-printed designs, most people will be able to find one that appeals to them. If I were forced to pick a favorite, it would be the Koi no-Taki-Nobori (Carp Climbing the Waterfall), though I also appreciate the darker tones in the Yanagi ni Kourbori (Bats and Willows) design.

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I might have kept all six this time, as I regret not doing so last year.

The Preppy Wa series are annual limited editions, so once they’re gone from retailers, you’ll have to wait for the next run, which will feature a different set of designs. We currently still have some stock of each pen from the second series in our shop, priced at $13. While the first series of Modern Maki-e pens sold out long ago, we still have a handful of the Yellow Urukomon pens available, and they are on sale. Note that these do not feature a “Modern-Maki-e” screen-printed pattern, but rather are the colored acrylic versions.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized reseller of Platinum Pens.

New Arrivals: Tom's Studio One-Dip Nibs!

Brass and stainless metal dip nibs are exceedingly popular among fountain pen and ink enthusiasts. Many love them for calligraphy, lettering, and artwork (their originally intended uses), while others use them for journaling and sampling their ink collection. While Kakimori makes the most well-known example of this type of product, Tom’s Studio has recently released what they call the “One-Dip Nib”, which is similar to the Kakimori-style dip nib but incorporates elements of traditional lettering and ruling pens by allowing you to adjust line width and ink flow using a thumbscrew/dial. (“One Dip” refers to the ability to fill a full A4 page with one dip of the nib, though this will of course depend on how you set the line width and what ink you use.)

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The Tom’s Studio One-Dip Nib will fit most standard “straight” nib holders that use a metal or rubber clutch mechanism.

We have a handful of these nibs available for purchase in both brass and stainless steel, and they are sold both as individual nibs and with a black acrylic straight nib holder. We are also fully stocked on other Tom’s Studio products, including the Lumos series of refillable fineliners, the Studio Pocket fountain pens, pre-ground specialty nibs (including the architect), and bottled fountain pen ink. While I may have some of these items with me at the San Francisco Pen Show, if any remain at the end of the week, I don’t have an official table at the show so please reach out to make any arrangements for show delivery.

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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Sunday Reading for August 18, 2024

1. D.C. Show Recap (via Figboot on Pens). David made a great video recap of the D.C. Show, including a shot of that line to the parking lot on Saturday morning!

2. 2024 D.C. Pen Show (via Rachel’s Reflections). Another epic D.C. Pen Show recap and quite a nice nib haul!

3. May-August 2024 in Stationery (via A Gathering of Curiosities). I always love reading about this highly curated personal collection and watching it evolve.

4. YOSEKALAB Two-Month Weekly Planner Review (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I love open-format planners, and Yoseka’s version experiments with several different layouts.

5. Tactile Turn Vice (via Figboot on Pens). Yeah, I just ordered both of these. Can’t escape my Florida heritage. I know it’s right before San Francisco but I would be so mad at myself if I missed these.

6. Anterique “Mach Ball” Brass Edition Ballpoint Pen (via Well-Appointed Desk). Many thanks to Ana for reviewing this pen, and from a lefty’s perspective!

7. Platinum 3776 Music Nib Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Platinum’s music nib has a bit of a cult following, as there are relatively few three-tined music nibs still offered, mainly by Japanese companies.

8. Paris 2024 Olympics Moleskine Notebooks (via Writing at Large). I didn’t get too into the Olympics this year, with everything going on at the shop, but I would’ve loved to have gotten my hands on these!

9. Retro 51 Rollerball Conversion Kit (via Well-Appointed Desk). A very cool idea from Retro 51, which allows you to convert your Retro 51 fountain pen into a rollerball that uses fountain pen ink.

10. Mark’s Tokyo Edge Days Metal Gel Pen Review (via Pen Addict - Sarah). Mark’s Tokyo is known for their unique designs, including the “Days” theme which spans multiple product lines. We carry several of their items in our shop here in the States if you can’t make it to London Graphic Center like Brad!

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There's always a use case for more sticky notes!

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog, I posted a new entry in the “Ask TGS” series, in which I updated my prior thoughts on “planner pens” - meaning those that fit easily into pen slots in planners and notebook systems. I also reviewed the Midori MD “Memo Block” Notepad and the Midori MD A7 Sticky Note Notepads, both of which have been popular items in our shop but which I’d never tested extensively myself until recently.

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Slowly, but surely, our retail area is taking shape!

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: More Store Progress!

This week in the shop, we launched an expansion of the Anterique ballpoint lineup, including mini versions of the standard Anterique ballpoint pens in both the brass edition and the regular acrylic versions. The TWSBI Kyanite Blue Vac700R also arrived, along with a full restock of the TWSBI Swipe fountain pens in most nib sizes. You can check out these new arrivals and more in this week’s Thursday Drop’s post! Also, I did a short video walkthrough of the new location on Instagram. I’ll post more shop content, directions, hours, etc. as we get closer to an official opening - we’re mostly likely still on track for early September.

Midori MD

TWSBI

Anterique

Tom's Studio

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Paper Review: Midori MD Fountain Pen Friendly Sticky Notes and Notepads

I went shopping in my own store yesterday - I know, typically a bad business decision - but since I’ve moved TGS out of my home office to its own commercial space I’ve had to rebuild my home office a bit to make it more suitable for it’s original purpose: reading, home-based projects, and personal writing. Yesterday morning I sat down to plan out my personal finances and errands for the week and realized that I didn’t have any decent sticky notes or even a tear-off notepad at my desk. This presented the perfect opportunity to test out two very popular items from our shop: the Midori MD Memo Block Notepad and the MD A7 Sticky Notepad, which I’d not used extensively myself.

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The 500-sheet block notepad contains excellent paper. The thick 4"x4" pad is large enough to rest your hand on while writing on the top half of the sticky note, but most people will likely tear off the sheet to comfortably use the entire page.

Of these two products, the MD Memo Block Notepad is my favorite. I enjoy having a ready supply of tear-off paper that’s not too expensive, and I basically use these as scratch sheets. This large notepad contains 500 sheets of Midori MD Paper (the same as in the standard MD Notebooks), which measure 4” x 4” square and handle fountain pen ink extremely well. I’ve noticed no difference in performance between this notepad and any standard Midori MD paper product. The pad itself is glue-bound along the top edge and does not feature any “sticky” backing on the sheets themselves - these aren’t sticky notes, and if you want to attach the notes to anything, you’ll have to use glue, tape, staples, or a clip. You can also do as I sometimes do, and punch three holes in smaller sheets of paper and stick them in an A5 or Bible-sized Plotter.

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One ink (TGS x Hinze Summer Sangria) feathered a little on the sticky note but not on the memo pad. It was worse at the top of the sticky note (where the adhesive likely mixed with the paper).

The Midori MD A7 Sticky Notepad is also a good product, especially when you consider that fountain pen friendly sticky notes are extremely difficult to find. While these are labeled “MD Paper”, this particular product feels slightly different than the Midori MD pads and notebooks. The paper is thinner, and doesn’t handle ink quite as well as the Memo Block, though it still performs nicely for a sticky note. Sticky notes are difficult to use with fountain pens for a couple of reasons. First of all, the paper can’t be too heavy, or else the adhesive won’t be able to support the weight of the note. Second, sticky note adhesive has a tendency to affect how ink behaves on the paper. If you’ve ever written on the top part of a sticky note and had it feather like crazy, only to have the bottom half behave differently, you know exactly what I’m talking about. While I’ve experienced a bit of feathering on these sticky notes with certain inks, they’re generally quite good (certainly better than other alternatives I’ve tried) and on par with the apparently discontinued Traveler’s Company sticky notes.

The adhesive on these notes performs well. I had no trouble sticking it to a whiteboard, and these adhere just fine to notebooks and other sheets of paper - which is how I generally use stickies.

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The Midori MD Sticky Notes (left) and MD Memo Block Paper. The sticky notes had a touch of pinpoint bleedthrough, but then again, who writes on the back of a sticky note?

Takeaways and Where to Buy

As always, Midori comes through with a high quality and generally fountain pen friendly product. While the paper in the MD Memo Block notepad performed better than the paper in the sticky notes, I suspect that’s due mostly to the adhesive on the back of the sticky note paper reacting to a very wet fountain pen ink. In any event, I don’t really demand top-notch performance from sticky notes, and these certainly fall into the “good enough and better than nearly everything else I’ve tried” category. The sticky notes will go into one of my Sinclair pen cases so that I have them available wherever I happen to be working, and the MD Memo Block will stay on my desk at home.

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We’ve carried these in the shop for a long time - I’ve just never gotten around to using them seriously until this week. The MD Memo Block comes in three formats (grid, blank, and lined) and is priced at $12 for a 500-sheet pad. The A7 Sticky Note Memo pads run $11.50 each and come in five different formats (lined, blank, grid, dot, and framed). You can check out these and other Midori products by visiting the paper section of our store. Also, if you’re aware of any other fountain pen friendly sticky notes out there, let me know as this is a product category I’m interested in!

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