Sunday Reading for September 1, 2024 (The How-Is-It-Labor-Day-Already Edition)

1. 2024 San Francisco Pen Show - Still the Funnest Pen Show (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Kimberly posted an epic recap of the 2024 SF Pen Show, which makes me even sadder for having to miss it!

2. A Year of Curiosities (via A Gathering of Curiosities). Happy one-year bloggiversary! I’ve enjoyed reading R.B.’s blog since it launched.

3. Top 10 Pens You Can’t Buy (And One You Can) (via Figboot on Pens). Like David, most of my “regrets” involve not picking up a pen I really liked when I had the chance because I thought it was “overpriced” by $50 or so, only to have it shoot up on the secondary market. I could also do a post on top 10 pens I regret selling.

4. On Flying (via Urban Adventure League). Posting this here because I’ve had many of the same thoughts about flying, which I enjoy increasingly less. And because I love extended train travel, though we have no real Amtrak option.

5. Visit to Lamy x Ink House in Hong Kong (via Inkredible Colours). While I don’t love flying, it does make trips like these possible.

6. Three Ring Circus (via Philofaxy). I was fortunate enough to have a friend procure me a three-ring Plotter at this year’s San Francisco Pen Show, since I couldn’t make it. I really enjoy their three-hole “card” format for quick notes.

7. Ryman Medium Soft Cover Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Blog). I’m taking notes on UK-specific stationery brands to check out during my trip to London in October (where I’ll just be missing the London Pen Show, by a day).

8. Filofax Fountain-Pen Frustration (via Nifty Notebook). I’ve had good luck with recent releases of Filofax paper, especially in the spiral-bound notebooks, but it could have changed yet again as it’s been a couple years and Plotter paper is reliable for the ringed binders.

9. September Planner/Journal Setup: Academia (via Well-Appointed Desk). Monthly planner themes? That’s an interesting idea, and seems like a great way to use up stamps and washi.

10. Wearingeul H.P. Lovecraft Literature Ink “Call of the Cthulhu” Giveaway (via Pen Addict). The first Wearingeul that’s tempted me in quite some time!

View fullsize

The Lamy Econ in Indigo and Black. I love the grippy texture.

In Case You Missed It…

This week on the blog I reviewed a not-fancy-but-rock-solid ballpoint, the Lamy Econ. I generally use ballpoints as my primary secondary writing instruments simply due to their versatility, and Lamy’s improvement of the M16 ballpoint refill over the years has boosted their ballpoint lineup into my regular rotation.

Return of the T.G.S. x Sunderland mk1 Pens and Labor Day Weekend Shop Hours And Discount COdE!

The big news from this week is the return of the T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 machined pen! Our first pen collaboration is also one of my favorites, and I’m happy to announce that we were able to do another run and that I hope to make this pen a regular presence in the shop provided supply keeps up with demand. The pens are currently set to arrive this week, and are available for pre-order if you’d like to reserve one and be one of the first to ship, though I did order a lot and expect that anyone who order reasonably quickly will be able to get one. You can read more on the Sunderland mk1 in the original review.

And don’t forget: Use the code “LABORDAY” at checkout to claim a 10% discount off desk and reading accessories this weekend. All orders over $100 will receive a complimentary 3” TGS Vinyl holographic sticker, for your water bottle, laptop or even you’re car (if you’re a true fan :)

View fullsize

We’re also continuing the “soft open” at the new T.G.S. location. We are located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee. (You can find a video showing exactly where we are located on our Instagram.) Hours today will be 1pm-5pm on Sunday September 1. We have a bunch of new stuff to see both in-store and online, including new washi tapes and stickers from iLootPaperie, new Studio fountain pens from Lamy, the Lamy Note+ Apple Stylus, and plenty of Tom’s Studio pens, including offbeat gems like the One-Dip Metal Nibs and the Lumos fineliners.

iLootPaperie

Tom's Studio

Lamy

Platinum

Check Out T.G.S. Patreon for Breaking news and first access/Special pricing on exclusives!

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. 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 either online (or in person, if you’re in the Nashville area)! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, the T.G.S. Patreon includes these as well as access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. 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!

A T.G.S. Exclusive Returns: Reintroducing the T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1

After all these years, the Sunderland mk1 remains my favorite machined pen of all time, and I’m pleased to announce that we now have more of our exclusive design on their way, set to arrive next week. This was our first store-exclusive pen, initially released back in 2021, and I’ve always intended to bring in more, though for many different reasons it’s taken longer than originally hoped. The T.G.S. x Sunderland mk1 features a bead-blasted, matte black finish with a bead-blasted DLC-coated clip. The section is a matte red/burgundy, with the overall color scheme designed to evoke the T.G.S. core colors burgundy & black. While you can read more about the specs of the Sunderland mk1 in our full review of this pen, what I truly love about it is how well the pen posts, and the contoured grip. The internal threads are recessed into the nose cone of the pen, so they will not interfere with your writing.

View fullsize

Despite three years having passed, and costs having increased, we’ve managed to keep the price of this edition close to the original. The T.G.S. Sunderland mk1 will retail for $115, which includes U.S. shipping. All pens ship with a Pilot G2 refill. You can pre-order today, with the pens currently set to arrive mid-to-late next week.

Note: If you’re an international buyer please review our shipping policies, including our UK order threshold. If your country isn’t currently listed on shipping options when you try to check out, please contact me through the site and I will see what I can do.

Refill Options for the Sunderland mk1

While the Sunderland mk1 was designed to accept Pilot G2-style cartridges and the Montblanc rollerball and fineliner cartridges, with a little hacking I’ve been able to fit multiple popular refills in this pen, including the Pentel Energel, the Zebra JF (the Sarasa Grand and Sarasa Grand Vintage refill), and the Uniball One refill, all of which require a small spacer at the back of the pen. I use a small piece (3-4mm long) of plastic aquarium tubing, though you can also use a small folded/wadded piece of paper, or wrap washi/masking tape around the end of the refill to increase its length. (Yes, I know there are other many “guides” and lists of “compatible” refills, but I try to only list those that I have personally tried myself.)

View fullsize

If you have had success using specific refills with the Sunderland mk1 pen, please drop a comment below so that I have a list of new refills to try. This is actually a very versatile machined pen, but since they are made in small batches they often don’t get as much attention as they should. Let’s change that!

Come visit us in person at our physical location, located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee! Hours this upcoming Holiday weekend will be from 1pm-6pm on Friday Aug. 30, from 11am-6pm on Saturday August 31; and 1pm-5pm on Sunday September 1. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Thursday Drops: Lamy Restock, Washi Tapes, TWSBI Vacs and More! Oh, and a Labor Day Special!

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks here at TGS HQ, and I’m happy to announce that we are fully moved in to our new space and excited to be able to welcome visitors during regular hours, starting in September. This coming Labor Day weekend, we will have the doors open Friday through Sunday, mainly in the afternoon. We currently have available for purchase all of the new Lamy Studio lineup and digital styluses discussed in Tuesday’s post, as well as full stock of most TWSBI models, various ink lines, and full restocks of favorite fountain pen friendly paper brands including Midori, Lochby, Nakabayashi, and Maruman Mnemosyne!

View fullsize

For this year’s Labor Day sale, and in anticipation of everyone heading back to work and school following what we hope was a restful summer, we are offering an additional 10% off all desk and reading accessories ordered online through Monday, September 2. Use the coupon code “LABORDAY” at checkout to claim your discount, and we are also offering a tiered promotion in which all orders over $100 will receive extra T.G.S. Swag (including our large holographic vinyl stickers, buttons, and more).

1. Lamy Studio Piano Red Fountain Pen (14k nib option). The Lamy Studio with Lamy’s excellent 14k nib remains one of the best value propositions on the market, since it’s increasingly rare to find a gold nib fountain pen for under $200. The Studio remains one of my favorite writers overall, as I have a soft spot for the propeller clip.

2. Lamy Studio Royal Red Matte Fountain Pen, Rollerball, and Ballpoint. The Royal Red Matte Studio evokes the old Wild Rubin release, which I sadly sold off years ago only to regret it immediately. Where the Piano Red Studio features a smooth lacquered finish, the Royal Red Matte Studio is, as it’s name implies, more tactile. Currently stocked in fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint formats.

3. Lamy Noto Special Editions. The triangular Lamy Noto is a fun ballpoint at a price point even lower than the Lamy Econ that I reviewed yesterday. The Noto even comes in two special edition colors: Deep Blue and Chocolate, which sold out quickly when we first got them earlier this year. Now restocked!

4. TWSBI Vac700R Kyanite Blue Fountain Pen. TWSBI’s latest Vac700R release has proven popular, following up on their multicolor anodized Vac700R “Iris”. Will we see more Vac700R releases like this one? I hope so!

5. Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint Pens: Standard, ColorMat-X and Pop Line. This classic hexagonal ballpoint pen has been one of our top sellers ever since we opened. The matte-textured ColorMat-X and the Black Code editions are my personal favorites, though the “Totally Swiss” Swiss Cross edition is the underrated sleeper.

6. iLootPaperie Washi Tapes. We’ve received a restock of iLootPaperie Washi Tapes, including tapes from the “Paper Airplanes” and “Airmail” series! Stay tuned as we plan to bring in more washi tape and other fun items from this brand to our new shop so that you can see them in person.

7. Viarco Vintage Edition Pencil Sets. Made in Portugal, in one of the last remaining operational European pencil factories, Viarco pencils are a personal favorite since I love graphite that is not overly waxy and has a tactile feel to it. These pencils sharpen to an excellent long point. We have stock of individual packs of most of the vintage designs, as well as a large stock of the assortment pack in which you get a dozen of each style.

8. Lamy Note+ Digital Stylus (For Apple). Lamy’s answer to the Apple Pencil, coming in at nearly a full $50 less. The Note+ is still a bit of a work in progress in terms of functionality, but it works quite well for basic writing and additional apps are being added.

9. Lamy AL-Star EMR Pen. Those who do most of their digital writing on e-ink screens such as the Kindle Scribe, reMarkable, or Supernote will want to look at Lamy’s AL-Star and Safari EMR offerings. I generally prefer the traditional pen shape over the “Wacom Stylus” default style that many use.

10. Lamy Safari “Twin” EMR Pen. The Twin Pen features dual writing options, including not just an EMR stylus tip but also a D1 ballpoint slot, allowing you to switch back and forth between a stylus and standard pen.

Come visit us in person at our physical location, located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee! Hours this upcoming Holiday weekend will be from 1pm-6pm on Friday Aug. 30, from 11am-6pm on Saturday August 31; and 1pm-5pm on Sunday September 1. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Pen Review: The Lamy Econ Ballpoint Is Not a Fancy Pen, and That's OK.

You might be surprised to know that most readers of The Gentleman Stationer, and most of our shop customers, use ballpoint pens regularly, either as their primary writing instrument or as their “second option” after fountain pens. I personally use a lot of ballpoints, including the Lamy 2000, which features the same refill as the pen I’m going to look at today: the Lamy Econ.

View fullsize

Lamy Econ ballpoints come in various colors.

As it’s name implies, the “Econ” is not a fancy pen. With an unadorned round, matte barrel, a folded steel clip, and a quiet knock system that won’t annoy your office or classmates, it’s pretty much the definition of an economy workhorse. For example, the matte black version pictured here is the pen you could buy as a gift for someone who’s not a “pen addict”, but who still appreciates nice everyday carry or professional accessories that offer a quality writing experience without appearing overly showy. Of course, the Econ comes in colors other than matte black, including “Matte Apricot”, “Lagoon”, “Sea”, “Indigo” and “Raspberry”, which do offer a pop of bright color if that’s what you’re looking for.

The Econ is well-balanced and features a "grippy" round barrel compatible with many different grip and handwriting styles.

I have to go on record once again, giving props to Lamy for dramatically improving the quality of the M16 ballpoint refill over the past several years. If a company makes ballpoint pens that take proprietary refills, that refill had better be good. While Lamy has had issues with the M16 in the past, if you haven’t tried it in recent years and are generally a ballpoint fan, you owe it to yourself to give it another try. This same refill also fits nearly all other standard Lamy ballpoint pens, including the Lamy Econ, Lamy Noto, Lamy Studio, and the Lamy 2000.

The M16 writes a relatively fine, manageable line, even in the medium tip size. Shown here on Midori MD Memo Block paper.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

With its matte barrel, solid knock and good refill, the Lamy Econ has filled a niche in my own household as the reliable “utility” pen that everyone in my family can use. From personal experience, it makes an excellent “car pen”, meaning the ballpoint(s) that I tend to keep in center consoles of our vehicles so that there is always something to write with. You never know!

View fullsize

You can purchase the Lamy Econ in our shop, either online or in person, priced at $25. We actually have a display of Econ ballpoints on the “Lamy counter,” along with several other relatively inexpensive ballpoint pen options that you have the opportunity to pick up and handle before making a decision. As noted above, both the Econ, the Lamy 2000 ballpoint, and the Lamy Noto take the Lamy M16 refill. Pens ship with a black medium tip refill but additional colors and tip sizes are also available.

Would you like to see these pens in person? Come visit our physical location, located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee! Hours this week will be from 1-6 on Friday Aug. 30, and from 11-6 on Saturday. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

New Arrivals: Analog or Digital - Why Not Both? New Pens from Lamy!

This week’s new arrivals include a bunch of pens from Lamy, including the new Safari Note+ iPad-compatible stylus. While I’m still putting my own “All Black” version through the review process, I will say that I do appreciate the cap, as someone who’s busted a half-dozen Apple Pencil tips over the past year. For those who prefer (or who, like me, also use) e-ink devices like the Kindle Scribe and reMarkable tablets, we’ve also restocked on the Lamy AL-Star EMR and the Lamy Safari Twin Pen, both of which you can use with any matte-screen device.

View fullsize

The Note+ “Steel Black” is a bit of a misnomer

On the analogue side of things, the new 2024 Red Lamy Studios have arrived! The Piano Red Studio features a deep red lacquer and Lamy’s excellent 14k nib, while the Royal Red Matte Studio features the standard steel nib with a matte finish reminiscent of the older Wild Rubin edition that I regrettably sold. In addition to these new releases, we’ve restocked on all Lamy 2000 models as well as the Noto limited edition ballpoints in the Deep Blue and Chocolate finishes.

Would you like to see these pens in person? Come visit our physical location, located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee! Hours this week will be from 1-6 on Friday Aug. 30, and from 11-6 on Saturday. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.