New Arrivals: Lochby Field Folio A5 and Lochby Sidekick Wallets

March 25, 2025

We still have a few of the brand-new Lochby Field Folios and Sidekicks in stock following this past weekend’s Arkansas Pen Show! The Field Folio takes everything that’s great about the Field Journal and incorporates it into a zippered portfolio-style case, complete with a pen slot on the inside. The Sidekick can be used as either a wallet or a notebook cover (A7 size), and can also carry a pen. Both new products come in classic Lochby colors, and the Field Folio now has a Charcoal/honeycomb combination that’s not been available in the standard Field Journal.

The Field Folio and Sidekick are now available on the site, along with remaining stock of other Lochby products from the Arkansas Pen Show. Note that we will have regular brick and mortar hours this week, from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday. I hope to see you all there!

Worn Lochby A5 Waxed Canvas — A customer brought this well-worn waxed canvas Lochby by the table at the show on Saturday. I love seeing products in the wild, two years later!

Sunday Reading for March 23, 2025

March 23, 2025

Visit to Kingdom Note in Tokyo, Japan (via Inkredible Colours). This store looks gorgeous, and has shot to the top of my Tokyo visit list, if for no other reason than to peruse the binders of rare ink swatches!
Behind the Scenes at Kenro Industries (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Kimberly got to visit the Kenro offices with a behind-the-scenes look at the distributor of Esterbrook, Aurora, and more.
Musubi Pocket Folio A6 Slim Notebook Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Atelier Musubi, known for their high-end bound notebooks, has been experimenting with releasing paper at a more accessible price point, including the “Pocket Folio” series that features SPICA Bond paper.
Waterman Carène Marine Amber (via Figboot on Pens). People love their Waterman Carènes (myself included), as evidenced by the spirited comments section of David’s video. :)
$50 MB149 Replacement? Asvine J16 (via Figboot on Pens). I’ve been impressed with Asvine’s quality, though I sometimes find the edges on their threads sharp around the grip area.
Pilot Decimo with Stub Nib (via Dapprman). I’m an unabashed fan of the Pilot Decimo, over the standard Vanishing Point. It fits my hand better. While I’ve moved away from stub nibs, Pilot’s stock version is very good.
Nahvalur Nautilus Ti (Titanium) Fountain Pen Review (via Penquisition). I need to get my hands on one of these to try. I generally prefer smaller metal fountain pens, but this one has received good reviews overall.
Fountain Pen Shootout: Kaweco Sport vs. Benu Pixie (via SBRE Brown). Benu’s latest pocket fountain pen has received a lot of attention. I haven’t had a chance to see it in person (yet) but many have commented on how lightweight it is.
Midori Join Dots Mocha Pen Set (via Well-Appointed Desk). A very cool idea for a stationery product that I’ve not yet tried.
Pelikan’s Manufacturing Future Uncertain after Hamelin Takeover (via Pelikan’s Perch). More changes may be in store for Pelikan.

Blackwing Testing Station Arkansas — I love a full Blackwing Testing Station.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog was pen show prep week. I wrote a piece on preparing for pen shows, including some resources you can visit if you’re considering planning a pen show trip, and I also posted some pictures from Day One of the Arkansas Pen Show, which turned out to be a fantastic regional show that draws attendees from several states. Stay tuned for more of a recap (written and video) later this week!

Lochby Canvas Cover — A customer brought this well-worn Lochby A5 Field Journal that a customer brought by the table! Look at that washed out color.

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

We had plenty of new arrivals this week, including the latest Lamy Safari and AL-Star Editions! We also have some remaining stock from our first shipment of the new Kaweco Collection Sport Fountain Pens (“Honey”), though they are getting a bit sparse. We will try to have more as they become available. We also have a ton of Lochby cases back in stock, and will have a couple of new items available in the coming week if any survive the Arkansas Show. While we are mostly sold out of the Roterfaden cases that we brought to Arkansas, whatever is shown in the shop is available for purchase as I did not bring everything with me.

Roterfaden

Kaweco

Taccia Roughna Sketch Inks

Taccia Denim

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Saturday Updates and Scenes from the Arkansas Pen Show, Day 1

March 22, 2025

It’s going to be relatively quiet this weekend on the blog as we’re attending the Arkansas Pen Show in Little Rock. I thought it might be fun to post some “Day One” pics from Friday, which was surprisingly busy for a Friday afternoon at a smaller pen show and definitely bodes well for Saturday! While I spent most of my time behind the table, I did get to visit Matthew Chen of Matthew’s Nibworks (@pactagon on the socials) to get a Kodachi grind on my Lamy 2000 in Stainless Steel. I also spent some time perusing the Newton Pens table. While I haven’t picked anything up YET, there are definitely some muted multicolor ebonites that caught my eye….

Note that our Nashville brick and mortar location is closed this weekend while we are in Arkansas but the online store remains open. If you’re in driving distance of Little Rock, please come see us at the show! We will return to normal operating hours next week.

Matthew Chen working on my Lamy 2000 in Stainless Steel — Matthew hard at work on my Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel.

Matthew Chen Tester Pens at the Table — Even if you don’t get a nib ground, Matthew has tester pens out on his table with all of the different nib grinds that you can try them all out to see what might appeal to you.

A tray of Newton Orville Fountain Pens, ready to go — Anyone venture a guess as to which one appealed to me?

Newton Prospector Fountain Pens — The Newton Prospector is one of my favorite small-maker fountain pens. (Don’t be fooled by the imitators out there - Shawn is the original creator of this particular design.) He’s working a lot with ebonites lately and there are some gorgeous pieces out there.

Lochby Journal Cover Aged Leather — I posted this yesterday to show the difference between a new Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter LTD_022 and my 7-year old version on the right. These covers age beautifully, with the leather becoming more supple over time. If you’re attending the show, I have a handful of Roterfadens left behind the table. Note that what’s shown in the online inventory is available for online purchase only, as I have not brought those specific items with me to the show.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for the First Pen Show of the Year

March 19, 2025

It’s time for the Arkansas Pen Show, which will be the first pen show that I attend in 2025. Since we’ve opened our own brick-and-mortar shop, I’ve been operating on a reduced travel schedule, but I’m still planning on taking T.G.S. to at least a couple of shows this year. Despite it being a smaller, regional show, Arkansas has a lot to offer that the bigger shows do not. More on that later.

Hightide Sandglasses TGS Pen Show Table — One year I brought the Hightide Sandglasses to Arkansas and they were a big hit. One reason I enjoy this show is because it’s within driving distance, and I can be a bit more creative with what I pack.

How I Pack For a Pen Show As a Vendor

Whenever I pack and prepare for shows, I carefully consider exactly what I’m going to bring. My tables are usually organized around notebook systems such as Roterfaden, Lochby, and Traveler’s Notebooks, since those are all items many people enjoy seeing in person before purchasing, particularly if they are having a difficult time selecting a specific color or refill. I also make a conscious effort to bring pens, pencils, and other writing instruments that I know other vendors probably won’t have at the show, as opposed to more common brands like TWSBI and Lamy that nearly everyone carries. Past show favorites have included the entire Anterique line and all the Uni Jetstream variants that we import from Japan. Despite most U.S. pen shows being focused on fountain pens, recent years have seen more general stationery enthusiasts attend shows, and they tend to appreciate the additional options. This year in Arkansas I will have two tables (up from one last year), so you can expect a bigger selection and more room to browse.

Shawn Newton Pens Arkansas Pen Show — Pens such as the Newton Prospector (bottom row) are typically made in very small batches, so if you see one you like in a special material, you’ll want to pick that pen up earlier than standard releases from larger companies, where there might be more available.

How to Prepare for a Pen Show as an Attendee

A smaller pen show like Arkansas or Atlanta is easier to prep for as an attendee than a larger show like San Francisco or the D.C. Pen Show. You don’t need to worry about “missing” anything, as there are fewer vendors. You can easily visit every table in a single day, and certainly over an entire weekend. Vendors usually have more time to spend with each customer, since the tables aren’t always slammed, and I’ve personally always enjoyed the ability to have more engaged conversations with customers who come to see me at the smaller shows. Last year I actually wrote a piece after the 2024 Arkansas Show discussing the benefits of smaller shows.

Pen Shows After Dark — You really won’t believe some of the things you see in the bar after-hours.

But regardless of the show you are attending, there are three main things I always advise people to prepare for, at a minimum:

Nib Grinds and Repair Work. Regardless of how big a show is, nib grinders and vintage pen repair appointments can fill up fast. If you have work that you absolutely need to get done, identify who you want to work on your pens and make their table your first stop. If there’s an “early access” pass available, buy it to ensure you’re near the front of any wait list.
Visit Smaller Makers Early. Especially if you are looking for a less-common model or special material, because one-offs and less common items can sell out quickly. Bespoke penmakers sometimes only have one rod of a given resin or other material.
Take Breaks. Even smaller shows can be overwhelming, especially for those who haven’t been to a pen show before. Don’t spend all your money in the first hour (unless of course, you only have an hour to spend). And most of all, be sure to make an effort to hang out for just a little while after the show closes! You’d be shocked at the knowledge you pick up around the table in the hotel bar, especially if you’re interested in more esoteric nib grinds and vintage pens.

I’ve been to many pen shows over the years, and the site has nearly a decade of show recaps that you can read through in the blog post archive. I’ve also written a “Pen Show Primer” Series of Articles, including Volume 1: Why Visit a Pen Show; Volume 2: Getting Ready for a Pen Show; and Volume 3: Tips for Surviving the Pen Show. Some of these articles have some age on them, but I stand by pretty much all of the advice!

Please note that our brick-and-mortar shop will be closed Thursday through Sunday of this week since we will be in Arkansas. We will reopen with regular hours next week. Online orders will continue to be processed in our typical 2-3 business day time frame. Many thanks for all your support, and I hope to see as many of you as possible in Arkansas!

New Arrivals: Lamy Safari Scarlet, AL-Star Denim and Aubergine, and Petrol and Sepia Inks!

March 18, 2025

Release day has arrived and we can now sell all of the latest Lamy releases, including Lamy’s latest addition to it’s standard Safari lineup, the new “Scarlet” color, as well as the latest 2025 AL-Star Special Editions in Denim and Aubergine. Denim is a lighter blue paired with a transparent orange section, while Aubergine is a dusty purple paired with a transparent green section. Since the new Lamy Scarlet pens are part of the standard lineup, they are sold alongside the standard Safari fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint, and mechanical pencil offerings. The 2025 AL-Star Special Editions are likewise available as fountain pens, rollerballs, ballpoints, and mechanical pencils. View these and other Lamy pens here.

Lamy AL-Star Pens in Denim and Aubergine

Two New Standard Inks: Lamy Petrol (Yes!) and Lamy Sepia

Following up on last-year’s addition of Lamy Dark Lilac to the regular lineup, Lamy has decided to bring back Petrol, another acclaimed limited edition ink that in recent years has started to command a premium on the secondary market. Personally, I prefer the new release - due to dye availability it’s a slightly different formulation and therefore appears darker (which I like). Sepia is an entirely new color, which I would describe as a terra cotta orange-brown. Both are now available at standard Lamy ink pricing. You can check out a video of me swatching the Petrol ink on our YouTube channel.