Thursday Drops: Yamamoto Specialty Paper, Caran d'Ache "Black Edition" Products, and Expanded TWSBI Selection!

One of the more popular additions in 2025 has been Yamamoto Paper’s line of specialty Japanese papers, in which they sell packs and pads of rare and/or soon-to-be -discontinued Japanese Papers with all sorts of different properties. We plan to stock as many of these for as long as we possibly can. In addition to the A4 looseleaf paper, we have remaining stock of Bank Paper and Tomoegawa Tomoe River A5 pads.

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The Pilot Capless Decimo comes in a wide range of colors, including some very nice muted pastels.

We’ve also added the recently released Caran d’Ache “Black Edition” pens and pencils, including a new “Black Code” Fixpencil and XL 849 Ballpoint! These have long been favorites, and it’s somewhat surprising that it’s taken Caran d’Ache this long to expand the Black Code lineup. Finally, don’t miss new additions of classic products, including Pilot Decimo capless fountain pens, TWSBI GO fountain pens (inexpensive plunger-fillers loved as ink testers), and the super-inexpensive (yet still excellent) TWSBI Jr. Pagoda mechanical pencils.

All of these and more are available in-store and online! Come see us at our physical location this week Thurs-Saturday. Check up-to-date hours here.

1. Yamamoto Specialty Japanese Papers. We’ve fully restocked on as much specialty Japanese paper as we can get our hands on, including Soliste, Tomoe River (Sanzen and Tomoegawa), recently discontinued Bank Paper, and more.

2. T.G.S. x Hinze Pens Taschenstift Fountain Pen. This version of the Hinze “Taschenstift” (German for “Pocket Pen”) features a violet “CrazyFiber” Micarta material, paired with a deep purple anodized section and a Lilac nib.

3. Pentel Sharp Kerry Mechanical Pencils. The excellent, and highly pocketable, Pentel Sharp Kerry is back in stock in multiple colors! This mechanical pencil is unique because it features a cap. Check out our review of this unique mechanical pencil here.

4. TWSBI Jr. “Pagoda” Mechanical Pencils. What’s the best mechanical pencil that $4 can buy? Probably this one, and I’m not sure it’s close. Available in 3 colors and .5mm or .7mm tip sizes, the Pagoda is a bargain that continues to surprise me.

5. TWSBI GO Fountain Pen. Though it’s been around for several years, we’ve only recently added the TWSBI GO fountain pen to our offerings. Easy to clean and fun to use, the GO is beloved by ink samplers.

6. Caran d’Ache Black Code XL Ballpoint Pen. Caran d’Ache has expanded the popular “Black Code” lineup to include a full suite of products referred to as the “Black Edition” which now includes a larger 849 ballpoint.

7. Caran d’Ache Black Code Fixpencil. Finally, we have the Fixpencil with the matte black clip! The blacked-out “Black Code” version looks sharp. (Pun fully intended.)

8. Pilot Capless Decimo Fountain Pen. We now have the Pilot Decimo - the slightly slimmer sibling of the iconic Vanishing Point - in stock. Many users prefer the Decimo’s slimmer profile, including those who struggle with the clip placement on the larger VP.

9. Lamy Swift Capless Rollerball Pen. Lamy’s version of the capless rollerball has been one of the more practical additions to my own carry this year. Read more about why I like this pen in yesterday’s post.

10. Uni Jetstream M17 Ballpoint Refill. Designed to fit Lamy M16-compatible ballpoints, we managed to source a small batch of these Japanese refills that incorporate Uni Jetstream ink.

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We have all the mechanical pencils, multi pens, gel pens and more available to peruse in our shop!

Pen Review: Lamy Swift Retractable Rollerball

Lately I’ve surprised myself by discovering that there is a fairly deep back catalogue of pens from major brands that I’ve never tried. Take today’s pen, for example: the Lamy Swift Retractable Rollerball. I’ve only recently “rediscovered” rollerballs, as manufacturers have seemingly been tweaking their ink formulations to reduce smearing, feathering, and bleedthrough. Or maybe I’m use using more rollerball-friendly paper, but for whatever reason this category of pens has been working much better for me than in the past. In addition to the Ohto CR series, I’ve added an Imperial Blue Lamy Swift to the mix.

The spring-loaded clip on the Lamy Swift easily slips over most pockets, pen holders, and cases. It also functions as a roll-stop.

What Makes the Swift Unique? The Interaction Between the Knock and Clip

By far the coolest thing about the Lamy Swift is the fact that the clip retracts into the barrel when you depress the knock and deploy the tip for writing. Not only does this get the clip out of the way of your hand, but it prevents you from accidentally clipping the pen to your shirt pocket, pen case, or bag with the tip extended. I can’t tell you how many dress shirts I’ve personally ruined over the years with retractable liquid and gel ink pens like Sensas, Retro 51s, and even Pilot G2s.

The Matte Black Lamy Swift, shown here in “writing mode” with the knock depressed and the clip retracted.

Because the Swift is round with a matte texture, I find it comfortable to use. There is no real “grip section,” but the lower part of the barrel uses a punched-out pattern to create some additional texture. I’ve had no issues with slippage or other discomfort/inconvenience when writing.

The added texture on the aluminum barrel.

Writing Experience and the Lamy M66 Capless Refill

Lamy’s M66 capless rollerball refill - one of which is included with the Swift - is only available in a medium tip size, but it does come in black, blue, red, and green, offering a range of color options not typically found in many rollerball refills. I would rate the M66 a solid performer, and I’ve had no trouble with skipping or the refill drying out in the four months that this pen has been in rotation.

If capless rollerballs aren’t your thing, the Swift is relatively versatile in that it will fit a Pilot G2 refill or any of the other G2-like cartridges such as the Pilot Juice and the retractable version of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C. While I’ve not experimented extensively with different options, I’ve read that you can modify other cartridges (such as the Zebra Sarasa) to fit the Swift by cutting off a small bit of the plastic tubing. In other words, if a cartridge can be modified to fit a retractable Pilot G2 pen, you can probably make it fit the Swift.

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The Lamy Swift (center) compared against a Montblanc 144 Fineliner/Rollerball (top) and a Lamy Safari Ballpoint (Bottom).

Takeaways and Where to Buy

With it’s minimalist, industrial design (a Lamy hallmark) and practicality, the Swift is a sound choice for those looking for a rollerball pen to use in professional settings, as well as those looking for a nice, but not extravagant, gift for anyone who appreciates a good pen. I’ve been looking for a mid-tier retractable rollerball to fill this niche in our shop lineup, and the Swift has done nicely. Of the four standard colors, the Matte Black and Imperial Blue are my favorites, though the Graphite and Palladium options also look nice.

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You can purchase the Lamy Swift directly from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, where it’s priced at $52. It has a prime spot in our rotating Lamy display, so if you’d like to swing by and see one in person, it’s available for testing! We also have the M66 refill available in all colors.

We are 100% self-supported. If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us by purchasing directly through the T.G.S. Curated Shop, or by pledging via Patreon.

New Arrivals: The Caran d'Ache "Black Code" Lineup Has Expanded!

For 2025, Caran d’Ache has expanded their line of “Black Code” products to include a new “Black Code” Fixpencil and an 849 “XL Ballpoint” - a more substantial version of the classic 849 ballpoint pen with similar dimensions to the ever-popular Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball. These join the Black Code 849 Ballpoint and Black Code Mechanical Pencil in what Caran d’Ache is now referring to as the “Black Edition” collection.

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I’ve been anxiously hoping for a Black Code Fixpencil for quite some time.

The “Black Code” ballpoint has been a T.G.S. hallmark since we launched in 2020, and the entire collection features a matte black finish with a matte black clip and matching black knock. The standard Black Code Ballpoint and Black Code Mechanical Pencil have also been restocked.

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BONUS: We have a small stock of a much-anticipated Uni Jetstream refill available for purchase in the store. We’re not sure when/if we will be able to get more, but if the Jetstream M17 interests you, be sure to pick one up!

In-Person Store hours will be our standard operating hours this week! Please come by and say hello if you are in the area.

Sunday Reading for April 13, 2025

1. New Project! Gravitas BiFrost (via Figboot on Pens). Though it looks like these have sold out already, congrats on another great project!

2. Shorthand Shop Visit (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I love a good shop visit recap. While I’m familiar with some of their notebooks, I didn’t realize that they also had a physical store.

3. Pocket Notebooks Are Back? (via Stationery Pizza). I’ve been noticing more interest in pocket notebooks once again, from Field Notes to the new Lochby Sidekick. Is the trend coming back around?

4. Thank You Atlanta, I Think? (via Pen Addict). While I wasn’t quite as down on this particular show as Brad - I think the issues with organization are a one-off and the result of a set of circumstances that likely won’t happen again as help arrives for the future - he makes some valid points applicable to all existing pen shows, which need to up their game as there’s a lot more competition for attendee dollars.

5. Top 5 Fountain Pens Under $50 (via Blake’s Broadcast). Some great options here! There’s at least one that I haven’t considered.

6. How Will Tariffs Affect Notebook Prices (via Notebook Stories). I guess we will find out over the next 90 days - or beyond. I talked a bit about this in Wednesday’s post.

7. Ensso Bolt (via Dapprman). I applaud Ensso for original ideas, as new riffs on retractable fountain pens are few and far between. I think it remains to be seen how the silicon membrane/seal stands up over time.

8. Unboxing the Rickshaw Banzai Bag: The Ultimate Pen and Stationery Bag (via dwrdnet). I agree that the Banzai Bag is likely the “ultimate” in stationery carry. It’s an exceptionally good pen show bag where you don’t want to have a huge clunky bag knocking into people.

9. Video Review: TWSBI Go (via Scrively). The Go has always been a great option for serial ink samplers, since it’s extremely easy to clean and fill.

10. Why Pencil? (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!). If you’re not following this site, you should. Ian’s pencil drawings are absolutely incredible.

11. Review and Giveaway: Benu Pixie Fountain Pen (via Well-Appointed Desk). The Pixie has certainly garnered a lot of attention since it’s release. A bit too small for me, but pocket pen fans should check it out.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog, I recapped my trip to the 2025 Atlanta Pen Show, where I personally had a great weekend visiting with readers and customers in person. I’ve spent a lot of time on the road at shows this month, and while I was away I filmed a ton of video content in addition to taking pictures. This week I released a video showing what it’s like to get a nib ground at a show, when my friend Chad had Matthew Chen grind a broad Pilot nib into a Kodachi. I personally had two pens ground to Kodachis, and I talked about these particular grinds in my video where I broke down my Arkansas Pen Show Haul.

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Introducing the T.G.S. x Hinze Pens “Violet Tendencies” Taschenstift: Our Latest Exclusive Release!

At last weekend’s Atlanta Pen show, we did a “soft launch” of our latest exclusive release: the T.G.S. x Hinze Pens “Taschenstift” fountain pen in a CrazyFiber micarta material called “Violet Tendencies”. CrazyFiber/micarta is a unique material made from stacked cloth that has been treated with resin and cured so that it can be turned on a lathe. This gives the pen a unique feel in the hand, and this particular Taschenstift model is designed to post by friction fit rather than threads on the barrel. We have a limited number of pens for this round, with more as a possibility if there is sufficient interest. Patreon members and newsletter subscribers get a special price, so be sure to check your Patreon feed/e-mail inbox for details.

This week we also received a full Pilot restock, additional Kuretake Art Nouveau inks, Herbin Inks, and new to us Lamy models!

Pilot Pens

Clairefontaine

Kaweco

Uni

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

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 (including the Taschenstift “Violet Tendencies”), 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.

What's It Like to Get a Nib Modified at a Pen Show? Follow Along!

So this year at the Arkansas Pen Show, I decided to do something a little different, and filmed a video of Matthew Chen of Matthew’s Nib Works grinding a broad Pilot nib into a Kodachi (his take on the Naginata-Togi style grind that has become so popular lately). In this video, I show Matthew grinding the nib, and I also filmed the post-grind testing process and talk a bit about how the Kodachi is shaped and how the nib writes.

The Kodachi grind on my Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel.

For those interested in reading more about Naginata/Kodachi grinds, you can check out my review of Gena Salorino’s (Custom Nib Studio) “Perspective” grind, which has similar features. My prior video breaking down my Arkansas Pen Show “haul” also had a couple of Kodachi grinds featured - both from Matthew - though they are not the exact pens featured in today’s release. I hope you enjoy, and I have at least one more video of pen show content on the way!

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us by purchasing directly through the T.G.S. Curated Shop, or by pledging via Patreon.