Thursday Drops: Traveler's Company Restock, New Blackwings, and the TWSBI ECO Serpentine

I hope everyone is staying cool! It’s been a hot week here in Nashville, and not particularly fun to haul boxes through the parking lot! This week we received a large TRAVELER’S Company Restock, including a handful of Love & Trip items, as well as specialty paper refills, TRAVELER’S Notebook accessories, and diaries that had sold out during the spring rush. We also received new Midori desk and reading accessories, including rulers, restocks of the XS Stationery Kits, and the slim clip bookmarks. Finally, the TWSBI ECO Serpentine Bronze pens are available for pre-order, with pens to ship out as soon as they arrive today (Thursday) or Friday. Finally, we have the new Blackwing Volume 140 Culinary pencils, and a large restock of standard Blackwing pencils, sharpeners and other accessories.

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We have added additional planner stickers, such as these Laconic versions, which enable you to add planner-like functionality to any standard notebook.

My deepest apologies to those who were looking for a TRAVELER’S Company “Love & Trip” Special Edition but didn’t get one. We had a very limited number of Standard and Passport TRAVELER’s Notebooks available, and they sold out nearly immediately. I tried to get more, but distributors were extremely strict with retail allocations this year. If you are planning on attending the larger pen shows later this summer in Washington, D.C. or San Francisco, then you may have some luck if TRAVELER’S Company held some back for their table.

Come see these and more in-shop! We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.

1. TRAVELER’S Company 2025 “Love & Trip” Sticker Sets. Despite notebooks and refills being in short supply, I was able to restock the custom sticker sets from this year’s release. These include all sorts of labels, stickers, and more that enable you to customize your TRAVELER’S Notebook, regardless of which edition/version you have!

2. TWSBI ECO Serpentine Fountain Pens. The latest release from TWSBI’s multi color releases, in which different resins are swirled together during the injection moulding process to create patterns unique to each pen, features a bronze and green swirled result that looks like it will be amazing. Orders to start shipping today/tomorrow morning.

3. Blackwing Volumes 140 Culinary Arts Pencil. This stainless steel-inspired pencil pays homage to the Maillard Reaction, the point at which food begins to brown and/or caramelize when cooked. If you’re into cooking and collect recipes, be sure to check out the companion special release, which is a set of 12 recipe notecards.

4. Notsu Notecards, Notebooks, and Pencils. One of the most well-received brands we’ve brought into the shop this year is Notsu, a brand that specializes in notecards. Whether you prefer standard 3x5 or 4x6 notecards, “To Do” formatted, or Weekly Planners, you may be surprised at how useful classic index cards can be.

5. Midori XS Stationery Kits. While we’re on the subject of stationery adjacent items, these small kits feature miniature desk accessories that are perfect for your bag/briefcase and travel! These have been out of stock for a bit but I was able to get more.

6. Midori and TRAVELER’S Rulers. We’ve restocked all of the various brass and aluminum/wood rulers from Midori and TRAVELER’S Company, including some new colors. These compact rulers slip easily into most pen cases, and in addition to being portable are very durable.

7. TRAVELER’S Company Refills and Accessories. Certain of the TRAVELER’S Company specialty papers and add-on accessories for the TRAVELER’S Notebooks have been on backorder, but we received a fairly significant shipment yesterday and many are back in stock, including pen holders, kraft folders, pocket stickers and more.

8. MD “Thick” Notebooks in A5 and A5 Square. This thicker paper from Midori is more suitable for heavier applications of ink, and even paint. Those who are into fountain pen and ink art have especially enjoyed these products, and customers have brought some amazing artwork into the store that I hope to be able to post sometime!

9. Midori MD Clip Bookmarks. Ok, in response to pressure I brought back these slim bookmarks from Midori, including the cat version. We have a lot of bookmarks and reading accessories now, which is one of my personal favorite categories to shop for.

10. BeGoody “No Smoking” Pencils. Easily the surprise hit of the year, at least on the pencil side of things, these novelty pencils will turn heads at the office! (Don’t let your kids bring them to school.)

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TWSBI ECO Serpentine Bronze!

Getting Personal: Five "Stationery Adjacent" Items I Can't Live Without

If you’ve been listening to Derek’s interviews over on the dwrdnet stationery feed (and if you’re not, you should be), one of the questions he asks each guest is “What are your favorite ‘stationery adjacent’ items?” I sat for an interview a few weeks ago, and have been thinking on this question ever since. During the interview, our discussion focused on notebooks, but is a notebook cover or planner/binder really “stationery adjacent”? To me, that term implies an accessory: something that is stationery-related but not a writing instrument or paper, and where its true purpose is to help you better enjoy your core writing supplies. I wanted to do some follow-up and talk about a handful of items that fall more into the desk and reading accessories category, which to me is more traditionally stationery-adjacent. While I may specify a singular product, I’d recommend that you read this post as more “category recommendations” rather than product plugs.

1. Book Darts/Bookmarks. I annotate books and notebooks extensively, whether I’m marking them up with highlighters and pencils, flagging them with post-its, or more permanently dividing notebooks into sections or marking favored passages for posterity with a more permanent Book Dart. One of my favorite stationery hacks is using folded over washi tape to mark pages, which not only offers a way to work your way through a sizeable washi stash, but adds a cool visual element to notebooks.

2. Desktop Pen Stand or Pen Tray. I have a dozen pen stands and pen trays that I’ve accumulated over the years, and have them allocated between the various desks and workspaces that I use. I move around a lot because I find that my creativity and thinking benefits from the occasional change of scenery. I have a couple different desks and workstations that I rotate between, as well as a library-style area with armchairs in my home office. Of course, my favorite pen stand is my Dudek Modern Goods Divide, which sadly is no longer made, but I also enjoy my pen trays from Toyooka Craft and NFP Design.

3. An Analog Timing Device. We’ve long sold the Hightide Sandglasses in our own shop (and recently added more “upscale” bicolor versions), but I’m a fan of any desktop timing device other than a cell phone. Merely having my phone on my desk when I’m trying to think or write disrupts my flow, and something that allows me to measure 15-30 minute writing or brainstorming sessions without the possibility of a text or jarring timer. I did a separate post a while back about how I use analog timers, and also included a few ideas that were suggested by other people.

4. Rubber Stamps. I’m late to the rubber stamp game, but over the past couple of years I’ve definitely accumulated a fairly large number of custom stamps that I use for anything from decorative motifs for letters and notecards to more practical designs that can be used to organize ink swatches, write to-do lists, and more.

5. A Magnifier/Loupe. I don’t write much about this, but I have a desktop loupe that was a gift from my father years ago. Obviously designed as a desktop magnifier for assistance with reading small print, I’ve found it equally useful for inspecting fountain pen nibs and assisting with other minor repair tasks. As a true stationery nerd, I also use it to inspect paper fibers, the quality of printed rulings on notebooks and pads, and ink feathering. :)

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A few honorable mentions that didn’t make the top five: (1) Scissors - I’m a huge fan of both the Nakabayashi and Allex versions that we carry in our store, and don’t see much of a reason to look beyond these as they are quite sharp; (2) My Notsu Centre Rise Notecard stand and a generic notecard file box that I found somewhere online, because quality notecards have started to replace traditional pocket notebooks for me; and (3) My Tracy Cullen Pottery mug and pen stand, which I picked up in Atlanta and which you can see in my Atlanta Pen Show Recap.

I typically have many of the items featured in my weekly posts with me in the shop when I open over the weekend. Come in and say hello and see them for yourself! (Even if they aren’t items we sell, I often have review samples available for you to see in person). The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.

New Arrivals: TWSBI ECO "Serpentine Bronze" Pre-Orders Are Live; Pens to Ship This Week

TWSBI’s latest release is the second ECO in their mixed-color series, “Serpentine Bronze.” This new pen features a gorgeous mix of green and bronze/gold acrylic paired with TWSBI’s bronze-tone trim. Colors are mixed during the injection molding process, so no two pens will be the same and each will feature its own unique pattern of swirls. The Serpentine Bronze ECOs are priced at $51.99, and available for pre-order today. They should arrive this week and will begin shipping immediately. If you missed out on the first round of mixed-color ECOs, we have the “Amazonite” green and white version in stock as well. Be sure to check out our entire range of TWSBI Fountain Pens, Pencils, and Inks!

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We are an authorized reseller of TWSBI products. Come see these and more in-shop, as the Serpentine Bronze ECOs should be in the store by the weekend! We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.

Sunday Reading for June 22, 2025

1. DWRDNET Stationery Feed Interview with Ana from Well-Appointed Desk (via dwrdnet). Ana has a chance to sit down with Derek for an interview! (The house purse/bag is a brilliant idea.) I’ve been enjoying listening to all of these. If you missed my interview, the link is here.

2. Do Notebooks Destroy Memorization Skills? (via Notebook Stories). Honestly, my own notebooks help me remember minor short-term details because I don’t have the brain capacity, but on the flip side if I journal or write about more significant issues and events, I tend to remember them in greater detail.

3. What’s the Difference? Sailor Music vs. Stub Nib (via Doodlebud). Sailor’s take on the music nib is basically an extremely broad, wet stub. I do like stubs but this one has always been a bit much for me.

4. The Pleasure of Craftsmanship: The Alfie Tray (via A Gathering of Curiosities). I really need to get a hold of one of these. Oh wait I just bought one.

5. Twenty Years of the Urban Adventure League Blog (via Urban Adventure League). Congratulations on a huge achievement! Twenty years of any sort of creative project is a massive accomplishment.

6. MD Paper Products Pop Up at Kinokuniya (via Inkredible Colours). I scoured the photos looking for any evidence that ruled versions of the MD Cotton notebooks might be returning, but no such luck, apparently….

7. Stationery for Your Worst Enemy (via Rachel’s Reflections). Ahab FTW. Hopefully they’ll end up like me with ink on their wall, running all the way up to the ceiling.

8. Magasin Sennelier (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!). I love this shop and can’t wait to get back there.

9. Untangling My Zen (via From the Pen Cup). Many people use zentangles to unwind (and also to try out pens, inks, and paper). I’ve always been interested in learning more about this, but too many hobbies, too little time….

10. Dominant Industry Log of Elixir/Log of Atlantis Inks (via Well-Appointed Desk). Ok, I need to get an ink archiving book to play around with. I’m sold.

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I picked up one of these. If you don’t recognize it you will soon enough, as I plan to write about it soon!

In Case You Missed It….

This week was mid-year review week for 2025! I honestly don’t know how we got there already, but we are there! I recapped my favorite posts from the first six months of the year, as well as my currently inked fountain pens that I just revamped with fresh inks this month. I’ve had some new acquisitions come into my hands this month, and also dug through my “archive” for some old favorites that I haven’t used in far too long.

All the Lamy Crystal inks: So many underrated colors in this lineup.

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

New stuff keeps arriving! This week featured the return of the Lochby Field Journal Mini, which has been out of stock since January. Currently it’s available only in brown, but hopefully we will have the other colors back in stock soon. Lochby has also added a B5 Field Folio, which has the zippered closure and is large enough to carry a B5 notebook or a composition book. On the fountain pen front, we now have the popular Diplomat Viper, which is a hooded fountain pen that also has a matching rollerball. Finally, we have the Lamy Crystal inks in stock, which is a more saturated ink that Lamy makes in a wider range of colors. Peridot has long been one of my favorite green inks. Be sure to check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for new arrivals and more. This week’s post featured a few favorite 2025 new releases as well, in the spirit of our mid-year review.

Diplomat

Lamy Inks

Nebula Note

Lochby

NEW T.G.S. Patreon Features - We’ve started a discord community!

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 meetups. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. As noted above, we’ve recently started a Discord community for all paid Patreon supporters.

2025 Mid-Year Review: My Currently Inked Fountain Pens That Hopefully Won't Sit Unused

This week I’ve been recapping the first half of 2025, so I thought it would be fun to look at what I’m currently writing with and using at the mid-point of the year. Unfortunately, due to how busy things have been with the shop/travel/life, I haven’t had enough time for reflective writing or journaling, and most of my usage has been work-related. I don’t like it, but sometimes that happens. During busy periods I tend to gravitate towards non-fountain pens such as retractable rollerballs and ballpoints, as well as fineliners. To jump-start my writing, I pulled out some old favorites from my personal archive, and also inked up some newer releases for a test drive.

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From left, Kanilea Mauna Kea Classic Flush, Montblanc Writer’s Edition Virginia Woolf, Pilot Decimo Harvest Yellow, Pilot Vanishing Point, and Kanilea Kai Huli

Old Favorites and Workhorses: Pilot, Kanilea Pen co, and montblanc

1. Pilot Custom 823 (Standard Fine and Medium Architect). I’ve basically decided that both of my Pilot Custom 823 fountain pens will be perpetually inked. I have a Smoke in the fine nib, and an Amber (my original) in a medium that I’ve had ground to a soft architect. The fine nib pen is currently inked with Anderillium Moray Eel Green and the Amber with Tom’s Studio Loch Ness. (The Loch Ness has been a fixture in that pen for about a year.)

2. Kanilea Mauna Kea, Classic Flush Shape. My original Kanilea fountain pen, purchased at the Baltimore Pen Show back in 2017, remains my favorite. The white acrylic has taken on a cream tone over the years, which makes me enjoy it even more. This pen is inked with Anderillium

3. Kanilea Kai Huli, Classic Flush Shape. Kanilea has smaller stocks of certain materials that they don’t end up adding to the main line, and brings a handful of pens to shows in their “Kai Huli” models, like this red material with yellow flecks. I saw this at two different shows before I finally ended up buying one. The matching ink for this pen is Anderillium Piranha Red. The ink is slightly darker than the pen, and reminiscent of my beloved (and long gone) Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock.

4. Montblanc Virginia Woolf Writer’s Edition. I only own two Montblanc Writers’ Edition pens, the Charles Dickens and the Virginia Woolf. The latter has a combination of shape and texture that I’ve not seen anywhere else, plus a stubbish broad nib that’s an exceptional writer. I inked this one with Anderillium Anglerfish Deep, because the nib is broad enough to bring out the subtler reddish brown shades in this very dark ink.

5. Pilot Vanishing Point (Standard) and Pilot Decimo Harvest Gold. I think I might be all-in on collecting Pilot Decimos. I added the Nagasawa “Harbor Mint” version, discussed below, but my longtime favorite Harvest Gold Decimo with an extra-fine nib is a choice annotation/planner pen. Both pens are inked with Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki (cartridges).

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One reason I love the Pilot Capless Decimo is that it makes for an excellent planner pen. Shown here next to a Bible-size Plotter binder.

New Additions to the Rotation: nagasawa, diplomat, Leonardo, and More pilot

1. Pilot Decimo, Nagasawa Original Kobe Gradation Higashi Kawasaki Harbor Mint. This year’s special edition Decimo release from Nagasawa is exclusive to their store, but the pens are available in the U.S. through Vanness Pens, including in the rare “FM” (fine medium) nib size. I opted for the rhodium trim, and inked this one up with Taccia Sabimidori.

2. Pilot E95s in Burgundy. I held off on getting a Pilot E95s until the burgundy version came back in stock with an extra-fine nib. The E95s is an excellent compact fountain pen - I wouldn’t call it a “pocket” fountain pen because I don’t know how well the plastic would hold up to pocket carry - but it’s definitely a great option for a lightweight writer to pair with a planner or notebook. This one’s also paired with a cartridge of Iroshizuku Kon-Peki.

3. Diplomat Viper in Blue. I’ve been wanting a Diplomat Viper for a while, since I’m a big fan of both Diplomat pens and hooded nibs. The Viper comes in black, blue, and a bronze brown. I chose the blue fountain pen and paired it with a brown rollerball, because I couldn’t decide which one I like better. For an ink, I chose Colorverse Supergiant, which was the Day 1 Ink from last year’s Colorverse Colorvent calendar. Sadly, this ink was not chosen to be one of the few selected to enter the standard Colorverse lineup.

4. Leonardo Momento Zero Nuvola. I’m in the minority of people who seem to prefer the standard Momento Zero over the larger Momento Zero Grande. I’ve had my eye on the cloud-patterned Nuvola for years now, and finally took the opportunity to pick one out in person at Vanness Pens during this year’s Arkansas Pen Show. (See link to the video below.) The ink I chose for this pen ended up not being one of the two Akkermans that I also purchased in Arkansas, but rather the really dark Anderillium Swordfish Blue, which intrigued me when I was doing my swatch video.

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And writing samples for all 10 pens, on Midori MD Cotton Paper.

Further Reading or Viewing

Many of these pens have been reviewed individually in the past, either as part of the “Workhorse Pens” series, or as standard pen reviews available in our fountain pen review archive. Be sure to check out these resources if you’d like more in-depth info about the pens shown here.

I’ve also done some video content on a couple of these items, including a complete walkthrough of the Anderillium Ichthyoformes (“Fish”) inks, and a video documenting my trip to Vanness Pens where I picked out the Momento Zero Nuvola.

I typically have each pen featured in my weekly posts with me in the shop when I open over the weekend. Come in and say hello and see them for yourself. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.