Sunday Reading for July 27, 2025

1. The Unbelievable Roterfaden TGS 25 - Everything You Need to Know (via dwrdnet). Many thanks to Derek for walking through our Roterfaden collab! These are almost sold out, and while I’m a bit sad I can’t take them to D.C., I’m ecstatic for all of these to find new homes.

2. Let’s Figure Out the Lumos Pro Duo from Tom’s Studio (via Inkdependence). Mike walks through the Lumos refillable fineliner and how they work. These pens have struck a chord with people looking to be able to use their fountain pen inks in a fineliner format that can be a bit more office and travel friendly. They remain one of our own best-sellers.

3. Louise Carmen Better Than Paper Republic? Plotter? Traveler’s Notebook? (via Inky.Rocks). I loved seeing this comparison. Louise Carmen is a brand that I’m seeing more of online, as well as Paper Republic.

4. Radio, Revisited: Local Radio Has Gotten Good (finally), a New C. Crane, and Goodbye to Satellite (via Urban Adventure League). I’ve had fun rediscovering my local terrestrial radio recently. I’ve always appreciated my local NPR affiliate, but have barely used my satellite subscription in recent months.

5. Pen Show Planning (via Rachel’s Reflections). What, we’re only a week out from D.C.? Guess I’d better pack. And prepare my class.

6. New Journal and 10 Years of Writing at Large (via Writing at Large). Congrats on 10 years! A huge bloggiversary accomplishment.

7. Schon DSGN x Custom Nib Studio Sashiko Fountain Pen (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Whoa. I missed this launch, but maybe I’ll get to see this one in D.C.

8. A Trip to Tokyo: Local for a Moment (via Pete Denison). As always, Pete’s travelogues are excellent, observant, and a fun read.

9. Hey, DC! Reminder: Sign Up for Pen Show Workshops (via Well-Appointed Desk). If you’re planning on attending the D.C. Pen Show, everyone should be aware that certain classes and workshops require a reservation, and others require a class fee. If you’re looking forward to attending one of these, you may need to sign up so please check the D.C. website.

10. Kobe Ginza Gold Sepia Fountain Pen Ink Review (via Pen Addict). I also love offbeat muted colors, and “Gold Sepia” checks this box.

View fullsize

These Yamamoto Bible-Sized Jotter pads could be an indispensable accessory for those who use Bible size Plotters and similar ring binders.

In Case You Missed It….

I spent most of this week shipping Roterfadens and attempting to prep for D.C., with Tennessee tax-free weekend thrown into the mix! If you’re coming to D.C. (or just want to know what a pen show is all about), check out Wednesday’s post previewing my workshop on Notebook Systems 101. Yesterday I built on that a bit, discussing the idea of how to pair systems from different brands to customize build-outs for your specific needs.

View fullsize

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop: Last Call for TGS_25

We are down to ONE remaining unit of our Roterfaden collab as of this morning. I’d really love to send this one off to a new home soon. If you missed out, I will place a restock in the future as soon as we get some certainty on the trade situation and what pricing will look like going forward. In the meantime, we are well-stocked on standard A5 Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters, as well as a limited number of B6 versions. We also have a restock of Yamamoto Select A4 papers, and their new Bible-sized Bullet Jotters, complete with 6 different refills that include the new Canopus and Meringue papers. For a full list of restocks and new releases, check out this week’s Thursday Drops post!

We will have reduced hours this week in our brick-and-mortar shop, as we are traveling to the D.C. Pen Show. August is Pen Show Month, so in-person shopping will be somewhat irregular unless I can get help covering shop hours. This week we will be open on Thursday for modified hours but closed Friday and Saturday.

Braun

Yamamoto Paper

Original Brooks

Toyo Steel

Consider Further Supporting T.G.S.!

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 special promotions, 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)! The T.G.S. Patreon includes early access and discounts on exclusive 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.

Complementary Notebook Systems and Stationery: Yamamoto Bullet Jotters

Of all the notebook systems, planners, and related products on the market, what I really appreciate is a brand or system that doesn’t lock you into a specific format, allowing you to experiment with different types of paper and to mix-and-match refills. It’s a big reason why I like flexible cover-based systems like the Lochby Field Journal series, the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter, and binder and disc-based systems that you can really unlock by buying a hole punch and using whatever paper you choose. In my Notebook Systems 101 workshops that I’ll be holding at the upcoming D.C. Pen Show next week, how different planner and notebook systems interact and complement one another will be a major topic of discussion.

View fullsize

To that end, I wanted to spotlight a new product from Yamamoto Paper: The “Bullet Jotter,” which is a Personal/Bible-sized notepad holder that can be used as a stand-alone product or as a companion to a Bible-sized binder from brands such as Plotter. This small portfolio measures roughly 4.5” x 7.2”, lies completely flat, and holds two pads of Bible-sized paper (one pad of Soliste and another of Sheep Clouds Bond are included). You can use the notepads as is, and the paper can also be hole-punched for filing, as shown below in my Plotter.

View fullsize

View fullsize

I used a Carl/Plotter hole punch to add the sheet of Sheep Clouds Bond to my Bible-size Plotter.

Yamamoto, a Japanese paper distributor, has sourced six different Japanese papers to fit the Bullet Jotter (or to use as individual notepads). In addition to the Soliste and Sheep Clouds Bond, there are pads of Sanzen Tomoe River, Canopus, Meringue, and Slight White. Some of these already have been made available in Yamamoto’s sampler packs and A4 looseleaf sets, but Canopus and Meringue are new papers that I look forward to exploring.

View fullsize

As of this morning you can get the Yamamoto Bullet Jotter, refills, and plenty of other Yamamoto papers in our shop. We’re somewhat frantically trying to get a ton of new inventory listed before the D.C. Show, and these might come with us. Please note that we are open today (Saturday) for in-person shopping, and will be open Thursday for limited hours before closing next weekend for D.C. You can keep track of updated hours here.

Thursday Drops: Roterfaden TGS_25 Special Edition, Traveler's and Maruman Restock, and Braun Clocks!

We have a bit of everything this week, with the big news being the release of our own special Roterfaden collaboration, the TGS_25, in an A5 slim format. While I expected it to be popular (this is an uncommon Roterfaden size that only periodically appears in special releases), I wasn’t quite prepared for how quickly this one has sold. We do still have some stock remaining, and I have held back a handful for our local customers this weekend. Just a reminder to our Patreon supporters that they have a special pricing offer on this release - please check the Patreon feed for details.

View fullsize

Yesterday we also received a restock of many different Traveler’s Notebook refills and accessories, as well as Standard and Pocket Starter Kits. Maruman Spiral notebooks are back in stock, as well as some of the more popular Yamamoto A4 papers, including Kin Kaku Den, Soliste, Slight White, and Light Force. Finally, be sure to check out our ever-expanding selection of desk accessories, including Toyo steel boxes and Braun desk alarm clocks - a new analog timer to complement our sandglass selection!

Our brick-and-mortar shop is open Thursday and Friday from 1pm-6pm, and on Saturday from 10am-6pm, and otherwise by appointment. Hope to see you soon!

1. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter TSG_25 (T.G.S. Special Edition). Our most recent collaboration is an A5-Slim Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter, in a soft exterior Olive leather with dark grey suede interior. This Taschenbegleiter will fit notebooks from several different existing brands, or you can cut down a standard A5 to fit the dimensions. You can read more about this release and how it works in Tuesday’s post.

2. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Standard Sizes (A5 and B6). Along with our TGS_25 special edition, we have additional stock of A5 and B6 Taschenbegleiters in a variety of cover colors and interior finishes.

3. T.G.S. x Hinze Taschenstift “Violet Tendencies” Micarta Fountain Pen. We have some remaining stock of our latest fountain pen collaboration with Hinze Pens, which features a dark purple Micarta with a matching anodized nib and section. You can read more about this here.

4. Lochby Voyager A5 Slim Journal Cover. For those not into the leather Taschenbegleiter, Lochby offers their own A5 Slim cover in waxed canvas. These will accept any refill/notebook up to 4.3” x 7.3”.

5. Uni Jetstream M17 Ballpoint Refill. We have another shipment of the excellent Uni Jetstream refill designed to fit Lamy ballpoint pens that take the standard M16 refill (Safari, AL-Star, 2000, etc.). .5mm and .7mm tip sizes are available.

6. Braun Desktop/Travel Alarm Clocks. I rediscovered this line of classic Braun desk accessories when I visited London last year, and while I haven’t yet been able to source the calculator, I did find this compact travel alarm clock that I use as a non-phone desk clock at my office.

7. Toyo Stackable Steel Storage Boxes. These stackable steel boxes from Japan are a modern design classic, and can be used to store anything from stationery to office supplies to charging cables to coffee and tea. (I hear some people even use the taller sizes to store ink bottles.) Multiple colors and sizes are available.

8. Original Brooks Hand-sewn Notebooks. These handmade creations are U.S.-made using reclaimed scrap, vintage, and even antique paper, and even include a few envelopes sewn into the notebooks that you can use to hold mementos. Two sizes available.

9. Shorthand Press Notebooks and Desk Pads. For obvious reasons, we’ve been exploring U.S.-sourced stationery over the past several months, and have decided to bring Shorthand Press’s gorgeous spiral notebooks and classic vintage-inspired desk pads into the shop. Made in Los Angeles.

10. Appointed Notebooks and Writing Pads. One of the most pencil friendly papers we’ve used, Appointed paper is textured and really takes graphite well due to its texture. We also love the textured linen covers.

View fullsize

This muted vintage yellow might be my favorite color of the Toyo Steel Boxes.

Notebook Systems 101: More 2025 DC Pen Show Workshop Information

I mentioned Saturday that I would be holding a daily workshop on Notebook Systems at the 2025 D.C. Pen Show, and times are now live on the D.C. Pen Show website. Because that site can be a bit hard to follow, the schedule is as follows: Friday 8/1 at 4pm; Saturday 8/2 at 3:30pm; and Sunday 8/3 at 11:30am. There is no charge to attend any of my workshops, and the class will be held in the Vanness Pen Lounge, located downstairs and open to all show attendees.

What Does The Notebook Systems 101 Workshop Entail?

Last year, I held the workshop roundtable-style in the pen lounge, and basically walked attendees through the concept of a notebook “system” (as opposed to just a standard notebook) and the different options available. Attendees were able to peruse functional samples (either my personal notebooks or demo units set up by me) of notebooks/binders from Plotter, Traveler’s Company, Lochby, and Roterfaden. This year, I will have those same brands available, plus additional examples of notebooks from Yamamoto Ro-Biki, Cloth & Paper, and other more unique offerings that don’t get as much attention.

View fullsize

I enjoy holding this class because many people find it helpful to experience in person how each system works, and what types of paper and accessories can be used with each one. It can be hard to visualize a ring binder vs. a cord-based system vs. a disc-based system without an opportunity to test them out hands-on. It’s a key part of our in-store experience here in Nashville, which I try to replicate at those pen shows where I’m primarily teaching as opposed to setting up and selling.

What If I Can’t Make the D.C. Pen Show? Where Else Can I Find This Information?

I recently created a Notebook Systems informational resource on the website, with links to relevant blog posts and video content. I plan to add to this in the future, including any workshop content that I make available to pen show attendees, so that general readers will have access even if they can’t make the show.

View fullsize

Oh, and I’ll probably bring some multi pens!

Do You Have a Table at the D.C. Pen Show?

I will have a small setup, either as part of the Vanness Pen Lounge or adjacent to the Vanness tables. (D.C. is so large and chaotic that we often don’t know how exactly how the show will be set up until we get there.) I currently plan to bring a small assortment of notebooks, mainly Roterfaden and Lochby. Traveler’s Company and Plotter usually attend the show as a brand and sell directly. Some of you have asked whether we will have stock of our recently released Roterfaden special edition, the TSG_25. While I will certainly bring any stock that I have, I think it’s unlikely many will remain available as we’ve already sold through roughly 2/3 of our initial shipment. The timing and size of any restock will depend on trade developments in the coming days, but it will not be prior to the D.C. Pen Show, unfortunately.

Our brick-and-mortar is open this week so please do stop by! We are open Thursday and Friday from 1pm-6pm, and on Saturday from 10am-6pm, and otherwise by appointment. Hope to see you soon!

Introducing the T.G.S. x Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter TGS_25: Available Now!

Over the years many have asked where I obtained my A5-slim Roterfaden, which has made an appearance both here on the blog and in YouTube videos. That particular release was a special edition, long-since discontinued, and Roterfaden was kind enough to agree to bring it back for us in what’s been dubbed the “Taschenbegleiter TGS_25”, with a soft olive green exterior leather and a dark grey suede interior! It’s a flexible size, with the cover not designed to fit any specific refill: It measures roughly 5” x 8.6”, and will accommodate any A5 Slim/Personal-sized notebooks up to 4.3” (wide) by 8.3” (tall) dimensions. While I typically cut down A5 notebooks to fit this size cover, I’ve also used notebooks from brands including Lochby (the Voyager is an excellent fit), Yamamoto Ro-Biki, and Traveler’s Company with success. The Roterfaden system operates with stainless steel clips, which conveniently slide up and down to accommodate variations in notebook height.

View fullsize

There are two elastic options: The green elastic above and the grey elastic shown here. All cords are both removable and replaceable.

These are available now in the main T.G.S. shop, with Patreon supporters having their own listing with a special pricing opportunity via the Patreon Shop. (Patrons be sure to check the main feed and Discord for details.) We carry a wide range of notebooks and refills that could potentially fit this cover, and also recently procured a commercial paper cutter that allows us to trim notebooks to size. Please e-mail me or reach out via the “Contact” link if you are interested in this service and whether it is possible with a specific notebook. There will be no charge, but once a notebook is cut down any sales will be final.

While I can’t guarantee how many Taschenbegleiters will last through the weekend, our brick-and-mortar will be open this week so please do stop by! We are open Thursday and Friday from 1pm-6pm, and on Saturday from 10am-6pm, and otherwise by appointment. Hope to see you soon!

View fullsize

If the A5 Slim size doesn’t work for you, we also have a restock of many A5 Taschenbegleiters and one B6 model.