Sunday Reading for Memorial Day Weekend, Plus a Memorial Day Promotion!

1. Pilot Deluxe Urushi (via Left Hook Pens). Another Japan-only release from Pilot, but this looks like a slimmer version of the Pilot Custom Urushi, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Here’s to hoping that Pilot brings this one stateside.

2. 3 Oysters Delicious Chili Red (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). 3 Oysters is one of those brands that flies under the radar but it’s been a long time since I’ve used their ink. I need to pick it back up since it’s a good workhorse brand.

3. Tibaldi Bononia Seashell Mist (via Rants of the Archer). With a shape similar to a Leonardo Furore or a classic Sheaffer Balance, the Tibaldi Bononia once again showcases some stunning materials.

4. 2021 Parker 51 with Steel Nib (via Dapprman). After mostly positive reviews, here’s one where someone has had issues with the newly reissued version of the Parker 51.

5. Introducing the Penquisition Shop (via Penquisition). Please go visit the Penquisition shop and check out their pen rests, pen holders, and other Penquisition swag. I’m always glad to support other sites and blogs trying to make a go at it without the “sponsorship” or affiliate model.

6. Uniball One .38mm Gel Pen Review (via Pen Addict). Uniball has been updating their gel and ballpoint lineup, and I like the look of the One, especially the more modern barrel design. I’ll need to check out the ink, though.

7. Uniball Jetstream Edge 3 Color Multi Pen Review (via Pen Addict). While we’re on a Uniball kick, this is a weird multi pen design. Jetstream Multi Pens are generally great, but I’m not sure how the grip works on this one.

8. Sharpie S-Gel and Roller Pens (via Well-Appointed Desk). Ok, I may be headed out to Office Depot today to pick some of these up after reading Ana’s review. Sharpie for the win, as always!

9. Montblanc Meisterstuck LeGrand 147 Traveller Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens). Looking for the 146-sized Montblanc that can take cartridges? Check out the “Traveller” version.

10. GIVEAWAY ALERT: Galen Leather Writer’s Medic Bag (via Well-Appointed Desk). And why not conclude this week’s links with a giveaway from Ana and team at the Well-Appointed Desk? Don’t miss this chance to win a Galen Leather Writer’s Medic Bag.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog, I published a series of posts with a bit of a theme. Part I talked about my current dissatisfaction with the FOMO-driven state of today’s stationery market, but how I myself feel like I fell into the trap of chasing “limited editions,” etc. over the years and got away from what first got me into this hobby: actually writing. The second installment talks about how I’ve tried to adopt a different mindset in building out the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and Part III looks at what I think it takes to do a special release the “right” way, looking at the recent Kanilea Pen Company Honokalani Maile Lei.

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Looking to jump-start your planner life as we get back to work? We have the full lineup of Traveler’s Company Notebooks and refills. Take advantage of our periodic sales to get into this versatile notebook/planner system.

In Observance of Memorial Day - Take 10% Off Your Curated Shop Orders, Plus a Free Gift Promotion!

To celebrate Memorial Day, use the coupon code “GRATITUDE” to take 10% off shop orders (excluding TWSBI products, which cannot be discounted per the manufacturer). Since I’m looking to clear some stuff out of my own collection, all orders placed between now and 11:59 p.m. CT on Monday, May 31 will receive a free gift from my own personal stash - it could be a few modern or vintage pencils, it could be a pen, it could be a rare pocket notebook! All I know is that I can’t use all of this stuff and I’m looking to pass it along.

Visit T.G.S. on Reddit, and Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!

I’ve been trying to expand into social media beyond Instagram, due to my dissatisfaction with the direction that platform is taking. Currently, you can also engage with me on Twitter, Facebook, and now on Reddit. (Honestly, I’m active on Twitter and Reddit moreso than Facebook, but I do read all the Facebook comments, eventually.) Mainly, I’m doing this because of Instagram’s algorithm-driven approach that buries content unless you’re endlessly posting to their various formats (“Reels,” Stories, posts, etc.) and actively monitoring your account to where you’re basically having to respond to comments and DMs in real time. This is impractical, because you end up spending all your time on their platform and not actually writing or running your business, and then most of this content is temporary (24hrs) and you have to jump on the “hamster wheel” again. Many people just want an easy way to receive updates on when I post new content to the blog. Twitter and Reddit allow me to do that reliably. If there’s one thing you can do to help support T.G.S., it’s sharing our content and spreading the word!

For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve introduced monthly online meetups, which take place on Friday or Saturday and have been super enjoyable. We’ve discussed our thoughts on pen shows restarting, recent arrivals in our personal collections, and more. I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live!