Montegrappa Extra Otto Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). The Montegrappa Extra series, which includes the Extra 1930 and Extra Otto fountain pens, features some of my favorite vintage-style celluloids out there, plus a giant No. 8 nib.
Where Is the Line Between Iteration and Imitation? (via mnmlscholar). Whatever the line is, Moonman has a tendency to disregard it altogether with some of their designs. Nonetheless, there are some interesting points here in terms of how Pilot has refused to bring a clipless VP to market despite strong demand.
(Don’t) Eat Your Greens: Lamy Studio (via A Fleeting Ripple). I love the Lamy Studio, and the “Olive Green” version is a favorite of mine, even over the Racing Green version that followed. As this review points out, however, those who are sensitive to heavier or metal pens might want to try before you buy.
Platinum Izumo Kurikara-Ken (via Rachel’s Reflections). The Platinum Izumo (and it’s nib sibling, the President, which I believe is discontinued) are models which I’ve never tried. I’ll need to remedy that based on these photos!
The Pilot Lucina (via Left Hook Pens). Now there’s a pen I haven’t seen in years! Once ubiquitous on the ‘Bay, the Lucina may have been phased out by Pilot? I always wanted a yellow one.
Kaweco Original Black Chrome Fountain Pens 060 and 250 (via Dapprman). Color me intrigued (especially if they eventually release this pen in more colors)! It’s also interesting that there are both No. 4 and No. 6 nib versions.
Venvstas Hits 2.0 with the Carbon Fiber Magna Piston (via UK Fountain Pens). I guess Anthony can’t stay away, and he’s back with a review of the “new” Venvstas Magna with a piston filler that they’ve attempted to revise to address earlier critiques.
Robert Oster Oklahoma City (via Mountain of Ink). The latest entry in Robert Oster’s “Cities” series is a sharp-looking green ink.
Wearingeul The Mind Fountain Pen Ink (via Pen Addict-Jeff). I’ve been incredibly impressed with the Wearingeul inks I’ve tried recently, so much that I brought along an entire case of Opus 88 pens filled with nothing but Wearingeul options on my vacation!
Ferris Wheel Press Fall Collection (via Well-Appointed Desk). And yet another Ferris Wheel Press release, in more excellent Fall-inspired colors! They really do their best work in autumn.
Sailor x TinterÍas Agave and Blue Corn: More Inky Deliciousness (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). The Sailor “Deliciosa” series keeps growing, and I’m in the process of placing my order for both of these!
In Case You Missed It
Since I’m on vacation, just one new review this week - my writeup of the Nahvalur (formerly Narwhal) “Nautilus” ebonite fountain pen in Stylophora Berry. I also recapped my ongoing Guide to Notebook Systems multipart series, which I’m actively working on.
Six new Platinum Preppy Wa colors are in stock!
This Week in the Shop - Vacation Discount!
Since I’m on vacation this week, I wanted to offer something special to make up for any brief shipping delays. Take 10% off all paper orders with the coupon code “VACAY10” at checkout! Also, as per the usual, any orders placed while I’m away will receive some small extras in the package.
In terms of new arrivals, we recently received a Caran d’Ache restock, including most colors of the 849 ballpoint, Black Code mechanical pencils (which you can use to match your Black Code ballpoint), and most of the Caran d’Ache woodcase pencil options. We also have the Mark’style Tous Les Jours Needle-tip Ballpoint, along with an allotment of the Platinum Preppy Wa Second Series fountain pens, featuring six new patterns on the heels of last year’s runaway success! I hope Platinum continues these releases in the future - they tend to sell out quickly.
Many Thanks for Your Shop Support, and Please Consider T.G.S. Patreon!
We’ve been surprised at the level of enthusiasm and support for our curated retail strategy over the past couple of months, and after careful consideration are beginning to build out our inventory with more brands and product categories. I love managing this aspect of T.G.S., as it offers me the opportunity to directly put great stationery - including brands I feel are underappreciated and underemphasized - into your hands. For those who want to support T.G.S. without necessarily adding to their accumulation, the Patreon Program offers two options for tiers of support: $3 and $5, and plan on making monthly meetups, pen show events, and periodic exclusive content the primary benefits. Of course, Patreon members will continue to get first access to periodic sample sales, with right of first refusal on gently used pens. (Reminder that those pens which made it through Patreon are now available to the general readership!)