2023 California Pen Show Recap & Report Card (via Pen Addict). It’s not often that new pen shows get launched, so of course I’m going to lead with the “new” LA Pen Show (the “California Pen Show”) which seems like it was a rousing success!
California Pen Show Recap (via Well-Appointed Desk). Another positive recap of the first California Pen Show! Perhaps I’ll see you all there next year….
Elbwood PocketMaster (via KraftyKats). These pocket pens are starting to show up more, with interesting design and beautiful ebonite construction.
Kaweco 2022 Limited Edition Sports (via Dapprman). While I’m on a Saffron/Orange/Yellow kick, that “Orangina”….
Sailor Realo 1911 Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Sailor’s piston-filler versions of its 1911 and Pro Gear models aren’t as popular or widely available as one might expect. On the consumer side, this is due to the price point.
A Lucky Find: SchonDSGN’s Pocket Six “Shop Shuffle” (via From the Pen Cup). I’ve not seen this before from SchonDSGN, but it’s a great idea! I imagine these go fast when they do come up.
Roma Aeterna: Montblanc Homage to Hadrian Rosso Antico (via A Fleeting Ripple). Even if they do sometimes duplicate colors, Montblanc has some excellent shades, especially in red. And let’s face it - many times you are buying into a theme that means something to you.
The Sailor Pro Gear Slim That I Feared Was Lost & The Aurora I Bought to Replace It (via Chicana Writes). Two excellent everyday writers are spotlighted here, and the “Christmas Pudding” Pro Gear Slim caught my own eye during the holidays….
18111 Night Snow (via Rachel’s Reflections). I still have not purchased a pen from Mr. Nakama, and that needs to change soon. This one is gorgeous in a design I’ve never seen.
Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Zone Erasable Gel Ink Pen Review (via Pen Addict). Are people into the FriXion in the U.S. as much as in the Japanese market? Is this something I should be looking into?
In Case You Missed It…
This week on the blog took a bit of a personal turn in terms of items I’ve been looking for (and now using) for some time: I finally found some standard blue writing paper that I enjoy and which is readily available at reasonable cost, and I also wrote the latest installment in the “Workhorse Pens” series on low-viscosity ballpoints such as the extra-fine and needle-tip pens I have started to use on an almost everyday basis and now stock in the shop.
This Week in the Curated Shop + Presidents’ Day Weekend PromotioN!
The past several weeks have seen a rather large expansion of our shop, which now includes several new ink lines ranging from the classic J. Herbin inks to more recent releases such as the historically-inspired Laban “Greek Mythology” series. For a full recap of all the new arrivals, check out each week’s “Thursday Drops” post, which this week includes the arrival and shipment of TWSBI ECO-T Saffron fountain pens, restocks on Kleid x Life Notebooks, and more!
Grab a free mini-bottle of Anderillium for Presidents’ Day!
Also, for today and tomorrow only, all shop orders over $20 will receive a complimentary 10ml sample of Anderillium Ink! Anderillium was kind enough to send me a box of these ink samples for giveaways with orders. I have more than I thought so I’m expanding/extending our prior fountain pen promotion through 11:59pm CT tomorrow (Monday, February 20). No coupon code is necessary. (TWSBI is necessarily excluded from any promotion, per brand rules, but all other purchases qualify.)
Consider Supporting Us Via T.G.S. Patreon!
This year, I’m trying to be more visible and intentional with T.G.S. Patreon and how the support/membership program will expand in 2023 to include not only access to meetups and early gently used sales, but more exclusive content, including the potential return of Digital Divide. So far, I’ve been trying for at least two Patreon posts per month. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support!