QWERTYbound Safari (via Writing Ball). Did you know there’s a typewriter show, in addition to the pen show circuit? Typewriters are also apparently easier to source in antique stores than reasonably priced vintage fountain pens.
2025 Dallas Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Be sure you read all the way to the end for the pics of the Texas State Fair.
Recap of MIPS2025 (via Inkredible Colours). A great recap of the inaugural Malaysian International Pen Show!
Checking Out a Blind Box from The Gentleman Stationer (via Inkdependence). I do these blind boxes for my Patreon members, and occasionally if I have extras they will go live. I may look to expand them in the future but it’s a big endeavor for a small operation like ours.
#12PenPersonQuestions (via Line Variation). Congrats to Lisa at Olive Octopus for coming up with this wildly successful trend. I enjoy reading all of these entries and learning more about our community.
Rupert Answers the #12PenPersonQuestions List (via Fountain Pen Blog). Another set of thoughtful answers!
Weirdoforest Travels 2025 (via Weirdoforest Pens). Great travel photos and a great collection of travel sketches with ink!
The New Paper Republic Le Trifold Leather Journal (via Inky.Rocks). Paper Republic seems to be all over the place these days! I’ve heard mixed reviews on their paper but the trifold design is interesting.
My Travel Writing System (via SBRE Brown). I love hearing about what people take with them on their travels, and coming up with some new techniques because I find myself forgetting to write much when traveling.
Uniball Jetstream Prime 3 Color Lite Touch Ballpoint Multi Pen Review (via Pen Addict). I’m in agreement with Brad that this is one of the best multi pens for the money currently on the market. The Lite Touch refill is outstanding.
Underappreciated Ink Brands: Vinta Inks (via Well-Appointed Desk). Yes, be sure not to forget the solid standbys that sometimes get outshined by the constant stream of new arrivals!
In Case You Missed It…
I had a bit of an inky theme this week! I reviewed the Pilot Iro-Utsushi Dip Pen, which is one of the best low-cost dip pen options on the market and it’s not even close, IMHO. It’s somewhat rare to find dip pens that use fountain pen nibs, though more brands are releasing them given the popularity of ink sampling and doodling. I also answered a new “Ask TGS” question related to ink safety, since this is something I was asked three or four times this weekend alone.
This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and Save the Date for October 17-18th in Nashville!
We’ve had several new arrivals in the shop, including the Brass Wren from Tom’s Studio, which is a great accompaniment to the new Lumos finishes, as well as the latest Lamy Studio “Orion” release in a gorgeous matte burgundy. We also have the TWSBI ECO Carrara + Onyx, additional stock of the Lamy AL-Star in Dark Dusk, Lochby Voyager A5 Slim Notebook Cover, and more! Be sure to check out each weeks Thursday Drops post for all of the new releases and arrivals.
The big news is that we will be having an in-store event on Friday and Saturday, October 17th and 18th, with pen maker Shawn Newton and Lisa Vanness of Vanness Pens, who will be bringing many different items we don’t regularly stock! Be sure to stop by if you are in the area as this will be sure to be a fun weekend. We’ll also have some in-store specials such as stamps and stickers so bring your notebooks. If everything goes to plan we will also open up the new TGS retail space, which will be on the front of the building!
Thank You For Supporting TGS - Consider our patreon!
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. The T.G.S. Patreon includes early access and discounts on exclusive shop releases, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly meetups. Patreon supporters also have access to the first two episodes of a new podcast experiment I’ve been working on with Lisa Vanness of Vanness Pens. More on this later, but for the time being the initial episodes are Patreon-exclusive.