What's It Like to Get a Nib Modified at a Pen Show? Follow Along!

So this year at the Arkansas Pen Show, I decided to do something a little different, and filmed a video of Matthew Chen of Matthew’s Nib Works grinding a broad Pilot nib into a Kodachi (his take on the Naginata-Togi style grind that has become so popular lately). In this video, I show Matthew grinding the nib, and I also filmed the post-grind testing process and talk a bit about how the Kodachi is shaped and how the nib writes.

The Kodachi grind on my Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel.

For those interested in reading more about Naginata/Kodachi grinds, you can check out my review of Gena Salorino’s (Custom Nib Studio) “Perspective” grind, which has similar features. My prior video breaking down my Arkansas Pen Show “haul” also had a couple of Kodachi grinds featured - both from Matthew - though they are not the exact pens featured in today’s release. I hope you enjoy, and I have at least one more video of pen show content on the way!

If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us by purchasing directly through the T.G.S. Curated Shop, or by pledging via Patreon.

2025 Atlanta Pen Show Recap: Time for a Reboot (Plus a Note on Tariffs)

I want to start by saying that I had a great time at the Atlanta Pen Show this past weekend, and overall T.G.S. did very well at this event. Despite all the economic uncertainty, our community is vibrant, energized and supportive, and I have no doubt pen shows and the community as a whole will come through this latest crisis. In my view, if the 2008 financial crisis and the multi-year pandemic shutdown didn’t kill shows, they must have a pretty strong foundation and people will figure out how to keep them going. For most of us (myself included), this isn’t a hobby, it's part of who we are and how we think and work, and I plan to do whatever I can to stick around and pull through and make sure readers and customers continue to have as wide a selection as possible for their stationery experience.

That said, more than the depressing state of world affairs cast a pall over the 2025 Atlanta Pen Show. The show was not nearly as well-run as in years past. The vendor and seminar lists were never updated (even now the site shows 2024 names), no seminars were even held, and there was a lot of confusion among potential attendees about whether the show would even take place. This wasn’t an economy issue - it was purely on the showrunners. While the organizers certainly dropped the ball for 2025, I don’t expect these problems to continue next year as I understand they were plagued by a lack of available help, which is already being addressed.

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Tri Star Studios attended as a vendor for the first time. I ended up buying a pen from Scott, who also had ceramics from Tracy Cullen Pottery. See Saturday’s post for details.

While it’s never fun when a show doesn’t run smoothly, I still had a blast. I’ve never had a table at the Atlanta Pen Show, and like the Arkansas Pen Show, I really enjoyed getting to meet so many long-time customers in person. As long as my family schedule permits, I will continue to return. Despite organizational snafus, there was a good mix of vendors, including many independent makers showing for the first time, though the show did lack a major source of ink because both Vanness and Dromgoole’s could not attend this year.

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I’m perfecting the art of the one-table setup. :)

T.G.S. also had a good show, business-wise. As I discussed post-Arkansas, my goal for shows is to bring goods that other vendors don’t tend to focus on, including non-fountain pens like the ever-popular Tom’s Studio Lumos and Wren series, notebook systems from Roterfaden and Lochby, and more unusual niche inks. (This past weekend I brought inks from Teranishi and Tom’s Studio.) I had several people comment on the selection and express appreciation for doing something different, which makes me think I’m on to something. :)

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I was most disappointed that the bar no longer had any beer on tap. And ran out of most bottles on Friday.

Response to Reader Questions: What About Tariffs?

Like many other retailers, I’ve been fielding inquiries since the weekend about how U.S. tariffs will impact the pen industry and U.S.-based retailers. Unfortunately, I have to say that the likely impact is obvious: there will almost certainly be higher prices in the future if the current tariff rates hold. Most of the industry is, at least for now, import-dependent. While there are some stationery products that are made in the U.S.A., even these may have ties to imported components and raw materials, machinery, and other elements of the supply chain that are not immediately obvious. Please remember that retailers have very little control over prices, which tend to be dictated by manufacturers and/or distributors. Most of us sell our goods at the lower end of the permissible range at whatever markup is necessary to support a viable margin that allows us to keep the lights on. The prices we charge are directly impacted by the prices we are charged, and contrary to some of the speculation I have seen in various pen forums, stationery is not a high-margin business capable of completely absorbing tariffs of this magnitude. Brick and mortar retailers have even slimmer margins due to overhead costs.

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Post pen-show and restocking chaos. We will be cleaned up and ready to go by Thursday, and the brick and mortar shop will be open Thursday-Saturday for the foreseeable future. Check out this page to stay up to date on hours.

That said, I believe that it’s also unlikely the current tariff rates will hold. [Edit: They’ve been paused as of 4:00pm on 4/9. Guess we’ll talk again in 90 days?] The more plausible scenario is that over time, they will be negotiated down to something that still stings but will be more manageable. Most retailers and distributors have likely been stocking 4-6 months worth of inventory - if not more - to ride out the initial turbulence, but for things like limited edition releases that need to be ordered in the next several weeks, it may be a different story. I try to be transparent so I will keep everyone updated as I hear more about how the industry is responding, but for now it’s fair to say that nobody really knows how this will all shake out.

Many thanks to everyone who has expressed support and/or concern, and I’m extremely grateful for your patronage! T.G.S. is in a good position, and because we’re small with lower overhead than most we will be nimble enough to adjust as circumstances dictate. In addition to having a large supply of most major brands, we try to stock a range of goods across many different price points to ensure that people will be able to continue to enjoy their stationery no matter the circumstances.

Come see us in person this weekend! Our physical shop is open Thursday and Friday from 1-6pm, and 10-6pm on Saturdays.

Thursday Drops: What To Expect in Atlanta, Plus a Pen Show Weekend Paper Promo!

It’s showtime again, with the Atlanta Pen Show on tap for tomorrow. While I was feeling a bit worn down, after the “excitement” of the past few days I really need an escape and am looking forward to socializing with everyone this coming weekend. I’ll be bringing a similar setup to what I had in Arkansas (though with a single table), and will focus on Roterfaden, Traveler’s Company, assorted paper that fits all the covers, as well as my multi pens and reading accessories.

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I will have paper testers at the table!

Take 10% off paper orders with “ATLANTA” at checkout!

Many thanks to everyone who has supported us as a small business through these uncertain - and certainly unpredictable - times. As a thank you, for this weekend, through Sunday, take 10% off your paper orders with the coupon code “ATLANTA” at checkout. (It might be a good time to stock up on favorites, just sayin’….). Orders should ship within our regular 2-3 business day time frame since Atlanta is a short trip. Some exclusions, such as Roterfaden, apply. Sale ends Sunday 4/6 at 11:59pm CT.

We are open in-store today from 1-6pm before we have to leave. Be sure to stop by as we will be closed Friday and Saturday while we attend the pen show!

1. Grown-Up Washi Tape (and Super-Floral Grown-up Washi Tape). Not for the kids. But super appropriate this morning. Let’s lead with this one!

2. TWSBI Slate Blue with Onyx Fountain Pens. We still have a few of the latest TWSBI release, though many of these sold out nearly immediately in the store yesterday.

3. Kaweco Student Fountain Pens. The Kaweco Student is an underrated fountain pen that’s well-balanced and reliable, and I’ve always enjoyed the music series which pairs muted pastels with a cream barrel and gold trim.

4. Uni Signo DX Gel Pens. We recently brought in the line of Uni Signo DX gel pens in the .28mm and .38mm tip sizes, in a wide array of different colors and a comfortable cushioned grip.

5. Lamy Petrol and Sepia Inks. We received a big shipment of Lamy ink today, including a restock of the recent Petrol re-release. I will have some bottles in Atlanta and some in the shop for purchase.

6. Anderillium “Ichthyoformes” Series. Moray Eel Green and Whale Shark Grey are here! So far, Moray Eel Green is winning the popularity contest, but the Whale Shark Grey is the match for the new TWSBI ECO.

7. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Folios. I’m bringing all of my remaining Roterfaden stock from the most recent shipment to the Atlanta Pen Show, so if you’ve had your eye on one of the most recent arrivals, please get your order in before I leave late tonight.

8. Lochby Field Folio and Field Journals in A5. The new Lochby Field Folio was a big seller at last month’s Arkansas Pen Show, and I’ll have fresh stock in Atlanta. I do have enough to sell online.

9. Lochby Venture Pouch. The Venture Pouch is back in all three colors, including Navy. To see exactly how this unique case works, check out this YouTube video demonstration!

10. Lamy AL-Stars and Safari New Releases. We have the Denim and Aubergine AL-Star Fountain Pens, as well as the new Lamy Safari in Scarlet.

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Petrol and Sepia are in stock!

Unboxing the Arkansas Pen Show Haul! Two Nib Grinds, Inks, and a New Pen

Ok, so I was pretty good this past weekend, all things considered. I managed to keep the 2025 Arkansas Pen Show haul down to one pen, two nib grinds, and two inks. I’ve become much more deliberate about not accumulating stuff unnecessarily and taking a longer-term approach to bigger-ticket items (such as some more expensive vintage pens I’m considering). Here, the pen I purchased was one that I’ve been considering for at least a year; the nib grinds were to pens that I use a lot but need to tweak to make them a better fit for my handwriting, and the two inks were likewise long-sought additions to my everyday rotation.

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My Lamy 2000 in Stainless Steel (Broad Nib), ground to a Kodachi.

Arkansas Pen Show: A Great Show for Nib Grinds

Because the Arkansas Pen Show tends to be hyper-local and vintage-heavy, it can be easier to have nib work done because there simply isn’t as much demand/competition for the slots as at the larger shows. While Matt Chen (Matthew’s Nib Works) was definitely occupied all weekend, the wait didn’t ever seem to be longer than 2 or 3 people, and I had no trouble obtaining walk-up time to have two pens ground. I added Matt’s Kodachi grind to my Lamy 2000 in Stainless Steel and my broad Schon DSGN Monoc nib, both of which were a bit too broad and wet for me to use regularly. The Kodachi grind is a newer fascination of mine, as it offers what I consider to be similar line variation to an architect nib without some of the sharper angles and edges of that grind. On his site, Matt describes the Kodachi as “a grind made to emulate brush strokes with thin vertical lines, thick horizontal lines, and a sharp hairline at high angles,” and his particular take is inspired by the Naginata Togi developed by Yukio Nagahara. You can read more about the different grinds that Matthew offers here.

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My Schon DSGN Monoc nib, formerly a broad, ground to a Kodachi. The natural shape of the Monoc lends itself to this grind but is not as pronounced as the Lamy 2000 grind, above.

While I’m planning a longer, more comprehensive post (as well as a video) on nib grinds, I will go ahead and note that these more complex grinds can be proportionately more expensive so you should plan accordingly. Matthew charges $80 for a Kodachi grind, compared to $30 for a general adjustment and $50 for a more “basic” grind such as an italic or stub. Before you invest in a grind like this, you definitely want to try a similar pen with a similar grind, and the optimal place to do so is at a pen show. Most nib workers have their own take on each grind, and most will have a selection of “tester” pens that you can write with at their table.

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Matthew Chen’s table features a full set of pens (Pelikans) with all of the various nib grinds he offers. You can test them out yourself before you make a final decision.

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Writing samples with the two Kodachis that I had ground at the show.

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Some of my doodles from the tester pens at Matt’s table.

In-Person Pen Selection: The Best for Unique Materials

After the show, I went to visit our friends at Vanness Pens. I’ve been coveting one of the Leonardo Momento Zero Nuvola fountain pens for some time, though I didn’t want to order online because this specific material features a grey/cream swirl that can vary wildly from pen to pen. I was able to go “behind the curtain” at Vanness and look at all of the various pens they had in stock to select my favorite, along with a medium nib with plenty of tipping.

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I prefer the Leonardo Momento Zero Nuvola with a balanced mix of grey and cream.

Two New (To Me) Inks from P.W. Akkerman: No. 7 and No. 18!

I have far too little Akkerman Ink in my collection, and I regret having sold off many of the colors over the years. The bottles are superb, in that they feature the signature inkwell in the neck that makes it easy to fill a pen, no matter the nib size. The two colors I chose were No. 7 (KoninginneNach-Blauw) and No. 18 (Garuda Rood). No. 18 is a burgundy/maroon, and No. 7 is a blue-black with grey undertones. I love both of them and have waited far too long to add them to my collection. The “rumor” (which to my knowledge has never been denied by either party) is that Akkerman inks are private-labeled by Diamine, so these are all excellent safe inks that will work well in most fountain pens. I have never had an issue with any Akkerman ink and have used them regularly in my rotation over the years.

Which one is your favorite? I’m digging the slight multi-shading effect on the Akkerman No. 7. Just don’t ask me how pronounce it.

If you’d like to see a real-time unboxing of everything I brought back, plus some extended discussion of the two nib grinds PLUS real-time writing samples and ink swatches, you can view the full video on YouTube here.

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I think I’m going to call this one the “all the things” table, since we’ve added a bunch new items ranging from new Jetstream Lite Touch pens to the Uni Signo DX gel pens! Come see these in person this weekend, and I’m in the process of loading them onto the site as well.

Physical Shop and Future Pen Show Schedule

We’re open today (Saturday) from 10am-6pm, and will be having special hours next week because on Thursday night I’m off to the Atlanta Pen Show, where I will be sharing table space with Hinze Pens. Be sure to stop by because we will have a fun selection of highly curated items at the Atlanta show, including Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters, lots of Lochby pouches and notebook covers (including the new A5 Field Folio), and maybe some of the new pens we’ve been stocking, depending on space! Since I won’t have a lot of space, I’ll have to curate my selection this weekend, but I am open to requests if you reach out before Tuesday or Wednesday and I’ll do my best to make it happen.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

2025 Arkansas Pen Show Recap: TGS's Best Pen Show Ever?

I love attending smaller shows. I’ve said this many times, but both the vendor and attendee experience at regional pen shows can often be better at than at “bigger”, more-hyped events. Stationery is trendy right now (though I don’t need to tell most of you that) and it seems as though every year there are more reports of over-hyped and/or oversold pen shows or other events that result in long wait times, overcrowding, botched admissions processes with out-of-towners effectively turned away at the door, and annoyed customers. A few people have asked why I’ve started to steer clear of larger shows, and my answer is always the same: They’re not that fun for me and aren’t really consistent with how I want to run T.G.S.

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People spent a LOT of time at our table, testing pens and pencils or simply doodling on our Blackwing testing station.

What’s Good-to-Great About the Arkansas Pen Show

While “exposure” from a large event can be valuable for the business, overcrowded events that offer a poor attendee experience can be counterproductive given how I like to operate. Personally, I’ve chosen the path of sustainable growth based off of real interaction with customers and readers where I can offer a level of personal service that other sellers cannot. If I’m going to close the physical shop for a weekend and set up at an event, I want the experience to be the same as if someone came to our shop in Nashville and had the opportunity to try stuff out, ask questions, and have the same relaxed, laid-back experience browsing without being pushed by other people trying to reach the table. We had plenty of traffic at the Arkansas Pen Show, and the show was never crowded to the point where I couldn’t have a 5-10 minute conversation with anyone who wanted to talk while shopping. Other regional shows I’ve attended such as the Atlanta Pen Show and, on a quiet day, the Baltimore Pen Show, have a similar vibe.

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I swung by Vanness on Monday morning before heading back to Nashville, where we had all the Yamamoto Paper samplers spread out to test.

The Arkansas Show draws one of the friendliest, most welcoming groups of people I’ve experienced at shows. After-hours events tend to be close-knit and small (we had a rotating round-table meet and greet on Saturday night), and if you need to exit the show floor for a while, or simply need to get out of the hotel, Vanness Pens is located in Little Rock and always has a steady stream of people coming through their doors on show weekend. I’ve collaborated with Vanness a lot over the years, and we had the chance to film some video content that you’ll see posted to both of our social media feeds and YouTube channels in the coming weeks! Hopefully it will be helpful to those on the fence about attending a pen show in the future.

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Matthew hard at work grinding a Kodachi nib on my friend Chad’s Pilot.

The Not-So-Good

This show desperately needs a new venue. The hotel where the show has been located for the past two years is “tired” (polite description) and the public bathrooms were gross. After being on your feet for 10+ hours as a vendor or weekend attendee (more if you include after-hours events), it’s nice to be able to go back to a clean, quiet room and rest. I didn’t have a great experience at the hotel last year, but after they tried to check me into a room with (1) four different sets of keys that didn’t work and (2) dead bugs smashed on the bathroom ceiling, I was done and decided to stay at a newer hotel across the street which was only $20 per night more expensive. Look, some people go to pen shows wanting to spend the least amount of money possible, which I get, but in my opinion the extra investment was well worth it, and it was kind of nice to have some separation from the pen show at night and in the morning which allowed me to relax and recover a bit. For the record, I don’t have unreasonably high hotel standards, especially on the pen show circuit, but this hotel wasn’t particularly cheap (especially for what it was), the online photos of the hotel looked nothing like reality, and there’s a baseline level of cleanliness that, in my opinion, hotels are obligated to provide that was not present here. Others may feel differently but in my experience, if the venue of a show feels lower-end, that negatively affects the perception of the show itself and the businesses who attend. It’s also not fair to attendees and vendors who spend a lot of money to come to the show, to have to deal with these issues. The previous show hotel was clean and about the same price-wise from what I can recall.

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For the record, the pen show room rate typically DOES NOT get you a pool view (or here, a “lake view”). :)

What’s Trending In Pens and Stationery? The Hits of this Year’s Arkansas Pen Show

Setting aside hotel issues, the content of the Arkansas Show is always great. There is a good mix of vintage, modern, and small makers to keep things interesting. Personally, I dropped most of my dollars on nib grinds and an upgraded nib for my Conid Bulkfiller Kingsize (going from titanium, which I simply don’t like, to gold). I had Matthew Chen add two of his excellent Kodachi grinds to two different pens, which I’ll be showcasing in a separate post/video soon. (Pro tip: If you want nib work done, smaller shows are great because there’s less of a wait for nib work. Walk-up slots were available throughout the weekend.) I also purchased a couple bottles of Akkerman Ink and a Leonardo Momento Zero Nuvola at Vanness on Sunday.

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In terms of what was popular at the show, I bet pretty heavily that non-fountain pen stationery items would draw a lot of interest, which turned out to be correct. I sold through more than half of the shop’s most recent Roterfaden shipment, as well as a lot of the new Lochby Field Folios and Sidekicks. Washi tape, Uni Jetstream and Jetstream Lite Touch Multi Pens, and Traveler’s Notebooks and all the accessories were also popular. In recent years, pen shows have drawn a lot of first-time attendees and those with a strong interest in general stationery other than fountain pens, and I’ve tried to focus on ensuring that this part of the community has a vendor with plenty of stuff for them to peruse.

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I love it when customers bring their products by the table, especially when they’re being well-used like this Lochby Field Journal!

Takeaways and Final Impressions

This year I’ve made the decision to dial back my full pen show setups and concentrate on keeping our Nashville location open as much as possible in order to grow the local business. That said, with such a niche clientele, it’s important to support your regional shows, so after some consideration (and more than a few customer requests), I will be attending the Atlanta Pen Show next weekend with my friends from Hinze Pens. Hopefully we will have our next TGS x Hinze collaboration fountain pen available at the table. While I may not have the two tables full of goods that I was able to bring to Little Rock, I will have any Roterfaden left over from this current shipment, as well as Traveler’s and Lochby so that you can complement your pen purchases with a nice new notebook cover!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.