At the beginning of 2022, I wrote about how I wanted the focus of this year to be about cycling out those pens I didn’t use as much, and consolidating my own personal collecting around unique and/or custom pens from independent makers. I’m happy to report back that as far as this goal went, 2022 was a success! (Though I don’t think my wallet would agree.)

I purchased very few pens from major makers this year, and none from the “Big Guys” like Montblanc, Pelikan, or Aurora. Not necessarily because I dislike what those companies have been doing - there have been some great releases this year - but I already have so many pens from these companies that more wouldn’t be additive to my collection. On the other hand, each of the “indie” pens I’ve added this year is unique. I thought it might be fun to showcase a few of my favorites.

The Kanilea Pen Company Classic Flush Section is possibly my favorite for longer writing sessions, with a true hourglass shape that fits the way I hold a pen nearly perfectly.

Kanilea Pen Company Kai Huli and Lewa Lani

I spent most of the summer trying to decide which of the recent Kanilea Pen Company releases to add to my collection, and settled on the Lewa Lani (released around the time of the 2022 Chicago Pen Show), as well as one of the “pen show special” Kai Huli pens in a coral and yellow marbled acrylic that I regrettably passed up in D.C., but was thrilled to discover was still available in November. I enjoy the personal stories that inspires each of the Kanilea creations, and I’ve settled on the “Classic Flush” shape as my favorite as it fits my hand the best.

Kanilea Pen Company Lewa Lani and Kai Huli — On the left I a “Kai Huli” (which isn’t a model name but rather a designation for one-off show exclusives); on the right is the standard Lewa Lani model.

I of course couldn’t resist this yellow-veined coral red acrylic.

Two Schon DSGN Full-Size Fountain Pens in “Saffron Cement” (Top) and 3D Purple (Bottom). The 3D Purple is still available; the Saffron Cement has cycled out of rotation for the moment.

Schon DSGN Full Size Fountain Pens in “3D Purple” and “Cement Saffron” Finishes

Easily one of my favorite releases from the past two years, these Schon DSGN full-size metal fountain pens feature a lightweight, comfortable build, along with the added benefit of JoWo No. 6 nib compatibility and the ability to post, a relatively rare feature in machined metal pens. The finish, particularly the anodization, on Schon DSGN pens are top-notch. Picking up a new one has become a bit of a pen show tradition for me, and Ian’s creativity seemingly knows no bounds.

I love the texture on these pens, which you can literally see in the photo. It reduces the slickness found in many metal fountain pens, and makes this particular model comfortable to write with for longer periods of time.

I like this pen because of the slightly peaked, but not pointy, ends!

Primary Manipulation Custom Pen by Nicolas Pasquale

Purchased at this year’s Nashville Pelikan Hub, I wanted to feature this creation from local (to me) pen maker Nic Pasquale, who goes by @pensbypasquale on Instagram. This is a very comfortable design, with not only the Brooks material but a Bock nib tuned by Kirk Speer. I love how it’s not the basic flat-end shape favored by many makers, but slightly peaked.

This one is another comfortable everyday writer!

Further Reading and the Indie Pens Holiday Gift Guide

I previously discussed several of these pens (and a handful more) in the first-ever 2022 T.G.S. “Indie” Gift Guide. Believe me, I know from my own experience that we’re all in the depths of the holiday shopping rush, but if you’re considering pen related gifts for others (or even yourself - wink), please consider shopping smaller makers and businesses. The decision to support independents makes the pen community a more interesting place, and maintains the variety that we’ve all come to expect and enjoy!

I purchased the pens featured in this review with my own funds, for my own personal collection. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and by pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

As we enter not only the 2022 holiday shopping season but the final month of the year, I’ve been pulling together my plans for both the annual gift guides and the 2022 year-end recaps. Today’s post, on the Saturday after “Black Friday”, is going to be a bit of both. I’ve been encouraged by a much greater focus this Thanksgiving on supporting small and independent businesses, both inside and outside the pen community, and honestly, that’s how it should be, because independent makers and retailers are what make this hobby great. When you’re considering how to spend your hard-earned dollars on gifts for yourself or others, consider setting aside a portion for smaller retailers and makers who can offer truly exclusive products and a more personalized shopping experience.

The format for this “guide” might strike some as unusual. I’m not going to simply list all of the different independent makers out there - there are too many to do that in any coherent fashion - but rather will spend today’s post discussing my own acquisitions from the past year, the makers from whom I’ve personally purchased, and why I enjoy their pens and the reasons you might enjoy them too.

Schon DSGN

Ranked purely in terms of number of pens acquired this year, Schon DSGN tops the list, as I picked up two of the Full-Size fountain pens and a hammered copper Pocket Six with added patina, to join the three pens from the Engineered Plastics collection that I purchased towards the end of 2021. Known not just for original, ergonomic designs but dedication to quality, Schon DSGN pens are among my favorite everyday writers.

My two most recent Kanilea Acquisitions: a Lewa Lani and a Kai Huli.

Kanilea Pen Company

The second-most represented independent maker in my personal collection is Kanilea Pen Company. For more than six years now, Kanilea has been producing pens themed around places and locations in Hawaii. You can read more about the background of this brand in my prior reviews, but I love their clean design and ergonomics (particularly the “Classic Flush” shape), in addition to the unique materials chosen to match a specific image. I recently acquired the Lewa Lani fountain pen, as well as a pen show-exclusive “Kai Huli” in a coral and yellow-veined material, pictured below.

Three “Navigator” Models from Penzbydesign.

Stacy Robinson (Penzbydesign)

A long-time penmaker, Stacy Robinson brought ebonite and Conway Stewart acrylic versions of his “Navigator” fountain pen to this year’s Atlanta Pen Show. I ended up purchasing three: one in striated beige ebonite and two in relatively uncommon Conway Stewart acrylics that I had been looking to add to my collection for years. The workmanship on these pens is excellent, and the size nearly perfect for my hand, as with the Schon DSGN Engineered Plastics and Full-Size fountain pens. While Penszbydesign has a storefront, it may be easier to inquire via e-mail or social media, since some photos were posted recently of new Navigator pens similar to the ones I purchased, and they don’t currently appear on the website.

Kasama Pens

Currently sold only directly via Instagram and social media, Kasama is based in the Philippines and, to my knowledge, makes two models of pens: the larger “Una” and the more streamlined “Tala”. I’ve acquired two Una fountain pens, one in Ultem and another in a combination of Peek and anodized titanium. While not inexpensive, Kasama fountain pens are unique - there’s nothing quite like them on the market, in terms of design or material combinations.

My Hinze Pen in “Five O’Clock Somewhere” Acrylic

Hinze Pens

Hinze Pens made perhaps my favorite - and most unpredictable - acquisition of the year, my “Five O’Clock Somewhere” pen in this wild acrylic from Starry Night Resins. Like the Kanilea Classic Flush, this is a well-balanced pen with a comfortable section, and what makes Hinze Pens particularly unique is their anodized nibs, available in a range of colors.

Newton Pens

Ryan Krusac Studios

Pens by Pasquale in Primary Manipulation

Other Makers to Consider

As I mentioned above, I can’t list everyone (nor can I buy from everyone, because, well, $$$), but I do want to mentions several makers who do excellent work, some of which are on my “short list” of pens to acquire in 2023, for review or otherwise. Also, while some of the makers listed here do custom/bespoke work, many also have inventory currently available for purchase, which you can purchase, and which they will likely be wanting to sell, heading into the holiday season.

Newton Pens (Shawn Newton). A fixture on the pen show circuit and the creator of some truly unique designs (such as the Prospector shown here), Shawn Newton usually has a healthy stock of pens ready to go.
Pens by Pasquale (Nicholas Pasquale). A relative newcomer to the bespoke pen scene, Nic is local to me and I acquired a pen in dark “Primary Manipulation” at this year’s Nashville-area Pelikan Hub. I love supporting new makers! Check out his Instagram (linked here).
Edison Pens (Brian Gray). Like Shawn Newton, Brian Gray is a longtime penmaker whose production-line Edison designs are now widely available at many major pen retailers. I have my eye on the new Collier Grande featuring a No. 8 nib.
Ryan Krusac Pens. One of the few penmakers whose work with wood truly appeals to me, Ryan Krusac combines wood with other materials such a stone and antler. His scrimshaw work is incredibly detailed.
Mayfair Pens. Pens with a “Lord of the Rings” theme? Count me in. Lately I’ve been more interested in penmakers who are exploring different shapes and contours, and I had the opportunity to handle these at the 2022 D.C. Pen Show.

Please Consider Supporting T.G.S. This Holiday Season

We’re also a small business, and entirely supported by purchases from our shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Last week, we launched our own 2022 Holiday Gift Guide, focused on products from our own shop, which makes an effort to focus on and carry products that might necessarily be overlooked by larger stores. We appreciate your support, as it allows us to remain independent and advertiser/affiliate free! Through Monday at 11:59pm, take 10% off all TGS Shop orders with the coupon code “GIVETHANKS”!