Thursday Drops: Lamy Restock, Washi Tapes, TWSBI Vacs and More! Oh, and a Labor Day Special!

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks here at TGS HQ, and I’m happy to announce that we are fully moved in to our new space and excited to be able to welcome visitors during regular hours, starting in September. This coming Labor Day weekend, we will have the doors open Friday through Sunday, mainly in the afternoon. We currently have available for purchase all of the new Lamy Studio lineup and digital styluses discussed in Tuesday’s post, as well as full stock of most TWSBI models, various ink lines, and full restocks of favorite fountain pen friendly paper brands including Midori, Lochby, Nakabayashi, and Maruman Mnemosyne!

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For this year’s Labor Day sale, and in anticipation of everyone heading back to work and school following what we hope was a restful summer, we are offering an additional 10% off all desk and reading accessories ordered online through Monday, September 2. Use the coupon code “LABORDAY” at checkout to claim your discount, and we are also offering a tiered promotion in which all orders over $100 will receive extra T.G.S. Swag (including our large holographic vinyl stickers, buttons, and more).

1. Lamy Studio Piano Red Fountain Pen (14k nib option). The Lamy Studio with Lamy’s excellent 14k nib remains one of the best value propositions on the market, since it’s increasingly rare to find a gold nib fountain pen for under $200. The Studio remains one of my favorite writers overall, as I have a soft spot for the propeller clip.

2. Lamy Studio Royal Red Matte Fountain Pen, Rollerball, and Ballpoint. The Royal Red Matte Studio evokes the old Wild Rubin release, which I sadly sold off years ago only to regret it immediately. Where the Piano Red Studio features a smooth lacquered finish, the Royal Red Matte Studio is, as it’s name implies, more tactile. Currently stocked in fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint formats.

3. Lamy Noto Special Editions. The triangular Lamy Noto is a fun ballpoint at a price point even lower than the Lamy Econ that I reviewed yesterday. The Noto even comes in two special edition colors: Deep Blue and Chocolate, which sold out quickly when we first got them earlier this year. Now restocked!

4. TWSBI Vac700R Kyanite Blue Fountain Pen. TWSBI’s latest Vac700R release has proven popular, following up on their multicolor anodized Vac700R “Iris”. Will we see more Vac700R releases like this one? I hope so!

5. Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint Pens: Standard, ColorMat-X and Pop Line. This classic hexagonal ballpoint pen has been one of our top sellers ever since we opened. The matte-textured ColorMat-X and the Black Code editions are my personal favorites, though the “Totally Swiss” Swiss Cross edition is the underrated sleeper.

6. iLootPaperie Washi Tapes. We’ve received a restock of iLootPaperie Washi Tapes, including tapes from the “Paper Airplanes” and “Airmail” series! Stay tuned as we plan to bring in more washi tape and other fun items from this brand to our new shop so that you can see them in person.

7. Viarco Vintage Edition Pencil Sets. Made in Portugal, in one of the last remaining operational European pencil factories, Viarco pencils are a personal favorite since I love graphite that is not overly waxy and has a tactile feel to it. These pencils sharpen to an excellent long point. We have stock of individual packs of most of the vintage designs, as well as a large stock of the assortment pack in which you get a dozen of each style.

8. Lamy Note+ Digital Stylus (For Apple). Lamy’s answer to the Apple Pencil, coming in at nearly a full $50 less. The Note+ is still a bit of a work in progress in terms of functionality, but it works quite well for basic writing and additional apps are being added.

9. Lamy AL-Star EMR Pen. Those who do most of their digital writing on e-ink screens such as the Kindle Scribe, reMarkable, or Supernote will want to look at Lamy’s AL-Star and Safari EMR offerings. I generally prefer the traditional pen shape over the “Wacom Stylus” default style that many use.

10. Lamy Safari “Twin” EMR Pen. The Twin Pen features dual writing options, including not just an EMR stylus tip but also a D1 ballpoint slot, allowing you to switch back and forth between a stylus and standard pen.

Come visit us in person at our physical location, located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee! Hours this upcoming Holiday weekend will be from 1pm-6pm on Friday Aug. 30, from 11am-6pm on Saturday August 31; and 1pm-5pm on Sunday September 1. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

New Arrivals: Analog or Digital - Why Not Both? New Pens from Lamy!

This week’s new arrivals include a bunch of pens from Lamy, including the new Safari Note+ iPad-compatible stylus. While I’m still putting my own “All Black” version through the review process, I will say that I do appreciate the cap, as someone who’s busted a half-dozen Apple Pencil tips over the past year. For those who prefer (or who, like me, also use) e-ink devices like the Kindle Scribe and reMarkable tablets, we’ve also restocked on the Lamy AL-Star EMR and the Lamy Safari Twin Pen, both of which you can use with any matte-screen device.

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The Note+ “Steel Black” is a bit of a misnomer

On the analogue side of things, the new 2024 Red Lamy Studios have arrived! The Piano Red Studio features a deep red lacquer and Lamy’s excellent 14k nib, while the Royal Red Matte Studio features the standard steel nib with a matte finish reminiscent of the older Wild Rubin edition that I regrettably sold. In addition to these new releases, we’ve restocked on all Lamy 2000 models as well as the Noto limited edition ballpoints in the Deep Blue and Chocolate finishes.

Would you like to see these pens in person? Come visit our physical location, located at 4320 Kenilwood Drive, Suite 113, Nashville, Tennessee! Hours this week will be from 1-6 on Friday Aug. 30, and from 11-6 on Saturday. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Workhorse Pens: The Lamy Studio LX All Black

If there’s a single series of articles that epitomize what I’m about here at The Gentleman Stationer, it’s the “Workhorse Pens” series, which focuses on those pens most suitable for everyday writing. I always end up talking about the Lamy 2000 in this context, but what about Lamy’s other popular “higher end” pen, the Studio? I consider the Studio to be one of Lamy’s best designed writing instruments, despite it receiving far less attention than the 2000 or the Safari.

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The design of the Lamy Studio is streamlined and minimal, with just enough unique touches like the “propeller” clip to keep the pen interesting.

The Lamy Studio tends to fly under everyone’s radar, even my own. I often forget how great these understated pens are, and when I break them out after a long rest I end up pleasantly surprised. Recently, Lamy has shown more love to the Studio line, releasing 1-2 special editions per year. The Racing Green Studio was a favorite, and I just acquired this year’s Lamy Studio LX “All Black” release. The latter may solve a key concern that many have with the Studio - the metal section that can be slippery. The “Studio LX All Black” features a coated black section with a grippy texture, nudging this pen into potential “workhorse” territory for a wider audience. The coating also feels more durable than that found on earlier editions of the Studio, which tended to chip and flake off with heavy use, especially under the clip where it rubs against the cap.

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The grip section on the Lamy Studio LX All Black is coated, which will reduce slippage for those concerned about the standard Studio metal section. To complete the “All Black” look on my Lamy Studio LX, I separately purchased a black 14k nib intended for the Lamy Imporium.

So what do I personally enjoy about the Lamy Studio? First of all, it’s an incredibly well-balanced pen, even posted, despite having full metal (aluminum) construction. Second, the streamlined design and “propeller” clip have the potential to become as iconic as that on the Lamy 2000, though the Studio hasn’t been around as long. Third, I continue to swear by the 14k Studio nibs as one of the best values out there. Typically, Lamy only sells one or two versions of the Studio with the 14k nib included - in year’s past it has been the “Palladium” and “Piano Black” pens (the latter of which is shown here in this review). Otherwise, you’ll have to order a gold nib separately, which will run anywhere from $90-110, depending on the retailer. I used to think this was a steep markup, but now I think it’s worth it - Lamy’s 14k nibs have a touch of bounce, and on some of them I’ve even noticed some slight line variation reminiscent of an architect’s nib. Plus, any time you can have a gold nib pen for less than $200 in today’s market, you’re doing well.

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A pair of propeller clips!

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The Lamy Studio LX All Black posted. Though I love this pen, I’m now even less sure what “LX” is supposed to denote. So Lamy is releasing a separate model of pen called the “Lamy LX,” but now LX is also being used as a modifier for special editions?

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Takeaways and Where to Buy

I have a hard time coming up with a reason why every Lamy fan should not have at least one Studio in their collection. In addition to being an exceptional daily writer, the pen is widely available and relatively inexpensive: The standard Lamy Studio with a stainless steel nib is priced at around $80 at most retailers, with the 14k pens priced around $180. With a 10% off coupon code - easy to come by at most retailers - that gets the price to just above $160 for a gold-nib fountain pen, which represents real value.

The pens featured in this review were purchased from Pen Chalet in the U.S. and Appelboom in the Netherlands. Both retailers carry the full Lamy Studio lineup, though if you want to opt for a 14k nib, you’ll either have to purchase the “Piano Black” model or pick up a spare 14k nib from Appelboom. (If you want to build the ultimate Lamy Studio LX “All Black” model, opt for the black PVD coated 14k nib, which I believe is intended for the Lamy Imporium but fits the Studio just fine.)

Disclaimer: I purchased the two pens pictured in this review using store credit provided by Pen Chalet and Appelboom.

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Two Lamy Studios (LX All Black and Piano Black) compared against the Lamy 2000 (in 100th Anniversary Bauhaus Blue). The Studio is a slightly slimmer pen than the 2000, but just as well balanced and comfortable to use.

New Pen Alert: Lamy Studio in Racing Green

I hardly ever "re-review" pens, and I won't really do that here, but I did want to take the opportunity to talk about Lamy's absolutely gorgeous new special edition Studio, in Racing Green. 

Everything that I wrote about in my previous review of the Lamy Studio remains true: It's a sleek, modern, nicely balanced pen with a metal section that offsets the weight of the cap when the pen is posted. The pen caps and posts securely, using a clutch mechanism that has an audible "click" or "snick" (choose your adjective). Lamy has chosen not to sell the Racing Green Studio with the 14K nib, opting instead to travel at a lower price point using the same stainless nib featured on the Safari, AL-Star, and Studio. 

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The sub-$80 Lamy Studio features the same stainless steel nib as on the Safari, AL-Star, LX, etc. For another $90, you can separately purchase one of Lamy's 14kt nibs, which are outstanding, but the price is pretty steep. 

I previously reviewed another special edition Studio (the Ruby/Royal Red), which I regrettably sold off a couple years back. (Regrettable because I can't find another one.) Lamy seems to make fewer special edition Studio pens than they do special edition Safaris or AL-Stars. You can typically still find the latter in stock at retailers up to a year later, but the Studios tend to sell out relatively quickly. I imagine this is due to the higher price point and the lower profile of the Studio translating into lower demand; Lamy likely has an easier time selling the less-expensive Safaris and AL-Stars than the $70-plus Studio. Thus, it's also more difficult to find special edition Lamy Studios on the secondary market. 

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I touched up this photo a bit to try to bring out some of the iridescence.  It's not noticeable at first, but when the light hits this pen in a certain way....

The Racing Green studio is an incredibly attractive pen, coated in an almost iridescent dark green matte finish. It remains to be seen how the matte finish on this pen will hold up over time. My red Studio looked pretty beat after a while, with the powdered coating wearing off underneath the clip and around the edges of the cap, which ultimately frustrated me and led me to sell the pen despite the excellent nib. I will say that the coating on the Racing Green feels thicker, and I haven't seen any dings or scratches yet despite carrying this pen in a bag for a week. 

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I stand by my previous review of the Lamy Studio as a great option in the sparsely populated "great pens under $100 category" that TWSBI typically dominates. The Studio is also widely available and relatively easy to find, and with a coupon code you can get some colors for as low as $65. To me, that's a no-brainer (provided you can live with the metal section).

As I mentioned, the "Racing Green" Lamy Studio pictured here is a special edition, meaning that they will be made for a short time. Currently available from Pen Chalet at $79 retail (less with a coupon code), these may not last long, given how quickly past special edition Studios have sold out. Pen Chalet currently only has medium nibs in stock, but fines are still available on special order.

I Forgot I Had This Pen: The Lamy Studio

Have you ever put something down for years—whether it’s a pen, notebook, or something else entirely—only to pick it up later and think “what’ve I been doing with my time, that I would leave this sitting for so long?”  Well, this week I had that experience with this pen, the Lamy Studio. This model is the “Ruby Red” limited edition with a 14K extra-fine nib that I picked up a few years back on the FPGeeks Classifieds section for $90.  That, my friends, was a steal.  The standard Lamy Studio with a stainless steel nib is a fixture on my “Top Pens under $75” list, but Lamy’s 14K nibs deserve more attention. 

Build and Finish

This pen has a nice design.  It’s manufactured from what I assume is aluminum, with a smooth stainless steel section. If you dislike metal sections, you will probably find this pen slippery and difficult to grasp.  Personally, I like the section on this particular pen because the weight of the metal section offsets the cap when posted, giving the pen a nice balance while writing.  The cap posts securely, with an audible "click" that lets you know the cap is firmly attached.    

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The Lamy Studio posted.  The pen has a nice size, and is well-balanced posted or unposted. 

My criticism of this pen is with the red matte finish.  Namely, I'm extremely disappointed that in several very noticeable places, the red finish is rubbing off the pen.  The worst wear is under the clip where it touches the cap, but there are also some problem spots where the cap joins the body.  I’ve included pictures of both.  I don't like to see this kind of quality control issue in a pen at this price point, especially where the pen hasn’t been carried all that much.  The wear under the clip is inexcusable, and strikes me as something Lamy should have foreseen.      

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A couple things to note before you consider buying:  the Studio is a cartridge/converter pen, and takes proprietary Lamy Cartridges. Also, the Lamy Studio takes a different converter, the Z26 Piston, than the Lamy Safari and the Lamy AL-Star, which take the Z24 Piston.  Lamy cartridges and converters are durable and have decent ink capacity.  No complaints here.  

The Nib

The lack of durability—and, dare I say it, poor quality—of the finish on this pen caused me to come close to selling it multiple times.  (I believe one time I actually listed it, but got no takers.) Over the past several months, I've been consciously paring down my pen collection to what I consider a more manageable number, and during that process this pen came up again.  Out of curiosity, I inked it up, and despite the beat-to-heck look of the thing, I can’t see myself parting with this pen.  The 14K nib is that good.  

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When most people think of Lamy's gold nibs, they think of the Lamy 2000, another personal favorite of mine.  Lamy's "standard" 14K nibs are often--and, in my opinion, unjustifiably--overlooked.  The extra-fine nib on my Lamy Studio is relatively wide for an extra-fine nib, and writes more like a “fine” from most other brands.   The nib is, however, springy and smooth.  It’s also slightly stubbish, in that it offers a touch of line variation and gives my writing an italic look and feel. To me, Lamy’s interchangeable stainless steel nibs offer good quality and exceptional value in entry-level pens, but this 14K gold nib has frankly blown me away.  At around $150, both the Lamy 2000 and the Studio make great options for a “first gold-nibbed pen,” though I must say, I prefer the Studio’s extra-fine to the extra-fine on my Lamy 2000.  I suspect it’s because the lack of a hood on the Studio gives the nib the additional springiness, making it very pleasant to write with.     

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Lamy Studio Writing Sample:  14K EF nib on Nock Co. Dot-Dash Index Card.  The ink is Lamy Copper Orange. 

Takeaways

The Lamy Studio is definitely a legitimate player in the relatively sparse "best-fountain-pen-under-$75" product category, if you're looking for a reliable, comfortable writer that looks more "professional" than a Safari or an AL-Star.  If you're up for spending a bit more money, I would recommend going for the gold nib.  Setting aside the aesthetic issues with the finish for a moment, this is one of the best-writing pens I own.      

While I’ve not seen it in person, pictures of the current “Wild Rubin” special edition Lamy Studio look similar to the Ruby Red, except the Wild Rubin has a glossy, red lacquer finish.  (I suspect that the red lacquer finish is MUCH more durable than the matte finish on the Ruby Red, so I’d advise you to buy the newer pen rather than track down a Ruby Red on the secondary market.) Pen Chalet currently sells the Wild Rubin with a stainless steel nib) for $79, and Goulet Pens still has 14K version in stock at $164.  Goulet sells the 14K version as part of a set that comes with a Z26 converter and a bottle of Lamy Blue ink.    

Walkthrough Video

I put together a short walkthrough video with the Lamy Studio Ruby Red.  Let me know what you think and if this sort of thing is helpful.  If it is, I will consider additional videos for future reviews. 

DISCLAIMER:  The Gentleman Stationer is now supported entirely through purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. While the Lamy Studio Wild Rubin is no longer available, we carry various versions of the Lamy Studio in our own shop.