On The Paper Trail Episode 18: Fountain Pen Terminology

Do you ever feel lost talking about fountain pens? Whether you're brand new to this hobby, or are a seasoned user who's simply never explored topics such as pen repair and nib customization, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the different terms and expressions people use. For this episode we thought it would be fun to talk through the different parts of the pen and a basic overview of how a fountain pen functions. Future episodes will revisit terminology and discuss things like pen problems, nib modifications, and more!

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details. ⁠

Show Notes and Links

1. ⁠On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville - Advance Tickets Required⁠

2. ⁠Leonardo Momento Zero Pura⁠

3. ⁠seY Fountain Pen⁠

4. ⁠Penultimate Inks⁠

5. ⁠Gentleman Stationer Store Hours and Location⁠

6. ⁠Vanness Pens Store Hours and Location (Fort Smith Location Opening for Fountain Pen Day!)⁠

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

On The Paper Trail Episode 17: Journaling for Mental Health (Part II)

Episode 17 continues our discussion on Journaling for Mental Health! September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness month, so for these two most recent episodes we have been discussing a topic important to both of us: journaling for mental health and self-care. In Part I we discussed our own personal journaling practices that we use regularly. Part II continues the discussion by diving into less traditional journaling techniques that we have both experimented with in the past, including creative practices such as doodling and ink swatching, quote collecting, handwriting practice, sticker journaling, and more.

Disclaimer: Our discussion here is highly personal and specific to us and our own individual situations. Journaling is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you need help, or feel that you need to talk to someone, we strongly encourage you to speak with a mental health treatment professional.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details. ⁠

Show Notes and Links

1. National Suicide Prevention Month⁠

2. ⁠On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville (October 16-18)⁠

3. ⁠New Gentleman Stationer Storefront⁠

4. ⁠T.G.S. x Tono & Lims Exclusive Inks⁠

5. ⁠Pilot Frixion Waai⁠

6. ⁠Pilot Custom 845 Vermillion Urushi Fountain Pen⁠

7. ⁠Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen⁠

8. ⁠Pilot Juice Up⁠

9. ⁠Davinci Raymay 6-Ring Refills⁠

10. ⁠Wearingeul Thumbelina Ink⁠

11. ⁠Lisa's New Stickers⁠

12. ⁠Kaleidocraft Prints⁠

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

On The Paper Trail Episode 14: Favorite Fountain Pen and Ink Pairings

Do you ever feel that some fountain pen and ink combinations work especially well together? Have you found that switching inks can make a pen write better? Today we talk about how to pair fountain pens and inks to optimize your writing experience. We each go through three of our favorite pen and ink combinations, and discuss why we like specific inks in specific fountain pens.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details. ⁠

Show Notes and Links

1. ⁠Joe's DC Pen Show Recap⁠

2. ⁠Vanness Hummingbird Green Ink⁠

3. ⁠Platinum Classic Fountain Pen Ink⁠

4. ⁠Galen Leather Legacy Collection⁠

5. ⁠Leonardo Momento Zero Pura Fountain Pen⁠

6. ⁠Leonardo Momento Magico Fantasy Series⁠

7. ⁠Lamy x Uni Kuru Toga Inside Mechanical Pencils⁠

8. ⁠OnionBrand Leather Notebook Covers⁠

9. ⁠Pilot Iroshizuku Ink⁠

10. ⁠Joe's Inks from Japan⁠

11. ⁠TWSBI ECO Bahama Yellow⁠

12. ⁠Kyo-no-Oto Ink⁠

13. ⁠Callifolio Ink⁠

14. ⁠San Francisco Pen Show⁠

15. ⁠Dallas Pen Show⁠

16. ⁠On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

On The Paper Trail Episode 13: Permanent Inks for Our First Ink Episode!

Our first fountain pen ink episode, where we discuss permanent inks! In this episode you'll learn about document inks, pigment inks, and iron gall inks, including relative waterproofness and lightfastness, pen care, and more. Fountain pen ink is a huge topic, so expect more ink-related episodes as we break things down into manageable chunks.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details. ⁠

Show Notes and Links

1. ⁠Sunderland MK1⁠

2. ⁠Roterfaden TGS_25⁠

3. ⁠Lochby Mini Pocket Journal⁠

4. ⁠Joe's 10 Fountain Pen Post⁠

5. ⁠Custom Nib Studio⁠

6. ⁠Pilot Grance Fountain Pen⁠

7. ⁠Kaweco Pearlescent Green Perkeo⁠

8. ⁠Galen Leather A4 Folio⁠

9. ⁠Document Inks⁠

10. ⁠Kakimori Pigmented Inks⁠

11. ⁠Diamine Forever Inks⁠

12. ⁠Platinum Pigment Inks⁠

13. ⁠Platinum Iron Gall Inks⁠

14. ⁠KWZ Iron Gall Ink⁠

15. ⁠Diamine Registrar's Ink (Iron Gall)⁠

16. ⁠Results of Our Water Test⁠

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

View fullsize

We even did some water tests!

On The Paper Trail Episode 9: Fountain Pen Nib Sizes, Explained

We're less than 10 days out from an epic trip to Japan, so in this week's episode, we decided to talk Japanese fountain pen nibs and the differences in nib size designations across different regions, as well as the availability of specialty grinds. We also discuss why Fine Medium is the ONLY appropriate nib size - only half-kidding - and answer listener questions about choosing the correct combination of nib, ink, and paper for your specific writing experience.

Don't miss your chance to come hang out with us in person October 16-18, at On the Paper Trail: Live in Nashville! Event details have been made public, and Weekend Pass and Day Pass event tickets are now available to purchase.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

As noted above, if you want to follow along and watch the video, On The Paper Trail has its own YouTube Channel. We have also uploaded the podcast to most popular podcast networks and apps, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Overcast.

Show Notes and Links

1. Dr. Grip Ballpoint (Lisa's Pen).

2. Opus 88 Savannah Zebra (Lisa's Pen).

3. Benu Pixie (Lisa's Pen).

4. Pilot Custom 823 (Joe's Pen).

5. Laurett's Ballpoint (Joe's Pen).

6. Traveler's Company Ballpoint (Joe's Pen).

7. Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pens.

8. Lochby 6-Ring Binders.

9. Lochby Tomoe River 6-Ring Refills.

10. Tono & Lims New Arrivals.

11. New Lamy Safaris.

12. Grandpa's Basement (Clearance).

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.