New Arrivals: Anderillium Moray Eel Green and Whale Shark Grey, Plus a First Look at the New TWSBI ECO!

After having paused their new releases for a bit, Anderillium is back with the new “Ichthyoformes” Series (inspired by fish). Two colors are currently available: Moray Eel Green and Whale Shark Grey, which are a golden green and blue-grey, respectively. I’ve swatched both inks and, personally, favor the Moray Eel simply because it’s so unusual, but I do enjoy greys as well! We have also restocked on my favorite Anderillium Green-Blacks like Colossal Squid Dark and Green Kingfisher Green.

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Anderillium Moray Eel Green

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Whale Shark Grey

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TWSBI ECO Slate Blue + Onyx: Real-Life Photos Now Available

By the way, Whale Shark Grey is what I’d consider a perfect match for the new TWSBI ECO in Slate Blue + Onyx fountain pen, which arrived yesterday and already has begun shipping out to pre-orders. I can’t decide whether the pen leans more grey or blue, and sometimes I even see purple undertones depending on how the light hits it? Anyway, I really like ambiguous colors, and this one checks that box. Eventually I plan to add one to my collection. We’ve also generally restocked on TWSBI, including the Bronze-trimmed “Breakfast Collection.”

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The slate blue matches the onyx trim better than the green, but that’s just me.

Update: We will be at the Atlanta Pen Show this weekend! Be sure to stop by our table and see us, as we will have a wide selection of pens and stationery, including Roterfaden, Lochby, and more. Check out our Arkansas Pen Show setup for more of what you can expect. Our brick-and-mortar shop in Nashville will be closed Friday and Saturday but OPEN on Wednesday and Thursday from 1pm-6pm, so if you’re not driving down to Atlanta for the show stop by and see us in the afternoon!

New Arrivals: TWSBI ECO Irish Green + Onyx Fountain Pens Are Here, Plus Official Store Hours!

TWSBI’s latest release, an ECO fountain pen in Irish Green acrylic with new onyx black plated trim, has arrived and is shipping! TWSBI has really experimented with their trim this year, including not only the new onyx black but also bronze and additional rose gold models. The Irish Green + Onyx is the first black-trim pen I believe TWSBI has done. Get yours now, or browse the rest of the TWSBI lineup!

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Initial Store Hours Are Set!

I’m happy to announce that this week, the shop is open with official hours! To start, we will be open Fridays from 1-7pm, and Saturdays from 11am-6pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays will be by appointment, and Sunday and Monday we will be closed. Outside of the regular Friday-Saturday hours, please reach out through the “Contact” form on the site and I will get in touch to set a time when you can visit. Eventually we will have an online appointment system and/or a telephone number, and hopefully additional open days as we get established.

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Just look for the tower in our commercial complex. Most Nashvillians can spot this from I-65. To see exactly where we are located in the complex,

A Short Video showing exactly how to find us in our complex. We are located in Suite 113, to the right of the building behind the old Picture Frame Warehouse location (which is now Flex Alarms).

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

Pen Review: TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze - What is it About These Muted Colors?

I've not formally reviewed a TWSBI since the release of the TWSBI "Kai" special edition piston filler last year, and it's been longer since I've reviewed a TWSBI ECO, so in light of TWSBI's recent blitz of new pens in a broad assortment of different color and trim combinations, this one's overdue. While I won't rehash much of what I've already written on the ECO in terms of origin, construction, design, etc. (you can read that here), I will say that it's one of my top pen recommendations in the "under $50" category.

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The TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (left) with Indigo Blue + Bronze (right)

The TWSBI ECO serves as one of the premier value fountain pens on the market. Priced as low as $32.99 for a pen with the standard steel trim, the ECO features a reliable piston filling system and generally appeals to a wide range of enthusiasts, from beginners looking for their first pen to experienced users who want a reliable everyday writer that doesn't break the bank. Over the past few years, TWSBI has gradually introduced variations into the ECO lineup, including the "ECO-T" (triangular section), the ECO Rose Gold (with rose gold trim), and, as shown here, the ECO “BRZ” (with bronze trim). While the rose gold and bronze trims raise the price of the ECO to $49.99, even this still amazes me somewhat as many manufacturers would have tried to price the standard ECO at $50.

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Is “ECO BRZ” a thing now? I like it. Now I need to go matching Subaru shopping.

The pen I’m looking at today features the new bronze-toned trim. The TWSBI ECO "Caffé Bronze", as you might expect from the name, draws on coffee as its inspiration. Featuring the same faceted hexagonal cap and round barrel as the standard ECO fountain pen, TWSBI began experimenting with bronze last year, releasing it for the first time with the ECO "Indigo Blue + Bronze" model. It's proven wildly popular, especially among those looking for something similar to rose gold but perhaps with a touch less red.

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Personally, the combination of light coffee-colored acrylic and bronze trim screams for J. Herbin “Cafe des Iles” ink.

While I enjoy rose gold trim on pens, the bronze adds a new dimension due to its deeper tone. When you combine this trim with a more muted color acrylic, like the light "caffé brown" acrylic used here, you get a pen that's perfectly tailored to my own preferences. For so many years, pen makers and manufacturers have catered to the segment of the community that wants bright, wild acrylics, but what about those of us looking for something a touch demure? TWSBI has done a good job of mixing in crazy colors (see the "Glow Green" and "Glow Purple", which actually glow in the dark) with the more subdued (see the Creme and Rose Gold, Dark Sapphire). I hope this trend continues, and that other manufacturers follow suit.

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Overall Thoughts on the TWSBI ECO and Where to Buy

The ECO has become my default everyday TWSBI because (1) they're relatively inexpensive, and I have a handful of these pens, so don't necessarily need to worry about damage while carrying them around with me or leaving them at my office; (2) the nib writes a reliably wet line; and (3) I can post the cap, which attaches securely to the end of the pen via an o-ring. I can’t wait to see what else TWSBI has coming, as I've enjoyed most of the new additions even if they sometimes make it hard to keep up.

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You can see a trend here: The TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (center) with my Kaweco Art Sport in Terrazzo (right) and my recently acquired Good Made Better pocket pen.

I can’t say whether these new TWSBI releases are intended to be permanent additions to the lineup or special editions that will eventually be retired - to my knowledge, TWSBI hasn’t specified. In the past, TWSBI has typically released a color and kept it around for a year or so, replacing it with something else once interest wanes. That said, many of the new releases from 2023 and even 2022 are still available to retailers, as I've had no problem restocking so I expect there’s no immediate danger of the 2024 releases disappearing.

If you would like to support T.G.S. directly, you can purchase the TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze from our own shop, along with most other TWSBI products including pens, mechanical pencils, and inks. As I mentioned above, the specific pen shown here is priced at $49.99. All TWSBI ECO fountain pens are piston fillers, and take bottled ink only, so plan accordingly!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate your support!

Curated Shop Updates: New Arrivals from TWSBI!

It’s here! The latest release in a string of exceptional new releases from TWSBI is the TWSBI ECO-T in “Rosso” - the first red pen that TWSBI has done in a while, and I believe the first in the ECO family. For those unfamiliar with this particular model, the TWSBI ECO-T features a subtly triangular grip section, which I personally find very comfortable. You can read more on this particular pen and how it compares to other triangular grip pens here.

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We also have additional stock of the TWSBI Kai, the latest edition of TWSBI’s special model that they reissue every couple of years. Previously available in “Aurora” (marbled green) and “Draco” (marbled red) finishes, the new Kai is a deep blue paired with warm rose gold. Mine gets inked up this week!

Pre-orders will start shipping today, and additional pens will ship as orders are placed. Many thanks for your support!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold, including TWSBI.

Return from San Francisco and TWSBI ECO Indigo Blue + Bronze Pre-Orders!

As of (very) late last night, I’m back from the San Francisco Pen Show and, despite the physical tiredness, totally energized from getting to spend time with the members of this wonderful community in person! I will have a full show recap tomorrow or Thursday, and while I didn’t get out from behind my table as much as I would have liked, I still brought home fun stuff to share. More to come. :)

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TWSBI Indigo Blue and Bronze Pre-Orders Are Now Live

Pre-orders for TWSBI’s latest ECO release - the Indigo Blue with Bronze Trim - are live as of August 28, 2023. I expect the pens to arrive later this week, potentially early next, and they will ship as soon as I have them in stock. You can reserve yours now!

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.