Thursday Drops: Jetstream M17 Restock, Toyo Steel Boxes, Handsewn Notebooks from Original Brooks, and More!

They’re back! We have additional Lamy x Jetstream M17 ballpoint refills, which will fit the Safari, AL-Star, Lamy 2000 and other pens that take the Lamy M16 ballpoint refill. If you’d like to read more about why we love this refill so much, check out this post. We’ve also recently received a supply of Toyo steel boxes from Japan, which are a popular stackable storage solution for anything from stationery to office supplies to travel accessories. Finally, we’ve added some gorgeous hand-sewn journals from Original Brooks, a boutique bookbindery in North Carolina, and we also have a Roterfaden A5 and B6 restock!

UPDATE: While we’re at it, let’s do a vacation promotion! Through Sunday at 11:59pm, take 10% off most bottled fountain pen inks and ink cartridges using the coupon code “INKYVACAY” at checkout. (We did just get a restock of some favorites, including all the Greek Mythology inks!) Promotion excludes brands that cannot be discounted, including Pilot and TWSBI. I also wanted to take a moment to talk about the DC Pen Show, which will happen at the end of this month. I will be driving, so if you would like to place an order for DC Pickup, use “DCPICKUP” to drop the shipping charge. Note that we will NOT ship your order to you if you fail to pick it up in DC, unless it otherwise qualifies for free shipping at the over $75 threshold. All DC orders must be placed by noon on July 30 (7/30).

These hand-sewn notebooks from Original Brooks have been a fun find. I love that each signature contains different reclaimed, antique, or repurposed paper.

Just a reminder that our brick-and-mortar shop is closed this weekend as we are on vacation this week. Orders have continued to ship, and anything placed today or later will ship within our normal 2-3 business day processing time. Many thanks for all your support!

1. Lamy x Jetstream M17 Ballpoint Refills. The popular Lamy x Jetstream refills that sold out so quickly are back in stock. These are designed to fit Lamy retractable ballpoint pens that take the Lamy M16 refill. .5mm and .7mm tip sizes are available.

2. Toyo Steel Boxes. These cult-favorite Japanese steel storage boxes come in a range of colors and are perfect for storing everything from stationery to tea to ink bottles, to travel supplies. Certain colors are harder to get than others, so supply may be limited.

3. Original Brooks Handsewn Notebooks. Original Brooks is a small-scale bookbinder located in North Carolina that makes notebooks from reclaimed and antique scrap paper. Each notebook/journal contains multiple signatures of different papers, as well as a couple of envelopes for collecting keepsakes and ephemera. Two sizes are available.

4. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter in B6 Smoke/Honey. The dark blue and honey suede Taschenbegleiter is back in the B6 size, a much-requested addition to our Roterfaden lineup.

5. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters in A5. Otherwise, we have a sizeable restock of A5 Taschenbegleiter covers in various leathers, both with felt and suede interiors. Four-clip versions have sold out but three-clip versions remain.

6. Yamamoto Ro-Biki Canvas Covers/Cases. These canvas notebook cases are designed to fit the Standard Ro-Biki notebooks, but function more as a wrap than a traditional cover, and incorporate a zippered pouch into the outside.

7. Yamamoto Ro-Biki Standard and Passport Notebooks. The Ro-Biki paper is excellent, and we now offer it in a passport-sized notebook that will fit in the Passport-sized Traveler’s Notebook cover. All Passport notebooks feature dot grid Soliste paper.

8. Lochby Voyager Journals and Refills. Lochby’s version of the “A5 Slim” format is here, and it’s quite nice. Like the other Lochby cases, this one holds four refills on the cords and one in each cover. Lochby’s own refills contain 68gsm Tomoe River paper.

9. Shorthand Press Notebooks and Desk Pads. Los Angeles-based Shorthand Press makes spiral notebooks and desk pads that feature letterpress covers, vintage-inspired rulings, and durable double-o spiral bindings.

10. Anecdote Goods Correspondence Cards. By popular request from both our in-store and online customers, we’ve added a series of folded correspondence notecards with simple design motifs. These are 300g cardstock, with a substantial feel in the hand.

Thursday Drops: Yamamoto Ro-Biki Notebooks, Shorthand Press, and Anecdote!

Paper, paper, and more paper! With the occasional waxed canvas cover thrown in! Those are the themes from this week, since we introduced the Yamamoto Paper Ro-Biki lineup, new notebooks and notepads from Shorthand Press, and a restock from Andecdote, among many other things! Of all the recent new arrivals, I’m probably most excited about the Ro-Biki and the new Lochby Voyager Journals, which are the latest addition to Lochby’s growing lineup of versatile cases.

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At the end of my most recent YouTube Video (which was a demonstration on how to setup the Ro-Biki cover with multiple refills), I added a special announcement about our latest collaboration release that should drop next week. Patreon members will get first refusal, though there will be plenty left over for a subsequent launch.

Please keep in mind that we are out of town on vacation next week, so the brick-and-mortar store will be closed during our normal Thursday-Saturday Hours on July 17-19. If you want to come see us and pick something up in person, come this weekend! Most online orders will continue to ship next week, though there may be a slight delay in fulfillment times. Thanks so much for continuing to support us!

1. Yamamoto Ro-Biki Note Notebooks. Known in some pen and planner circles as “the other” narrow format notebook, Yamamoto’s Ro-Biki notebook system features wonderfully fountain pen friendly cream-colored paper with a fairly wide variety of rulings and cover designs.

2. Yamamoto Ro-Biki Canvas Notebook Covers. These soft cotton canvas covers combine the concepts of a stationery wrap with a notebook cover, allowing you to carry up to three Ro-Biki notebooks as well as small items in the zippered pouch, plus pens and other accessories in the outside pockets.

3. Shorthand Press Standard Notebooks and Spiral Task Pads. These hand-assembled notebooks from Los Angeles based Shorthand Press are made in the U.S., and feature a range of vintage-style lined, grid, and dot grid rulings on cream paper. The fact that they have Mint and Mustard cover options won me over immediately. Standard Notebooks are side-bound and the Task Pads are top bound, both with double brass wire-o bindings.

4. Lochby Voyager Journals. Lochby recently released their “A5 Slim” notebook cover, which will fit Lochby’s own Voyager refills as well as Traveler’s Company and Yamamoto Ro-Biki paper refills. Fans of Lochby’s waxed canvas construction should enjoy having this option.

5. Shorthand Press Notepads. We always get requests to bring in more desk pads, and especially undated calendar pads like these from Shorthand, though I also like their task pads and simple lined notepads.

6. Notsu Weekly Planning Pad. Along with the Shorthand Calendar Pad, the Notsu Weekly Planning Pad is a good replacement for the now-discontinued Write Notepads undated weekly planner. This letter-sized pad allows you to easily view your entire week at a glance.

7. Anecdote Goods “The Journal” and “The Journal Pocket”. Anecdote notebooks feature a tactile buckram cover and either dot grid or lined paper. We recently added the "Mini” pocket journals as well.

8. Anecdote Goods Correspondence Cards. One of the most requested items for the shop has been folded correspondence cards to use for thank-you notes and letters. This simple series from Anecdote features 300g cardstock and a series of tasteful motifs.

9. Colorverse Nebula Note “Casual” Spiral Notebooks. Nebula note paper is both tactile and ink friendly, meaning it’s excellent for both ink and pencil. Perforated pages allow you to also remove individual sheets and file them away in your binder system or other means of storage/organization.

10. Stálogy 365-Day and Half-Year Special Colors. Stálogy recently dropped their 2025 special release colors, which are a dark Cacao Brown, Lake Blue, and a lighter Cloud Grey. All of these feature the grey rulings which can be used as an undated planner or a standard notebook!

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Oh, yes, and I forgot that we added the entire line of Kuru-Toga KS Mechanical Pencils, including some limited pastel releases!

Thursday Drops: New Inks, Notebooks, and Fourth of July Planner and Notebook Specials!

It’s July, which means that many of us are preparing to take some summer adventures (or, if you’re like me, planning for fall adventures during a less scorching travel season). This weekend we have a bunch of new arrivals, including the new Lochby Voyager Journal, all three colors of the Field Journal Mini, Stálogy Special Release Colors for 2025, and a lot more.

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Through the weekend (11:59pm U.S. Central Time on July 6), grab an extra 10% off all planner products and (planner-style refills and stickers) and certain notebook systems using the code “FIREFLY” at checkout! We still have some Laconic stock, including bookmarks and planner stickers, and we also have new Notsu products such as this desktop calendar pad, which allows you to plan out an entire week on one sheet. Use our code to get a bit more of these and more.

We’re continuing our ink swatching series over on T.G.S. YouTube, in which I’ve posted two longer videos swatching all the inks in the Anderillium Ichthyoformes (“Fish”) inks and the Lamy Crystal Series. People have requested a way in which they can visualize the differences in how fountain pen inks look when wet vs. dry, so these videos are one way I can easily demonstrate that since I have to swatch all the inks anyway!

Come see us in-store! As noted above, we have everything shown here and more. Note that we have special hours on July 3rd and 4th. Saturday hours of operation will be per the usual 10am-6pm.

1. Lochby Field Journal Mini (All Colors). The brown has been back in stock for a bit, but we now have all three colors available for purchase, including the new Charcoal with gold interior (“Bumblebee”) colorway. These are excellent smaller covers that fit standard 3.5” x 5.5” pocket notebooks (the classic “Field Notes” size, and Lochby makes their own 68gsm Tomoe River version).

2. Lochby Voyager Journal (All Colors). Lochby launched an A5 Slim version of its 68gsm Tomoe River refill last month, so it was only a matter of time before they released the matching cover. The Voyager Journal comes in the same classic colors as the rest of the Lochby lineup, including the revamped Charcoal with gold “Bumblebee” interior. The Voyager is designed to fit the Lochby refills but will also work with similarly sized notebooks from Traveler’s Company, Yamamoto (Robiki), and others.

3. Lochby Field Folio in A5 and B5. Lochby released a zippered version of its Field Notebook, with interior pockets and an interior pen slot. If you’re looking for a more portfolio-like option, the larger B5 will hold a standard composition book and even a tablet, depending on size.

4. Stálogy 365-Day and 1/2-Year Notebooks (Special Colors). The Stálogy 2025 colors have arrived, including Cacao Brown, Cloud Grey, and Lake Blue. These are the grid notebooks, which can be set up to work as a standard notebook or as an undated planner if you enjoy crafting your own layouts.

5. Stálogy Undated Calendar Stickers. We recently received a fresh shipment of the Stálogy undated planner stickers, which are now available in both weekly and monthly forms, as well as smaller “To Do” stickers.

6. Laconic Planner Stickers. Many of you have been enjoying the Laconic system, which offers an ever-growing line of notebooks and binder refills in specialized layouts that allow you to organize your notes and information in whatever way works best for you.

7. Maruman Mnemosyne Hardcover A5 Journals. These 240 page journals from Mnemosyne feature even more ink friendly 90gsm paper, in a dot grid format excellent for anything from bullet journaling to planning to standard writing. I chose one of these for my next personal journal, and they come in colors other than black!

8. Colorverse Nebula Note Casual Spiral Notebooks. I’m a fan of what Colorverse has done with their “Nebula Note” line of notebooks. Not only are all the pages perforated (HUGE WIN!) but the paper is slightly textured while remaining extremely ink friendly, making Nebula Note a paper that is excellent for both pens and pencils.

9. Maruman Mnemosyne Softcover A5 Notebooks. Yes, Maruman has also made some of their spiral notebooks in covers that aren’t black!

10. Private Reserve Inks. One of my pet projects is to bring attention to some of the longer-standing “classic” stationery brands, like Private Reserve, which has been around for 25+ years under the ownership of various companies an individuals. The most recent iteration is currently being made by Yafa, and still includes colors such as Supershow Blue, Burgundy Mist, Avocado, and more. In addition to their signature 60oz wide mouth bottles, Private Reserve inks come in standard international cartridge form.

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Thursday Drops: Traveler's Company Restock, New Blackwings, and the TWSBI ECO Serpentine

I hope everyone is staying cool! It’s been a hot week here in Nashville, and not particularly fun to haul boxes through the parking lot! This week we received a large TRAVELER’S Company Restock, including a handful of Love & Trip items, as well as specialty paper refills, TRAVELER’S Notebook accessories, and diaries that had sold out during the spring rush. We also received new Midori desk and reading accessories, including rulers, restocks of the XS Stationery Kits, and the slim clip bookmarks. Finally, the TWSBI ECO Serpentine Bronze pens are available for pre-order, with pens to ship out as soon as they arrive today (Thursday) or Friday. Finally, we have the new Blackwing Volume 140 Culinary pencils, and a large restock of standard Blackwing pencils, sharpeners and other accessories.

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We have added additional planner stickers, such as these Laconic versions, which enable you to add planner-like functionality to any standard notebook.

My deepest apologies to those who were looking for a TRAVELER’S Company “Love & Trip” Special Edition but didn’t get one. We had a very limited number of Standard and Passport TRAVELER’s Notebooks available, and they sold out nearly immediately. I tried to get more, but distributors were extremely strict with retail allocations this year. If you are planning on attending the larger pen shows later this summer in Washington, D.C. or San Francisco, then you may have some luck if TRAVELER’S Company held some back for their table.

Come see these and more in-shop! We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.

1. TRAVELER’S Company 2025 “Love & Trip” Sticker Sets. Despite notebooks and refills being in short supply, I was able to restock the custom sticker sets from this year’s release. These include all sorts of labels, stickers, and more that enable you to customize your TRAVELER’S Notebook, regardless of which edition/version you have!

2. TWSBI ECO Serpentine Fountain Pens. The latest release from TWSBI’s multi color releases, in which different resins are swirled together during the injection moulding process to create patterns unique to each pen, features a bronze and green swirled result that looks like it will be amazing. Orders to start shipping today/tomorrow morning.

3. Blackwing Volumes 140 Culinary Arts Pencil. This stainless steel-inspired pencil pays homage to the Maillard Reaction, the point at which food begins to brown and/or caramelize when cooked. If you’re into cooking and collect recipes, be sure to check out the companion special release, which is a set of 12 recipe notecards.

4. Notsu Notecards, Notebooks, and Pencils. One of the most well-received brands we’ve brought into the shop this year is Notsu, a brand that specializes in notecards. Whether you prefer standard 3x5 or 4x6 notecards, “To Do” formatted, or Weekly Planners, you may be surprised at how useful classic index cards can be.

5. Midori XS Stationery Kits. While we’re on the subject of stationery adjacent items, these small kits feature miniature desk accessories that are perfect for your bag/briefcase and travel! These have been out of stock for a bit but I was able to get more.

6. Midori and TRAVELER’S Rulers. We’ve restocked all of the various brass and aluminum/wood rulers from Midori and TRAVELER’S Company, including some new colors. These compact rulers slip easily into most pen cases, and in addition to being portable are very durable.

7. TRAVELER’S Company Refills and Accessories. Certain of the TRAVELER’S Company specialty papers and add-on accessories for the TRAVELER’S Notebooks have been on backorder, but we received a fairly significant shipment yesterday and many are back in stock, including pen holders, kraft folders, pocket stickers and more.

8. MD “Thick” Notebooks in A5 and A5 Square. This thicker paper from Midori is more suitable for heavier applications of ink, and even paint. Those who are into fountain pen and ink art have especially enjoyed these products, and customers have brought some amazing artwork into the store that I hope to be able to post sometime!

9. Midori MD Clip Bookmarks. Ok, in response to pressure I brought back these slim bookmarks from Midori, including the cat version. We have a lot of bookmarks and reading accessories now, which is one of my personal favorite categories to shop for.

10. BeGoody “No Smoking” Pencils. Easily the surprise hit of the year, at least on the pencil side of things, these novelty pencils will turn heads at the office! (Don’t let your kids bring them to school.)

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TWSBI ECO Serpentine Bronze!

Thursday Drops: A Lochby Pocket-Sized Restock, Plus Other Top-Sellers from 2025 So Far

After a long, nearly six-month wait, Lochby has restocked both the Field Journal Mini and the Pocket Journal, both of which are sized to fit the 3.5” x 5.5” pocket notebooks (the standard “Field Notes” size, including the Lochby 68gsm Tomoe River version). You can read more about the Field Journal Mini here, but in short it uses the same cord-based system as the Lochby Field Journal and Field Folio (which is now available in B5 to fit the Lochby B5 notebooks and a standard composition book).

The new Lochby Field Folio B5, which per Lochby, can hold a composition book? I didn’t realize that about B5 sizing, which has always puzzled me as an “in-between” size but now I think I get it. (Photo courtesy of Lochby)

Other new releases to keep an eye on are the Diplomat Viper Fountain Pen and Rollerball, the latest Blackwing Volume 140 pencils (plus a general Blackwing restock, including sharpeners), and new Lamy inks. We’re also in the midst of our annual mid-year review, so I’ve added a handful of “best-sellers” to today’s post. Happy shopping!

Come see these and more in-shop! We will be open this week from 1pm-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page for up-to-date hours.

1. Lochby Field Journal Mini. It’s back, after a long wait! This version of Lochby’s classic Field Journal features the same cords and hook-and-latch system as the A5, but fits 3.5” x 5.5” pocket notebooks. Brown only at the moment.

2. Lochby Pocket Journal. I feared this model would be discontinued, but the zippered Lochby Pocket Journal (which holds 1-2 pocket notebooks in a wallet-style waxed canvas case), is back! Brown, Navy, and Charcoal options, with the Charcoal now featuring the gold “Bumblebee” interior.

3. Lochby Field Folio. The zippered Lochby Field Folio is now available in B5 size, and apparently will also fit a classic composition book. The Field Folio works the same as the standard Lochby Field Journal, only it uses a zippered closure for added security. There is also an interior pen loop. And, yes, the B5 size comes in the coveted Nautical Navy/Cream colorway.

4. Lochby Sidekick. Lochby’s wallet/notebook cover will hold a pen plus an A7 notebook such as these Clairefontaine options. All three colors are back in stock!

5. Diplomat Viper Fountain Pens and Rollerballs. I’m thrilled to be able to add this new hooded-nib fountain pen to our lineup. The matching rollerball has much of the same aesthetic, and takes a classic long capped rollerball refill.

6. Lamy Crystal Bottled Fountain Pen Ink. You didn’t know that Lamy has an expanded line of ten additional inks in more vibrant colors than the standard releases?

7. Colorverse “Nebula Note” A5 Notebooks. A somewhat overlooked line of paper, Colorverse Nebula Note is fountain pen friendly, relatively inexpensive, and comes with perforated pages! I will always promote anything with convenient perforated pages!

8. Lamy 2000 Pens (Fountain, Rollerballs, Ballpoints, and Multi Pens). By far our top selling product, the Lamy 2000 line of pens is a personal favorite of mine, and unsurprisingly, our top selling pen across the entire range of variants.

9. Tom’s Studio Lumos Pro Duo. We just received a box of Lumos Duo refillable fineliners from the UK, and have most colors back in stock. For further reading on how these pens work and why I enjoy them as everyday writers, check out this post.

10. Yamamoto Paper. Yamamoto Paper is known for their assortment of unusual Japanese looseleaf papers, as well as their sampler packs that are organized by paper type and use. Both products allow you to try papers that otherwise would remain largely unavailable to the U.S. market.

11. NJK Long-Point Pencil Sharpener. Our top-selling individual product by volume isn’t a pen, but rather this cult favorite handheld pencil sharpener that takes a simple task and does it well.

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Colorverse Nebula Note: Tactile paper, perforated pages, and a sturdy double-ring spiral.