New Arrivals: Anterique Ballpoints + Mechanical Pencils in 26 Colors, plus the Endless Creator Fountain Pen!

June 6, 2023

I don’t think I quite prepared myself for bringing in the ENTIRE LINE of the Anterique ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils. These top-sellers are now listed in a whopping 26 different colors for the ballpoint pens, along with the .5mm mechanical pencils, which come in eight different colors at the moment with probably more on the way. A few things to know about the Anterique Ballpoints specifically:

The barrel tops and bottoms are all interchangeable. While we also carry a selection of bicolor pens released in partnership with Mark’s Tokyo (which feature the Mark’style “Days” motif), you can combine different colors of the standard Anterique ballpoints to create your own unique style.
In addition to the standard vintage click-pen, we also carry the brass barrel “upgrade”, sold in four different colors. Note that you can customize your brass pen by swapping in the upper piece from one of the 26 standard colors. (Pens are all sold separately - any modifications are your own project!)
I’ve had some success swapping the excellent Anterique .5mm Mach Ball refill into vintage Bic Clic Pens. For a short discussion on how to do this, and how certain editions of the Bic Clic might require some hacks and modifications, check out this post.

The Anterique Mechanical Pencils maintain the same vintage style design with what they describe as a "cushion slide mechanism" that prevents the core from breaking when strong writing pressure is applied. With heavy pressure, a spring releases the lead upwards, preventing breakage.

The Endless Creator Retractable Fountain Pen Has Arrived!

While it’s been a topic of conversation since its announcement at the beginning of the year, the Endless Creator Retractable Fountain Pen has finally landed at retailers. This retractable (i.e., capless) fountain pen features a push-button mechanism similar to the Pilot Capless/Vanishing Point and the Platinum Curidas, but with an original faceted design that’s distinct from anything else on the market. So far, I’ve been impressed with the tester I’ve been using, and it’s a fun product for the $50 price point. These are currently in stock and available with fine nibs only.

Endless Creator Retractable Fountain Pen Horizontal

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold, and is supported by purchases via the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Overstuffed Traveler's Notebook — My well-worn (and *slightly* overstuffed) Blue Traveler’s Notebook, complete with orange cord.

New Arrivals: Kit Your Traveler's Notebook Out for Your Summer Travels!

May 23, 2023

I nearly spouted coffee across the table this morning when my daughter told me that the last day of school is this coming Thursday! Where did the year go? At the same time, I’m ready for summer, and all it entails. Work quiets down, and I usually change out my Traveler’s Notebooks to feature more journaling-style inserts as opposed to the productivity and planner-focused build-outs that I’ll use during the Fall through Spring months.

Introducing the New Traveler’s Notebook Repair Kit in Spare Colors

One of my favorite aspects of the Traveler’s Notebook system is its customizability, including the ability to change the elastic to add a pop of color to the outside of your notebook. Traveler’s has begun releasing their Repair Kits in new color combinations, including this Version 010 (Spare Colors). While certain of the colors in this package were previously available in the standard pack, this (relatively) new release is notable for the addition of a grey-blue elastic cord, which I think would look awesome on the black, blue, or even the olive notebook covers.

Traveler’s has decided to release the repair kits in different color combinations. The “Spare Colors” comes with the five replacement cords shown here, plus two replacement bookmark strings and a spare fastener.

We are currently fairly well-stocked with most Traveler’s Notebook Starter Kits in both Standard and Passport sizes, as well as most refills. For those of you looking for the B-Sides and Rarities collection, our inventory is low because I understand that these are in the process of being added to the regular lineup and will reappear at some point in the future. If you want these refills, get them now as we are very low and I don’t have a firm ETA on the new versions. Many thanks for your support!

This week is a great time to get started with Traveler’s Notebook or one of our other notebook systems, as we are running a Memorial Day Sales Promotion through 11:59pm CT on Monday, May 29. Take 10% off your total order using the coupon code “SUMMER23” at checkout. Some exclusions (such as TWSBI) apply.

New Arrivals: The TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape. This Thing is PURPLE!

May 16, 2023

I’ve been more excited than most about the arrival of the TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape, for two reasons: (1) the TWSBI Diamond Mini is one of the more underrated pens in TWSBI’s lineup, as a piston filler that posts to a full-size pen despite being a “mini”, and (2) the anodized aluminum plating on this particular model is an almost-psychedelic purple. If you’re a fan of purple pens, this is one you don’t want to pass up. Priced at $60 ($65 for the stub).

TWSBI Diamond AL Grape Section — I’m serious. It’s so purple it almost glows.

TWSBI is due a shout-out for its release calendar so far in 2023. In addition to the Diamond Mini AL Grape, they’ve released new ECO and ECO-T fountain pens, including the ECO-T Saffron and the ECO Persian Green. We currently stock a wide range of TWSBI pens, including all of the recent limited releases and the standard Diamond Mini if purple isn’t your thing!

TWSBI Diamond Mini AL Grape Posted — The cap on the TWSBI Diamond Mini is threaded, so it posts securely.

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

Penco Passer's Mate .5mm Mechanical Pencil

New Arrivals: Retro-inspired Pencils from Penco!

May 9, 2023

One of the many reasons I love Japanese brand Penco/Hightide is their retro designs and vintage-inspired stationery products. In addition to the mini-drafting pens and pencils, as well as the series of “Perfection” Bullet Pens, we can now offer the “Prime Timber 2.0” leadholder mechanical pencil, and the “Passer’s Mate” .5mm mechanical pencil that is sure to take you back to middle school!

Four different finishes of the Penco Prime Timber 2.0 (Grey, Navy, White, and Red), shown packaged with a lead pointer.

The Passer’s Mate comes in 12 different colors, and is refreshingly affordable at $3.50. The Prime Timber is a sturdy, well-balanced leadholder that clicks to advance the lead - as opposed to the usual gravity-driven clutch mechanism. It also ships with a lead pointer complete with receptacle to catch graphite shavings. Prime Timber 2.0 is available in four different finishes at $16. Available now!

We’re traveling this week, so any orders placed in the shop will have a 3-5 business day processing time instead of the typical 2-3, and will ship upon my return. As always when I travel, orders placed during “away time” will include extras like pens, pencils, or ink samples to accommodate for any short delay.

Notebook Systems: Introducing Laconic Tokyo

May 6, 2023

If I had to describe the Laconic Style notebook system, I would best characterize it as a modular, full-size A5 version of the Kokuyo Jibun Techo. (For those unfamiliar, the Jibun Techo is a dated planner/journal system that combines elements of the Hobonichi Techo with the “tall/slim” format of the Traveler’s Notebook.) The beauty of this particular notebook system is it’s customizability. You can choose from ten different 60-page A5 notebook refills, including four different planner formats (daily, weekly, monthly, or “100 days” with two days on each page), four “productivity” formats (To Do, Meeting, Spreadsheet, and Gantt Chart), and two "Lifestyle/Creativity” formats (Thinking and “My Life,” which some may recognize as similar to the “Life Book” component of the Jibun Techo).

Laconic Notebook Covers A5 — The full range of colorful Laconic covers!

While Laconic makes their own plastic notebook cover, capable of holding two refills, the beauty of this system is that the standard A5 size allows you to expand far beyond that using a system cover/organizer like the Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter or the Lochby Field Journal (which holds up to six of these softcover A5 refills). For example, you could select a Monthly Calendar, Weekly Calendar, and Daily Journal for your “Planner” section, and combine that with Meeting, To Do, and a “Thinking” refill for brainstorming sessions. All of the planner refills are undated, and therefore flexible for those who might skip a day/week/month every now and then.

Laconic Style Multiple Notebooks Cover — You can fit up to two of the A5 Notebooks into the Laconic Style plastic covers.

So how’s the paper? I’ve been testing a Monthly refill since I first spotted these at NY Now back in February, and I would compare the paper to standard Rhodia or Kokuyo Campus. It will work fine with most fountain pens in fine or medium nibs, though extremely wet inks and wider nibs (and particularly a combination of the two) will see some bleed-through. That said, I’m not sure it will be an issue for those drawn to this particular planner, because it’s plainly intended for those who write small. (To that end, a Lamy 2000 EF nib with Pilot Iroshizuku Shin Kai gave me no issues.)

Bonus: Laconic Style Bookmarkers

Honestly, even moreso than the notebook system, what really caught my eye were these Laconic “Bookmarkers,” a set of eight different bookmarks in various formats that allow you to take notes while you read or write in your journal.

The Bookmarkers are sold in packs of 24, and fold over the page to prevent slippage. It’s also occurred to me that the “Planner” and “To Do” bookmarks could be taped or pasted into a bullet journal or other notebooks to add functionality. Personally, the “Reading Memo” layouts appeal to me the most, but I’ve kept a set of each for myself and since I churn through bookmarks fairly regularly I’m sure they’ll get plenty of use.

Laconic Style Multiple Notebooks Bookmarks — As with most notebook systems, all of the Laconic products are designed to work together.

Takeaways and Further Reading: Where Does Laconic Fit in the overall universe of notebook systems?

In the grand scheme of things, Laconic probably fits somewhere in between a single notebook system (each of these refills can be carried individually) and a modular notebook system, because you can combine them in a multi-refill cover to create a planner/organizer/journaling system tailored to your own needs. Laconic Style covers, notebooks, and bookmarkers are available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and they’re actually quite inexpensive, starting at $5 for a pack of 24 bookmarks, and individual notebooks priced at $6.

Laconic Style Zippered Cases — The largest Laconic Zippered case is large enough to accommodate an A5 notebook or two.

I’ve previously written several pieces on “System Techo” and the different types of notebook systems available. If you’d like to read more, see below:

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 are an authorized retailer of all brands sold, including Laconic. Please note that due to scheduled travel, orders placed after noon, U.S. Central Time on Saturday May 6, 2023 will have a 3-5 business day processing time. As always, we appreciate your support and slightly delayed orders will include extras!