Schon DSGN Pens with Stacy Robinson Pens — Clockwise from the top: SchonDSGN engineered plastics pens (Ultem, Peek); Stacy Robinson Navigator in Pistachio, SchonDSGN full-size; Stacy Robinson Navigator in Coral Razorshell, and the same pen in a tan striated ebonite.

When You Find a Specific Pen You Like: Atlanta Pen Show 2022

April 9, 2022

I’ve been more selective about acquiring pens for my personal collection over the past two years. After nearly a decade as a dedicated fountain pen user, it’s definitely become harder to find pens that, at least for me, are truly “new” and interesting enough to justify a spot in a collection that frankly already has more than I could ever reasonably rotate through. While I don’t envision myself ever having fewer than a couple dozen fountain pens, I have started the process of gradually refining the current hoard into a (much) smaller number of pens that see regular writing, and in limited instances, replacing them with pens that I know I’ll enjoy.

Stacy Robinson Studios Acrylics — Stacy Robinson (who sells through Penzbydesign), had these lipless “Navigator” fountain pens available at the Atlanta Pen Show last weekend. Let’s just say they sold quickly.

I’ve really taken to the design of the Schon DSGN “Engineered Plastics” collection, as well as their full-size anodized fountain pens. In addition to the craftsmanship and overall build quality, this particular pen hits a sweet spot in terms of size and ergonomics, including postability. Which is one reason why I picked up three similarly-sized fountain pens from Stacy Robinson’s table at the Atlanta Pen Show, all in some unique materials that I’ve been coveting for the past several years (including two Conway Stewart acrylics, Pistachio and Coral Razorshell).

I also stopped by the Hinze Pen Company table and picked up this pen, which features a Starry Night Acrylic that reminds me of an impressionist painting. (Wait for the full review - this pen now features a custom nib grind by Matthew Chen.)

I acquired this custom Jonathan Brooks pen from the Carolina Pen Company table in D.C. last year, but haven’t gotten around to inking it up. Consider that problem fixed as of this morning.

My “pen show hunts” have been more targeted in recent years - I’ve developed a strong sense of what I will enjoy and use, and what I’ll use once and set aside - and my acquisitions over the course of the last year reflect this. As you can see from the photos, they’re pretty much all Schon DSGN and/or pens from custom and small-batch manufacturers that feature uncommon materials or custom nibs. I’m also gradually dipping my toes back into the vintage world, but focusing on one or two models like the Parker 51 and the Parker Vacumatic.

I had nibs ground by Matthew Chen for the first time in Atlanta, taking home a Naginata Togi and a cursive italic. Both are excellent.

Another area where I’ve been focusing is nib customization. I’m working on a couple of longer-term projects for the site, one of which is a comparison of different nib grinds as done by different nib workers. Each nib grinder has their own “signature”, so no two grinds are alike, though they might nominally be “the same” (i.e., two cursive italics, architects, etc.). It’s been fascinating to see the variation, and somewhat astonishing to realize the level of talent across the community. Over the past two years, despite having around 15 pens ground, I’ve not had a “bad” grind - something I couldn’t say even five years ago.

Kirk Speer grinding a nib at the Pen Realm table in Atlanta.

The 2022 Atlanta Pen Show was a great experience, and consistent with Baltimore, reasonably well attended given that many people are still in the process of getting comfortable traveling again. I fully expect the shows later this spring and over the summer to continue moving in a positive direction (provided of course, the pandemic continues to ease). It was great meeting so many readers, even though I could only really be there for a day! If I missed you, I hope to catch up later this year.

A Brief Note and Update on the Weeks Ahead

As you may have seen from following me on social media, I’m in the middle of construction here at T.G.S. HQ (i.e., my home office, i.e., the room above the garage), so review content may look somewhat different over the next two or three weeks as I’ll have to find new locations to shoot photographs. In the meantime, I plan to do my annual “Best Pens” update, and possibly attend the Chicago Pen Show at the end of the month. T.G.S. Shop Orders will continue to ship within the regular 2-3 business day time frame.

This post does not contain paid advertisements or third-party affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

Thursday Drops: Full TWSBI Restock, Caran d'Ache 849 Rollerballs and Ballpoints, and More!

April 7, 2022

In addition to the TWSBI Swipes in Pear and Salmon that dropped Tuesday, I also received a fresh restock of most of the TWSBI models, including the always popular TWSBI Vac700R Iris and the Diamond 580 in Smoke and Rose Gold. We also have the full lineup of the Caran D’Ache 849 Rollerballs, as well as the “Pop Line” 849 Ballpoints in Black Code, Gold Bar, and Brut Rosé. While the Brut Rosé is the one I can’t keep in stock, the Black Code remains my favorite and the Gold Bar the under-appreciated sleeper of the group. All of these pens make for exceptional workhorses!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of TWSBI, Caran d’Ache, and all other brands we stock.

TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen. As noted earlier this week, we now carry the TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen in all four colors, in all nib sizes. The Swipe’s biggest selling point, in my opinion, is that for well under $30 it puts you in a position to use cartridges OR bottled ink without any add-on purchases. It ships with not one but TWO converters. Read more here.
TWSBI Vac700R Iris. Setting aside the unique “Iris” finish on the trim, this fountain pen features a redesign of the original TWSBI Vac700 filling system, with adjustments made to the shut-off valve in order to ensure better ink flow. Additional details in my full write-up of this pen.
TWSBI Rose Gold Fountain Pens. By far the biggest TWSBI sellers currently in the Curated Shop are the TWSBI 580 in Smoke and Rose Gold, as well as the Smoke/Rose Gold Eco and the White/Rose Gold Eco. My personal TWSBI daily carry tends to be the Smoke 580 - I absolutely love this trim!
Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball. Last year’s big release from Caran d’Ache remains a top seller, with my personal carry a grey version fitted with a Uniball Jetstream Parker-style refill. Those who like a ballpoint but feel that the standard 849 is too narrow should try the rollerball - don’t be put off by the “rollerball” stock refill as any Parker-style ballpoint cartridge will work.
Caran d’Ache 849 “Pop Line” Ballpoints. The Black Code, Gold Bar, Original, and Brut Rosé versions of the classic 849 were originals in the T.G.S. Shop, and remain among my favorites. Don’t sleep on the Gold Bar!

Pen Case Review: Lochby Quattro Four-Pen Case

April 6, 2022

I don’t buy a lot of pen cases, at least compared to the number of pens, inks, and other accessories that I own. Those cases that I do have in my collection tend to stay there for a long time, as demonstrated by the fact that my most-carried pen case of all time is a mid-2010s Nock Co. Sinclair in black waxed canvas, which I picked up as part of a limited run at an Atlanta Pen Show several years ago. Frankly, the only zippered pen case I’ve found that can give the now-discontinued Sinclair a run for its money is the Lochby Quattro, which I’ve flashed on Instagram several times and stock in the shop but have not yet reviewed.

Look and Overall Design

Lochby is U.S.-based company owned by army veteran and fountain pen enthusiast Chris Elfering, who incorporated his love of pens and durable gear into the current Lochby lineup. All Lochby products are designed with usability and durability in mind. You can read more about the background of the company here.

The Lochby Quattro is a traditional zippered pen case made from waxed canvas, which holds four pens in secure, padded sleeves. Notably, the pen slots are offset so that pens don’t rub against each other. While “pen contact” in a case doesn’t bother some, for those of us who collect unique finishes and materials that may be more sensitive to scuffs and scratches, this sort of attention to detail can be a huge plus. In my experience, having the pens offset also makes the case easier to close, and more compact. Relatedly, the Quattro uses nylon zippers to further reduce the possibility of scratching pens when closing the case.

Lochby Quattro Pens Don't Touch! — No Touching! While larger pens fit snugly, I’ve had no trouble carrying pens as big as a Visconti Homo Sapiens in the Lochby.

In addition to the four interior slots, the exterior of the Quattro features two additional pouches. One I’ve been using as a slot for gel pens and mechanical pencils, and the other mainly holds post-it flags, which I use a lot of in my job.

Real-time action shot from yesterday’s work carry.

Lochby Quattro Exterior Velcro Pocket — The second exterior pocket features a velcro closure to hold smaller items.

A final feature that I’ve enjoyed with the Quattro is the fact that it’s designed to complement the Field Journal notebook cover. The Quattro fits within the back pocket of the Field Journal (though the fit can be pretty tight depending on which notebooks you choose for the Field Journal cover). If you choose to use the Field Journal as a mini-briefcase or singular carry-all, you have a convenient way to carry four pens with you.

Even though I have two thick notebooks inside the Field Journal (a Seven Seas Writer and a Theme System Journal), I can still squeeze the Quattro into the outer pocket.

Materials and Available Colors

So far, the Lochby Quattro only comes available in brown waxed canvas with a golden, honey colored interior lining. The backing fabric is a soft microfiber, and the pen slots are crafted from nylon that features a honeycomb pattern, in keeping with Lochby’s “bee” logo. Everything is double-stitched and bartacked, and feels incredibly durable.

Lochby Pen Case Pen Slots — I enjoy the honeycomb pattern on the nylon interior. This picture also gives you a look at the soft interior fabric, plus the durable stitching.

Lochby does advertise their products as vegan-friendly. Those longing for non-leather options after the retirement of Nock Co. should consider the Quattro as an alternative, though I’m looking forward to seeing whether Lochby releases this case in color options other than brown, especially since the Field Journal and Pocket Journal both come in Black and Navy color ways.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve enjoyed exploring the Lochby lineup, mainly because it successfully strikes the ever-elusive balance of quality, value, and functionality. I absolutely love waxed canvas anything, especially notebook covers and pen cases, so once I saw these cases I was all-in. Every one of these products designed to be used, and constructed from materials that will age well as the waxed canvas picks up the inevitable scratches, scuffs and stains that will develop into a patina. In terms of pricing, the entire lineup is under $60.

Lochby Quattro in Action (Workflow Shot) — The Quattro has formed a core part of my “deskscape,” both at home and at the office.

You can purchase select Lochby products from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and I’m proud to offer this brand as one of my carefully selected lines. In addition to the Quattro pen case pictured here, you should also check out the Field Journal A5 Notebook Cover, the Pocket Journal (another zippered case designed to hold your typical Field Notes-sized pocket notebook), and the Tool Roll, which can hold anything from fountain pens to bike wrenches to calligraphy supplies. And if Lochby’s fountain pen bona fides weren’t already evident from their case design, all of their paper refills feature one of my favorite papers: Tomoe River 68 gsm.

Disclaimer: The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Lochby products. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported exclusively by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

New Arrivals: TWSBI Swipes in Salmon and Pear!

April 5, 2022

A quick update for your Tuesday morning: We’ve received a TWSBI restock and we now have the TWSBI Swipes available in all nib sizes and all colors, including Smoke, Prussian Blue, Salmon, and Pear Green. The Salmon and Pear Green pens are eye-catching, especially if you decide to match them with one of the TWSBI inks.

You can read our full write-up of the Swipe here. In short, we think the Swipe makes an excellent daily driver for new and experienced fountain pen users alike, mainly because it ships with two different types of converters as well as a TWSBI cartridge. Available now, priced at $26.99. Note that as of this morning, we are now restocked on most TWSBI models, including the super-popular Vac700R Iris!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of TWSBI and all other brands we carry.

Pens from Atlanta Pen Show — Some finds from the Atlanta Pen Show! More details this week!

Sunday Reading for April 3, 2022 (Atlanta Pen Show Edition)

April 3, 2022

Iroshizuku Out with the Old, In with the New (via Macchiato Man). Pilot is releasing three new colors in the Iroshizuku lineup, and discontinuing three old ones. I’ll try to get some photos from the Pilot table today at the show.
Ferris Wheel Press Peter Moss Green (via Mountain of Ink). I recently discovered one of my favorite Ferris Wheel Press inks, Peter Moss Green, which in a finer nib shows up dark but in a broader nib or wetter line has a lot of sheen and character.
Traveling with the Kaweco Sport (via A Fleeting Ripple). I’m only just now getting back into traveling, but the Sport fountain pen is an excellent option for those who like to take a fountain pen on the road.
A Defense of the Partial Ink Fill (via mnmlscholar). I’ve never been able to do the partial ink fill - I mostly fill my pens to the brim and then write them dry - eventually. But if you’re truly a serial ink changer, I know many people who use partial fills to avoid wasting ink.
Cozy Comforts by Robert Oster Signature x EndlessPens x michahfinds (via Rants of the Archer). I haven't looked at many Oster inks lately, but some of these colors are excellent, and the names (“Old Book Smell”!?!) are even better.
An Inky Question Part 2 (via Dapprman). As someone who’s interest in ink is “secondary” to my main interests in pens and paper (it’s really about the paper and accessories for me, these days), I sometimes struggle with how to do ink reviews, since there are so many people out there with different formats - photo-visual, descriptive and practical, etc. I’ve landed on the more “descriptive” end of the spectrum, focusing on how well inks work for everyday writing.
Vintage Pencils on National Pencil Day (via Writing at Large). I always love seeing Mongol pencils discovered in the wild!
Diplomat Elox Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). Should I get one of these today, the last day of the Atlanta Pen Show? Those orange rings on the black finish… This review is not helping.
An Exciting New Start for ukfountainpens.com (via UK Fountain Pens). I totally get Anthony wanting to step away from the grind of regular blogging and focus on other things, and I’m super excited to here that someone will be taking on the site, keeping the back content alive, and possibly even facilitating new content going forward.
Enough Is Too Many Is Just Right (via Pen Addict). And I thought it was hard for me to juggle four notebooks. LOL. Sarah has me beat.

In Case You Missed It….

This week on the blog I talked about the notebook “system” I use to keep track of my life and various side projects. I also visited the Atlanta Pen Show - still there today, actually - and I’ve enjoyed saying hello to many of you! Look for a recap this week, along with some excellent content that will be forthcoming on specialty nib grinds. A longer-term research project is almost finished.

This Week in the Curated Shop

This week we released the Midori 70th Anniversary Pen and Ink sets, along with Mitsubishi Hi-Uni and Midori Pencil Sets. As of yesterday, Lochby is fully restocked.

Midori Pens

Midori MD Paper

Pencils

Lochby

This Week “From the Archives” - Best Fountain Pen Inks for Everyday Writing

There’s a wealth of back content here at The Gentlemen Stationer (I have been writing this blog/website/whatever it is for eight years now, and much of it belies categorization in something like the Fountain Pen Review archive. I thought it might be fun - for me as much as you all - to dive into the back catalogue and pull out some of my favorite deep cuts. One per week, perhaps with a little bit of updated commentary as applicable. This week’s post is from the “Best Fountain Pen Inks for Everyday Writing” series, and discusses Lamy Inks - still some of the best “pen company” inks out there, in my opinion, especially their Blue-Black and Black inks.

For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. Patreon supporters receive special pricing and early access to product releases and collaborations such as the T.G.S. x Sunderland pen, in addition to other benefits. You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here.