On The Paper Trail Episode 8: 2026 Planners and Notebooks Quarterly Review

This week we check in with our 2026 planners and notebooks to see whether they're still working for us now that we're 1/4 of the way through the year. (Wait, how did that happen?) We talk about what's working with our current planners and notebook systems, what may not be working, and what, if anything, we need to change about our current stationery setup. We also discuss upcoming stationery-themed travel, and we might have more details on our On The Paper Trail: Live in Nashville Event that will take place in Nashville October 16-18!

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. Mark's Inc. "Days" Ballpoint (via Vanness Pens).

2. Diamine Spring Green (via Vanness Pens).

3. Pilot Grancé (via Vanness Pens).

4. Pilot Custom 912 with PO Nib (via TGS Curated Shop).

5. Pilot Prera (via TGS Curated Shop).

6. Bungubox Dandyism Ink (via Vanness Pens).

7. On The Paper Trail Episode 1.

8. Wonderland222 Back to Tomoe River Announcement.

9. Ask TGS: Flying with Fountain Pens.

10. Lisa's Shipping Update Video.

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 7: Underappreciated Stationery Gems

In this week’s episode of On the Paper Trail, we discuss a topic that’s close to both of us: Underappreciated Stationery. For a variety of reasons, a wide range of exceptionally good stationery items don’t get the attention that we think they deserve. In some instances, entire brands can be underrated. We each picked items from three categories (pens, paper, and ink), and also talk a bit about why certain stationery can fly under the radar.

Additionally, we discuss our upcoming On the Paper Trail: Live in Nashville weekend event, currently slated for October 16-18! We talk a bit about our vision for this event and how we both wanted to create the type of event we personally want to attend, with a more balanced approach to shopping, seminars/classes, and opportunities to socialize!

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.

Episode 7 Show Notes and Links

Note: We discuss a LOT of individual products this week, therefore this longer list has been moved to the bottom of the post.

1. Pilot e95s (Lisa’s Weekly Pen).

2. Blackwing Matte (Lisa’s Weekly Pencil).

3. Midori Soft Color Spiral (Lisa’s Weekly Paper).

4. Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen (Joe’s Weekly Pen).

5. Uni Style Fit Meister 5 Multi Pen (Joe’s Weekly Pen).

6. Life Noble Note A5 6-Ring Paper (Joe’s Weekly Paper).

7. Kaweco Perkeo (Underappreciated Pen Pick).

8. Lamy Pico Ballpoint (Underappreciated Pen Pick).

9. Conway Stewart (Underappreciated Pen Pick.

10. Ohto Ceramic Rollerball Pens (Underappreciated Pen Pick).

11. Lamy Swift Capless Rollerball (Underappreciated Pen Pick).

12. Jetstream Prime Ballpoint (Underappreciated Pen Pick).

13. Levenger Paper (Underappreciated Paper Pick).

14. Yamamoto Ro-Biki (Underappreciated Paper Pick).

15. Original Crown Mill (Underappreciated Paper Pick).

16. Wearingeul Paper (Underappreciated Paper Pick).

17. Callifolio Ink (Underappreciated ink Pick).

18. KWZ Old Gold (Underappreciated Ink Pick).

19. Laban Ink (Underappreciated Ink Pick).

20. Papier Plume Ink (Underappreciated Ink Pick).

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 6: Live at the Inaugural Francisco Stationery Fest!

What's the difference between a "Stationery Fest" and a traditional pen show? Tune in this week and find out, because last Friday we had the opportunity to record Episode 6 of On The Paper Trail in front of a live audience at the inaugural San Francisco Stationery Fest! Topics include our impressions of the show, how we got into stationery in the first place, plus a Q&A with audience members in which they had the opportunity to pick our brains about pens, inks, paper, and more. Note that in the video we were in the room with audience members and interacting with people off camera, so we have had to adjust the audio and repeat questions at times.

Show Notes and Links

1. San Francisco Stationery Fest

2. Arkansas Pen Show

3. Bonecrusher Studios

4. Pens by Pasquale

5. Nagasawa at Vanness

6. Wearingeul Testing Cards

7. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter

8. Olive Octopus Ink

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.

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.

San Francisco Stationery Fest, Here We Come!

After an all-too-brief three-day turnaround from last weekend’s excellent Arkansas Pen Show, we’re off to San Francisco tomorrow for the inaugural San Francisco Stationery Fest. We’ll be teamed up with Vanness Pens and On the Paper Trail for a three day weekend focused on stationery beyond pens! We’re currently busy packing up Roterfadens, Lochby, Rickshaw cases, Graphilo paper, and much more!

What Is a Stationery Fest, and How Is It Different From a Pen Show?

The biggest difference is the brands and makers you will find at a stationery fest as opposed to at a pen show. While the diversity of exhibitors has expanded in recent years, pen shows still focus on - well, pens - whereas stationery fests/shows/festivals tend to target an audience interested in a wider variety of paper goods. This includes not just notebooks but stickers, washi tape, planners, and more. If the idea of attending an analog-focused event appeals to you, but pen shows seem too high-dollar or collector-focused, consider attending a stationery show. Those interested in reading more on the experience can check out the vendor list and exhibitor map for this weekend’s event! The organizers did an excellent job of curating a diverse group of vendors who offer a little something for everyone, whatever your core area of interest.

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I do plan to bring a bunch of fountain pens (including specialty nib grinds) to share after-hours.

One thing I personally enjoy about stationery fests and other paper-oriented shows is more of a community focus. While out-of-town vendors certainly do attend, stationery events are usually organized by local pen stores, clubs, and other groups of enthusiasts with ties to the local community. The events themselves also tend to be slightly smaller and navigable than pen shows - and certainly smaller than the largest multi-ballroom pen shows - though stationery fests can seem larger than their physical footprint as they draw large and enthusiastic crowds. Most shows focus heavily on in-person meetups, classes, after-hours gatherings, and other non-shopping events to round out the attendee experience.

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Come by our table this weekend and pick up an On The Paper Trail Sticker! We also have a few of these left in the Nashville shop. First come, first served!

An On the Paper Trail Live Audience Recording!

Friday night, Lisa Vanness and I will be hosting a live recording of our podcast and video series, On the Paper Trail! We have some special topics picked out for this week that we think stationery fest attendees will enjoy, and we are also in the process of uploading a series of short vendor video profiles from last week’s Arkansas Pen Show. There are still a few seats open for the Friday night event, and if you’d like to get caught up on podcast episodes beforehand, be sure to check out our new landing page which has links to stream the audio content. We hope to see you there!

The T.G.S. Nashville store will remain open this weekend, with only slightly modified hours on Saturday. Be sure to check the shop page or Google profile before coming by.

On the Paper Trail Episode 5: Are You a User or a Collector of Stationery?

Do you consider yourself a user or collector of stationery? Maybe a bit of both? In the fifth episode of On the Paper Trail, we talk about a topic that draws strong opinions and maybe even a little bit of judgment in the stationery world. Whether you use every pen, bottle of ink, or rare notebook that you own, or maintain pristine archives for posterity, how we view our stationery is intensely personal and will differ from person to person. We also discuss events at the upcoming Arkansas Pen Show and the San Francisco Stationery Fest!

Note: During the podcast, we discussed the sign-up link for the live-audience episode at the upcoming San Francisco Stationery Fest. Apparently that link is missing from the show website - if you’re interested in attending please sign up directly using this link.

Show Notes and Links

1. ⁠Nagasawa Exclusive Pens⁠ (Lisa's Pen)

2. ⁠Pilot Custom Urushi⁠ (Lisa's Pen)

3. ⁠Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog⁠ (Joe's Pen)

4. ⁠Uni Zento⁠ (Joe's Pen)

5. ⁠Pilot S20 Ballpoint⁠ (Joe's Pen)

6. ⁠Roterfaden TGS_25 A5 Slim⁠

7. ⁠Laurett's Pens⁠

8. ⁠Troublemaker Inks⁠

9. ⁠Wearingeul Paper⁠

10. ⁠Nagasawa 6-Ring Refills⁠

11. ⁠Episode 2: Matthew Chen Talks Kodachi Nibs⁠

12. ⁠Akkerman Standard Ink Bottle Example⁠

13. ⁠Akkerman Dutch Masters Ink Bottle Example⁠

14. ⁠Arkansas Pen Show⁠

15. ⁠San Francisco Stationery Fest

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.

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.