I haven’t spoken much lately on the “mission statement” behind my shop, and how I select the various lines and products that I carry. When I set out to create T.G.S. Curated last year, six years after founding The Gentleman Stationer, I did so with one goal: to bring together a set of products that I not only enjoy myself, but which represent the combination of quality, utility, and joy essential to remaining relevant in an increasingly digital world where most people are highly selective about the analog tools they use.
For pens and pencils, that means you will find a curated selection with a focus on quality craftsmanship and ergonomics. You won’t find anything here that I don’t use or wouldn’t use myself, and many of these products are, in my opinion, under-promoted by existing retail channels and the pen community at large. They cover a wide range of formats and price points. If you haven’t had the opportunity to explore the following, I’d encourage you to do so. As always, many thanks for your support!
The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized reseller of all products listed in the T.G.S. Curated Shop.
Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint. One of my favorite ballpoint pens, and an all-time stationery classic, the Caran d’Ache 849 features a hexagonal barrel that tapers towards the point, lending it the feel of a woodcase pencil. Available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
Caran d’Ache Léman Fountain Pen. Currently available in a limited “Klein Blue” Ultramarine finish that I can’t stop looking at, the Léman is Caran d’Ache’s flagship fountain pen. I’ve been using one as a daily writer for the past month. Additional details here.
Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA Ballpoint/Mechanical Pencil. Combining the ability to swap out Schmidt ballpoint and .7mm mechanical pencil inserts into a compact, ergonomic form factor, the Nobile ITALIA also gave me a history lesson. Read more on the origins of this unique pen here.
CW&T Pen Type-A and Pen Type-B. If I’m going to have a gel pen offering, I’m going to go all the way. The Pen Type-A and Pen Type-B are both sublimely over-engineered and basically indestructible, featuring a pneumatic sleeve that keeps the barrel protected (and doubles as an addictive fidget toy). Additional details here, with a short video demonstration of how the sleeve works.
Pokka Pens Pocket Ballpoints. I don’t use - or stock - exclusively high-end pens. Sometimes the best tool for the job is the one that you can take anywhere with you, and I always have a pack of Pokka Pens in my bag and my car. Pokka now makes an aluminum “Jakket” that you can add on for a more durable EDC experience, with the option to use the “Dokk” accessory to clip the pen to your bag or keychain.
Penco “Perfection” Pocket Pens. If you’d prefer a refillable pocket pen that accepts universal D1 refills, the Penco “Perfection” is approximately the size of a tube of lipstick or lip balm when capped, but still hefty enough to use comfortably (and to let you know when you have it with you). Read more here, and it’s now available in a matte black finish, in addition to polished brass and chrome.
Traveler’s Company Brass “Bullet” Pens and Pencils. As a fan of the vintage “bullet pencil” format, there was never any question whether I would stock TRC Brass pens in my shop. While the standard brass ballpoint is probably my favorite (it actually uses a hybrid gel refill), I carry all four versions, in both brass and “Factory Green” finishes. Additional details here.
Caran d’Ache Fixpencil. The first modern mechanical pencil, designed during wartime to mimic the feel of a woodcase pencil when resources were in short supply. I carry both the original matte black with colored buttons, as well as the “Fixpencil 884” that comes in red, green, and blue with a textured grip section on the barrel.
Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood Pencils. The ultimate woodcase pencil writing experience. Fans of woodcase pencils (and Caran d’Ache products in general) owe it to themselves to try a Swiss Wood at least once. Stocked in beech and pine versions, as well as three-pencil gift sets. Additional details here.
Tombow and Uni-Mitsubishi Woodcase Pencils. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get an excellent writing experience, and quality woodcase pencils are a great place to start. These No. 2 office pencils from Japanese companies Tombow and Uni-Mitsubishi hit the sweet spot in terms of quality and price point.
