In the Shop: M+R Brass Sharpener Restock (Including Replacement Blades)

Our top selling products over the past two years have included the brass pencil sharpeners from M+R (Mobius & Ruppert), ranging from the simple brass bullet sharpener to brass lead pointer to the fancier long-point Castor and Pollux. As we re-envisioned how we wanted the shop to look going forward, we considered reducing pencils and pencil accessories, but so many of you were vocal about needing a retail outlet specializing in pencils (especially these sharpeners and their specialty replacement blades) that we decided to keep them on, and potentially expand the segment moving forward!

View fullsize

In addition to M+R Sharpeners, we carry high-quality erasers from Tombow, and a range of woodcase pencils, mechanical pencils, and leadholders from brands such as Caran d’Ache, Tombow, Midori, and Uni-Mitsubishi. We have focused primarily on high-quality Japanese and Swiss graphite to date, since I have found that it works best with the longer-point sharpeners and also tends to offer the smoothest writing experience.

Both the Tombow Mono 100 and Mitsubishi Hi-Uni are stocked and available in a range of graphite hardnesses. All pencils are sold individually and by the dozen.

If there are specific pencil and pencil accessory brands that you feel are not adequately reflected at retail, and you would like us to stock, please reach out and let us know. That said, we can only continue to stock them if you spread the word among other enthusiasts and let us gain visibility (pencils are a very niche market, as you all know), so we greatly appreciate anyone spreading the word in forums, Facebook groups, on social media, etc.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

In the Shop: Platinum Plaisir Aura Fountain Pens!

We’ve gradually been adding carefully chosen brands to The Curated Shop, one of which has been Platinum, who makes some of the best lower-cost fountain pens on the market. In addition to last year’s limited edition Platinum Preppy Wa, we brought on the Carbon Desk Pen and Pen Stand, and now have added a new version of the Platinum Plaisir! The Plaisir “Aura” is Platinum’s 2022 Color of the Year, and the fountain pen features one of three “Auras” (Merry Pink, Healing Green, or Symphony Blue) that show through a pearlized white finish, depending on how light hits the pen. It’s a really beautiful effect, and in addition to the unique color, you’ll also receive Platinum’s excellent stainless steel nibs and the “Slip and Seal” cap technology, which is an inner-cap system that prevents the pen from drying out if you leave it unused for a period of time. You can purchase the Platinum Plaisir Aura directly from the T.G.S. Curated Shop in either fine or medium, available for immediate shipment and priced at $41.

View fullsize

View fullsize

You can read my review of the Platinum Plaisir here if you’d like to learn more about why I enjoy this particular Platinum model so much.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from The T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

In the Shop: New TWSBIs Have Arrived! Introducing the 580 Iris, White Rose Gold II, and ECO Transparent Yellow

As of this morning, and just in time for D.C. Pen Show delivery, we have three new TWSBI models on offer: the Diamond 580 in TWSBI’s Iridescent “Iris” finish, the Diamond 580 White Rose Gold II, and the ECO in Transparent Yellow. All three of these are complete stunners, to be perfectly honest, and a key driver in my slimming down of my own pen collection has been to make room for the arrival of one or two of these. If you’d like to place an order for pickup at this week’s D.C. Pen Show, please get your orders in by close of business tomorrow (Wednesday, August 3) so that we have adequate time to pack it.

View fullsize

A Note on the D.C. Pen Show

After carefully evaluating stock levels, we’ve made the decision to NOT sell on-site at the D.C. Pen Show. While I still plan to bring a full table of paper testers, pens, cases, and other items for you to see in person, given how fast things moved with Vanness having to cancel, we had to admit that we’re simply not prepared to stock both the online site and a booth at the show. If you were planning on purchasing something from T.G.S., including any Lochby cases, Traveler’s Notebooks (we still have limited sets!), or TWSBI fountain pens, any orders placed online can still be picked up at the table. Just use the coupon code “615PICKUP” at checkout.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold, including those pictured here.

Thursday Drops: Which Watch? Take All Five! Introducing The Lochby Watch Wallet!

So I’ve been busy these last few days! In addition to reorganizing/cleaning up the shop, I’ve been prepping a new product for launch that focuses on a secondary passion: watches. While I’m not a “watch guy” to the same degree as pens, I’ve been on the hunt for a functional watch case that offers a good degree of protection while not costing an arm and a leg. So of course when I saw that Lochby was now offering a “Watch Wallet,” I was all-in on a test batch.

View fullsize

The Lochby Watch Wallet holds three larger watches in the primary slots, with a microfiber lining and flap to protect your watches from scratches.

View fullsize

The other side is technically intended to hold two straps and a spring bar tool, but you can also use it to hold two slimmer watches.

The Lochby Watch Wallet is now available for purchase in the Shop, in the three Lochby classic colors Brown, Charcoal, and Navy, priced at $59. The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all Lochby products, including the Field Journals and Pocket Journals, as well as pen and tool cases such as the Quattro four-pen case and the versatile Lochby Tool Roll. We’ve expanded our holdings to include all colors!

In addition to the main T.G.S. Curated Shop, I’ve updated the “Gently Used” Pens page. Be sure to check it out for deals on slightly used stationery in excellent condition, including some now-discontinued limited editions!

View fullsize

In the Shop: Mid-Summer Spruce-up, Discontinued Pens and Limited Editions

We spent the weekend getting the “shop” (i.e., the warehouse) spruced up for a revamp, and it’s a much less intimidating prospect now that we’ve cleared out some excess inventory. You can actually see what’s in and out-of-stock, which is helpful! As it turns out, I found some extra items that I thought were long sold out, and which are now live in the shop, including:

1. Hightide Folding Metal Bookstands in White, Red, Pink, and Blue.

2. TWSBI ECO Jade. If you missed this one, I found another with an EF nib in stock.

3. TWSBI ECO Lilac. I’ve heard through the grapevine that these are slated to be discontinued (or at least go out of production for a while). We have a handful.

4. Midori MD 70th Anniversary Fountain Pen and Ink Sets. Just a few of these remain!

Also, Traveler’s Notebook Limited Editions are getting low. We still have several “Traveler’s Airline” editions in stock, which is a standard size with a blue cover, but only one “Traveler’s Train” passport edition and maybe one or two Hotel notebooks left.

Finally, check out the new layout!

We’ll also be bringing in more Maruman Mnemosyne!

And don’t forget that we also carry core stationery such as Rhodia and Clairefontaine!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.