Stationery as a Inexpensive Way to Relive Your Childhood and The Blackfeet Indian Pencil: My Favorite Pencil of All-Time

February 12, 2020

All this recent hubbub over the return of Dunkaroos has me in a bit of a nostalgic mood. Not necessarily because of Dunkaroos - I was a bit too old for that fad -but it did get me thinking about things from childhood and why we collect and get fixated on certain items. Take stationery. I’d venture that if you ask yourself why you’re stationery obsessed (and if you’re reading this blog, “stationery obsessed” is an accurate description), two things come up: (1) You’ve always been this way, going to back to when you were a kid; and (2) as you’ve grown, you have, at times, found yourself thinking back to certain pens/pencils/notebooks that you remember fondly and wondering whatever happened to them. For me, this resulted in a six-month eBay quest to accumulate a full gross of my favorite school pencil, the Blackfeet Indian Pencil. While reason eventually took hold and I managed to stop myself after buying up six dozen, I don’t regret this little adventure at all.

Background on the Blackfeet Indian Pencil

Those of us who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s probably may remember the Blackfeet Indian Pencil for its promotional gift set, featuring a dozen pencils in a cedar box stamped with a Remington-esque logo. The pencils were made by the Blackfeet Indian Writing Company, founded in 1972 and located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana. Until its closure in the late 1990s, the Blackfeet Indian Writing Company manufactured writing pencils, art pencils, pens (which I’ve never seen but are also available on eBay). Apparently the company passed from tribal control into private hands around 1992, and subsequently went out of business not too long after.

The Blackfeet Indian Pencil Company released multiple versions of their pencil over the years. Shown here are two, with both black and gold writing/ferrule combinations. The font and graphics on the pencils themselves also changed. The particular bo… — The Blackfeet Indian Pencil Company released multiple versions of their pencil over the years. Shown here are two, with both black and gold writing/ferrule combinations. The font and graphics on the pencils themselves also changed. The particular box shown here was a promotional gift for a building supply wholesaler in Montana and North Dakota.

I received a dozen of these pencils, in the commemorative box, for Christmas one year when I was 12 or 13, which must have placed the timing towards the end of the company’s run. I remember seeing these for sale at The Nature Company and museum gift shops, which I assume is where my parents (probably my Dad) picked these up. I mostly used yellow No. 2 pencils (Faber-Castell Americans) throughout my school years, so the fact that these are natural pencils probably made them stand out in my mind as something different. I loved the fact that they wrote darker than the Faber-Castell American, which has a firmer core, yet lasted a long time. I had a few of these pencils left well into college, so I probably picked up a few dozen more along the way after that initial batch.

I’m not the only to stockpile this pencil. I didn’t know this when I set out on my journey to track it down, but apparently the Blackfeet Indian Pencil has developed its own cult following over the years. For example, the composer John Luther Adams disclosed in a Facebook post a couple of years ago that he uses Blackfeet Indian Pencils to compose, and Ticonderogas for general writing. The “Blackfeet craze” isn’t quite as pronounced as the hype surrounding the original Blackwing, but eBay pricing has steadily risen. Good thing I have 6 dozen.

In terms of lacquered finish, the closest match is the USA-made Ticonderoga Natural on the left. Yes, I have a mini-stash of those too. No, they’re not for sale, and if you make me a trade offer, it had better be good.

So What’s the Verdict, and Where Do I Get This Pencil?

Is the Blackfeet Indian Pencil as good as I remember it? Yes, it is. While certainly not a luxury pencil on par with a Blackwing or a Palomino, this pencil holds its own with its contemporaries (the Ticonderoga Natural) as well as modern equivalents like the General’s Cedar Pointe and Musgrave’s new “Tennessee Red” (discussed further below). Honestly, unless you have a nostalgic connection to this pencil or are a collector who wants to own a piece of history, you can find similar pencils for MUCH less money, and at around $20-30 per dozen (what I’d consider the reasonable eBay rate for Blackfeet Indian Pencils) the Blackwing Natural probably gives you better performance and feel at that price point. In my case, however, I have no regrets due to the personal connection. I’m glad I’ll have a stash of these pencils for a long time to come.

The graphite on the Blackfeet Indian Pencil, the General’s Cedar Pointe No. 2, and the Ticonderoga Natural appear close to identical, though the feel of the Blackfeet and the Cedar Pointe is so close that it has me thinking they might even share a c… — The graphite on the Blackfeet Indian Pencil, the General’s Cedar Pointe No. 2, and the Ticonderoga Natural appear close to identical, though the *feel* of the Blackfeet and the Cedar Pointe is so close that it has me thinking they might even share a core. Both the Blackwing Natural “extra firm” and the Musgrave Tennessee Red feature much darker graphite.

If you’d like to source a box of Blackfeet Indian Pencils for your own collection, you’re probably reduced to scouring flea markets, garage sales, and eBay. At any given time, there are multiple eBay listings for Blackfeet Pencils. While some sellers are asking $60-100 for a set of pencils in the cedar box, it’s still relatively easy to find loose pencils and even full packs for $20-30 if you’re patient, which can be less than the cost of a Blackwing Volumes edition, so we’re not talking vintage Blackwing money or anything close.

If you’d like a set of beautiful cedar pencils in a commemorative box, and don’t want to pay out the nose on eBay, I’d suggest that you opt for a set of two dozen Musgrave “Tennessee Reds.”

Alternatives to the Blackfeet Indian Pencil

General’s Cedar Pointe No. 2 is the closest match. While the Blackfeet Indian Pencil is coated in a clear lacquer and General leaves the Cedar Pointe unfinished, the pencil offers a similar aesthetic (natural pencil, black ferrule) and the cores are so close on the two (at least the two specific pencils I’m using) that it makes me wonder whether the Blackfeet Writing Company might have sourced them from General.

For a natural pencil with a lacquered finish, you can of course try the Blackwing Natural, which has a softer core despite containing Blackwing’s “firm” graphite, and also the new Musgrave “Tennessee Red,” which has its own lacquered cedar aesthetic, made even more interesting by the fact that Musgrave is now using actual red cedar - a pencil-making material common more than a hundred years ago - as opposed to the incense cedar commonly used to make modern pencils. I just purchased a box of these in their own commemorative cedar packaging and they’re gorgeous.

Pencil reviews are some of the most popular content here at The Gentleman Stationer, and I promise I’ll try to do more, as I use a lot of pencils (and have quite a stockpile).

Disclaimer: I purchased the pencils featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use.

Pen Review: Leonardo Momento Zero Arlecchino

February 8, 2020

Italian brand Leonardo Officina Italiana - referred to as “Leonardo” for short - has developed into one of the major success stories in the modern fine writing market. Founded after the collapse of Delta by designer and penmaker Salvatore Matrone (who previously worked for Delta), Leonardo has gradually expanded its lineup from the original Momento Zero to include the “Furore,” the newly announced “Messenger,” and the pen reviewed here, the “Momento Zero Grande.” I’ve chosen to review a limited edition version of the latter: the Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino (“Harlequin”) that was announced a few months back.

Leonardo’s packaging on the Arlecchino is reminiscent of OMAS, from the box liner to the faceted ink bottle. (The ink is excellent, by the way. Look for a separate review soon.)

The Problematic History of the Omas Arlecchino

This particular pen is inspired by the Omas limited edition “Arlecchino” fountain pen from the early 2000s, of which only 750 were made. While beautiful, the celluloid used to make these pens had a tendency to degrade over time, resulting in cracks and deterioration in the structure of the pen. Instead of attempting to work with the classic Arlecchino celluloid - if any even remains usable - Leonardo (or someone assisting in the production of these pens) developed an acrylic that closely resembled the original, with similar shades of green, black, and orange scattered throughout. I don’t know that it’s been clearly communicated that the material used to make the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande is NOT the same material used by Omas, given that I’ve received multiple comments from those concerned that this pen will disintegrate. The structural issues affecting celluloid generally do not affect acrylic resin (provided it is competently made), and this particular “Arlecchino” pen does not pose the same long-term durability issues.

The “Arlecchino” acrylic features darker orange, olive green, and black flecks within a lighter orange/peach base color.

Momento-Zero-Grande-Arlecchino-Full-Length

Design and Build Quality of the Momento Zero Grande

Like the standard Momento Zero, the build quality on the larger version is exceptional. I understand that all Leonardo pens are hand-turned, and the pens reflect a high degree of expert craftsmanship in both the design and the finish. The appeal of any pen from a design standpoint is naturally subjective. Longtime readers of this blog know that I was a fan of Delta - at least their “subtler” designs - and the Momento Zero Grande falls squarely within that tradition.

Like many larger Delta Pens, the Momento Zero Grande features a piston/captured converter system that holds a lot of ink. To fill the pen, you don’t need to unscrew the section. The blind cap reveals the end of the converter - in effect the hidden “… — Like many larger Delta Pens, the Momento Zero Grande features a piston/captured converter system that holds a lot of ink. To fill the pen, you don’t need to unscrew the section. The blind cap reveals the end of the converter - in effect the hidden “piston knob” - that fans of Delta pens either loved or hated.

The Arlecchino is far from a minimalist pen, and the material itself may come across as a bit loud to some, but it’s generally free from unnecessary adornments. Leonardo elected use a subtle zigzag engraving on the cap band and the ring just below the blind cap. The design, along with the Greek key pattern etched onto the captured converter, lends the pen an Art Deco vibe.

This is a high capacity converter which threads onto the section. I assume it can be removed for cleaning, but I’m not sure I would do it. I like that you can unscrew the section to check your ink level.

Nib and Overall Writing Experience

The Momento Zero Grande is a large pen. There’s no getting past that, and the size and weight will work for some but not others. After writing with this pen for a month, I actually think it’s at or near the limit of what I could consider comfortable - BUT I love it. Unposted, the balance is perfect for me, because the added weight from the captured converter system falls directly between my thumb and forefinger. Those with smaller hands will likely find the Momento Zero Grande too large and back-weighted. Larger hands shouldn’t have a problem, and may even be able to post this pen comfortably.

The standard Momento Zero Grande features a stainless steel No. 6 Bock nib, which is typically tuned quite well out of the factory but I sometimes find that I have to reset the nib to adjust ink flow. The Arlecchino limited edition featured here comes with a 14k gold nib on an ebonite feed, and writes quite well, like all the other Leonardo pens I own with this nib/feed combination. I opted for a fine nib here, and while I might characterize the line it writes as closer to an extra-fine, it has a steady inkflow with none of the Bock quality control issues that might give someone pause.

The color patterns in the Arlecchino material makes this a perfect pairing with green and red inks. Writing sample shown here with Montblanc Irish Green, which I reviewed this past week.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Because Leonardo speaks to my vintage-inspired design aesthetic, this pen was a no-brainer purchase for me, and I snapped up No. 67/100 immediately. Fans of the Momento Zero probably shouldn’t hesitate to pick one up, especially since the “Grande” line features some of the more interesting materials Leonardo has used. In addition to the Arlecchino, Leonardo also released a series of “Art Deco” ebonite pens that I waited too long on, but I may try to grab one on the secondary market in the “Mustard” color. As noted above, my one word of caution on this pen is the sizing. If you’ve had trouble using larger pens in the past, you may want to hold a Momento Zero Grande in person before purchasing, or buy from a retailer with a flexible return policy in case the pen turns out to be too large and/or heavy.

I was surprised to see that the Momento Zero Grande was actually longer than the Montblanc 149, which I’ll be putting into rotation this month. Here, the Arlecchino is shown compared against, from left: (1) Standard Leonardo Momento Zero (in “Pietra… — I was surprised to see that the Momento Zero Grande was actually longer than the Montblanc 149, which I’ll be putting into rotation this month. Here, the Arlecchino is shown compared against, from left: (1) Standard Leonardo Momento Zero (in “Pietra Marina” Sea Stone Acrylic); (2) Montblanc 149; and (3) a Lamy 2000.

As Leonardo pens have grown in popularity, the Momento Zero and the Momento Zero Grande have become more widely available. I purchased the Arlecchino pen featured in this review from site sponsor Appelboom, which still has pens in stock, but only with gold trim. A few stores still appear to have both versions, including Casa della Stilografica and Novelli. The Arlecchino special edition is priced at around $480 at Appelboom, which I consider standard (or even on the lower side) for a larger handmade limited edition pen with a gold nib. If you’re interested in the standard Momento Zero Grande, my go-to sources for Leonardo Pens are Appelboom in Europe and The Nibsmith and Pen Chalet in the United States. The standard pen (with a steel nib) is priced anywhere from $260-300, and some retailers offer a gold nib for an upcharge.

Recommendations for Further Reading

Since it’s release, I’ve written several posts on the Leonardo Momento Zero and various limited and special editions. My original review can be found here, which includes pictures of the celluloid “Maestro Set” I acquired last year, and I wrote a follow up on the Leonardo x Pen Chalet special edition collaboration in which they released a Momento Zero reminiscent of the discontinued Delta Dolcevita. Finally, if you’d like a writing sample of Leonardo’s 14k stub nib, see Part II of my “Stock Stub Nibs” profile.

Disclaimer: I purchased the pen featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use, though I did use some store credit generated through the Appelboom affilate program, one of may ways I use to support the blog.

Green-Ink-Bungubox-Norwegian-Wood-Montblanc-Irish-Green

Why Everyone Needs at Least One Green Ink

February 5, 2020

In a more traditional professional setting, you can sometimes find yourself a bit restricted in terms of what ink you feel comfortable using at the office. Sure, blue, black, and blue-black are the “safe” choices, but there are benefits to choosing a color that stands out a bit more. Whether your job involves project-based collaborations, or drafting documents subject to comments and revisions by multiple people, situations will arise when you’ll want your comments and input to stand out from the rest of the herd. Personally, that’s when I reach for the red or the green.

While both Montblanc Irish Green and Bungubox Norwegian Wood are darker greens, I wouldn’t call them green-blacks. They have more blue in them.

Before I go further: Yes, I know that green ink carries some baggage. Apparently, in the UK especially, green ink has become associated with so-called “green ink letters.” Back in the day when people actually still wrote physical letters to the newspaper, the more “interesting” submissions were stereotypically written in green ink. Just look up the term “Green Ink Brigade.” That said, there is also a tradition of green ink being used by MI6 and the British intelligence services, so you’re not necessarily labeling yourself as a nut by signing that memo to your boss in green.

Writing samples done with the Kanilea Pen Co. Mauna Kea (left) and Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino (right).

For professional purposes, I prefer a classic darker green, but not necessarily a “green-black.” Green-black inks tend to see use as substitutes for standard blues or blacks as a drafting ink, whereas for editing or annotation I prefer a true green. The two I have been using lately are Montblanc’s Irish Green, which has been a favorite for years and previously reviewed on its own, as well as Bungubox Norwegian Wood Emerald, which is a shop-exclusive Sailor ink that made an appearance in my list of Best Fountain Pen Inks for Editing and Annotation. I traveled with both loaded into pens on my trip last week, and what I love about both inks is that they are generally low-maintenance and dry quickly, a key consideration for a professional road trip where you have to take quick notes in a conference or on a trade show floor.

Takeaways and Where To Buy

Both green and red inks sometimes bear an unfair connotation as unnecessarily loud or obnoxious colors for writing. That needs to change. You can only take so many blues, blacks, blue-blacks, and even purples in the professional context, and greens present an opportunity to distinguish yourself a bit without going full-on orange shimmer ink. I get more comments - nice ones - on my green inks at work than any other color, and they show especially well in written correspondence.

Both of these inks look exceptional on bright white paper, here Clairefontaine French Ruled.

As luck would have it, of course, these two specific inks are becoming somewhat difficult to find. While Montblanc Irish Green is a standard option in Montblanc’s ink lineup, it’s becoming harder to find an independent U.S. pen retailer that stocks Montblanc due to what I understand to be a policy that all authorized retailers have a brick-and-mortar store. Both Dromgoole’s and Appelboom currently have Irish Green ink in stock. On the other hand, Bungubox inks are made in much smaller runs, and I heard that Sailor recently required that they impose a hefty price increase on these inks in the U.S., so that Bungubox inks now cost nearly $40 for a 30ml bottle. I love Norwegian Wood, but there are other options and I likely won’t be purchasing the ink again at the new price point unless something changes. If you absolutely must have this color, Pen Chalet stocks most Bungubox colors.

If you’re interested in reading further, I’ve previously reviewed dark greens that lean more green-black, as well as lighter “grass green” inks.

Disclaimer: I purchased both bottles of ink featured in this review with my own funds, for my own use. This post contains affiliate links.

Scenes from NY NOW and the National Stationery Show, 2020

February 1, 2020

Even though I’m sitting in my hotel room, absolutely exhausted after a full day of hoofing it through the Javitz Center and across New York City, I couldn’t let the day pass without posting some pictures from my adventures with the Vanness Pens team at NY NOW, the National Stationery Show, and Shoppe Object. These are wholesale shows, so much of what we saw is “to the trade” only, including some not-yet-released products, so photographs are limited. I can say, however, that I left amazed at the extent of what is out there in in terms of both brands and products that I’d never seen or heard of. This blog apparently has barely scratched the surface. We’re beyond blessed to live in a time in which makers have the resources to bring their ideas to life, and it’s going to be a great year!

What better to kick off the show than a LEGO model of the Javitz Center?

I also had the opportunity to visit Shoppe Object, a “smaller” show featuring smaller and independent makers.

And it wouldn’t be a trip to NYC without stopping by C.W. Pencil Enterprise.

I put together some colored pencil sets off the Caran d’Ache color bar. One for my daughter (and maybe one for me)….

Travel Tips: Packing a Writing Kit for the Road

January 29, 2020

I travel quite a bit for work, but one thing I’ve managed to avoid thus far is extended work travel, which I consider five days or more at a stretch. Not only is this type of travel a pain because I prefer to travel light and I end up having to check a bag with multiple days worth of work clothes, but I also have to be quite intentional about personal effects, making sure that I carry enough essentials with me to maintain my sanity while not over-complicating things. This latter part boils down to three things: stationery, books, and coffee.

My Travel Stationery Setup

Way back when I first started the blog, I wrote a piece about my “travel kit” that I took with me on the road, which consisted mainly of rollerballs, gel pens, and a pocket notebook. I updated this post last year, reflecting a bit more confidence in myself traveling with fountain pens, and adding the Nanami Paper Cafe Note B6, which I still maintain makes for one of the best travel journals out there. I figured that since I’ve kicked off January with nearly two full weeks away from home, why not revisit this topic again and discuss the pens and stationery I’ve chosen for extended travel, and how they’ve fared so far?

Lamy 2000 Bauhaus 100th Anniversary, EF Nib. Since I’ve chosen this pen as my “2020 One Pen Daily Carry,” I couldn’t leave it at home. But a Lamy 2000 with an extra fine nib also serves as an excellent workhorse for conferences and business meetings. The Lamy 2000 holds a lot of ink, and the EF nib helps stretch the supply a bit longer. I unfortunately had to take a break from my Leonardo Momento Zero Grande, since that pen hasn’t fared well with air travel. The Lamy 2000, on the other hand, remains free from major “inksplosions.”
Matthew Martin OG1. Maybe this is nothing more than recency bias, but paired with a Franklin-Christoph EF SIG nib, my newest Philly Pen Show acquisition is turning into a favorite. Its durability is a plus since I can pocket carry or bag carry this pen around a conference without worrying about damage (or self-defense).
Kanilea Pen Co. Mauna Kea. I’ve tried to use my time at night to get caught up on journaling and letter writing, and my Kanilea Mauna Kea is one of the more comfortable pens I own for longish writing sessions. It’s also not a coincidence that the Kanilea and the Matthew Martin pens both accept cartridges, which have always been my preferred method of refilling fountain pens when traveling. Not only do you not have to worry about bottled ink or traveling inkwells in your carry on, but in my experience pens filled using cartridges are less susceptible to burping ink on airplanes.
Montblanc Classique Rollerball. Always carry at least one rollerball or ballpoint when traveling. There will be forms to fill out. Without fail.
Rotring 800 Mechanical Pencil. Along with a rollerball, I carry a mechanical pencil for drawing and reading notes. I prefer the retractable tip of the Rotring 800 over the fixed pipe on the Rotring 600, especially for travel.

It’s not going to win any awards in the style department, but this BUBM (“Be Unique Be Myself”???) electronics organizer has been one of the better inexpensive purchases I’ve made lately.

The Nock Co. Sinclair still serves as my primary travel pen case, holding the three fountain pens along with a pocket notebook and some notecards. As I noted above, the Nanami Cafe Note is still my primary personal notebook, but this time I also brought along my Jibun Techo planner, my A6 Hobonichi, and an Endless Recorder A5 notebook for work. One piece of gear that I added to my backpack this time is this double-layer “electronics” organizer, which not only does an excellent job of holding things like cords, cables, and chargers, but also has loops that can be used to secure pens and pencils, zippered pouches for things like ink cartridges, post-its, and headphones, as well as a zippered pocket at the back large enough to hold a Kindle or a small notebook.

Digital meets analogue? Cables on the left, stationery on the right.

Personal Observations and Requests for Suggestions

Because I write first thing in the morning while drinking my daily coffee(s), I’ve found that travel is MUCH less stressful to me if I can maintain this simple routine. It’s also much less expensive to not have to purchase decent coffee outside the hotel, not to mention more convenient than stumbling around looking for a coffee shop at 6a.m. (or earlier). People have been recommending that I do this for years, but I finally splurged on some inexpensive travel coffee gear, consisting of a collapsible travel kettle and a small hand grinder. (I’m considering an Aeropress but for now I just went with a simple pour-over and some filters that I already had lying around the house.) I don’t consider myself a huge coffee snob, but the ability to have your own coffee in the morning on the road is revolutionary, and I’m kicking myself for not doing this earlier. I’d be interested in hearing other suggestions for mobile coffee setups.

New York City Meetup Friday!

Speaking of more travel, tomorrow I’m flying to New York City for the 2020 National Stationery Show, and Lisa Vanness and I will be hosting a meetup with the Big Apple Pen Club at Grand Central Oyster Bar on Friday night at 7:00pm. Let me know if you’d like to attend so that I can give Lisa a proper headcount!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates.