My Galen Leather writing box, set up per my actual everyday use. Ok, so I cleaned it up a bit, but all of this stuff lives in the box and it will close. It holds a bunch.

My Personal Journaling Setup

July 23, 2020

Instead of a traditional Deals & Drops setup this week, I wanted to give you all a glimpse behind the camera into my everyday “writing life,” including a product that I’ve had for a while but have never featured here: the Galen Leather Writing Box. I’ve kitted this out as my “journaling station,” which sits beside the armchair in my office and holds most of the stationery supplies I use frequently. Over the past several months, this setup has received a lot of use. I’ve long been a fan of antique writing boxes, and Galen Leather’s version apparently was inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s own design. As a bonus, at the bottom of this post I’ve included shots of my own antique writing box that I’ve owned for 20+ years. Enjoy!

Galen Leather Writing Box (via Vanness Pens). I finally picked one of these pieces up at last year’s D.C. Pen Show, and once the pandemic hit I outfitted it with everything I needed for my daily writing sessions. I might not use it in “briefcase mode” with the included leather straps, but it makes a great lap desk with interior storage and organization. I’ve had no issues with warping - I’ve owned the box for nearly a year and I can say that problem appears to have been fixed. They are out of stock on the main Galen website but Vanness has some available.
Nanami Paper Cafe Note (via Nanami Paper). For most of my journaling and personal writing, I use either the B6 Cafe Note or the Hobonichi Techo A6, the latter of which you will have to wait a couple of months to buy when the 2021 editions are released. (Honestly, buying anything “2020” right now just seems like it would be asking for bad karma.) Go ahead and get a Cafe Note in B6 or A6 instead.
Field Notes Pocket Notebooks (via TGS Curated Shop). I’ve gone back to Field Notes as my mobile repository for reading notes. I tend to take notes in the margins with pencil as I read (especially nonfiction), and Field Notes pocket notebooks work well because they are slim and tuck well inside a book. I’m falling back in love with these things as I use them more, and will end up stocking most of the line shortly.
TWSBI ECO Fountain Pens in Yellow and White/Rose Gold (via Pen Chalet). When I’m journaling, I tend not to want to be distracted by the pen I’m using at any given time. Rather, I want a simple pen that holds a lot of ink (typically something versatile and reliable). The TWSBI ECO fits the bill here.
Book Darts (via TGS Curated Shop). I always read with a tin of Book Darts nearby, especially if I’m reading nonfiction or a book that I plan on re-reading or perusing again in the future. Book Darts are archivally safe (meaning they won’t cause the page to deteriorate) and can be removed and reused, though they’re relatively inexpensive so I tend to leave them in place long-term.
Duncan Shotton Sticky Page Markers (via Duncan Shotton Design Studios/Etsy). Book Darts are great, but sometimes you just need a temporary sticky note-type page marker. I went with the “Mars” version, because if aliens is an option, I’m definitely going with aliens.
Washi Tape (via TGS Curated Shop). Washi tape is useful for sticking things into your journal, such as pictures or old sticky notes/scraps of paper you end up wanting to keep. You can also take a small piece and fold it over the edge of a page in a notebook, to make a permanent place marker or to mark off sections if you index your notebooks.
NJK Long Point Pencil Sharpener (via C.W. Pencils). NJK makes an exceptional long-point pencil sharpener for the money, especially if you want one that’s portable enough to carry around in your pocket.
Caran D’Ache Graphicolor Highlighter/Graphite Pencil (via T.G.S. Curated Shop). My pencil of choice for reading, so I keep several stashed in my writing box. I love highlighter pencils, and Caran D’Ache graphite is firm enough to let you annotate and take notes while reading without having to worry about sharpening excessively.
Pokka Pens Ballpoints (via TGS Curated Shop). Honestly, I never leave the house without these things. I have clear cap Pokkas in stock, even though they are now sold out on the main Pokka site.

The TGS Patreon Program, Deals & Drops and sales through The Curated Shop are how I fund The Gentleman Stationer. Your support is greatly appreciated! This post contains affiliate links. Please see our privacy and cookie policies for additional information.

Clockwise from top: Blackfeet Indian Pencil, Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino, Platinum Procyon, Matthew Martin OG1, and CW&T Pen Type-B.

2020 Mid-Year Recap: Five Favorite Products from the Year So Far

July 18, 2020

Notwithstanding the fact that 2020 has turned out to be a general s&*^show, resulting in the cancellation of all pen shows since March and for the foreseeable future, the past six months have not been entirely without bright spots. Actually, being stuck at home working remotely has provided me with much more time with my stationery and the products I review, and I’ve enjoyed having this opportunity to do more in-depth dives. Each of the following products that appear on this year’s July recap list is something that I’ve ended up using extensively at various times throughout the first half of 2020. If I had to pick the two that get the most regular use, I would say the Platinum Procyon (an excellent inexpensive daily writer that sits in the Penwell on my desk at home), and the CW&T Pen Type-B, which has been my non-fountain pen of choice. My favorite, however, is easily my Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next three I have on order.

Here’s to hoping that the second half of 2020 is better than the first, and that we can all see a return to normalcy, including visiting and sharing pens in person once again! Enjoy my five favorite reviews of 2020 to date:

Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Arlecchino Fountain Pen. I’ve enjoyed watching Leonardo grow their brand over the past few years, and I’ve long been a fan of the standard Momento Zero. The Momento Zero Grande takes it to a new level with gorgeous custom materials (including the much-hyped, forthcoming “Primary Manipulation” collaboration with Jonathon Brooks) and a larger body size. The “Arlecchino” was Leonardo’s re-creation of a beloved OMAS celluloid that unfortunately had a tendency to deteriorate over time. This version is resin, so hopefully I expect to enjoy this pen for years to come.
Matthew C. Martin OG1 Fountain Pen. I discovered Matt’s work at the 2019 Atlanta Pen Show, but didn’t pick up one of his pens until Philadelphia in January. This pen didn’t leave my pen case for four months, and will be going back into rotation soon. Combining superb machining with a comfortable design and indestructible materials, the OG1 has become one of my favorite EDC fountain pens.
Platinum Procyon Fountain Pen. Platinum continues to dominate the low-cost and lower mid-range pen market, with the Procyon making a strong showing in the $50-60 price bracket. The Procyon has definitely grown on me throughout the year, and features Platinum’s signature “Slip & Seal” technology that reduces ink evaporation and prevents the nib from drying out. While Slip & Seal might not be a critical feature for everyone, it can come in handy if you like to keep an inexpensive pen permanently inked up on your desk or another location for infrequent use.
Blackfeet Indian Pencil. My “blast from the past” review of the pencil I recall fondly from my childhood. I went on a bit of an eBay stockpiling spree and now have several dozen of these in my discontinued stationery archive. And yes, they’re as good as I remember.
CW&T Pen Type-B. I resisted the call of the Pen Type-B for years, but I have to agree with Brad. It’s good. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but if you’re a die-hard fan of the Pilot Hi-Tec-C, there’s no better pen body out there, in my humble opinion. Here’s another pen that’s found its way onto my “quarantine desk,” and isn’t leaving anytime soon.

Pen Review: Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with PO Nib

July 15, 2020

Three years ago I reviewed the Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with Pilot’s flexible “FA” nib, and decided that while I enjoyed the classic look of the pen, that particular nib wasn’t for me. At the time, I predicted that once I had the chance to try the “PO” (or “Posting”) nib - Pilot’s take on the “ultra extra fine” or “needlepoint” trend - I would end up purchasing a Custom Heritage 912 for myself. It took longer than expected, but I was right.

In certain aspects of my work (i.e. annotating documents and working on very cheap recycled paper) it’s advantageous for me to be able to write extremely small. In addition to standard Japanese extra-fine nibs, my collection features several hand-ground needlepoints and also standard “specialty” nibs like Platinum’s “Ultra-Extra Fine”, which I’ve previously reviewed and which is now increasingly available at retail outside of Japan. I’m just now getting around to exploring what the other Japanese pen companies like Pilot and Sailor have to offer in this regard.

Yes, that’s how the tip’s supposed to look!

The first thing you need to understand about Pilot’s PO nib is that it’s intended for a very specific user, meaning that you shouldn’t purchase this pen without careful consideration. For starters, the Custom Heritage 912 costs around $200 whether you purchase from your domestic U.S. retailer or overseas, so it’s not in the “impulse buy” category. While you used to be able to save money buying on eBay or Amazon, the current pandemic has caused shipping rates to rise, cutting into the “discount.” Second, the PO nib is extremely stiff - firmer than any nib I’ve ever used - so if you’re someone who likes even a little cushion when writing, you’ll probably want to take a hard pass on this pen. Those two things notwithstanding, I can comfortably say that Pilot’s PO nib offers my favorite out-of-the-box “ultra fine” or “needlepoint” writing experience on the market.

This nib was originally intended for writing on cheap postcards, which apparently used to cost much less to send through the Japanese postal system than standard mail. The point of the nib has been turned down to reduce ink flow and to prevent feathering on this less expensive, more fibrous paper. While you may still get some bleedthrough, in my experience this nib makes a fountain pen usable on even the cheapest recycled copy paper.

A writing sample showing how you can write even smaller if you flip the PO nib over and write using the reverse side. — A writing sample showing how you can write ***even smaller*** if you flip the PO nib over and write using the reverse side.

Takeaways and Where To Buy

Dare I say that the Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with a PO nib might be the “ultimate note-taking pen” for those of us that like to cram as much writing as possible onto a page? This workhorse might not be flashy, but it showcases the best of what Pilot has to offer nib-wise. While you can purchase this pen with a couple different standard nib sizes (EF and Soft Fine), most people opt for a specialty nib, including the PO nib featured here, the SU (stub), music, FA (flexible), and Waverly. As you can tell from my review above, I love the PO nib, and just wish it wasn’t so hard to find in the U.S.

Update: As of 2026, Pilot has expanded its specialty nib offerings stateside, including making a range of nibs available in the Custom 912 and Custom 743 models. We stock a selection of both, including the PO nib as available.

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.

The Pilot Custom Heritage 912, shown here compared against a Write Notepads Reporter-style Notebook, available for sale in the TGS Curated Shop.

Up Your Pocket Writing Game in the T.G.S Curated Shop!

July 14, 2020

I’m fully stocked on everyone’s favorite fountain pen-friendly pocket notebooks, the Write Notepads Copper Anniversary Edition, as well as several of my favorite Field Notes releases! If you’re looking for something a little different than the traditional side-bound pocket notebook, you may want to consider a reporter-style notebook, which lays flat on a desk and is perfect for making lists of all the at-home projects you need to get done. (Seriously, what else are you going to do these days?) Available in both Write Notepads and Field Notes versions.

Visit the T.G.S. Curated Shop to view our ever-expanding assortment of carefully selected goods with an “analog” bent, including notebooks, reading accessories and more. All domestic orders over $50 automatically ship free!

Pen Review: CW&T Pen Type-B

July 11, 2020

Described by its creators as a "minimal everyday pen, over-engineered to last generations," CW&T’s Pen Type-B is one of those products that I resisted for years. Despite the pen receiving rave reviews, I didn’t feel the need to invest in a high-end housing for Pilot’s Hi-Tec-C gel refill, even though I’ve long been a fan of needle tip gel pens and rollerballs. At times, Pen Type-B even seemed a bit “too popular,” with Kickstarter hype driving a lot of the sales. Was this a pen for me? And would I end up using it enough to justify the relatively high price point?

If there’s a matte-black option, I’m in. Shown here is the black Cerakote-finished titanium model, with an Esterbrook single-pen sleeve (which fits perfectly).

Brooklyn-based design group CW&T (short for Chei-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy, the team behind their ever-expanding range of products) bills Pen Type-B as the “ultimate pen for illustrators, designers, and architects." I'm none of those things, and the marketing initially kept me away. It shouldn’t have. The lore surrounding the Hi-Tec-C has long focused on Pilot’s needle-tip gel pen as the perfect pen for visual-art creatives, but many writers enjoy this refill as well, myself included. Pen Type-B is no different, and for those of us who use the Hi-Tec-C for writing, an upgraded pen body with some heft can make for a much more comfortable writing experience than the standard plastic barrels or some of the less refined machined pen options.

A Truly Minimalist Industrial Aesthetic

Pen Type-B consists of a cylindrical metal pen component inside a machined pneumatic sleeve with zero visible branding anywhere. It’s a very clean look, and the facet on the sleeve allows you to rest the pen on your desk without fear of it rolling away. I rarely use clipless pens these days unless they have some roll-stop function - it may seem like a little thing, but when you work at a desk for a living, the little things are often what differentiate the nice pens that sit in a case and never get used from those that become core workhorses.

To replace the refill, you unscrew the back of Pen Type-B. In addition to the Pilot Hi-Tec-C, Pen Type-B will accept a range of other refills, though you will have to use a spacer. CW&T has posted details on their website.

In terms of writing, whether you find Pen Type-B enjoyable will likely depend on your feelings about the Pilot Hi-Tec-C refill. As we Hi-Tec-C enthusiasts know quite well, it’s one of the more finicky gel pen refills on the market. When it works, it’s absolutely amazing, but you will inevitably get a few duds. If you’re already a Hi-Tec-C devotee, however, there’s nothing to dislike here. In addition to the bulletproof build quality, Pen Type-B offers a genuinely enjoyable writing experience. You can use this pen in two ways: (1) unposted, in which case the cylindrical "pen" component is exceptionally light; or (2) posted, with the sleeve reversed, which adds a fair bit of weight and creates a writing experience I would compare to the Lamy Dialog 3 in terms of weight and balance. I use Pen Type-B both ways, but when at my desk I prefer to use the lightweight titanium insert for longer writing sessions. (Note: On the version with the brass sleeve, the insert is made from stainless steel, which will be heavier than titanium.)

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The "over-engineered" tagline refers to the pneumatic sleeve, which alone will offer you hours of entertainment if you find yourself bored at work (or, more likely these days, at home). The machining is so precise that the sleeve is basically airtight. It makes a popping noise if you pull the pen out quickly, and when you recap, you can watch it slowly slide back into the sleeve like a piston. This also serves a functional purpose: It keeps the refill from drying out.

Posted, the facet on the Pen Type-B creates a comfortable place to rest your grip while writing. (At least for me. YMMV in terms of comfort, depending on how you grip the pen.)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Is Pen Type-B unnecessary for some (or maybe most) people? Sure. Ever since it launched on Kickstarter, Pen Type-B and it's predecessor, Pen Type-A, have courted controversy on whether these admittedly over-the-top pens are just "too much,” even going so far as to turn it into a bit of a marketing pitch. But if you're a Hi-Tec-C aficionado - clearly the target audience - it doesn't get much better than this. And while I used to balk at the price, which starts at $160 for a brass/stainless steel version and can cost as much as $230 for the black Cerakote titanium pen, other makers in this market segment have started to creep upward to the Pen Type-B's price point, not the other way around. (For example, the most recent line of Tactile Turn pens, for some combinations of materials, break the $300 ceiling and appear to be selling quite well). Given the level of craftsmanship and durability, I'm comfortable recommending, and now selling, these pens at CW&T’s standard pricing, provided that people understand on the front end that this is a pen aimed at a very specific audience.

As I noted above, Pen Type-B and Pen Type-A are the first pens I'm carrying in the TGS Curated Shop as part of my regular retail lineup, with all four finishes in stock and available to ship immediately. The pen featured in this review is the titanium model finished in black Cerakote.