Paper So Good It Should Be Illegal? Reviewing the Blackwing "Illegal Pad"

Personally, I think Blackwing undersells their paper products. While paper quality is less important to pencil users, Blackwing’s paper is still versatile, and works well even with fountain pens. Previously I’ve reviewed Blackwing’s “Slate” notebooks, and today I turn my attention to their latest release, the “Illegal Pad.” Note up front: For purposes of this review, I’m going to test the paper with pens. It’s slightly tactile and exceptional with pencils, but that’s a given coming from Blackwing.

As a practicing attorney, I can testify to the fact that truly great legal pads are hard to find. You end up playing the “good enough” game and settling for something that meets most, but not all, of your stationery needs. Blackwing’s version may change that. The Illegal Pad features quite nice ivory 80gsm paper in either a ruled, blank, or dot grid format, yet maintains the traditional slim “legal pad” profile. (More on this later.) The pad is 8.5” x 11” letter-sized, not the longer, traditional “legal” format, which is something I prefer because the paper is compatible with more binders, notebooks, and file folders. (In my experience, hardly any attorneys still use actual “legal-sized” paper, though this may be more a function of the specific courts in which I practice.)

View fullsize

The Illegal Pad is sewn-bound and the pages perforated, making it very hard to accidentally tear loose pages when you’re working or carrying the pad around in a portfolio or briefcase. Returning to the slim format, one thing I prefer about the Blackwing Illegal Pad over other pads of high-quality paper, such as Clairefontaine or Rhodia, is that the Blackwing version fits easily into portfolios. Even if you have to sacrifice a bit of page count to maintain a slimmer profile, I don’t like it when a portfolio appears so overstuffed that it barely closes.

View fullsize

And paper performance? Well, see for yourself!

The only pen that bled through, just a touch, was the Baron Fig rollerball. Even some very wet fountain pens, such as my Momento Zero Grande, performed quite well. Since the pages are perforated and most people will want to use both sides of the page at this price point, I would like to see Blackwing incorporate a double-sided format.

View fullsize

Pens used in this review, from left: Baron Fig Squire, Erasable Podcast edition; TWSBI Yellow ECO; Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint; Montblanc Starwalker Rollerball; Leonardo Momento Zero Grande in Primary Manipulation; and my Conway Stewart Model 100 in “Honey Noire”.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve been looking for a quality, reasonably priced pad of paper to fill this slot in my work rotation, and I plan to place a bulk order for more Illegal Pads. I ordered the paper featured in this review directly from Blackwing. The Illegal Pads are currently priced at $17.95 for a pack of two - just under $9 per pad, which isn’t inexpensive but also falls within the range of reasonableness for this format and for paper of this quality. On a per-page basis, this product is priced similarly to the Baron Fig Mastermind Desk Pad, and while I love the Mastermind as a desk jotter, the glue-bound pages tear off easily, making the Illegal Pad much better suited for portable use. The letter-sized paper also fits my files and notebooks better if I need to retain my handwritten drafts.

Disclaimer: I purchased the product featured in this post with my own funds, for my own use. This post does not contain any affiliate links.

Reading and Library Accessories in The T.G.S. Curated Shop

What’s currently on your TBR (to be read) list? While I’ve made progress over the past several months, my own keeps rapidly expanding because buying books is like buying pens - it’s not as though you’re going to stop! When I opened my shop, one thing I new I wanted to stock was a diverse line of reading accessories, ranging from the versatile Book Dart (one of my favorite stationery items of all times) to heirloom-quality pieces such as sterling silver page points and folded metal book weights in silver plate, copper, and bronze. As someone who loves to highlight, underline, and annotate as they read, I’m also happy to offer Caran d’Ache Graphicolor pencils in both a yellow/graphite “highlighter” combination, as well as a red/graphite “annotation” format. I’m constantly looking to expand what I can offer, so if you have a favorite reading or “library” accessory that you don’t feel gets the attention it deserves, or that you haven’t been able to locate easily, drop me a line and let me know! I’ll see what I can do.

Visit the T.G.S. Curated Shop for additional curated stationery items, including limited and special edition pens and pencils, as well as other carefully selected goods for the thoughtful reader and writer.

Pen Review: Cross Peerless 125 Fountain Pen

Many would argue that the remaining old-line American pen brands are mere shells of their former selves. Parker and Sheaffer, the two most known for fountain pens, have changed ownership multiple times, and while they have consistently produced pens for more than a hundred years, quality has varied wildly. A.T. Cross, (or “Cross”) traditionally has been known more for its ballpoints, mechanical pencils, and rollerballs, and particularly for serving as the official supplier of pens to the White House for use in bill signing ceremonies. From the 1960s to the present, the ultra slim Cross “Century” became a ubiquitous college and/or high school graduation gift in the United States. In recent years, Cross has taken steps to expand their offerings to include more higher-end fountain pens, a move that coincides with the company’s acquisition of Sheaffer from BIC.

Cross fountain pens first came to my attention a few years ago when I reviewed a Star Wars-themed Cross Townsend from Goldspot, which featured a “Stormtrooper”-inspired design and a Pelikan nib. Perhaps recognizing their own manufacturing limitations, higher-end Cross pens have begun to incorporate nibs from other manufacturers, including not only Pelikan but Japanese company Sailor, who made the nib on the pen I plan to review today, the Cross Peerless 125.

View fullsize

According to the Cross website, the Peerless line incorporates design elements from several earlier pens in the Cross catalog, fusing them together into a much larger pen than you typically see Cross release. (One critique I’ve had of the brand in the past is that I tend to find the mainline Cross pens, such as the Century, far too slim.) The Cross Peerless 125 reminds me more of chunkier American pens such as Sheaffer’s Legacy Heritage, which may not be coincidental since Cross now owns Sheaffer.

View fullsize

Don’t get me wrong, the Peerless 125 is a big pen, and this combination of size/weight is likely at the limit of what I can use comfortably.

The Peerless 125 features a lacquered metal body with an oversized cap, which posts deeply and comfortably despite its size. The threaded cap closes securely with 2-3 turns. I enjoy how the threads are compressed so as not to interfere with your grip when writing with this pen, and I find the wider section quite comfortable to use. If you’ve been following me on Instagram, where I’ve been posting my “daily user” to the Stories over the past week or two, you’ve seen the Peerless 125 get a lot of use.

View fullsize

As I mentioned earlier, the 18k nib on the Peerless is manufactured by Sailor for Cross. Though there are no “Sailor” markings, the nib and feed are unmistakeable, as is the quality. This stiff medium nib writes a smooth, Japanese medium line with just a touch of tooth - all Sailor hallmarks. For those who can’t stand the Sailor converter due to its low ink capacity and tendency to fall apart, you’ll be glad to hear that the Peerless 125 uses a Cross proprietary converter, which holds more ink and feels fairly solid. It also threads into the section for a secure fit.

View fullsize

The one design feature I’m not crazy about is the Swarovski Crystal embedded into the cap, in place of a traditional finial. At the same time, given the gloss finish of the pens and the engraved striations on the lacquer, it does sort of work.

View fullsize

Takeaways and Where to Buy

You have to give credit where credit is due: Cross has upped its game over the past few years, not only increasing the overall quality of its fountain pen offerings, but also moving away from the staid “high school graduation gift” market and taking on a more creative, even playful, tone with its designs. I’ve enjoyed using the Peerless 125 and could certainly see myself keeping this pen in my personal collection as a daily user. Cross uses the tagline, “The finest writing instrument we’ve ever brought to market.” I wholeheartedly agree.

View fullsize

As a bit of a personal interest project over the coming months, I plan to explore more modern offerings from “traditional” pen companies such as Parker, Sheaffer, Cross, and Waterman, which modern enthusiasts tend to overlook. While pens from these companies arguably aren’t what they once were, back in their “golden age” heyday, their offerings have improved quite a bit from even five years ago.

The Cross Peerless 125 is available in three lacquered variants - Obsidian Black, Quartz Blue Engraved (pictured here), and Titanium Grey Engraved - priced at $350 MSRP with most selling for $250-280 at retail. This price point places the Peerless in direct competition with Sailor’s 1911 and Pro Gear offerings, and since the Peerless features a Sailor nib, it’s a nice option for those looking for the writing experience that a Sailor nib offers but prefer a larger pen with more heft, not to mention a higher-capacity threaded converter.

Cross also makes the Peerless 125 in a more expensive 23k Gold Plated “Citizen” special edition finish (priced at $625), and a “Medalist” finish (selling for around $452). While I acquired my Peerless 125 from Pen Chalet, these two finishes are available at site sponsor Goldspot.

Disclaimer: I purchased this pen from Pen Chalet, using store credit generated through the Pen Chalet affiliate program. Since I am in the process of winding down participation in third-party affiliate programs in favor of a reader-supported model (via Patreon and the Curated Shop), this post does not contain affiliate links, but I do encourage you to purchase from Pen Chalet! Many thanks.

5 Reasons Why Parker Nailed the Parker 51 Reissue

Once the news broke that Parker has planned a reissue of the Parker 51 fountain pen for this fall [recently postponed until February 2021], there was no shortage of “hot takes,” and most, predictably, were negative. With a pen as iconic as the Parker 51, Parker’s move bears a lot of risk. In an era where the community of fountain pen users has shifted online - and where the opinions of those with the loudest voices tend to be both negative and magnified - an unsuccessful launch places Parker at risk of becoming the butt of jokes, potentially even before the pens ever make their way to consumers. (Just look at the initial attempt to revive the Esterbrook brand.) But Parker is an established, experienced pen company, and what they are doing here warrants more careful consideration than I have seen so far. I actually think their strategy just might work. Here are five things to consider:

View fullsize

1. Parker is reissuing a modern version of a pen from its own archives, not simply using the Parker 51 name on a completely different pen. Sure, as I’ll discuss more in detail below, Parker implemented some (predictable) design changes to modernize a pen first designed in the late 1930s, but they avoided what doomed the first attempt to resurrect Esterbrook: releasing a “modern” pen that bore no resemblance to the much-loved original. Here, Parker embraced its heritage and made an attempt to keep the classic form while adding features designed to appeal to the modern fountain pen user, which is akin to Aurora’s re-release of the Duo-Cart and other Aurora “Archivi Storici” reissues over the years.

2. Parker chose a reasonable price point lower than what I expected. Too expensive? Seriously? The new 51 arrives in two different versions: one with a steel nib and one with gold, priced at approximately $100 and $250, respectively. With so much discussion about how major pen companies are trying to drive the price of steel nib pens to the $250 price point, I actually expected these pens to cost twice as much. Unless the construction turns out to be shoddy, price/value should be the least of anyone’s concern. Yes, you might be able to get a less expensive vintage pen or knocked-off clone, but as I discuss below, there are many people (myself included) who simply don’t want to deal with the vagaries of either and would prefer to purchase from Parker directly.

3. Certain updates to the original design are necessary to appeal to modern users. The criticism that Parker should have released this pen with a vintage aerometric or vacumatic filling system puzzles me the most. Why? To appeal to vintage pen collectors and internet blowhards, the very people determined to hate this pen no matter what, and who would never buy it in the first place? While Parker admittedly hasn’t done much to promote its brand to the latest generation of fountain pen enthusiasts, at least not in the form of community engagement and limited editions, the company has stayed true to form in that it designs and markets its pens for actual writing. I would venture that most modern pen users prefer a cartridge/converter filling system that is less likely to leak ink, and a threaded cap with a secure closure. One of the criticisms of Aurora’s Duo-Cart re-release was that the slip cap tended to come loose in bags and pen cases.

4. The availability of vintage pens and cheap clones will not affect the market for this pen. As I addressed briefly above, part of the criticism of Parker’s chosen price point revolves around the idea that “vintage pens are available for less money,” and “you can buy a Parker 51 clone (knock-off) from companies like Wing Sung or Hero.” While those pens certainly are available, and sometimes for less money, I doubt they would appeal to the target market for the new Parker 51. The majority of people (1) don’t want to fiddle with a vintage pen, especially a pen that will be 70-80 years old soon; and (2) want a quality writing instrument from a company that will stand behind the warranty. As to the latter point, sure, Parker 51 clones can be fun to play around with, but these pens won’t last very long, and when it breaks, you’re just going to throw it away if you can’t fix it yourself. Finally, many people aren’t comfortable shopping for vintage pens on the internet and don’t trust random eBay or Amazon merchants - they want a reliable modern pen from an established company, which is perfectly fine, especially since the pen show scene isn’t coming back anytime soon. [Update: Many people also don’t feel comfortable shopping within the vintage pen community online because the tone can be, frankly, unwelcoming and kind of nasty. Just see the tone of some of the comments on this post from those who think I’m somehow violating the sanctity of the vintage Parker 51 by merely acknowledging that some might prefer to buy a modern version.]

5. Parker timed the reissue perfectly. The Parker 51 was first released in the early 1940s, approximately 80 years ago. Vintage Parker 51s aren’t going to last forever, no matter how well made they are, and those that remain serviceable will (1) likely command higher prices going forward and (2) require more maintenance to actually remain serviceable. I’ve already seen pen show prices for Parker 51s creep upward in recent years, and I don’t think the delta between the price of the new Parker 51 and a well-restored vintage pen is as favorable to vintage as some would have you believe. And still, while there remains demand for vintage pens, there is also strong demand for pens that look vintage while offering the advantages of modern manufacturing.

View fullsize

Sure, vintage Parker Aerometric fillers work fine, but so do cartridge/converter systems, and why would Parker issue a new filling system just for this pen, especially where an aerometric system will eventually require replacement of the sac and/or breather tube? Sorry, but I’m backing the decision to go cartridge/converter here.

Of course, none of this matters if the pen ends up suffering from serious design flaws, or ends up being low quality. As always, the final verdict won’t come until we actually have these pens in-hand and can write with them. I’ve placed a pre-order with Appelboom for two Parker 51s, one “Deluxe” model with the gold nib, and one standard with stainless. Personally, I’m intrigued by what Parker is attempting and look forward to getting my hands on these as soon as possible. Judgment reserved.

[UPDATE: I just received notification, via the comments below as well as an e-mail from the retailer with whom I placed a preorder, that the Parker 51 reissue has been postponed until February 2021. Review has been updated accordingly.]

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Introducing the Caran d'Ache Swiss Collection

Over the weekend I wrote in my Instagram Stories about how I choose brands to stock in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. One key factor, at least for me, is the brand’s sense of identity. Caran d’Ache prides itself on its origins in Geneva, Switzerland, where the company has been based since 1915, and nothing exemplifies that more than the Caran d’Ache Swiss collection, including the “Totally Swiss” 849 ballpoint and “Swiss Wood” pencil. If the Swiss Cross has come to be seen as a mark of quality, well, you can’t do much better.

Please visit the T.G.S. Curated Shop for a selection of Caran d’Ache items, including limited and special edition pens and pencils, as well as other carefully selected goods for the thoughtful reader and writer.

View fullsize

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all Caran d’Ache products. Don’t forget to enter our current end-of-summer giveaway, which includes a chance to win Caran d’Ache Swiss Wood pencils and more!