Last Call for "Old" Tomoe River? The Galen Leather Everyday Book

Over the summer, the pen community learned that the company responsible for manufacturing Tomoe River paper was changing its manufacturing processes, which would result in the “new” Tomoe River having a different feel than the current version of the ultra-thin, fountain pen friendly paper that many of us have come to know and love. For the record, I have not had the opportunity to compare the new paper side-by-side with the old, but if you’re interested in reading about the differences, I would refer you to these posts by Yagan at Macchiato Man and Daryl from Atelier Musubi. From what I can tell, Tomoe River paper will continue to be fountain pen friendly, but with a different texture (more tactile), a slightly thicker page, and a less pronounced tendency to showcase sheen on certain inks.

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Each Everyday Book comes packaged with a leather blotter and writing guides, which can be used to create a ruled page by placing the guide sheet behind each page of Tomoe River Paper.

That said, as the title of this post implies, it’s still possible to get your hands on the old version of Tomoe River paper. Both Galen Leather and Atelier Musubi have large stocks, and have indicated that they will continue to use the old version until their supplies are exhausted. Today, I will take a look at Galen Leather’s leatherbound “Everyday Book,” a 200 page/400 sheet notebook that features the blank, 52gsm white Tomoe River variant and is an excellent choice for those looking for an unlined Tomoe River notebook or journal.

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For pretty much every Galen Leather product I have owned, I’ve opted for the brown “Crazy Horse” leather. I love how brown distressed leather looks as it ages, especially on a book. The leather cover manages to be thin without feeling flimsy, and the flexibility allows the notebook to open and lay flat. While the Everyday Book contains blank pages, it ships with lined and grid writing guides, as well as a leather blotter in case you need to close your notebook before the ink dries. (Tomoe River paper is known for its relatively long dry times.)

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Tomoe River paper is beloved for its thinness, demonstrated here by comparing the 200-sheet Everyday Book (middle) against two other notebooks (Write Notepads Hardcover Notebook and Life x Kleid Noble Note) that contain around 100 sheets of different paper.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Galen Leather has rapidly expanded their product offerings from leather notebook covers and accessories to include notebooks, desk accessories, and portable writing boxes/desks. I’m a huge fan of Galen Leather, including this notebook, and have used their products for years. You can purchase the Everyday Book (or “Everyday Blank Notebook” as it’s sometimes called) directly from the Galen Leather website. The A5 leather notebook starts at $36, with A6 and B6 sizes also available for $24 and $29, respectively. Some colors and sizes are currently sold out, possibly due to a run caused by those stocking up on old Tomoe River products before vendors have to move to new stock.

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A Note on Tomoe River Paper Alternatives

Personally, I won’t be stockpiling “old” Tomoe River paper. It doesn’t sound as though the new paper will be any different for my purposes, as I actually prefer slightly thicker, more tactile paper, and don’t pay much attention to ink sheening or shading. For those interested in reading further about other fountain pen friendly papers that I enjoy, be sure to check out my series, “Best Paper for Everyday Writing.”

Disclaimer: Galen Leather sent me the notebook pictured in this review free of charge, for review purposes. I have not been otherwise compensated for this review. This post does not contain affiliate links.

My Five Best Pencils for Everyday Writing, Five Years Later

One of my most popular posts on the blog is a short writeup of five of my favorite “everyday” pencils, which I wrote exactly five years ago today. (Seriously, I didn’t plan that. I had the idea to update this post last night and when I went to look back at the original date of publication I nearly choked on my coffee.) I commented on how pencils were exploding in popularity, and at the time I had my suspicions that the whole pencil resurgence might turn out to be a fad. Thankfully, it has not, and five years later, not only are the pencils discussed in my original post still readily available, but the market has expanded even further and offers graphite lovers many new choices.

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You will see that I’ve reworked this list a bit. While I continue to use all of the pencils in the original “Top Five”, and most remain favorites, I have removed some or relegated them to “Honorable Mention”. For example, because pencils are consumable products, you can churn through a lot of them if you write a lot, and the rising price of high-end pencils like Blackwings make them difficult to recommend for general office supply or student use, especially where there are exceptionally good offerings from the same maker at lower cost. With that said, I give you the 2021 Top Five:

1. Palomino HB. The first pencil for which I ever paid more than $10 per dozen, and it remains my favorite workhorse of all time. Featuring an incense cedar barrel with dark HB graphite and an insanely comfortable smooth coating, you can’t do much better as an all-around everyday writer. My one knock on the Palomino is that the erasers and ferrules tend to come loose over time, but since I like to use a stand-alone eraser like a Pink Pearl or Pentel Hi-Polymer, it’s a minor issue for me.

2. Palomino Forest Choice HB. Though they’re not as inexpensive as they used to be (come on, did you really think Palomino could continue to sell these at $2.95 per dozen?!), the FSC-certified ForestChoice #2 is an uncoated, incense cedar pencil that is also available by the gross (i.e., a box of 144 pencils). Yes, I bought a gross of these.

3. Tombow 2558 “For General Writing”. I had to have one yellow No. 2 on here, right? Over the years, I’ve used this pencil in B, HB, and H grades, and frankly, they’re all excellent. Even Tombow’s “H” graphite maintains legibility without sacrificing point retention. The eraser is also ridiculously good, and the ferrule firmly attaches to the barrel to the point where I’ve never had one come loose, much less fall off.

4. Uni Mitsubishi 9850 HB “Smooth Writing Pencil for Office Use”. Similar to the Tombow 2558 and Palomino HB, this Japanese office pencil writes a smooth, dark line, and the cedar wood sharpens well. The glossy dark burgundy barrel MAY have been the tipping point for me here….

5. Musgrave “Tennessee Red”. The only pencil I know of that’s made from red cedar (the wood traditionally used to make pencils), the unique smell, dark core, and attractive price point propelled the Tennessee Red onto this list. While some people have had issues with off-centered graphite cores, I’ve gone through two dozen Tennessee Reds and only had 1 or 2 pencils that I would consider hard to sharpen. Also, it feels as though Musgrave has softened the edges of their hex shape on this pencil. It’s still more pronounced than your standard hex pencil, but I find it more comfortable to use than other Musgrave releases.

One thing I do love about all five pencils is that the graphite sharpens to, and holds, a nice point.

Honorable Mention

If you don’t mind spending the money, or don’t use pencils to the point where you are burning through a dozen or more per month, the Blackwing Natural (which features the extra firm graphite) is a gem. Ever since the release of the Blackwing Volumes 211 limited edition, fans have clamored for a natural finish Blackwing, and they delivered. The grey eraser is killer. General Pencil Co. also makes a good standard yellow No. 2, though I’ve gravitated away from the Semi-Hex to the round “Goddess.” Finally, I still use a lot of Caran d’Ache Swiss Woods. Though the premium nature of this pencil keeps it on the “Honorable Mention” list, the quality craftsmanship and the fact that the harder graphite allows the pencil to last a long time makes up for it (or at least that’s what I tell myself - I’m not giving them up!).

Off the List Entirely

I’ve now dropped the Dixon Ticonderoga from my list of recommendations. The most recent packs I’ve purchased have been inconsistent in quality, and I found the graphite a far cry from the dark, smooth version that was used in the Chinese-made Ticonderogas being sold at the time I wrote my original review. With Musgrave, General, and Forest Choice both making less expensive pencils appropriate for office and school use, there’s just no reason to go here anymore.

Disclaimer: This post does NOT contain third-party affiliate links, though I do sell certain pencils referred to in this post via the T.G.S. Curated Shop. If you enjoy the content on The Gentleman Stationer, please consider purchasing directly from us, where possible, or supporting us on Patreon. My goal is to make this website entirely independent and self-sustaining going forward.

Year-End Recap: Favorite Posts from 2020

Happy 2021 everybody, and it couldn’t come soon enough! Last week I published a recap that discussed my favorite pens reviewed over the past year in three different categories. Today I’ll close the books on 2020 with five additional favorites, focusing on non-review posts and editorial content. Stay safe, and enjoy this close to the holiday season!

1. Ten Most Influential Stationery Products of the Decade (Jan. 2020). Lost in the shuffle of all that happened in 2020 was the fact that they year closed out a decade. In January I started the year off by looking at ten of what I considered the most influential stationery products of the past ten years. I still stand by everything on this list.

2. Everyday Writers: Choosing the Best Pens and Pencils for Life (Feb. 2020). Back in the “before times,” I spent February preparing for the 2020 Baltimore Pen Show, where I not only set up as a vendor for the first time but taught a seminar on choosing the best pens, inks, and paper for everyday use.

3. The Sad, Strange Saga of Crane Stationery (June 2020). Readers asked me to look into what was going on with Crane, an old American stationery company that in recent years had been severely impacted by changing consumer habits. The pandemic apparently sounded the death knell.

4. When Is a Fountain Pen Too Big? Considerations on Oversized Pens (Aug. 2020). At the time I wrote this piece back in August, it struck me that makers were focusing on bringing “oversized” versions of their standard pens to market. Is this trend sustainable? Is there really demand out there for massive fountain pens? It sure seems like it.

5. Workflows: Resources and Recommendations for Working from Home (Oct. 2020). When the year began, my goal was to reduce my commute from five days a week to four. Never did I think I’d be working remotely full time, and while there’s a lot that I love about it, and wouldn’t necessarily trade the setup for full-time office life even when things “normalize,” circumstances required that I make significant changes to my home office setup and the way I work.

Year-End Recap: Favorite Pens from 2020

Every December or January I try to publish at least one post recapping the past year. Typically, this involves a lengthy discussion of not only my favorite pens reviewed over the last twelve months, but pen show experiences, travel, events, and more. (You can check out my 2019 recap for reference.) Since 2020 was well, “weird”, I’m going to take a different approach and divide the 2020 recap into two posts: today’s post discussing my favorite pens reviewed or otherwise experienced during 2020 in three different categories, and a post later this week containing my five favorite posts from 2020, which may or may not be product reviews. So sit back with a coffee or wine or whiskey - depending on the time of day you’re reading this - and join me as we celebrate the positive side of a difficult year!

This post contains sponsor/affiliate links and links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, discussed further below.

Fountain Pens Over $250

With pen shows and a normal in-person retail experience effectively shut down from March onward, makers had to get creative to compete in what has become a crowded market for high-end fountain pens. 2019 saw the launch of several new companies, particularly out of Italy, and Leonardo Officina Italiana and Scribo feature prominently on this list. But my favorites include more than new releases - I dove deep into Montblanc’s back catalogue and took advantage of a “can’t-miss” clearance sale to snag a Virginja Woolf Writer’s Edition pen, which has turned into a constant in my pen case.

1. Leonardo Momento Zero Grande. If you’ve been following my acquisitions over the past year, it should come as a surprise to no one that the creations of Salvatore at Leonardo Officina Italiana continue to top most of my “favorite pen” lists. Leonardo improved the design of the Momento Zero Grande by including an integrated piston filler, as opposed to a captured converter, and continued to release pens in unique materials such as the “Primary Manipulation” acrylics by Jonathon Brooks of Carolina Pen Company.

2. Montegrappa Miya 450 Celluloid. I spent some time sorting through my pen collection at year-end, and if I had to put a theme to it, it would be “rare and/or unique materials,” particularly celluloid. If a maker releases a celluloid pen in a design that’s as eye-pleasing and comfortable to write with as the Montegrappa Miya, I’m all-in.

3. Montblanc Virginia Woolf Writer’s Edition. Sometimes you have to venture outside the mainstream to find something great. In terms of Montblanc Writers Editions, most of the attention goes to the Hemingway and the Agatha Christie editions, but the Virginia Woolf shows that you can still find unique designs within this group of pens without spending thousands of dollars.

4. Matthew C. Martin OG1. My most significant pen show purchase of the year was also one of my favorites. A major reason that I can’t wait for pens shows to resume is so I can once again spend an hour or more browsing Matthew’s table. A usable machined fountain pen is a difficult thing to get right, but the OG1 strikes a perfect balance of beauty, craftsmanship, and usability.

5. Scribo Feel. After some reflection, I decided to add a pen that I haven’t reviewed, but have been enjoying beyond measure over the past month. Scribo is a new brand founded by former employees of OMAS, and the “Feel” offers the reliable writing experience I could never quite get in an OMAS pen. The 18k EF nib arrived tuned perfectly, and the fluted, hourglass shape and ruthenium trim paired with grey-blue acrylic might become one of my favorite design combinations.

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From left: TWSBI ECO Yellow, Opus 88 Omar, Diplomat Aero Volute, TWSBI 580 Smoke + Rose Gold, Schon DSGN Pocket 6

Fountain Pens Under $250

I continue to believe that you can have an exceptional fountain pen writing experience for as little as $30, and the past year only reinforced how good manufacturers such as TWSBI have become at delivering quality without breaking your wallet. It felt especially important this year, as layoffs, furlows, and economic uncertainty forced many to revisit how much of our resources we could devote to our hobby.

1. Schon DSGN Pocket 6. Ian Schon has, in my opinion, perfected the pocket fountain pen. I picked up my first Pocket 6 in Philadelphia, and ordered more a few months later. The small form factor, combined with a full-size No. 6 nib, creates an unparalleled writing experience for so small a pen. Ian typically releases his designs in small batches that may or may not be limited, so if you see one you like, grab it while you can.

2. Opus 88 Omar Demonstrator. I waited a long time to review the Opus 88 Omar, mainly because I thought it was too big. Turns out it’s one of the most comfortable pens I’ve reviewed all year, rivaling the Montegrappa Miya at a much lower price point. That said, it is a big pen, and the Japanese-style eyedropper filling system might be a touch complex for some people.

3. TWSBI ECO Yellow. While I’m mainly known for my love for red and burgundy pens, I’ll also buy anything yellow, and when you can get a yellow pen that looks this good for around $30, I’m guaranteed to buy it. The TWSBI ECO continues to be a mainstay on my list of most-recommended pens, and I don’t see it moving anytime soon.

4. The Return of TWSBI Rose Gold. TWSBI brought back rose gold trim with a white and rose gold ECO as well as a “smoke” and rose gold TWSBI 580. While earlier iterations of TWSBI’s rose gold pens had issues with the trim wearing thin in places, TWSBI not only fixed the issue but improved the overall look. I find the current rose gold trim absolutely gorgeous, with tons of depth and a warm patina.

5. Diplomat Aero Flame and Volute. Another pen that I’ve previously reviewed, but not in these particular iterations. Diplomat has leaned hard on the Aero as it’s flagship offering, and for good reason - it features a unique design, a size that’s comfortable for most people to use, and now higher-end, special finishes to compliment the standard lineup. I’ll be inking both of these pens for review during the new year.

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From left: Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA, Spoke Pen, Sunderland mk1, Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint, CW&T Pen Type-B

Non-Fountain Pens

In terms of non-fountain pens, I went out of my way to try for the first time pens that I hadn’t otherwise picked up despite receiving rave reviews elsewhere. By far, the ones that surprised me the most were the Sunderland MK1 and the CW&T Pen Type-B, which have both been around for years but never made their way into my pen case. Both look to be fixtures for some time to come.

Disclaimer: I carry a few of these pens in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. Since my goal for the shop over the past year has been to selectively stock pens (1) that I think are great and (2) don’t get enough retail exposure from larger vendors, I don’t believe my opinion has been affected by the fact that I sell them, as opposed to the opposite (i.e., the fact that I sell them in the first place is driven by my opinion). But I’m a fan of full disclosure up front.

1. Sunderland MK1. Not only is the Sunderland MK1 an incredibly well-designed and crafted machined pen, but it holds Montblanc rollerball and fineliner refills - two all-time favorites. It’s also incredibly rare to find a machined pen that posts as well as the MK and doesn’t require you to thread the cap on the back of the barrel.

2. Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint. As a fan of vintage-inspired design, I’ve long been drawn to the Traveler’s Company “Bullet Pencil,” which they have now redesigned and released in ballpoint, fountain pen, and rollerball versions. Not only does the ballpoint maintain the form factor of a classic bullet pencil, but the refill is a needle-tip gel/ballpoint hybrid that writes a true fine line. This one spent a week at the beach clipped to the front of a book I was reading, and served as the perfect annotation pen. (T.G.S. Curated Shop Selection)

3. Spoke Pen. The Signo DX is an ultra-fine gel refill that until now, lacked it’s own dedicated pen barrel/housing. The Spoke Pen comes from the same design family as the excellent Spoke Pencil and Baux Pen. While I first reviewed a prototype Spoke Pen in 2019, the pens fully launched and became more widely available to the public in 2020.

4. CW&T Pen Type-B. Speaking of fine-tip gel refills, Pilot’s Hi-Tec-C has long been a favorite, and a darling of penmakers looking to create custom machined housings for specific refills. The Pen Type-B is one of the oldest such pens, but until this year I had never added one to my personal collection. I went all-in on a black Cerakote-plated titanium version that sits on my desk by my keyboard full time. And the pneumatic sleeve is my No. 1 fidget-toy. (T.G.S. Curated Shop Selection).

5. Giuliano Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA. It took some convincing to get me to try this compact, ergonomic ballpoint/mechanical pencil hybrid, but from the moment I had this pen in my hand I loved it. It’s perfectly weighted and balanced, with a design inspired by “Italia” airship from the 1930s. Hint: Hold the pen with the clip facing down to see the inspiration. (T.G.S. Curated Shop Selection).

Many thanks for your support this year, and stay tuned this week as I continue to revisit 2020 and prepare for 2021!

Pen Review: Sunderland MK1 Machined Pen

The Sunderland mk1 is one of the best machined pens, if not the best, I have ever used. Period. Longtime readers of The Gentleman Stationer know that I don't hand out that sort of praise lightly, but I will where it's warranted, and here I see little room for argument. Proudly made in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, USA by Sunderland Machine Works, the mk1 is described as "tough enough for the shop," but "good looking enough for the boardroom." Sunderland takes a different approach from most makers in this space, bypassing the "tactical pen" market and instead targeting the mk1 as a "machined executive pen." It's a strategy that's a bit risky since it arguably brings a small company into direct competition with much more established makers of executive accessories, but the mk1's combination of durability and elegance makes it a formidable entry into this market segment, especially given the quality at the price point.

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The main issue I have with many machined pens is the lack of writing comfort due to size and weight, as well as their tendency towards unrefined designs that look chunky and unfinished. As Sunderland implies in their description of the mk1, some of these pens appear as though they're intended to be used as glass-breakers or weapons first, and pens second. (Given the typical target market demographic, that may in fact be the case). The mk1, however, is designed to be used as a pen, and a daily writer at that, and if you're a fan of rollerballs this could easily serve as a single-pen setup.

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Yes, the threads on this pen are internal, contained in the recessed area around the tip.

The mk1 looks and feels like a much more expensive pen than its $85 price point. The fit and finish on my pen are flawless: the threads turn smoothly, the cap posts securely, and the textured, slightly concave section offers a comfortable grip. Sunderland's key innovation, however, involves the threads: they're hidden inside the tip of the pen, so no part of the barrel can interfere with your grip. This patent-pending design offers a "third way" for securing the cap on machined pens - an alternative to sharp external metal threads that dig into your hand and friction-fit caps that inevitably loosen and rattle over time. Similarly, the placement of the threads inside the cap allows you to post the mk1 deeply and securely, without any sort of unpleasant metal-on-metal grating sound or damage to the finish of the pen.

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The body of the pen is machined from 6061 aluminum, and the clip from 17-4 aerospace grade stainless steel, reflecting the professional experience of the maker, who has both engineering and machining experience in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.

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The stainless steel clip is sturdy and has excellent tension. It’s neither too loose nor too tight, and grips a shirt pocket or notebook cover perfectly.

But all this merely serves as a setup for what I consider the best part of this pen: the refill options. Rollerball and gel refill preferences are strongly subjective, so I expect many people to disagree with me here, but Sunderland's decision to design a pen to accept both the Pilot G2 gel cartridge and Montblanc's threaded rollerball/fineliner refills instantly won me over. The Pilot G2 is great - I actually think it's a crime how many pen snobs disregard the G2 seemingly for no reason other than it's popularity, overlooking the fact that there's a reason why it's one of the most popular gel pens in the world. That said, I'll likely never use a G2 in my mk1 because Montblanc's rollerball and fineliner cartridges are some of the best on the market, especially for the clientele Sunderland is targeting. I strongly prefer Montblanc's rollerball refills over alternatives such as the Schmidt P8126/P8127, because the ink Montblanc uses feathers and bleeds far less on ordinary paper. A Montblanc "fine" refill actually writes a fine line, and the "fineliner" offers a high-quality felt-tip option if that's your preference. Montblanc cartridges are threaded to minimize tip wiggle and rattling, and the fact that Sunderland machined the mk1 to allow you to screw the refill into the barrel underscores the attention to detail and commitment to a solid experience.

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The mk1 disassembled with a Montblanc Rollerball refill

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Sunderland mk1, left, compared against a Montblanc 144 Classique (Petit Prince Edition) and a Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint (“Totally Swiss” Edition)

Takeaways and Where to Buy

Fans of more elegant EDC-style pens such as the Schon DSGN Pocket 6, Tactile Turn Gist, and the Matthew Martin OG1 should certainly check out the Sunderland mk1, especially if you are looking for a sleek, streamlined pen that won't appear out of place in a work or business environment, but at the same time doesn't sacrifice any of the durability that machined metal pens have to offer.

You can purchase the Sunderland mk1 directly from Sunderland Machine Works in their online shop. Currently, the mk1 is available in eight different anodized finishes and a handful of special editions. Starting at only $85, the mk1 represents tremendous value given the innovative design and build quality. A pen like this will last a long time, providing you with many years of reliable service.

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Sunderland MK1, left, compared against a Retro 51 Tornado (“The System” edition), and a Lamy 2000 rollerball.

Disclaimer: Sunderland Machine Works provided me with this pen for review purposes, free of charge. I was not otherwise compensated for this review, and all opinions expressed here are my own.