In the Curated Shop: Caran d'Ache 849 Premium Collection

Over the past year, as I’ve had the opportunity to handle the various iterations of the Caran d’Ache 849, it’s become one of my favorite everyday writers. I’m focusing on ballpoints more in my everyday writing, and the hexagonal barrel of the 849 lend it a pencil-like feel in the hand that is not only comfortable but tactile and satisfying to use. It doesn’t hurt that the “Goliath” refill lasts forever!

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In addition to the standard Caran d’Ache 849 - a well-priced entry point to the Caran d’Ache lineup that comes in a solid range of colors - and the various special and limited editions released throughout the year, Caran d’Ache also makes what I refer to as their “Premium” collection (unofficial term). This includes the matte black “Black Code” edition - which is so blacked-out it even ships with a black refill rather than the signature Caran d’Ache blue; the matte gold “Gold Bar” edition; the matte rose gold “Brut Rosé” edition; and the industrial-chic “Original”. All of these pens ship in a matching clamshell case, perfect for storage or presentation.

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Note: the Black Code and Brut Rosé pens tend to sell out quickly. If they are unavailable, I will stock more as soon as I can. As of now they are standard editions and not limited or restricted in quantity.

You can check out these and many more quality Caran d’Ache products in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of Caran d’Ache and all other brands sold.

Pen Review: Otto Hutt design07

Otto Hutt, the once obscure and under-appreciated German pen company, has finally begun to receive overdue attention in today’s market, years after I first reviewed a favorite model of mine, the Otto Hutt design06. Mostly the delay was due to fits and starts with Otto Hutt’s U.S. distribution, which now rests with experienced distributor Kenro Industries. As a result, certain Otto Hutt models have started to make regular appearances at U.S. pen retailers. Today, I look at the “design07,” a sterling silver pen that pays tribute to the company’s roots in Pforzheim, Germany, a city known for its jewelry and watchmaking industries.

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Appearance and Build Quality

Otto Hutt unquestionably markets the design 07 as its “flagship” pen, and the craftsmanship and attention to detail make it a worthy representative of the brand. The barrel and cap are made from 36g of polished sterling silver, clearly the key selling point. One might think that with this much metal, the design07 runs the risk of appearing “blingy”, but somehow Otto Hutt pulls it off without the pen appearing ostentatious. I think this is partly due to the company not going overboard with etchings or other adornment. The barrel and cap feature an engraved thread guilloche pattern, and the resulting design strikes a nice balance between vintage inspiration and clean, modern lines.

Like Graf von Faber-Castell, Otto Hutt uses spring-loaded clips, which make it easy to clip their pens to the inside of a pen case or shirt pocket. Given the weight of the design07, however, most people won’t bother with the shirt pocket for this particular pen. Here, I should mention that certain parts of the trim, namely the clip, cap band, and section, are platinum plated as opposed to pure sterling silver. As the silver parts of the pen (i.e., the cap and barrel) develop a patina, there will also be a bit of a mismatch in tone unless you keep the pen polished, which is a matter of personal preference. A platinum-plated brass version is also available, which has a darker look and should not tarnish like the sterling silver.

I love the flat clip on this pen. The spring is sturdy, and the clip itself is not too narrow - it’s substantial enough to match the heft of the cap.

Like others, if I had one critique about the Otto Hutt design07, it would be the laser-engravings, which don’t look particularly “clean.” While not a deal-breaker for me, it’s a puzzling choice to see at this price point, especially on sterling silver, and I perhaps expected a bit more.

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A Writing Experience on Par with the Otto Hutt design06

What has repeatedly brought me back to the Otto Hutt design06 over the years is the overall quality of the writing experience. I’m a fan of understated German pen design, particularly when you pair industrial aesthetics with good ergonomics and a quality nib. As I expected, the design07 turns out to be a highly usable workhorse pen.

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This pen features a lot of silver, and as a result weighs a good 2.3oz/64g capped and 1.3oz/32g uncapped. (That’s right, the cap is as heavy as the barrel.) Suffice to say, the design07 is not a pen most people can use posted, myself included. I find the design07 most comfortable unposted, with a length and balance similar to a Pelikan M800 or the Montegrappa Extra 1930. I particularly like that this pen features an 18k two-toned JoWo nib. While perhaps not exciting, you can’t dispute that JoWo nibs are reliable writers - especially the 18k variants - and the two-tone gold nicely complements the sterling silver. (Again, the Montegrappa Extra 1930, which has a sterling silver section, uses a two-tone gold nib to similar effect.)

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Takeaways and Where to Buy

Who should consider this pen? I can see the Otto Hutt design07 - and the brand as a whole - gaining traction in a couple of different market segments: First, fans of German pen companies such as Montblanc, Pelikan, and Graf von Faber-Castell looking to add something different to their rotation, and second, the “workhorse pen” crowd. I proudly count myself a member of both groups, and I’ve long sung the praises of Otto Hutt pens as well-built daily writers that might cost a bit of a premium, but will hold up to heavy use and not disappoint in either comfort or build quality.

Currently, you can purchase Otto Hutt pens from my friends at Vanness, who will soon have the design07 available as well. Sterling silver pens aren’t inexpensive, so this one comes in priced at $995 retail, with a street price at around $796. What can I say? It’s obviously a luxury item, but fortunately Otto Hutt makes pens across a range of price points, and every one I have used has been high-quality. If you enjoy this style, you shouldn’t come away disappointed.

Many thanks to Cary and the team at Kenro for providing this pen to me for review purposes!

They Sure Don't Make It Like They Used To: Vintage Office Paper from The Well-Appointed Desk

As an enthusiast of both fountain pens and (to a lesser extent) typewriters, when I saw that my friend Ana over at the Well-Appointed Desk had managed to source vintage typewriter paper (that also happened to be fountain pen friendly) and made it into A5 pads, picking up a few was a no-brainer. The paper, billed as new old stock Esleeck Clearerase Fluorescent White Erasable Bond, 25% cotton with “Cockle Finish” and a 75gsm/20lb weight, is quite good, to the point where I’m going to have to start looking for a modern equivalent.

As with all Well-Appointed Desk and Skylab Letterpress products, the artwork and design are top-notch.

In terms of performance with fountain pens, I’ve not experienced anything quite like this paper, and therefore don’t have anything in my current reference “library” to which I can easily compare it. Maybe bank paper, or perhaps 68 gsm Tomoe River? Both handle fountain pen ink just as well, with no feathering or bleeding, but this paper has a much more tactile feel. Perhaps it’s the finish? Or the coating applied to make the type “erasable” (hence the name, “Clearerase”)? Either way, the Esleeck paper offers a window into what generic office paper must have been like 40-50 years ago, and I’ve got some serious nostalgia for a time when I wasn’t even alive.

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My Hermes Rocket ultraportable, expertly restored by Nashville Typewriter.

But what I was most excited about was how dedicated “typewriter paper” performed in an actual typewriter. I popped a sheet into my favorite “everyday” machine, my Hermes Rocket ultraportable with a wet cotton ribbon, typed out a few lines, and was shocked by the clean imprint. While I wouldn’t say that this paper outperforms heavier, more absorbent cotton “rag” paper with a typewriter, that’s not an appropriate comparison. This Esleeck paper was likely intended as everyday “working” paper, similar to what most people would use in their office printer today, and it’s far and away a better product.

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The paper worked equally well on my Smith-Corona Skywriter with a blue ribbon. (Ignore the smudging on the typewriter writing sample in this picture and below, as that only occurred when I ran the initial writing sample through two additional typewriter platens to test the paper.)

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I compared the Esleeck paper to 25% cotton Southworth resume paper that I had lying around, and while the Southworth paper also handled fountain pens and typewriter ink quite well, it didn’t have the same feel as the Esleeck.

Oh, to be back in the days where standard office paper had a watermark.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

This is exceptional paper. Unfortunately, since supplies are limited, this will be it for this excellent vintage stock unless Ana manages to find more. From a bit of internet sleuthing, it appears that the Esleeck paper company was purchased by office supply stalwart Southworth in the early 2000s. I’ve used Southworth paper in the (now distant) past for resumes, etc., and it turns out I had some of their 25% cotton, 24 lb. resume paper lying around. While the paper I have is quite fountain pen friendly, it’s heavier than the Esleeck, with a rougher texture due to the “antique laid” finish. It appears that there is also a Southworth “uncoated wove” 20 lb. paper that also has 25% cotton content, which may be a closer match, but unfortunately I fear that this exact paper could be lost to the ages unless you’re willing to hunt new old stock on eBay.

(That will not, of course, stop me from obsessively trying to locate a modern equivalent. Stay tuned.)

I purchased the product featured in this review from the Well-Appointed Desk Shop with my own funds for my own use. This post does not contain affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported exclusively by sales from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and via Patreon.

Accessorizing Your Notebooks with the Traveler's Company Brass Lineup

Most people who are familiar with the Traveler’s Company family of products recognize the Traveler’s Notebook and related refills and accessories. Less familiar, perhaps is the “TRC Brass” lineup, which includes vintage-inspired brass accessories such as pocket pens and pencils, clips, a ruler, bookmarks, and perhaps my favorite of all, an old-school brass pen case. All of the TRC brass products will last a long time and develop a patina as they age, allowing you to create your own stationery heirlooms.

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Check out these and other Traveler’s Company products in the T.G.S. Curated Shop! Remember that all domestic U.S. orders over $75, and international orders over $250 ship free.

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all products sold in the T.G.S. Curated Shop.

Sunday reading for March 14, 2021

1. A Lesson on Ink Hygiene (via Left Hook Pens).. I’ve generally had great luck in avoiding moldy ink and SITB (“Slime in the Bottle”) issues, though I typically do pay careful attention when flushing and cleaning pens to ensure inks from one bottle can’t cross-contaminate another. Some great advice here.

2. Vintage Writing Paper and the Consumption of Pen Stuff (via The Poor Penman). A generally great reminder to actually use your pens and stationery, to be sure and patronize small stationery businesses to ensure they can actually stay in business, and to go buy some of Ana’s typewriter paper before it goes away forever.

3. Parker 51 (2021 Edition) (via SBRE Brown). Stephen reviews the Parker 51 re-release, with the gold nib, and he received a very nice writer. A well-rounded review.

4. Doms Fusion Pencil (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). I love any rounded triangular pencil with a fairly dark core, and these look like they fit the bill.

5. PenBBS 224 Tolstoy (via Mountain of Ink). I have to admit, there aren’t many new inks that catch my eye these days - I think I’m just overwhelmed with the flood of new releases - but this shade of green from PenBBS really fits my aesthetic.

6. Pont Neuf Notebooks (via Pencilcase Blog). Pont Neuf is the companion brand to Kunisawa, a high-end Japanese stationery company with a luxury business aesthetic. I reviewed Kunisawa a couple of years ago and am glad to see that they have incorporated new, ultra-fountain pen friendly paper into their products.

7. Pilot G2 Limited Metallic Body (via Pen Addict). The G2 always gets trashed by stationery snobs, but there’s a reason it’s so popular. The “Limited” barrel available directly from Pilot is an excellent upgrade over the standard plastic, and I carry a G2 Limited in my briefcase at all times.

8. My Artsy Pens (via My Pen Needs Ink). I don’t use a lot of markers, nor do you see many marker reviews. Bob looks at a few options here, and talks about how he incorporates them into practical list-making.

9. How a Pelikan Found Her Song: Center Stage with the Rare and Exotic Music Nib (via Pelikan’s Perch). Wow, this was a find. There’s also some great bits of history on three-tine music nibs and how they originally were used.

10. Video Review: Pilot Custom 823 (via Scrively). I have a Smoke 823 on order from Appelboom, to match my Amber version. The Pilot Custom 823 is truly one of a handful that could be “desert island” pens for me.

In Case You Missed It…

I’m on vacation for this coming week! That means posting will likely be sporadic, but you know, sometimes I have to escape from my family for an hour or two and I may get something up. This past week, I posted one piece, which is the starting point for what I intend to be a comprehensive paper resource for the site. I’m looking for additional recommendations (especially for “Tier 1”), and I am in the process of placing orders for papers that I’d like to sample.

New This Week in the Curated Shop

This week I received a restock of Midori MD “B” pencils, as well as the gorgeous TRC Brass Rulers. I also now stock the Write Notepads special edition “Engineer Paper”, in both notebooks and memo pad format. Note that since I’m on vacation this week, shipments may be delayed until my return. Sometimes we do have help shipping out orders, but it’s sporadic.

TRC Brass

Penco

Midori

Write Notepads

Sponsorship Changes - Consider Joining T.G.S. Patreon!

You may have noticed that over the past several months, I’ve been allowing paid sponsorships to lapse and relying on direct support from readers and visitors, either in the form of Patreon pledges or Curated Shop Purchases. I plan to continue this trend in 2021, with the goal of T.G.S. being completely self-sustaining by the end of the year. While I will continue to collaborate and work with select partners, I do not wish to rely on paid advertising going forward, with the possible exception of smaller brands and makers who you may see on my sidebar from time to time.

You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. I will be rolling out some new content in 2021 that will be exclusive to Patreon subscribers, including monthly online meetups, and the eventual return of the “Digital Divide” newsletter (you can read back content here). I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access.