New Arrivals: TWSBI Swipe Is Now In Stock! Plus Caran d'Ache Nespresso and More Sunderlands!

In addition to the launch of the Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Edition No. 4 pencils, this week also saw the arrival of the much-discussed TWSBI Swipe, TWSBI’s first cartridge-converter pen. We received our initial shipment, plus TWSBI cartridges and an ink restock! You may also have seen my Instagram announcement that several new products (mainly red inks from last week’s sampling), have been added to the “Gently Used” page. While those items come from my personal collection, they can be combined with shop orders to take advantage of the free shipping offers.

1. TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen. Many were wondering, “Will TWSBI ever release a cartridge-converter fountain pen? Well, now the wait is over. The Swipe arrived on the doorstep yesterday afternoon, and they are now live and ready to ship. We also have cartridges and the full range of TWSBI bottled ink, with the 1790 Colors now available for purchase individually!

2. Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Edition No. 4 Fixpencil. As I discussed in yesterday’s post, for this year’s collaboration with Nespresso, Caran d’Ache decided to go in an entirely new direction, releasing a limited edition version of their iconic Fixpencil.

3. Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Edition No. 4 Swiss Wood Pencils. In addition to the Fixpencil, Caran d’Ache decided to release a set of special edition Swiss Wood pencils, featuring three metallic capsules, a special imprint, and graphite made from 25% recycled coffee grounds! (Don’t worry, I tested them out and to me, the pencils write like any other Swiss Wood!)

4. T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 Exclusive Edition. Our exclusive collaboration with Pennsylvania-based Sunderland on a bead-blasted, matte-black and red version of Sunderland’s signature EDC gel-rollerball pen is back in stock! If you’re wondering why we chose this particular model for our second store exclusive, you can read my write-up here.

5. Write Notepads Spiral and Reporter Notebooks. I’ve fully restocked on Write Notepads Spiral and Reporter Notebooks, in all colors! This paper is among my favorite for everyday writing, and if you want an example of how it can show off fountain pen ink, look no further than my recent ink color comparisons.

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Back to School/Work Season Is Upon Us - Don’t Forget to Check Out Our Notebook Systems and Reading Accessories!

School starts for us in less than two weeks - I know, I can’t believe it snuck up like that. If you’re headed back soon (to work or school), be sure to check out our ranges of notebook and organizational systems, including notebooks, refills, and accessories from Traveler’s Company, Midori MD, and now Stálogy! We also stock a wide assortment of reading accessories, including Book Darts page markers (one of my absolute favorite items we carry in the shop), and desk accessories from Hightide Co. and WMS & Co.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Something Completely Different, and Yes, a Little Weird: Nespresso x Caran d'Ache Edition No. 4

For the past several years, Caran d’Ache has released an annual special edition collaboration with Nespresso, and to date, the release has always been an 849 ballpoint, such as last year’s “Arpeggio” pen. All of the various Caran d’Ache x Nespresso products share one thing in common: they are made from aluminum recovered from recycled Nespresso capsules, as part of Nespresso’s capsule recycling initiative. (If you own a Nespresso machine, you are likely familiar with the prepaid recycling bags included with your capsule orders, in which you can return your used capsules to the company.) This year’s release, however, goes in a completely different direction in the sense that it expands the Nespresso line to include both a special edition Fixpencil and Swiss Wood pencil set, and also incorporates a new graphite consisting of 25% recycled Nespresso coffee grounds.

For starters, let’s talk about this coffee-grounds graphite. While it sounds a bit…weird…I didn’t notice much, if any, difference from Caran d’Ache’s graphite core found in either the standard HB Fixpencil lead or the standard Swiss Wood pencil. (For the Fixpencil, your writing experience with the “new” graphite will actually be limited to the core that ships with the new Fixpencil - as of now Caran d’Ache doesn’t sell refills, so you will simply refill with standard Fixpencil leads.) While the graphite might be a selling point for some from a sustainability perspective, I didn’t find that it changed the writing experience all that much.

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Visually, the orange Fixpencil in particular is stunning. I’m a bit biased, since I love orange finishes on writing instruments, and this sort of dark matte copper/orange color is somewhat uncommon. I also enjoy the “grippiness” of the finish on the various Nespresso editions, and No. 4 is no exception. I really do hope this particular Fixpencil sticks around for a while, or at the very least Caran d’Ache continues to expand the lineup.

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With respect to the Swiss Wood Pencils, in addition to the recycled coffee grounds used in the graphite, Caran d’Ache has added a special inscription and metallic caps, which do not appear to be actual metal but rather a paint or coating, so there is no change to the balance of the pencil. If you’re a fan of the Swiss Wood, the Crayons de la Maison Caran d’Ache, or any of the other special edition pencils the company has released over the past few years, you’ll want to check these out.

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We currently have both Edition No. 4 products available for purchase in the T.G.S. Curated Shop. The Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Edition No. 4 Fixpencil retails for $40, while the Swiss Wood Pencil Set retails for $20. We do still have some limited stock of the Edition No. 3 849 ballpoint remaining, though I don’t know for how long Caran d’Ache will continue to make or distribute this pen since Edition No. 4 has now hit stores. Please check out these and our full range of other Caran d’Ache products, both standard and special editions!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Caran d’Ache products an all other brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more.

Sunday Reading for July 25, 2021

1. Montegrappa Miya 450 Limited Edition Yellow (via Rants of the Archer). So this is what I mean when I really have a hard time understanding why Montegrappa doesn’t make the Miya a permanent centerpiece of the company’s lineup. These vibrant celluloids are gorgeous and I was happy to get one in the “Zebra” celluloid.

2. What’s in the Bag; Back 2 the Office (via the Poor Penman). A great bag dump post, and a versatile set of everyday carry gear.

3. Schon DSGN Ultem Pen (via Figboot on Pens). David has a review of the new Schon DSGN Ultem pen, which is a different shape and size than Ian’s first fountain pen, the Pocket Six.

4. Worth a Look: The Worther Compact Fountain Pen (via Penquisition). A very interesting design from a brand that I don’t have experience with, though these smaller German brands tend to make very high quality pens.

5. Summer and I’m Not Dead Yet (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony checks in for the summer, and he’s the one person I know so far who’s purchased the new Lamy 2000 limited edition. I’m looking forward to a review!

6. Nespresso Notebook and Pen (via Bleistift). Nespresso’s capsule recycling program has moved beyond their partnership with Caran d’Ache into other product lines, and apparently they now are using not just the recycled aluminum but the coffee grounds as well. As this article points out, Nespresso customers can get some unique stationery goods thrown in with their orders, depending on where you are located. Also, see below for more details on the latest Nespresso x Caran d’Ache collaborations.

7. Fountain Pen Quest Trail Log (via FPQuest). Ray seems to be going through a similar reevaluation of his collection, only I’m focused on thinning inks and the notebook hoard right now instead of pens. I’m always fascinated to see how other people make their decisions on what to keep and what to sell.

8. Where I Write (via From the Pen Cup). I’m a fan of decluttering in general, but I also firmly believe that we all need a space that’s uniquely “ours” to personalize without feeling compelled to “Kondo-ize” it to meet someone else’s standards. My own home office space serves a similar purpose to Mary’s.

9. Super Weird Moonman (via Well-Appointed Desk). Agreed. Super weird, but I’m somehow glad this exists.

10. Montblanc Writer’s Edition Homage to Arthur Conan Doyle Scarlet Red Fountain Pen Ink (via Gourmet Pens). I’m repeating to myself - I’m NOT buying any more red inks…. Ok, maybe I’ll check it out in D.C.

In Case You Missed It….

I’ve spent the past two weeks doing a massive summer clean-out, as we’re preparing to have some work done on our house (including floors in my office area), and I’m trying to thin out as much clutter as I can so I don’t have to move and/or store things I wouldn’t keep long term. I came up with the idea to mercilessly attack my ink accumulation by swabbing all the inks I have by color family, so I can compare them side-by-side and see which ones I’m actually likely to use going forward. Eventually I may do the same with pens, but ink is the more urgent issue. So far, I’ve done two posts, one on red inks, which makes up the largest set of inks in my collection by far, and one on green inks, which is the second largest group.

New in the Shop: Caran d’Ache x Nespresso Collaborations Arrive!

Yesterday I received my allotment of the new Caran d’Ache x Nespresso collaborations, including a limited edition Fixpencil in matte orange, and a set of three special Swiss Wood pencils with aluminum finials on the end. This release marks the fourth successful collaboration between Nespresso and Caran d’Ache, and the first that does not involve a special edition 849 ballpoint. Finally, T.G.S. x Sunderland exclusive mk1 rollerballs are back in stock, as I picked up the second half of my first shipment yesterday. If these last, I will bring some to the D.C. Pen Show the first week of August, but there’s a chance they may sell out so if you’d like to reserve one for show pickup please send me a note and we can work out the specifics.

Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and First Dibs on Gently Used Stationery, Exclusive Products and More!

For some additional fun, and to help support the blog consider joining the Patreon program. Patreon supporters receive special pricing and early access to product releases and collaborations such as the T.G.S. x Sunderland pen, in addition to other benefits. You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve introduced monthly online meetups, which take place on Friday or Saturday and have been super enjoyable. We’ve discussed our thoughts on pen shows restarting, recent arrivals in our personal collections, and more. I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items and T.G.S. collaborations, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live and features the inks that I’m selling off as I thin out my personal accumulation.

Mini-Collections, Part III: All the Green Inks

Following last week’s ink-sampling session with all the reds in my collection, I decided that I would go through the greens next. While I have roughly 2/3 the number of green inks as I do reds in my ink archive, it’s probably the second-most represented color. My collection generally revolves around dark greens, mostly green-blacks or what would qualify as “racing greens”. (No, I don’t have the coveted “Montblanc British Racing Green” that was so popular many years ago, but I did make a copy using Platinum Mix-Free inks and a formula someone posted to FPN, so I include that for reference.)

The top ink is the “racing green” imitation/approximation made using Platinum mix-free inks. I have a few other inks that get generally close to that shade, discussed further below.

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Takeaways From the “Green Ink” Project

1. In addition to the Platinum Mix-Free combination, Sailor Jentle Epinard is a long-time favorite and probably the closest ink in my collection to a true “Racing Green.” I definitely need to use that ink more. Diamine Classic Green and Color Traveler Shodoshima Olive Green are similar, but lighter.

2. As with the reds, I have too many green inks and can absolutely part with some of these colors, including duplicate bottles and inks that lean heavily blue or teal. These will be added to the Patreon ink sale quickly and rotated to the public “Gently Used” page after a week.

3. I really was surprised at the number of inks that were grouped as “greens” but really should be blues. Waterman Green, Iroshizuku Syo-Ro, and Rohrer & Klingner Smaragdgrun are the three that jump out the most. Sailor Yama-Dori really is characterized more as a teal blue that I swabbed with the greens by mistake.

4. Overall, my favorite two brands for green inks at a reasonable price are Diamine and Colorverse. Diamine Classic Green and Sherwood Green are great colors I’ve recently added to my collection, and Colorverse Schrodinger and Sea of Tranquility have staying power.

5. My overall favorite green ink for everyday writing? Probably a tie between the Sailor Epinard and Sailor Bungubox Dandyism.

As with the reds, I laminated the two green ink sheets and will have them with me at the D.C. Pen Show!

Disclaimer: This post does not contain paid affiliate links. Going forward, T.G.S is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

Deals & Drops: Gearing Up for the D.C. Pen Show - A Few Updates!

I plan to attend the D.C. Pen Show from August 5-8, and I honestly can’t wait. I’ll be behind the Vanness Pens table, hopefully in the same location as 2019. While I really don’t know what to expect crowd-wise, I assume it will be well-attended on the vendor side, and there are SO many pens I want to see in person this year. I have a lot of catching up to do. A few updates for the weeks prior to the D.C. Show:

First, I need to sell off some stationery from my personal collection to “free up some funds” for D.C. These are listed separately from any items in the shop, though you can still combine orders and I will honor the $75 free shipping promotion. Check out the “Gently Used” page here. Patreon members have right of first refusal on any gently used items, so Patreon members please check the exclusive page as I list more stuff this week.

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Second, while I plan to have a few items with me in D.C. (mainly my exclusive pen and maybe a couple of small items that are easy to travel with and don’t overlap with Vanness), I will not have my own table. That said, if you plan to attend D.C., and would like to place an order for pickup at the show, please reach out and I will arrange to remove the shipping charge if the order is under $75. Note that heavier or more fragile items, such as sandglasses and paper pads, will need to be excluded from this offer for logistical reasons.

I look forward to seeing you all! And happy shopping with this week’s featured items, which includes both exclusives and low-stock items that are gone once I sell out!

1. T.G.S. x Sunderland mk1 Exclusive Edition. I’m down to my last pen for this shipment, but should receive another prior to the D.C. Pen Show. I plan to bring some with me to have at the table, but that will depend on current stock in two weeks. Read more about this pen here.

2. Lamy 2000 Brown Limited Edition Fountain Pen and Paper Set (via Vanness Pens). Vanness has limited edition Lamy 2000 pens in stock at the moment. This one ships with a brown notebook. Will I add one to my collection?

3. Caran d’Ache Léman “Klein Blue” Fountain Pen with Limited Ultramarine Ink. I have exactly one remaining Klein Blue Léman, with its gorgeous limited finish and exclusive 50ml bottle of Caran d’Ache Chromatics ink. You can read my write-up on this pen here.

4. Caran d’Ache Ecridor Racing .7mm Mechanical Pencil. If Caran d’Ache was going to make a ballpoint or mechanical pencil in my ideal finish and color scheme (matte-black plus a red racing stripe), it would be this one. Somebody buy this before I keep it for myself.

5. Caran d’Ache “Claim Your Style” Season 2. I have a few of these remaining, including pens in the “Bluish Pale” and “Hibiscus Pink” finishes, which are among my favorites. These won’t be restocked to make room for Season 3, coming soon.

6. Reading Accessories from WMS & Co. I may bring some of these with me to the D.C. Show, since they are so easy to travel with and really pop once you see them in person. In addition to book weights, be sure to check out their hand stamps and

7. TWSBI ECO Lilac Fountain Pen. The ECO is on the cusp of taking over as TWSBI’s flagship, with its exceptional price point and reliable build. These “color” editions have remained extremely popular.

8. TWSBI ECO Transparent Purple. Other than the Transparent Orange, which isn’t made at the moment, the Transparent Purple might be my favorite of the ECO demonstrators (well, that and maybe the Transparent Blue). These pens have a jewel-box-like quality which makes them a lot of fun for the money.

9. Opus 88 Pens (via Vanness Pens). As a whole, I love the Opus 88 brand as an example of high quality, high-capacity fountain pens with reliable nibs at a reasonable price point. These have been huge sellers at the D.C. Pen Show in the past. Check out my recent review of the Opus 88 “Omar” here.

10. Traveler’s Company “Factory Green” Fountain Pen. This one will be traveling with me to the D.C. Pen Show, as the “bullet” format has become a personal favorite for pocket carry. The matte “Factory Green” finish comes on all Traveler’s Company writing instruments and makes this a very comfortable pocket pen to write with for longer sessions.

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands we carry. By shopping with us, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!