Deals & Drops: Back to Basics, Every Year

At the beginning of every year, I take stock of all of my “productivity tools,” whether that be my planners, notebooks, pens, pencils, computers, tablets, apps, etc., and review what was useful over the past year and what was not. I’ve mentioned before that I’m going on ten years of serious involvement in this community and this “hobby,” and while for the first five or so I did what many people do and cycled through various brands, formats, and paper types, I’ve largely settled on what I like and my setup doesn’t change much from year to year. You can read more about that here. Today I wanted to take a moment to discuss the philosophy behind the small curated retail shop we’ve built, which focuses on well-made products that aren’t fancy, but will serve you reliably and offer something to keep coming back to over the long haul. Case-in-point: Brands such as Midori, Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Maruman, Life and Write Notepads may not be trendy, but they all contain quality paper at a reasonable price point. Similarly, TWSBI fountain pens may strike some as “boring,” but in my opinion it’s hard to find better value out there, whether you’re a fountain pen newbie or an experienced user.

If you have the time, and are looking to restock your stationery supplies this New Year’s season, please consider supporting us by visiting the T.G.S. Curated Shop. Every week we highlight new arrivals and featured products, in addition to the regular T.G.S. reviews and editorial content. Curated Shop “Best Sellers” can be viewed here, and we recently restocked on the following:

1. Write Notepads Dot Grid Notebooks. This is my favorite spiral notebook currently on the market. I love the absorbent, bright white paper that allows ink to dry quickly while still showing off the color and special properties. The covers now come in a wide array of colors including pistachio (my fave), black, kraft, blue, and red. Also available in lined ruling.

2. Maruman Mnemosyne Spiral Notebooks. An oft-overlooked workhorse brand, Maruman makes the “Mnemosyne” spiral notebooks with their classy black plastic covers. Their graph/grid notebooks are set up to be used in landscape format (more on this below).

3. Write Notepads Landscape Notebook. I sometimes like to work with a notebook or notepad underneath my keyboard, and it helps to have that notebook be in landscape format. Write Notepads makes a landscape version of their lined spiral notebook.

4. Clairefontaine French-Ruled Notebooks. The paper that started it all for me is still a favorite. I find Clairefontaine’s Seyes-ruled paper to be incredibly versatile in that it allows you to do to anything from practicing cursive or calligraphy (using the ruling as guides), to writing really small.

5. Rhodia Webnotebooks. Want to upgrade your big-box leatherette notebook to something that better handles fountain pen ink? The Rhodia “Webbie”, in dot grid or lined ruling, is hard to beat. (The orange and silver covers look great.)

6. Rhodia Writing Pads. For the absolute best combination of quality and value, it’s hard to beat Rhodia. Their legal-style writing pads are a staple of my work desk.

7. Write Notepads Classic Hardcover Notebook. Featuring quality Write Notepads paper, these hardback notebooks are now available with dot grid paper.

8. Kokuyo PERPANEP Zara-Zara Notebooks. Don’t let the crazy name turn you off from these excellent Japanese softcover notebooks. The “Zara-Zara” paper handles fountain pens well, and comes in a wide range of rulings, including a .6mm “Steno” layout as well as graph and dot grid rulings in various widths.

9. Traveler’s Notebooks and Accessories. These have been flying off the shelves recently, as people move into new notebook systems for the new year! We are fully stocked on all colors, sizes, refills and accessories!

10. TWSBI Fountain Pens and Inks. Whether you’re looking for the Diamond 580 with interchangeable nibs, the colorful ECO demonstrators, or the recently released cartridge-converter Swipe, you can’t go wrong with a TWSBI.

All links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, unless otherwise noted. By shopping with us directly, 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!

2022 Daily Carry: Starting the New Year

I haven’t put that much thought into what I’ve ended up with for my 2022 “daily carry,” but perhaps that’s a good thing. With a couple of exceptions, I’ve defaulted to what works for me, and unless something breaks during the year the “Core Notebooks” and “Bags and Pen Cases” haven’t changed from 2021 and won’t change for 2022. I have an insanely busy schedule from January through March, and I’ll need consistency to make it through.

Core Notebooks

• Primary “Day Job” Notebook: Standard Traveler’s Notebook with Stalogy Half-Year. Of all the various “systems” I’ve tried over the years, I keep coming back to the Traveler’s Notebook format. I love the long, narrow page layout, which fits my notetaking style. I use a checklist/action-item style of notetaking that’s similar to bullet journaling but idiosyncratic in that I’ve used it for years, adapting it to my specific needs, and aspects of it make sense to nobody other than me. I’ve also enjoyed the Stalogy paper for its light weight and grey grid ruling. It doesn’t handle ink as well as Tomoe River paper, but it dries much quicker and therefore perfect for my workday.

• Personal Journal/Workbook: Roterfaden Slim with Traveler’s Company Inserts. A collaboration with Baum-Kuchen, this Traveler’s-size Roterfaden is used as my personal journal/workbook, as I love that I can easily swap out the refills with the Roterfaden clip system. I don’t know whether this particular size of Roterfaden has been discontinued, but Baum Kuchen sells an A5 Slim version that’s similar. The specific refills I use in this notebook change regularly, but one constant has been the MD Cotton Letter Pad from the “B-Sides and Rarities” collection. (I don’t use it to write letters - it’s just a really convenient skinny notepad with great paper.)

• Sketchbook: Nanami Paper Cafe Note. If you’ve met me at a pen show, you’ve seen this notebook. A combination journal/scratch pad/sketchbook, “whatever” notebook, this compact notebook features an absolutely massive amount of Tomoe River paper and goes with me anywhere. There’s no “system” or dedicated purpose for this notebook. As of now, it contains two years’ worth of pen show doodlings, draft reviews, ink tests, drawings, and other nonsense. And I love it.

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Bags and Pen Cases

This category has remained consistent for years (with the exception of the Superior Labor Pen Roll, which I recently picked up). I don’t see any changes coming soon.

• Filson Original Briefcase. It’s a classic, plain and simple. I acquired this six (?) years ago and haven’t been tempted by another briefcase or messenger bag since. The definition of a durable, versatile bag that also looks great.

• Nock Co. Sinclair. Another classic, which unfortunately is going out of regular production. This three-pen zippered case in a limited waxed canvas finish helpfully limits the number of pens I can cart around at any given time, and slips easily into my oft-overstuffed briefcase or backpack.

• Superior Labor Pen Roll. By far the single nicest leather accessory that I own. I love the olive green tone, the soft-yet-durable leather, and the layout. No, I don’t mind my pens touching.

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The Cortex Theme System Journal, shown here in a gorgeous leather cover sent to me by Harber London, which I’m currently reviewing.

Other Tools I’m Using or Still Figuring Out

I have a third category of notebooks that are either tools that I’m trying to work into my main rotation or “role players” that, while important to me, don’t necessarily get used every day.

• Plotter System. I was lucky enough to receive a complimentary Plotter system for testing at the San Francisco Pen Show, and have been thoroughly impressed with both the quality of the binders, paper and other accessories. Contrary to popular belief, the Plotter is NOT designed as a planner (though the system can certainly be set up to be used as one). If I had to summarize it, I would describe it as more of an “analog content manager,” with a range of flexible options for managing to-do lists and notes, including a unique foldering system that I’ve been relying on to help manage T.G.S. I’m diving deep into Plotter this year, so look for an initial review in the coming months.

• Cortex Theme System Journal. Last week I wrote about my personal goals for 2022, as they pertain to T.G.S., and many of you mentioned how my discussion parallels many of the ideas discussed on the Cortex podcast and their “Theme Journal” that’s been receiving some attention in pen circles. As it turns out, while I listen to that particular podcast only occasionally, I picked up a Theme Journal and have been waiting for the beginning of the year to use it. I’ll have a more thorough write-up once I finish setting up the notebook and working through the system for a couple of months, but so far I’m impressed with the thought that went into it, the ideas behind its creation, and the flexibility of the layout.

• Commonplace Book. I sporadically keep a “commonplace book” to track quotes from my reading, but I’ve fallen off the wagon with commonplacing a bit and need to catch up. Here I’ve typically relied on a Write Notepads Hardcover Notebook for durability purposes, since I envision keeping my commonplace books for the longhaul as I fill them up.

• Filofax Notebooks. Not fancy stationery by any means, but I use these highly versatile notebooks to manage handwritten notes from my job. Also, if I print out an article or a denser piece of online writing to read later with a pen or pencil, I will stick it in one of these to carry with me or save for later. While the included Filofax paper is pretty good, I highly recommend investing in the hole punch so you can use the paper of your choice.

I’ll likely do a mid-year check-in on how this lineup is working out, with some longer-form reviews in the meantime. I intend to spend more time focusing on workflows, notetaking, and analog “systems” this year, as it’s a personal interest of mine and something readers have been requesting. Stay tuned!

This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links. T.G.S. is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop. 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!

Thank You For Your Support, and How to Help T.G.S. Grow in 2022

Those of you who have been following this site over the years know that it’s undergone a bit of a transformation since 2020. While T.G.S. still posts at least two pieces of original content per week, the site no longer relies on third-party advertising and affiliate support to pay its bills. How do we keep the lights on? Direct reader support, whether that be through purchases in the T.G.S. Curated Shop or pledges via T.G.S. Patreon. I won’t make an extended plug here, but whether you’re a longtime reader or only recently discovered the site, I’d appreciate it if you’d take a brief moment to browse the carefully curated selection of goods in the shop, and/or visit the Patreon Page. Any level of support is greatly appreciated. We recently added annual memberships to the Patreon, which offers a discount on a paid-up-front subscription. I’m looking forward to 2022, and building on what we’ve been able to do with your generous support so far!

The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of all brands sold. The goods stocked in the shop are carefully selected to match the mission of T.G.S. in general, which is to highlight well-made pens, pencils, paper, and desk and reading accessories that not only look great but are actually meant to be used in your everyday life.

Sunday Reading for January 2, 2022 (New Year's Edition)

1. My 2021 State of Pens (via Leigh Reyes). Leigh’s year-end updates are always thoughtful, well-taken, and full of links to content you may have missed throughout the year.

2. 2021 Is Hindsight (via Penquisition). A great year-end update from Evan. I’m looking forward to reading more of their content in the year to come.

3. A Pen Man in a Strange Land; Quick Update (via The Poor Penman). It’s always fun to learn a bit about the backstory behind different blogs and accounts. Best of luck!

4. Greatest of All Time Fountain Pens 2021 (via S.B.R.E. Brown). The 2021 GOAT List is live!

5. My 2022 Pen New Year Resolutions (and Laminated List) (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony is taking a similar approach to what I did for 2021. I’ve found it a much more satisfying approach to collecting and using, with a lot less stress.

6. A State of Reflection (via Comfortable Shoes Studio). I’ve enjoyed following Les’s creative endeavors over the past year! Be sure to keep up with her blog, which features much more than stationery.

7. “Why Are You Selling This Pen When You Said It Was Perfect?” Five Reasons I Part with Greatness (via UK Fountain Pens). Just because a pen isn’t right for you long-term doesn’t mean it’s not a good (or even a great) pen. As Anthony points out, needs are different, and needs change.

8. Theme System Journal Review (via Pen Addict). I have an early version of the Theme System journal that I picked up a couple of years ago, and I’m finally going to try it out starting this month.

9. Tales of a Vandal Pen User: Reflecting on Eyedroppers (via Peaceable Writer). I’m also somewhat ambivalent about eyedroppers, but I certainly miss writing in cafes and libraries.

10. Ink Comparison: Kin Mokusei v. Apricot (via Well-Appointed Desk). If you’re having trouble keeping track of Sailor’s ink release history, Jesi has created a reference in this post. I’ve moved away from a lot of Sailor inks recently, but this is a handy tool if you have a large stash of Sailor inks and find yourself wondering if a newly released ink is similar to something you already own.

In Case You Missed It… “Resolution” Posts for 2022

I say that I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions, but I did a couple of posts anyway: Five Intentions for 2022: What I Want to See From Myself, and Five Wishes for the Pen Community. You’ll notice that most of the posts in this weeks links involve similar content, and it’s encouraging to see that a lot of us seem to be on the same page headed into the new year!

This Week in the Curated Shop

It’s been a bang-up inaugural year for the shop, and I’m off to do my inventory count this afternoon (FUN!). Many thanks to all of you who participated in my year-end inventory promotion. While sales may be over, check out this post highlighting some products that are sure to help you with your New Year’s planning, as well as the new “Best-Sellers” category in the store! (BTW, the Planner promotion runs through tonight! Take 10% off all dated and undated planners before you have to head back to work.)

Planners

Sandglasses

Clipboards

Desk Trays

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. The Patreon membership also has “first dibs” on my regular gently used stationery sales. Check out the current sale, as there is at least one custom fountain pen remaining!

Best Wishes for 2022, and My Own Wishes for this Community

Happy New Year! Earlier this week (otherwise known as “last year”), I discussed five personal intentions for 2022. Today I’ll broaden the scope a bit, with a five-item wish list for the community at large. I know that we’re not supposed to “wish” for things that are entirely out of our control, but since all five of these are directed at the community (inclusive of myself), I’m going to call it fair game, as I’ll need to do my part to make sure these happen. Most of these build on themes discussed in my earlier post, so if you haven’t read that one yet, I’d encourage you to start there.

1. Restore Balance to Social Media. I’ll be honest and up-front here: much of this list is going to sound like a screed against social media, and while I’m not anti-social media in principal, the past year has only confirmed my belief that, as least as currently utilized, it’s NOT a positive force for our community and the world as a whole. Whether it’s allowing the easy dissemination of bad information made to look convincing, or fueling FOMO by promoting commercialized influencer content that is nothing more than undisclosed paid advertising, social media is changing the face of our hobby by largely determining which brands and taste-makers get the most hype and attention. Sure, those of us who have been around pens for a long time know to look past this, but many who are just discovering the hobby do not. We would all do well to remember this the next time you’re scrolling. By all means, go ahead and enjoy the content, but keep in the back of your mind that what you’re seeing is being determined by an algorithm set by a company with no stake in the health or success of our community, and that behind the scenes there are smaller makers, writers, and creators, who you are not seeing because they don’t pay to play, and/or insist on retaining full control over their content and opinions. What can I do? For my part, I plan to try to amplify more well-considered, long-form content as opposed to uninformed hot takes and obvious puff pieces.

2. Pay More Attention to the Makers and Doers, not Accumulators. Related to point one. Stationery social media has started to devolve into a “Gotta Catch ‘em All” or “Look What I Bought” brag show. We’re all guilty of this, myself included. This kind of content generates clicks and attention, it’s quick and easy to produce, and it’s a “strategy” that businesses are encouraged to foster to direct potential customers to their brands and shops. It’s also vapid and does little to foster meaningful community dialogue. There’s a wealth of creators who not only buy a lot of pens but do stuff with them, whether they’re a writer, artist, or just a thoughtful individual looking to share knowledge and ideas. Again, explore beyond what “the algorithm” puts in front of you.

3. Drop the Fixation with Reviving Failed Brands and Create Something New. OK, so this one is more of an industry critique, but I’ll say it anyway: Esterbrook did a good job, and it’s here to stay, but stop trying to catch lightning in a bottle by resurrecting more failed pen brands. For example, with Leonardo and Maiora both releasing pens containing Delta DNA that are arguably better than anything Delta ever made, do we really need Delta to come back as a stand-alone brand? (Not to pick on them, I hope they do well, but it’s just that I’d personally prefer to see this funding and energy go towards bringing more Leonardos/Maioras/Scribos into the world.)

4. Stop Encouraging People to Hoard Hundreds of Bottles of Ink They Will Never Use. There’s been a flurry of articles recently discussing how the modern economy is based on fostering addictive behavior, including through the use of FOMO (“Fear of Missing Out”). The stationery industry isn’t immune to this, with its seemingly endless focus on limited editions, “seasons” of ink, and subscription services that result in more mindless consumption. I enjoy ink variety as much as the next person, but when you see brands starting to duplicate colors (intentionally or otherwise), and reducing ink volume while increasing prices and adding fancier bottle designs, it’s time for a new approach. This past year I sold off a huge chunk of my ink accumulation, cancelled a couple of subscriptions, and started buying samples and using what I already own.

5. Save Smaller Shops. Once again, industry participants, and particularly retailers, find themselves staring into a potential void of shutdowns, cancelled pen shows, and generalized economic uncertainty. Beloved NYC shop CW Pencil Enterprise closed this past year, and anyone could be next. As many people continue to do most of their stationery-related shopping online, it’s easy to succumb to the trap of price-shopping, taking advantage of deep-discount clearance sales and loss-leader promotions to get a pen for essentially nothing, even if it’s not something you would normally buy. If you value what the smaller businesses bring to the table, especially if they’re active participants in the community, consider, for example, foregoing the purchase of five heavily discounted $10 pens in favor of one $50 item from a smaller retailer or maker who can’t afford to exist on a 10% profit margin. If there’s anything that’s going to stifle innovation and diversity in the community, it’s race-to-the-bottom business practices.

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Maybe I’m starting to become one of those “get off my lawn” types who just can’t adapt to “new tech” and the “new way of doing business.” However, I don’t think that’s correct. I get plenty of that in my everyday life outside of this hobby, and what drew me here originally was the genuine feeling of community and the lack of overt commercialization - people were engaged because they were interested in cultivating a space where they weren’t being aggressively marketed to every minute of every day, and could enjoy the company of others with mutual interests in an analog-focused hobby where the barrier to entry, cost-wise, wasn’t all that high. I do have some concern that pens and stationery have been “discovered” and targeted as a new market for commercial exploitation, and while this could be positive in the sense that additional funding and attention might bring interesting new products to market, we need to be mindful that the “community” aspect does not get degraded by those whose only interest is monetary and who would view it as a way to profit without contributing in return.

Now, rant over, it’s time to cook some black-eyed peas and collard greens for good luck. Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling 2022!

Last year I decided to cut the cord on paid advertising and third-party sponsorship, and move T.G.S. in the direction of becoming self-sustaining so that I have more control over the direction of my content and the practices I’m encouraging. To that end, I launched the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which allows readers to support and engage with T.G.S. and other readers in a more direct way, as well as the T.G.S. Curated Shop, which lets me directly promote a select group of products that I believe dovetails with my core mission statement. Any support you can give us is greatly appreciated!