Sunday Reading for May 26, 2024 (Memorial Day Weekend Edition)

1. Registration for the 2024 Pelikan Hubs Now Open (via Dapprman). Big news! Get your Pelikan Hubs registrations in to ensure you can participate in this year’s Hub in your city of choice.

2. Kyuseido Kakari FS Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). Ok, so this has inspired me to ink my Kakari back up and maybe do a Conid comparison.

3. Mad Science Pen Company Beta Type-R Vanness Collaboration Fountain Pen Review (via Pen Addict - Jeff). Long name, cool pen! I saw these in person at this year’s Arkansas Pen Show and kinda regret that I didn’t get to pick one up.

4. The Design Process of My Hit List (via Stationery Pizza). Keeping a list of action items/hit lists is one of the most basic organization techniques, and there are dozens of different ways to do it.

5. Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same Fountain Pen Ink Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). The Iroshizuku grey inks don’t get enough attention, in my opinion!

6. Endless Creator Fountain Pen Review (via The Poor Penman). A great review of what is a “1.0 Design”. I still love that Endless took the risk here in putting something kinda weird to market.

7. Reading and Writing (via Goodwriterspens Blog). What came first/easiest for you?

8. Piston-happy and Chugging Along (via mnmlscholar). I can relate to the satisfaction of having a full workload and a piston full of ink!

9. Pen Review #812: Inkebara Sand (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). These Inkebara inks are becoming extremely popular options, and this golden “Sand” color is one of the more popular inks, from what I understand.

10. Link Love: Visiting The Supply Closet (via Well-Appointed Desk). Let’s just say I’m VERY interested in store setup ideas lately, and this is an absolutely awesome idea for a shop-within-a-shop.

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In Case You Missed It….

This week I looked at two pens that are very different: First, the recently released TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze fountain pen, which as the name indicates features TWSBI’s gorgeous bronze-toned trim. Second, I took another look at my first fountain pen, the now-discontinued Waterman Laureat, and offered some thoughts on what current pens on the market I find comparable. Finally, I also did a short post comparing the different grades of Blackwing graphite, which I haven’t done in some time and is timely considering the release of the “XX-Firm” variant in last quarter’s Volumes edition.

Also, please visit the T.G.S. YouTube Channel to check out our latest videos, including a demonstration of the recently released Blackwing Pencil Extender!

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This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Sale and Giveaway!

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and the kick off to Summer! Through Monday at 11:59pm CT, take 10% off your T.G.S. Curated Shop order using the coupon code “SUMMERSALE” at checkout. Also, don’t miss our weekend giveaway, featuring a Lamy AL-Star Rollerball, a Scriveiner Fountain Pen, and a Blackwing Pencil Assortment. Full details on both are in this week’s Thursday Drops post.

We’ve also received the latest release from Midori: the MD “A5 Square” Cotton notebook! Midori is starting to release the MD Cotton paper in some new formats (including a forthcoming standard A5 which has an undetermined arrival date). Now is a great time to stock up on refills for your notebook systems, and we have plenty of A5 notebook options that will fit Lochby and Roterfaden covers, including Tomoe River Paper options and a recent restock of the Laconic layouts!

Traveler's Company

Midori

TWSBI

Blackwing

Now is a Good Time to Check Out T.G.S. Patreon!

We’ve recently shared some news regarding our continued growth with our Patreon members, and have also recently added some items to the Patreon Shop. If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. We do our best to remain 100% self-supported without having to rely on third-party advertisers or affiliates. Of course, the number one way to help is to visit our curated retail shop! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which also includes access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

My First Fountain Pen Revisited: The Waterman Laureat

I write a lot about recommendations for a "first fountain pen", and readers/customers frequently ask me for advice on which fountain pens they should they should buy based on various price points and other criteria. BUT, I realize I haven't written much at all on my own first "nice" fountain pen: the Waterman Laureat.

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The Laureat features the classic Waterman clip and branding around the cap band.

Waterman made the Laureat during the mid-to-late 1990s, and possibly into the early 2000s. (I'm not a vintage expert - all I know is that it's no longer available and by the time I was back into the hobby in 2010, they had disappeared from store shelves.) I purchased this particular pen in London, in 1999, when I lived in Strasbourg, France and spent many a weekend visiting friends who were studying in London at the same time. As a slimmer pen, the Laureat made for a great introduction into the world of fountain pens because at the time it felt very similar to the "stick" ballpoints and rollerballs that I regularly used in school. It slotted easily into my Filofax pen loop, and the cap was designed to post easily onto the back of the barrel. Despite the lacquered brass construction, the slim barrel meant that the pen maintained a usable weight and decent balance.

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You can make out the ring of ink around the base of the nib. There is also some wear to the gold plating, which is to be expected after 25 years!

Nonetheless, like a few different 1990s-era Waterman pens, the Laureat had one glaring flaw: It is, by far, the messiest fountain pen I have ever used. The Laureat features a friction-fit cap and a ribbed grip that somehow interact to pull a drop of ink from the nib whenever you cap/uncap the pen. The result is a ring of ink around the end of the section, just below the nib, that's not enough to constitute a full-on leak, but is just enough to stain your fingers. You can avoid the issue somewhat by gripping the pen higher up on the section, but I've always accepted this as my "inevitably inky fingers" fountain pen and dealt with it. Waterman pens from this era feature some of the most consistently good stainless steel nibs available, and the gold nibs are among my all-time favorite. (I have at least five vintage or “near-vintage” Watermans that see regular use.)

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The Waterman Laureat remains an incredibly comfortable fountain pen to use.

Is There a Modern Equivalent of the Waterman Laureat?

There are a couple different options, but in terms of pure feel, the Scriveiner fountain pen that I was recently sent to review (one of which we are giving away!) are close. Scriveiner uses the same lacquered brass barrel design, and while the color options don't feature quite as much depth as the Laureat, the pens don't suffer from the "inky section" issue. Scriveiner pens use Schmidt nibs, which are some of the most consistent steel nibs on the market, and the feel of the medium nib I've been testing actually comes pretty close to the Laureat.

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For those who don't like the weight of a brass barrel, another option would be the Pilot Explorer, which has a similarly slim shape, excellent steel nib and a much lighter feel in the hand. At $25, the Explorer is also much less expensive than the Laureat was (I believe I paid close to $200 for a matching fountain pen/rollerball set?)

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Waterman Laureat next to a Scriveiner fountain pen (center) and the Pilot Explorer.

Finally, the modern equivalent of the Laureat in the current Waterman lineup would probably be the Waterman Hemisphere. I haven't used one of these pens, so I have no first-hand experience, but I have not heard of any ink issues like the ones that plagued the Laureat. The Hemisphere appears to feature a similar grip/inner cap to the Waterman Expert, with which I've had no such problems.

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The Laureat next to the Scriveiner, uncapped.

What was your first "quality" fountain pen? Do you still use it? Does it still hold up? Or did you ink it up again after many years only think "What the heck did I ever see in this?" I love to hear these stories, so please drop a line in the comments over this long weekend!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Through Monday May 27, we are running a sale in the shop using the coupon code “SUMMERSALE” at checkout. If you enjoy our content, we greatly appreciate your support!

Pen Review: TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze - What is it About These Muted Colors?

I've not formally reviewed a TWSBI since the release of the TWSBI "Kai" special edition piston filler last year, and it's been longer since I've reviewed a TWSBI ECO, so in light of TWSBI's recent blitz of new pens in a broad assortment of different color and trim combinations, this one's overdue. While I won't rehash much of what I've already written on the ECO in terms of origin, construction, design, etc. (you can read that here), I will say that it's one of my top pen recommendations in the "under $50" category.

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The TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (left) with Indigo Blue + Bronze (right)

The TWSBI ECO serves as one of the premier value fountain pens on the market. Priced as low as $32.99 for a pen with the standard steel trim, the ECO features a reliable piston filling system and generally appeals to a wide range of enthusiasts, from beginners looking for their first pen to experienced users who want a reliable everyday writer that doesn't break the bank. Over the past few years, TWSBI has gradually introduced variations into the ECO lineup, including the "ECO-T" (triangular section), the ECO Rose Gold (with rose gold trim), and, as shown here, the ECO “BRZ” (with bronze trim). While the rose gold and bronze trims raise the price of the ECO to $49.99, even this still amazes me somewhat as many manufacturers would have tried to price the standard ECO at $50.

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Is “ECO BRZ” a thing now? I like it. Now I need to go matching Subaru shopping.

The pen I’m looking at today features the new bronze-toned trim. The TWSBI ECO "Caffé Bronze", as you might expect from the name, draws on coffee as its inspiration. Featuring the same faceted hexagonal cap and round barrel as the standard ECO fountain pen, TWSBI began experimenting with bronze last year, releasing it for the first time with the ECO "Indigo Blue + Bronze" model. It's proven wildly popular, especially among those looking for something similar to rose gold but perhaps with a touch less red.

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Personally, the combination of light coffee-colored acrylic and bronze trim screams for J. Herbin “Cafe des Iles” ink.

While I enjoy rose gold trim on pens, the bronze adds a new dimension due to its deeper tone. When you combine this trim with a more muted color acrylic, like the light "caffé brown" acrylic used here, you get a pen that's perfectly tailored to my own preferences. For so many years, pen makers and manufacturers have catered to the segment of the community that wants bright, wild acrylics, but what about those of us looking for something a touch demure? TWSBI has done a good job of mixing in crazy colors (see the "Glow Green" and "Glow Purple", which actually glow in the dark) with the more subdued (see the Creme and Rose Gold, Dark Sapphire). I hope this trend continues, and that other manufacturers follow suit.

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Overall Thoughts on the TWSBI ECO and Where to Buy

The ECO has become my default everyday TWSBI because (1) they're relatively inexpensive, and I have a handful of these pens, so don't necessarily need to worry about damage while carrying them around with me or leaving them at my office; (2) the nib writes a reliably wet line; and (3) I can post the cap, which attaches securely to the end of the pen via an o-ring. I can’t wait to see what else TWSBI has coming, as I've enjoyed most of the new additions even if they sometimes make it hard to keep up.

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You can see a trend here: The TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze (center) with my Kaweco Art Sport in Terrazzo (right) and my recently acquired Good Made Better pocket pen.

I can’t say whether these new TWSBI releases are intended to be permanent additions to the lineup or special editions that will eventually be retired - to my knowledge, TWSBI hasn’t specified. In the past, TWSBI has typically released a color and kept it around for a year or so, replacing it with something else once interest wanes. That said, many of the new releases from 2023 and even 2022 are still available to retailers, as I've had no problem restocking so I expect there’s no immediate danger of the 2024 releases disappearing.

If you would like to support T.G.S. directly, you can purchase the TWSBI ECO Caffé Bronze from our own shop, along with most other TWSBI products including pens, mechanical pencils, and inks. As I mentioned above, the specific pen shown here is priced at $49.99. All TWSBI ECO fountain pens are piston fillers, and take bottled ink only, so plan accordingly!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. We greatly appreciate your support!

Quick Look: Different Grades of Blackwing Graphite (Plus a Bonus YouTube Video)

Blackwing doesn’t use either of the typical graphite grading scales in their pencils. Instead of numbering them 1-4, or H, F, HB, B, etc., they’ve designated their different graphite formulations as “X-Firm”, “Firm”, “Balanced”, and “Soft”, with each core given its own standard production line pencil and rotated through the limited edition “Volumes” line. Last quarter’s Volumes release (Volume 2) even introduced a new “XX-Firm” formulation that’s the closest Blackwing has ever come to a true HB/No. 2 pencil. To date, it’s only available in this special release pencil.

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The two extremes. “Soft” graphite at top compared against the XXF Graphite in the Volume 2, compared against the Tombow HB.

I love Blackwing pencils because even their “lightest” shade of graphite is relatively dark. As a fan of dark pencils, I regularly use most of the standard Blackwings, as well a full pencil chest of their special editions. Despite the darker core, Blackwings retain their points well - even the soft graphite in my favorite “Blackwing Matte” with low-smear performance. My second favorite would probably be the “X-Firm” Blackwing Natural, but that’s more an aesthetic preference than anything to do with performance!

For a fun bonus, check out our latest YouTube video which dropped today, where I look at the Blackwing Pencil Extender and how it works.

As of last month, the T.G.S. Curated Shop is an official Blackwing retailer! We carry the full range of pencils, accessories, and even paper (the excellent “Illegal Pad”) in our curated stationery shop, which is how the site gets supported.

Sunday Reading for May 19, 2024

1. Kaweco Sport Piston (via Figboot on Pens). David gives his thoughts on Kaweco’s latest Sport release, with a very comprehensive video walkthrough of the Sport Piston Filler.

2. Do Less, Swatch More, Use More, Repeat (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Do you swatch all your inks? If so, how do you use the swatches? Do you refer to them often?

3. BIGiDESIGN USA Fountain EDC Review (via Writing at Large). Seems like I missed this release. Has the Ultem craze passed us by, as I don’t recall this one getting much in the way of announcements? I’m sure this particular pen - launched via Kickstarter - will receive some additional tweaking and iterations, as with most BIGiDESIGN products.

4. Meet and Greet with the Visconti Opera Gold (via Line Variation). Visconti is one of those brands that has never really captivated me in the same way as others, but certain of their models have a consistent following, including the Opera and the Homo Sapiens. The Opera is one of Visconti’s larger pens.

5. Sharing a Custom Silver Nib (via SBRE Brown). Why has silver not caught on as a nibmaking material (other than cost)? I’d be curious.

6. Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Fountain Pen Review. Fewer things are more fun to play around with than a Pilot Parallel. From calligraphy to nib modifications, they’re an inexpensive way to explore different ways to enhance your handwriting.

7. Pelikan P10 Twist - A Quick Look (via The Poor Penman). I wish Pelikan would start re-issuing some of their lower-priced entries from years past. This particular pen is apparently available as “new old stock” from certain retailers.

8. Alwych Notebooks Discontinued (via Notebook Stories). I hope not! While I’ve never used these personally, I’ve always admired the aesthetic and the concept.

9. Randomizing Pen and Ink Choices (via Pen Addict). I might try this once but I’m way too much of a control freak to have this become “the way”.

10. Sailor Manyo, Anniversary Set (via Well-Appointed Desk). The Sailor Manyo line is expanding yet again! I have a few Manyo inks but have had trouble keeping up with all of the Sailor releases.

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Six Blackwing Pencils picked up at the Chicago Pen Show! (Yes, I’m both a dealer and a “collector”, though these will get used.)

In Case You Missed It… (And Don’t Miss the Giveaway!)

This week on the blog I swatched and offered my thoughts on the entire line of Tom’s Studio Inks. We’re also giving away two bottles, so be sure to read all the way to the end of the post for details on the giveaway, which closes at 11:59pm CT tonight. I also published the last installment of the 2024 “Best Pens” update, which was a list of - well - woodcase pencils. These updates are likely done for the year, so enjoy!

For those of you who aren’t aware, I’ve been posting additional video content over on the T.G.S. YouTube Channel! This week I looked at two of my favorite multi pens: the Lamy 2000 4-Color Ballpoint and Uni Jetstream 4&1 in Mimosa Yellow.

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This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

In addition to the launch of the Raymay Patalino collection of pen cases, we restocked on most Tom’s Studio products, including the Lumos refillable fineliners in most sizes (including the new Lumos Mini), the pre-ground Architect nibs, and of course the entire line of bottled ink. We also have the latest TWSBI release, the ECO Caffé Bronze, Diamond 580ALR Matte Black pens, and the latest Blackwing Volumes Release: the Jerry Garcia pencils in the soft graphite.

We’ve expanded the shop fairly quickly over the first half of the year, and there have been many new arrivals and releases in March and April alone. We still have remaining stock of many of them, so please do check out this week’s Thursday Drops post for a summary of what’s left!

Pilot Pens

Blackwing

Roterfaden

Tom's Studio

What’s Up with TGS Patreon? What a subscription will get you

If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and gently used stationery opportunities, consider supporting us via Patreon. We do our best to remain 100% self-supported without having to rely on third-party advertisers or affiliates. Of course, the number one way to help is to visit our curated retail shop! If you enjoy in-person and virtual meetups and having access to more personal content, consider joining the T.G.S. Patreon, which also includes access to early shop releases, the quarterly gently used sales, a monthly updates newsletter, and of course our monthly Zoom meetups. Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount.

No matter how you support us - even if just with a comment, recommendation, or encouraging word - we greatly appreciate your readership!

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This month’s Patreon update included a few words on some of my pen show acquisitions so far this year!