Sunday Reading for May 3, 2026

1. The TRAVELER’S 20th Anniversary Card Size Notebook Might Replace My Plotter Mini 5 (via dwrdnet). I’ve been carrying my own card-size notebook as a wallet, and do prefer it to the Mini 5 for that purpose. We’ll see how it holds up over time.

2. My Final William Hannah Unboxing (via Inkdependence). I’m so sorry to hear they are closing! Support those businesses you want to see succeed, because this is hard. WH offered a premium disc-bound notebook systems.

3. Lamy Noto Teal Ballpoint Pen Review (via Pen Addict). The Lamy Noto is an underrated ballpoint pen that delivers quality at a good price point. (Plus, you can pair it with the Lamy x Jetstream M17 refill….)

4. New Urushi: Wet & Wise Infinity Eight (via Figboot on Pens). David always manages to locate those smaller companies with unique offerings!

5. Benu Movie Star Fountain Pen (via Inky.Rocks). The Benu Haute line has caught my attention! While most of this line still has the signature Benu “flash”, but it’s somewhat understated in comparison with their other offerings.

6. Col-o-dex Update: 3 Years In (via Olive Octopus). Lisa swatches a lot of ink! Here she shows how she developed her process over time.

7. Emerging from Hibernation (via From the Pen Cup). “Harvesting for pencils” gets me every time.

In Case You Missed It….

This week we released Episode 8 of On The Paper Trail, where we checked in on our 2026 Planner and Notebook systems and talked about what’s working, what might not be working, and what needs to change. We also discuss additional details of our upcoming October event (Nashville, October 16-18!) and a trip to Japan we’re taking later this month. Yesterday I also published a T.G.S. 12th Anniversary Post discussing how my personal carry has changed over time, as I dump out my two current pen cases and walk through what I have inked up and how I use them. If you missed the earlier T.G.S. Anniversary posts, I previously discussed this year’s updates to the “Best Pens” list, as well as a post on 5 Fountain Pens Everyone Should Experience.

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

Well, the BIG news from this past week was the release of the TWSBI ECO Rootbeer + Bronze fountain pens, which sold very quickly to the point where we may only have a single pen left as of the time of this post. We also received a huge box of Craft Design Technology products, including the new CDT x Pilot Frixion Highlighters, additional Frixion3 Multi Pens, and the CDT x NJK Pencil Sharpener Collaboration. Be sure to check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for up to date information on new releases and restocks, as well as other shop announcements.

Stop by our Nashville Shop and see these and more this week, in addition to shopping online. We are open from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday.

Uni EMOTT

Platinum Preppy Black

Zebra Mildliners

Taccia Ink

How YOu Can Support us further: AND SAVE THE DATE FOR OCTOBER 16-18, 2026 for On The paper Trail Live in Nashville!

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 special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released. Also, as we noted in yesterday’s post, we are planning an On The Paper Trail Weekend Event in Nashville the weekend of October 16-18, 2026! Stay tuned as we plan to release additional details in the coming weeks.

TGS 12th Anniversary: What's in Your Pen Case These Days?

“How has your everyday carry evolved over time?” Someone asked me this the other day, and it’s a good question to reflect on as I celebrate TGS’s 12th Anniversary. I’ve never really put that much thought into a specific “kit” outside of planning for trips - I typically ink up a combination of fountain pens based on what I feel like using for the next several weeks along with a handful of workhorse pens chosen based on my current projects and work schedule. However, I do think you can tell a lot about preferences with a simple “bag dump,” or here, a “pen case dump.” Today I plan to look through my “currently inked” lineup, with some added commentary on how my preferences have changed over time.

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From left: Pilot Custom 912 fountain pen, Laurett’s Ebonite Ballpoint, Ohto CR02, Pilot Custom 912, Lamy 2000, and Lamy Swift Rollerball. At bottom: Zebra Mildliners and Pilot Juice Up.

Pen Case No. 1: Rickshaw Fillmore 3+3

The first thing you’ll notice is that this six-slot pen case can actually hold a lot more than six pens. Like many people new to the hobby, when I started out I was strictly in the “one pen, one slot” category, but about five years in I stopped caring if the pens touched and/or developed minor scratches and dings. Nearly all of the pens I write with regularly are permanent companions that will not be sold or kept as investment pieces/collectibles. I let them develop their own scars. Sometimes this means I have more than one pen in a single slot, or I’ll carry multiple pens in the front pocket.

As an aside, I love the Rickshaw Fillmore for its ability to unzip all the way around and serve as a pen tray as well as a traditional pen case. In addition to the pen slots, one side contains a forward pocket that can hold a notebook, sticky notes, index cards, or more pens. Here’s what I’ve got in there right now:

1. Lamy Swift Capless Rollerball. One of the most underappreciated workorse pens, the Lamy Swift rollerball has a genuinely good capless refill, plus a retractable clip that recedes into the barrel when the tip is extended to prevent you from accidentally ruining your shirt pocket, bag, or pen case. The Lamy Swift is one of those subtly good pens that you will use without thinking about it - I find it in my hand all the time.

2. Laurett’s Waka Ebonite Ballpoint. Sometimes you can’t use a fountain pen, but you want to use a visually interesting pen that features a material like ebonite. As a regular ballpoint user, I was thrilled to discover these ebonite ballpoints from Japanese maker Laurett’s, which specializes in ultra fine knurling in applications from pens to automotive parts. Here, the knurling (i.e. ridges) on the ebonite barrel adds texture that gives the pen a nice grip.

3. Ohto CR02 Rollerball. For an everyday classic capped rollerball, it’s hard to do better than the Ohto CR02, and if the pen’s not your thing, the fine-tip refill is excellent. I always keep one of these pens with me for when I need a dark black ink, and it’s also a great pen to lend to someone to use in a meeting.

4. Pilot Custom 912 with PO (Posting) Nib. The most significant change that I’ve made in my fountain pen use over the years is to focus on nibs more than the pens themselves. I’ve accordingly found myself drawn to pens like Pilot’s Custom 912, which features multiple 14k nib options that include many specialty grinds. The PO (Posting) nib is an ultra-extra fine nib that I love for planning and annotation. Currently inked with Bungubox Dandyism.

5. Pilot Custom 912 with WA (Waverly) Nib. My latest discovery is Pilot’s WA (Waverly) nib, which features a slightly upturned tip designed to write smoothly from multiple angles. Reminiscent of those vintage Sheaffer “Touchdown” nibs from the 1960s and 1970s, the Waverly nib make an excellent everyday writer and I’ve had this one inked up through multiple fill cycles. I currently have it inked up with an orange multi-shading Sailor Ink Studio ink, though I don’t have the exact number since it came from a sample I pulled from a friend.

6. Lamy 2000 (Standard Black Makrolon - Fine Nib). Yes, there will always be at least one inked-up Lamy 2000 in my pen case. I’ve made no secret over the years that I love everything about the design of this pen, and the nib style fits my handwriting well. Inked up with a special ink that you all will hear about very soon. :)

7. In The Pocket: 2 Zebra Mildliners and a Pilot Juice Up (Examples). I generally have a handful of highlighters and colorful gel pens in the Fillmore’s center pocket, again for planning and annotation. The specific brand/color/model rotates out fairly regularly, and honestly depends mostly on what’s sitting at my desk when I pack my pen case in the morning. This week it’s been two Zebra Mildliner dual-tip highlighters and a Pilot Juice Up with the excellent .4mm Synergy Tip.

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Pen Case No. 2: Nagasawa Kip Leather Five-Pen Zippered Case

I take my Fillmore nearly everywhere I go, but I keep another five-pen case packed with pens that I use mainly for journaling and more introspective writing sessions. Sometimes this case will go with me in my bag, other times it lives at my desk at home, depending on where I’m doing my writing. These pens are a mix of practical workhorses for longer writing sessions and “fun nib and ink combinations”. If you think this case is heavy on Pilot, you would be correct.

1. Pilot Custom Heritage 92. My clear demonstrator of choice at the moment. A cross between the Pilot Custom 74 and the Custom 912, the Custom Heritage 92 is one of Pilot’s only piston-filler offerings, and in my opinion it’s one of the smoothest pistons out there. When I re-ink this one, I may choose a brighter ink to showcase the transparency and excellent finish, but for now it’s inked up with Taccia Kuniyoshi Uguisu-Cha, a dark tea-green. For those who will ask, yes, I wish I had kept my transparent orange Custom Heritage 92 with a Fine Medium.

2. Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog with SFM (Soft Fine Medium) Nib. Pilot’s fine medium nibs are usually available only in Japan, so when they brought the soft version to the U.S. market with this year’s North American exclusive release, I was all-in. This one is inked with KWZ Brown-Pink, and if you’re interested in a soft nib, please read the review above before buying one and trying to “flex” it.

3. Pilot Custom 743 with FA (Falcon) Nib. I wanted to grab one of the North American Exclusive Verdigris Custom 743s before they went out of stock, and I opted for a fun FA nib that sort-of-flexes-but-not-really. If you’re looking for vintage-style flex, you will find the FA too stiff, but if you’re instead looking for a nib that adds line variation to your cursive and is capable of showcasing shimmer, shading, and sheen, the FA Nib on the 743 can be a lot of fun for more creative journaling and handwriting practice. This one is inked with yet another Sailor Ink Studio ink that I received as a friend sample and lost the number. It’s a nice legible yellow green.

4. Pilot Custom 823 with Medium Mark Bacas Blade Nib. My journaling workhorse, the Custom 823 is a candidate for my upcoming international trip due to the vacuum filling system that utilizes a shutoff valve to prevent ink leaks on an airplane. This pen started life as a medium nib but was modified by Mark Bacas to a blade grind (an early variation on a Kodachi/Naginata). Inked with standard Pilot Namiki Black, a reliable standard ink for when you want to write without distraction.

5. Bonecrusher 7 Studios Fountain Pen with Matthew Chen Fine Stub. This pen may be my favorite purchase from this year’s initial round of pen shows. I usually post my pens, but the shape and length of this one gives it almost perfect balance. Matthew ground the nib for me to a slightly oblique stub nib, which is also inked with Bungubox Dandyism and is almost empty since I’ve used this pen for several extended journaling sessions.

The pen case shown here is a simple five-pen zippered case acquired from Nagasawa at the 2026 California Pen Show. Nagasaw Kip Leather features a rare combination of softness and durability - despite how supple this leather case is, it’s survived multiple trips in my bag without scuffs or scratches.

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I may only travel with two pens going (as opposed to coming home). These two are prime candidates.

Guess What? I’m Going to Japan Later This Month!

Lisa and I talked about this upcoming trip a little bit in the latest On The Paper Trail Episode (and it will be a bigger topic of discussion next week), but I am actively thinking about my stationery carry for a two-week international trip where the sole purpose of the trip is…well, stationery. As I mentioned in Episode 8, I plan on “splurging” on some pens while I’m over there, so my outbound carry will be light: maybe one or two pens to use on the plane and a LOT of extra case capacity to bring stuff home. Stay tuned!

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

Thursday Drops: New Arrivals from Craft Design Technology, EMOTT Fineliners, and 40+ Zebra Mildliners!

Is this week’s theme markers and highlighters? Maybe so. I teased that a bit with my Mildliner reference in Episode 8 of On The Paper Trail (released yesterday!). We have 40+ different colors of Zebra’s signature dual-tip highlighters, to complement the ultra-precise Pilot Kiri-Na and a recent shipment of Pilot Frixion highlighters that are a collaboration with Craft Design Technology.

Speaking of, we’ve received a full restock of Craft Design Technology products, including old favorites as well as new arrivals. All CDT multi pens are once again available, as well as the Frixion highlighters and the new NJK Pencil Sharpeners. Last but not least, the Platinum Preppy “Black Edition” is here!

See these and more in-person! Come visit us in our Nashville store this weekend from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday.

1. Zebra Mildliners (40+ Colors!). We now carry Zebra’s popular “Mildliner” highlighters in 40+ different colors. Mildliners are known for their soft color palette and dual tips, with both a traditional “chisel-tip” highlighter and a finer marker for fine highlighting and annotations.

2. Uni EMOTT .4mm Fineliners Sets. The “EMOTT” fineliners are designed to deliver consistent line widths and to minimize wear and breakage on the top. Available in dozens of colors, we’ve chosen 12 different five-marker sets, which come with a small stand that allows you to keep them at the ready on your desk or even when you travel.

3. Platinum Preppy Black Edition. This limited/special edition Platinum Preppy release was a bit of a sleeper. Platinum has released its popular Preppy fountain pen in black. Each nib size has a different color writing on the barrel.

4. Craft Design Technology x NJK Long-Point Pencil Sharpener. CDT partnered with one of my favorite stationery companies, NJK, to create a custom version of their classic long-point pencil sharpener.

5. Craft Design Technology x Camel Wood Pencil Set. Need something to sharpen with your new CDT/NJK sharpener? Camel pencils feature the integrated eraser that sits flush with the barrel, and their graphite features an excellent combination of darkness and point retention.

6. Craft Design Technology x Pilot Frixion Highlighters. Over the years, Pilot has added multiple product categories to its Frixion line, including highlighters. The three markers that CDT has chosen here (yellow, blue and grey) are quite visible, and are available either individually or as a set of three.

7. Craft Design Technology x Pilot Frixion3 Multi Pen. We get regular requests for a Frixion multi pen, so guess what? The CDT Frixion3 is back. This is a sharp looking pen with its dark green barrel, a CDT signature.

8. Craft Design Technology A5 and A6 Memo Pads. While the mint green is (obviously) the most popular, there’s always a cream-colored paper option for you purists. These notepads feature a very small grid, but not quite as fine as Kleid.

9. Craft Design Technology Memo Roll Sticky Notes. Count me a fan of these sticky notes that come in a roll format and which you can cut down to the exact size you need. They’re also movable at least a few times, meaning that they can be peeled up and moved around as necessary.

10. Updated Correspondence Cards and Letter Sets. We’ve refreshed our stock of notecards and letter sets to include new Belle & Union icons, Graphilo letter pads, and more!

On The Paper Trail Episode 8: 2026 Planners and Notebooks Quarterly Review

This week we check in with our 2026 planners and notebooks to see whether they're still working for us now that we're 1/4 of the way through the year. (Wait, how did that happen?) We talk about what's working with our current planners and notebook systems, what may not be working, and what, if anything, we need to change about our current stationery setup. We also discuss upcoming stationery-themed travel, and we might have more details on our On The Paper Trail: Live in Nashville Event that will take place in Nashville October 16-18!

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

As noted above, if you want to follow along and watch the video, On The Paper Trail has its own YouTube Channel. We have also uploaded the podcast to most popular podcast networks and apps, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Overcast.

Show Notes and Links

1. Mark's Inc. "Days" Ballpoint (via Vanness Pens).

2. Diamine Spring Green (via Vanness Pens).

3. Pilot Grancé (via Vanness Pens).

4. Pilot Custom 912 with PO Nib (via TGS Curated Shop).

5. Pilot Prera (via TGS Curated Shop).

6. Bungubox Dandyism Ink (via Vanness Pens).

7. On The Paper Trail Episode 1.

8. Wonderland222 Back to Tomoe River Announcement.

9. Ask TGS: Flying with Fountain Pens.

10. Lisa's Shipping Update Video.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

New Arrivals: TWSBI ECO Rootbeer + Bronze Pre-orders, Plus a Craft Design Technology Restock!

The latest TWSBI ECO has landed: “Rootbeer” pairs transparent brown acrylic with TWSBI’s popular bronze trim. After a run of solid colors, it’s nice to see a transparent release, as the bronze-trim versions have been among the most popular of the ECO fountain pens. These pens are available for pre-order starting today (4/28), and the pens will begin shipping Thursday, April 30.

Craft Design Technology Products Have Been Restocked, Plus New Arrivals!

Tokyo-based design house Craft Design Technology specializes in re-envisioning classic stationery products with their own aesthetic, including pens like the Zebra Sharbo-X multi pen, the Pentel Sharp Kerry, Pentel Sign Pen, and the Pilot Frixion 3 Multi Pen. In addition to these excellent writing instruments, CDT has become known for their mint green notepads, memo rolls, and other unique paper products. Most recently, CDT announced a series of Pilot Frixion Highlighters, sold individually or in sets of three, along with a special NJK long-point pencil sharpener featuring their own design scheme!

We will be open normal hours this week in our Nashville shop, from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm Saturday. Stop by to see these and more in-person!