Thursday Drops: Kaweco Sport Marble Ocean and Lunar Blue, Nahvalur Fountain Pens, and More!

At long last, our shipment of the latest Kaweco Sport fountain pens has arrived! We have the new Kaweco “Collection” Blue Marble, as well as the Lunar Shadow Blue and Lunar Light Blue - two new variations on the current Lunar Green pens. The Kaweco distributor has communicated that these pens will be in short supply for the next few months, so apologies to everyone if we run low quickly.

The Nahvalur Eclipse is available in a wide range of color and trim combinations. (Black and Burgundy, anyone?)

We also have a fun announcement, in that we’ve brought Nahvalur (still pronounced Narwhal) back into the store! We have additional Nahvalur Nautilus fountain pens in both ebonite and titanium (!!) with their redesigned silhouette, as well as the retractable Nahvalur Eclipse fountain pen with its recently upgraded mechanism.

You can come see these and more in our Nashville shop, which is open from 1pm-6pm on Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday. For our Tennessee customers, Friday-Sunday is tax-free weekend in Tennessee, where certain items $100 and under are exempt from sales tax. Finally, Saturday (8/1) is Stationery Store Day, and we will be running in-store promotions with freebies!

1. Kaweco Collection Sport Blue Marble Fountain Pen. The latest Kaweco Sport has landed, and yes, they nailed the “Earth-from-Space” look. The marbled acrylic is translucent in places, maybe making this one a candidate for Sport eyedroppering?

2. Kaweco Sport Lunar Shadow Blue and Lunar Light Blue Fountain Pens. To accompany the “Lunar Green” pens released earlier this year, Kaweco has released two new colors in the Lunar series that feature blue-tinged takes on the Lunar “Shadow” and “Light” looks. What’s your favorite?

3. Kaweco Perkeo Iridescent Pearl. We have additional Iridescent Pearl Perkeo fountain pens, available now! By far the most popular take on the Perkeo series Kaweco has released to date, Iridescent Pearl has been difficult to keep in stock.

4. Nahvalur Nautilus Ebonite Fountain Pens. Completely redesigned since we last carried this distinctive ebonite piston filler, the Nahvalur (pronounced “Narwhal”) Nautilus still features it’s signature “porthole” ink windows but now is paired with a more streamlined trim. Bronze and Black trim versions available, as well as a limited number of silver trim pens in the older design.

5. Nahvalur Nautilus: Ti Fountain Pens. In addition to the classic Ebonite, Nahvalur has released the Nautilus in a Titanium body in both black and toffee finishes. For this specific model, the nibs have been paired with ebonite feeds for an exceptionally good writing experience.

6. Nahvalur Eclipse Fountain Pen. The redesigned version of Nahvalur’s “Eclipse” retractable fountain pen has arrived, and it may be the pen that does what Platinum attempted with the now-discontinued Curidas.

7. Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog Fountain Pen. We have received more of Pilot’s recent North American exclusive - the Custom 74 Lavender Fog, which features nibs from Pilot’s “Soft” series along with a double broad (BB) option that is perfect if you’re looking for a nib to customize at one of the upcoming pen shows!

8. Pilot Custom 912 Fountain Pen. We have newly arrived stock of the Pilot Custom 912, including Falcon (FA) nib and Soft Fine-Medium (SFM) nibs. The Custom 912 essentially serves as a vehicle for Pilot’s specialty nib lineup - once available only in Japan, Pilot has made them available in the U.S.

9. Teranishi Guitar Fountain Pen Inks. The entire line of Teranishi inks is back in stock, all at one time! One of our most popular series, these inks flow exceptionally well and feature a broad range of deep colors.

10. Kakimori Pigment Inks. If you listen to our latest podcast episode, you can learn more about pigment inks, how permanent they are, and how they can be mixed with one another (within brands) to create your own custom specific colors.

On The Paper Trail Episode 13: Permanent Inks for Our First Ink Episode!

Our first fountain pen ink episode, where we discuss permanent inks! In this episode you'll learn about document inks, pigment inks, and iron gall inks, including relative waterproofness and lightfastness, pen care, and more. Fountain pen ink is a huge topic, so expect more ink-related episodes as we break things down into manageable chunks.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details. ⁠

Show Notes and Links

1. ⁠Sunderland MK1⁠

2. ⁠Roterfaden TGS_25⁠

3. ⁠Lochby Mini Pocket Journal⁠

4. ⁠Joe's 10 Fountain Pen Post⁠

5. ⁠Custom Nib Studio⁠

6. ⁠Pilot Grance Fountain Pen⁠

7. ⁠Kaweco Pearlescent Green Perkeo⁠

8. ⁠Galen Leather A4 Folio⁠

9. ⁠Document Inks⁠

10. ⁠Kakimori Pigmented Inks⁠

11. ⁠Diamine Forever Inks⁠

12. ⁠Platinum Pigment Inks⁠

13. ⁠Platinum Iron Gall Inks⁠

14. ⁠KWZ Iron Gall Ink⁠

15. ⁠Diamine Registrar's Ink (Iron Gall)⁠

16. ⁠Results of Our Water Test⁠

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.

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We even did some water tests!

New Arrivals: Lochby Mini Pocket Journals and Lochby A7 Notebooks

One category that’s been trending over the past few months is the mini pocket notebook (alternatively referred to as “card-sized,” or mini-A7). Smaller than a standard A7 notebook, these business card-sized notebooks are designed to be even more pocketable, and Lochby has now released a compatible canvas pocket folio, the “Mini Pocket Journal.” Pocket Journals feature a zippered closure with multiple card slots on the inside, allowing you to use it as a wallet.

The Mini Pocket Journal arguably improves on the larger, standard Pocket Journal by including a more flexible pen slot on the outside, adding versatility to what you can carry. (I chose an olive version for myself.) If you do prefer a larger format, we have standard Pocket Journals in multiple colors as well, which will hold up to a 3.5” x 5.5” (Field Notes-size) pocket notebook, including the Lochby version.

Come see these and more in our Nashville shop, open this week from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturday. The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all Lochby products, including Lochby Field Journals and Folios, 6-Ring Binders, Tomoe River Notebooks, as well as pen and accessory cases.

Sunday Reading for July 26, 2026

1. Platinum 3776 - Ranking the Nibs (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). I’m not the world’s biggest fan of the Platinum 3776 pen body, but the nibs can be excellent. Kimberly walks through each of them.

2. Opening the Japan-Inspired Curated Box from the Gentleman Stationer (via dwrdnet). Derek opens up our latest Patreon curated box, which featured items I brought back from Japan.

3. Ink Review: Three Sailor Studio Inks (341, 343, 564). Some of these colors are going away as Sailor consolidates their lineup, so if there is a color you really love and you are running low, be sure to check.

4. Sheaffer Legacy (via Figboot on Pens). One of my favorite vintage pens (I guess it is “vintage” now, or at least the ones I have are….). David takes a look at one of the new versions.

5. 3+3+3+1 (via Line Variation). A slightly different take on the “10 Fountain Pens” challenge - not limiting it to fountain pens but rather all writing instruments!

6. Ink Review: Taccia Ukiyo-e Ink Hokusai Sabimidori (via Well-Appointed Desk). I was so excited for this to come back into stock! Sabimidori is one of my favorite greens (or is it really a blue?) on the market.

7. Watch Us Set Up Our New Location in Ft. Smith, Arkansas (via Vanness Pens). Vanness is moving, and you can catch a glimpse at their new space here. Congratulations!

In Case You Missed It…

This week I published my own take on the “10 Fountain Pens” challenge, digging fairly deep into my collection and breaking out some old favorites I would never part with. Since pen show season is rapidly approaching next month, I also revisited the topic of stationery bags, and discuss a few of my favorite stationery bags and cases. Finally, I published a YouTube “How It Works” demonstration video focusing on one of the stationery carry options from yesterday’s post.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Lochby and Appointed Arrive, Plus updated summer clearance!

Yesterday was a huge restock day, featuring a lot of new arrivals that didn’t make it into Thursday’s “Drops” post! First up is a major Lochby restock, including Field Sling A5s, Venture Pouches, Mini Venture Pouches, and the new Mini Pocket Journal, which is a wallet-sized folio that may be replacing the Sidekick? I will say that am enjoying the outer pen sleeve on the Mini! We also have a large shipment of the Lochby A7/card-sized notebooks, which feature the same 68g Tomoe River paper as the other Lochby paper offerings.

We have also added a bunch of new items to clearance. A clearance discount will be automatically applied at checkout to all items in the clearance section.

This week we will be open normal hours in our Nashville Shop: 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-5pm on Saturday. Come see us!

Lochby

Appointed

Diplomat

Bindewerk

How YOu Can Support us further: Visit Us on Patreon

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.

What's the Best Everyday Stationery Bag? My Own Considerations and 5 Options for Pen Show Season

We’re gearing up for pen show and trade show season, and I’ve been fielding regular questions about bag and case options in advance of Stationery Fest in NYC, the D.C. Pen Show the following week, and the San Francisco Pen Show later that month. In between, I may also be attending NY Now and Shoppe Object, two large to-the-trade stationery shows in New York City. So let’s just say that “stationery carry” is on my mind. Here I’m going to walk through a handful of considerations when choosing a show bag (or just a stationery bag in general), and then I’ll discuss a few of my go-to options. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but rather to offer some ideas based around models I use regularly.

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I rarely overstuff a bag like this anymore, but with a well-designed option like the Rickshaw Banzai Bag, you certainly can!

Key Considerations for a Stationery Bag

1. Smaller Backpacks, Please. When you’re at a show, don’t be that person who carries the giant 40L backpack that slams into people, knocks over items on tables, and blocks peoples view. Just don’t. Some shows are actually imposing bag size limits. If you need a backpack, choose a smaller “day pack” size option that fits flat against your back. Even for everyday carry, you probably need a smaller bag than you think. When I have a bag that’s too big, stuff tends to shift and collect at the bottom and things get dinged up.

2. Choose a Bag Tailored to What You Actually Carry or Plan to Buy at a Show. If you’re going to a show mainly to buy a few pens or have pens ground, you can fit a LOT of pens into a very small bag, and you can even get away with carrying a small portfolio-style pen case or clutch. Tote bags are great if you’re shopping for lightweight items like washi tapes and other accessories. I’ve done pen shows with nothing but a Rickshaw Sinclair and it was super liberating to ditch the backpack or messenger bag. Buying paper or larger items requires more planning and extra capacity.

3. Comfort is Key. If you’re planning to carry heavy stuff (i.e., lots of paper), or if you’ll be out all day and need to carry snacks and a water bottle, choose a bag with a supportive strap. I cannot emphasize enough how heavy paper can get - try lugging it all over Tokyo in warm weather - and an ergonomic backpack was key to keeping the trip enjoyable.

4. Organization and Protection. I personally prefer bags with multiple compartments and pockets, to keep my notebooks separate from my water bottle, pen cases, and everything else. It also helps me stay organized since I carry so many different types of things with me at any given time. For shows, I would emphasize protection - if you’re buying pads of paper or soft notebooks, a bag with a laptop slot or a padded interior will keep them from getting dinged up in transit if you aren’t staying at the show venue and can’t run them up to your room or out to your car.

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I’ve really reduced my carry over the years, and have largely moved on from an “I must take everything” approach.

My 5 Favorite Stationery Bags and Cases for Pen and Stationery Shows

1. Rickshaw Banzai Bag. Designed for pen people, this compact messenger/sling bag is unobtrusive and holds a surprising amount given its compact size. I like to carry this as part of a modular system with multiple Rickshaw cases including the Sinclair and Fillmore pen cases (discussed further below). For an even slimmer system that operates off this same concept, the Lochby Field Sling is designed to carry a notebook, a pen case, and maybe some extras.

2. Tom Bihn Synapse. I have the Synapse 25L but you can also opt for the smaller Synapse 19. I took the larger version to Japan, since it doubled as both a day bag and my primary carry-on. I love this bag because (1) it has at least 5 externally accessible zippered pockets and compartments, and (2) it doesn’t have a clamshell zipper, meaning that there’s no risk of the bag coming completely unzipped and all your stuff falling out. This bag can be cinched down to a compact size, but it can also hold a ton of stuff if you need it to.

3. Rickshaw Sinclair Model-R and/or Fillmore. These pen cases will hold 3-6 pens and a small notebook, and will fit inside the Banzai bag or any other bag or backpack. They are great for modular packing, but as mentioned above can also be carried on a stand-alone basis as a clutch. When I’m working from a coffee shop or going to pen club, more often than not I’m taking just a notebook or planner and my Fillmore. (The cloud design shown here is our own shop exclusive, which is hand-drawn by Nick Dominguez and available in multiple Rickshaw formats!)

4. Lochby Venture Pouch and/or Venture Pouch Mini. Similar to the Rickshaw cases, yet also completely different, the Lochby Venture Pouch is a double-sided pen pouch/bag that functions as a slotted pen case on one side and a standard stationery pouch on the reverse. (For a full demonstration of how this works, check out this YouTube video I did years ago.) The Lochby Field Sling also features a removable strap and can be carried clutch-style if you need slightly more capacity, or alternatively you can use a strap like that on the Field Sling and turn your Venture Pouch into a compact sling bag.

5. Any Tote Bag. As long as you don’t let them get too heavy, I LOVE tote bags for shows. I’ll typically stash a roll-up tote somewhere - either under the table or in my main bag - and break it out if I get carried away with my purchases. Tote bags are also great at stationery fests, where the emphasis is more on smaller, more lightweight items like stickers, washi tape, and less-precious pens and pencils. I will do a plug for the Rickshaw Musette, which features a longer strap and was designed for these events in that you can easily convert to a cross body bag for added security in crowded ballrooms.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by online purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

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A top-down look at the Rickshaw Musette Tote, which is long enough to hold a full pad of paper. This can be worn over the shoulder, cross-body, or carried as a tote bag.