So That Was Black Friday. How Was Yours, Pen Addicts? (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony’s thoughts mirror my own regarding Black Friday, which is even more complicated because I have a toe in the retail space. The concerns he flags for small businesses regarding the cultural expectation of extreme, regular discounting in low-margin businesses are very real. For those who ask, sometimes the “token 10% discount” is all a small business can offer, and the expectation of 20-30% discounts in an industry where retailer cost can be as high a 65% of MSRP is unsustainable and favors a “big box” business model.
Stilo & Stile Black Friday Leonardo MZ (via Figboot on Pens). These are the pens referenced in Anthony’s post above, which apparently crashed the Stilo & Stile site on Thanksgiving Day / Black Friday.
So Much to be Grateful For (via Pen Addict). I’ll echo Kimberly on being thankful for the opportunity to visit with everyone again in person, at least a couple times. Here’s to looking forward to 2022!
Pininfarina Segno PF Two Fountain Pen (via Dapprman). Known for innovative, yet extremely expensive, writing instruments, the pen wing of design firm Pininfarina has given us the PF Two, a streamlined design that caught my eye at the San Francisco Pen Show, and which The Pleasure of Writing (formerly Bittner) was kind enough to send me for review. Stay tuned!
Fountain Pens from My Collection: Montblanc 149 (via Fountain Pen Love). A great story and, wow, I wish my family was more “fountain pen friendly”!
TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen Review (via SBRE Brown). Stephen reviews the TWSBI Swipe fountain pen, one of my favorite releases from the past year.
Currently Inked - November 2021 (via From The Pen Cup). I likewise am fighting a losing battle to “thin the herd” of currently inked pens. I won’t even go into how many I have inked up (many eyedroppered!). I hear you, Mary.
Midori MD Notebook Journal A5 Review (via Writing at Large). Midori does make an A5 Notebook in dot grid, though for some reason they market it separately as a “notebook journal” rather than as a standard notebook. It’s my Midori MD of choice.
3 Oysters Cool Grey (via Fountain Pen Pharmacist). I’m still big into grey inks these days, and I’ve unfortunately allowed Korean company 3 Oysters to slip under the radar. This one looks like a very dark, legible grey.
3 Oysters Gogung (via Mountain of Ink). Let’s go with another 3 Oysters ink this week! Gogung is an interesting brown ink with a lot of different tones and shading going on.
In Case You Missed It…
This week on the blog, I reviewed the latest Esterbrook x Accutron collaboration Estie fountain pens, which offered me the first opportunity for an extended test drive with the Estie “Oversize”. Yesterday, I also had a short post on five of my favorite “knockaround” fountain pens for the office and any other time you’re out in the world and don’t want to pocket or planner-carry your prized possessions.
Cyber-Week Sales and More!
Since Friday, We’ve been running our standard “Cyber Week” promotion in the T.G.S. Curated Shop, which is 10% off your order using the coupon code “BLACKFRIDAY” at checkout. (A few brands are excluded due to manufacturer restrictions, including TWSBI, Sunderland, and CW&T.) Otherwise, there’s plenty of great stuff in the shop, including full restocks of most Midori MD products, as well as Hightide folding book stands, WMS & Co. page markers, and as of today, more CW&T Pen Type-B models in nearly all finishes, including the coveted Black Cerakote!
Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and First Dibs on Gently Used Stationery, Exclusive Products and More! (For those in the Patreon, Check the Sale Page!)
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. Today, I listed a bunch of new gently used products in the Gently Used Section, including some rare Blackwings from my personal collection, a handful of gently used custom fountain pens, and some high-end notebooks that I’m never going to get around to using. Patreon users already have had their pick, but there are some great items remaining!