In my previous two 2021 retrospectives, I’ve looked at my favorite product reviews, the top ten best sellers from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and now, my favorite personal acquisitions. Honestly, I didn’t add that much to my personal collection this past year - my focus was on thinning the herd and reducing my accumulation of unused stationery. But especially once pen shows started, I couldn’t resist adding a few new things to the rotation, and I’m very happy with those things I did purchase, even if I haven’t reviewed all of them yet. Stay tuned, because this post offers a bit of a preview to what might be coming down the pipe in the next month or two. I do plan to go quiet for a week or so, starting around this coming Wednesday, as I spend some time with family over the holidays and get myself organized for 2022, so if you don’t hear from me before Christmas, enjoy the remaining Holiday season!
Schon DSGN Ultem, Black Ultem, and Peek Fountain Pens. This one shouldn’t come as a surprise, since I’ve been posting pictures of these pens regularly ever since I picked up the Ultem pens at the San Francisco Pen Show. I recently added a “Peek” version (review forthcoming), and it’s not really even a close call: This trio takes top billing for 2021.
Ferris Wheel Press and Vinta Inks. Bright colors, super-sheeners, and shimmer inks have had their day - now it’s time for more muted, vintage-inspired colors to get a turn. Both Ferris Wheel Press and Vinta took off in 2021, with faded (yet legible) greens, blues, and greys that turned into some of my favorite inks for everyday writing. Look for some comprehensive reviews of these lines after the first of the year.
Superior Leather Pen Roll. I’ve spent the past few years looking for the “perfect” pen roll that fits in with the rest of my daily carry, and in 2021 I finally found it in this olive khaki green leather pen roll from Baumkuchen (that’s once again on pre-order for those who are interested). Superior Labor makes some of the softest leather out there, without sacrificing durability. It’s one of those items that will last a long time.
2B Camel Pencils. Speaking of lifetime supplies, I previously wrote about how I stocked my “archive” with a box of these 2B Japanese pencils from Camel, during the C.W. Pencils closeout sale. This particular graphite core is perfect for my personal writing preferences, and I love the streamlined look of the integrated eraser that sits flush with the barrel.
Chicago Pen Company “Sheba” Fountain Pen. It’s not often that a new fountain pen design catches my eye, but at the Chicago Pen Show I picked up one of the “Sheba” models from small-batch maker The Chicago Pen Company. I love the contoured cap on this pen, which is the sort of subtle innovation I look for these days when deciding whether or not something warrants an addition to my pen case.
CW+T Pen Type-C Bookmark Pen. I held off on trying out the Pen Type-C for a year or so, but immediately regretted it. As someone who’s a bit of a notetaking and marginalia junkie (not to mention a huge fan of the Hi-Tec-C Coleto refill that comes in so many colors), this flat titanium gel pen clips flush to the inside of a notebook cover, and can also double as a bookmark.
TWSBI Swipe Fountain Pen. The last entry on this list is what I consider TWSBI’s best release from the past couple of years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the TWSBI Swipe, which at $26 not only comes with the same great nib as on the ECO but two converters packaged with the pen! I’ve had one inked up constantly, and it’s fast becoming my TWSBI of choice.
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