Ultem and Urushi (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony takes a look at two gorgeous new arrivals, both unique and different.
Colorverse Season 7 Full Line (via Well-Appointed Desk). Jesi reviews all of the inks in Colorverse Season 7. I’ve given up on trying to keep track of all the different options Colorverse has now, but if you’re a fan of sheen and shimmer inks, be sure to check these out.
Desiderata Pen Co. BAMF (via Left Hook Pens). Desiderata, based in Chicago, makes small-batch pens featuring handmade filling systems and a nib section that can accept Zebra G calligraphy nibs.
Schon DSGN Ultem Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens). I need to get my hands on one of these once demand settles down. Another hit from Ian!
Visiting the Visconti Homo Sapiens Tuscan Hills (via Penquisition). I’m not a huge fan of swirled acrylic - it has to be done exactly right to tempt me - so for that reason I’ve never picked up one of these special edition Homo Sapiens fountain pens. This green one might be the first, but I’d like to see it in person.
Esterbrook Journaler Nib (via Rants of the Archer). I didn't realize that the Esterbrook Journaler nib was actually the first of an anticipated series by Esterbrook. The Journals, by Gena Salorino of Custom Nib Studios, is a medium stub/cursive italic.
Replacing the Sac in My Father’s Parker Duofold Senior (via Dapprman). Learning how to re-sac vintage fountain pens can absolutely change how you approach this hobby, since you no longer have to pay for expensive restoration yourself. Just be sure to read up on instructions before beginning work and leave the extremely valuable/sentimental pens to the pros until you have enough experience.
Finished a Pilot Hi-Tec-C Refill (via Writing at Large). Huge accomplishment! I’ve never done this.
A Few Thoughts on Getting Started with a Bullet Journal (via Fountain Pen Love). Bullet journaling is wildly popular, but it can be intimidating to get started. John’s guide has suggestions for both techniques and notebooks.
Opus 88 Omar (via Pen Addict). Sarah reviews the Omar, Opus 88’s giant “ink tank” of a pen that’s becoming one of my key recommendations for those who want something that will let them write for basically forever.
In Case You Missed It….
The big news from this week is that I did a hands-on post with the relatively recent TWSBI Diamond 580 Smoke and Rose Gold II fountain pen, which I’m now happy to be offering in The Curated Shop. (More on that below). I also updated my previous review revisiting the Pilot G2, to discuss some recommendations for pen bodies that take the G2, plus I figured out how to get a Pentel Energel into my Sunderland Machine Works MK1. Finally, this week’s Deals & Drops featured an Earth Day theme, focusing on Earth-inspired and eco-friendly products.
New In the Curated Shop: TWSBI!
I dropped some big news (well, at least for me) yesterday: I’m now authorized to carry TWSBI and have added certain select products to the shop, including Diamond 580 fountain pens, ECO fountain pens, and bottled inks. In terms of limited and special edition changeovers, I’m down to my last batch of this year’s Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style pens, which won't be coming back after the new ones arrive, and still have a few of the latest Crayons de la Maison Caran d’Ache pencil sets.
Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and More!
You can read more about T.G.S. Patreon here. This year I’ve rolled out some new features in 2021 that will be exclusive to Patreon subscribers, including monthly online meetups, the next of which will take place this coming Friday, April 30 at 8:00pm Central Time (it got bumped a week due to my second dose of Covid-19 vaccine) and will feature a special announcement. The last few have featured some really fun discussions! I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live!