San Francisco Pen Show Recap (via Pen Addict). Kimberly, writing her first official show recap for the Pen Addict, has an epic post on what makes the SF Pen Show deserve its moniker, “The Fun Pen Show”. Read this one!
Accounting for the ensso PIUMA Pocket Fountain Pen in Brass (via Penquisition). Julian reviews ensso’s latest entry in the PIUMA fountain pen series, a pocket fountain pen with an interesting design that keeps most of the shape of the larger PIUMA pen.
Ferris Wheel Press Twilight Garden Ink Collection (via Macchiato Man). Ferris Wheel Press has received a lot of attention for their shimmer and paler-colored shading inks that still remain legible. I have these three in my queue for review.
Multi Pen Review: Multi Madness, Part I (via Well-Appointed Desk). Tina has a review of three different multi-pens, including an Acroball with a highlighter component!? I need to get my hands on one of those.
Pineider Metropolis (via Dapprman). Ouch! Pineider’s latest attempt at a “less expensive” pen perhaps falls a bit short?
Tactile Turn Nautilus Quick Review (via Writing at Large). I keep eyeing the Nautilus, and I’m pretty sure I’ll cave, but I guess I still have until September 8 to order one?
Snippets: Newcastle, Onion-skin, Machined Pens, and Pen Meets (via UK Fountain Pens). Anthony has a lot of interesting things going on these days! I need to get my hands on one of those onionskin journals, though I worry I won’t be able to ignore the ghosting for everyday writing.
Scribo Blu Cosmico (via Mountain of Ink). I love Scribo inks, including this very dark blue-black/midnight blue.
Tales of a Vandal Pen Collector: Wrestling with a Writer’s Dozen (via Peaceable Writer). This post does an exceptional job of summarizing exactly why I love to write by hand, and why I love fountain pens.
Classic Pens LB5 Kouseki with Sailor King Eagle Nib (via Gourmet Pens). Azizah has a review of a rare one. Serious nibbage, indeed!
In Case You Missed It….
This week on the blog, I first of all recapped my trip to San Francisco for the 2021 San Francisco Pen Show. Al things considered, it was a great show, and look forward to attending next year when hopefully the international vendors can return. I also finished Part VI of my “Mini-Collections” series, in which I swabbed all of the inks in my stash, completing the blacks, greys, browns, and oranges. Finally, I announced the release of the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball, and even posted a short video clip over on my Instagram “Reels” - yes, look at me getting all trendy - to demonstrate the size difference between the Rollerball and the ballpoint.
This Week in the Curated Shop
As noted in this week’s Deals & Drops, there are a bunch of new arrivals in the Shop, including the limited edition Platinum Preppy Wa, which comes in six unique patterns inspired by traditional Japanese designs. The new Field Notes “Trailhead” edition also has arrived, along with the Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball, new Kokuyo hardcover notebooks in the “Trip Book” and “Offset Book” formats, and a full restock on the TWSBI Swipe fountain pen.
Consider Joining TGS Patreon for Access to Monthly Meetups and First Dibs on Gently Used Stationery, Exclusive Products and More!
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. We’ve discussed our thoughts on pen shows restarting, recent arrivals in our personal collections, and more. I will also continue with periodic “sample sales” of gently used review items and T.G.S. collaborations, to which Patrons will have first access. The current sale is now live and features the inks that I’m selling off as I thin out my personal accumulation.