Not Science: Comparing Esterbrook’s JJ Lax Scribe Nib to Another Architect (via Line Variation). This is a great post, which demonstrates why you will often have a much better experience having a nib ground in person as opposed to purchasing pre-ground nibs, especially with somewhat more finicky grinds like architects that are highly personal and dependent on things like writing angle.
Explorer Pocket Journal by Endless Stationery (via KraftyKats). I’ve yet to “explore” one of the Endless Stationery notebook cover systems. Over the past couple of years, they’ve been in the process of switching over from Tomoe River to their new “Regalia” paper, and I need to get caught up.
On Pens and Pensions (via Fountain Pen Blog). How do you put a value on the enjoyment you get from this hobby? It goes far beyond enhancing your productivity and/or collecting for investment.
My “Lucky Catches” (via Rachel’s Reflections). I have a couple of these as well - pens that you fortunately happen to acquire or purchase almost by chance, and maybe not realize your good luck until later?
Overthinking my Under-Thought Indexing Routine (via mnmlscholar). Now that I’m moving into a new role at my day job and expanding my duties here, I’ll need to overhaul my own planning and journaling system.
The Superior Labor - Flap Pen Case (via Scrively). Extremely popular a few years ago, The Superior Labor leather products seem to have dropped a bit in visibility, and I’m glad to see another review. I have one of their leather pen rolls that I really enjoy.
Ink of the Week - Yoseka Green (via Fountain Pen Love). Need to get a bottle of this!
Watercolor Sets (via Notebook Stories). I’m now collecting links to reviews and articles about adding watercolors as a companion to notebooks and journaling. It’s something that’s always interested me, and I finally plan to take the time to learn more.
NY Now and Shoppe Object - Definitely NOT Pen Shows, But Almost? (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). Pen shows live in this sort of hybrid world that combines trade shows, conventions (“PenCon”?), and local meetups. There’s definitely a “to the trade” aspect, as retailers and manufacturers set up in part of get visibility with each other while simultaneously using the show to educate enthusiasts about their products, but NY Now and Shoppe Object are strictly distributors-manufacturers-retailers-only. (And they’re a ton of fun.)
Tale of a Vandal Pen User: It Came Through the Crack - Part I (via Peaceable Writer). Aurora’s repair service receives high marks!
Our 2023 Table Setup!
In Case You Missed It - This Week on the Blog
I’ve spent this week attending the San Francisco Pen Show, set up as an exhibitor for the first time! Before I left, I reviewed the Lamy 2000 Mechanical Pencil, the last of the Lamy 2000 range that I had yet to write up. I fly back on Monday, but until then you can read a bit about my first impressions of Friday in San Francisco (it was crazy)!
This Week in the Curated Shop - And a Pen Show Weekend discount
The big news is that Traveler’s Notebook Standard-sized Olive Notebooks are back in stock and will be ready to ship upon my return. Some of our Traveler’s Company products have been backordered, and a restock arrived while I was out. Orders placed during travel will start to ship Monday and Tuesday - If you’d like to see what I brought to San Francisco, check out this particular post! Finally, for those of you who couldn’t attend the show, take 10% off your shop orders using the code PENSHOW10 at checkout! (Certain brands such as TWSBI are excluded).
Patreon Update - Support T.G.S. via Sample Sales, Early Access, and Meetups with Special Guests!
If you’re interested in early access and a right of first refusal for the periodic sales, consider T.G.S. Patreon, which features not only access to meetups and the early gently used sales, but more exclusive content. Everything that didn’t sell to Patreon members, including some older limited edition Baron Fig items and notebooks, is now available for general purchase on the “Gently Used” page, and I recently reduced prices on certain items to continue the clear-out!
Patreon support starts as low as $3 per month, and if you pay annually there is a further discount. In addition to purchases from The Curated Shop, Patreon allows us to continue to grow the site without relying on advertisements and affiliate marketing. If you’re interested in meetups and exclusive content, or simply supporting the site, we greatly appreciate your support! I’m working on something new - Guests for the monthly meetups! This past week we had J.C. Ament of The Nib Tailor on for a discussion of how he got into nib grinding, how he learned, and his personal favorite techniques.