Reconnecting with my Scribo Feel A Riveder le Stelle (via A Gathering of Curiosities). Some pens connect with us emotionally, others do not. How do you react when a pen you value emotionally doesn’t perform up to expectations?
A Spectrum of Rainbow Forest Fountain Pens (via Cheryl Lindo Jones). Rainbow/multicolor anodization has become increasingly popular over the past couple of years. My personal favorites aren’t necessarily the all-metal versions, but rather where this trim accents frosted acrylic.
Radius + Figboot Blue Flame (via Figboot on Pens). Speaking of pens with frosted acrylic, Figboot is releasing this beautiful blue Radius that launches on February 10.
Hobonichi 2024 Setup (via Stationery Pizza). I’m rocking the 3-Hobonichi setup and really enjoying it! My own setup is slightly different than the one discussed here but multiple journals has been enjoyable.
The Decline of the Vintage Pen Hobby (via Goodwriters Pens). It’s regrettable that the decline of the vintage pen hobby is often attributed primarily (or sometimes solely) to a perceived lack of interest on the part of “new” enthusiasts. I can’t speak for collecting communities outside of the U.S., but at the American pen shows the vintage community could have done much more to welcome in the next generation and share knowledge when there was an influx a few years ago. Things are getting better now but the volume of vintage pen trading at shows is still less than it once was.
Scribo Feel Flex Nib Fountain Pen Review (via Blake’s Broadcast). Scribo makes one of the best modern flex nibs on the market, and probably comes closest to approximating true vintage-style flex similar to the Omas Extra-Flessible nibs.
Quick Look - Pilot Vanishing Point and Decimo (via The Poor Penman). Don’t overlook or sleep on the Pilot Vanishing Point and Decimo capless fountain pens. They’ve been around for a while for good reason.
Cheap French Supermarket Pocket Pen (via Dapprman). I love that the writing culture in certain countries allows for a product like this to exist.
Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffle Nr. 2 Mechanical Pencil Review (via Writing at Large). The Drehgrillfe is a great format and I wish this pen/pencil received more attention than it does. I’m all for expanding the hexagonal woodcase pencil form into other types of writing instruments.
Chasing Away the Darkness (via From the Pen Cup). Early morning writing sessions are among the greatest pleasures in life. IMHO.
Who Wore It Better? Pilot Custom Heritage 92 Clear vs TWSBI 580 ALR Black (via Pen Addict - Kimberly). It didn’t occur to me to compare these two pens, but then again I haven’t handled a Custom Heritage in quite a while.
In Case You Missed It…
I published the latest installment of “Ask TGS” this week, in which I respond to reader questions regarding things such as how to fix skipping and hard-starting fountain pens, and how to avoid staining prized pens. Saturday was a travel day, as I’m currently spending a couple days at the NY Now and Shoppe Object trade shows in NYC. Be sure to follow along on Instagram today and tomorrow as I work my way through these two shows and also follow along as I visit some of my favorite NYC stationery haunts!
This past week we’ve added Uni Jetstream ballpoints in both the “Prime” format, as well as the “Jetstream Edge” which is available in as fine a line as .28mm! And it still writes smoothly!
This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop - Plus a February Flash Sale on Certain Categories of Items!
Our shop has seen exponential growth over the past year, and I’m thankful to everyone who’s helped. We’ve had a LOT of new products arrive in the past two weeks, and since I’m going to be ordering more shortly (as in, in the next 48 hours), let’s do what we can to clear out what remains from 2023 in some specific categories. Take 10% off paper today and tomorrow, including planners and journals and notebook systems, using the coupon code “FLASH24” at checkout! I’ve gone ahead and marked down Traveler’s Company 2024 Diaries by 20% - some versions are close to or completely sold out, but there’s still monthly refills and maybe some weekly formats, so this will be in addition to the coupon code. (Roterfaden and Kakimori are excluded.)
Also, be sure to check out new arrivals, including the latest release from Nahvalur, the Nautilus Ruby Koi, as well as products from Kakimori, Uni Mitsubish (including high-end (nondisposable) Jetstream ballpoints), a wide range of Jetstream refills, and of course Roterfaden. I just recently listed the sheet protectors, which allow you to carry papers and other loose items.
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