Sunday Reading for October 4, 2026

1. My Top 10 Fountain Pen GRIPES! (via Doodlebud). A bad cap seal tops my list as well, especially when it causes the ink to evaporate altogether. This can also be a problem with ink bottles.

2. Interview with Scrively: What Makes a Good Notebook? (via Scrively). 100% it can’t just be about the notebook. Pen and ink play a huge role as well.

3. Profolio Oasis Notebook Review (via Pen Addict - Sarah). I love multilined/hybrid dot-grid rulings, which is why we decided to bring the Profolio notebooks back into the shop along with others that use a similar layout.

4. What Would I Do Differently If I Started with Fountain Pens Today? (via SBRE Brown). I was fortunate enough to to come into the hobby when the pace of information online was a bit slower. I also think I’d do it about the same, though I’d probably try to learn a bit more about the history of vintage pens and focus less on acquisition.

5. Hakase 90th Anniversary (via UK Fountain Pens). That is a gorgeous wood pen, and I say that with wood pens typically not being my thing.

6. Creative Fuel Prompts (via From the Pen Cup). In our most recent podcast episodes we talked a little about using prompts for journaling and other creative exercises. Mary always has excellent prompt resources!

7. Ink Preview: Penultimate Inks (via Well-Appointed Desk). I picked up several bottles in Dallas as well, including Monk, Sorcerer, Paladin, and Wizard. Stay tuned!

In Case You Missed It….

This week we released Episode 17 of On the Paper Trail, Journaling for Mental Health Part II, in which we discussed different journaling techniques that we have both experimented with in the past. I also published a first look at the new Mongol pencil re-release that contains an updated Top 5 Woodcase Pencil list, as well as a YouTube video walking through the Wonderland222 A5 Core Stacked Planner, which I’ve decided to use again in 2027.

We also have additional stock of our exclusive Sunderland mk1 machined rollerball, which we brought back at popular request.

This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

We’re continuing to restock the shop after our inventory ran down somewhat during our revamp and transition to Shopify! Thanks to everyone who shared kind words on this project, and we’re glad you all are enjoying the new space as much as we are. This week we added some additional Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters in A4 and A6 sizes, and released the Wonderland222 dated planners in multiple sizes and layouts. Wonderland is moving back to 52gsm Tomoe River Paper this year, and in addition to the planners we are also stocking the notebooks. Finally, on Saturday we received a huge shipment of Clairefontaine paper and Exacompta index cards.

Check out each week’s Thursday Drops post for the full list of new arrivals and restocks. We are open online 24/7 and our Nashville storefront is open from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-5pm on Saturday.

Wonderland222

Sunderland

Tono & Lims

Mongol

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If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

Hands-on with the New Mongol Pencil, Plus My Current Top 5 Woodcase Pencils for Everyday Writing

This one surprised me, as the launch came with very little fanfare: the Mongol pencil brand has apparently been reborn. I inadvertently discovered these pencils while browsing one of our distributor websites, and since I collect vintage woodcase pencils, well, I had to pick some up to see if they were worthy of the name.

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The new Mongol (bottom) compared against a vintage Mongol 482.

The original Eberhard Faber (later Faber-Castell) Mongol pencil was considered a quality office brand intended for mainstream use, and traditionally sat between inexpensive school-grade pencils and premium options such as the Blackwing. As with most classic pencils, the Mongol line was phased out in the late 1990s-early 2000s amid a wave of corporate consolidations. Basically, everything became a Papermate, and most premium pencil lines disappeared in favor of cheap imports and low-quality economy pencils that caused many people to “write off” wood pencils entirely. You could still find pencils sold under the Mongol brand internationally in countries including Colombia, Venezuela, and the Philippines, but here in the U.S., multiple generations have come and gone without Mongol having any significant presence outside the vintage market.

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From bottom: The re-released Mongol, a vintage Faber-Castell Mongol 482, and a Faber-Castell American, which is a school-grade pencil that makes you envy how good even the cheapest pencils were 30 years ago.

Mongol Pencils: Modern vs. Vintage

So how does the modern re-release stack up against the vintage Mongol? Fairly well, actually, especially once you account for the price point and manufacturing shifts that have occurred in the pencil industry over the past 30+ years. The original Mongol pencils were known for their thick bright yellow lacquer, which the modern version faithfully reproduces. I may actually prefer the lacquer on the new pencil to the vintage Faber-Castell Mongol 482, though the thick application adds to the barrel diameter. The imprint on the new pencils, however, is not as clean, and I strongly prefer the legacy branding. I will attribute this one to an effort to keep the price point down and to offer the new Mongol in the same market segment (office use) as the original.

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A close-up of the imprint on the new Mongol, which isn’t as crisp as the

But how does it write? Nostalgia aside, it comes down to the writing experience, and this is a good one. Cedar Alliance Ltd (the company that makes Mongol), states that these pencils contain sustainably sourced California Incense Cedar and European graphite while being manufactured in Vietnam. Tombow pencils are also made in Vietnam, and the quality feels similar.

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The new Mongol (top) writes an ever-so-slightly darker line.

I prefer darker pencils, and vintage American pencils - including vintage Mongols - often feel a touch light for my preference. The modern Mongol pencil writes a darker line that I prefer even if it sacrifices a bit of point retention. The eraser is excellent, both functionally and visually, retaining the banded black-and-gold ferrule and bright pink color.

The vintage-style erasers are a classic touch.

So what’s the verdict? I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these pencils, especially for those looking for a high quality school or office pencil that can be purchased in bulk. For example, 144 Mongols will set you back $36.95. Are the Mongols as “nice” as a Blackwing? No, but they’re a heck of a lot better than what you will currently get from the big box stores or school suppliers for around the same amount of money. You can also buy a pack of 48, and we sell them individually if you would like to try a single pencil.

A bit of a history lesson! The name “Mongol” allegedly comes from “Purée Mongole,” a yellow split-pea soup that was a favorite of “pencil baron” John Eberhard Faber.

Alas, what don’t you get? The “Woodclinched U.S.A.” imprint you used to find on the original.

Bonus: My Current Top 5 Woodcase Pencils for Everyday Writing

While I’m on the subject of wood pencils, I’ve received several submissions requesting that I update my “Top 5 Woodcase Pencils for Everyday Writing.” One note - while I won’t add the new Mongol to this list yet, if the pencil takes off and remains steadily available, I could see this pencil making an appearance due to the value proposition it offers. But not yet. Here are my current Top 5, which you can compare against the old list.

1. Tombow 2558 (B). Tombow makes exceptionally high quality pencils for the price point, and this particular model is one of the best classic No. 2’s out there. The 2558 writes a smooth dark line in both HB and B grade, the eraser erases cleanly, and the lacquer is impeccably finished. 10/10

2. Viarco 2001 (HB or B). I’ve always preferred a slightly gritty texture to my graphite - not enough to make the pencil scratchy, but just enough to add tactility to the writing experience. I can’t stand overly waxy pencils. Viarco pencils have the perfect feel, and there’s the added historical charm to writing with a pencil made in one of the last operating European pencil factories.

3. Camel (HB). Part of this pencil’s allure is the integrated eraser, which sits flush with the barrel, but Camel pencils also use excellent graphite and feature a finish that you would expect from a premium Japanese writing pencil.

4. Mitsubishi 9850 (HB). This classic Japanese office pencil pairs a red lacquer barrel with a white eraser. Apparently I’m not the only one who loves these things, as they are insanely difficult to keep in stock.

5. Blackwing Natural (Extra-Firm). Sure, it’s a premium option for everyday writing, but the natural finish on these pencils remains a favorite and the extra-firm graphite ensures that your pencils will last a long time. The Natural has become my go-to pencil from Blackwing’s lineup.

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All of these pencils have great imprints, in my opinion. In addition to being quality writing instruments, they’re visually interesting desk objects that retain their respective brands’ heritage.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

Thursday Drops: Planner Season Is Upon Us! Wonderland222, MD Product Journals and More

It’s October, and “Planner Season” has officially arrived. Our allocation of Wonderland222 planners and notebooks is now live and available for purchase online and in-store. The 2027 lineup of planners and notebooks features 52gsm Tomoe River Paper, and we have stocked the 576-page All-in-One models as well as the slimmer “Core” planners. Grid Tomoe River notebooks are also available.

Our exclusive Tono & Lims Inks: Classic Burgundy and Black Shimmer

Our T.G.S.-exclusive Tono & Lims inks have now arrived, and remain available for purchase though stock in this initial shipment is dwindling. If you would like a bottle from this initial shipment, please place an order as these are on their way to selling out quickly. We also have a fresh shipment of Roterfaden A6 leather covers, as well as our exclusive Sunderland mk1 Machined Rollerball.

You can see these and more in-store in our Nashville Shop, which is open Thursday and Friday from 1-6pm, and on Saturday from 10am-5pm. Of course you can always shop online 24/7!

1. Wonderland222 Planners and Notebooks. For the past year, I’ve been using a Wonderland222 A5 Core Planner as my primary analog “brain”, and I love it. We currently stock several different formats of Wonderland222 Planners in A5, B6, and A6 sizes, along with their notebooks. This year all Wonderland222 Planners use 52gsm Tomoe River Paper.

2. MD Product Dot Grid Notebooks. We really stocked up on the MD Product Dot Journals! These are back in stock to cover all the bullet journalers who love this particular format.

3. MD Product Natural Undyed Goat Leather Covers. Looking for a long-lasting leather cover that will age gracefully through many years of MD notebooks? We have the MD Product Leather covers available in multiple sizes, including A5.

4. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter BS_20 in A4 and A6. While A5 remains the most popular Roterfaden size, we have been receiving an increased number of requests for the large A4 and smaller A6 sizes. The small A6 was once a standard model in Roterfaden’s lineup but has been scaled back in recent years.

5. T.G.S. Classic Burgundy and Black Shimmer Tono & Lims Exclusive Inks. We’re excited to announce that we now have our own house inks! Classic Burgundy is the dark red I’ve always wanted in my own collection but have been unable to find, and Black Shimmer adds dark red shimmer to a nuanced black writing ink.

6. T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 Rollerball. A coveted exclusive release is back in stock! The Sunderland mk1 is a versatile machined rollerball, and we worked with Sunderland on an exclusive bead-blasted matte finish in our red and black colorway.

7. Sunderland Machine Works mk1 Standard Line Rollerballs. In addition to our exclusive Sunderland machined pen, we’ve restocked on standard mk1 colors, including new dark green, gold, and turquoise finishes.

8. Pilot Vanishing Point “Golden Journey” 2026 Limited Edition. We were lucky enough to receive a limited allocation of this year’s exclusive Vanishing Point release, inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi.

9. Midori MD 5-Year Diaries. These hardbound diaries/journals allow a few lines for each day, with five years to a page so you can compare entries against prior years as you go. There are two different size formats.

10. Midori MD 3-Year Diaries. Find five years too intimidating? Midori’s multi-year journals also come in a three-year format.

On The Paper Trail Episode 17: Journaling for Mental Health (Part II)

Episode 17 continues our discussion on Journaling for Mental Health! September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness month, so for these two most recent episodes we have been discussing a topic important to both of us: journaling for mental health and self-care. In Part I we discussed our own personal journaling practices that we use regularly. Part II continues the discussion by diving into less traditional journaling techniques that we have both experimented with in the past, including creative practices such as doodling and ink swatching, quote collecting, handwriting practice, sticker journaling, and more.

Disclaimer: Our discussion here is highly personal and specific to us and our own individual situations. Journaling is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you need help, or feel that you need to talk to someone, we strongly encourage you to speak with a mental health treatment professional.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details. ⁠

Show Notes and Links

1. National Suicide Prevention Month⁠

2. ⁠On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville (October 16-18)⁠

3. ⁠New Gentleman Stationer Storefront⁠

4. ⁠T.G.S. x Tono & Lims Exclusive Inks⁠

5. ⁠Pilot Frixion Waai⁠

6. ⁠Pilot Custom 845 Vermillion Urushi Fountain Pen⁠

7. ⁠Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen⁠

8. ⁠Pilot Juice Up⁠

9. ⁠Davinci Raymay 6-Ring Refills⁠

10. ⁠Wearingeul Thumbelina Ink⁠

11. ⁠Lisa's New Stickers⁠

12. ⁠Kaleidocraft Prints⁠

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

New Arrivals: Roterfaden Taschenbegleiters in A4 and A6! Plus Sunderland mk1 Exclusives

Many of you have been writing in to ask if Roterfaden still makes the Taschenbegleiter in the smaller A6 size, and it turns out they do. While they no longer make this size available in every color and finish, I managed to secure a batch of the Taschenbegleiter BS_20 covers in this gorgeous dark brown/cognac leather, in both A4 and A6 sizes. We also have stock of the Taschenbegleiter LTD 038 in A4, which appears similar but features a beige elastic and sand felt interior as opposed to the black/grey combination.

The Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter BS_20 features a grey felt interior, shown here in A6.

You can view these and more in our newly updated online shop, which has been updated to feature a dedicated “Notebook Systems” section that includes Roterfaden. We’ve designed the new store to make it easier to search by item and brand, and we hope you enjoy the layout. Finally, we also have new stock of the T.G.S. x Sunderland Machine Works mk1 exclusive edition rollerball pen, featuring a bead-blasted matte black and dark red/burgundy finish.

The TGS x Sunderland exclusive showcases the classic TGS colors.

All products available online can be purchased in-person in our Nashville Shop, open this week from 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday. Online shopping is available 24/7!