Fisher Space Pen Bullet Pens — The iconic Fisher Space Pen “Bullet” is now in the shop, including in three Cerakote finishes and the 50th Anniversary “Moon Phase” finish.

Need a Last Minute Gift Idea? Consider a T.G.S. Giftcard! Also, new Pocket Pen Arrivals!

December 24, 2024

For those of you (us) who might need to come up with a few last-minute gift ideas, remember that we do offer T.G.S. Gift Cards! These will be delivered via e-mail, with the code valid for redemption either online or in-store. Gift cards are excellent options for fountain pen enthusiasts in particular, as we can be picky! If you need additional last minute ideas or gifts for New Years or post-Christmas arrival, check out the gift guide.

Rite in the Rain Field Journals — Rite in the Rain hardcover journals are the field notebook of choice for many who work outdoors or simply love to explore.

While too late for Christmas delivery, this week we received shipments of new products from Fisher Space Pen and Rite in the Rain, including “write anywhere” pocket pens and Rite in the Rain’s weatherproof journals and notebooks for all your 2025 adventures!

While our online shop remains open, our physical location will be closed until Friday, December 27, when we will resume normal hours! Happy holidays to all!

Ask TGS: Five Bad Stationery Gift Ideas

December 4, 2024

Since it’s that time of year again, the T.G.S. hotline has been ringing with questions about gift ideas. While most of our general advice is set out in the annual gift guide, many of you still prefer to write in with specific questions, and that’s ok! I enjoy hearing from readers and talking through potential purchases, though I sometimes find myself talking people down from what I’d consider missteps. Here are five stationery-related holiday gifts that I would avoid.

Unsolicited Fountain Pen Purchases. For years I’ve been discouraging fountain pen gift purchases, and this typically comes up in one of two ways: (1) someone looking to purchase a gift for a fountain pen enthusiast; and (2) a fountain pen enthusiast looking to get someone into fountain pens by gifting them a relatively expensive fountain pen. Both, in my opinion, are bad ideas. As to the first point, fountain pen fans have very specific preferences, and unless they’ve requested a specific pen or you understand their preferences extremely well, you risk spending money on something that turns out to be a miss. On the second point, if you want to get someone a nice pen because you think they will use it every day, go with a rollerball or ballpoint. If you truly think someone might enjoy a fountain pen, either choose an inexpensive cartridge pen like a Platinum Plaisir or Prefounte, Pilot Explorer, or TWSBI Swipe, or give them a gift card to a brick-and-mortar retailer near them and let them try pens in person first. It comes down to personal preference - different pens work for different people, and with new users it’s almost impossible to predict what they will like.
Pen and Pencil Sets. The picture above is roughly half the Cross Century and Century II pens and pencils in my possession. Between 1970 and 2000, literally everyone alive in the United States received one of these sets from a relative as a “milestone” gift (birthday, graduation, etc.). In my family, they have all been re-gifted to me over the years “because you like pens so much.” While they are classy looking, and Cross has done a great job of marketing these sets as a classic gift option, there are better options out there (including from Cross - try the Townsend, which features a similar silhouette in a more modern, comfortable size). The ultra-slim Century, the still-slim Century II, and the countless clones from other brands, can be too narrow for many people to use other than for quick notes, and modern pen enthusiasts tend to prefer larger pens.
Ostentatious Engravings. If you want to engrave a pen for someone, limit yourself to initials. Messages that are too personal make it hard for someone to use a nice pen in a work meeting, since engravings tend to be eye-catching. Finally, DO NOT engrave pens with things like childhood nicknames. (Yes, I still have it. No, the pen will never see the light of day.)
Dated Planner Systems. Planner and notebook systems are not bad gifts per se, but not everyone uses planners, and some people prefer undated over dated. (The “personal preference” thing rears its head again.) I might recommend gifting a notebook cover and some blank refills, and pairing with a gift card so that they can choose to add planner functionality later.
Colored Sharpie Markers. Especially for a child. I mean, seriously? You know who you are, and yes, you are still banned from our home until we replace the rest of the furniture.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. For a more serious discussion of stationery-related gift ideas, please check out our gift guide, as mentioned above, or come see us in-person! We’re open this week Thursday-Sunday, and otherwise by appointment.

Thursday Drops: T.G.S. Gift Guide Preview, Including Book Darts, Anterique, and More!

November 16, 2023

The Holiday Season is almost upon us! While the full 2024 T.G.S. Holiday Gift Guide will drop this weekend, this week’s Thursday Drops post features a preview of our standard gift recommendations as well as some new arrivals. (Thank goodness Book Darts made it back in time!) The past couple of weeks have seen the arrival of new items from Anterique Stationers, Lamy, Kaweco, and Caran d’Ache, among others, all ready to ship immediately.

This past year we’ve also worked to expand our shop selection beyond your typical pen and stationery store to include a range of high quality desk and reading accessories that make excellent gifts, including for the pen and paper enthusiasts in your life who might be particular about their pen and ink preferences and “challenging” to shop for. :) Finally, for those who can’t decide, we do have a digital gift card option!

Caran d'Ache Keith Haring 849 (White) — Anyone recognize artwork similar to a classic 1990s Christmas Album?

The Gentleman Stationer is an authorized retailer of all brands sold.

T.G.S. Signature Book Darts. One of our first shop items is back in stock! Book Darts are one of my favorite all-time desk accessories, useful for anything from marking passages in favorite books to dividing notebooks into multiple sections.
Anterique Brass Ballpoint Pens. Looking for a pen-related gift for someone who enjoys a quality pen but may not be as “particular” as you? Anterique takes an instantly recognizable classic format and upgrades it with a brass barrel and high-quality refill.
Caran d’Ache Keith Haring Limited Edition Sets and Rylsee Limited Edition Fixpencil. The rest of the 2023 Caran d’Ache Limited Editions are here, with two new 849 Ballpoints featuring the work of pop artist Keith Haring, along with a signature colored pencil set and a limited edition Fixpencil set designed in collaboration with Swiss lettering artist Rylsee.
Diamine Inkvent Calendars. We still have a few of these hanging around! I’m planning my “Inkvent” sampling strategy because I plan to start playing along as of December 1!
TWSBI Kai Fountain Pens. Yesterday I reviewed TWSBI’s latest (third) release in their acrylic limited edition series, the Kai. As I mentioned in the review, I wish TWSBI would make this particular shape part of the regular lineup.
TWSBI ECO-T “Rosso” Fountain Pens. As a fan of red pens, I’m thrilled to see a red TWSBI ECO! I’m still trying to match an ink to this particular color.
Kaweco Collection Fountain Pens. We brought in additional colors of Kaweco Sport fountain pens from the “Kaweco Collection” series! There are some fun offbeat colors in this line, including some muted blues, blue-greys, and light greens.
Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Organizers. Looking for an upgraded leather (or vegan leather) cover to house your notebooks or planner(s) for 2024? TGS is now an authorized retailer of Roterfaden, and we have both A5 and A6 sized covers in stock and ready to ship.
Traveler’s Notebooks and 2024 Refills. The Traveler’s Notebook is one of the more versatile, customizable notebook systems on the market, with its wide range of accessories and refills.
Lochby Notebooks and Cases. Whether you’re looking for a pen case, a travel carry-all, or a versatile notebook cover that handles most A5 sizes, Lochby makes durable waxed canvas goods that pair well together.

HMM Project Multi-Purpose Eraser Balls, arranged on a desk — Don’t rule out fun desk accessories such as these combination eraser balls, pencil holders, and picture stands (?!?) from HMM Project!

Most of my recent Schon DSGN acquisitions!

Happy Holidays 2022: The Indie Gift Guide

November 26, 2022

As we enter not only the 2022 holiday shopping season but the final month of the year, I’ve been pulling together my plans for both the annual gift guides and the 2022 year-end recaps. Today’s post, on the Saturday after “Black Friday”, is going to be a bit of both. I’ve been encouraged by a much greater focus this Thanksgiving on supporting small and independent businesses, both inside and outside the pen community, and honestly, that’s how it should be, because independent makers and retailers are what make this hobby great. When you’re considering how to spend your hard-earned dollars on gifts for yourself or others, consider setting aside a portion for smaller retailers and makers who can offer truly exclusive products and a more personalized shopping experience.

The format for this “guide” might strike some as unusual. I’m not going to simply list all of the different independent makers out there - there are too many to do that in any coherent fashion - but rather will spend today’s post discussing my own acquisitions from the past year, the makers from whom I’ve personally purchased, and why I enjoy their pens and the reasons you might enjoy them too.

Schon DSGN

Ranked purely in terms of number of pens acquired this year, Schon DSGN tops the list, as I picked up two of the Full-Size fountain pens and a hammered copper Pocket Six with added patina, to join the three pens from the Engineered Plastics collection that I purchased towards the end of 2021. Known not just for original, ergonomic designs but dedication to quality, Schon DSGN pens are among my favorite everyday writers.

My two most recent Kanilea Acquisitions: a Lewa Lani and a Kai Huli.

Kanilea Pen Company

The second-most represented independent maker in my personal collection is Kanilea Pen Company. For more than six years now, Kanilea has been producing pens themed around places and locations in Hawaii. You can read more about the background of this brand in my prior reviews, but I love their clean design and ergonomics (particularly the “Classic Flush” shape), in addition to the unique materials chosen to match a specific image. I recently acquired the Lewa Lani fountain pen, as well as a pen show-exclusive “Kai Huli” in a coral and yellow-veined material, pictured below.

Three “Navigator” Models from Penzbydesign.

Stacy Robinson (Penzbydesign)

A long-time penmaker, Stacy Robinson brought ebonite and Conway Stewart acrylic versions of his “Navigator” fountain pen to this year’s Atlanta Pen Show. I ended up purchasing three: one in striated beige ebonite and two in relatively uncommon Conway Stewart acrylics that I had been looking to add to my collection for years. The workmanship on these pens is excellent, and the size nearly perfect for my hand, as with the Schon DSGN Engineered Plastics and Full-Size fountain pens. While Penszbydesign has a storefront, it may be easier to inquire via e-mail or social media, since some photos were posted recently of new Navigator pens similar to the ones I purchased, and they don’t currently appear on the website.

Kasama Pens

Currently sold only directly via Instagram and social media, Kasama is based in the Philippines and, to my knowledge, makes two models of pens: the larger “Una” and the more streamlined “Tala”. I’ve acquired two Una fountain pens, one in Ultem and another in a combination of Peek and anodized titanium. While not inexpensive, Kasama fountain pens are unique - there’s nothing quite like them on the market, in terms of design or material combinations.

My Hinze Pen in “Five O’Clock Somewhere” Acrylic

Hinze Pens

Hinze Pens made perhaps my favorite - and most unpredictable - acquisition of the year, my “Five O’Clock Somewhere” pen in this wild acrylic from Starry Night Resins. Like the Kanilea Classic Flush, this is a well-balanced pen with a comfortable section, and what makes Hinze Pens particularly unique is their anodized nibs, available in a range of colors.

Newton Pens

Ryan Krusac Studios

Pens by Pasquale in Primary Manipulation

Other Makers to Consider

As I mentioned above, I can’t list everyone (nor can I buy from everyone, because, well, $$$), but I do want to mentions several makers who do excellent work, some of which are on my “short list” of pens to acquire in 2023, for review or otherwise. Also, while some of the makers listed here do custom/bespoke work, many also have inventory currently available for purchase, which you can purchase, and which they will likely be wanting to sell, heading into the holiday season.

Newton Pens (Shawn Newton). A fixture on the pen show circuit and the creator of some truly unique designs (such as the Prospector shown here), Shawn Newton usually has a healthy stock of pens ready to go.
Pens by Pasquale (Nicholas Pasquale). A relative newcomer to the bespoke pen scene, Nic is local to me and I acquired a pen in dark “Primary Manipulation” at this year’s Nashville-area Pelikan Hub. I love supporting new makers! Check out his Instagram (linked here).
Edison Pens (Brian Gray). Like Shawn Newton, Brian Gray is a longtime penmaker whose production-line Edison designs are now widely available at many major pen retailers. I have my eye on the new Collier Grande featuring a No. 8 nib.
Ryan Krusac Pens. One of the few penmakers whose work with wood truly appeals to me, Ryan Krusac combines wood with other materials such a stone and antler. His scrimshaw work is incredibly detailed.
Mayfair Pens. Pens with a “Lord of the Rings” theme? Count me in. Lately I’ve been more interested in penmakers who are exploring different shapes and contours, and I had the opportunity to handle these at the 2022 D.C. Pen Show.

Please Consider Supporting T.G.S. This Holiday Season

We’re also a small business, and entirely supported by purchases from our shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Last week, we launched our own 2022 Holiday Gift Guide, focused on products from our own shop, which makes an effort to focus on and carry products that might necessarily be overlooked by larger stores. We appreciate your support, as it allows us to remain independent and advertiser/affiliate free! Through Monday at 11:59pm, take 10% off all TGS Shop orders with the coupon code “GIVETHANKS”!