On The Paper Trail...

We're less than 10 days out from an epic trip to Japan, so in this week's episode, we decided to talk Japanese fountain pen nibs and the differences in nib size designations across different regions, as well as the availability of specialty grinds. We also discuss why Fine Medium is the ONLY appropriate nib size (j/k), and answer listener questions about choosing the correct combination of nib, ink, and paper for your specific writing experience. Don't miss your chance to come hang out with us in person October 16-18, at ⁠On the Paper Trail: Live in Nashville⁠! Event details have been made public, and ⁠Weekend Pass⁠ and ⁠Day Pass⁠ event tickets are now available to purchase. Dr. Grip Ballpoint (Lisa's Pen).⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opus 88 Savannah Zebra (Lisa's Pen).⁠⁠⁠⁠Benu Pixie (Lisa's Pen).⁠⁠⁠⁠Pilot Custom 823 (Joe's Pen)⁠⁠.⁠⁠Laurett's Ballpoint (Joe's Pen)⁠⁠.⁠⁠Traveler's Company Ballpoint (Joe's Pen)⁠⁠.⁠⁠Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pens⁠⁠.⁠⁠Lochby 6-Ring Binders.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Lochby Tomoe River 6-Ring Refills.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tono & Lims New Arrivals.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠New Lamy Safaris.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Grandpa's Basement (Clearance).⁠⁠

In this week’s episode of On The Paper Trail, we discuss a topic that we both love: Underappreciated Stationery. For a variety of reasons, a wide range of exceptionally good stationery items don’t get the attention that we think they deserve. In some instances, entire brands can be overlooked. We each pick items from three categories (pens, paper, and ink), and generally discuss why certain stationery can fly under the radar. Additionally, we discuss our upcoming On the Paper Trail: Live in Nashville weekend event, currently slated for October 16-18! We chat about our vision for this event and how we plan to create an event we would personally want to attend, with a more balanced approach to shopping, seminars/classes, and opportunities to socialize! Show Notes and LinksPilot e95s (Lisa’s Weekly Pen).Blackwing Matte (Lisa’s Weekly Pencil).Midori Soft Color Spiral (Lisa’s Weekly Paper). Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen (Joe’s Weekly Pen).Uni Style Fit Meister 5 Multi Pen (Joe’s Weekly Pen).Life Noble Note A5 6-Ring Paper (Joe’s Weekly Paper).Kaweco Perkeo (Underappreciated Pen Pick).Lamy Pico Ballpoint (Underappreciated Pen Pick). Conway Stewart (Underappreciated Pen Pick). Ohto Ceramic Rollerball Pens (Underappreciated Pen Pick).Lamy Swift Capless Rollerball (Underappreciated Pen Pick).Jetstream Prime Ballpoint (Underappreciated Pen Pick). Levenger Paper (Underappreciated Paper Pick).Yamamoto Ro-Biki (Underappreciated Paper Pick).Original Crown Mill (Underappreciated Paper Pick).Wearingeul Paper (Underappreciated Paper Pick).Callifolio Ink (Underappreciated ink Pick). KWZ Old Gold (Underappreciated Ink Pick).Laban Ink (Underappreciated Ink Pick). Papier Plume Ink (Underappreciated Ink Pick).When they're not podcasting, you can find Joe over at The Gentleman Stationer and Lisa over at Vanness Pens!

Do you consider yourself a user or collector of stationery? Maybe a bit of both? In the fifth episode of On the Paper Trail, we talk about a topic that draws strong opinions and maybe even a little bit of judgment in the stationery world. Whether you use every pen, bottle of ink, or rare notebook that you own, or maintain pristine archives for posterity, how we view our stationery is intensely personal and will differ from person to person. We also discuss events at the upcoming Arkansas Pen Show and the San Francisco Stationery Fest! Show Notes and LinksNagasawa Exclusive Pens (Lisa's Pen)Pilot Custom Urushi (Lisa's Pen)Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Fog (Joe's Pen)Uni Zento (Joe's Pen)Pilot S20 Ballpoint (Joe's Pen)Roterfaden TGS_25 A5 SlimLaurett's PensTroublemaker InksWearingeul PaperNagasawa 6-Ring RefillsEpisode 2: Matthew Chen Talks Kodachi NibsAkkerman Standard Ink Bottle ExampleAkkerman Dutch Masters Ink Bottle ExampleArkansas Pen ShowSan Francisco Stationery FestWhen they’re not on the road, you can find Joe over at The Gentleman Stationer and Lisa over at Vanness Pens.

Joe and Lisa take a trip to visit Pilot USA headquarters and come back with a lot to report! In the third episode of On the Paper Trail, we not only discuss our Pilot Tour, but take on three questions from the "12 Pen Person" questions challenge, answer reader questions about appraising and selling pens, and talk about the upcoming California Pen Show and a live recording at the San Francisco Stationery Fest! Show Notes and Links: Pilot Grance (Lisa's Pen)Midori Stand Notebook (Lisa's Notebook)Uni Kuru-Toga Pencils (Joe's Pencil)NOLTY PAGEM Freelog (Joe's Notebook)New TWSBI Black Marble and BronzeVinta Nandito AkoYamamoto Canopus PaperT.G.S. Cloud Rickshaw ExclusivePost with Picture of Our Giant Pilot MarkersJoe's Trip to NYNow and Shoppe Object (via Gentlemanstationer)12 Pen Person Questions (via Olive Octopus)Recap of Lisa's SF Pen Show PanelReddit r/WritingPromptsCalifornia Pen ShowSan Francisco Stationery FestTo watch the podcast live on video, check out the On The Paper Trail YouTube Channel. The video of Episode 3 includes some bonus footage of the trip to Pilot Pens USA!Catch up with Joe over at The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa over at Vanness Pens! There you can find links to all their respective social media accounts.

Welcome to On The Paper Trail! In our initial episode, we introduce ourselves and then dive into a thorough discussion of our 2026 notebooks and planners, and how we plan to use each one. We also answer a common customer question on Lamy pens, and talk about where you can see us in person at upcoming pen shows and other stationery-related events. Show Notes and LinksOn The Paper Trail Episode 1 Video (Watch the Video on YouTube)Wonderland222 B6 Core Horizontal Wonderland222 A5 Core Stacked (Vertical) Brelio A5 6-Ring BinderRoterfaden Recycled Leather A5Roterfaden TGS_25 A5-SlimWriting on in 2026 (Pen Addict - Kimberly)Matthew's Nib WorksCalifornia Pen ShowArkansas Pen ShowSan Francisco Stationery FestWhen they're not podcasting or traveling, you can find Joe over at The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa over at Vanness Pens.