(Kimberly (she/her) took the express train down the fountain pen/stationery rabbit hole and doesn't want to be rescued. She can be found on Instagram @allthehobbies because there really are many, many hobbies!.)

My first article for TPA came out in time for the first post-pandemic show in 2021, the DC Pen Show. I thought it might be time to do a bit of an update since I’ve learned a lot more in the past 5 years of going to/working at more shows and writing recaps. I know that I just missed Yoseka’s Stationery Fest this past weekend, but this will be out before the DC Pen Show. There are at least another stationery show and at least six more pen shows this year. So without further ado, here are some tips about navigating pen shows, show etiquette, and preparation so you can make the most out of your show experience.

Side note: I will be using the term “pen show” interchangeably to refer to both pen shows and stationery festivals. I will make specific call-outs if something applies just to one but not the other.

This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list, just some of my favorite tips, tricks, info and thoughts on how to navigate shows. There are many wonderful articles and videos with lots of tips on pen shows including this pen show article from Fountain Pen Love and this How To: Pen Shows video from Inkdependence Mike so definitely check those out too.

Pick the right show for you

What is important to you? - You may think “duh, shopping”, but there’s probably more to it than that. Are you looking for primarily new, second hand, or vintage pens? Accessories like inks, paper, or stationery? Or maybe geography is important - is there a destination you want to go visit? Or a show closer to home that you can drive or take the train to? Are you ok with crowds or prefer a smaller show, even if it means fewer vendors and attendees? Maybe you’re looking for an opportunity to meet other enthusiasts, or you just have time to pop in/out for a few hours? Or you want to take some classes too? All of those are valid considerations and there is no right/wrong answer, but every show has something unique that makes them the perfect choice or your worst nightmare or something in between.
This show comparison article is from early 2023, after recapping all 10 of the shows I went to in 2022. Note that the scores for several of them would be very different now since some shows have gotten WAY better like CAPS, I tip my cap to you (see what I did there? Ok, I’ll see myself out.), and some have slid down a few notches. Others have moved hotels, etc. But it gives you a general sense of the various shows. Also, I haven’t been to all of the US shows so there are definitely other shows to consider - this handy show schedule from The Well-Appointed Desk includes US and international pen shows as well as other shows like stationery festivals.

Travel

Flights - If you’re going to a show that requires flights, keep a lookout for flight prices to see when you should book - I use an iOS app called Hopper that monitors flight prices and alerts me when I should book or if I should wait it out.
Hotels - If you’re staying at the show hotel, book sooner rather than later. Most hotels allow you to book a cancellable/refundable stay, without charging your credit card up front so it doesn’t hurt to book a hotel as soon as you know you’re going (be sure to check the fine print). Shows will often have a room block with a discounted rate (though sometimes the non-show rate is even lower, so check that too), but if the rate is sold out, don’t fret - reach out to the show organizers to see if they can add more rooms to the room block. If they can’t, you might still be able to book a room at the same hotel, or at a nearby one. If you wait too long, your choices get more limited and often, more expensive.
Parking, shuttles, etc. - Check to see if your hotel has free or paid parking, as well as airport shuttles. Paying for parking or travel to/from airports can eat into your show budget.
Refrigerators - Find out ahead of time if in-room mini-fridge are available. I know some folks need them for their food or medications, so it’s best to ask up front as hotels may charge you for one. Of course, fridges are handy for cold drinks and snacks.

Before the show

Once you’ve picked the show and got your travel plans all set, there’s some pre-show work you should do.

Do some research -
- Vendors - Every show should have a vendor list, though not all are up-to-date, or in alphabetical order, while others can be sorted by category, etc. Make a list of the vendors you absolutely want to check out first and others that are lower priority.
Show Maps - Some shows have an online map, so definitely print those out and highlight your favorite vendors’ locations so you can strategize which tables to hit up first.

*Layout for an upcoming show…I wonder which one?* 🙂

Nib grinder appointments - Some nib grinders offer online appointments weeks (or even months) in advance of a show. Be sure you’re following your favorite nib grinders on Instagram, so you know when they are releasing signups. There are some nib grinders who only do in-person sign-ups (Matt Chen is one of them), so that’s also an option if you aren’t able to snag an appointment.

*A whole row of nib grinders at the SF Pen Show.*

PS - Even if you can’t get an online appointment, try to get added to the waitlist. If there are cancellations or no-shows, you may end up getting a spot. In some cases, nib workers might also offer to take your pen(s) home with them and send them to you later.

PPS - And if the above isn’t an option, I always recommend trying out their testers (and do so sitting down), so you can figure out which of their grinds you like the best.

*Finally remembered to try Gena Salorino’s nib grinds in my own notebook.*

PPPS - your pens should be empty and clean of ink, or you should at least be willing to sacrifice the ink that’s in your pen since nib grinders use their preferred ink for dip testing because they know how the ink will perform.

PPPPS - Nothing to see here, but I made you look! 😁

Distributors

Distributors are folks who, as the name implies, distributes products to the retailers. They are the representative for a brand in a particular country/region. They often have all the models/colors of a product, as well as testers/swatches available at their tables and are a great resource for brand-specific information. They are usually at shows to support their retailers (for example, Luxury Brands of America might bring a ton of Platinum 3776s so their retailers don’t have to schlep their inventory to shows). Some distributors also sell their own products, like Kenro, which owns Esterbrook, will sell their pens at their table), and some don’t sell anything at all, like Pilot USA, who attends shows primarily to interact with the customer and show their product lines. I usually make a quick stop by their tables to see what’s new before I head to a retailer.

*Pilot USA, and some of their visiting Japanese colleagues, educating the public at the Dallas Pen Show.*

Classes - Are classes or seminars offered that pique your interest? On which days? Do you have to register/pay for those classes in advance? You may end up picking classes based on which day(s) you can attend the show, or vice versa.

Yours truly and an awesome group of students who took my handwriting improvement class at the SF Stationery Fest.

Show Tickets - Depending on how many days you can attend, you may want a single day ticket or a weekend pass, or in some cases VIP passes, which allows for early entry and swag bag. Most shows require a show ticket to take classes/seminars.

Some shows have both online and in-person ticket sales, while others are in-person only. Find out whether you need to buy tickets by a certain cutoff as there may be price increases based on date, as well as online vs at-the-door ticket prices. In addition, there may also be a limited number of weekend passes, VIP passes, or timed-entry (more common with stationery shows than pen shows). Based on how the show handles ticket sales, you may choose to buy tickets asap because they will sell out (more common with stationery fests). If I’m going as an attendee, I buy my tickets online so it’s faster when I get to the registration desk to pick up my badge. If you’re unsure of your attendance, you can often wait until you get to the show but keep in mind that there might be a (long) line for the registration desk. Most shows also do not offer refunds, and some, but not all, allow tickets to be transferable. Again, do your research, or ask the show organizers if you have any questions.

Ticket types - Every show defines them a little differently but in general, the types are as follows:
- Day Pass/Ticket - Allows you entry for the day for the general admission show hours. Almost all shows allow unlimited re-entry, but there are some time-entry shows that don’t let you get back in if you leave.
- Weekend/All Access Pass - This allows you entry for the entirety of the show weekend and often includes early hour(s) for show entry. Some shows include other perks like a Thursday pizza party (ChiPS), or a cook out (Atlanta).
- VIP Pass - The shows that do this includes a weekend pass as well as a goody bag with special show schwag.
- Trader Pass - While usually not a pass that you can buy separately, some shows will include a “Trader Pass” for Thursday if you buy a weekend or VIP pass. This usually allows folks to set up at a table to sell their items before the show officially starts. This is great for enthusiasts who aren’t vendors, but want to sell their pens/inks/whatever, but don’t have a local club to sell at, or don’t want to deal with online sales, or just want a little extra spending money for the show.
Make a list - I often have several lists for every show, here are a few:
- My to-buy list - these are the “I must buy these at the show because I need them in my life”
- Which vendors might have the stuff I’m looking for
- Stuff I’m researching, like things I want to see/touch/hold in person before deciding to add it to a future shopping list (this is especially useful for inks and papers)
- Purchases or pictures for friends who have asked me to get something for them
- List of pens to be tuned or ground - I keep a running list of pens that I want to get tuned or ground by a nib grinder.
Have a budget - Or at least some semblance of a budget. It is VERY easy to get caught up in the buying frenzy and spend more than intended. Or you start looking at limited edition Montblancs or Nakayas, and next thing you know, that $300 pen doesn’t seem so expensive any more. Having the shopping list can definitely help keep you in check.
Get cash ahead of time - For most vendors, cash is still king. While many vendors (including vintage vendors), will accept credit cards or PayPal, some may also give a small discount for cash. It will also help you stick to your budget. Don’t assume that you’ll just get more cash at the hotel ATM if you run out because that is often emptied out pretty quickly at a pen show, and they don’t always get refilled over the weekend. And double check with your bank about temporarily upping your ATM withdrawal limit, as well as letting your credit card company know ahead of time that you’ll be making some/a lot of purchases this weekend (though you may still get the occasional fraud alerts).
- Mix of small and large bills - If you’re getting cash, be sure to get a mix of small and large bills because vendors can run out of change if folks only have $20s or $100s. It also makes transactions go faster, which is especially helpful at busier shows.
- More small bills, especially for stationery shows/vendors - As more and more shows have stationery and pen-adjacent vendors whose products are priced around $2-5 per item, it’s helpful to pay them in cash instead of credit card, to avoid fees. Vendors not only have to pay a percentage fee, but also a transaction fee (like 3% + $0.10/transaction). Those fees really eat into sales, which is more noticeable when you’re making low dollar purchases. I heard this from quite a few vendors at several shows this year. Some of them told me they were considering a minimum amount for credit card transactions.
Have non-cash options available - While cash is -almost- always king, the increase in international vendors means that they might not want cash because it is an additional cost to have it converted to their currency. Vendors that don’t accept cash will usually accept credit cards, but some will also take PayPal. Some vendors also take Venmo or Zelle, but that is less common than credit cards or PayPal.
- If using PayPal with an international vendor, consider paying by credit card and changing the currency from USD to their local currency as PayPal does not have as good exchange rate as your credit card company. Of course, make sure your credit card does not have any fees for international transactions.
- Physical credit card - Most places that accept CC also accept Apple/Google Pay, but sometimes they need a physical card. It’s handy to have one as a backup just in case. Also handy to have multiple CCs just in case one gets declined or isn’t getting read by the card reader.
Dress for comfort - If you’re only going for a day, your clothing and shoe choice might not make as big of a difference but you’ll be a happier shopper if you chose comfort over fashion.
- Comfy Shoes - Some shows have thick padded carpet, and some do not. Some have concrete floors and others hardwood. Some shows take up so much square footage that I’ve gotten my daily steps just from walking to/from the vendor table to the restroom! If you’re spending multiple days at the show, consider a second pair of shoes to give your feet a break.
- Layers - It can be freezing outside and boiling inside (Philly, I’m looking at you), or boiling outside and freezing inside (STL was a good example this year), or it can be both boiling and freezing AT THE SAME SHOW! Heating and ventilation varies greatly from show to show and if you’re under a vent, you might be freezing, but move a few feet down the aisle and you’ll be super warm. I tend to wear a short sleeve shirt and have a light cardigan or wrap available if the AC kicks up. Rarely will you ever need anything thicker than a light sweater or jacket once you’re indoors; thankfully the super cold winter shows tend to have coat racks so folks don’t have to lug around their parkas.
Bring snacks and water - Every hotel has different food options which vary greatly in terms of convenience, speed, quality, cuisine, price, etc. Even if you have figured out your lunch/dinner plans, having some snacks and a bottle of water will make it easier for you to get through the day and hopefully not make any hangry purchasing decisions. Granola bars, trail mix, chips/crackers/cookies all make good snack options. Many shows have water stations so I usually refill my water bottle.
- Pro tip: Pack a small self-care kit including Advil/Tylenol, vitamins (to counteract the cooties and late nights, etc.), hand sanitizer (no cooties, pls), Miralax and Pepto Bismol if your digestive system isn’t used to travel-food.

At the Show - General Tips

Carry a small bag (not backpack) - The aisles aren’t always wide and it’s very easy to block the aisles, knock people (and things) over as well as getting bumped by people trying to get by. If you have to carry a big bag, put it on the ground in front of you when you’re standing at a table - I will stick my leg through one of the backpack or purse straps if I put my bag down so (1) the bag doesn’t get taken and (2) I don’t forget and walk away without it. If you’re staying at the hotel, take the opportunity to drop stuff off at your room throughout the day.
Don’t put things on the table, especially on top of products - This sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how often people will plop down notebooks or bags on top of trays or binders of pens. You can definitely scratch or damage pens, as well as potentially knock things over. This is also important for beverages - please be careful where you put your drink and make sure there are no paper items in the area. It would be especially bad to spill onto someone’s swatch binder or paper products, or to spill a sugary/milky coffee over brand new pens. Please ask if there’s a place you can set stuff down while you’re looking at their offerings.
Always ask before grabbing something off the table - While the answer is almost always “yes!”, asking first lets the vendor know that you’re interested in something and they can help you with questions or finding the perfect item. They can also tell you how to uncap the pen, what makes it special, or what restorations are needed, etc.
Do the twist - When in doubt, always use a twisting motion to uncap a pen. If that doesn’t work, then ask the vendor if it is a twist cap before pulling the cap. Pens can easily be ruined by a forceful pull of a cap that wasn’t meant to be pulled. For the most part, you can’t damage a snap/slip cap pen by twisting it (at worse, you unscrew the section) but you absolutely can destroy a twist pen by pulling the cap off.
- Gently uncap snap/slip caps - Easier to show in pictures than describe with words, but pulling apart caps too forcefully can result in (1) possibly damaging/misaligning your nib, (2) drawing out ink through the nib, and (3) potentially flinging ink, or worse, flinging the pen.

I see people uncapping snap/slip cap pens like this, and this can happen if you’re not careful. It probably wouldn’t happen with an easy cap like the Lamy Safari, but if it’s a tighter fit, it absolutely can happen (I’ve seen it done).

*Hold the pen with both the cap and barrel in your dominant hand (right, in my case) and cup the other hand around the hand and pen.*

You can use one or both thumbs to gently uncap the pen. I usually only need my right thumb, but having the left hand in place means the cap won’t go flying across the room if I need to use more force.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! - No question is a stupid or silly one, and most vendors are more than happy to answer your questions. Ask if there is a similar model in a different color, how to uncap it (see above), if you can dip it in ink or water (the latter can give you an approximate feel of how a nib might write), if they’d be willing to do a discount for cash, etc. If the vendor is rude or seems put off by your questions (and it’s not because they are swamped), maybe that’s a sign to try again later or move on altogether.
- Holding products - If you’re thinking about buying something but aren’t quite sure because you want to do a lap first, or possibly check other prices, you can always ask the vendor if they would hold the item for you. They may say no (especially at busier shows), but sometimes they will, especially if you’re a repeat customer. Give them a time frame when you will be back to either buy or pass on the item. The sooner they can put the product back on the table, the sooner it can get sold.
- Discounts - Some vendors will discount for cash, especially for second hand pens, or if you’re buying multiple high ticket items, but some won’t. It never hurts to ask, as long as you do it respectfully. I usually ask “what’s the best price if I buy X and Y? What if I paid cash?” and if I don’t get a price I like, I thank them for their time and move on.
If the vendor doesn’t have a great price, or if you can find it at another table or elsewhere, please be respectful and don’t say outloud “I can get this cheaper at XYZ’s table” (or worse, “I can buy this on ==insert online company here== ”). If your friend is debating a purchase and you want to steer them to another table for a better price, just nudge your friend and tell them you want to show them something and tell them once they’re away from the table.
Vendors also spend A LOT of money to be at shows. Even if they are a local vendor, they have to pay for table fees and potentially take days off from their regular jobs, etc. - all so they can be at a show FOR YOU. I’m not saying you should spend hundreds of extra dollars because of this, but if the price difference is minimal, I always recommend supporting the vendor who is in front of you, because you’re able to touch/see/hold the item in your hands. It is also a much more memorable purchase if it was a show purchase - I think of it as show souvenirs. Also, if everyone who attended shows bought those things online, vendors will eventually stop going to shows. Ok, enough of my soapbox.
Bring your favorite paper - This is useful for trying out pens/inks that catch your interest, and especially when checking out the testers at a nib grinder’s table. I like to write the name of the pen and nib or ink I’m trying, as well as the vendor in case I want to go back later. If I’m testing multiple options, like all the nibs at the Franklin-Christoph table, for example, I will write the size of the nib as well as any grinds, and will put a little arrow next to my favorites. If you forget your notebook, ask the vendor if it’s okay to take the sheet with your writing samples.

*Writing samples from the F-C table - can you tell I like Medium nibs with a grind?*

Bring your favorite pens and ink - Having your favorite pen inked up ahead of time will make it easier to try new paper to see if you like it. If you are getting nib work done, nib grinders prefer that your pen be clean/empty, but you can show the nib worker “I really like how this feels, can you make XYZ grind feel like this”? A small vial of your favorite ink means you can also ink up any new purchases, though let’s be real, who doesn’t buy a bottle of ink at a pen show?
Bring stuff you don’t love - You may be able to sell your pen/ink/notebook/whatever during after hours or possibly even trade with a vendor towards a purchase. In some cases, the show may also have a table for folks to drop off their unwanted items that aren’t worth the hassle of selling. Or you may meet a newbie or student or kid that would be the perfect recipient of your items. You may hear terms like “Share the Wealth”, “Pay It Forward” or “Destash” - they all refer to events/tables where this kind of “get rid of stuff” can happen.
Take breaks - Remember the water and snacks you brought? Yeah those! Taking a break to refuel/rehydrate is a great way to make sure you’re not making impulse purchases because you’re hangry. Plus it gives you a chance to rest your feet, take stock of what you’ve seen/bought, take another look at your lists, and figure out what you want to do next. You might even meet other enthusiasts who will show you what they bought too!
Be aware of your surroundings - This isn’t about watching for theft (though that’s also important), but about being mindful of where you are in relation to the vendors and other attendees. Is someone trying to look at something in front of you while you’re chatting with your friend about something else? Are you checking your phone in the middle of the doorway? Are you making conversation with a vendor who has other customers at the table?
Bring pets on lower traffic days (aka Sunday) - If you are bringing your pet to the show, if at all possible, bring them on lower traffic days/hours, especially if you are attending a very crowded show in DC, SFPS, and other stationery festivals. I’ve seen small dogs on leashes that were at risk of getting their paws stepped on at crowded shows and not all dogs are friendly with other dogs. Of course, this does not apply to service dogs which are always welcome with their handlers.

*Gratuitous Bungee picture with Audrey Matteson from Franklin-Christoph on Sunday afternoon of the SF Pen Show.*

Be a respectful stamper - More and more pen and stationery vendors now have stamps at their tables, which is a fun show experience. Unfortunately, stampers are also taking up a lot of space and time to stamp their journals/sticker paper, while disregarding nearby shoppers. This is obviously bad for business because shoppers are trying to look at/buy products or ask questions, but they can’t because “stampers” (who often aren’t buying) are in the way. Vendors don’t mind folks using their stamps, that’s why they bring them, but they do mind if you’re getting in the way of other people trying to shop.
- Gentle stamp boops - Stamps are fun, but for the most part, they don’t require a lot of pressure, just an even “boop” onto the paper - the vendor will tell you if their stamp is finicky and needs a firmer press. But I’ve seen folks (and/or their kids) pushing so hard on their stamps that they use their entire upper body weight. Vendor stamps have been broken as a result, which means others won’t be able to stamp their journals either. Some vendors have started bringing fewer stamps to their tables for these reasons. So yes, go ahead and stamp your journals, but be respectful of the stamps, the vendors, and the attendees around you.
- Pro tip: Sticker paper - You can buy blank sticker paper and stamp several times on sticker paper (on a flat surface) without worrying about getting a partial imprint on a bumpy journal. You can then cut out the “stamp sticker” later and place it wherever you like.

Sticker paper makes it easy to stamp something a few times (please be considerate of others and don’t go too crazy), and can be faster than figuring out what page to stamp, positioning it just so, etc.

Miscellaneous

Masking - This is not about telling people they should mask, but rather there are vendors and attendees who choose to mask, either for their own health, or for those they take care of back home. Masking does make it a little more challenging to communicate, especially in loud/crowded ballrooms, so be patient if you can’t understand them, and if you’re the one doing the masking, don’t be upset if folks ask you to repeat yourself or speak up.
Hand Sanitizer - Washing your hands often is the best way to keep germs at bay but if you can’t, hand sanitizer is very useful. CAVEAT: do not handle pens immediately after using hand sanitizer. Nor should you use hand sanitizer to clean any pens. It can damage a lot of pen materials, in some cases, even melting certain resins/acrylics. If you have used hand sanitizer, wait until your hands are completely dry before handling any pens, or ask the vendor to hold it up for you. All that is needed to clean a pen is water and maybe a drop of dish soap.

Wanna meet pen people? This is my favorite part about pen shows -- THE PEOPLE! Throughout the day (especially around lunch time and afternoon) and definitely after the show and dinner, many folks will congregate near the hotel restaurant, bar area, or lobby - it’s pretty easy to tell who the pen attendees are because they’ll often be lugging around pen/paper.

What do I bring? - Bring your favorite pens and a notebook to write in. You might also want to bring some of your pen show purchases to show off too.
Where are they? - Look for pen-wielding folks who may already be sitting down and swapping pens and what-not. Saunter on over and say “anyone sitting here?” and join the fun! If you’re shy, that’s ok too! No need to be afraid, just look for smiling folks (most of us usually are!) and you can hang around until you feel comfortable approaching someone. Something like “ooh, what is that pen?” or “that’s an amazing ink color!” is a great way to break the ice!

*Checking out pens during after hours at the CA Pen Show.*

*One of the many hang out spots in the lobby at the San Francisco Pen Show!*

Some shows are beginning to add meetups to the show schedule, which is a great way to meet like-minded folks. Other shows have added tables in the show space for folks to try ink testers or take a break from shopping and chat with other attendees.

*Ink testing station at the St. Louis Pen Show. The table on the upper left was for folks who wanted to color an Ink Pony or take a break.*

*Another set of ink testing tables at the Chicago Pen Show.*

Like smoking cigars (or at least don’t mind them)? If the weather is decent, go outside and look for folks from the Black Pen Society who are often enjoying a cigar, some scotch, and each other’s company.

Lots of drinky drinks and friendly conversations with pen friends!

Pen Etiquette - As mentioned earlier, (1) twist the cap, or better yet, ask the owner how the pen uncaps. (2) Don’t post other people’s pens (putting the cap on the back of the barrel) without checking with the owner. I personally don’t post my pens and usually only do it when posting comparison pictures. If you’re allowed to post the cap, do be gentle and not jam the cap onto the barrel. (3) If the pen isn’t writing for some reason, ask the owner before messing with the nib or disassembling it to prime the feed, etc. It’s usually something simple like the pen being out of ink (or not inked at all) or it could be something more fiddly that they should deal with.
- Pro tip: If you’re writing with people’s pens, I usually write down the name/model/color/nib of the pen, the ink (if known), and the name (and IG handle if they have one) of the person whose pen it is. That way, I can reconnect with them in the future if I need to. Also make a quick note about the writing experience - is the pen heavy, light, slim, smooth nib, interesting grind, etc.
Ask questions! - This time, I’m not talking about asking pen/ink questions, but people questions. “Who should I talk to if I’m interested in trying out a Visconti?” “Who’s a good person for ink suggestions?” “Who are your favorite pen YouTubers?” You’ll come away with at least a good recommendation, maybe a new person to follow on Instagram, and often, someone will say “oh, you should talk to that person over there with the blue shirt, lemme introduce you”.
Look for fellow Pen Addicts! - Yes, that’s right, look for folks who might be sporting a Pen Addict t-shirt, patch, or even this button!

Pen and stationery people are the best and we love talking about our favorite pens, inks, stickers, and more. It’s worth pushing out of your comfort zone to meet other enthusiasts!

You might get lucky and meet The President … of Fahrney’s Pens, Drew Brown!

*If you’re really lucky, you might even get to meet this guy! (PC:Bossman)*

I’m sure I’ll remember more things to add as soon as I tell the Bossman I’m done writing this article, but I hope some of these tips will help you make the most of your pen show or stationery fest experience. Have fun and hope to see you at an event soon! My next event will be the SF Pen Show - I can’t wait!

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(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)

Esterbrook is officially the source of all desk accessories I didn't know I wanted until I saw them. The latest to hit my collection is the Brass Nib Bookmark. I've had pen nib inspired page markers before, but this one is huge and substantial, which is cool, but has a downside. It definitely says THIS PAGE in a way that broadcasts my love for fountain pens, but it's not going to work great for every book.

The brass nib bookmark is made from a thin sheet of brass that has been precision-cut to shape. The thinness of the brass gives it flexibility so that it can slide over a page or journal cover like a paperclip. As a decorative object, it's fantastic. It looks cool and adds a stationery sophisticated air to any writing kit. It is not, however, the most practical tool. You know I'm all for ditching practicality for aesthetics when I feel like it, but I am rather protective of my books.

The issue with the bookmark is that brass is heavy. And even when cut quite thin, this is still somewhat thick for a bookmark. When it slides over the page, it weighs the paper down and wrinkles it a bit. And wedging the layers of the bookmark open causes it to gape a little so that it doesn't lie completely flat. On thin paper, I'd worry it might tear a page. So it doesn't work as well as I'd like for its intended purpose. Definitely don't use it in your library books!

But, far be it from me to abandon a cute desk accessory. What I have found is that, because it slides over a page like a paperclip, it makes a decent paperclip. When clipped to a cardstock cover of a notebook, it doesn't have the same tearing potential as it does with a thin sheet of paper. Then it becomes a place to tuck away small notes--and we all know how I accumulate those. I know I'm not alone. It can't hold a lot, though, before it starts to gape like alligator jaws.

I do think this might work better with more sturdy paper, like in sketchbooks. It's also nice just as a display piece. I have still been using it, jut not as it was intended, and I think that's fine. It sells for about $17, which is not a bad price for a nice-looking brass desk accessory. It's on the steep side for a bookmark, I suppose, but even the regular cardstock ones at the bookstore can sell for $7 or $8 these days, which makes this a reasonably priced upgrade, if not the most functional one. Sometimes my notebook just needs to look good, because a good-looking notebook makes me want to write more.

(This product was purchased from Goldspot at a discounted price.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!