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On The Paper Trail...: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Joe and Lisa
Join Joe Crace and Lisa Vanness each episode as they dive into the world of pens, inks, paper, and everything that makes analog a more thoughtful, meaningful experience. Between Joe’s decade-plus of experience running The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa’s history navigating the retail pen and ink industry “behind the counter” at Vanness Pens, the series blends personal reflection with practical insight into the daily realities of the stationery industry. Expect honest, approachable conversations on topics ranging from journaling to collecting to personal stories from stationery travel!
Latest Episodes
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- Yesterday46 min
Episode 13: Permanent Inks for Our First Ink Episode!
Our first fountain pen ink episode, where we discuss permanent inks! In this episode you'll learn about document inks, pigment inks, and iron gall inks, including relative waterproofness and lightfastness, pen care, and more. Fountain pen ink is a huge topic, so expect more ink-related episodes as we break things down into manageable chunks. While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information.Podcast Video StreamShow Notes and LinksSunderland MK1: Roterfaden TGS_25Lochby Mini Pocket JournalJoe's 10 Fountain Pen PostCustom Nib StudioPilot Grance Fountain PenKaweco Pearlescent Green PerkeoGalen Leather A4 FolioDocument InksKakimori Pigmented InksDiamine Forever InksPlatinum Pigment InksPlatinum Iron Gall InksKWZ Iron Gall InkDiamine Registrar's Ink (Iron Gall)Results of Our Water Test
- 2 weeks ago40 min
Episode 12: Our Favorite Papers!
With a podcast called "On The Paper Trail," it was only a matter of time before we talked about our favorite papers and how we use them! In this episode, we discuss paper rulings, spacing, texture, bindings, and other factors that affect how we select which paper we use every day. This week's customer questions address understandably confusing paper-related topics such as the meaning of a "lie flat" notebook and the differences between international paper sizes and the less exact sizing standards used by U.S. manufacturers over the years. While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information. Podcast Video StreamShow Notes and LinksPilot Kakuno (Lisa's Pen)Pilot Iroshizuku Ku Jaku (Lisa's Ink)TWSBI ECO Rootbeer Fountain Pen (Joe's Pen)Pilot Custom Heritage 92 (Joe's Pen)Joe's Japan Ink Recap Post (For Photos of the Inks Being Discussed)Kobe Nagasawa Inks Kakimori A5 NotebooksKakimori PensKakimori Inkstand InksMidori MD Cotton PaperNakabayashi Logical Prime PaperMaruman BasicsMaruman Mnemosyne Hardcover Hierarchies of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper (T.G.S. Paper Resource)On the Paper Trail Live in Nashville Event Page
- 4 weeks ago42 min
Episode 11: Why Is My Fine Nib Not Actually a Fine?
Have you ever written with two fountain pens of the same model and same nib size, only to notice subtle (or maybe not-so-subtle) differences in line width? As retailers, we get questions about this topic all the time, and have experienced this ourselves in our own personal collections, so we wanted to talk about why this happens and what you can do to help ensure you get the nib closest to your desired line width. We also talk a bit about upcoming pen shows and events, including the DC, San Francisco, and Dallas Pen Shows, as well as our own On The Paper Trail Live Event in Nashville! Show Notes and Links Pilot Custom 823 (Joe's Pen) Pilot 4+1 Wood Multi Pen (Joe's Pen)Nagasawa Odyssey Starseeker (Lisa's Pen)Savannah James Stickers (Lisa's Stickers)TGS Roterfaden RestockOnionBrand Notebooks TWSBI ECO Rootbeer Fountain PensCoffee StickersOpus 88 Cloud Dancer Fountain PenDC Pen ShowSF Pen ShowDallas Pen ShowOn The Paper Trail Live in Nashville
- Jun 16, 202657 min
Episode 10: We're Back from a Stationery Trip To Japan!
Joe and Lisa are back from their recent stationery trip to Japan, and ready to discuss all of the things they discovered while they were there! Join us as we recap two weeks in Tokyo, Hamamatsu, Osaka, and more, including visits to stores like Itoya, Kakimori, TRAVELER'S Factory, Nagasawa, Loft, Hands, Kingdom Note, Toyooka Craft, and other favorites. Are we going back? You bet. Show Notes and LinksOpus 88 Sapphire Demonstrator (Lisa’s Pen)Pilot Kakuno (Lisa’s Pen)Pilot Custom Heritage 92 (Joe’s Pen)Pilot Custom 845 Urushi (Joe’s Pen)New Arrivals From Galen LeatherTom’s Studio Ori HighlightersToyo Steel BoxesAnterique PensKakimori Make Your Own NotebookKakimori Make Your Own InkToyooka CraftJoe’s Japan Trip Blog Recap (Visits to Itoya, Ancora, TRAVELER'S Factory)Joe’s Japan Trip Blog Recap (Kakimori Notebook and Ink Bar)Joe’s Japan Trip Blog Recap (Ink Shopping in Tokyo)Joe’s Five Favorite Things He Brought Home from JapanGet caught up on previous episodes, and also 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.
- May 13, 202634 min
Episode 9: Fountain Pen Nib Sizes, Explained
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).
- Apr 29, 202637 min
Episode 8: 2026 Planners and Notebooks Quarterly Review
This week we check in with our 2026 planners and notebooks to see whether they're still working for us now that we're 1/4 of the way through the year. (Wait, how did that happen?) We talk about what's working with our current planners and notebook systems, what may not be working, and what, if anything, we need to change about our current stationery setup. We also discuss upcoming stationery-themed travel, and we might have more details on our On The Paper Trail: Live in Nashville Event that will take place in Nashville October 16-18!Show Notes and LinksMark's Inc. "Days" Ballpoint (via Vanness Pens). Diamine Spring Green (via Vanness Pens). Pilot Grancé (via Vanness Pens). Pilot Custom 912 with PO Nib (via TGS Curated Shop). Pilot Prera (via TGS Curated Shop). Bungubox Dandyism Ink (via Vanness Pens). On The Paper Trail Episode 1. Wonderland222 Back to Tomoe River Announcement. Ask TGS: Flying with Fountain Pens. Lisa's Shipping Update Video.
- Apr 15, 202640 min
Episode 7: Underappreciated Stationery Gems
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). <a href="https://www.gentlemanstationer.com/curated-
- Apr 1, 202653 min
Episode 6: Live at San Francisco Stationery Fest!
What's the difference between a "Stationery Fest" and a traditional pen show? Tune in this week and find out, because we had the opportunity to record Episode 6 of On The Paper Trail in front of a live audience at the inaugural San Francisco Stationery Fest! Topics include our impressions of the show, how we got into stationery in the first place, plus a Q&A with audience members in which they picked our brains about pens, inks, paper, and more. Note that in the video we were in the room with audience members and interacting with people off camera, so we have had to adjust the audio and repeat questions at times.Show Notes and LinksSan Francisco Stationery FestArkansas Pen Show Bonecrusher Studios Pens by PasqualeNagasawa at Vanness Wearingeul Testing Cards Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Olive Octopus Ink
About On The Paper Trail...
Join Joe Crace and Lisa Vanness each episode as they dive into the world of pens, inks, paper, and everything that makes analog a more thoughtful, meaningful experience. Between Joe’s decade-plus of experience running The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa’s history navigating the retail pen and ink industry “behind the counter” at Vanness Pens, the series blends personal reflection with practical insight into the daily realities of the stationery industry. Expect honest, approachable conversations on topics ranging from journaling to collecting to personal stories from stationery travel!
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