The Erasable Podcast

The Erasable Podcast turns 12! As of March 12, we’ve officially been doing this podcast for 12 years. 279 hours of audio — that’s more than 11.5 straight days of Erasable! Tim is out today, but Johnny grills Andy about his trip to Hong Kong and Japan, including some of the cool pencils he found at a stationery shop in Kyoto that’s been in business since the 1600s. Have a listen!For this episode, we recorded video, available to Patreon subscribers! If you’re a patron, head over to see our faces and visual examples of many of the things we discuss. And if you’re not a patron, join us at any level and you can see this and other supplemental content at any time!Show Notes & LinksErasable PatreonErasable Podcast Discord inviteGestalt App — join the beta!Pencil & Paper’s custom Field NotesJ Herbin Vert Pre inkIroshizuku chiku-rin inkKyukyodoYour HostsJohnny  GamberPencil Revolution@pencilutionAndy WelfleWoodclinched@awelfleTim Wasem@TimWasem

Ian Schon, Philadelphia craftsman and founder of Schon DSGN who makes handmade fountain pens and titanium nibs. He talks about building a maker business, moving from ballpoints to fountain pens, machining and anodizing challenges, inventing the Monarch titanium nib, feed engineering trouble spots, and playful side projects like dip nibs and tiny tools.

The hosts dive into a thrilling review of Blackwing's new pencil and Field Notes' historical-inspired memo edition. They explore the construction of square pencils, highlighting unique jointing techniques. Expect a playful discussion about nostalgic gaming and practical stationery tips, including a handy keychain mini-pencil. Recommendations for limited-edition pens and a reusable Kodak film camera add a creative twist. Finally, they share gift ideas to ensure your holiday shopping is on point and timely.

Happy October! This very autumnal episode is a short one — just some fresh points and tools of the trade. Johnny’s playing too much Mario Kart World, Andy regales us with his trip to New York City, and Tim is designing a thuper thecret  notebook. Plus: we talk about some new Field Notes and feel very old because of the new Blackwing Eras.

We’ve got a special episode today. Tyler McCall, co-owner of Chicago stationery shop Pencil & Paper, joins us to talk about the havoc caused by the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies. These policies aren’t just hurting small businesses like Tyler’s — they’re also driving up costs and creating disruptions for everyday consumers in ways you might not expect. This conversation is for anyone who cares about supporting local shops, stationery or otherwise. And if you’re in Chicago, be sure to stop by Tyler’s store in Andersonville.

Celebrate creativity and community with a lively conversation about summer stories and nostalgic school supplies! The hosts share anecdotes from their personal lives, including a quirky mishap and reflections on raising kids. They dive into the world of innovative pen designs, including a stylish Monarch nib, and gear up for an exciting pen show. Join them in tasting a unique pencil-inspired chocolate and discussing a special collaboration with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It’s all about the joys of writing, art, and supporting one another!

Allison King, a novelist and software engineer, shares insights from her book 'The Phoenix Pencil Company,' which navigates themes of data privacy, family history, and LGBT love. The discussion highlights a fictional family's unique connection to pencils, merging nostalgia with the darker implications of surveillance. They explore identity through generational narratives and the role of technology in storytelling. King also delves into the art of pencil manufacturing and the balance between digital and analog identities, blending creativity and craftsmanship.

After a month full of travel from our intrepid hosts, involving everything from counterfeit theatre tickets to marriage proposals to a literal train wreck, we’re back to regale each other with stories from our travels, and, of course, the stationery we picked up along the way. Plus, we announce a future book club episode with The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King.For this episode, we recorded video, available to Patreon subscribers! If you’re a patron, head over to see our faces and visual examples of many of the things we discuss. And if you’re not a patron, join us at any level and you can see this and other supplemental content at any time!Show notes and linksErasable PatreonErasable Podcast Discord invitePhoenix Pencil Company by Allison KingUntitled Goose Game bookAnimal Crossing bookParis France by Gertrude SteinAndor Season 2The Bureaucratic Banality of Andor | RonBronson.designMy Friends by Fredrik BackmanEveryman’s Library Pocket Poets SeriesCharley CrockettSomebody Feed PhilIs a River Alive?Remix Album from The CureJohnny’s Pride journalsNahvalur Verdigris Muse fountain penErasable logo hatsErasable Eraser Friend lapel pinYour HostsJohnny  GamberPencil RevolutionAndy Welfleandy.wtfTim Wasem

The summer limited editions are out early this year! Join us for the scoop on two releases from Blackwing, some very watery Field Notes, and finally — you can buy our newest Erasable merch!For this episode, we recorded video, available to Patreon subscribers! If you’re a patron, head over to see our faces and visual examples of many of the things we discuss. And if you’re not a patron, join us at any level and you can see this and other supplemental content at any time!Show notes and linksErasable PatreonErasable Eraser Friend pinErasable logo corduroy hatOrbitalAndor Season 2Doctor Who Series 14Levenger True Writer in Sapphire MosaicDiamine Sapphire BlueField Notes Summer ToteField Notes Is a River Alive?Is a River Alive? By Robert MacFarlaneNew Field Notes box artThe artist and his pencil sharpener collectionBlackwing Labs 05.13.26 pencilsBlackwing Labs 05.13.26 notebookBlackwing Volume 140Andy Johnny/Pencil RevolutionYour HostsJohnny  GamberPencil RevolutionAndy Welfleandy.wtfTim Wasem