William Henry Studio draws praise like Thomas Keller collects Michelin stars. Sometimes you just can't believe the depth or regularity of their success.

The latest case-in-point: WHS's woolly mammoth tooth-barreled writing instruments are the cover story in the August issue of Pen World magazine. Ahem...woolly mammoth tooth? Yup, these guys source genuine, fossilized incisors from the long-extinct giant and use said material in some of the world's most exquisite pens.

Monsieur Keller may have the superior palate, but the fine tooth award goes to the folks from McMinnville, Oregon.

In case you've been living under a rock for the past few months, there was a low key affair in April called the Royal Wedding. Much as we appreciated the spectacle as one of the dwindling occasions to see morning dress actually worn, what also drew us were some of the gifts gifted to the newly minted Duke and Duchess.

A case in point: the S.T. Dupont travel trunks that were the nuptial offering of the French government. As the (unfortunately named) site Born Rich writes in this story, these custom pieces also included a variety of other accessories, including a Ligne 2 lighter and writing instruments made from Dupont's signature black Chinese lacquer.

While us the salt of the earth remain barred from getting our hands on our own version of those special trunks — the locks of which are engraved with the seal of the French government — the smaller accessories are within reach. You are hereby encouraged to peruse the S.T. Dupont collection by clicking here.

We thought this Forbes story was a great idea. In an era of mass production (and the ensuing decline in quality), it's refreshing to find makers who stand behind their goods.

Forbes begins the article by mentioning Davek umbrellas, which are some of our most popular products. As the magazine writes:

"How many times have you tossed an umbrella after it's been ravaged by a windstorm? Probably too many times to count. Imagine if you never had to buy another umbrella again--that's what Davek umbrella promises under its lifetime warranty..."

Check out the full line of Davek umbrellas here.

Awards season comes later for pens than it does for movies, but the announcements may still be of interest —especially when a producer like Visconti cleans up like they did this year. The Italian maker earned 4 awards from Pen World magazine:

• Pen of the Year (Golden Man)
• Most Incredible Value (Eco Roller)
• Best Writing Pen (Homo Sapiens)
• Most Creative Use of Materials (Carbon Dream).
  

But wait, there's more. Visconti's Golden Man earned its name by also nabbing the Best of the Best 2011 label from Robb Report.

Not since the time of Dante has Italian writing looked this good.

William Henry Studio collects awards like FC Barcelona collects titles. Given the talent, you'd expect it — but the consistently remarkable (or remarkably consistent?) results are a thing to behold.

Their latest achievement is two-fold: earning Pen World magazine's Reader's Choice Award for "most innovative use of materials," and making the August cover of that same publication.

See for yourself what all the fuss is about by looking here.

For an inside look at the cutthroat world of start-ups (and reality TV), check out this story about Jonathan Boos, the founder and CEO of Würkin Stiffs.

As many of you know, Boos makes one of our most addictive products: magnetic collar stays that both stiffen your collar and let you adjust its spread. In the article linked to above, he describes his experience on the reality show 'Shark Tank,' where one group of entrepreneurs ask another, more famous group of entrepreneurs for investment capital.

So why the title about a good excuse? Jonathan's missed our grand opening party -- even though On The Fly was his first retail account -- so he could go ask a bunch of sharks for money.

It may not lower your handicap, but the Davek Golf Umbrella will certainly keep the rain at bay during those stormy Spring rounds.

As reported by Details magazine in this piece, MIT — arguably the world's finest technical school — tested the Davek and fount that it "withstood gale-force winds of 60 mph."

 So rest assured that next time your on the links during inclement weather, your drive may be blown onto the neighboring fairway but you'll stay dry.

The Los Angeles Times recently featured Davek NY's Traveler umbrella in (where else?) its Travel section. According to the West Coast's leading paper, the Davek is

"tougher than most mini-umbrellas and loaded with useful features."

Consider one for wherever your travels may take you.

Men's Journal picks out 6 "Bags That Mean Business", and the Davek Messenger was one of them. In thinking about who it's best suited for, they conclude: Boy Scouts who earned their MBA (which makes sense since it has a dedicated pocket for a Davek umbrella). 

In other news, the word on the street is that Davek may be introducing a cane umbrella later this Spring. We can hardly wait! 

One of our favorite magazines, Monocle, featured El Casco desk accessories in their Design/Architecture Briefing section. Calling them "the finest staplers in the world," the article went on to describe the company's history. Founded in 1920, the company originally manufactured revolvers. The Great Depression caused their owners to "diversify" their product line, and since many of the machines they owned and techniques they developed could be leveraged to make desk accessories. And they're still going strong 90 years later. 

Wearing Trafalgar's conversational Limited Edition Braces is, without question, a most discreet and elegant manner of expressing one’s dash, style, and sense of humor. Many of these hand-loomed silk braces have already established themselves as collectible and wearable works of art. In fact, there have been numerous gentlemen willing to purchase braces from early sold-out editions for several times their original worth.

Some notable and celebrated individuals wore the originals, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Benjamin Disraeli, and Oscar Wilde. Recent limited editions of these braces are enjoyed by a diverse and worldly group of aficionados - from royalty to rockstars, Supreme Court justices, film directors, sports heroes, diplomats, novelists, and adventurers. Pick a pair that suits your fancy. Wear them with your casual, business, or evening attire and enjoy the wonderful new dimension they bring to your life. But beware! If not already a devotee, you may soon find yourself collecting these timeless braces.

The intricate designs seen in these pages a rewoven using only the finest denier silk yarns. Yarns that are so very delicate, they could not be used on today’s high speed looms. In the early 1970’s, Marley Hodgson, the founder of Traalgar, discovered eight disassembled 200 year-old wooden looms in an abandoned European carriage house. Originally built like fine pianos, Hodgson had each loom re-built and refurbished over a two-year period. Today, one of Europe’s finest weavers is producing these brace fabrics in limited editions, in part, because even the most skilled crafts men can only weave five yards of narrow silk fabric a day.

The artistic and sometimes whimsical designs of the Limited Edition braces come from a variety of sources. Many have been generously loaned for reproduction by collectors, some of whom were members of the original “International Society of Brace Collectors”. Over twenty-five are faithful reproductions of pre-WWII New York City haberdasher, Calvin Curtis - who designed eccentric, often humorous braces for influential men of the period. He created America Hurrah for Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the early 1940’s.

One of the perks of paying artisans for the privilege of selling their products is that some of them will send thank you gifts this time of year. I don't expect it (which makes for the best gifts), but it's nice to see what different vendors come up with. I can safely say that Robin Rotenier's gift this year blew me away. 

Robin did not design the Fly & Swatter Cufflinks for us, but of course I have an affinity for that pair as I love to kill innocent insects. Oh, and it might have something to do with On The Fly. But the pair I received as a gift were in a brand new alloy that we have never seen before, which sounds like might be a standard option on Robin Rotenier cufflinks next year: Black Rhodium.

I don't know how he's doing it. I don't know if it will cost more. I don't know when the option will be available on our website. But I will try to post a good photo of the actual Black Rhodium pair I'm wearing to a party tonight. 

In a matter of days, we will have photography for Martin Dingman's new Lexington Collection made of very smooth equestrian bridle leather in three colors: Chocolate, Palamino (a very, very light tan), and Persimmon (a soft orange). Unfortunately, that means the end of the Ambrose line of soft, tumbled leather in Antique Tan and Black. All Ambrose small leather goods are marked down 25% off while stock is available.

In addition, the "Henry" line of matte Alligator products is being phased out. All Martin Dingman matte alligator products are marked down 25% while supplies last. 

You can find all of their wallets here.

There are a number of new Limited Edition braces that will be added to the site shortly (Cigars, Golf, Poker, and Sailing), some that are already live (Cocktails Anyone and Bull Market [poorly timed, we know]). 

There are also a number of braces that have been re-issued, including Muy Caliente, Scales of Justice, and Tranquillite D'Esprit. 

And lastly, there are a few that are being cleared out, and are on sale for the low, low price of $85. These braces are moving quick, and we only have 1 of each, but those still available include Third & Long, Silky Slim's Jazz Band, Grand Prix, Checkmate, and The Open. You can see any clearance-sale braces left here.

While we focus exclusively on the men's market, Davek umbrellas have been such a tremendous seller for us that we will always be committed to carrying their entire line. As such, it's worth noting that the Traveler -- the most compact umbrella made my Davek -- is now available in 4 new colors: Fuchsia Pink, Sunflower Yellow, Royal Blue, and Kiwi Green.

Then again, we're firm believers that real men wear pink!