How to Prepare to Get Fountain Pen Nibs Tuned and/or Ground

I felt that this topic is particularly timely, given that (1) many readers might be attending the Philadelphia Pen Show this weekend, and (2) others might be attending our own in-store event with Matthew Chen and Vanness Pens next weekend (January 23-24 during normal store hours). The prospect of getting a nib tuned or ground can be daunting for many reasons - and you do have to be careful because making changes to a nib can be irreversible - but it doesn’t have to be scary. Here are a few things to think about before committing to a nib modification:

You Don’t Have to Grind or Modify Any Pen If You’re Happy with How It Writes.

There can be a FOMO aspect to nibwork, where it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need certain nib grinds in your collection, or that you’re not a serious fountain pen user unless all of your pens have been custom ground. That’s not true - the majority of my own pens are standard medium nibs and a medium is my default nib size for everyday writing. If you have a favorite pen and it writes perfectly for you, leave it alone unless you are absolutely certain what you want to do with it because most nib modifications are irreversible (at least without expensive re-tipping).

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Please see Matthew’s website for his current offerings, as this was a pen show setup and it is offered here only to provide a general idea of the different types of grinds available and a ballpark range of what they cost.

It’s Not “Illogical” to Pay to Tune a Favorite Pen If It MAKes Your Pen Write Perfectly for You, Even if The Pen Itself Is Inexpensive

I can’t tell you how many people have come to me and said that they wish “X” pen wrote better because they absolutely love it and/or it has sentimental value, but they don’t want to pay to have it tuned because it only cost $30/$50/$75. I’ve paid to grind or tune many inexpensive pens, simply because I really liked the pen and wanted it to write perfectly for me. If a tune or grind means that I’ll use the pen for years and it becomes a regular part of the rotation, then the $25-30 charge means very little in the long run.

In response to the inevitable comments that “a pen should write perfectly out of the box and there should be no need for nib tuning”: Just because a pen needs tuning does not mean that it’s a “bad” pen. Sure, some pens have bad tipping or are defective, and if that is the case you should contact your authorized retailer and send the pen back and get a replacement. That said, writing style is a major factor in how a pen performs. People hold pens at different angles and apply different amounts of pressure, meaning that a nib can feel perfectly smooth for one person but scratchy or toothy for another. People also have different ink flow preferences. For example, some people prefer drier nibs, and others prefer a wetter line. Tuning can better align the pen with your handwriting style.

Start Simple - Don’t Pay for Expensive, Complex Grinds That You Have Never Tried Before You Have Enough Experience with Specialty Nibs

Nib customization can be expensive, with architects and kodachi grinds running upwards of $60-80. They are complicated, difficult to do well, and take time. They’re also not for everybody because they offer a completely different sort of writing experience than what most people are used to here in the United States. If you’ve only ever written with a standard round nib, try to test out different grinds, including less complex stubs and italics that may not be super fancy or trendy but may give you the line variation you are looking for. Most nib grinders have a “tester set” that they bring to shows and clinics to allow you to write with and test the different nib styles before committing.

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Matthew brings a set of tester pens to all of his shows/workshops.

If You Are Testing Out Different Grinds, Consider Purchasing inexpensive tester Pens (or Nib Units) Specifically for That Purpose Rather than Modifying Favorite Pens

Early on in my “career” as a stationery enthusiast, and later as a pen reviewer, I took advantage of the interchangeability of TWSBI 580, JoWo, and even Pilot Vanishing Point nib units to test different grinds and styles. The ability to swap nib units in and out of a pen significantly reduces any “risk” inherent in grinding the nib, since spare nib units typically cost less than a full pen, and if you don’t like the result, you can change back to a standard nib or something that you like better. Best of all, if you find a style of pen that you like with interchangeable nib units, you eventually will collect a range of different nibs to use, assuming you like the variety! TWSBI ECOs also make excellent pens for testing nib grinds, given the relatively inexpensive price point and the fact that the broad nibs have a decent amount of tipping to work with.

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Matthew hard at work.

Choose an Experienced Nib Grinder, Especially for Favorite Pens

Due to the growing popularity of fountain pens, an increasing number of nib grinders are showing up at pen shows and offering their services over the internet. Please do your research before sending a prized pen off for a nib grind. There are many competent nib grinders out there, but especially early on, I ruined a few pens by sending them to people who didn’t know what they were doing. (I’m not going to share any names - none of them are still working.) Trusted technicians like Matthew Chen and Mark Bacas have years of experience themselves, and have trained under people with even longer (decades-long) track records.

You may notice an overarching theme here, and it comes from personal experience: proceed with caution if you have a pen that’s a personal favorite or that has sentimental value, unless you are very sure that you want to modify the pen. Of course, if the pen needs tuning or a repair because it’s been dropped or isn’t working properly, that’s a different matter entirely, but don’t ask someone to grind your favorite fountain pen from a medium to a Kodachi before you know whether you like that grind.

For Further Reading

I’ve written a lot on nib customization over the years, including an introduction to nib customization and many different posts reviewing specific grinds from different technicians. You can also watch this video from the 2025 Arkansas Pen Show where I filmed Matthew grinding a kodachi nib, which can give you an idea of what the process looks like.

Our upcoming nib event with Matthew Chen and Vanness Pens will take place on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24 during normal store hours. While Matthew will take walk-ins and is normally very good about working in as many people as possible, if you would like to guarantee a specific time slot we offer the option of a reservation. Limit one reservation per person.

Welcome to 2026: Stationery Resolution(s) and Plans for the Upcoming Year!

We kicked off 2026 with a New Year’s Day livestream in the new On the Paper Trail YouTube Channel! Lisa Vanness and I will be launching our podcast as well as periodic video content through that channel, though I will also link to this new collaboration project here wherever possible. In this most recent video, we discuss our goals for 2026, including a common intention to use more of what we already have from our rather extensive personal ink and paper collections, and discuss our joint goals of doing more in-person events and continuing to grow the stationery community.

Mark Your Calendars for a January Joint T.G.S./Vanness Pens Event with Matthew Chen in Nashville!

Save the date for Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24, when Lisa Vanness and Matthew Chen of Matthew’s Nibworks will be joining us for an in-store event. Matthew will be tuning and grinding fountain pen nibs all day Friday and Saturday, and Lisa will be bringing her shop exclusive pens and inks, special editions, Galen Leather, and more. Stay tuned for additional details, including possible after-hours gatherings with the Middle Tennessee Fountain Pen Club and a possible On the Paper Trail Special event.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can always come talk pens in person at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee, open from 1-6pm Thursdays and Fridays and from 10am-6pm Saturdays.

Fountain Pen Day Prep, Part I: How to Get Started with Fountain Pens

This coming Friday (November 7) is Fountain Pen Day, which started in 2012 as day to “embrace, promote, and share the use of fountain pens” worldwide! This year I’m more excited about Fountain Pen Day than usual, mainly because the celebration coincides with our one-year anniversary as a brick-and-mortar store, and we just finished expanding to a new showroom/retail space and will hopefully have our back space somewhat cleaned up for “Fountain Pens 101” style demonstrations next weekend. If you’re in the Nashville area, we would love to host you Thursday-Saturday to celebrate Fountain Pen Day weekend!

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Where Do I Start with Fountain Pens? What if I Know Absolutely Nothing?

One thing I love about maintaining this website, attending pen shows, and running a physical shop is that it gives me a platform to demystify fountain pens and stationery in general. Many people think that in order to be a fountain pen enthusiast, you need to embrace overly complex filling systems, use only bottled ink, and spend a lot of money. All of those things can be true - and fun - but in truth all you really need is a love for the physical act of writing and a pen that’s good enough to meet your needs, whether that’s a $4 cartridge pen or a $1500 work of art. Here are five things I generally tell people when they ask me how to get started.

1. Figure Out Why You Want to Write with a Fountain Pen. Do you want to improve your handwriting? Learn calligraphy? Use different inks? Or do you want a more expressive, comfortable way to journal? All of these questions will impact what type of pen you’re looking for, and even determine whether a fountain pen is the right fit for your needs.

2. Try a Fountain Pen in Person (if You Can). I spent way too much money early on because I didn’t have access to a physical pen shop in my town (Nashville, Tennessee), and I started during a time when pen shows were still heavily vintage-focused. I had to order pens blind off the internet and learn by trial and error, and this experience is really what prompted me to open The Gentleman Stationer as a retail store in Nashville. In the past two days alone, I’ve been able to put fountain pens in the hands of multiple people who had wanted to try them but never had the opportunity, and 2/3 of those customers ended up choosing a pen different from the one they had almost ordered off the internet sight unseen. If you don’t have access to a pen store, pen clubs and traveling to regional pen shows can be excellent opportunities to try things out in person.

3. Spend $50 or Less. Don’t over-invest in something you are trying for the first time. For $50, you can easily get a pen, ink, and some decent paper, which will allow you to get set up and start learning your preferences. I maintain a “Best Pens” guide which has recommendations across a wide range of price points, including beginner fountain pens. We also regularly update our “Hierarchies of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper” post, which walks through different paper brands and how they handle fountain pen ink. Don’t spend too much money up front, because regardless of how much testing/research you do, you’ll learn at least a few things by trial and error.

4. Enjoy the Actual Act of Writing. Enjoy using your pens however you want/need to use them, and write with them as much as you can. As you gain more experience, you learn your preferences, and this will guide future purchases. If I had one piece of advice to new users, it would be to tune out forums and influencers that try to tell you what you “should” like, and focus more on what you personally use everyday.

5. It’s Ok If You Decide that Fountain Pens Aren’t for You. Everyone has different needs for their everyday writing, and there are many circumstances where a fountain pen isn’t the best choice. Even I write much less with my fountain pens these days than I used to. This isn’t because I like them any less - rather, it’s because I’ve grown to appreciate other writing instruments like pencils, rollerballs, fineliners, multi pens, and yes, even ballpoints. (There are some exceptionally good ballpoints out there, especially the Japanese low-viscosity types.) While fountain pens get the most eyeballs on social media, I tend to view Fountain Pen Day as a celebration of handwriting and analog tools in general. We appreciate them all!

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The Pilot Kakuno is an excellent option for those just learning about Fountain Pens. Shown here is the new Madoromi (“Drowsy”) series, which features five new muted pastel colors.

Stay tuned for more announcements regarding Fountain Pen Day events later this week! As I mentioned, we will be open Thursday through Saturday, and on Friday and Saturday we will likely open up the event space for people to gather and test pens, inks, and paper. If you’re curious about fountain pens, it’s a great opportunity to get all your questions answered.

Note that our physical shop has moved. We are now located in Suite 107 on the front of the building, which should make it easier for everyone to find. Our hours are 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm on Saturdays. Be sure and check the main shop page for up-to-date hours and information on events.

New Arrivals: Hightide / Penco Restock, Plus Don't Miss a Special In-Store Event This Week!

At long last, we’ve received a major restock of Hightide and Penco products, including all sizes of the Hightide Hourglasses in 30, 15, 5, and 3-minute intervals! One of my personal favorite desk accessories, my main use is for timing writing/work intervals but you can use them anytime you don’t want the jarring buzz of an electronic timer or a phone on your desk distracting you when you’re trying to concentrate on something that requires true focus. We also have additional stock of the Penco Perfection pocket pens and the Perfection Light, as well as additional Penco Pocket Drafting Pens, Pocket Drafting Pencils, and new Multi-Pens!

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These slim D1 Multipens are portable and functional, containing two ballpoint pen options and a .5mm mechanical pencil.

Don’t Miss Our Special In-Store Event This Coming Weekend in Nashville!

If you’re in the area, we will be having an in-store event on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th, with pen maker Shawn Newton and Lisa Vanness of Vanness Pens, who will be in-store with many different items we don’t regularly stock! Be sure to stop by if you are in the area as this will be sure to be a fun weekend. We’ll also have some in-store specials such as stamps and stickers so bring your notebooks. If everything goes to plan we will also open up the new TGS retail space, which will be on the front of the building in Suite 107.

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Many thanks to Lisa at Olive Octopus for the graphic!

State of The Gentleman Stationer: One Year As a (Brick-and-Mortar) Shop Owner, Plus Upcoming Events!

The other day a customer asked how long we had been open, and it hit me that a YEAR had passed since the physical T.G.S. Shop opened its doors on Kenilwood Drive in Nashville. So how has it gone? Despite an “eventful” 12 months, I have zero regrets about making the decision to start a brick-and-mortar shop and grow The Gentleman Stationer further. It’s not only helped me to fulfill a lifelong goal of operating and running my own business, but has given me the opportunity to create a space in my hometown that I’ve always wanted to exist: a local shop exclusively focused on high-end stationery for actual writing. I figured today I should take a bit to reflect on all I’ve learned over the past year, and also share some exciting new developments and news on upcoming events!

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And to think this is where we were a year ago!

Five Things I’ve Learned from Running a Brick-and-Mortar Stationery Store

1. Your Local Pen Community Is Important. While it may seem as though all hobbies - even analog ones - are moving online these days, I can’t imagine doing this without my regular customers and pen club members who continue to show up every weekend like clockwork. Their patronage and enthusiasm not only supports the shop directly, but directly contributes to growing our local community as a whole. Having regulars hanging out and talking in the store spreads the word about things like pen club, pen shows, new products, and events, which not only translates to return business but a growing local pen community. Middle Tennessee Fountain Pen Club meetings and annual events such as the upcoming Pelikan Hub seemingly draw more attendees every year!

2. My Online Presence Is Equally Critical. Even for local businesses focused on local customers, having an online presence is crucial because even those who want to shop local use the internet to find their local stationery store. And while there will always be a few things I wish I had done differently, growing the retail business online before attempting a brick-and-mortar store is not one of them. Everyone advised me that it would take 6 months to a year for customers to really start to “find you,” and while the physical shop more than funds itself now, having the online business provided a safety net that helped me sleep at night during those first months.

3. Steady Growth Is Better Than “Going Viral.” I’ve intentionally focused on steady growth of the business at a pace that I find both sustainable and enjoyable to run. Yes, I could invest heavily in cultivating a presence on every social media network, attending multiple pen shows and out-of-town events per month while others ran the shop in my absence, and bringing in every trendy new pen or ink line that comes my way, but that’s not the kind of business I want to run. I enjoy being in the shop personally, and my business model is focused on heavy curation and offering those products that I understand and can recommend coherently. We’re expanding, but at a pace I’m comfortable with.

4. I Actually Enjoy Running Events. More on this below, but I really enjoy organizing and hosting gatherings. Every Saturday in the shop feels like a pen show! I’d like to expand the T.G.S. in-store experience to include things like brand takeovers, trunk shows, classes and workshops, and even analog-themed community events like pen club meetups, game nights, and/or book clubs. We are adding additional space and reorganizing our current location to make it easier for us to play host, so look for additional details and announcements in the coming month as we are getting closer to making this a reality.

5. I Need 36 Hours in the Day. For anyone who has ever worked for themselves, this is self-explanatory. Even at a “sustainable” pace, there’s always something else to do, and for me it poses somewhat of a risk to my mental health and stamina because when I’m really enjoying a project I want to work on it all the time. Finding more of a balance - and a true day off - is going to be a focus for the year ahead.

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For our initial event - and hopefully to kick off our new shop location - Shawn and Lisa are coming to visit! They’ve both been invaluable friends and colleagues over the past year, and I’m looking forward to hosting!

A Special Announcement for Next Month: Lisa Vanness and Shawn Newton In-Store October 17-October 19!

So what’s next? Now that the growth phase has slowed down a bit, as mentioned I want to start holding some in-store special events. First up is a weekend takeover featuring my friends Lisa Vanness of Vanness Pens and Shawn Newton of Newton Pens, who will be in-store the weekend of October 17 through October 19 so save the date if you plan to be in Nashville! Lisa will be bringing exclusive inks and other uncommon items from Japan (among other things), and Shawn will of course have his Newton Pens lineup. Please stay tuned for exact details, including possible special/expanded hours.

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Want to Hear More Stationery Talk and Behind-the-Scenes Stories? We’re Launching a Podcast!

Those of you in the T.G.S. Patreon likely already know about this, since you’ve had access to the first two “pre-episodes,” but Lisa Vanness and I are launching a podcast that will be released 1-2 times per month, focused not just on the retail side of stationery but on more in-depth discussion of the stationery we personally enjoy and how we use it. For now, the episodes are Patreon-exclusive but look for a public release sometime during the fourth quarter of 2025.

A special huge thank-you to all of you who have supported the Gentleman Stationer going back to 2014, and who have made all this possible, especially our Patreon Supporters who believe in us enough to provide monthly support via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Support goes beyond the monetary contribution - simply knowing that there is a dedicated group of people who believe in you and show up every month makes this worthwhile.