New Arrivals: Specialty Nibs from Pilot, including the FA, PO, and WA Nib Options!

Pilot is known for their range of 14k specialty nibs not commonly found on fountain pens in the U.S., including the FA (semi-flex) nib, the PO (Posting) nib, the WA (Waverly) nib, and more, including the “soft” series. While the “Soft” series of nibs were introduced on the most recent release, the Pilot Custom 74 Lavender Frost, we still do not have an ETA on the latest shipment of that pen and it remains unavailable for now. I decided to go ahead and order some additional specialty nibs in the Custom 743 and Custom 912 models, including the fun FA semi-flex (don’t push it too hard!) nib, the unusual upturned Waverly, and the Posting nib, for those who either love to write really small or find themselves having to use absorbent paper. We’re also restocked on other Pilot Pens at a range of price points, from the Pilot Kakuno to the Pilot Custom 823!

We will be open this week 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and from 10am-6pm on Saturday, weather permitting. This weekend’s event with Vanness Pens and Matthew Chen will go forward but possibly with a modified schedule (i.e. a full/extended day on Friday) if winter weather becomes an issue for Saturday.

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The Pilot FA nib is flexible, but don’t push it too far because you can spring this nib if you’re not careful.

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The Pilot Waverly nib is slightly upturned, allowing you to write smoothly from multiple angles. It’s a soft nib, but not flexible,.

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Pilot’s PO nib is slightly downturned, reducing inkflow to better allow you to write small and on inexpensive paper. You can write VERY small with this nib.

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.

Thursday Drops: Restocking the Shelves with Ink, Accessories, Pens, Paper & More!

Those of you who stopped by in the weeks after Christmas may have noticed that our shelves looked a little bare - that’s not a bad thing. We had an exceptionally good holiday season and appreciate all of your support! As of this morning, we’ve received shipments from Kakimori, Pilot, Toyo, Iroful, and more, so we’re almost back up to full capacity. We’re especially excited about the just-arrived Kakimori pigmented inks, which can be used in either fountain pens or dip pens and are both water and lightfast for those of you who desire permanence. We also have new arrivals from Toyo, with steel boxes in multiple new colors, and a fresh shipment of Braun desk/alarm clocks in new sizes and shapes.

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Come see these and more in person at our Nashville location! We are open Thursday and Friday from 1pm-6pm, and on Saturday from 10am-6pm. Please note that we have introduced a new appointment system for shopping outside of normal shop hours, and you can also use it to reserve nib appointments for our upcoming in-store event with Vanness Pens and Matthew Chen on January 23 and January 24.

1. Kakimori Pigmented Fountain Pen Inks. We receive many requests for permanent (i.e. lightfast/waterproof) ink, and in the fountain pen world, pigmented inks are by far the best option. Kakimori makes 10 colors, ranging from standard blue, black, and blue-black to more subtle variations on teal and blue-grey.

2. Kakimori Frost Fountain and Rollerball Pens. Kakimori’s “Frost” series of fountain pens feature a longer section, and the rollerball features a tip similar to that found on other popular “inkball” pens that accept fountain pen ink using a cartridge or a converter.

3. Kakimori Dip Nibs and New Short Nib Holders. We have stock of the conical Kakimori metal dip nibs, including copper, brass and steel, as well as the new shorter dip nib holders in a range of colors.

4. Toyo Steel Boxes. These popular desktop storage options have been restocked in new colors, including AMEICO Orange and Glacier. These boxes can hold anything from small bottles of ink to paper clips to pens.

5. Anderillium Ichthyoformes Bottled Inks and Sample Sets. We have restocked all of the Anderillium “Fish” series, plus sample sets from the other Anderillium series. The most recent releases include favorites like Whale Shark Blue Grey, Moray Eel Green, and some of the best dark reds recently released. I did a swatch video of the entire line a while back.

6. Tono & Lims Fountain Pen Inks. Tono & Lims inks have received an enthusiastic reception, especially in-store, and we look forward to adding even more colors to our current curated selection from the Standard, Friendship, and Adult Night Collections.

7. Pilot Kakuno and Pilot Kakuno Madoromi (Drowsy) Fountain Pens. The Pilot Kakuno is one of our most-recommended fountain pens for new users, while also a great pen in and of itself. We have a small stock of the new Modoromi series, which feature gold-tone nibs.

8. Iroful Paper. Known for its ink-friendliness and feel similar to the now-discontinued Cosmo Air Light, Iroful paper comes in notebook, looseleaf, and 6-ring formats, making it a versatile paper option for those who value the ability to use pretty much any fountain pen ink.

9. “Inky Dreams” Washi Tape and Stickers. Ana over at the Well-Appointed Desk creates a line of ink-themed washi tape and stickers, and we’re fully restocked as of this week. These don’t usually stay in stock for long.

10. Col-o-Ring Swatch Cards. Looking to better organize your ink collection in 2026? These swatch cards feature thick ink-friendly paper, and the cards themselves hold up to storage on the included ring with two kraft paper covers.

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Oh, and we still have more of our T.G.S. Rickshaw special edition “Clouds” design, in three different colors and three different style.

New Arrivals: Toyo Steel Boxes in New Colors, Plus Kakimori Frost Fountain and Rollerball Pens!

Toyo steel storage boxes from Japan have become a popular stationery item for stationery enthusiasts, since they are stackable and can hold everything from pens to small bottles of ink to paper clips and other office supplies. We’re now pleased to offer these boxes in additional bright colors, including orange, yellow, and the more subdued “Glacier”. Note that these color options are made available to us by the distributor as they are imported and we do not know when additional colors will arrive. We currently have stock of the Toyo T-190, T-152, and T-150 models, which are the same sizes we previously have carried, just in new colors.

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Toyo boxes of the same shape stack nicely!

We continue to add new writing instruments and accessories from Kakimori, the most recent of which include the Frost line of fountain pens and rollerballs. The Frost rollerball has received the most interest so far, since it uses the “ink ball” technology similar to the Traveler’s Company brass rollerball pen. You can refill this pen using fountain pen ink, either with a cartridge or a converter. The Frost is available in five different translucent “frosted” colors, and features a long section that’s designed to be comfortable for extended writing sessions.

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Count me a fan of the colorful translucent frosted finish on the aptly named “Frost” fountain pens.

Our Nashville store hours are 1-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am-6pm Saturdays. While we do accept shopping by appointment, we require at least 24 hours notice and appointments are discretionary based on our schedule outside normal shop hours, especially during early January as we take inventory. Thanks for your understanding!

Thursday Drops: Get Organized for 2026 with Kakimori, Leuchtturm1917, Rickshaw and More!

2026 is here, and with the new year comes a ton of new arrivals! First up, as noted earlier this week, is our first collaboration with San Francisco-based Rickshaw Bagwords, a “Clouds” pattern designed by a member of our local pen club. We’ve also received a restock of Kakimori notebooks, including new designs, as well as most of the line of Leuchtturm1917 notebooks, including the 120g version with heavier paper and the Bullet Journal collaboration. We’ve also added the Leuchtturm1917 Drehgriffel pens in both gel and ballpoint, as well as the remaining items from our initial Craft Design Technology shipment. Enjoy!

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Rickshaw Bagworks’ most recent case design is the Fillmore, which opens like a book to lie flat on your desk. It’s a versatile design that can hold at least 6 pens, more if you pair with the Coozy 1, 2, or 3-pen sleeves which fit inside.

Our Nashville store is open normal hours this week, from 1-6pm on Thursday and Friday and from 10am-6pm on Saturday. Please come by and see these and more in person! Also, be sure and save the date for January 23-24, when Vanness Pens and Matthew’s Nibworks (Matthew Chen) will be joining us for a special Friday and Saturday in-store event. More to follow.

1. Kakimori Clothbound Notebooks. Japanese boutique stationery brand Kakimori famously releases special edition notebooks each year featuring cloth covers made using traditional Japanese techniques. We’ve recently received a fresh shipment, and while they tend to go fast, there are still several available.

2. T.G.S. x Rickshaw Bagworks Special Edition “Clouds” Pen Cases. Featuring artwork by Nick Dominguez, who is local to Nashville and an active member of our pen club, these Rickshaw cases come in three different color schemes. Each pattern was hand-drawn using multi-shading fountain pen inks, which makes this collaboration even more special.

3. Leuchtturm1917 Standard A5 Notebooks. Leuchtturm’s hardcover A5 notebooks are a classic piece of stationery. Their 80g paper is good enough for most EF-M fountain pens, and for years they served as a standard everyday work notebook on which I regularly relied. I even wrote half of a novel in one of the larger “Master” versions. We've had these in-store for a couple of weeks but I’ve only recently gotten my act together and listed them online.

4. Leuchtturm1917 120g and Bullet Journal Notebooks. While I personally find Leuchtturm’s standard 80g paper adequate for how I use their notebooks, if you’re a fan of broader nibs, wet inks, and even markers, consider the 120g paper. There’s also a series of Bullet Journal co-branded notebooks that use the same heavier stock.

5. Leuchtturm1917 Softcover Notebooks. I often get asked whether Leuchtturm notebooks can easily fit inside a Roterfaden cover. Hardbacks can be tight, especially if you want to carry multiple notebooks in the cover, but Leuchtturm also makes softcover A5, B5, and B6 books using the same paper which are slimmer and more compatible with some covers.

6. Leuchtturm Drehgriffel Ballpoints and Gel Pens. The hexagonal Drehgriffel has caught on recently, because it’s surprisingly comfortable and comes in a wide range of colors. (“Rising Sun” is my favorite, and I prefer the fine gel pen over the ballpoint, but both are nice everyday writers.)

7. Craft Design Technology “Black Edition” Memo Pads and Pencil Sets. I’ve finally been able to list all of the products we received from CDT, including their recently released “Black Edition” memo pads that reflect colored pencils, pens, and standard graphite. The Pencil Set (sold separately) will net you a few colored pencils to use on the black paper, plus a NJK sharpener.

8. Craft Design Technology A4 Binders. These A4 binders are designed to hold Japanese 30-hole looseleaf paper, which we also carry. Each binder features a signature CDT pattern on the outside, and comes in three different colors.

9. Tono & Lims Fountain Pen Inks. We’ve added three different lines of Tono & Lims inks, including selections from the Signature Line, the Friendship Line, and the “Adult Night” Line. Given the positive reception to date, we are definitely looking to add more Tono & Lims inks in the future, so keep checking back.

10. Roterfaden Taschenbegleiter Restock. Since the stock changes so frequently, we have broken Roterfaden out into its own “shop” page, so we can better track all the different sizes and keep the stock levels more visible. We currently have various A5 covers, some B6 covers, and a few remaining A5 Slim TGS_25 models.

We currently have Leuchtturm1917 Softcover Notebooks in A5, B5 (Composition), and B6 (Café).