The Nib & Barrel
Welcome to The Nib & Barrel wherein you can find my current pen collection, my inkventory, what I have currently inked, and a number of articles about pens, ink, and related topics.
Below are some recent articles and pen and ink pairings.
By my understanding, there was a time when the fountain pen was common, standard, possibly even the de facto writing instrument. That time, if it truly existed, is in the past. Because of this, there is — for me at least — a romantic appeal surrounding the fountain pen. They harken back to a time when life was “simpler” (is life ever simple?): a time when men wore fedoras and suits, were private investigators (or bull whip carrying archeologists), and families smiled at each other while eating a pot roast. For me, there has always been a soupçon of sophistication surrounding the fountain pen, and that was what initially drew me into this hobby.
Continue readingKolor Me Carmine Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Red Opus 88 Koloro (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham Ebenezer Denny Carmine. This pairing has been in use for 6 months.
Burgundy at Heart Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Teak Montegrappa Heartwood Fortuna (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Monteverde Napa Burgundy. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for about 7 months.
Tarnished Italix Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Black Italix Parson's Essential (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham G.C. Murphy Tarnished Nickel. This pairing has been in use for about 7 months.
Lake of Emerald Fire Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Emerald TWSBI Diamond 580AL (0.5mm CI) joined its comrades when it was filled with Robert Oster Lake of Fire. This pairing has been in use for 7 months.
Brown-Pink Heartwood Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Teak Montegrappa Heartwood Fortuna (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with KWZ Brown Pink. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . The pen was in use for 3 weeks and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
A Talent for the Serene Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Black Aurora Talentum (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Waterman Serenity Blue. The pen was in use for 3 weeks and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Wings over Lexington Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Silver Wing Sung 30 (IEF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Lexington Gray. This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
Iron Turquoise Wing Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue Wing Sung 3008 (IEF) joined its comrades when it was filled with KWZ IG Turquoise. This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
Iron Gall Inferno Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Lapis Inferno Noodler's Ahab (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with KWZ IG Blue #6. I refilled it 2 times; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
The Lavender King Pen & Ink Pairing
On my King Philip Purple Noodler's Ahab (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Platinum Classic Lavender Black. I refilled it 2 times; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
Cardinal Cassis Black Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Cardinal Darkness Noodler's Ahab (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Platinum Classic Cassis Black. I refilled it 2 times; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
Flying the Deep Cerulean Blue Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue Diplomat Aero (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki. The pen was in use for about 2 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Ku-jaku Ops Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Black Aurora Talentum (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-jaku. The pen was in use for 2 weeks and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
On the Ledge with Methuselah Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Dixie #10 Methuselah's Pine Cone Noodler's Konrad Ebonite (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Proctor's Ledge. The pen was in use for 5 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
General Army Beige Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Beige Opus 88 Koloro (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's General of the Armies. This pairing has been in use for one year.