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 readingJolly Denim Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Denim Lamy Al-Star (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Monteverde Jolly Roger. This pairing has been in use for 2 months.
Heart of Aubergine Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Aubergine Lamy Al-Star (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Purple Heart. This pairing has been in use for 2 months.
Slate Steel Blue Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Slate Blue TWSBI Eco (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham Andrew Carnegie Steel Blue. This pairing has been in use for 2 months.
Magenta Rainbow Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Rainbow Asvine V200 (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Rohrer & Klingner Magenta. This pairing has been in use for 6 months.
Scripted Winter Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Tibaldi Impero Celluloid Scriptorium Pens Idyll (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Fuyu-syogun. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 6 months.
Turmaline Island Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Jade TWSBI Diamond 580ALR (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Lamy Turmaline. This pairing has been in use for 6 months.
Sidewinder Sky Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Sky Blue TWSBI Eco (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Texas Sidewinder. This pairing has been in use for about 8 months.
Overcast Iceburg Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue TWSBI Diamond 580AL (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Vinta Overcast Blue. The pen was in use for 5 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
The Irish Call Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Green TWSBI Eco (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Wearingeul Call of the Cthulhu. This pairing has been in use for 10 months.
Ottomon Kyanite Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Kyanite Blue TWSBI Vac 700R (Extra fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Ottoman Azure. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for about 11 months.
A Grape Pen Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Purple TWSBI Diamond Mini AL (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Diamine Grape. The pen was in use for 6 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Qin Dragon Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Red Hongdian D5 (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Diamine Red Dragon. The pen was in use for 2 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Black Gris Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Black TWSBI Diamond 580ALR (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Akkerman #29 Hofvijver Gris. The pen was in use for 10 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
White Blue Fountain Pen & Ink Pairing
On my White Blue Opus 88 Koloro (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham Point Park Fountain Turquoise. The pen was in use for 10 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Cosmic Indigo Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue TWSBI Eco (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Vinta Cosmic Blue. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . The pen was in use for 7 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.