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.

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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.

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Orange Monteverde Regatta  Extra Fine filled with Private Reserve Electric DC Blue

On my Orange Monteverde Regatta (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Private Reserve Electric DC Blue. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 3 months.

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White Sailor Professional Gear Slim Fine filled with Noodler's Ottoman Rose

On my White Sailor Professional Gear Slim (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Ottoman Rose. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 4 months.

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Cerulean Blue TWSBI ECO Extra Fine filled with Noodler's Navajo Turquoise

On my Cerulean Blue TWSBI ECO (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Navajo Turquoise. This pairing has been in use for about 5 months.

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Night Blue Mica Pilot Namiki Stella 90S Fine filled with Noodler's Ottoman Azure

On my Night Blue Mica Pilot Namiki Stella 90S (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Ottoman Azure. I refilled it 2 times; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 6 months.

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Iris TWSBI Diamond 580 Extra Fine filled with Noodler's Purple Mountain Majesty

On my Iris TWSBI Diamond 580 (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Purple Mountain Majesty. This pairing has been in use for 9 months.

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Dixie #10 Methuselah's Pine Cone Noodler's Konrad Ebonite IB filled with Noodler's Kiowa Pecan

On my Dixie #10 Methuselah's Pine Cone Noodler's Konrad Ebonite (IB) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Kiowa Pecan. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for one year.

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Blue Pelikan M805 0.5mm CI filled with Waterman Inspired Blue

On my Blue Pelikan M805 (0.5mm CI) joined its comrades when it was filled with Waterman Inspired Blue. The pen was in use for 11 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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Anthracite Pelikan M805 0.5mm CI filled with Diamine Earl Grey

On my Anthracite Pelikan M805 (0.5mm CI) joined its comrades when it was filled with Diamine Earl Grey. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for one year.

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Blue Diplomat Aero Extra Fine filled with Noodler's Blue

On my Blue Diplomat Aero (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's Blue. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . The pen was in use for 10 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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Brass Moonman T1 Fine filled with Noodler's El Lawrence

On my Brass Moonman T1 (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Noodler's El Lawrence. The pen was in use for one year and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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Black Aurora Talentum Extra Fine filled with Organics Studio Emily Dickinson Posie Pink

On my Black Aurora Talentum (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Organics Studio Emily Dickinson Posie Pink. The pen was in use for 6 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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Nickel Gray TWSBI Diamond 580ALR Extra Fine filled with Birmingham G.C. Murphy Tarnished Nickel

On my Nickel Gray TWSBI Diamond 580ALR (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham G.C. Murphy Tarnished Nickel. The pen was in use for about 12 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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Iris TWSBI Vac 700R Extra Fine filled with Private Reserve Plum

On my Iris TWSBI Vac 700R (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Private Reserve Plum. I refilled it 2 times; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for 2 years.

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Blue Matte Pilot Vanishing Point 0.5mm CI filled with Birmingham Winky's Hamburgers Root Beer

On my Blue Matte Pilot Vanishing Point (0.5mm CI) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham Winky's Hamburgers Root Beer. I refilled it 4 times; the last refill was on . The pen was in use for one year and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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Purple TWSBI Diamond 580AL IF filled with TWSBI 1791 Royal Purple

On my Purple TWSBI Diamond 580AL (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Royal Purple. The pen was in use for one year and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.

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