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 readingTWSBI Double Purple Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Purple TWSBI Diamond 580AL (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Royal Purple. This pairing has been in use for 3 months.
Prussian Blue Skies Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Prussian Blue TWSBI Diamond 580ALR (IM) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Sky Blue. This pairing has been in use for 3 months.
TWSBI Double Emerald Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Emerald TWSBI Diamond 580AL (0.5mm CI) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Emerald Green. This pairing has been in use for 3 months.
Green Prairie Diamonds Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Green TWSBI Diamond 580AL (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Prairie Green. This pairing has been in use for 3 months.
TWSBI Double Orange Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Orange TWSBI Diamond 580AL (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Orange. This pairing has been in use for 3 months.
TWSBI Double Pink Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Pink TWSBI Diamond 580AL (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with TWSBI 1791 Pink. This pairing has been in use for 3 months.
Lamy Turmaline Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Turmaline Lamy Al-Star (Extra Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Lamy Turmaline. The pen was in use for about 5 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Relatively Eco Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue TWSBI ECO-T (IF) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham Albert Einstein Relative Cadmium. This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
Custom Snowflake Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Orange Pilot Custom Heritage (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham Winter Garden Snowflake. This pairing has been in use for 9 months.
Alternator 2000 Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Makrolon Lamy 2000 (0.6mm CI) joined its comrades when it was filled with Birmingham George Westinghouse Alternator Crimson. The pen was in use for 6 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Kon-peki Skyline Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue Eversharp Skyline (Fine) joined its comrades when it was filled with Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . The pen was in use for 6 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
Kolor 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 one year.
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 . The pen was in use for one month and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
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. The pen was in use for one month and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
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. The pen was in use for one year and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.