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 readingLamy 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 6 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 6 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.
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. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for one year.
Iron Turquoise Wing Pen & Ink Pairing
On my Blue Wing Sung 3008 (IEF) joined its comrades when it was filled with KWZ IG Turquoise. I refilled it once; the last refill was on . This pairing has been in use for one year.
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 . The pen was in use for 11 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.
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 . The pen was in use for 11 months and was emptied and cleaned on , saying good-bye to its fellows.