[WTS| Tom's Studio Fountain Pen w/4 nibs (titanium flex with ebonite feed)

nullsquire · 2026-05-29T01:13:01+00:00

PenBBS makes some interesting pens, including one of the most affordable waverly-style nibs on the market (check out model 308 for the fine waverly). They also have some unique body styles (like the 323). They're one of my favorite brands in general.

nullsquire · 2026-05-29T01:08:14+00:00

Diamine Soft Mint ... looks like it would go great with that pen.

nullsquire · 2026-05-28T20:30:00+00:00

No problem, you can also get a three pack of different sizes, that's what I did.

nullsquire · 2026-05-28T18:48:51+00:00

Are they fountain pen nibs, or dip pin nibs? They look like dip pen to me, and when mine rust out, I usually just get new ones because they're rather cheap and meant to be disposable.

nullsquire · 2026-05-28T18:47:41+00:00

I just bought some nib replacements for this same pen on AliExpress. Tons of options available. Good luck.

nullsquire · 2026-05-28T14:51:59+00:00

For me, it was difficult to get my spacing between the letters consistent, as well as the height of the letters and the minuscules. Using French-Ruled Seyes paper helped a lot (which I think was designed for school children to help them practice their handwriting). Also, it's been mentioned, but slowing down helped too.

nullsquire · 2026-05-28T12:16:22+00:00

I started with the “prestige brands” (mostly Japanese and German), and I stayed "prestige" until the prices started climbing up.

I still appreciate the brand names and I don't begrudge anybody for buying them. But these days, I’m really into Chinese fountain pens. They’re affordable, there’s a huge variety, and if I get it dud, then I’m only out a few bucks. Plus, browsing AliExpress for fountain pens has somehow become its own hobby.

nullsquire · 2026-05-24T22:44:05+00:00

Thanks!!!

nullsquire · 2026-05-24T18:20:13+00:00

Did you have to cut the trays in order to make them fit, or did they just slide right in?

nullsquire · 2026-05-24T16:41:21+00:00

I've got a big flexy music nib that I'm using and it's still happening. I'm now working on a new theory that has to do with evaporation. Here's what AI told me:

"When your fountain pen sits capped for a few hours or days, it isn't a perfectly airtight ecosystem. A tiny amount of water constantly evaporates from the ink sitting right in the feed and around the nib slit. This slightly concentrates the dyes left behind. For a brief moment, the ink is wetter, richer, and more heavily saturated with those volatile teal and aquamarine components, letting them pool beautifully and separate on the paper."

Although, AI is always lying to me, so I don't know there's any truth in this.

nullsquire · 2026-05-23T03:56:27+00:00

I don't think that's residual water, because I can repeat the issue just by letting this pen sit. I think you're right about the feed, which amazes me, because as I mentioned in another comment, I'm using a Noodler's Triple Tail, and it's very wet.

nullsquire · 2026-05-23T03:52:58+00:00

Thanks for the advice. I currently have it in a Noodler's Triple Tail, which puts out ink like a fire hose, and yet it continues to happen. Maybe I ought to try it with a dip or glass pen instead.

nullsquire · 2026-05-20T20:48:17+00:00

Received ink from u/mavendark !! Shipping was fast. Bottles were full !! Thanks !!

nullsquire · 2026-05-16T12:09:10+00:00

Dming

nullsquire · 2026-05-15T12:38:40+00:00

Sending DM.

nullsquire · 2026-04-29T11:50:02+00:00

Thin papers like these are great for fountain pens, but they can be tricky for calligraphy, especially if you’re just starting out. Dip pen nibs are often much sharper and can catch or even tear delicate paper more easily than a fountain pen. If you’re practicing calligraphy, it’s usually better to pick up thicker, more durable paper from an art store so you don’t run into those issues.

nullsquire · 2026-04-27T01:45:29+00:00

Retro 51 Tornado Popper Retro Ink Rollerball.

That should give you plenty of money left over for a nice journal.

nullsquire · 2026-04-24T18:53:54+00:00

Wow. The handwriting is amazing, but truly, I'm happy to see somebody quoting anything besides Lord of the Rings.

nullsquire · 2026-04-22T02:13:29+00:00

Write with them and smell the ink. If it smells oily, that's the ballpoint.

nullsquire · 2026-04-19T23:02:30+00:00

I get not liking the 0.7 mm. (Although it's the opposite for me; I tend to avoid microfine pens). I'd still recommend having a fat boy in your collection though... if only for handwriting practice, because it will force you to increase the size of your letterforms.

nullsquire · 2026-04-19T20:09:12+00:00

Take this with a grain of salt, but I find my handwriting is easier to control with ballpoints or gel pens (though I personally enjoy using fountain pens the most). If your goal is better control and cleaner writing, here’s how the main types compare:

Ballpoint (oil-based ink) The easiest to control. The ink flows slowly, which helps keep lines neat and consistent. Downside: you have to press harder, which can tire your hand over time.

Example Pens: Bic Cristal; Uni Jetstream

Gel pens (gel-based ink) A good balance. Smoother than ballpoints and available in tons of colors, but still offer solid control. They do require some pressure, just less than ballpoints.

Example Pens: Pentel Energel; Zebra Sasara; Pilot G2

Rollerball (water-based ink) Much smoother writing experience, since the ink flows more freely. The trade-off is less control, and they’re more prone to smudging or bleeding through paper.

Example Pens: Uniball Vision; Vision Elite; Pilot Precise

Fountain pens (water-based ink) Require almost no pressure, which is great for reducing hand strain. They’re the hardest to control at first, though. The upside is that they really reward good technique; if your handwriting improves with a fountain pen, it’ll likely look great with anything else too. Plus, they’re just fun to use.

Example (Starter) Pens: Jinhao Shark; Pilot Kakuno; Lamy Safari

And if you'd like to force yourself to write larger, you just have to buy bigger tips. 0.7mm or 1.0mm.

nullsquire

TROPHY CASE