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Does anyone know if Nikko (=Eboya) sells their marble (?) ebonite rods to other makers? I'm wondering if there are any makers -- other than Eboya -- either in Japan or overseas, which have access to this style of pen blank: https://www.nibs.com/pens/eboya/eboya-natsume-small-kumpuu-green-cc I've never seen any non-Eboya pens made of this stuff or its color variants. As nice as the Eboya pens are, it would be cool to see some designs by other makers in this material too, which is why I'm asking. Thanks!

I was wondering if anyone knew what the correct color ink is to write a thank you to a Japanese family. The note will accompany a small gift. In the States, I'd stick with black, but I'm not sure about Japan. Thank you!

Don't know if anyone else saw this, but at first I thought that it's crazy that A Silver/White Stripe Myu showed up a few months ago and then this one... and then I clicked and saw... https://www.ebay.com/itm/PILOT-Myu-WHITE-STRIPE-Fine-Print-FOUNTAIN-PEN-Used-Rare-Japan/183004040721?hash=item2a9be40e11:g:OCEAAOSwuShaUahI

This pen has been reviewed before, but I just wanted to give anyone considering one or needing an extra fine nib another viewpoint to check out! First Impressions (5/5) The pen arrived from Jetpens in a small baggie. It is a fairly attractive pen, I got the clear demonstrator version, and came with a standard Black pilot ink cartridge. The plastic of the pen feels less brittle, and much thicker, than something like a Platinum Preppy or a Pilot Petit1. Appearance (4/5) The pen is long and thin, looking almost like a desk pen. There is a significant amount of space in the back of the barrel of the pen past the where the cartridge ends, making the pen even longer. The cap of the pen is tiny, just slightly longer than the nib, and has two small fins on it to keep the pen from rolling. The nib is simple, and steel colored, with “PILOT SUPER QUALITY JAPAN <EF>” stamped onto it. The style is very understated and utilitarian, and in a way beautiful for that. One slight problem with the Clear Cap is that ink can stick to the top of it and be visible through it. Design/Size/Weight (4/5) The pen is very light, but it’s length and ergonomic grip make it comfortable in the hand, and well balanced. The cap can post, but it is so tiny, short, and light, that you wouldn’t notice either way. The barrel of the pen is airtight, so it can be converted to an eyedropper if desired with some Silicon grease and an optional O-Ring. Nib (4.5/5) The nib is unsurprisingly, extraordinarily fine. The extra fine nib from pilot is perfect for note-taking, cheap paper, and math. The nib is not quite as smooth as some of the larger nib sizes from pilot, but for an extra fine nib I was pleasantly surprised at the smoothness and ease with which it wrote. In terms of flow, the nib is on the dry side, but it isn't something you notice when you are writing with it, if that makes any sense. I had to go back and think about it, because although being dry the nib never skips and is still exceptionally smooth for the width. One major plus of this nib is that it can be swapped into a Prera or Metropolitan if you want an Extra Fine nib in one of those pens. Filling System (5/5) Not much to say here, it’s a simple Cartridge/Converter system. The pen comes with one cartridge, and can be fitted with a Con-40 or Con-50 if you so please. The ink lasts much longer than it does in most pens because of the extreme fineness of the nib. Cost and Value (5/5) This is a great pen at a great price, and can be found in most places for $6-$8. Many people buy the pen just for the nib, to then be fitted into a Prera or Metropolitan, and it would be a steal if pilot offered just the nib for that price! Instead, you get an entire pen around it, and one that provides a very pleasant writing experience. Conclusion (28/30) I would strongly recommend this pen to anyone who needs a very fine nib on a budget. It has a great nib, perfect for swapping if you have a nice body like the Prera’s, but if you don’t the body that comes the with the Penmanship is still durable and good-looking.

http://i.imgur.com/WIYALJz.jpgStylo Art Karuizawa Karuizawa, about 80 miles from Tokyo, is a small town nestled on the slopes of Mount Asama, an active volcano (because: Japan). Famous for its jams and honey, you could be forgiven for thinking this green, leafy, sleepy, place was outside of time and far removed from the world, but its fingerprint on history is larger than its diminutive size: it is the only place to have hosted events at both summer and winter olympics (Tokyo 1964, and Nagano 1998); welcomed Yoko Ono, Jon Lennon and family every summer; was where the current Emperor of Japan met his wife (playing tennis); and was the location from which was sent the telegram ending WWII. Less momentously, my own family history runs long through Karuizawa. This was where my grandparents bought a house in the 1940s, where my mother and her siblings ran through the shaded gardens as Tokyo scorched beneath the scalding summer sun. My own children now play on that same moss, beneath those same trees, and so when I heard about Stylo-Art, a small pen-maker crafting their own creations in such an emotionally resonant location, I knew I had to visit. Motoshi Kazuno and I first tried to arrange a meeting 18 months ago, but Karuizawa is noticeably less in demand as a ski resort than as a summer retreat, and the Kazunos were away visiting relatives. Time passed, and this week I was finally able to make the 30-minute journey through the mountains to the hamlet Motoshi and his wife Shuko call home. Anyone familiar with Japan will understand that this was not a simple undertaking - the address (a series of concentric zones culminating in a radius of a few blocks) dropped me in a semi-rural jumble, and it was only thanks to the photograph of the house kindly sent me by Shuko that I managed to stumble on the little plot and two-story building. I pulled my car onto their driveway (or perhaps their lawn), and waited for a sprightly, deceptively young man in a grey t-shirt to wander out to investigate. This was Motoshi Kazuno, Mr. Stylo-Art himself, and his welcome could not have been warmer. http://i.imgur.com/PkJ0iHB.jpg The 'showroom'. I was invited in and, over iced green tea, learned of Motoshi's progression to pen-maker from salary-man in Tokyo, via existential angst and a short spell in carpentry. With great and well-placed pride he described how he had built, by hand, the home we now sat in as all the while, Shuko looked on with great affection. It is clear that she holds her husband's work in high esteem. http://i.imgur.com/CaQomtx.jpg Shuko and Motoshi Kazuno, and their wood collection. Throughout the living room were scattered trays of pens (most, apparently, being prepared for the upcoming San Francisco pen show) in a rainbow of colours and textures - woods and urushis - clean and ink-stained ("this one is washed with pilot blue black") - as well as maki-e work from "friends" in Wajima and Naoshima. I was led out to the workshop to see the array of woods neatly organised, the lathe and work-table, the frankly indecent collection of drill-bits ("my obsession") and was talked through the three days of work that leads to a completed pen. http://i.imgur.com/RmxWExL.jpg The worktop (and a very few of the vast collection of drill-bits). I must admit that, having browsed Stylo-Arts website, I was unmoved. All the pens seemed flat and lifeless, lacking any delicacy or soul. Nothing could have prepared me for the reality though, for the finished items are impeccably crafted with true care and attention, and each and every wood and embellishment has a unique character - a character carefully enhanced by Kazuno-sans respectful diligence. http://i.imgur.com/QZAdNKB.jpg Ink-stained and urushied pens (the ink used is for fountain pens, among them Pilot Blue-Black and Iroshizuku Momiji). http://i.imgur.com/TDM2oNp.jpgMore ornate urushi. http://i.imgur.com/AITjRAK.jpgMaki-e from Wajima and Naoshima (central two). I fell in love with so many, but he urged me to hold and study each one individually and at length, to feel the weight and density of the material, to explore the depth of the pattern, the way it reflected or absorbed the light, even to raise each pen to my nose and inhale deeply. Over time, I managed to cull from the many to the few. It was the scent that finally swung me - Japanese cedar, light and delicately veined, its gorgeously pungent aroma reminiscent of the tatami mats of my family home, and of long, hot, steaming Japanese baths as the snow falls beyond the window. http://i.imgur.com/z6Ed8w6.jpg My own shortlist. Note: the elastics denote different nib housing - grey for Pilot, red for Sailor 21k. The third from the left would become my pen. Although Motoshi-san crafts pens to accept Pilot, Sailor and Platinum nibs, since Nagahara-sans death it has become increasingly difficult to purchase Sailor nibs in any meaningful quantity. My pen required a Pilot, and so Motoshi pulled from his desk a collection of no. 5, 10 and 15 nibs, and we proceeded, as the sun lowered in the sky and a faint rain fell upon the roof, to whittle them down to a no. 10 FA that he expertly smoothed and coaxed to my hand. It was with this pen that I wrote a quick note in the Stylo-Art visitors book, and learned, with some surprise, that I was the first gaijin (foreigner) to ever make the trip and meet Motoshi and Shuko in their home. The honour was entirely mine. http://i.imgur.com/XbV814R.jpg Motoshi working on my nib.

This was the kind of pen that they ignored, having been placed at the far end of the display shelf at Cosmos Bazaar in Binondo, Manila. The Pilot 55C2 is a rare fountain pen from the 1980s. But they didn't know that, and neither did I. But there it joined the rest of my fp acquisition because the nib said, "Baby, come to meee..." Later, a quick browse through Google revealed a brief description of this pen. Unlike most Pilots that run on their patent cartridge or converter, the Pilot 55C2 accepts international standard cartridges. This is a wonderful thing! Postable and with a snap-cap, this light pen does not disappoint. It is about the same length as the Pilot 78G, only slimmer. The ink flow is steady, the pen feels balanced. Just smooth. Why did Pilot discontinue this good pen? We may never know.

So I bought a pilot 742 in Morita's FP shop, then my hand received an accidental impact while writing, and now it's subtly bent in a way that means very little ink flow despite the tines looking like they should have flow under a loupe. I've tried a little diy, which didn't work, so now I'm thinking of sending it in for service. Of course I'm willing to pay b/c it was my own fault. What is the policy for matters like this? Should I contact the store?

Hi all, does anyone have an Obunsha Teikin pocket pen? The one with the Parker 180 style nib? How are they as writers and are there structural problems I have to be aware of like an easily cracked section, etc.? I'd also like to ask if anyone knows the going rate for these, if user grade. I checked eBay and only found one listing (for bidding). Attached is a photo of the pen from the seller. The Teikin is the one second from the bottom, alongside a Platinum DP-50, a no name pen, a Pilot DPP-100, and a Platinum DP-800 (or an older version of it). Thanks!

A year of travel with my regular brown MTN (Midori Traveler’s Notebook) has gone by and I could not resist an urge to get another, this time perhaps a more portable one. Not the ultra portable (thumb drive kind) 10th Anniversary Notebook Mini (below), which stupendously completes itself within a span of 5 centimetres. This one had to be a passport, possibly with the recent branding of Traveler’s Company, Japan. If you would prefer a blogger view and enjoy pictures, do click on the below link: The Traveler’s Notebook Review You can find a review of the regular sized MTN here. Or should I say TN! Midori as many of you know is in fact is a 66-year old Japanese company specializing in paper products and creative design stationery. You may also bump into MD Paper, while searching for quality paper products across the Asian market. If you are not very familiar with the Traveler’s company brand, I can rest assure you that it is a rather recent development of 2016. The traveler’s notebooks which were marketed earlier under Midori brand of products, have been rebranded under Traveler’s Company, Japan. Additionally this Traveler’s Company is hosting a few other older product lines including spiral notebooks, kraft paper envelopes & the usual brass stationeries. The core part of the notebook i.e the paper is manufactured in Japan whereas the leather cover is finished by hand in the old city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Traveler’s Notebook comes in two different sizes – Passport & Regular. Though it used to come across two standard colour variants i.e black & brown, there is a third Camel colour available now, which was released as limited runs before. Also a few other limited colour runs (say: Blue) are released by Midori from time to time. DESIGN & PERFORMANCE (6/6) Multi-tier packaging. Not expensive, but Differentiated! A polyethylene plastic wrap, diaphanously enclosing a package wrapped in traditional brown paper, increases the excitement of unwrapping a gift. And you can also use the brown paper for a bit of nib smoothing! A note on the front of the package in traditional Japanese paper, reveals that the leather cover ages with time and use. Another at the back pictorially explains the four enclosures inside - Cotton Bag, Leather Cover, Blank Refill & Spare Rubber Band. It also makes a promise that the paper of the enclosed refill (notebook) is resistant to bleed-through (although there is some ghosting), but you can say that there is always a tomoe-river refill available, to simultaneously feel & enjoy ghosting to the maximum! On opening the brown envelope, you can find the notebook enclosed within a white cotton bag. You get two spare rubber bands (green & brown). You can also remove the brown one from the enclosure, to use it with the TN. Now the TN Passport is unveiled. You are right, it’s the Camel one . The leather enclosure is secured by a matching orange rubber band going through a perforation at the back, expresses both sense and simplicity in design. The cover is made of cowhide, ensconcing an elemental texture and I can say from experience that it acquires character over time. It’s supposed to scratch, change colour over time to transform into your signature dated companion. A note explains that the leather has been naturally dyed to retain the texture and wetness could result in coloration of immediate things touching it. To remove blemishes, you can use a normal leather cream (the white one), the one you might have used on your shoes/belts. The TN carries a single stitched notebook with blank pages (Refill#003). Two strings running across the notebook and the leather cover through multiple perforations are anchored by a small tin clasp, placed at the top-left end of the notebook system. The rubber band fastens the notebook and the rather loosely held non-elastic one is meant to be a bookmark. As stated in the other review, the economy of this notebook is primarily based on an Add-On model: base + spares, like the Gillette razor-blade model or a Sony PS. But again, Sony too sells its PlayStation at a loss and makes up for the same with the entire gaming economy. So, the ecosystem for the traveler notebook consists of two categories of refills – Notebooks and Accessories. Notebook refills primarily come in 64 pages (both sides) across lined (001), grid (002), blank (003) and lightweight Tomoe-River paper (005) variants. You can accessorize your traveler with pocket-sticker (022) or a camel color pen-holder (015/016), once you purchase the refills, but your only concern could be regarding the price which ranges between $4 to $10. There are several other inserts that are available for the TN. Some older ones have been discontinued. You can find a complete list of refills for the passport sized TN here. I had ordered two passport sized refills along with this TN - Refill#002 & 005, both have a simple wrap with a coloured stamp conveying the necessary details including the type of paper and number of pages in it. Adding a refill notebook to TN is pretty easy, by using one of the spare elastic bands to connect the new notebook with an existing one. The elastic band needs to be secured & adjusted around the spine of both these notebooks. Embossed at its bottom-left corner of the back cover is the newer 2016 branding of TRAVELER’S notebook & TRAVELER’S COMPANY, JAPAN & MADE IN THAILAND instead of just the usual MIDORI & MADE IN THAILAND. And that is the only visible change. PHYSICS OF IT (4/6) – RELATIVELY SPEAKING The dimensions of the TN Passport size are 10 X 13.5 cm , with a thickness of 1.2-1.5 cm with two standard 64 page passport refills. A passport is quite portable compared to a regular sized TN. However, I am more at ease with the regular size, given my writing style and preferences. The TN Passport could score very well for other who have a smaller handwriting size. ECONOMIC VALUE (3/6) The traveler notebook and two 64-pages refill cost me around USD 46, with shipping from Japan. While the price might still be low for a comparative analysis (with other shops), it’s still a notebook and a rather small one for me. And once you are locked in, you might have to purchase refills typically costing anywhere between $4 to $10. That’s TN’s formulae for gross margins. TN is also facing increasing competition in e-com from newer & newer faces like 1, 2 and many others. OVERALL (4.3/6) Exquisite Design. Yes. First Mover. That too. MD paper is nice, thick and smooth for all your beloved nibs & inks. I tested a medium nib of Pilot Custom 823 running on Iroshizuku Yama Budo ink inside. And it ran smoothly leaving behind the right amount of ink for shading. The thickness and texture of the MD paper makes even a relatively wet ink dry up pretty fast (less than 18 seconds). Although there is a bit of ghosting. It’s a subjective opinion and you might like the passport more than the regular. I find the regular handy. Then on the inside cover of each refill you have a midori styled passport page to note down your passport details. It’s illogical to travel with this & without your passport, but I still like that act. So if you have already developed a similar cerebral logic and love the style, then get it! Else wait for a year or two and get a limited run to add to your pen & paraphernalia collection. Thank you for going through the review. You can find some more pen & paraphernalia reviews here. REFERENCES MTN Regular Review Traveler’s Company, Japan 10th Anniversary Notebook Mini Midori Passport Refills Leather Maintenance for TN

Hi all, I am being offered this pen but neither the seller nor myself is sufficiently knowledgeable about the pen in question. I remember seeing this pen before on FPN but can't find the post. We are interested in the relative production era of the pen, if it's a good pen, and if modern Pilot converters will fit. Any help/leads are much appreciated! UPDATE: found it

To me, the nib maybe looks bent?

Where can I buy a case of Tomoe River paper? I don't mind importing from Japan!

Hi All- I have a Pilot MYU 701 and the clip is loose. Is there any way that I can tighten this myself? Thanks in advance- octatonic

Lets suppose I happen to have a 100 dollars to spend. I just love Japanese pens so if I would have to buy one, which one would it be? I want a gold nibbed pen. Please tell me which pen and where to buy it, that is, where I could get it for a cheaper price than most retailers. Also tell me if buying from Amazon, Ebay, Jsubculture or Rakuten is safe. I am leaning a lot toward the Platinum 3776 century. But other options welcomed. Also if you recomend the Platinum, vote between bourgogne and chartres blue. Regards, Adit

Hi all, I need the address for the Pilot repair service in Japan. Can anybody help? Thanks in advance! Luis

Hi I'm currently deciding on whether I should get a sailor 1911S or a 1911L. I've heard people commenting that the 1911L has a smoother nib. Does anyone know if it's worth it to spend the money to get the 1911L or should I just stick to the 1911S? If there are any better options from other brands, please do tell me. Thanks in advance!

Hi All- I have recently fallen in love with a Pilot MYU 701. Before this, I was a modern pen guy and then got interested (of of the blue) in a Parker 51 and love the demi for its size and balance. Now I also love my MYU 701! I have a student who is Japanese and is going back for our college Christmas break. I would like to find a new Pilot M 90 with a fine nib, and am wondering two things...1. would the prices be less in Japan than they currently are on EvilBay? *Also there are currently no NOS F only M nibs...on that site) 2. Any suggestions of where I might have her look? Thanks in advance!- Octatonic

Not a question about Japanese pens, but a question about Japan. Please excuse me if this is in the wrong section. Does anyone know of any professional pen services, or gifted amateurs, for pen modifications or repairs in the Kanto district? I don't mind experimenting with regrinding or frankenpen conversions with dirt-cheap Jinhaos and Baoers myself, and wouldn't mind learning repair basics, but as that will be an as-and-when venture and I'm usually ludicrously busy, if anyone knows of anyone who can do such things (preferably a mom-and-pop rather than a department store or something) the information would be appreciated.

Dear All, We are offering Famous Oliver F27 Model Colour Acrylic Models in 20 Classic colours and Pilot Eyedropper Pens (Made in Japan) for this Christmas and New year'16 at very good prices. I have attached the details and pictures. Thanks for your support. 1. Oliver F-27 Pens: -------------------------- Material: Colour Acrylics Dimension: 137mm Length when capped. Cap Dia : 15mm . Barrel Dia 13mm Nib: Ambitious White Fine Medium nib. It is friction fir nib. German White Bock (Medium or Broad) Nibs are available at 9$ Extra. Feed: Acrylic Feed Filling Mechanism- It comes with Catridge. It also accepts converters. Schmidt K5 Converters costs 4$ extra Clip& Hardwares: White colour Colour: 1. Yellow/Pink/Red 2. Pink/ Dark blue 3. Black/Blue 4. Red Cracked Ice 5.Green/Pink/Black 6. Red/Dark blue 7.Orange/Dark Blue 8.Chocolate Cracked Ice 9.Purple /Dark Blue 10. Bright Green with Dark Green 11. Sea Blue with Red 12. Chocolate with Dark Blue Swirl 13. Yellow with Chocolate Cracked Ice 14. Yellow with Chocolate Swirls 15. Green With Black 16. White/Red 17. Rose with Black 18. Yellow with Green 19. Orange with Black Cracked Ice 20. Yellow /Blue/Saffron Orange. Price: 1 Pen- 29USD 2 Pens -54USD 3 Pens -75USD 4 Pens- 90USD Payment: Payment can be sent to my paypal id mpkandan@gmail.com Shipping: Free Worldwide registered shipping. It takes 2-4 weeks for delivery.Expedited EMS shipping is available at extra price 2. PILOT EYEDROPPER PEN (MADE IN JAPAN): ------------------------------------------------------------------- Material: Brass cap and Plastic Barrel Dimension: 133mm Length when capped. Cap Dia : 11mm Nib: Gold Coloured Fine and Medium nibs. Feed: Plastic Feed Filling Mechanism- Eyedropper Colour: Black , Blue, Red, Green Price: 1 Pen- 19USD 2 Pens -35USD Payment: Payment can be sent to my paypal id mpkandan@gmail.com Shipping: Free Worldwide registered shipping . It takes 2-4 weeks for delivery. Expedited EMS shipping is available at extra price Oliver F-27 Pen Pictures ------------------------------------ http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05158-1_zpspludcdmv.jpg http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05166-1_zpsxbwqnmpq.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05168-1_zpsv9gibjy3.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05164-1_zpsy0gmuh7g.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05224-1_zpsi6ovgzit.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05220-1_zpsf64u4gb6.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05221-1_zpsk5z6xrcl.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05171-1_zpslgwfhldz.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05174-1_zpsotf2rqvg.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05178-1_zpsntkfbkkj.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/Oliver%20F27%20%20Color%20Acrylic/DSC05183-1_zps30dh9rqt.jpg PILOT EYEDROPPER PEN PICTURES:----------------------------------------------------- http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/pilot%20pen/DSC05139-1_zps5d8ywhcc.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/pilot%20pen/DSC05140-1_zpshntzvuqn.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/pilot%20pen/DSC05142-1_zpspwdjyz3k.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/pilot%20pen/DSC05146-1_zpssm7gus1w.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z437/mpkandan/pilot%20pen/DSC05154-1_zpsjnojmd0d.jpg Thanks,Kandan.M.PRanga Pen Company

Alrighty so i`ve been eyeing on the Pt 3776 century SF in chartes blue and the pilot CH91 SF too...now im in a dilemma since I equally love the pilot for its nib and 3776 for its writing and look......i like softness line variation and an "aurora-ish" feel which the pilot lacks and since cost is a real consideration here and moreover since im in India the conversion rates do go up a bit, i prefer the pilot since its like $10 cheaper than the 3776 but AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH I CANT JUST DECIDE SOMEONE PLZ HELP MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, I've been wanting to pick up a nakaya portable writer, but I am not sure which finish i should pick. I use and carry all the pens that i own around; even in my shirt pocket sometimes. I usually prefer a matt finish on my pen (lamy 2k, visconti HS), so any micro scratches would be hidden. Don't get me wrong, I do take good care of my pens, but glossy finishes seem to pick up scratches even if you just leave them in the air.. (OCD guy wants a user pen ) However, i am smitten by the aka-tamenuri finish on the nakaya. How does this finish hold up to micro scratches given the high gloss? Shu-nurippanashi seems to be a matt finish and it might require less maintenance. I do love both of them, but aka-tamenuri really makes me want to go for a glossy pen this time. Thanks!

I need a comparison between these two pens in medium nib. Engeika has them on damn prices so I am considering one of these two. I want a very good nib with awesome smoothness. I personally like the looks of the Platinum but still. Thanks in advance.

The Jetpens Chibi 2 is the second iteration of the pen marketplace’s homegrown fountain pen. It features a steel nib, a colorless demonstrator body, and a cartridge convertor filling system. The Chibi 2 retails for $2.99, and is available only at Jetpens. ​A view of the nib of Chibi.​​ First Impressions (6/10) I bought this pen to push me over the free shipping limit on my Jetpens order, and I actually forgot that I had ordered it until it arrived. It is an unassuming pen, pretty much the definition of a “pocket pen”, and I set it aside for later. The pen came with a black ink cartridge in the barrel, which is always nice. The capped Chibi​​Appearance (7/10) The demonstrator pen is decently attractive for what it is, but it couldn’t compete with the likes of a TWISBI or a Pelikan demonstrator. The pen has a clear feed, so you can see the ink flow into it. The nib is small and steel, marked with “Iridium Point Germany.” The pen has a rounded, clear plastic clip with “Jetpens” written on it. The Chibi Posted Design/Size/Weight (10/10) Jetpens really nailed this in my opinion. In the second iteration of the Chibi, they were able to pin down exactly what a “pocket pen” should be. The pen is small, (3 7/8 inches uncapped, 4 1/2 inches capped, 5 3/8 inches posted) but easily usable when posted, and is so light you don’t even notice that you have something in your pocket. It is cheap enough to take anywhere, and feels sturdy enough to be taken anywhere. The barrel and section of the Chibi, separated. Nib (8/10) The nib is a fairly standard steel nib. The nib is marketed as Fine by Jetpens, but I found mine to be a little bit on the wide side, a barely noticeable amount wider than my Pilot Vanishing Point M Nib. The nib is a teensy bit dry, but there is still ample ink flow, and the pen does not skip at all when writing quickly. The nib is mostly smooth, but you can feel some feedback now and then. It’s a nail, so don’t expect anything in the flex department. Filling System (N/A) It’s a cartridge. It works. You can’t fit any convertor I tried into it. Not much else to say here. Cost and Value (10/10) This pen is a great value at $2.99, especially if you need to reach that free shipping line like I did. It compares favorably to pens like the Pilot Petit and the Platinum Preppy, its two main competitors, and unlike them accepts international cartridges. If you need a pocket pen, or a cheap pen to keep in your glove compartment, this one fits the bill nicely. Conclusion (8/10) The pen is a great value, but it has some flaws. It isn’t going to turn any heads when you pull it out, for instance, and it won’t accept a convertor. Despite this, it’s a neat little pen that’s well worth the price, and I would recommend trying it out. If you hate it, you could always give it away to a newcomer to the Fountain Pen world, it’ll still be many times better than the best ball-point. (In my opinion, obviously not a fact, don’t mean to insult any ball-point fans out there). ​

I am looking for single shop inks. I went to Nihombashi Maruzen and got the Eternal blue and Hatobanezu grey. Where are the others? Did I miss any in the Marunouchi store? What are these colors?? See picture. These green boxes are not the store editions .. Correct? Thank you

The sixth pen of the Sailor Limited Edition range in a kawari-nuri technique is the "Uchu". It invites you to the endless "Cosmos". Wataru Kurotobi-san expressed the univers by using a hakeme-nuri technique. This pen, limited to 33 pcs, is the King Of Pen with 21kt gold nib in M or B. http://www.sakurafountainpengallery.com/en/boutique/detail/uchu-sailor-limited-edition All welcome to visit the SFPG ! Catherine