I keep a folder on my browser full of fountain pen resources that I’ve found helpful throughout my time learning about fountain pens. These are sites that I’ve discovered over the past (almost) two years and ones that I keep going back to when I need to check something or learn something new.

I will be updating this page whenever I find another useful site, as well as editing current entries as things evolve!

Last Edited: April 13, 2022

• Mountain of Ink - This is a fantastic blog that is truly an insane collection of hundreds of ink reviews. You can search by color, by property and by brand. The author has beautiful handwriting and gives a great in-depth breakdown on each ink they review.

• InkSwatch.com - To be honest, I don’t use this site much, but it is still a helpful tool in comparing inks by multiple different factors. Check it out! It may be the right resource for you.

• Guide to Fountain Pen Nibs - JetPens offers this extremely in-depth guide that includes types of nibs, nib materials, nib characteristics, and more!

• Nib Infographic - Pen Chalet has an extremely helpful infographic that details the parts of a nib, as well as some more detailed explanations about the nib.

• Nib Tipping Size Chart - Pen Chalet offers a great sizing chart where you can see in millimeters how nibs on different pens compare to others. While it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll write the same, you can get a general idea of what kind of width you’re looking at.

• Pen Realm - Kirk Speer is a phenomenal nibmeister and my personal go-to choice for specialty grinds. I have sent many pens to him for grinds and they’ve all come back perfect. His architect grinds are especially friendly and smooth and I cannot recommend them enough. I like that his questionnaire asks for a lot of detailed information to ensure that the grind comes out just how you want it and he sends you images for approval before you get your pen back. I also appreciate that he offers an expedited service for a fee, as I am an impatient person who does not enjoy being parted with my pens! He also sells new and used pens on his site, as well as loose nibs (like a jowo) for custom grinds.

• Custom Nib Studio - Gena Salorino does fantastic work and offers multiple different nib customizations. You send your pen(s) to her and she makes them special! She is also the creator of the “journaler nib” for the Esterbrook Estie, a great and forgiving smaller/smoother stub nib for some flavor.

• The Nib Grinder - Mark Bacas does spectacular work and offers a plethora of options for customizations. He also includes some helpful videos on his site about nib grinds. Sometimes you can find already customized pens for sale on his site as well, but he is mostly a send-in type business.

• The Tokyo Inklings Podcast- This podcast is hosted by two people (CY and Jacob) who are transplants living in Japan and they often have other featured guests (also transplants to Japan) and they discuss what is hot, what is not, and what is up and coming in the stationery/fountain pen scene in Japan.

• The Stationery Cafe - This podcast is hosted by a few people located in the US (though some are transplants from other countries) and discusses a wide variety of topics related to stationery, fountain pens, and journaling.