Kakimori Frost Rollerball Replacement Nib — 0.5mm Ink-Friendly Rollerball Tip for Frost Pen (Made in Germany)

A Rollerball Tip That Still Runs on Bottled Ink

Kakimori's Frost pen was built around one core idea: a single, translucent body that accepts different nib units depending on how you want to write. This is the rollerball option — a 0.5mm ink-friendly tip that swaps directly into any Frost pen body in place of the fine or medium fountain pen nib. It isn't a conventional rollerball refill running on gel or liquid rollerball ink; it uses the exact same converter and bottled-ink system as the fountain pen nibs, just with a rounded ballpoint-style tip in place of a split fountain pen point. The result is a pen that feels as familiar to hold and use as a everyday rollerball, while writing with real fountain pen ink drawn straight from the bottle.

What Makes the Rollerball Nib Different

For anyone who reaches for a rollerball or gel pen out of habit but is curious about bottled ink, this nib is the easiest bridge between the two. The 0.5mm tip glides with the smooth, low-effort feel of a standard rollerball — no learning a fountain pen's writing angle, no risk of catching on paper — while still drawing ink through the Frost's converter, which means access to the full range of fountain pen inks rather than being locked into pre-made rollerball cartridges. It also puts down a noticeably wetter, medium-to-broad line compared to most gel or rollerball pens, letting shading and ink colour come through more vividly on the page. Wetter, more fluid inks tend to perform best in this nib; very dry or heavily shimmer-loaded inks are better suited to the fountain pen nibs instead.

Compatibility & Installation

This nib is designed specifically for the Kakimori Frost pen body and fits all five Frost colourways — Translucent, Moss, Violet, Amber, and Graphite. Swapping nibs is straightforward: remove the pen barrel and converter from the grip section, then rotate the installed nib counterclockwise to detach it from the grip section and rotate the new nib clockwise to secure it in place. No tools are required, and the same converter continues to work across whichever nib — rollerball, fine, or medium — is currently installed, so a single Frost pen can move between writing styles as needed.

Care & Ink Compatibility

Like the rest of the Frost nib range, this rollerball tip is made in Germany by Schmidt for consistent, reliable ink flow. To change ink colour while keeping the same nib, simply rinse it with water; for a complete colour change or to remove built-up residue, we recommend replacing the nib or soaking it in Kakimori's ink cleaning solution. Daily use helps keep the nib from drying out between writing sessions, and if travelling by air, we recommend filling the converter with ink after arrival rather than before departure to avoid leakage from pressure changes. Use gentle, even pressure — the nib is designed for a light touch rather than heavy ballpoint-style pressure.

Part of the Frost Nib System

This rollerball nib is one of three interchangeable nib units available for the Frost pen body, alongside the Fine and Medium fountain pen nibs. All three use the identical grip-section mount and the same converter, so switching between a classic fountain pen line and a smoother rollerball feel is simply a matter of swapping the nib — no separate pen required.

About Kakimori

Kakimori is a stationery brand and shop rooted in Kuramae, Tokyo, tracing back to a family stationery business founded in 1961. Reopened in 2010 by third-generation owner Takuma Hirose as a shop dedicated entirely to the pleasure of handwriting, Kakimori has built a small, considered catalogue of pens, nibs, custom inks, and order-made notebooks — objects designed, in the brand's own words, to bring stillness and pleasure to ordinary, everyday writing.

Product Specifications

Available at Shosai — Ottawa–Gatineau

Shosai (shosai.ca) is a fine stationery boutique serving the Ottawa–Gatineau National Capital Region. We carry a curated selection of Kakimori pens and replacement nibs alongside premium fountain pen inks and papers from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

• 📍 In-store pickup: Gatineau, QC — J9J 0K6
• 🛵 Local delivery: Available in the Ottawa–Gatineau area
• 🚚 Ships Canada-wide and to the US
• 🇫🇷 Bilingual service — English and French

If you love the feel of a rollerball but want the full range of bottled fountain pen ink, this is the easiest way to have both in one Frost pen.