Kakimori Metal Nib — Brass Dip Pen Nib for Ink Swatching, Sketching & Expressive Line Work (Made in Japan)

A Dip Nib That Behaves More Like a Brush Than a Pen

Most dip pen nibs are variations on a single idea: a flat, split-tip shape borrowed from Western calligraphy, dipped shallow and refilled often. Kakimori's Brass Nib takes a different starting point entirely. Its rounded, conical body — closer in silhouette to a glass dip pen than a traditional steel nib — is cut with a series of fine capillary grooves that pull ink up and hold it against the surface of the metal, rather than relying on a feed or reservoir. Designed by Yuto Yamazaki of the Kuramae-based studio Alloy and produced by Alloy Inc. in Japan, it was developed specifically to solve a problem familiar to anyone who has snapped a glass dip pen mid-swatch: how to build a nib durable enough for daily use without losing the expressive, angle-sensitive line of a traditional dip tool.

What Makes the Brass Nib Different

Tilt the Brass Nib below 45 degrees and the line width shifts continuously — from a fine point at a near-vertical angle to broad, undulating strokes as the nib lays flatter against the page, with the side of the nib doubling as a small brush for filling in swatches or blocking colour. That range, combined with the nib's unusually high ink capacity — enough, by most accounts, to fill a postcard from a single dip — makes it a favourite among ink reviewers and sketchers who need to move between fine lettering and broad colour application without switching tools. Because it's solid brass rather than glass or coated steel, it also survives the kind of daily handling that would eventually chip a glass nib: dropped on a desk, rinsed repeatedly, carried in a pouch.

Design & Craftsmanship

The nib measures 30mm in length with a 6mm body diameter and weighs approximately 4g — small enough to sit neatly in any of Kakimori's nib holders, including the Sakura Wood and White Sakura Wood holders, and compatible with most other universal-spec dip pen holders on the market. The tip itself is individually rounded and polished by hand rather than stamped, which is what gives the Brass Nib its notably smooth glide compared to sharper, more scratch-prone dip nibs. Being solid, uncoated brass, the metal is also naturally soft enough to register a small amount of feedback under pressure — closer to the feel of a flexible nib than a rigid steel one — without sacrificing durability.

Compatibility & Care

The Brass Nib is nib only; a holder is sold separately, and it works with Kakimori's own Sakura Wood, White Sakura Wood, Aizome, Urushi, and Aluminum holders as well as most standard universal-fit dip pen holders. Ink flow may feel slightly slow on first use, a result of the light protective coating applied during manufacturing — this clears with a few rinses and a bit of use.

Raw brass requires slightly more attentive care than a coated nib: rinse the grooves in water frequently during use to prevent dried ink from building up, and dry the nib thoroughly after every session to prevent surface corrosion. Stubborn dried ink can be lifted gently with a soft toothbrush under water; if using detergent, choose a pH-neutral formula, since alkaline detergents will damage the brass surface over time. Handled this way, the metal will gradually darken and develop a natural patina — a visible record of use that many owners consider part of the nib's appeal rather than something to prevent. Maximum recommended writing angle is 45 degrees; when removing the nib from its holder, pull gently while turning rather than pulling straight out, to avoid loosening the holder's nib mount.

Part of a Larger Nib Family

The Brass Nib is one entry in Kakimori's small, deliberately varied nib lineup, all built to the same universal specifications and interchangeable across Kakimori holders. Alongside it sit the Stainless Steel Nib, offering a crisper, more precise feel suited to fine linework and hand lettering; a Copper Nib for a third metal option between brass and steel; a Glass Nib for the longest ink retention and the most traditional dip pen feel; and a fountain-pen-style Pen Nib for writers who want dip pen flexibility with a more familiar tip shape. Choosing between them is mostly a question of hand feel and intended use — brass for expressive, painterly line variation and ink swatching; steel for clean, consistent lettering.

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, since launching its original dip pen line in 2021, built a small and carefully considered catalogue of nibs, nib holders, custom inks, and order-made notebooks — tools meant, in the brand's own words, to inspire a lifetime of use.

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 nibs and nib holders 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

Whether you're swatching ink for the first time or building out a full dip pen kit, the Kakimori Brass Nib is a durable, expressive starting point.