Kakimori Metal Nib — Stainless Steel Dip Pen Nib for Fine Lettering, Ink Swatching & Everyday Writing (Made in Japan)

The Precise Sibling in Kakimori's Nib Family

Kakimori designed two metal dip nibs from the same conical body and the same set of capillary grooves, then finished them in two different metals specifically to produce two different writing feels. Where the Brass Nib softens and gives slightly under pressure, the Stainless Steel Nib holds its shape — a firmer, crisper point that favours consistent, controlled lines over expressive, pressure-sensitive ones. Designed by Yuto Yamazaki of the Kuramae-based studio Alloy and manufactured by Alloy Inc. in Japan, it's the nib in the lineup built for people who want the high ink capacity of a dip pen without giving up the precision of fine lettering.

What Makes the Stainless Steel Nib Different

Like its brass counterpart, the Stainless Steel Nib's rounded, cylindrical body is cut with fine capillary grooves that draw ink up and hold it against the metal, giving it enough capacity to write a full sentence or two — sometimes more — from a single dip. Tilting the nib below 45 degrees still opens up a range of line widths, from a fine, controlled point held near-vertical to broader strokes as the angle flattens. But because stainless steel doesn't flex the way brass does, the line stays sharp and even rather than undulating, which makes this the nib most reviewers reach for when the goal is legible handwriting, hand lettering, or precise ink swatching rather than painterly mark-making. Stainless steel is also naturally more rust-resistant than brass, so it tolerates frequent rinsing and long-term storage with less maintenance.

Design & Craftsmanship

The nib measures 30mm in length with a 6mm body diameter and weighs approximately 3g — a hair lighter than the brass version, and small enough to sit in any of Kakimori's nib holders, including the Sakura Wood and White Sakura Wood holders, or in most universal-spec dip pen holders already on the market. As with the rest of the metal nib range, the tip is rounded and hand-polished rather than stamped, and the base of the nib is stamped with the Kakimori logo. The result is a nib that delivers a sharp, consistent writing experience without the scratchiness common to cheaper stamped-steel dip nibs.

Compatibility & Care

The Stainless Steel Nib is nib only; a holder is sold separately, and it fits Kakimori's Sakura Wood, White Sakura Wood, Aizome, Urushi, and Aluminum holders as well as most standard universal-fit dip pen holders. Ink flow can feel slightly slow on first use — a light protective coating applied during manufacturing needs a rinse or two before ink flows freely.

Stainless steel is lower-maintenance than brass, but the same basic habits apply: rinse the grooves in water frequently during use to keep dried ink from building up in the capillary channels, and remove any stubborn residue with a soft toothbrush under water rather than scraping the surface. If a detergent is needed, use a pH-neutral formula — alkaline detergents will damage the finish over time, on steel as on brass. Maximum recommended writing angle is 45 degrees; when removing the nib from its holder, pull gently while turning rather than straight out, to avoid loosening the holder's nib mount.

Part of a Larger Nib Family

The Stainless Steel Nib sits alongside Kakimori's Brass Nib, Copper Nib, Glass Nib, and fountain-pen-style Pen Nib, all built to the same universal specifications and interchangeable across Kakimori's holders. Where brass rewards painterly, angle-varied strokes and copper offers a third tonal option between the two metals, stainless steel is the nib to reach for when the priority is a clean, repeatable line — daily journaling, hand lettering, or fine-detail ink swatching where consistency matters more than expressive variation.

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 hand-lettering, journaling, or building out a full dip pen kit, the Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib is a precise, low-maintenance place to start.