After Boing Boing got me into fountain pens, I took the jump into nib pens (though I still mostly use fountain pens). It’s really cheap to get into. More so than fountain pens. So, if you’re looking to get a weirdo who likes to write by hand (
like me) something for tho holidays, I think self-assembled a nib pen kit would make for a good gift.
Here’s a list of the things you’ll need to buy and links to get you started. Despite the fact that I’m linking to Jet Pens, I’m not endorsing Jet Pens. To be honest, as the person getting into nib pens, I felt some of their choices were obnoxiously limiting but didn’t know where else to go.
You’re going to need to:
- Pick a nib. I like this one (Brause 361) but if you’re buying for an artist, you’ll want to steer toward manga nibs (didn’t try one, can’t recommend a specific one despite having linked to a specific one). Price: $1.60-4.00
- Pick a nib holder. There are different sizes. This one seems to have the flexibility to cover a wide variety of sizes. There are others that do as well but it’s not a guarantee. Price: $4.25
- Ink. Don’t buy fountain pen ink for a nib pen. I bought this but this is slightly cheaper and may actually better for artists. I can’t speak to that part. Price: $8:25-11.50
Total cost, about $20.
You might also want to buy paper but jeez that shit is expensive. Between you and me, I think buying a stack of card stock will get them started. Enthusiasts will probably tell me I’m horribly wrong but spending that much on practice paper is a bit out of my budget.
