Just after the original Kickstarter launch of the Drillog machined dip nib pens, I was able to test one. I recall really liking the nib but the original shape of the super-short sprial nib holder was not to my liking. It was a little too short and a little too wide. For such an elegant nib design, the nib holder did not have the same elegance. All of this has been updated and changed in the intervening four years since I last had one in hand. The new DRILLOG Classical2 material AL Nib Holder and the even more amazing looking Kodachi Nib are taking the machined, dip pen maker to new levels.
The Classical2 AL Nib Holder (in Nocturne Blue, ¥22,000, approx. $140.15USD) is a smooth cylinder with subtle brass details and the ability to post the cap to increase length and adjust its weight distribution. I love a dip pen with a cap as I frequently travel with my tools and having to wrap a delicate nib in plastic, tubing, towels or other precautions can be fiddly and cumbersome. All hail, capped dip pens!
The Kodachi nib (in Midnight, ¥29,700, approx. $176.46USD) is a titanium, variable-width nib whose design was supervised by master nib artisan Yukio Nagahara. The tip shape is reminiscent of a kodachi (Japanese short sword), and its unique angle allows for a wide variety of line variations. By holding the nib on its side, you can create wide strokes, perfect for swatching inks and creating calligraphic designs. Holding it on its tip, you can create a fine line for writing tests, drawing, details and such.
In Use:
The Kodachi nib is amazingly smooth. Whether using it on its side or on its very fine tip, it glides on the paper. But its not so slick that I felt like I was ice skating. Especially, if you’re doing calligraphy, you do’t want your nib to be too slick to force you to slow down and write slowly and thoughtfully. And the DRILLOG is exctly that. Its smooth without friction. The DRILLOG Kodachi nib is not as pencil-y feeling as a Sailor 14k F nib which is my benchmark for scratchy-but-good nibs, it’s smoother but not slick. I think its one of the best dip pen experiences I’ve ever had. I love being able to change and adjust the tip for wide or think lines to play, experiment, swatch and more.
I used the absolutely stunning (and kinda matchy-mtchy) Troublemaker Abalone ink. Its a multi-chromatic bluish-violet with purple and turquoise color shifts. It’s one of the earlier multichromatics and remains one of the best.
Compared to other tools:
I have used so many different tools for dip testing inks — the Kakimori and Colorverse Shuttle metal dip nibs, all sorts of glass pens, traditional dip nibs like Zebra G nibs, old Esterbrook dip nibs, folded nibs and Speedball nibs in a wide variety of sizes. I’ve also regularly used the Pilot Iro-Utushi dip nib and the Sailor Hocoro pens. So, if you add up all the money I’ve spent over the years on dip pens, I’ve probably spent several hundreds of dollars on nibs and holders. I 100% admit that the DRILLOG is quite expensive. All the tools I use have been useful but some did not meet with my expectations.
If I had the DRILLOG to start with, I would not necessarily want or need any of the others– at least for the types of writing, swatching and lettering that I do. I might still use or keep a few other tools but I feel like the DRILLOG solves so many problems for me.
Final Impressions:
For my configuration, the total cost was about $317 (depending on exchange rates, fees, etc). It is definitely a luxury dip pen. But it lives up to the price. It is the smoothest dip pen tool I have ever used with the most variation. And its rainbow colored!
If I had it to do over, I probably would have gotten one of the Classical2 Ti Gradient Nib Holders (in the matching Twilight) that better matches the gradient nib — just to be all matchy-matchy. The Ti Gradient holders are considerably more expensive (¥38,500, approx. $245.26USD) so I realize that I went with the AL holder as a cost saving measure but I can dream.
The fine point is very fine, probably comparable to a 0.5mm which may be too fine for some people. The standard silver-tone DRILLOG nib is comparable to the 0.7mm which may be better for someone looking for a wider tip. And if you don’t need the wide strokes, the standard gradient DRILLOG nib is just the 0.5mm size.
Since DRILLOG will be in attendance at both the upcoming DC and SF Pen Shows, I wanted to get this up so folks can consider if they want to visit the DRILLOG table at these shows. Being able to see these pens in person and even get to test drive them is the best way to decide if this is worth it for you.
I sample inks all the time. I’m such an ink nerd, I manufacture the Col-o-ring and related products. Saying that, I know that I am more inclined to get a lot of use out of this tool. But if you love inks, dip pens or calligraphic tools, the DRILLOG Kodachi nib is worth considering.
DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by DRILLOG for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
