3952 Old Goat - TAPANI Select Abalone Shell Two-Tone Steel Nib Fountain Pen Series

TAPANI: 3952 Old Goat - Named after the historic place name of Yujing, Tainan, Taiwan, this is a premium everyday writing essential. Featuring Abalone Shells: A Natural Shell Inlay Craft (Special full-coverage shell design) Natural shells possess unique textures and colors, displaying delicate, ever-changing luster under different lighting and angles. The Old Goat fountain pen uses carefully selected natural shells, showcasing the beauty inherent in natural materials through meticulous hand-inlay craftsmanship. During production, natural shells are cut into thin, precisely sized pieces, then carefully arranged and inlaid one by one, seamlessly aligning each piece's original natural grain and color. After assembly, the surface is polished by hand and finished with a thick layer of clear lacquer, resulting in a smooth, refined, and warm, luminous surface. Each shell piece features distinct natural patterns and colors (selected at random for each high-quality piece), creating rich visual depth when combined. These pieces reveal captivating plays of light and color as you shift your view. While natural joins are visible, the surface remains smooth and delicate to the touch. From material selection and cutting to inlaying, polishing, and surface finishing, every step is handled with care to ensure the unique texture and luster of the natural shell are fully realized. The pen features grey chrome-plated accents, a screw-type airtight cap, and an elastic spring-loaded clip. The nib uses a small German BOCK #180 (#5) two-tone steel tip, manually ground and adjusted by Old Goat artisans into a calligraphy nib. It adds flair to Chinese characters, allowing for smooth, expressive strokes that capture the essence of brush calligraphy. A standard, unmodified straight nib is also available (in four sizes: EF, F, M, B). If your handwriting is smaller or more compact, we recommend the EF (extra fine) or F (fine) nibs. If you write larger characters or are looking for a reliable signature pen, we suggest the M (medium) or B (broad) nibs. **Product Set Includes: German SCHMIDT K2 converter (no ink included) + one handmade black genuine leather pen sleeve by a local master (style selected at random) + 3952 Old Goat premium pen box packaging.** Fountain Pen Dimensions: Total length approx. 149mm, body length (including grip) approx. 105mm, maximum diameter (excluding clip) approx. 14.5mm, total weight (excluding nib) approx. 41g. Regarding the Hand-Ground Calligraphy Nib: 1. For the calligraphy nib, we recommend starting by dipping the nib in ink (do not remove the converter installed inside the barrel to prevent backflow into the body). Once you have adjusted to the nib's performance, you may begin using the converter to fill the pen. 2. The calligraphy nib is an EF nib ground into a curved shape. Line variation is achieved not by pressure, but by the angle of the pen against the paper, utilizing the curve of the nib's tip. A more upright angle results in a thinner line as less of the tip touches the paper. A more tilted angle, or the application of slight pressure, increases the contact area, resulting in a thicker line. Mastering the line thickness comes with practice (please note that every nib has a limit to the pressure it can withstand; avoid excessive force to prevent damage or misalignment. Using a soft writing mat under your paper is recommended). To support environmental protection, we do not provide paper bags unless requested. If you require a gift bag, please indicate this in the order notes. Thank you. Images are for reference only; the product consists of a single pen. Some photos may show slight color variations due to lighting angles; the actual product shall prevail. Note: Please regularly clean and maintain the pen body and the inside of the cap. When the pen is not in use, do not store it with the nib pointing downward for extended periods. Warm Reminder: Do not press down hard while writing or tilt the pen to the left or right (for right-handed users, we recommend pointing the nib toward the 10 or 11 o'clock position) to avoid misalignment of the iridium tip, which may cause scratching or ink skipping. Clean the nib frequently with water to prevent ink buildup and ensure writing quality.