FAQ

Yes.

A nib adjustment can greatly improve an odd or unpleasant writing feel. For example, a simple rinse (ultrasonic cleaning or a lukewarm-water flush) can clear the ink path and reduce skipping and scratchiness. By combining line-width tuning and polishing, we can resolve issues such as skipping, ink pooling, and drag, delivering a smoother writing experience.

Yes.

If it’s nib adjustment only, we can accept pens regardless of brand or model. However, for major geometry changes (regrinds or specialty grinds), some brands/models are structurally incompatible. For example, certain specialty nibs—such as Pilot’s Music nib—cannot be customized. Tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll advise case by case.

Yes.

Before requesting service, please thoroughly flush the nib and feed with lukewarm water to remove dried ink and residue; mild clogs often clear with cleaning alone. If symptoms like skipping or broken lines remain, a nib adjustment can address them. Feel free to contact us.

If the tipping (the small round pellet at the very tip) has come off, we’re unable to repair it and the manufacturer will need to handle it. If the tipping is intact and the nib is simply bent, we can repair it—whether it’s a gold or a steel nib.

After restoring the shape, we’ll also retune the ink flow and overall writing feel, so please start by telling us the pen’s current condition. In most cases, we can bring back its original smooth writing experience.

The more specific examples or benchmarks you can give, the closer we can get to your ideal.

• Be explicit about ink-flow preference (e.g., “wet and juicy,” or “on the dry side for fine writing”).
• Give target line width with context (e.g., “fits cleanly within 6 mm ruled lines without feathering,” or “legible in a 3.5 mm planner grid”).
• Cite existing models/grades (e.g., “about Pilot EF,” “between LAMY F and M”).
Also share pen pressure, grip, writing speed, and the inks/papers you use—this helps us fine-tune tine gap and polishing angles. If unsure, include a handwriting sample or send smartphone photos of your writing.

Yes.

We do line-width changes, but generally from broader to finer only. Narrowing is done by carefully polishing the tipping. Making a finer nib broader would require adding metal, which we do not offer.

Yes—both.

We adjust and repair gold and steel nibs alike. We’re also happy to work on entry-level pens (including magazine freebies), so feel free to ask.

Typically, we complete and ship your pen back within about one week of receiving it. During peak seasons (e.g., back-to-school, year-end/new-year), a queue may form and lead times can extend to about 1–2 months.

Three things set us apart:

• Factory-honed craftsmanship — Your nib is handled by an artisan who trained for years at Sailor as a professional grinder. With maker-level techniques and quality standards, we can take on delicate work that is hard to do with self-taught methods alone.
• Precision rotary wheel finishing — In addition to hand work, we use a dedicated rotary grinding wheel to finish the tipping extremely evenly and smoothly. Keeping angle and pressure constant helps deliver both smooth feel and stable ink flow.
• “Impossible” jobs, possible — Thanks to the above tooling and know-how, we can often accept difficult requests other shops have declined—such as repairs on unusual nibs or extreme line-width changes.

These strengths have earned repeat customers from Japan and abroad—and a reputation as a last resort when nothing else works.

Our service is focused on nib work, so we generally do not repair body components such as cracked caps or barrels.
That said, in limited cases—e.g., a damaged feed—we may be able to help if we have compatible parts in stock. If this is essential for you, please let us examine the pen first so we can determine feasibility.

Yes.

We can tune the nib so it writes comfortably for left-handed users (as well as right-handed), delivering a versatile, easy-writing setup.

Please let us examine the pen first so we can help you keep this memory-rich instrument in use.
Even if the brand/model is unknown, we can often restore it by correcting nib bends, clearing ink blockages, and tuning line width.
Fountain pens carry their owners’ stories—we’d love to help restore the original writing feel so that story continues. Feel free to reach out.

Manufacturer after-sales service prioritizes returning the pen to factory specifications per internal standards. The nib’s geometry and line width are brought back to catalog spec, customization is not performed, and parts are replaced as needed.

At The Nib Shaper, our goal is different: we tailor the nib itself to your hand—your writing habits and preferences—optimizing angle, rounding, and ink flow rather than insisting on the original shape. This lets us pursue a writing feel that factory repair cannot.
In short, we don’t just “put it back to stock”—we make it easier for you to write.

Please visit the “The Nib Shaper – International Ship-in Request” page, read the on-page instructions and notices carefully, and submit your adjustment request there.

Helpful items to include:

Your usual paper & a handwriting sample
Please include one sheet of the paper you use most (e.g., office copy paper, planner refill). On that sheet, write a few lines at your normal size (e.g., aiueo or text you typically write). For adjustment purposes, natural handwriting is best—please avoid big loops and oversized letters.

How to pack
Wrap each pen individually in a soft material (tissue, bubble wrap, or newspaper) and place it in a rigid small box (e.g., a plastic case or lidded container). If it’s already in a hard case, you may send it in that case. Please avoid shipping pens in soft leather cases only, as they can be damaged in transit.

Avoid unnecessary enclosures
Please do not include accessories or large amounts of paperwork that aren’t needed—send only what’s necessary.

This packing method protects the pen during transit and lets us review your handwriting sample properly. Thank you for your cooperation.

Yes. We accept bundled requests.

Even if you send many pens, we inspect and adjust each one individually. When you apply, list each pen’s symptoms and desired feel in the form, and pack each pen separately (as above) before placing them together in a rigid box. Turnaround depends on quantity and workload; we’ll provide an estimated timeframe when you submit your request. Feel free to contact us.

Yes.

We accept requests from overseas. At present, we handle international requests via our partner NAGASAWA Stationery Center’s online service (our overseas desk).
How it works: Please visit the “The Nib Shaper – International Ship-in Request” page on NAGASAWA’s site, read the instructions and notices, and submit your request there. We support overseas customers throughout the process, so feel free to apply via that page.

Yes.

The NAGASAWA Stationery Center team handling the overseas desk will correspond with you in English via email.

Absolutely.

With fountain pens, comfort matters most regardless of experience. If your pen feels scratchy, skips, or the width/feel doesn’t suit you, please reach out. Getting a nib tuned to you early on makes the hobby far more enjoyable. At The Nib Shaper, we explain the process in plain language and support you carefully until we reach your ideal feel. You’re also welcome to visit a Pen Clinic.

We work with great care to avoid misses, but nib tuning is micron-level work, and on rare occasions a first pass may not hit your exact ideal. That’s why we use an iterative test-write approach—we watch your pressure, angle, and speed and make micro-adjustments accordingly. During test writing, please relax and write as you normally do; if you grip too tightly from nerves, the nib may be tuned to that temporary state and feel different at home.

Yes—no problem.

Our goal is simply to make the nib easy to write with now, so prior repair history doesn’t matter. Please feel free to treat us as a second opinion. Even if different shops have worked on it before, you’re welcome. Tell us the current symptoms and the feel you want, and we’ll propose a fresh plan.