The Honest Nib delivers real, no-nonsense reviews of fountain pens, fountain pen inks, and stationery. No hype or paid endorsements—just honest opinions based on real-world use.
Focusing on budget and premium fountain pens, ink reviews, and everyday office supplies, the channel highlights locally available pens, inks, notebooks, and writing tools you can actually find and use. From beginner fountain pens to reliable daily writers, you’ll get practical, unbiased insights.
Expect straightforward, slightly rough-around-the-edges reviews with real writing samples, ink performance tests, and paper comparisons—so you know exactly what to expect before buying.
Perfect for anyone into fountain pens, ink comparisons, handwriting, journaling, and stationery reviews who wants truth over marketing.
THE HONEST NIB
Hi Guys,
This is truly a good day for all Pen and Ink enthusiasts. Here we have a new company, that has been manufacturing ink from around 2021 and has never been featured on Youtube. Yes their stationary supplies are well known, but i cannot find any videos on there inks.
What makes it even more interesting is that it is a South African company. And a source of National Pride.
So without further ado, enjoy....
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 2
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THE HONEST NIB
Hi Guys. In this video I take a slightly different approach. I explore Diamine's German market exclusives "Communication Breakdown & "Hell's Bell's" in a side by side boxing style format. This was a really fub video to make, and is a welcome departure from the standard, here's an ink, this is what it looks like.
Let me know what you think. Every View and Every Comment is important to me. And I read every comment made.
The views on my channel has dropped significantly, and I suspect that YT is not sending out notifications of my video uploads to my subscribers. Please check in regularly, as I will be posting updates and notifications from time to time.
Enjoy the video, I gaurantee that there is no other ink review on youtube in this format 😊👍
1 month ago | [YT] | 0
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THE HONEST NIB
Right guys, good news for Tomoe River fans.
For other paper fans, do not fear. I am working on precuring all the awesome recommendations made. Graphilo, Cosmo Air-Light, Iroful, etc.
I have managed to secure some original machine #9 white paper.
Now before I get crucified. I know its not machine number 7. But man, its as close as one can get. And I'm reliably informed that only the most die-hard paper enthusiast will be able to tell the difference between #7 & #9. And that N9 is a great improvement on the Sanzen variety.
So in the next couple of weeks, I will be doing a deep dive real world test between the original #9 and Sanzen varieties. I'll look at the writing experience, sheening and shadding of ink (Thinking of Iroshizuku Shin-kai as a nice neutral blue, which does sheen on Sanzen) and any other interesting technical factors I can think of.
2 months ago | [YT] | 10
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THE HONEST NIB
COMING SOON !! Montblanc Great Characters - Enzo Ferrari Giallo Modena Fountain pen unboxing & review. Scheduled release:
US East Coast (New York / ET)
👉 Friday 20:30 (8:30 PM)
US West Coast (Los Angeles / PT)
👉 Friday 17:30 (5:30 PM)
I take a deep dive into the packaging, manuals, the pen, filling and writing experience. I added skippable chapters, so if the unboxing or manuals is not of interest to you, you can jump to the areas that are.
I would appreciate any and all comments. I learn from them, and they help me to provide a better product.
2 months ago | [YT] | 3
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THE HONEST NIB
Which of these paper types is your favorite to write and swatch on? If there are any other paper types that you would like to see me swatch some of these epic inks on, please feel free to leave a comment. And I'll do my best to fulfill your request. 🙂
3 months ago | [YT] | 6
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THE HONEST NIB
In this the second episode of a 10-part series. I explore the Royal Blue tones of Diamines Tchaikovsky ink. Tchaikovsky's most famously known for his epic 1812 overture. I test this ink on the big five papers, Tomoe River, Clairefontaine, Midori, Kakimori and Rhodia.
Join me on this classical adventure and let's discover the different shades and sheening together.
A playlist has been created where each episode will be uploaded.
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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THE HONEST NIB
In episode 1 of this 10-part series. I explore the Olive Green tones of Diamines Wagner ink. An interesting choice by Diamine. Wagners famous work, Ryde of the Valkeries plays gently in the background. I test this ink on the big five papers, Tomoe River, Clairefontaine, Midori, Kakimori and Rhodia.
Join me on this classical adventure, and lets discover the different shades together.
A playlist has been created where each episode will be uploaded.
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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THE HONEST NIB
In this video I unbox an eclectic mix of Diamine inks. As well as an awesome set of Diamine's Music collection. I will be making a 10 Part series where I will be swatching all 10 inks on Midori, Kakimori, Rhodia, Clairefontain and Tamoe River Paper. All filmed in glorious 4k. Hopefully all in focus 🙂
I also unbox and review the Twsbi Eco Caffe with a 1.1mm Italic Stub nib, which I fill with Diamine's Desert Burst ink. I do a writing sample on Rhodia paper in my best cursive. Not the neatest handwriting, but ill blame it on the arthritis in this right hand.
If you like the video, and find it informative. I would greatly appreciate a like and if I may be so bold, ask for a subscription. It helps small creators greatly.
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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THE HONEST NIB
Sometimes the most boring fountain pens are also the most reliable. But what if we change things up a little?
In this video I change out the Platinum 03 nib for a Lamy EF. Will it write? Have a look, and let me know what you think.
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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THE HONEST NIB
In this video I look at what makes a fountain pen special. Why we as enthusiasts swoon over fountain pens, and to a far lesser extent the other prn types. I look at the emotional attachment to these usable works of art.
Do you have the same passion for these awesome objects as I do?
3 months ago | [YT] | 0
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