--- title: "Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib: The Grooved Dip Nib" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kakimori-stainless-steel-nib/" description: "Kakimori stainless steel metal nib explained: a 30 mm grooved dip nib made in Japan, 45° writing angle, line width by tilt, which holders fit, and care tips." category: "Accessories" type: "Dip pen nib" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-22 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 6 products: - name: "Kakimori Metal Nib, Stainless Steel (K21PMB00M1)" brand: "Kakimori" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Japan" material: "Stainless steel (Kakimori)" price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "ALLOY Co., Ltd." model: "Metal nib, stainless (K21PMB00M1)" mpn: "K21PMB00M1" sku: "KM-K21PMB00M1 (Goulet)" gtin: "4580728880215" url: "https://kakimori.com/products/k21pmb00m1" --- # Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib: The Grooved Dip Nib > The Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib (K21PMB00M1) is a Japanese dip-pen nib: a 30 mm bullet-shaped stainless point with lengthwise grooves that hold ink, rounded and polished so it glides. Tilt it for a broader line. It fits Kakimori and many standard nib holders, writes a sentence or two per dip, and lists at ¥4,950 (about US$31). - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kakimori-stainless-steel-nib/ - Category: Accessories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-22 ![Kakimori stainless steel dip nib with lengthwise ink grooves and a bullet-shaped point, drawn to scale at 30 mm long and 6 mm across](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/kakimori-stainless-steel-nib-16x9.png) *Kakimori's stainless nib at its listed 30 × 6 mm, drawn at 1 mm = 16 px.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Kakimori Metal Nib, Stainless Steel (K21PMB00M1) | Kakimori (by ALLOY Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Japan | Stainless steel (Kakimori) | – | $$$: $20–75 per item | - Made in (Kakimori Metal Nib, Stainless Steel (K21PMB00M1)): Japan. Kakimori's Japanese product page lists the maker as ALLOY Co., Ltd. (株式会社ALLOY) and the country of manufacture as Japan (製造（国）日本); the nib was designed by Hayato Yamazaki of ALLOY. Source: https://kakimori.com/products/k21pmb00m1 ## Key takeaways - Kakimori lists the nib at 30 mm long, 6 mm across and 4 g, in stainless steel, made in Japan by ALLOY Co., Ltd. - Kakimori's Japanese shop lists it at ¥4,950 (about US$31); the brass version costs the same and the copper version ¥6,050 (about US$38). - Kakimori says to hold it at 45 degrees; Goulet says one dip writes a sentence or two. - Kakimori's compatibility chart marks 17 holders from four other brands as fitting: Tachikawa, E+M, Brause and Tokyo Slider. - On October 22, 2026 it was 28th on Goulet's best-seller list, with 27 reviews averaging 4.78 out of 5. ## What is the Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib? **It's a dip-pen nib from Japanese stationery brand Kakimori: a bullet-shaped stainless steel point with lengthwise grooves that hold ink.** Kakimori says it came from a wish for a sturdy, easy-to-use nib; you push it into a nib holder and dip it in a bottle. The design is by Hayato Yamazaki of ALLOY, a company based in Kuramae, Tokyo. Kakimori says that after repeated prototypes he rounded the tip and polished it carefully, so it writes smoothly in a way that "doesn't feel like metal". It's one of the steadiest sellers at Goulet Pens: 28th on the best-seller list on October 22, 2026, with 27 reviews averaging 4.78 out of 5. ## Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib specs | Spec | Kakimori Metal Nib, stainless | |---|---| | Model | K21PMB00M1 | | Size | 30 mm long × 6 mm across (1.2 × 0.24 in) | | Weight | 4 g (Kakimori); 3 g (Goulet) | | Material | Stainless steel | | Writing angle | 45° (Kakimori) | | Ink per dip | A sentence or two (Goulet) | | Designer / maker | Hayato Yamazaki / ALLOY Co., Ltd. | | Made in | Japan | | JAN | 4580728880215 | | List price (Japan) | ¥4,950 (about US$31) | Kakimori's Japanese page gives the size, weight, maker and country. Goulet measures 20 mm of nib outside the holder and 3 g, which we list alongside. ![Kakimori stainless nib drawn to scale at 30 by 6 mm, held at 45 degrees, with a fine line at a steep angle and a broader line when tilted lower](https://stationerytimes.com/images/kakimori-stainless-steel-nib-angle.svg) *Kakimori says to write at 45°; tilting lower brings more of the point onto the paper and widens the line (schematic).* ## How do you write with it? **Hold it at about 45 degrees and let the grooves feed the ink; tilt lower for a broader line.** Kakimori says the writing angle sets the line: steeper for thin lines and small letters, flatter for thick lines, and the side of the point can even fill in color. Goulet adds that each dip writes a sentence or two, and calls the line sharp and consistent. Kakimori recommends it for drawing as well as writing. ## Which nib holders does it fit? **Kakimori's own holders and many standard straight holders.** Kakimori says it's designed to fit many holders, not only its own, and publishes a chart of other brands. - **Marked as fitting:** Tachikawa TP-40, TP-25 and TP-36; E+M Antique, Marble and Gemini; Brause Ergonomic; ten Tokyo Slider holders. - **Not marked:** Tachikawa N-20 and N-17, Speedball No. 102 and Standard, Kaweco Special, Ziller holders and the Luis Creations Moblique. Kakimori says to twist the nib as you push it in and as you pull it out; pulling it hard can loosen the holder's insert. ## How do you care for the nib? **Rinse it often in water, and never let ink dry in the grooves.** Kakimori warns that dried ink in the grooves is hard to remove; a soft toothbrush and water will lift stubborn ink. - **First use:** surface oil can stop ink flowing; wash it or re-dip a few times. - **Detergent:** neutral only. Kakimori says alkaline detergents damage the surface. - **Handling:** a hard knock can stop ink flowing, because the point is precisely made. - **Ink:** Kakimori recommends its own or Inkstand pigment inks. ## Which Kakimori nib should you choose? **Stainless for durability, brass or copper for color, glass for a different feel.** Prices are Kakimori's Japanese list prices on October 22, 2026. | Kakimori nib | Code | List price (Japan) | |---|---|---| | Metal nib, stainless | K21PMB00M1 | ¥4,950 (about US$31) | | Metal nib, brass | K21PMB00M9 | ¥4,950 (about US$31) | | Metal nib, copper | KP05501 | ¥6,050 (about US$38) | | Glass nib | KP05502 | ¥7,700 (about US$49) | For broad-edge lettering instead, a [Pilot Parallel Pen](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-parallel-pen/) needs no dipping; our [calligraphy pens for beginners](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-calligraphy-pens-for-beginners/) compares the options. ## Where is the Kakimori nib made? **In Japan.** Kakimori's product page lists ALLOY Co., Ltd. as the maker and Japan as the country of manufacture. Kakimori doesn't give a launch date on its current shop, so we don't state one. Kakimori's own shop is at 1-6-2 Misuji in Kuramae, Tokyo, with Inkstand's ink mixing upstairs; it is in our [Tokyo stationery stores](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-stationery-stores-tokyo/) guide. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many words does the Kakimori nib write per dip? About a sentence or two, according to Goulet. Its grooves hold the ink, but it still needs regular dipping. ### Does the Kakimori nib fit a Speedball holder? Not according to Kakimori. Its compatibility chart doesn't mark the Speedball No. 102 or Standard holders as fitting, but it does mark Tachikawa TP-40, Brause Ergonomic and several Tokyo Slider holders. ### Why does a new Kakimori nib skip? Kakimori says surface oil from manufacturing can stop ink at first; rinse it in water or re-dip a few times and it writes more easily. ### What ink should you use with a Kakimori nib? Kakimori recommends its own or Inkstand pigment inks. Rinse the nib often, because ink that dries in the grooves is hard to remove. ### Is the stainless or brass Kakimori nib better? They share the design and the Japanese list price. Kakimori stresses that stainless resists rust and is durable; choose brass if you prefer its gold color. ### Can you use the Kakimori nib for calligraphy? For lettering with even lines and for drawing, yes. Kakimori says tilting it widens the line and the side of the point can fill in color, and recommends it for drawing. ### Is the Kakimori nib made in Japan? Yes. Kakimori lists Japan as the country of manufacture, with ALLOY Co., Ltd. as the maker. ## Sources - [Kakimori (Japan): Metal nib, ステンレス (K21PMB00M1; size H30 x Ø6 mm, 4 g, stainless, design Hayato Yamazaki, made by ALLOY Co., Ltd., Japan; usage notes; read October 22, 2026)](https://kakimori.com/products/k21pmb00m1) - [Kakimori (Japan): Metal nib, 真鍮 (brass, K21PMB00M9)](https://kakimori.com/products/k21pmb00m9) - [Kakimori (Japan): Metal nib, 銅 (copper, KP05501)](https://kakimori.com/products/kp05501) - [Kakimori: Nib Compatibility with other brands (PDF chart)](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0405/6150/8515/files/Nib_Compatibility_with_otherbrands.pdf?v=1777857336) - [Goulet Pens: Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib (20 mm nib, 3 g, 45-degree angle, a sentence or two per dip, 27 reviews; read October 22, 2026)](https://www.gouletpens.com/products/kakimori-stainless-steel-nib) - [Goulet Pens: Best sellers (Kakimori Stainless Steel Nib 28th on October 22, 2026)](https://www.gouletpens.com/collections/best-sellers)